So I don't normally like throwing shade on users, but as the mod who put up the top-level warning on that Dolly Parton 9-to-5 thread and thus the recipient of much (removed) abuse from the r/all crowd yesterday, I feel entitled to post this:

https://www.kapwing.com/e/5f3ffa8e21e1310015bdc846

Back in the early 2020s i wrote a series of posts regarding Ottoman astrology for my colleagues. These are short and rather light-hearted in tone so i think it's better to post one of it here since i've done it before lol

On Becoming an Astrologer

So you’re a son from a middle-class family in your 20s living in the 1650s. Your parents are bureaucrats/scribe which have a decent enough income to provide your education, and for some unknown reason you wanted to become an astrologer (müneccim), someone whose job is to look up the skies with an astrolabe, make calendars, and perform divination. You can make a sum for sure, but there are better career options out there dude holy shit

So first, what does an astrologer needs to know? There are several authorities which has different opinions, but most of them agrees that practical knowledge should be prioritized. Katip Çelebi, quoting Ali ibn Ahmed Nesevi stated that there are four levels of astrological knowledge: First, to understand the numbers in calendars and to make calculations using astrolabe. Second, to understand the nature of the science of the stars (ilmi’l-nücum), the planets, and the zodiacs. Third, to know the movements of the stars and to know how to work with ephemerides and draw up calendars. Fourth, to know the geometrical proofs of the movements of the stars and to describe them, which makes a perfect astronomer (müneccim et-tam). The treatise of Zij-I Ilkhani also stated something similar: an astronomer must have the ability to extract the necessary celestial data out of observations and calendars and to have a sound knowledge of the nature and inclinations of planets, signs, astrological houses, and planetary aspects. Generally, knowing at least the first two levels are enough if you want to just become a pop astrologer in the cities

So how did you obtain those knowledge? First is to go to the medrese. In the 17th century Istanbul, medreses have been slowly moving away from teaching theoretical astronomy (ilmi’l-heyet), which become something of a niche to the science of the stars, for better or worse. So rather than sitting down and reading Ptolemy’s Almagest like a Classical Islamic scholar would do, you and your teacher will go out and make practical observations with the astrolabe instead. Once you were past that stage, you learned the basics of astrology like the qualities of the planets and zodiacs. If you were good and wanted to get even better, you learned how to make calendars or to cast horoscopes. Then if you’re past this point you can either quit or continue your studies, the latter of which probably has better prospects for the future. Your second option is to study privately with an astrologer, which is how most astrologers get their knowledge (most of palace astrologers were proteges of their predecessors). Depending on money or connection, you can find an experienced astrologer and ask him to teach you through a one-to-one (possibly paid) tutorship or apprenticeship. Katip Çelebi is such a person, after quitting his job as an accountant, he took lessons from a certain Arec Mustafa Efendi, and after his studies he went on to become a teacher of astrology and arithmetic.

After all that studying, what to do? You can set up shop and start your career as astrologer, which enjoyed a fairly wide consumer base if you know your stuff. You’ll be mostly making calendars and horoscopes, which many people sought after. Even if you’re not too good at doing astrology, you can always beautify it up and there’ll be someone who will buy your stuff. In this period, astrologers like Naima actually complained about “pop astrologers”, whose almanacs and calendars were not very good but full of pleasant language. If you had a bit of an artistic knack, you can always make astrological poetry, which was also a popular genre at the time. The other option is to go Katip Çelebi’s route and become a teacher. The pay at this time was not very good though, so you better have multiple teaching assignments or side jobs.

I'm doing a piece on H. P. Lovecraft and Ernest Hemingway; Lovecraft visited Key West, Florida shortly after Hemingway and his wife had bought a house there - but the Hemingways weren't in residence. Still, it's fin to look at how each man described the small town in their letters:

As utterly isolated from the populous part of the world as Block Island or Nantucket, Key West has retained an unique provincial character differing vastly from that of any other place. It is simple & village-like, & extremely frugal & primitive in all things. Spanish influence is everywhere observable—Cubans being about as thick as French-Canadians in Fall River or Jews in New York. One of the two cinema theatres (both owned by a Spaniard) has its films in the Spanish language. There is, however, no Spanish newspaper. Vegetation is thick, splendid, & tropical—including great trees & surpassing that of any of the other keys. There is, however, no Spanish moss so far as I can see. Under cultivation, the greenery assumes an unbelievable luxuriance in gardens. Cocoanut palms are frequent.

Unlike Dunedin & Miami, this is an old town with a natural growth; & it is certainly refreshing to be back in such a place. The town was founded under the Spanish regime—though not, I think, till the early 1800’s. The original name is Caya Huesco, (Bone Key) which American usage soon corrupted into the present title of Key West. Early in the American regime it became an army post, & it has always since remained a military & naval station of importance; because of its strategic control of the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. In the Civil War it pursued the anomalous course of supporting the Federal side despite the secession of Florida as a state. In the Spanish war it was a great naval base & hospital centre. The harbour is of exceptional depth & convenience, & many steamship lines—to Tampa, New Orleans, Havana, &c—converge here. The principal industry—employing most of the Spanish population—is the manufacture of cigars. Next come fishing, sponge-fishing, ship supplies, & fruit growing—the latter accomplished largely on the adjacent keys.

