J I &&m THE CEISIS IN EGYPT : HOW IT WAS FORESEEN AND FORETOLD. A SUGGESTION TO STATESMEN, PHILOSOPHERS, AND THE EDUCATED PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY. * Eead, not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider." — Lord Bacon. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE SCIENCE OF THE STARS," etc., etc. LONDON : COUSINS & CO., 3, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 1884. [PRICE TWOPENCE.] THE CRISIS IN EGYPT: HOW IT WAS FORESEEN AND FORETOLD. The deplorable condition of Egypt has excited the keenest interest and deepest regret of the British people ; and it is fraught with the most important consequences to Great Britain and to certain of the European Powers. The crisis is felt to be grave, and it is imperative for our Government to deal with it in the firmest manner — as Palmerston and Beaconsfield would have dealt with it. Lord Wolseley has gone to Egypt to direct and command the expedition for the relief of the brave Gordon ; Lord Northbrook has also gone thither to inquire into the financial and political condition of the country. This deplorable state of Egypt has come upon the Government as a surprise, for since the victory of Tel-el-Kebir they have repeatedly assured the British public that the affairs of Egypt were progressing well, and that there was no cause for alarm. Indeed, the Marquis of Hartington has on several occasions announced the imminent with- drawal of the British troops from Cairo. Despite the best intentions of our Government, and the efforts of Lord Dufferin, Egyptian affairs have gone from bad to worse. In the autumn of 1883 the army of Hicks Pasha was annihilated by the hosts of the Mahdi. At the beginning of 1884 Alexandria was still in ruins ; there was a deficit of over two and a-half millions in the revenue, and four millions due for indemnities at Alexandria ; the Europeans had so lost confidence in the British administration that they had not the heart to rebuild. In February Baker Pasha's Egyptian army was routed, Sinkat taken, and its brave garrison massacred by the insurgent Arabs. Then followed the British expedition — too late to save Sinkat— and the victories of Teb and Tamanieb over Osman Digma's army, after achieving which the expedition returned home. Gordon was sent to Khartoum, and is still there, surrounded by the followers of the Mahdi. A Mission was sent to King John of Abyssinia, to invite him to attack the Mahdi's army. Then followed the Conference of the Powers on the financial condition of Egypt ; but it separated without agreeing to the British proposals. Talleyrand said: "With how little wisdom is the world governed." There seems no hope of improvement in this respect, for very few ( 3 ) statesmen are gifted with foresight. Beaconsfield said: "Nothing is so sure to happen as the unforeseen," and he was one of the most far- sighted statesmen England ever had. If any one of our statesmen could have foretold, in general terms, the present crisis in Egypt, as far back as the autumn of 1882, when Her Majesty and her loyal subjects welcomed the victors of Tel-el-Kebir, much of the present misery might have been prevented, and he would have been acknow- ledged as a really far-seeing statesman, and one to whom England would be deeply indebted. Why did not one of our statesmen do this, and thereby achieve greatness ? The answer must, in our humble opinion, be : " Because of the neglect of that science of the ancients which enabled them to forecast general events, the rise and fall of nations, and periods of prosperity and of misfortune." That science to which Solomon referred when he said : " A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself ; the simple pass on, and are punished." Again : "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven ; a time of war and a ti.ne of peace," etc. That science in which Daniel was skilled, e.g., " I, Daniel, understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem." Daniel also warned Nebuchadnezzar " that he would learn that the heavens do rule." That science which was studied, practised, and upheld by Pythagoras (who anticipated the discoveries of Copernicus), Anaxagoras, Thales, Anaximander, Eudoxus, Hippocrates, Galen, Lord Bacon, Roger Bacon, Baron I^apier of Mer- chistoun (inventor of logarithms), Kepler, Tycho Brahe, Melancthon, Burton, and many other great men. Yes, the neglect of Astrology prevents statesmen from foreseeing great crises, and nations suffer the sad consequences. The very mention of the word astrology will excite the laughter of those prejudiced persons who are entirely unacquainted with its merits, and who, wise in their own conceit, look upon it as " exploded," and relegate it to the limbo of fortune- telling, card-shuffling, palmistry, geomancy, witchcraft, etc. Let such persons