Introduction to Astronomy

They attack it for this reason: because when they themselves have applied effort to its practice, not all are able to immediately achieve what they desire. And when, having lost hope, they cease from the study of the art, they spitefully disparage it; those whom their own inconstancy and lack of skill failed, they distance from the effectiveness of study. Therefore, since they have no rational basis for their objections, to respond to their empty chatter is both superfluous and seems unworthy.

¶ The eighth sect is that of the physicians—not those physicians who have great experience in that art. For those men, having experienced in their own art the no small necessity of astrology, voluntarily prefer it in their studies. Rather, it is the common professors of medicine, to whom (to use Julian’s word) it is easier for someone to grant that medicine helps than to concede the validity of astrology. These men, led by a rustic nature, announcing that nothing is to be sought except for bundles of wealth, labor to degrade astrology while subordinating all study to the faculty of earning and hoarding. As their own testimony proves, they are as ignorant of their own art as they are estranged from all other sciences; they are empty of mind, devoted like cattle to eating according to the whims of their own misfortune. For if they were well-known in the art they profess, they would not be ignorant of the supreme aid of astrology, which Hippocrates original: "Ypocras" attests to in a certain book. After the other things we have said, he says, "concerning the change of the air, these things belong to astrology." Hippocrates often emphasized the influence of seasons and stars on health in 'Airs, Waters, Places'. Nor indeed does astrology hold a small part in medicine, by which judgment he instructs those endowed with the skill of physicians to follow the alterations of the seasons, the movements of natures, and the courses of the stars. Thus, it is essential for physicians to be participants in astrology so that they may recognize the foundation and principle of their own art, over which the extent of astrology's superiority can be weighed. For when the astrologer has foreseen who is to be healed, and why, and how much, then finally the physician approaches usefully. Indeed, by the same foresight, he likewise guards against useless labor; for the power of the stars is so predominant in medicine that it even entirely claims the critical days critical days: "creticos dies," specific days in the course of a disease when a change or "crisis" was expected, traditionally linked to lunar cycles by which every variation of sickness is detected. Whence it is known to Hippocrates as well as to Galen and almost all other philosophers: astrology clearly holds the leadership of physics original: "phisice," here meaning the study of nature and medicine. Thus, he who condemns astrology necessarily destroys medicine.

¶ The ninth sect is the common folk; since they are strangers to all wisdom, they presume to detract from the dignity of astrology. For among them, no one is considered blessed unless they overflow with wealth, nor wise unless they are about to make a profit. Thus, there is a greater dignity in money than in wisdom. If only they did not abuse such an obscene comparison between the slippery things of fortune and the natural good of the swiftest mind—since it attacks all wisdom, it naturally does not bypass astrology. Recognize that this genus of men is not worthy of a response, for whom this first occurs: that a comparison of a thing outside of its own kind is inept. Because they make a comparison between wealth and sciences, it should seem no wonder, since the discernment of such things is the very nature of their intention. Since they prefer fortune to wisdom, it seems necessary for us to explain the difference.

¶ Fortune is indeed blind; she discerns neither the upright nor the wicked, nor any dignity or rank of man, but yields herself—even more quickly than to children—to ignoble habits and to those nearly more prone to her whim. Wisdom, so named, does not endure a sluggish wit or a degenerate soul; scarcely by the highest study, by cares and perpetual vigils, does she offer herself to be attained in that part of the affection. Fortune and wisdom proceed in this circuit toward that which is...