Historically, what made eclipses politically dangerous was the speculation often attached to them.
- Research Fellow in Early Modern History, University of Oxford
Those who predicted the death of the pope in the 16th century often put their own lives at risk.
Anthropologists and historians study divination because it sheds light on the fears and anxieties of particular cultures, many of which are universal.
Fun fact: the term ‘influenza’ comes from the premodern belief stars influenced disease. Before epidemiologists, there were astrologers.
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