An Introduction to Astrology

by William Lilly

Zadkiel, ed.

[1852]

First published in 1647, as Christian Astrology, this is one of the best known post-classical works on Astrology. the present edition, heavily edited by ‘Zadkiel,’ was released under the current title in 1852. As the planet Uranus (‘Hershel’), discovered in 1781, is mentioned throughout, and Neptune, discovered in 1846, is not, we can bracket the date of composition of the revised edition to the mid-19th century.

Horary Astrology, the subject of this book, interprets planetary positions to answer a wide range of questions, from lost dogs and stolen fish, to the death of kings. While there is a basic repertoire of interpretations, (e.g., Saturn bad, Venus good), the horoscope is used as a jumping off point for the astrologer’s intuition.

And Lilly apparently had spectacularly good intuition. His famous prediction of the London fire of 1666 was so accurate that he was suspected of starting it, a charge he was later acquitted of. Lilly also used Astrology in medical practice and this book discusses the use of horoscopes in diagnosing diseases, determining whether a patient will die or get better, and so on.

Zadkiel was apparently the pseudonym of Richard James Morrison (1795-1874). Thanks to John Mark Ockerbloom of Online Books for pointing this out.

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Title Page
Preface
Table of Contents
Life of William Lilly
Chapter I.
Chapter II.
Chapter III. Of the Aspects
Chapter IV Of the Twelve Houses, Their Nature and Signification
Chapter V. Of Saturn, and his Signification
Chapter VI. Of the Planet Jupiter, and his Signification
Chapter VII. Of the Planet Mars, and his Several Significations
Chapter VIII. Of the Sun, His General and Particular Significations
Chapter IX. Of the Planet Venus, and her Several Signification and Nature
Chapter X. Of Mercury, and his Signification, Nature, and Property
Chapter XI. Of the Moon, her Properties and Significations
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII. Another Brief Description of the Shapes and Forms of the Planets
Chapter XIV. The Colours of the Planets and Signs
Chapter XV. The Nature, Place, Countries, General Description, and Diseases Signified by the Twelve Signs
Chapter XVI. Teaching What Use May Be Made of the Former Discourse of the Twelve Signs
Chapter XVII. Of the Essential Dignities of the Planets
Chapter XVIII. Table of the Essential Dignities of the Planets
Chapter XIX. Considerations Before Judgment
Chapter XX. What Significator, Querent, and Quesited, are; and an Introduction to the Judgment of a Question.
Chapter XXI. To Know Whether a Thing Demanded will be Brought to Perfection, Yea or Nay

The Resolution of all Manner of Questions and Demands

Chapter XXII. Questions Concerning the First House. If the Querent be Likely to Live Long–Yea or Not?
Chapter XXIII. If One Shall Find the Party at Home he Would Speak with?
Chapter XXIV. Of a Ship, and her Safety or Destruction
Chapter XXV. Judgments Concerning the Second House
Chapter XXVI. Of the Third House, viz. of Brethren, Sisters, Kindred, News, Short Journeys, etc.
Chapter XXVII. Of the Fourth House, and Judgments Depending Thereon
Chapter XXVIII. Of the Fifth House and its Questions
Chapter XXIX. Of the Sixth House
Chapter XXX. The Seventh House, and its Questions
Chapter XXXI. Of the Eighth House, and its Questions: These are Death, Dowry, the Wife’s Substance, &c.
Chapter XXXII. Of The Ninth House and its Questions. Long Journeys, Voyages, Arts, Science, Church Preferment, Law, &c.
Chapter XXXIII. The Tenth House and its Questions.–viz. Office, Dignity, Preferment, Government, Trade, or Profession, &c.
Chapter XXXIV. Of the Eleventh House, and its Questions, viz. of Friends, Hopes, Property of the King, &c.
Chapter XXXV. Of the Twelfth House, and its Questions, viz. of Imprisonment, Great Cattle, Private Enemies, Banished Men, &c.
Aphorisms, by Zadkiel

Appendix

Explanation of the Hieroglyphics
Description of Persons According as the Significator may be Found in Each of the Twelve Signs
Effects of the Aspects Between the Significators
Of the ✶ and △ Aspects Between the Significators
The Effects of the ☐ or ☍ Aspects Between the Significators
List of Fixed Stars Which may be Considered in Horary Questions
Explanation of Terms Used in this Work