New York Herald - Sunday, May 5, 1895

OSCAR WILDE'S HOROSCOPE.
Remarkable Astrologica1 Predictions Regarding His Character and Career.
HIS DOWNFALL FORETOLD.
Powerful Friends May Yet Save Him from Utter Poverty and Disgrace.

THE appalling disaster which has befallen Mr. Oscar Wilde has naturally caused many to wonder how it was possible for a man of his intellectual ability and social standing to lay himself open even to a suspicion of such evil conduct as he has been charged with. True, he is in one sense, but an sense, exceptional case. Others of even higher social standing have from time to time been charged with the same offence, and as a resulr have either been punished according to law or have been ostracized by society and driven forth as exiles from their native land. But not one of them all had the mental calibre or the reputation of Wilde, and, consequently, the downfall of none of them has caused so much surprise, and in many quarters so much regret, as has the downfall of the Apostle of Aestheticism.

And yet it can easily be shown that Oscar Wilde was, to a certain extent, doomed to meet with grave trouble at this period of his life trouble of precisely such a nature as has be fallen him. His strange career is clearly show in his horoscope. Materialists may scoff a such an assertion, but astrology, which is as old as the world, and which shows as yet no signs of decay, cannot be hurt by derision. That in this case astrology shows a wonderful light on his character and career, will certainly be admitted by all fairminded persons.

AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK.

To begin, Oscar Wiide was born on October 16, 1854, when the sun was in the twenty-fourth degree of the sign Libra. This year was under the moon's influence, and It is notable that the present year, so fatal to Wilde, is also under that influence. According to the rules of the Kabbala. Wilde's key number is 49, and the most potent planet in his horoscope is Saturn. Now, the Kabbala yields the following predictions for the present year, basing them or, the key number, 49: "Everything conspires against him for his destruction, and he alone is ignorant of it. Hostile spirits, like the wolf, are laying snares for him; servile spirits, denoted by the dog, hide their treason beneath a mask of flattery and idle spirits, denoted by the crab, will look upon his ruin without concern. Let him therefore be upon his guard and retrace his steps, while there is yet time. Let him watch, listen and enact accordingly." Those who can read between the lines of this prediction, which is designedly enigmatical, will find an appalling significance. The key number, tells us further that "the unexpected will nullify the prudence of the native, and fatality will mar his future plans if he restrains not his passions. He believes himself strong and he is only a reed. The common oaks are not invulnerable. How then can he expect to sustain the shock of unexpected catastrophes?"

In the horoscope itself, a figure of which is given, we find these ominous predictions are accentuated. Libra, being the rising sign and in the twenty-fourth degree, denotes a light flexible and fickle nature, which loves every kind of pleasure and luxury and is a woman at heart. It also predicts material tendencies inordinate appetites and loss of position. A study of the planets and other signs show many other evil omens. From such a study an astrologer could have foretold to Oscar Wilde's parents any time after his birth that he would be extremely sensitive and subject to nervous affections, that be would incur the enmity of high personages, such as the Marquis of Queenberry: that he would have some mysterious love affairs, that he might be separated from his wife and be doomed to live apart from his children, that he would get into trouble through evil associations and lose greatly through the ingratitude of friends, that his honor would be imperilled by bad companions, and that ruin would surely befall him if he did not restrain his inordinate appetites.

SOME NOBLE QUALITIES

There are also, however, some splendid predictions. For example, the horoscope shows a powerful imagination, a great aptitude for poetry, considerable will power, much success as an author, gain by marriage, physical beauty, the friendship and support of distinguished persons, and considerable wealth, acquired by popularity either in the native country or abroad. Surely this is a bright picture, and how true it all is! Note especially the fact that most of Oscar Wilde's money was acquired during his popular career in this country, and that he also gained money by marriage.

But the good fortune could not last, and the troubles foreshadowed in the birth-horoscope are seen still more clearly in the horoscope of 1895. We find therein the following fatal fore casts: Danger of fail from a place, injury through secret love affairs, persecution by enemies, conjugal discord or separation, un healthy relationships and much unavoidable strife and sorrow. The horoscope shows, too, a strong tendency to indulge in "strange and fantastic tastes." Treacherous friends, danger of exile from the native country, danger through love affairs and much unhappiness from the same cause, assaults upon the honor and position, strong nervous susceptibility, quarrels with persons of quality, danger through duels, evils to the wife and mother and finally accusation of and condemnation for guilty acts.

BORN UNDER THE STARS

That these predictions are true in Oscar Wilde's case is manifest.

Still, there is hope for him. Though he is now in the worst predicament of his life the good fortune which has befriended him so long may come to his stead even now and enable him to triumph, at least in some measure, over his enemies. Never again, however, will he regain his old prestige, nor is it likely that he will ever amass any wealth. He has powerful friends and an energetic character, but the strongest efforts will be needed to save him from the poverty aud disgrace which seem to be his doom. That he can only blame himself for his present misfortunes is certain, but the fact remains that the stars at his birth were hostile to him, and that only an iron will would have enabled him to steer clear of all the perils in his path through life. We need only note the position of Venus and the sun. Mars, too, and Saturn, the evil planets, are exceptionally strong in his horoscope. In Mr. Gladstone's horoscope, on the other hand, each of these planets only appears once. In that of Percy Bysshe Shelley, however, Mars appears in three places.

Many more proofs as to the efficacy of the Kabballstic rules could be given, but these must suffice. It need only be added that a clear prediction can be found showing that Wilde would be involved in serious trouble during the third and fourth months of this year (March and April), and that he would most probably be involved in litigation, through which he might not suffer. On the other hand, there is no indication that these troubles were unavoidable, but the preponderance of evidence being greatly on the side of misfortune, the only logical conclusion which one could arrive at is that the evil passions conferred at birth would at the time predicted bring disaster, if not ruin.