Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 307
cause I know that many things, yes, almost all things, have befallen
me according to Genesis.
Chapter XI: Test of Astrology
Then I answered: I shall therefore tell you, my father, what
is the nature of mathematics, and do you act according to what
I tell you. Go to a mathematician, and tell him first that such
and such evils have befallen you at such a time, and that you
wish to learn of him whence, or how, or through what stars
they have befallen you. He will no doubt answer you that a
malignant Mars or Saturn has ruled your times, or that some
one of them has been periodic; or that some one has regarded
you diametrically, or in conjunction, or centrally; or some such
answer will he give, adding that in all these some one was not
in harmony with the malignant one, or was invisible, or was in
the figure, or was beyond the division, or was eclipsed, or was
not in contact, or was among the dark stars; and many other
like things will he answer, according to his own reasons, and
will condescend upon particulars. After him go to another mathematician,
and tell him the opposite, that such and such
good came to you at that time, mentioning to him the same
time, and ask him from what parts of your Genesis this good
has come to you, and take care, as I said, that the times are the
same with those about which you asked concerning evils. And
when you have deceived him concerning the times, see what
figures he will invent for you, by which to show that good
things ought to have befallen you at those very times. For it is
impossible for those treating of the Genesis of men not to find
in every quarter, as they call it, of the heavenly bodies, some
stars favorably placed, and some unfavorably; for the circle is
equally complete in every part, according to mathematics,
admitting of diverse and various causes, from which they can
take occasion of saying whatever they please.
Chapter XII: Astrology Baffled by Free Will
For, as usually is the case when the slow of understanding
see unfavorable dreams and can make nothing certain out of