"Does the Electro-Planetary Theory Stand the Test of Advancing Knowledge?
"There is a constant and rapidly increasing interest in long-time weather predicting, and consequently an increasing demand for forecasts.
"A very large proportion of the more intelligent of the masses are now asking for further knowledge of the principles upon which the forecasts published in this almanac are based, and demanding information as to what progress is being made towards making predictions for particular localities.
"To-day a very large number of people who, two or three years ago, only
laughed at and ridiculed the idea of predicting weather changes for any considerable time, are now expressing surprise at the accuracy of my forecasts, and are seriously asking for information as to how far the theory has been substantiated by later scientific knowledge or discovery.
"A few years ago it would have been hard to convince some of these people that anyone who would venture to offer to the public weather forecasts for a year in
advance, was not a lunatic or charlatan; or to convince others that to do so would not be an encroachment upon a most sacred prerogative of Divinity; in fact this was the case; but a majority of the same people to-day, either altogether or partially, admit the possibility at least of so far understanding the operations of nature that even accurate weather predictions can be, and in fact are, being made. There are, however, some who still, through ignorance or educated prejudice, from a narrow spirit of bigotry or from a so-called scientific standpoint, ridicule every effort put forth to read the future as applied to the weather through a knowledge of nature's laws.
"It is for the benefit and instruction of all these classes that the following facts and information are given. For the past four years I have prepared for the year
following the weather predictions found in this almanac. These predictions are based upon what is known as the electro-planetary theory. They are in no sense prophetic, nor are they the result of any system of magic, neither have they any connection with astrology, but stand firmly upon a strictly scientific foundation.
111 From The Sentinel Almanac and Book of Facts for the Year 1900, published by the Milwaukee Sentinel, pp. 71-73.
"In order to make the following statements more easily understood it will be necessary to briefly outline the theory.
"It is as follows:
"1. All spells of stormy weather, hot and cold spells, and all other changes in atmospheric conditions, occur in cycles or regularly recurring periods.
"2. These cycles or periods of changing atmospheric phenomena are caused by ever-changing electric or magnetic influences.
"3. All changing electric or magnetic influences are caused by the planets passing their equinoxial and solstitial points on their orbits, each planet producing peculiar electric phenomena. This in brief is the electro-planetary theory which I propose to show is being proven a true theory by recent discoveries made by men of acknowledged scientific knowledge and ability.
"These discoveries have not been made for the purpose of strengthening or upholding this theory, nor by those who are particularly interested in it, but are the result of investigations in other directions.
"I had published in the issue of this almanac for 1899 an article designed to show that Prof. Tice should have credit for certain discoveries recently made by Prof. Bigelow of the United States Signal Service at Washington. D. C. Prof. Bigelow, as shown in that article, says 'it is demonstrated that the equinoxes and solstices of the earth affect atmospheric conditions, causing weather changes, and that the changes are governed, or caused, by magnetic laws.'
"This is corroborative scientific testimony to the correctness of the theory so far as electricity being the controlling influence, and the equinoxes and solstices of the earth are concerned. I now propose to go a step further and show that more recent scientific investigation furnishes additional corroborative evidence of the correctness of the entire theory as taught by Prof. Tice, viz.: that all the planets affect atmospheric conditions on the earth, establishing the first part of the theory, viz.: that maximum and minimum weather conditions recur at regular, stated periods, proving that there are other regularly occurring causes besides equinoxes and solstices of the earth, and that these causes are the equinoxes and solstices of all the other planets.
"The following are some of the periods recently discovered by a few of the world's leading scientific investigators:
"Prof. Buckner has announced the discovery of a cycle of about thirty-five years, or that there are peculiar disturbances of a violent nature every thirty-five years.
"Prof. Russell has found a cycle of about nineteen years. "Prince Krapotkin, a period of about eleven years.
"Prof. Murphy has a period of about seven years. "Prof. Bigelow's period is about twenty-seven days. "Prof. Clayton, a period of five and one-half days.
"There are other short periods, and some longer than any I have given, but these are the more important ones that are acknowledged by prominent scientific students of this country and Europe, and pretty generally admitted to be scientific facts.
"Nothing in nature exists without a cause, and these cycles are no exception. What are the causes?
"Do these cycles in any degree tend to establish the electro-planetary theory of changing weather conditions?
"Let us see.
"Prof. Buckner's period of thirty-five years corresponds very nearly with Prof. Tice's period of nearly thirty-six years. I have no data to show upon what planetary occurrences Prof. Tice based this period, neither have I had time to satisfactorily locate the occurrences, but the fact that Prof. Tice found an occurrence which caused all his periods of disturbance and the fact that Prof. Buckner has discovered a period of about the same length is proof that the periods are the results of planetary occurrences.
"Prof. Russell's cycle of about nineteen years corresponds very nearly with the time required for Venus and Jupiter to reach corresponding points on their orbits, or, in other words, if Venus and Jupiter are at corresponding points at a certain time, about every nineteen years they will be at those points again.
