Life — December 27, 1888 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine featuring an astrological theme—a sign reading "The Sign of the ZODIAC" is visible in the background. The caption references "JUPITER" and "MARS," continuing the zodiac theme. The cartoon depicts a crowd of people gathered around what appears to be an astrologer or fortune teller (the bearded central figure). The caption reads: "JUPITER: WHAT A DISGRACEFUL SCENE! / MARS: YES, SIR. HE GETS A LITTLE U[nclear]" The satire mocks the public's gullible fascination with astrology and fortune-telling. By having the planetary gods themselves comment disapprovingly on the scene, the cartoon ridicules both the practitioners of astrology and their eager clients. The joke suggests that even the celestial bodies represented in astrology would be embarrassed by how their names are exploited for profit.