Krakow astrological prognostics from the late 15th and early 16th centuries on “people of enter-tainment” (entertainers, bon vivants).

Abstract

Cracow astrological forecasts (calendars, almanacs, iudicia) of the so-called pre-Copernicus era are a repository of knowledge on the daily life (in a wide context) ofpeople in the Middle Ages. The University of Cracow was famous for, among others,works of this type. The popularity of such texts brought not only fame and money to theirauthors but also, and probably most of all, comfort and support to the representatives ofthe wider society of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century, who were convincedthat every aspect of human existence was aff ected by the infl uence of heavenly bodies. Astrologers not only included almost all domains of human life in their forecasts forthe year to come but, what is important, addressed them to all social groups, includingkings and princes, aristocrats and clergy, warriors and merchants, women and children,inhabitants of neighboring countries, people of various nationalities and denominations(particularly Jews, Turks and Tatars). Astrological forecasts were also prepared for theso-called people of entertainment (entertainers, performers, artists). Quite often, separatesections were devoted to them, analyzing the forthcoming alignment of heavenly bodiesfrom the viewpoint of success (or lack thereof) of the life plans and professional aspirationsof the representatives of this particular social group.