History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic — Astrology

History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic — photo 1

History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic — photo 2

History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic — photo 3

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🪐 Astrology

History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic

Name: History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic
Price: 137.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780691654317

✍️ Smoller, Laura Ackerman

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$137.00

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Laura Ackerman Smoller's profound study delves into the astrological insights of Pierre d'Ailly, a pivotal figure who dared to intertwine celestial mechanics with Christian doctrine. This work illuminates how d'Ailly viewed astrology not as a magical prognostication tool, but as a sophisticated scientific method for interpreting historical currents and divine prophecy. Examining his diverse writings, Smoller reveals the complex intellectual tightrope d'Ailly walked, addressing thorny theological dilemmas like free will and God's omnipotence. It’s a compelling look at the late medieval mind grappling with both the stars and the sacred.

Smoller, Laura Ackerman

📚 all books by this author (2) →

🪐

Astrology

Praise for this book

“A book of considerable charm and erudition. [Smoller's] writings make d'Ailly spring to life.... History, Prophecy, and the Stars is a pleasure to read and should go a long way towards rescuing medieval astrology from being lightly dismissed as mere magical mumbo jumbo.”

— New Scientist

🏛 Princeton University Press 📅 2017 📖 246 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780691654317

Fun Fact

Smoller's work is an indispensable dive into a fascinating, often misunderstood, corner of intellectual history. It masterfully showcases how a brilliant mind navigated the perilous waters between celestial observation and divine doctrine, offering a nuanced portrait of medieval thought. While it might disappoint those seeking practical astrological techniques, it excels in its scholarly depth and offers a vital context for understanding the evolution of both science and esotericism. An essential addition to any serious occult library.

📝 Description: History, Prophecy, and the Stars: The Christian Astrology of Pierre d'Ailly, 1350-1420 - Ingram Academic

Although astrology was viewed with suspicion by the medieval church, it became a major area of inquiry for the renowned cardinal and scholar Pierre d'Ailly, whose astrological and apocalyptic writings had a significant influence on Christopher Columbus. D'Ailly's writings on the stars, the focus of this book, clearly illustrate the complex relationships among astrology, science, and Christian thinking in the late Middle Ages. Through an examination of his letters, sermons, and philosophical, astrological, and theological treatises, Laura Ackerman Smoller reveals astrology's appeal as a scientific means to interpret history and prophecy, and not merely as a magical way to forecast and manipulate one's own fate. At the same time, she shows how d'Ailly dealt with delicate problems--such as free will and God's omnipotence--in elevating astrology to a compelling, but not always consistent, "natural theology." The French cardinal's most intriguing prediction was for the advent of Antichrist in 1789, one that stemmed from his deep concern over the Great Schism (1378-1414). Smoller maintains that the division in the church led d'Ailly to fear the imminence of the apocalypse, and that he eventually turned to astrology to quell his apocalyptic fears, thereby gaining confidence that a church council could heal the Schism. In elucidating the place of astrology in medieval society, this book also affords a personal glimpse of a man facing a profound crisis. Originally published in 1994. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

📑 What's inside

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Ch. 1Introduction3
Ch. 2The Medieval Debate about Astrology25
Ch. 3The Making of an Astrologer: The Development of Pierre d'Ailly's Thought on the Stars43
Ch. 4Astrology and the Narration of History61
Ch. 5The Great Schism and the Coming of the Apocalypse85
Ch. 6Astrology and the Postponement of the End102
Ch. 7The Concordance of Astrology and Theology122
Appendix 1. A Note on the Availability of d'Ailly's Writings on Astrology131
Appendix 2. A Chronology of d'Ailly's Works Dealing with Astrology136
Abbreviations138
Notes139
Select Bibliography209
Index227

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Smoller provides a rigorous academic analysis that illuminates Pierre d'Ailly’s complex intellectual tightrope. While valuable for historians of science and theology, this book does not suit casual readers seeking accessible pop-astrology or those uninterested in dense theological debates regarding divine will. It is a scholarly examination rather than a practical guide to star-reading. Those looking for straightforward horoscopes or magical applications will find little utility here. However, for academics and serious students of medieval history, it offers a compelling, well-researched look at how celestial mechanics were viewed through a religious lens during this transformative period.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and enthusiasts of medieval intellectual history will find this book indispensable for understanding how a pivotal cardinal navigated the treacherous waters between cosmic influence and Christian doctrine. Laura Ackerman Smoller offers a profound study that reveals Pierre d'Ailly’s unique perspective on astrology not as magic, but as a sophisticated scientific method for interpreting prophecy. Readers interested in the intersection of theology, science, and history will appreciate the nuanced examination of how d'Ailly addressed thorny dilemmas like free will and God's omnipotence. This is essential reading for anyone curious about the late medieval mind grappling with sacred texts and celestial bodies.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the intersection of science, religion, and the occult in the medieval era, this book is for you. It's an essential read for students of astrological history, intellectual history, and anyone curious about how profound minds navigated faith and reason.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Smoller provides a rigorous academic analysis that illuminates Pierre d'Ailly’s complex intellectual tightrope. While valuable for historians of science and theology, this book does not suit casual readers seeking accessible pop-astrology or those uninterested in dense theological debates regarding divine will. It is a scholarly examination rather than a practical guide to star-reading. Those looking for straightforward horoscopes or magical applications will find little utility here. However, for academics and serious students of medieval history, it offers a compelling, well-researched look at how celestial mechanics were viewed through a religious lens during this transformative period.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While often practiced and studied, astrology was generally viewed with suspicion and had to be carefully framed to avoid accusations of heresy or challenging divine omnipotence. D'Ailly's work exemplifies this delicate balancing act.

His most intriguing astrological prophecy foretold the arrival of the Antichrist in the year 1789, a prediction deeply influenced by his interpretation of celestial alignments and the pressing political and religious turmoil of his own era.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Faith and Cosmic Influence

The text meticulously details d'Ailly's ambitious attempt to reconcile astrological principles with core Christian beliefs. It highlights his struggle with profound theological questions, such as maintaining the concept of human free will and divine omnipotence within a universe governed by celestial influences, ultimately shaping his unique 'natural theology' of the stars.

Prophecy and Historical Events

Smoller reveals how d'Ailly's astrological prophecies were deeply rooted in the tumultuous political and religious landscape of his time, particularly the Great Schism. His most famous prediction, the advent of the Antichrist in 1789, stemmed from his profound concern for the divided Church, demonstrating how he used astrology to contextualize apocalyptic fears within a historical framework.

📜 Historical context

In the late Middle Ages, astrology occupied a complex position, often viewed with suspicion by the Church despite its widespread academic and popular appeal. Pierre d'Ailly’s work emerged during the Great Schism (1378-1414), a period of profound religious crisis. His attempts to integrate astrology into Christian thought represent a significant intellectual endeavor to find order and meaning in a chaotic world.

📚 Glossary

Pierre d'Ailly
Great Schism
Antichrist

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might a medieval scholar reconcile the concept of fate, as suggested by astrology, with the theological concept of free will?
If you were living during the Great Schism, how might celestial signs influence your interpretation of current events and prophecies?
Consider how modern scientific discoveries might be interpreted through a spiritual or prophetic lens, echoing d'Ailly's approach to astrology.