© Copyright 1997 Robert Zoller All Rights Reserved

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

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This a preliminary study primarily concerned with the origins and history of astrology in the United States of America. It is a little explored field of history, but one of importance not just for astrologers but for those interested in the history of contemporary religion, spirituality and the impact of alternative beliefs on American society and its social development.

It examines the transplanting of European astrology during the American colonial period and its evolution after the establishment of the United States of America. As such it provides a backdrop against which the late 19th century revival of astrology in the United States and the 20th century creation of "New Age" astrology can be better understood.

Particular attention is focused on the adoption of astrology by those with radical views on social and political reform. This transpired at the end of a period when astrology had been largely the preserve of those with mystical and/or scientific interests. Indeed, it is seen that the "Non-churched Swedenborgian" Spiritualistic and New England Transcendentalist circles appear to have been the networks which aided the spread of interest in this re-conceptualised astrology of the mid to late 19th century.

The strong English and German astrological currents are explored as is the conflict between Natural Astrology and Judicial Astrology. The former being accepted in New England's early universities (particularly Harvard) until well into the nineteenth century. The latter being popularly adopted, as an example amongst those concerned with the safety of merchant shipping out of the East Coast ports.

The impact of the new Scientific Astrology as taught by the Broughtons and Hague is the briefly reviewed. It being noted that this new astrology was little more than a reformation accorded to the demands of 19th century scientism. In fact the roots of this tradition as with those of the earlier mutations can be clearly traced from the shores of America across to Britain and Continental Europe back in time to the fount of Medieval Astrology.

The distinction between Natural and Judicial Astrology among English-speakers prior to 1850 is paralleled by a distinction between Scientific and Occult Astrology when we look at astrology among both the German population of Pennsylvania and the English-speaking population as a whole. In both the German and English communities practitioners of a mystical or magical astrology (including German Boehmenists, Paracelsians and English-speaking "conjurers" who practised Horary and Electional Astrology) are found. At the same time, certainly among the English-speaking population, there were those, such as the Broughton family, who were attempting to establish astrology on a scientific basis.

In the post Civil War United States astrology became closely affiliated with Utopian and Socialist Idealism quickly losing its mystical, magical and religious sectarian dimensions and replacing them with a secular and social universalism characteristic of the late 19th century. Thus the way was prepared for the advent of twentieth century "New Age" astrology.

The study concludes with a series of observations and identifies further areas for research offering leads along these lines.

TEXTS CITED IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE STUDY:

This only lists the main texts referred to.

In the Shadow of the Enlightenment: Occultism and Renaissance Science in 18th Century America by Herbert Leventhal.

Expositions of Scripture by John Leverett (Harvard Class of 1680, President of Harvard (1708-1724) and a member of the FRS (Frater Regii Societatis - Brother of the Royal Society)

Compendium Physicae by Charles Morton (an Englishman who came to the US colonies for religious freedom, leaving England in 1686 to relocate in Charlestown, Massachusetts where he became a minister)

A Compleat Body of Divinity by Samuel Willard (Vice President of Harvard (1701-1707) when the school had no president),

A Philosophical Discourse Concerning the Mutability and Changes of the Material World by Isaac Greenwood (Harvard's first Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy (1728-1738)

Diary of Col. Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, 1752- 1778

The Literary Diary of Ezra Stiles by Ezra Stiles (President of Yale (1778-1795))

An Address delivered by William P. Sheffield before the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence, February 7, AD 1882

New and Complete Outline of the Occult Sciences by Ebeneezer Sibly (an astrologer with Masonic connections to lodges in Bristol and Edinburgh)

The Horoscope from 1840-4 and Hague's Horoscope and Scientific Prophetic Messenger (1845-8) by Thomas Hague of Philadelphia,

Elements of Astrology including the essay Why am I an astrologer? A Reply to Richard A. Proctor. The Humbug of Astrology. Feb. 6, 1887 by Luke Broughton (professional astrologer)

Mystic Test Book by Olney Richmond (of the Order of the Magi)

Occultism Simplified or the Mystic Thesaurus by Willis Whitehhead (Past Supreme Grand Vizier of the Ancient Order of Oriental Magi)

Occult Philosophy by Willis Whitehead

Our Near Future by Ernest Loomis, Principal of the Inwood School of Philosophy, in Practical Occultism.

Astrology and the Socialism, or the New Era: a review and forecast by Frank T. Allen (which predicted that socialism would begin in the US in 1942, with Uranus in Gemini) by Frank Theodore.

Symbolism by Milton A. Pottenger

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