Centaurs (was :Astronomy or Astrology?)

[Katze]

No: HPFGUIDX 32949

Ronald Rae Yu wrote:
> 
> Is their Astronomy subject with Sinistra really
> Astronomy? They would be having a non-magical course
> then (interesting for me). If it IS really AstroLOGY,
> then why do they take it up in Divination? Perhaps
> Astronomy is really AstroNOMY then, and is a
> preparation or sort of a (what-do-you-call-it?)
> 'helping' course for Divination. Why is then
> Divination optional? What do wizards have in use for
> real Astronomy, then? Maybe Astronomy is Astrology,
> and they give emphasis on it because it is not an
> imprecise branch of magic or divination for that
> matter.


This brings up a good point, and I agree with what Rycar said: 

> There are a few reasons I can think of where wizards would have to
> use astronomy. ... Certain diseases might not take effect, and apparition...

I'd also add that perhaps certian plants for potion making for healing
might be more potent at certain times of the year with particular
planets in certain alignments.

Now...in book 1, I take it that the Centaurs are heavy into the
Astrology, and they make it a point of not mucking with the
future...they must listen to the stars. Two of them make it a point to
mention how bright Mars is. Is anyone in the list and Astrologer and
possibly have an analysis for this?

-Katze