#soothsayers

Alberto Martini's 1922 illustration The Soothsayers, Canto XX, from Dante's The Divine Comedy

Do Not Consult Soothsayers

19 And when they say to you, Make request for us to those who have control of spirits, and to those wise in secret arts, who make hollow bird-like sounds; is it not right for a people to make request to their gods, to make request for the living to the dead? 20 Then say to them, Put your faith in the teaching and the witness. … If they do not say such things. … For him there is no dawn. — Isaiah 8:19 | Bible in Basic English (BBE) The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain Cross References: Genesis 41:24; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; 1 Samuel 28:8; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:24; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 26:14; Isaiah 29:4; Isaiah 30:2; Isaiah 45:11; Isaiah 47:12-13; Jeremiah 27:9; Micah 5:12; Acts 16:16

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Let's start with the Druids. It's obvious the exist and they're well respected among the common people. They participate in an annual festival, where they compete to see who has produced the best potion. Asterix, the village's greatest warrior, always makes sure that Getafix is ok and sometimes he doesn't even act without Getafix' consent. Even Vitalstatistix, the village's chief, asks Getafix for advice. And Getafix' opinion is always respected.

We have seen Getafix producing more kinds of portion, not just the magic portion that gives its consumer great strength. Like that one time where he profuced a magic potion that healed or made Asterix jump like a grasshopper.

Then, there's Atlantis. In the Asterix universe, it exist, its inhabitants have figured out a way to remain kids forever and there are flying cows. Asterix may have a hard time believing it, but the narrative states that it's true!

And then comes the Soothsayers. The first time we meet one is in "Asterix and the Soothsayer" and it's obvious he's a fraud. And he's not the only one. The narrative stops (by literally inserting a parenthesis) to inform the readers that soothsayers, fortune tellers and all these kinds of people are in reality charlatans who make money from people's insecurities (and as we see in the picture not even Caesar is not immune to this).

Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice and Friends - 11 tracks of dub jazz (w/ Idris Rahman of Ill Considered), plus a companion album of Rice’s dub versions (double dub?)

Soothsayers' project with New York-born, São Paulo-based producer-engineer-bassist, Victor Rice. Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice & Friends features 11 instrumental recordings, lovingly assembled between London, São Paulo and Lisbon. The project blossomed from earlier sessions in São Paulo for Soothsayers’ vocal album ‘We Are Many’ and continued across continents and technologies during  dark days and uncertain times , strengthening the already powerful musical connection between Soothsayers' incredible core musicians and some of Brazil's top musicians, resulting in a whole new set of uplifting and defiant instrumentals. The release is accompanied by a second, companion album, Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice In Dub, showcasing 11 of Rice’s haunting flipside mixes. Robin Hopcraft: Trumpet/Trombone Idris Rahman: Saxes/Flute Victor Rice: Bass Bruno Barque: Drums Joao Erbertta: Guitar Andrew Gibson: Guitar Satin Singh: Percussion Kishon Khan: Keys All tracks mixed by: Victor Rice All tracks written by: Robin Hopcraft, Idris Rahman