Ever since the man began to evolve into thinking creature the things in the sky mystified him first of all and astronomy became its passion leading to visualization of God power as primordial force behind the creation. Astrology was a by-product and interested the man significantly. Everyone wants to know what the destiny has in future for him or her. Man believed that the positions of planets and stars rule his fate. Thus, astronomy and astrology have been favourite subjects of the most of the people.
In the beginning of 17th century Tycho Brahe, Galileo, Johanes Kepler, Pierre Gassendy etc. great astronomers made huge contributions to astronomical science. It indirectly helped astrology as well. A kind of harmony built up between astronomy and astrology. But by the end of the 17th century the scene changed. The scientific astronomer group totally distanced itself from astrology.
A time had come when astrology began to be seen as an exercise in superstition and blind faith. The astronomers began to ridicule astrology. It frightened the astronomers and they abandoned astrologers to keep astronomy purely a respected subject of science. There are no references to astrology in the works of the great astronomers like Christian Hunger and Newton. They did not write a word for or against astrology.
But in respect of Isaac Newton astrologers present a different picture. They claim that Newton was astrology enthusiast and his silence was merely tactical. To support their claim astrologers related a oft quoted story. The story was that once astronomer Edmond Haily was using derogatory terms for astrology in his speech on an occasion saying that he did not believe in astrological nonsense and hence was rubbishing it. Newton is believed to have interrupted him by saying, ‘Mister Haily! I have read the subject but you have not.’
If this story is to be believed then we have to admit that Newton may have some regard for astrology and may be, secretly studied it as well as a subject fit for his thought. Newton may have tried to know his destiny through astrology. For astrologers the story is like recommendation of Newton and a certificate of authenticity to astrology. The story has hints that lead us to believe Newton had deeply studied the books on astrology. How much credence can this story be given?
CLUES IN WRITTEN WORKS
In the past few decades a lot has been been written on Isaac Newton. His Tercentenary, the voluminous book has been thoroughly researched. Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, was published in 1687. Many of his manuscripts were published after his birth. Amongst all those research papers, manuscripts and huge volumes there is no clue to suggest that Newton had ever given a thought to astrology, its study or research. Historian Dereck Thomas, the best Newton researcher had gone through 50 million words used in the research works by Newton or in his books but did not find any reference to astrology.
It is clear that if Newton had any interest in astrology it would have been recorded in his paper somewhere. In his library and records some book on astrology or a note about it would have been discovered at least after his death because all his records had become public property.
