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1zed jy Google THE SCIENCE OF THE STARS—INTRODUCTION 201 which have remained unpolluted by the finger of man. They pre¬ sided at the Horoscope of our birth; they will sing the funeral requiem when we die; and cast their pale radiance over the cold, silent tomb beneath which we are ultimately destined to repose. Before the aspiring student can become the astrologer, he must make himself familiar with the general principles of astronomy, and learn how to trace the external symbols of physical life, which are the phenomenal results, back into the stellar worlds of cause. The whole mystery of this system, therefore, may be designated in general terms as the science of cause and effect. The text book of Astrology by A. J. Pierce and Wilson’s Dictionary of Astrology should be closely studied as aids to obtain this knowledge.
2From the foregoing remarks it will be seen that the reader must not expect the revelation of some divine, mysterious secret that will instantly convey the power of reading the past, realizing the influences of the present, and foreseeing the momentous events within the womb of the future; on the contrary, he must expect nothing but a clear and concise statement of Nature’s immutable laws, which require both study and application to master. He will, however, find in this series of lessons a complete exposition of the Occult principles of Nature, in so far as they mold and guide the physical destiny of embodied humanity. But, the principles involved and the ultimates evolved as the natural outcome of cause and effect, can only be mastered and understood by devoting time, unprejudiced thought, and deep study; first, in learning the theory, and then in reducing that theory to practice. Astrology does not imply fatality. On the contrary, probably two thirds of man’s so-called misfortunes are the result of his be¬ nighted ignorance. Man, when ignorant of the laws of Nature which control his existence and destiny, is somewhat like a lifeless log float¬ ing with the stream. It may be that the various currents of the river will carry him safely to the river’s mouth, and launch him uninjured upon the great Ocean of Eternity. But it is far more likely that the winding course of the river of life will land him into a mud bank of trouble where he may stick fast for the remainder of his days; or, liberated by some stronger current, may again take his chances, either of future safety or of floating into some whirlpool of destruction. But when man understands the laws of his being, he is then safe on board a strong boat. He sees the whirlpools and mud banks of life ahead, and
3202 THE LIGHT OF EGYPT skillfully, by the use of his steering apparatus (the will) avoids col¬ lision. But it often happens that with all his knowledge and skill he cannot successfully battle against the mighty currents that oppose his way, simply because there are, in these days, too many lifeless logs of human lumber that are constantly throwing themselves with the swell of the current athwart his path. But it must be at once apparent to the student how infinitely superior the one is to the other, and how enormous the chances of success are upon the side of the one who hath attained unto wisdom; who by study, knows himself and the laws of Nature.
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
1zed jy Google THE SCIENCE OF THE STARS—INTRODUCTION 201 which have remained unpolluted by the finger of man. They pre¬ sided at the Horoscope of our birth; they will sing the funeral requiem when we die; and cast their pale radiance over the cold, silent tomb beneath which we are ultimately destined to repose. Before the aspiring student can become the astrologer, he must make himself familiar with the general principles of astronomy, and learn how to trace the external symbols of physical life, which are the phenomenal results, back into the stellar worlds of cause. The whole mystery of this system, therefore, may be designated in general terms as the science of cause and effect. The text book of Astrology by A. J. Pierce and Wilson’s Dictionary of Astrology should be closely studied as aids to obtain this knowledge.
2From the foregoing remarks it will be seen that the reader must not expect the revelation of some divine, mysterious secret that will instantly convey the power of reading the past, realizing the influences of the present, and foreseeing the momentous events within the womb of the future; on the contrary, he must expect nothing but a clear and concise statement of Nature’s immutable laws, which require both study and application to master. He will, however, find in this series of lessons a complete exposition of the Occult principles of Nature, in so far as they mold and guide the physical destiny of embodied humanity. But, the principles involved and the ultimates evolved as the natural outcome of cause and effect, can only be mastered and understood by devoting time, unprejudiced thought, and deep study; first, in learning the theory, and then in reducing that theory to practice. Astrology does not imply fatality. On the contrary, probably two thirds of man’s so-called misfortunes are the result of his be¬ nighted ignorance. Man, when ignorant of the laws of Nature which control his existence and destiny, is somewhat like a lifeless log float¬ ing with the stream. It may be that the various currents of the river will carry him safely to the river’s mouth, and launch him uninjured upon the great Ocean of Eternity. But it is far more likely that the winding course of the river of life will land him into a mud bank of trouble where he may stick fast for the remainder of his days; or, liberated by some stronger current, may again take his chances, either of future safety or of floating into some whirlpool of destruction. But when man understands the laws of his being, he is then safe on board a strong boat. He sees the whirlpools and mud banks of life ahead, and
3202 THE LIGHT OF EGYPT skillfully, by the use of his steering apparatus (the will) avoids col¬ lision. But it often happens that with all his knowledge and skill he cannot successfully battle against the mighty currents that oppose his way, simply because there are, in these days, too many lifeless logs of human lumber that are constantly throwing themselves with the swell of the current athwart his path. But it must be at once apparent to the student how infinitely superior the one is to the other, and how enormous the chances of success are upon the side of the one who hath attained unto wisdom; who by study, knows himself and the laws of Nature.
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
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