“CELESTIAL PORTENTS.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3960, 25 June 1929, Page 4

“CELESTIAL PORTENTS.”

ZADKIEL’iS PROPHECIES. NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKES. THE FATE OF GOVERNMENT'S. A correspondent of the N.Z. Herald has drawn attention to the “celestial portents” of this world’s affairs which appear in Zadkiel’s Almanac for 1929. This publication is now in its 99th year. It contains a (mass of useful information, from tide tables to hints on. cleaning, but whether such facts or the predictions based upon the movements of heavenly bodies account for its wide sale is a matter only for conjecture. The buyer does not indicate whether he wants the tables and facts as to the tra\elling distance of sound oa 1 the gardening notes, or Zadkiel’s “Moderate interpretation of the celestial portents.” He may want to read it for fun, lie may be a doubleeyed sceptic who wants to gnash his teeth over a strange survival of medieval superstition, or he may have a notion that there imay be “something in it.” With the reminder that the booklet is written annually obviously by some possessing a knowledge of current affairs let us turn the pages and see what this year holds for New Zealand in the opinion of Zadlkiel. EARTHQUAKES AND OTHER THINGS. Dealing with the summer solstice (Northern Hemisphere), with the sun entering Cancer on Jnne 21, he says that at Wellington, New Zealand, Jupiter is culminating and Mars and Neptune are rising. This will bring naval matters to the fore and vast .sums of money mil be spent on shipping and the Navy. There will be considerable popular unrest with socialistic and democratic activity, but the Government will be strong and popular. The birth-rate will show a heavy decline and the quarter will be an unfavourable one for the younger generation. Earthquake shocks wall cause damage in both islands. Zadkiel has certainly made a lucky shot in regard to earthquakes, even though he is a week out. There have been no signs vet of expenditure of “vast” sums of (money on anything but wildcat (railway schemes, but naval matters will certainly jbe to . the fore, seeing that the Emden will be here. The stars in their courses having brought this about we must not girl against the Germans. Judgment must, of couirse, be reserved as to* the popularity of the Government. If Zadkiel is right, the opponents of the Government will find comfort in the portents for tbe next quarter. Uranus will be to blame. This planet will be culminating' and that fact wall be “very adverse for the Government, who will incur unpopularity that will lead to changes, if not to their downfall.” A lot of people will inclined to agree with Uranus. However, “the rising of Jupiter will benefit the country. The people will be prosperous and trade will be good.” LAND LAWS.

Hurray for old Jupiter, “king of the gods.” Under the circumstances we might consider awarding him the 0.8. E. or making him a vice-president of the Farmers’ Union. In spite of the good times, however, “heated discussions will arise over new. laws affecting the land and 'building and an extension of the railway system will be proposed.” If it were not for the fact that land and railways were being shouted about by the United Party last year when the predictions were printed one might wonder if there was “something in it.” The “heated discussions” have already arisen, hut they will continue without a doubt. But observe what Zadkiel said last year in regard to the Government of New Zealand. Dealing with the autumnal equinox (Northern Hemisphere), the period of the New Zealand general election caimpaign, he said: “Sudden and unexpected changes will occur in the Government and there will be deaths of many people of high rank. Strikes are threatened and the Government will suffer through loss of popularity and election losses. Financially, the quarter will be a. very prosperous one and new legislation affecting finance will prove successful. Railway and airplane disasters will occur and shipping will be damaged by storms.” “FULFILLED PREDICTIONS.” Zadkiel’s New Zealand political correspondent must be a good guesser. Of course, he was hardly right about the strikes, but a little .mistake like that can so easily be made when the sun enters Libra, with Australia so near to us. Anyway, the political (Scales bumped in a •manner' highly flattering to the reader of portents, and he should not have omitted to mention it in his list of “fulfilled predictions.” Doubtless the printer could not hold the . fofime any longer, though the sun in Libra might have attended to that matter, too. The quarter just ending has not been too happy, according to Zadkiel. There have been shipping and aviation disasters, a serious strike with crime and rioting among transport and dock workers, and a severe earthquake. The newspapers have been very remiss in not informing the public of the riots and disasters. 'Zadkiel is on safer ground when dealing with politics. He predicted the fall of the British Government and “increase in the power of Labour.” EVILS OF ECLIPSES. The cause was quite clear. There

was a total eclipse of the sun at London on May 9, “in the second decanate of the sign of Taurus, in the twelfth house, in conjuetion with Jupiter.” A solar eclipse in this position is very bad. It is said tc destroy corn, and among other things to afflict agents and solicitors, and bring misfortune on the Government. In 'the present case it has disturbed Ireland and Poland, which never seems to he a difficult matter. However, the proximity of good old Jupiter has discounted much of the evil, so that is all right. There is to be. another eclipse on November -1 in Britain. Among other things this will indicate wars and tumults and bother for the British Government, smallpox, and earthquake shocks in England, Wales and New Zealand . At the moment a little less enthusiasm foi earthquakes would ! be appreciated. A glance through the pages shows great attention to detail on the part of the planets. Here one notices the anticipated death of a prominent actress, unnajmed, there some information about American rails on the Stock Exchange. For ourselves, however, the year is to be highly satisfactory in the main. 'There is to be prosperity and changes in the Government, if not its .downfall. Of course, a heavy decline in the birth rate is to be expected, but New .Zealand is not alone in the matter, and one can only hope that Jupiter and Mars and Neptune will reconsider the position. Always to be remembered is the fact that Zadkiel is no alafnnist in his interpretations. He himself says so, and expresses, his strong displeasure at “the wailings of alarmist prophets” who do much harm to “reputable and serious students of astrology.” He is very severe with one who, from spiritualistic sources, predicted the destruction of Wleymouth. The false prophets fail in 99 per cent, of cases,, he affirms.