The Book of the Eclipse: The Spiritual History of Eclipses and the Great Eclipse of '99

The Book of the Eclipse isn't about the 1999 solar eclipse, or even about eclipses in general, but concerns the effects of eclipses on people's horoscopes throughout history. Ovason teaches astrology; he has previously written on Nostradamus and edited and presented Mark Hedsel's hermetic autobiography The Zelator. Like most modern astrologers, Ovason does not argue that eclipses--or any other celestial configuration--actually cause certain events to unfold on earth through the lives of individuals; instead, he believes that the two worlds parallel each other, and influence each other. Eclipses, Ovason says, leave sensitive points in the zodiac. Because the astrological influence is specific and individual, Ovason believes that the 1999 eclipse will only have a dramatic effect on the lives of about 1 in 200 people. Before examining the effects of eclipses on over 60 historical figures, Ovason argues that the megalith builders were aware of eclipses, and that their stone circles could be used to predict future eclipses. The bulk of the book examines the astrological influence of eclipses on the lives of politicians such as Lincoln, Washington and Clinton, and composers, musicians, actors, artists and writers as diverse as Beethoven, Sinatra, Bardot, Leonardo and Shelley. Ovason's book is thoroughly illustrated throughout with representations of horoscopes, and also with medieval and Renaissance esoteric engravings. It will undoubtedly be of interest to students of astrology.