Houses are largely small wooden cottages set in fenced-in gardens, recalling the old America of the 1840’s. Tropic balconies are frequent on both residences & shops, & the latest buildings (though not many new ones are built) have them as well as the old ones. Some shops have folding doors of many sections, which can be so opened as to throw the entire front open to the street—forming a sort of open-air bazaar, as it were. This is especially true of drug stores & soda fountains. In the residences, most front doors have auxiliary doors with shutters like those of blinds—a fashion which also existed in New England during the late Georgian period, & which is well exemplified by fine hillside colonial house at the corner of Angell & Congdon. Some of the houses have window blinds hinged at the top, which open outward like awnings & are propped with sticks. A distinct Latin touch pervades everything. Chimneys are very rare, & roofs tend to come to a central point or ridge like those of most far-southern towns. It is a relief to be in a really old & naturally developed town once again. Miami & all it represents seems in another world—for Key West is one with Charleston & Providence & Salem as a representation of pre-machine-age America. The city has a population (1930) of 12,613; being therefore about the size of Bristol, & somewhat larger than Athol or N. Attleboro. Its size is almost identical with that of my favourite village of Hempstead, Long Island. It is the seat of Monroe County, which includes all the keys. Up to 1911 or 1912 its isolation from the world was even more profound than at present; but at that time the Florida East Coast Railway completed its causeways & opened service from the mainland. Lack of highway access continued to keep it semi-isolated, but in 1928 the present motor route (interrupted by two 2-hour ferry trips) was opened. But for the business depression, these ferries would have been eliminated by this time—but lacking money, the state has not been able to construct the desired causeways. This delay is probably all that saves Key West from tourist invasion, standardisation, & self-conscious showmanship. As things are, the town is absolutely natural & unspoiled; a perfect bit of old-time simplicity which is truly quaint because it does not know that it is quaint. There is only one luxurious winter hotel, & one first-class city hostelry like our Biltmore. I am stopping at the latter—because the poor business season has caused them to quote fine single rooms with hot & cold water at only $1.50. It is the Key West Colonial—owned by the same chain which owns Charleston’s palatial Ft. Sumter Hotel on the Battery. There is a widely advertised roof garden with a magnificent view of the whole city & surrounding keys & ocean, which I intend to investigate tomorrow morning. But my own room has a fine enough view.

The coach drew into Key West at sunset, when the whole tropic scene bore an aspect of ineffable glamour. This approach was along a wide seaside boulevard; & betwixt the observer & the mystical westward gulf there rose a low, picturesque line of old-fashioned roofs & steeples which even the tall skeleton masts of the wireless station could not spoil. On the farther side one could note great ships tied up at the docks—messengers from Caribbean realms of still more enchanting glamour. In reaching the hotel—which is also the bus station—the coach passed through a large part of the town; so that I formed an excellent general impression at the very outset. With the coming of daylight, I shall do further exploration on foot—as well as consulting books in the local library. So far I have studied only the few Chamber of Commerce leaflets procurable at the hotel desk. The local Cubans are very picturesque—& not even nearly as squalid as our Federal Hill Italians. They are addicted to sporty clothes of a flamboyant striped pattern. Most of the younger ones, locally educated, speak fluent English.

—H. P. Lovecraft to Lillian D. Clark, 11-12 Jun 1931, mss. John Hay Library

That was was where I went best when I was writing it—Swim all winter—Everybody talks Spanish—The old Gulf stream just seven miles out and all the uninhabited keys to sail to. Good Spanish wine from Cuba on every boat—Whiskey $5.00 a quart—Bacardi 4.00—Fundador 4.50—We’ll get a house and two n*****s—[...] The fishing is as exciting as war only you can go home nights. Grand people.

—Ernest Hemingway to Archibald MacLeish, c.9-13 Sep 1928, The Letters of Ernest Hemingway 3.436-437

Hemingway's letters are notably laconic; he expands a bit more on the town in essays and whatnot, but it's rather interesting to see how very differently the two writers described their environment, and what was important to them in it.

Your Weekly /r/askhistorians Recap

Friday, August 14 - Thursday, August 20

###Top 10 Posts

###Top 10 Comments

What happened to the careers of young to-be naval officers who lost limbs?

In master and commander a young mid-ship man(?) loses his right arm.

How would this sort of disabling injury effect a young 18th century royal navy officer? I understand Nelson was missing a limb though I believe he was older when he lost it.

Is there anyone out there who makes historical (late middle ages to the 17th century, give or take) sewing needles and pins without any modern methods, from the source of the metal to the final item? I'm gathering a set of historical tailor's items and I have yet to find someone who stays true to the entire process. I can see how something like this would be difficult, but is there anyone who does this? Like Guédelon but for needles and pins.