Occult astrologer. Astrology is the ancient belief that planetary motions and positions influence human lives. Some forms of astrology incorporated elements of other traditions, such as alchemy and the search for hidden or occult knowledge. One example of this is the association of each of the known planets with a certain metal. This astrologer is pouring a liquid from one flask to another by a fire. There is a book on the chair beside him, and he is surrounded by various animals. This artwork, by French illustrator Leon Benett (1838-1917), is from Astronomical Myths (1877) by the British geologist John Frederick Blake (1839-1906).