Book of Instructions in the Elements of the Art of Astrology [Paperback]

et al Al Biruni (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology was written for Lady Rayhanah, to whom it is dedicated. R. Ramsay Wright, the translator, said it could be regarded as a primer of 11th century science. Among its highlights are a comprehensive list of more than 150 Lots, various forms of aspects and planetary relationships, planetary positions relative to the sun, an excellent text on rulerships as well as comprehensive notes on weather and meteorological phenomena.

This book was unknown to medieval European astrologers. This edition, comprising the astrological part of the original (sections 347-530) has been taken from Wright’s pioneering 1934 translation, itself taken from Persian and Arabic sources. For this edition, text and tables have been reset, and a new index added.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Al Biruni has just poured through the door, mighty splendid it looks too. Looking forward to selling loads of those! --Margaret Cahill, Wessex Astrologer

About the Author

Al Biruni, one of the greatest Arab scholars, was born on September 4, 973, in what is now Uzbekistan. He showed talent at an early age and by his early 20’s had written several acclaimed papers. Political unrest in his 20’s and 30’s found him at one point at Gurgan, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Peace found him in Ghaznah, which is today in Afghanistan.

From 1017 to 1030 he travelled extensively in India, becoming fluent in Sanskrit. From this he wrote his monumental survey, India, of the history, customs and beliefs of the subcontinent. His other books include The Chronology of Ancient Nations, the Masudic Cannon, Book of Instructions, and more than 100 others, some of which are lost. He died on December 13, 1048, aged 75. He is buried in Ghaznah.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Astrology Classics (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933303166
• ISBN-13: 978-1933303161
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, A Valuable Text Available to Astrologers, February 15, 2007

By 

Therese Hamilton "Lost Zodiac of the Stars" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Book of Instructions in the Elements of the Art of Astrology (Paperback)

This valuable 1029 C.E. Arabic text was first translated by R. Ramsay Wright and published in 1934. For the most part this text hasn't been available to astrologers since the translation was typewritten and limited to a print run of 100 copies. Only those fortunate enough to find a copy in a university library had access to the translation.

This is all changed with the Astrology Classics edition of Al Biruni. David Roell of Astrology Classics has taken the astrological part of the lengthy translation and typeset it in a modern easy-to-read font with many clearly set tables, and published it in a a very affordable paperback edition.

For astrologers perhaps the most interesting notations in the text are the comparisons between the Arabic and Hindu views of astrological principles. This is invaluable in tracing the movement from Hellenistic astrology to India to the later Arabic writers.

My only complaint about this edition is that the original translation contained some interesting and pertinent information on the lunar mansions which is not included here. The lunar mansion material was located in an astronomical section of the text apart from the core astrological concepts, and perhaps that's why it was missed. Perhaps this material will be included in a later Astrology Classics edition of Al Biruni.

This edition of Al Biruni is a must purchase for any astrologer who wants to have a complete historical picture of the development of astrology up to and through the Arabic period. Plus there are many descriptions of techniques pertinent to modern astrological practice. For the low price there's no reason all astrologers shouldn't have this book in their library.