Christian Astrology. Modestly Treated of in three Books; The first containing the use of an Ephemeris, the erecting of a Scheam of Heaven; nature of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack, of the Planets; with a most easie Introduction to the whole Art of Astrology. The second, by a most Methodicall way, Instructeth the Student how to Judge or Resolve all manner of Questions contingent unto Man, viz. of Health, Sicknesse, Riches, Marriage, Preferment, Journies, &c. Severall Questions inserted and Judged. The third, containes an exact Method, whereby to Judge upon Nativities; severall wayes how to rectifie them; How to judge the generall fate of the Native by the twelve Houses of Heaven, according to the naturall influence of the Stars; How his particular and Annual Accidents, by the Art of Direction, and its exact measure of Time, by Protections, Revolutions, Transits, A Nativity Judged by the Method preceding.
London: Tho. Brudenell for John Partridge and Humph. Blunden, in Blackfriers at the Gate going into Carter-lane, and in Cornhil, 1647. First edition. Hardcover. Small quarto. (xxii) (1-24) 25-832 (xxivpp. 'Catalogue of Astrological Authors ...' Contents & Erratta ...iipp. blanks ) Collates A4; (a) - (c) 4; D - PPPPP3 (no PPPPP4 - as issued). Twentieth century (?) full-leather binding, raised bands and gilt title-label to spine, boards have period-style decorations in blind. Frontispiece portrait of Lilly and numerous woodcut diagrams, charts etc. in text. Without doubt the most significant work of the foremost 17th century English astrologer, the Leicestershire-born William Lilly (1602 - 1681), who famously predicted the Great Fire of London in 1666. "Christian Astrology," is renowned as the most definitive work on horary astrology ever written in English, and remains the cornerstone of any collection of works on astrology. The "Christian" of the title would appear to be largely camouflage - presumably placed there to protect the author from suggestions that he was a heretic dabbling in the diabolic arts. As with all copies of the First Edition, the pagination is eccentric, but this copy has been carefully collated against other copies, including that in the British Library ('British Museum'), and is complete save for one leaf of the table of contents at the rear, which has been replaced in facsimile. The boards are lightly rubbed and there are a couple of light scrapes to the rear board, but other wise they are clean and fresh. The text block is generously margined: unusually so. The frontispiece portrait appears to have been laid down, possibly on a preceeding blank, and is quite darkened and chipped, with an old reinforcement to inner margin. Neat early astrological diagram on (blank) verso of title-page, and page of notes of similar vintage on final blank. A few early marginal notes, and one old repair to upper section of pp. 375/6 resulting in the loss of a few words. Pages (xvii-xviii) of the Table of Contents at rear wanting and replaced in facsimile. The pages are generally well-thumbed, particularly so at the fore-edge, where they also show occasional chipping and short tears. Page edges, title-page and frontispiece very darkened, the rest of pages also unevenly darkened, although not so heavily. Occasional smudges, light stains and other signs of use throughout. Obviously much used, but the pages remain supple and the binding strong, and with a little care the volume will serve at least another three hundred and thirty years. About VG. Item #58866
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