reflect for a moment, that Lord Bacon included the forecasting of " wars, seditions, and all commotions " in that astrologia sana which comprised the prediction of " the return of the planets, the eclipses, the tides, and changes of the time, the tempests, droughts, and inundations," according to Monsieur E-ambossom, the astronomer, who terms this " natural astrology " as contra-distinguished from judicial astrology. Bacon received astrologia sana as a part of physics. His opinion — and Kepler's was the same — is of far greater value than that of philosophers who have never examined astrology and yet presume to condemn it. The reader will probably say : " Well, if there is any truth in astrologia sana, why did not some person who is well versed in it fore- tell the crisis in Egypt ?" To this, we reply that the crisis was foretold long since. Before quoting the predictions, we propose to explain the basis of them as far as can be done in a pamphlet. Those who desire to gain an insight into astrology — and every educated person ought to ( 4 ) make himself er herself acquainted with it — must begin by perusing the " Science of the Stars," * which is a plainly-worded work, free from abstruse terms and from superstitious nonsense ; and afterwards pursue the science, if so inclined, by studying the " Text Book of Astrology.'* In this manner a thorough knowledge of astrology may be readily gained. The great events and commotions of the world are foreshadowed, chiefly, by the planetary positions at eclipses of the Sun and Moon, in the countries where they are visible ; and by the transits of the superior planets, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn through the various signs of the zodiac, the planet Uranus also lending aid when in conjunction or opposition with one of the before-mentioned planets. The various countries and nations are influenced by certain signs of the zodiac; observation of coincidences between events and transits of the planets leading to the discovery of the countries ruled by particular signs. The celebrated Egyptian astronomer and geographer, Claudius Ptolemy, declared that Lower Egypt was influenced by the sign Gemini. Observation has shown that this is true. Modern observers have found that London, the United States of North America, and Belgium are also influenced by Gemini. Now, the " greater infortune," the planet Saturn, entered the sign Gemini (which he does but once in about thirty years) on the 24th of May, 1883, and will not leave it until the 5th of July, 1885. It will be at once recognised that the troubles of Egypt (since the British occupation) began very soon after the entry of Saturn into Gemini, and still continue. Moreover, London, the United States, and Belgium have also suffered misfortunes of various kinds during the same period. But the troubles of Egypt entered an acute phase at the end of May, 1882, when Arabi Pasha defied England and France, and intimidated the Khedive, before the entry of Saturn into Gemini. If we refer to the Nautical Almanac for 1882, we shall find that there happened a total eclipse of the Sun at Cairo, on the 17th of May, 1882. Some of our astronomers went to Cairo to observe the eclipse, but they did not recognise the important pre- signification of the planet of war (Mars) rising at the moment of ecliptic conjunction of the Sun and Moon, and failed to warn the Government of the reign of violence about to ensue. The ecliptic conjunction took place at 9 h 37'l m a.m., mean time at Cairo ; at that moment the sign Cancer 29° 30' ascended, and the red planet Mars was close to the eastern horizon in Leo 4° 43'. Kamesey, who collected and published in the seventeenth century the aphorisms of the ancients relating to planetary positions at eclipses, averred that such a position of Mars pre-signifies " mischief to all sorts of men ; much war, intestine hatreds, feuds, quarrels, and discords amongst men, especially of that kind of life, viz., soldiers ; he excites men also to many robberies, spoilings, sackings, tyranny, and rebellion ; he also causeth the wrath of kings and great men, and troubles in * "Tbe Science of the Stars." By Alfred J. Pearce. Loudon: Sioipkin, Marshall, and Co., 4, Stationers' Hall Court. Price, 5s. ^» ( 5 ) general, sudden death, sicknesses, much choler and anger amongst men of even small repute ; they shall commit unlawful things and violate the law ; many combustions, slaughters, rapines, thefts, and robberies." Within a few days of that eclipse, the ultimatum of England and France was despatched to Arabi, and our ironclads were ordered to Alexandria. On the 11th of June, 1882, occurred the massacre of Europeans. On the 11th of July, the British ships opened fire on the forts of Alexandria ; and on the following day Arabi, under cover of a flag of truce, with- drew his