108. Against Astrology

An astrologer, intent on the sky, trips and falls to the bottom of the ditch. Seeing this, an old woman walking behind him laughs and says derisively, "Claiming knowledge of the skies above you, how do you lack knowledge of what lies before you on earth?"

Thus, when occupied with taking the census of the sky, do not forget to also regard your feet.

Alternatively, a woman intent on her navel is not cognizant of the sky when it splits apart with lightning and torrential rain. In a moment, she is drenched. She knows if she focuses on the world around her, she can survive, but if she ceases to focus on herself, she will lose her hold over her body, united in a tenuous alliance. She attempts to multitask but loses her footing and tumbles into the ditch, which is swiftly filling with rainwater. As the water levels rise, she prays for her energy levels to rise so she can climb up to the road, where men tramp past her and objectify, moralize, and ridicule. Any one of them would save her, if only she validates their assessment.

What is star- or navel-gazing for those with the luxury to deride is, for others and outcasts, a choice between two types of drowning.