 | ||
Similar William Lily books, Astrology books | ||
Christian Astrology, written in 1647 by the English astrologer William Lilly, is considered to be one of the most important seminal works of western astrology. William Lilly successively treats the rules of western astrology, horary astrology and 'Nativities', about erecting and analysing a birth chart in natal astrology. He wrote the book when he was ill and had to stay at home. Running away from the plague in London, he spent a year in the countryside to study, reflect, and write Christian Astrology.
Contents
Lilly himself explains that he was influenced among others by Ptolemy's Quadripartitum (Tetrabiblos), De occulta philosophia by Agrippa, De Astronima Tractarus 10 by Guido Bonatti, 120 Aphorismi of John Dee, Medicina Catholica by Robert Fludd, Epitomes Astronomiae by Johan Kepler and Paracelsus' De Meteoris, all of which are mentioned in the appendix of Christian Astrology.
The modern edition of Christian Astrology consists of three volumes:
- Book 1: An Introduction to Astrology
- Book 2: The Resolution of all manners of Questions and Demands
- Book 3: An Easie and Plaine Method How to Judge Upon Nativities
Book 1
Lilly referred to this book as a course for astrology students in which he expounds the general principles of astrology. Topics covered:
Book 2
This part of Lilly's work is a methodical instruction the student must follow to be able to answer all kinds of questions - on disease, wealth, marriage choices, travel, etc. - using the techniques of horary astrology. Lilly includes 35 examples of such questions. He gives a detailed explanation of the procedure to be followed and elaborates on all elements that are important in the analysis. The act of choosing the right "significator" is especially important, as well as choosing the right house and its ruler that are involved.
Book 3
In this third part "How to judge upon Nativities' William Lilly discusses the interpretation of the natal chart.
He treatment includes the following topics:
In addition, he also gives clues about how these techniques can be used to 'correct' a natal chart in case the time of birth is not exactly known to the astrologer. This he finds to be of major importance to make accurate predictions.