troops, and incendiaries set the European quarter on fire. Thus, the aphorism of the ancients as to the pre-signification of Mars rising at an eclipse, afforded an exact forecast of the state of Alexandria and of Egypt. It is remarkable, that the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter (which is held to pre-signify, in such situation, a religious war) of the 20th of October, 1883, fell in Leo 2° 56' 8", i.e., close to the place of Mars at the before-mentioned eclipse ; and that the Mahdi's insurrection in the Soudan led to the expedition under Hicks Pasha which met with so disastrous a fate within a few weeks. The following predictions were published in ZadkieVs Almanac : — "The effect of the recent Solar eclipse will now (June, 1882), be manifest in Egypt." — Almanac, 1882, p. 15. "The navy of Old England will be engaged in many a battle. The Eastern Question will write the future history of Europe in letters of blood and flame. The valour of Britain's sons will again be rewarded with victory. The evils foreshadowed may be expected when Mars shall transit the ascendant (Trj) 7° 31') of the figure for the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter." — Almanac, 1881, pp. 50 51. [Note that on the day of the bombardment of Alexandria, Mars entered Virgo (Trj)) 7°]. "The Indian army will gain prestige." — Almanac, 1882, p. 15 (June). [Ten thousand Indian troops received orders in June to prepare for service in Egypt.] " The Eastern Question will be to the fore again this month (August)" — Ibid, p. 19, " Unfortunately for Egypt, Saturn enters its ruling sign (Gemini) on the 24th of May, 1883, bringing sorrow and misfortune on the land of the Pharoahs. The Eastern Question will be to the fore again." — Almanac, 1883, p. 13. " Old Saturn drags his slow length along through Gemini, bringing trouble on Egypt, London," etc. — Ibid, p. 15. "Portsmouth will be the scene of busy preparation, for England will still find it necessary to safeguard her empire. There is every proba- bility that our ironclads will be on active service. Saturn retrograding in Gemini, brings serious troubles and misfortunes on London, the United States, and Egypt." — Ibid, p. 25 (November). [Portsmouth was at this period the scene of busy preparation, our gunboats were ordered to the Red Sea.] " Saturn halts in the fourth degree of the sign Gemini, bringing troubles on London, Egypt, and the United States. Hence we may look for great excitement in London, and stirring debates in Parliament." — Almanac, 1884, p. 7 (February). ( 6 ) "The Government will have a hard fight about the 20th of February." — Ibid. " The expenditure on arms and munitions of war will be very great." — Ibid, p. 44. " The United States and Lower Egypt feel the effects of Saturn in their ruling sign." — Ibid, p. 11 (April). "On the 4th day of May 1884, Mars transits the cusp of the seventh house at the vernal ingress (££ 15°15') causing great public excitement and some danger of war. I trust that this does not pre-signify a sudden quarrel with France. On the 13th, Saturn enters the longitude (EL 10°49') in the lower meridian at the vernal ingress; this pre- signifies trouble to the Government and an attempt to overthrow it, which will go very near to succeed. What with home and foreign questions the Government will be in a great straight this month. In London, acts of violence will be perpetrated, and Fenian machinations must be carefully guarded against." — Ibid, p. 13. " The Solar conjunction with Saturn on the 3rd of June is ominous of trouble for London, the United States, and Lower Egypt." — Ibid, p: 15. " Europe must prepare for startling events in the East. At the new- moon, Mars will be rising, hence the ensuing four weeks will be favourable for the arms of Old England, and she shall beat her enemies under her feet. The navy will gain prestige and renown." — Ibid, p. 21. (September.) " Further misfortunes will fall on Egypt. There is danger of revolt and of war. Let the British be on their guard.'" — Ibid, p. 50. "At Cairo, the Moon (at the lunar eclipse, October 4th, 1884) will be in the meridian, hence some important changes in the government of Egypt will take place, and a military expedition is likely to become necessary." — Ibid, p. 51. We maintain that no reasonable person can read these predictions carefully without having the conviction forced upon his mind that there must be a great deal of truth in astrology, and that the world is losing very valuable means of fore knowledge by neglecting it. The contrast between these predictions and the optimist utterances of the authorities at the opening of the Session of Parliament in February, 1884, is very striking. The Government insisted that affairs were progressing well in Egypt; Zadkiel, relying on the laws of astrology which have stood the test