Astrology and the Renaissance
For the sake of simplicity, it would certainly be alluring to claim that this paper on astrology in the Renaissance starts with Petrarch (1304-1374) as well as ends with Shakespeare (1564-1616). Petrarch, "the initial man of the Renaissance," was no follower of astrology and railed against its pessimistic leanings. "Leave totally free the courses of reality as well as life ... these worlds of fire can not be guides for us ... Lit up by these rays, we have no demand of these duping astrologists and also existing prophets who empty the funds of their credulous followers of gold, who deafen their ears with nonsense, corrupt judgment with their errors, as well as disrupt our present life as well as make individuals sad with false fears of the future." By comparison, Shakespeare's work some 250 years later provided the globe the term "star-crossed fans" as well as would have the murder of 2 young princes at the hands of a wicked king credited to a poor resi...