"Prince Krapotkin's cycle of about eleven years is too short. This cycle is about eleven and eighty-five hundredths years, or very nearly the length of Jupiter's year, and consequently the time between an equinox and the recurrence of the same equinox.
"Prof. Murphy's cycle of seven years coincides with the time of Saturn's equinoxes and solstices.
"Prof. Bigelow's period of nearly twenty-seven days is nearly equal to the rotation period of the moon.
"Prof. Clayton's period of five and one-half days corresponds very nearly with Prof. Tice's period of five and seventy-five hundredths days, attributed to the
influence of Vulcan.
"There is also a cycle of about fifty-nine years, which, however, is not a recent discovery, its existence having been known for more than thirty years, but it supports the theory of planetary influences, because once in fifty-nine years Jupiter completes five revolutions and Saturn two, or to make it plainer, if Saturn and Jupiter are at corresponding points on their orbits at a given time, in fifty-nine years both will again be at the same point, Jupiter having completed five revolutions and Saturn two. About ten years ago the writer discovered a cycle of about fifty-six days which corresponds with the equinoxes and solstices of Venus, and more recently has learned that there is another series of disturbances, but as yet has not been able to satisfactorily determine the length of the period, and consequently cannot locate it in any planetary
occurrence. Enough has been given to prove that peculiar and ever changing weather conditions are not governed by caprice, as many suppose, but are controlled by fixed unvarying laws.
"It, however, is not to be supposed that the influences of planetary occurrences directly affect the earth's atmosphere. They first affect the center of influence, the sun, and are transmitted to the earth through the medium of the never ceasing flow of the universal life-giving, life-sustaining, creative and controlling principal in nature — electricity.
"If there had never been a cycle discovered except those caused by the
equinoxes and solstices of the earth the electro-planetary system would stand firmly upon the foundation of general principles.
"The laws of nature are universal. Nature has no law that is applicable to one portion of universal space that does not apply equally to every other portion. If it is a law of nature that the equinoxes and solstices of the earth create atmospheric
disturbances, then through the operation of the same law the equinoxes and solstices of each of the other planets have precisely the same effect. The only objection that can be raised is, that the effect of the earth's equinoxes and solstices could not affect the other planets and that the occurrences of the other planets could not affect the earth, but when we remember that all disturbances in the earth's atmosphere affect the sun it
is a logical conclusion that all the planets are affected through the sun, and that in the same manner the earth feels the effects of disturbed conditions on all the planets.
"The solar system is a family of worlds united and bound together by the law of universal affinity. The sun is the maternal parent, never ceasing through endless ages to give to each of her offspring an abundant supply of nature's sustaining food, and we have only to come back to humanity to learn that whatever affects the physical condition of the mother affects the child through the sustenance it receives from her.
"It is true that man. who in a sense, is above nature, may so far transgress her laws, as to interfere with their operation and cause physical conditions to exist on the earth, that do not exist on the other planets, but the difference in conditions is the effect of the violations and not the action of the law."
Appendix IV
"Herschel's" Lunar Table
(provided by Adam Clarke)
112[Adam Clarke, a late eighteenth-century/early nineteenth-century Bible commentator, presented the "Herschel" table in the following letter to the editor:]
"From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.
"OBSERVATIONS ON PROGNOSTICATIONS OF THE WEATHER:
"BY THE REV. ADAM CLARKE, LL.D., F.AS. "To the Editor.
"Canonbury-Square, London. June 5th, 1824. "Dear Sir, — I have formerly sent you some papers on curious facts in
agriculture; particularly on the strange power that seeds have of multiplying
themselves by means of slips. I believe these facts and experiments were not lost either on the heads or hearts of many of your readers. I wish to change the subject a little, and speak of the WEATHER, and of the best means of prognosticating its variations; a
subject of the highest consequence to every agriculturist, and especially to every poor
farmer. Suppose I be asked, as one of old,
"Chrema, tantúmne ab re tuô est otii tibi, "Aliena ut cures, ea quæ nihil àd te attinent?
"'ADAM, have you nothing to do in your own affairs, that you meddle with those of others that do not concern you?' — to this I feel disposed to give the same answer that was formerly given to the question quoted above:
"Homo sum: humani nihil à me alienum puto.— TER. Heaut.
"'Sir, I am a MAN: and whatever concerns HUMAN BEINGS, interests me.' And I may add, that I do not remember the time in which I was unconcerned about the
changes of the weather.
