Astrology Without Frightening the Horses

In a seventy year old astrology book I found in a used book store recently: "Home Astrology" written by the father of British newspaper astrology columns, R.H. Naylor, I notice that the author studiously avoided using any astrological terms or jargon. His book was intended for a readership with no former exposure to the subject, so he had obviously decided to tread very delicately.

In the author's preface he writes that he is afraid

"that much that is set down herein will arouse the criticism of astrological purists and pundits. Such a symptom surely shows that all is well with the world, for when astrological experts agree, human nature will have changed, and astrology will have become orthodox! For myself, I find the "general reader", who comes within the first class (with little or no knowledge of astrology) a peculiarly kindly and interested soul. He is extraordinarily generous in his appreciation of one's small efforts and does not hesitate to write giving an amiable exchange of opinions and suggestions....I have written this book for them."

Sweet! But that was before "the astro-skeptic in the street" grew sharp claws.

In this extract, scanned directly from the book, he describes what he terms the "magnetism" of people born during each astrological month (from 21st to 21st). He doesn't mention zodiac signs, probably hoping for the tolerance of readers who might otherwise have fought shy of "all that mumbo-jumbo"!

THE EXTRACT: