Review of Nativitas by James Martin Harvey

by

Ruth Baker

James Martin Harvey

Recently, Sue Ward acquired a three volume set of astrological studies containing natal charts researched by James Martin Harvey. She was so enthusiastic about these that I immediately ordered a set for myself. I was not disappointed.

James Martin Harvey, economist and writer, was born at Maldon, Essex in 1904. Educated at Maldon Grammar School and St. Chad's College, Denstone, he began his professional career in 1923 with The Western Telegraph Co. Ltd. in Funchal, Madeira. After transferring first to Rio de Janeiro and then to the island of Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde, he returned to Brazil in 1926 where he met his future wife, Miss Marina Teixeira de Carvalho. After their marriage in 1933, Mr. Martin and his wife moved to Sao Paulo where he became Commercial Manager of the Western Telegraph Co. until 1946 when he began working for the British Chamber of Commerce at Sao Paulo.

From his early youth Mr. Martin had a great interest in astrology and collected many rare books on the subject. In addition to numerous published historical and other works, he was also a regular contributor to astrological magazines, including a substantial seven page article in the Spring 1963 edition of The Astrological Journal entitled 'The Early Tudors'. More information about this remarkable man can be found in the introductory pages to Volume 1.

Mr. Martin erected hundreds of charts of historical personages, specialising in the British royal families – all without the aid of a computer or modern ephemeris. He was always extremely careful to verify data, and only published charts where he was fully satisfied as to their veracity. Yet in a lecture presented at the VII International Congress of Astrology, Mr. Martin said "I am not an astrologer in the ordinary sense of the word, but rather a history lover in search of data concerning the birth of historical personalities."

The three volumes contain almost three hundred natal charts which comprise not only the charts of historical royal families, but also those of astrologers, writers, painters etc. Included are the nativities of Simon Forman,. John Booker, John Gadbury (and also that of his mistress), William Backhouse, William Lilly, and that of Lilly's third wife Ruth Needham. All the charts are presented with copious and assiduously researched notes on the historical background of each. Students of William Lilly will find much to interest them in these pages. The research which has gone into this monumental work is truly amazing, and I strongly recommend these three books to anyone who delights in the Art of Astrology.

The attractively bound volumes have been compiled by Renate Carvalho Lima Ramos and Ruth C.L. da Cunha Cintra, and are published by Triom which can be found at www.triom.com.br (Portuguese language), or by contacting ruth@triom.co.br .

These are large and weighty books, yet the cost is remarkably low. I paid less than £25 for the three volume set, plus about £10 to cover the cost of postage from Brazil. I found them compulsive reading.