"From my earliest childhood I was bred up on a little farm, which I was taught to care for, and cultivate, ever since I was able to spring the rattle, use the whip, manage the sickle, or handle the spade; and as I found that much of our success
112 The Methodist Magazine, October 1824, pp. 388-392. This table has been reprinted in a recent Old Farmer's Almanac http://www.digital-almanac.com/digitalalmanac/2009/?pg=272 .
depended on a proper knowledge and management of the weather, I was led to study it ever since I was eight years of age. I believe Meteorology is a natural science, and one of the first that is studied; and that every child in the country makes, untaught, some progress in it: at least so it was with me. I had actually learned, by silent observation, to form good conjectures concerning the coming weather, and, on this head, to teach wisdom among them that were perfect, especially among such as had not been obliged like me to watch earnestly, that what was so necessary to the family support, should not be spoiled by the weather before it was housed. Many a time, even in tender youth, have I watched the heavens with anxiety, examined the different appearances of the morning and evening sun, the phases of the moon, the scintillation of the stars, the course and colour of the clouds, the flight of the crow and the swallow, the gambols of the colt, the fluttering of the ducks, and the loud screams of the sea-mew, — not
forgetting even the hue and croaking of the frog. From the little knowledge I had
derived from close observation, I often ventured to direct our agricultural operations in reference to the coming days, and was seldom much mistaken in my reckoning. When I thought I had a pretty good stock of knowledge and experience in this way, I ventured to give counsel to my neighbours. For my kindness, or perhaps
officiousness, on this head, I met one day with a mortifying rebuff. I was about ten years of age; it was harvest-time, and 'what sort of a day tomorrow would be,' was the subject of conversation. To a very intelligent gentleman who was present, I stated, in opposition to his own opinion, 'Mr. P., to-morrow will be a foul day,' —To which he answered, 'ADAM, how can you tell?' I answered, without giving the rule on which my prognostication was founded, 'O Sir, I know it will be so.' 'You know! how should you know?' 'Why, Sir,' I pleasantly replied, 'because I am weather-wise.' 'Yes,' said he, 'or
other-wise.' The next day, however, proved that my augury was well drawn.
"But you may ask, what has this to do with the subject on which you have set out? — Very much; it shows at least that I pretend to be qualified to judge concerning the matters which I recommend. — I wish to help your more simple readers to a few good general rules, by which they may be able to tell, pretty nearly, the probable changes
of the weather, so as to be the better able to conduct their work in the field.
"About twenty years ago a Table, purporting to be the work of the late DR. HERSCHEL, was variously published, professing to form prognostics of the weather, by the times of the change, full, and quarters of the moon. I have carefully consulted this Table for several years, and was amazed at its general accuracy: — for though long, as you have seen, engaged in the study of the weather, I never thought that any rules could be devised liable to so few exceptions. When, on those maxims, I have been able to give to my neighbours and friends, directions relative to their field-operations, even in
fickle and dangerous times, I have often been led to glorify God for the discovery of the
principle on which this Table is constructed; and frequently said, 'If DR. HERSCHEL had lived for no other purpose than this, posterity would have reason to bless his
memory.' But how was I surprised, when, some time ago, I was informed that his son had come forward and disclaimed the Table as any work of his late father; and as being unworthy of him! Well: great most certainly was DR. HERSCHEL, and
honourable to himself, and his adopted country, were the discoveries which he made; and had the above principle and its application been among them, he would, in my sight, have had yet greater honour. However the thing may be, the Table, judiciously observed, may be of great public benefit. I have made a little alteration in the
arrangement, given it a significant name, illustrated it with further observations, and have sent it that you may insert it in the Magazine, as it has hitherto been confined generally to a few Almanacks.
"TABULA EUDICHEIM0NICA,
"OR THE
"FAIR AND FOUL WEATHER PROGNOSTICATOR: "BEING
"A Table for foretelling the Weather through all the Lunations of each Year for ever.
"THIS Table, and the accompanying Remarks, are the result of many years' actual observation; the whole being constructed on a due consideration of the
attraction of the Sun and Moon in their several positions respecting the earth; and will, by simple inspection, show the observer what kind of weather will most probably follow the entrance of the Moon into any of her Quarters, and that so near the truth as to be seldom or never found to fail.
"OBSERVATIONS.
"1. The nearer the time of the Moon's Change, First Quarter, Full, and Last Quarter, are to MIDNIGHT, the fairer will the weather be during the seven days following.
"2. The space for this calculation occupies from ten at night till two next morning.
"3. The nearer to MIDDAY, or NOON, these phases of the Moon happen, the more foul or wet the weather may be expected during the next seven days.
"4. The space for this calculation occupies from ten in the forenoon to two in the afternoon. These observations refer principally to Summer, though they affect Spring and Autumn nearly in the same ratio.
"5. The Moon's Change, — First Quarter, — Full, — and Last Quarter,
happening during six of the afternoon hours, i. e. from four to ten, may be followed by fair weather: but this is mostly dependent on the WIND, as it is noted in the Table.
"6. Though the weather, from a variety of irregular causes, is more uncertain in the latter part of Autumn, the whole of Winter, and the beginning of Spring; yet, in the main, the above observations will apply to those periods also.
"7. To prognosticate correctly, especially in those cases where the wind is concerned, the Observer should be within sight of a good vane, where the four cardinal points of the heavens are correctly placed. With this precaution he will scarcely ever be deceived in depending on the Table.
"8. It need scarcely be added, that to know the exact time of the Moon's Changes, Quarters, &c, a correct Almanack, such as the Nautical, — WHITE's