author
Astra Cielo
1861–1957
Best known as the pen name behind early 20th-century books on dreams, omens, and folk beliefs, this writer brought a lively, curious tone to subjects that fascinated popular readers. The name Astra Cielo was used by Milton Goldsmith, a novelist and man of letters whose work ranged from fiction to children’s books and librettos.
2 Audiobooks
About the author
Astra Cielo was a pseudonym used by Milton Goldsmith (1861–1957). Reliable catalog and author sources connect the name specifically with two books on divination and folklore: Fortunes and Dreams and Signs, Omens and Superstitions.
Goldsmith was born in Philadelphia and, according to the Posen Library, studied music, language, and literature at the University of Zurich before returning to Philadelphia and later moving to New York. The same source describes him as a versatile writer and publisher whose work included novels, children’s books, plays, and librettos.
Under the Astra Cielo name, he wrote in an accessible, popular style about fortune-telling, dream interpretation, signs, and superstitions. Those books have lasted well beyond their original era and are still widely circulated in digital archives and public-domain collections, which helps explain why the pseudonym remains discoverable today.