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TOPIC: Luther, Martin - Table Talks (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 42. Of Astronomy and Astrology
Other Subjects in this Topic:
OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY
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DCCXCVII.
Astronomy is the most ancient of all sciences, and has been the introducer
of vast knowledge; it was familiarly known to the Hebrews, for they
diligently noted the course of the heavens, as God said to Abraham: "Behold
the heavens; canst thou number the stars?" etc. Haven's motions are
threefold; the first is, that the whole firmament moves swiftly around,
every moment thousands of leagues, which, doubtless, is done by some angel.
`Tis wonderful so great a vault should go about in so short a time. If the
sun and stars were composed of iron, steel, silver, or gold, they must needs
suddenly melt in so swift a course, for one star is greater than the whole
earth, and yet they are innumerable. The second motion is, of the planets,
which have their particular and proper motions. The third is, a quaking or a
trembling motion, lately discovered, but uncertain. I like astronomy and
mathematics, which rely upon demonstrations and sure proofs. As to
astrology, `tis nothing.
DCCXCVIII.
Astronomy deals with the matter, and with what is general, not with
manner of form. God himself will be alone the Master and Creator, Lord and
Governor, though he has ordained the stars for signs. And so long as
astronomy remains in her circle, whereunto God has ordained her, so is she a
fair gift of God; but when she will step out of her bounds - that is, when
she will prophecy and speak of future things, how it will go with one, or
what fortune or misfortune another shall have, then she is not to be
justified. Chiromancy we should utterly reject. In the stars is neither
strength nor operation; they are but signs, and have, therefore, just cause
to complain of the astrologers, who attribute unto them what they have not.
The astrologers commonly ascribe that to the stars, which they ought to
attribute to the planets, that announce only evil events, except that star
which appeared to the wise men in the east, and which showed that the
revelation of the Gospel was at the door.
In the year 1538, the Seigneur Von Minckwitz made a public oration in
honor of astrology, wherein he sought to prove that the sentence in
Jeremiah, chap. x: "Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven," applied not to
astrology, but to the images of the Gentiles. Luther said hereupon: These
passages may be quibbled with, but not overthrown. Jeremiah speaks as Moses
did of all the signs of heaven, earth, and sea; the heathen were not so
silly as to be afraid of the sun or moon, but they feared and adored
prodigies and miraculous signs. Astrology is no art; it has no principle, no
demonstration, whereupon we may take sure footing; `tis all haphazard work;
Philip Melancthon, against his will, admits unto me, that though, as he
says, the art is extant, there are none that understand it rightly. They set
forth, in their almanacs, that we shall have no snow in summer time, nor
thunder in winter; and this the country clowns know as well as the
astrologers. Philip Melancthon says: That such people as are born in
ascendant Libra, in the ascension of Liber towards the south, are
unfortunate people. Whereupon I said: The astrologers are silly creatures,
to dream that their crosses and mishaps proceed not from God, but from the
stars; `tis hence, they are not patient in their troubles and adversities.
Astrology is uncertain; and as the predicamenta are feigned words in
Dialectica, even so astronomy has feigned astrology; as the ancient and true
divines knew nothing of the fantasies and divinity of the school teachers,
so the ancient astronomers knew nothing of astrology. The nativities of
Cicero and of others were shown me. I said: I hold nothing thereof, nor
attribute anything unto them. I would gladly have the astrologers answer me
this: Esau and Jacob were born together, of one father and one mother, at
one time, and under equal planets, yet they were wholly of contrary natures,
kinds, and minds. What is done by God, ought not to be ascribed to the
stars. The upright and true Christian religion opposes and confutes all such
fables. The way of casting nativities is like the proceedings in popedom,
whose outward ceremonies and pompous ordinances are pleasing to human wit
and wisdom, as the consecrated water, torches, organs, cymbals, singing,
ringing, but withal there's no certain knowledge. An astrologer, or
horoscope monger, is like one that sells dice, and bawls: Behold, here I
have dice that always come up twelve. If once or twice their conjectures
tell, they cannot sufficiently extol the art; but as to the infinite cases
where they fail, they are altogether silent. Astronomy, on the contrary, I
like; it pleases me by reason of her manifold benefits.
General prophecies and declarations, which declare generally what in
future shall happen accord not upon individuals and particular things.
When at one time many are slain together in a battle, no man can affirm
they were all born under one planet, yet they die altogether in one hour,
yea, in one moment.
DCCXCIX.
God has appointed a certain and sure end for all things, otherwise
Babylon might have said: I will remain and continue; and Rome: To me is the
government and rule given without ceasing. To Alexander and others were
given empires and kingdoms, yet astrology taught not that such great
kingdoms were to be raised, nor how long they were to last.
Astrology is framed by the devil, to the end people may be scared from
entering into the state of matrimony, and from every divine and human office
and calling; for the star-peepers presage nothing that is good out of the
planets; they affright people's consciences, in regard of misfortunes to
come, which all stand in God's hand, and through such mischievous and
unprofitable cogitations vex and torment the whole life.
Great wrong is done to God's creatures by the star-expounders. God has
created and placed the stars in the firmament, to the end they might give
light to the kingdoms of the earth, make people glad and joyful in the Lord,
and be good signs of years and seasons. But the star-peepers feign that
those creatures, of God created, darken and trouble the earth, and are
hurtful; whereas all creatures of God are good, and by God created only for
good, though mankind makes them evil, by abusing them. Eclipses, indeed, are
monsters, and like to strange and untimely births. Lastly, to believe in the
stars, or to trust thereon, or to be affrighted thereat, is idolatry, and
against the first commandment.