Explores the enigmatic world of astrology--one of the oldest "predictive arts"--Revealing its complexities and scientific merit.

The astrologer is a figure almost as old as history itself, and his science expresses the human desire to pierce the veil of the future. Whispering into the ears of kings, working from seedy waterfront offices, or keeping themselves in seclusion, astrologers saw in the stars a universal system, knowledge without limit. Their theory remained a fixture of thought until astrology seemed to disappear, as Isaac Newton demonstrated the power of an authentic scientific system. But its doctrine has not vanished, and turns up in many aspects of modern science. In this respect, astrology can¿t die because the desire to see into the future is an immortal human longing. This superb book traces the birth, life, and continuing power of astrology in our world. Illus.

'The Fated Sky' looks at famous figures and important historical events that were influenced by astrology.

What can the starry skies tell you about yourself and others? More than you might imagine. For over four thousand years, people have watched the skies, correlating the movements of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets with human affairs. Astrology for Dummies shows the reader how to use that accumulated wisdom to identify strengths and weaknesses, discover creative abilities, understand relationships, and make the most of the times in which we live. Using an abundance of real-life examples, author Rae Orion offers an incisive account of each sign and planet, taking the reader far beyond the daily horoscope and illuminating the birth chart in all its individuality and complexity. Astrology for Dummies examines the time-honored ways astrology helps us understand ourselves and others. From how to map and interpret individual horoscopes to building and reading birth charts, Astrology For Dummies provides you with the tools to apply the art of astrology to your everyday life. Explore the long, multi-cultural, occasionally bloody history of astrology Discover useful advice about romance, career, and wellness Find the creative potential to be found in every sign and every birth chart Unravel the mysteries behind Mercury retrograde and other celestial phenomena Delve into the horoscopes of dozens of famous (and infamous) people, both past and present Investigate different ways to align yourself with the cosmos. Astrology hasn’t been around for millennia for nothing. It’s a practical tool, a symbolic language, a way to expand awareness, a means to increase empathy, and an exploration that touches the soul. Whether you want to learn about yourself, understand others, or glimpse the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, the answers are here — and in the stars!

Alchemy is an idea based on superstition and philosophical global traditions spanning hundreds of years. Alchemists made medicines and pharmaceuticals from the earth’s materials and purified objects through philosophy, magic, and spirituality. Chemistry is based on the material principles of mixed bodies, and spans all natural or physical sciences in its practices. This book on alchemy and chemistry shows the scientific method at work and proves and disproves the subjects at hand. It explores a branch of modern science or a major scientific milestone, comparing and contrasting it with an older idea that has been proved wrong or fails to meet the strict and studied standards of science.

Traces the story of the celebrated late-eighth and early ninth-century caliph from "The Thousand and One Nights" against a backdrop of Baghdad's cosmopolitan culture and its complex influence on the Byzantine Empire and Frankish kingdom of Charlemagne.

A beautiful book which for the first time explores the relationship between the cycles of Venus and Mars and their impact on our lives. Using many case histories the author shows how, although synastry is important, possibly of greater importance is the aspect between the two planets within their cycles because that can dictate the timing of key moments in a relationship. She shows how the degree of the original conjunction between the two planets ('the degree of passion'), based on the time of birth can indicate the kind of the people we are attracted to and the course a romance can follow. A really absorbing book which will prompt hours of research