of at least two thousand years, foretold that Egypt would be beset with misfortunes, that revolt and war would rage, and that a military expedition would become necessary. Events have fulfilled Zadkiel's forecasts and have found the Government unprepared, every effort, hitherto, of theirs having been "too late." We appeal, therefore, to the educated and unprejudiced, who love truth for its own sake, to investigate astrology — astrologia sana. By doing this they will save themselves much unnecessary suffering. Those who neglect it, after this warning, will find troubles come upon them unprepared, will find golden opportunities slip away, and, per- chance, their health and strength fail them just when they require ( 7 ) them most. " Fore-warned is fore-armed." Astrology does not lead to fatality, for there is no such thing as inevitable fate. It is the neglect of astrology which leads to fatality. It is a mistake to think that man can be the arbiter of his own destiny as some writers have thoughtlessly asserted. The wise man of old observed that " the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong ; neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of under- standing ; nor yet favour to men of skill ; but time and chance [literally, time of good events and of evil events] happeneth to them all." In order to render easier the comprehension of the foregoing remarks, we subjoin a diagram of the appearance of the heavens at the moment of ecliptic opposition (full moon), of the 4th of October, 1884, at Cairo. The horizontal line is that, of the horizon. The following are the symbols of the heavenly bodies : — Sun (0), Moon ( ]) ), Mercury ( jj ), Venus ($), Mars(^), Jupiter (1/), Saturn (1?), and Uranus (Ijj). Of the signs of the zodiac: — Aries (T), Taurus (0), Gemini (n), Cancer (53), Leo ($), Virgo (rrp), Libra (=£:), Scorpio (v\_), Sagittarius ( f), Capricornus (Vf), Aquarius (ss), and Pisces (K)- The heavens are divided into twelve mansions or " houses." TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON, AT CAIRO (Lat. 30° I'M. Long. 31° 18' E.) E.A. of Meridian = 15° 17' 23". ASC, ( 8 ) The Moon is seen to have just passed the meridian (southing), in Aries 12° 4'. Junctinus said that this " denotes the motion of armies, the death and destruction of cattle, kings, and great men ; war, grievous slaughter, epidemic diseases through excess of heat, and strange muta- tions." Ramesey said that it pre-signifies changes in the State. Ptolemy avers that Mars ruling the place of eclipse and midheaven, as in this case, " generally causes such mischief and destruction as are' concomi- tant with dryness. Foreign wars will be excited, accompanied with intestine divisions, captivity, slaughter, insurrections of the people, etc. The atmosphere will be parched by hot winds, accompanied by drought and lightning. At sea, ships will be suddenly wrecked by the turbu- lence of the wind and strokes of lightning. Eivers will fail, springs will be dried up." From these aphorisms it will be seen that Zadkiel s forecast of the probability of a military expedition being necessary this autumn was based on the rules of the ancients ; the despatch of the British expedition has proved their reliability. Lord Northbrook was born on the 22nd of January, 1826, when Saturn was in the 16th degree of Gemini, hence, notwithstanding his great abilities, he cannot be expected to be very successful in Egypt. Lord Wolseley had the Sun in Gemini at his birth, hence Egypt is favourable to his fame. At the latter part of November 1884, when Mars will be in opposition to Saturn, severe fighting may be expected. More than this we must not venture to say, or we should be forestalling ZadkieVs Almanac. Lest it should be thought that these predictions of the troubles in Egypt are but an isolated instance, we may mention that Zadkiel also foretold the crisis in Ireland, which was also a surprise to the Govern- ment ; the drought and earthquake in England this year, the war in Zululand, the Russian invasion of Turkey, the outbreak and ending of the civil war in Spain, the Indian Mutiny, the American Civil "War, the Crimean War, the campaigns in Afghanistan, Beloochistan, etc. Any one can verify the truth of this assertion by reference to the various editions of ZadkieVs Almanac, which has now been published for more than fifty consecutive years ; the purchasers of that unique publication number more than 120,000 annually. The Almanacs are preserved at the British Museum. A very critical period is at hand for Great Britain, for Europe, for Egypt, and for India. Nineteenth century statesmen and philosophers are warned " that the heavens do rule." London, September 16th, 1884. Cousins & Co., Printers, 6, Helmet court, Strand, London, W.C. i^JW -,::: »l ,*>/ ■£*S: .*.. ?$ *nsr *• . V . ^ $,< m Sifefc? V --: