Anima astrologiae
Anima astrologiaePrefaceANIMA ASTROLOGIAETo The Ingenious Lovers Of ArtProemThe Several Considerations Of Guido BonatusOf the several twenty-one Modes aforesaid, which are most strong Helpers, etc. and which strongest obstructs. Notes Copyright
Anima astrologiae
William Lilly
A Guide for Astrologers
Preface
The history of western magic started about 4000 years ago. And
since then it has been adding something to western magic.
Originally, the Latin word magus nominated the followers of the
spiritualist-priest class, and later originated to elect
‘clairvoyant, sorcerer’ and in a judgmental sense also ‘magician,
trickster’. Thus, the initial meaning of the word ‘magic’ was the
wisdoms of the Magi, that is the abilities of attaining
supernatural powers and energy, while later it became practical
critically to deceitful wizardry. The etymological descriptions
specify three significant features in the expansion of the notion
‘magic’:
1) Magic as a discipline of celestial natural forces and in the
course of formation 2) Magic as the exercise of such facts in
divinations, visions and illusion 3) Fraudulent witchery. The
latter belief played a significant part in the Christian
demonization process. The growth of the western notion ‘magic’
directed to extensive assumptions in the demonological and
astrophysical argument of the Neoplatonists. Their tactic was
grounded on the philosophy of a hierarchically ordered outer space,
where conferring to Plotinus (C205–C270 AD) a noetic ingredient was
shaped as the outcome of eternal and countless radiation built on
the ultimate opinion; this in its chance contributed to the rise of
psychic constituent, which formed the basis of the factual world.
Furthermore, these diverse phases of release came to be measured as
convinced forces, which underneath the impact of innocent and evil
views during late ancient times were embodied as humans. The
hierarchical cosmos of Iamblichus simply demonstrates the
legitimacy of this process. In his work, the Neoplatonic cosmology
has initiated a channel through the syncretism distinctive of the
late antiquity and in the essence of Greco-Oriental dualism.
Superior productions are taken closer to inferior ones by various
midway creatures. The higher the site of the mediators, the further
they bear a resemblance to gods and whizzes; the minor they are,
the nearer they stand to the psychic-spiritual part. The
aforementioned group of intermediaries has been settled in order of
series on the origin of cosmic gravity. Proclus (c410–485 AD) has
described the system of magic origin conversed above in better
aspect: in the hierarchical shackles of cosmic rudiments the power
and nature of a firm star god disturbs everything mediocre, and
with growing distance the impact slowly becomes weaker. The
Humanists approached the Platonic notions from the outlook of the
bequest of late antiquity, and were thus first familiarized to the
Neoplatonic form of the doctrine. And since Ficino’s work has been
inscribed in the spirit of emanation theory, and the author has
been persuaded of the existence of the higher and lower spheres of
magic and powers defined in Picatrix, he claims that planets and
cosmic movements have much to do with power and magic spirit.
Today’s occult marketplace also offers, in addition to books,
multifarious paraphernalia for practicing magic: amulets,
talismans, pendulums and magic rods. Though added with modern
essentials and pseudoscientific advices to give some weight to the
fundamentals, they are nothing but the leftovers of the western
ethnicities of magic.
ANIMA ASTROLOGIAE
OR A GUIDE FOR ASTROLOGERS
To The Ingenious Lovers Of Art
We have formerly some thoughts of revising our Introduction
to Astrology, now out of print, and to have enriched it from
another edition with the choicest aphorisms, both from the writings
of the ancients and our own many years’ experience, but the
laboriousness of that work, considering our age and many
infirmities of body, with the discouragements we have already me
with from some ungrateful persons, caused us to lay aside (at least
for the present) those intentions.Yet that we might not be wholly wanting to promote anything
that might tend to the advancement of Art and gratification of its
painful students, and knowing how necessary the ensuing
Considerations of Guido Bonatus and Aphorisms adjoined, are to be
known and regarded, which many of our ingenious countrymen could
not do, for they have hitherto remained in the Latin tongue with
the rest of the works of these authors in large volumes, difficult
to be got at and too chargeable for man to buy, we therefore
recommend them to a friend to be translated by themselves, which he
has judiciously performed in plain significant language, so that we
judge the work may deserve the titleAnima
Astrologiaewhich we have given it, comprehending
the marrow and substance of Astrology, and much excellent matter
necessary to be observed by all honest students that practice Art
to discover truth and not to vapour with.We doubt not but the legitimate Sons and well-wishers of
Urania will find considerable advantages from hence, directing them
to a certainty in giving judgments upon all occasions, and they
will for this publication have cause to thank their old
friend.William LillyWalton-upon-Thames, 2 August,1675.
Proem
Amongst those things that appertain to giving judgment in
questions of Astrology, there are six to be considered: - 1st
-Nations, and their particular kinds. 2nd Families, and the
constitutions and ordinations of Families and Houses. 3rd - Rich
and potent persons, Dispositions and affairs. 4th - Regard is to be
had to the Individuals of human kind. 5th Elections or times proper
for the beginning of any Work or Enterprise. 6th -Questions as well
universal as particular, pertinent and fit to be
demanded.But first of all there are some things necessary to be
premised: As the fit manner of propounding a question, and divers
other points to be observed in diving judgment. Of which sort of
considerations we shall reckon up no fewer than One Hundred Forty
and Six, which though ‘tis impossible they should happen or be so
observed altogether; yet they all deserve to be known, and without
them an Astrologer shall never be able to give true and perfect
judgement. But before we treat distinctly of them it will be
convenient to say a little of the right way or manner how a
question should be proposed; for to judge of things to come is no
easy task, nor indeed can it always be exactly performed; but we
may come near the truth, and differ from it only in some small time
or circumstances; which difficulty should not at all discourage us
from studying and endeavouring to obtain as great a knowledge
therein, as Human minds are capable of; for since inferiors are
governed by superiors (as all agree), and that the nature and
disposition of such superiors may be known by their motions, which
arc now exactly found out by the learned in Astronomy; we may
thence undoubtedly arrive at an ability of judging of things to
come: That is declare what will happen by or from such their
motions, and by consequence foretell future accidents; for this art
has its peculiar rules and Aphorisms and its end in judgement,
which takes off their objection who say that Astrology is nothing
worth; for it would not be an Art, unless it had its proper
precepts; but that it is an Art, we have sufficiently proved
elsewhere, and the same is generally acknowledged; and its end is
to give judgements as aforesaid, which are accidents imprinted on
inferiors by the motions of the superior bodies and their qualities
and effects in or upon the same.Thou art here presented with two choice pieces of Art in our
mother tongue; the first, the Considerations of Guido Bonatus, a
person no less happy in the practice than skillful in the theory of
Astrology of which I will here give thee one instance as it is
recorded by that eminent Historian Fulgusos, That Guido Earl of
Mount-Serrant being besieged in that city, our Author Bonatus sent
him word, that if such a day and hour he would make a sally on the
enemies’ camp, he should give them an absolute defeat, and force
them to raise their siege and quit the place, but should himself
receive a dangerous (but not mortal) wound in the thigh. The Earl
providing himself of all things necessary in case of a wound, and
according to the prediction, though vastly inferior in numbers,
obtained a most signal and entire victory, but following the
pursuit was wounded in the place foretold, of which in short time
he recovered.The second, consists of the choicest Aphorisms of Cardanus, a
man famous to the learned world, and of whom the judicious and
severe Scalier (though an adversary) in the preface to the book he
wrote against him, gives a most respective and applauding
character. These Aphorisms (by which is meant short comprehensive
and approved rules of Art) were in the original delivered
promiscuously, but I for better method have taken the pains here to
marshal them under their distinct and proper titles, and that I
might not unnecessarily charge the reader, have omitted such as
seemed trivial or superfluous; this much I thought fit to premise,
and have only more to add, that by reason of my absence some faults
have escaped the press, besides those which myself may be
chargeable with in the translation; the Reader will show his
judgment in distinguishing, and his good nature in pardoning
them.Henry Coley April 29, 1675
The Several Considerations Of Guido Bonatus
1. The 1st, is to observe what it is that moves a person to
propose or ask a question of an Astrologer; where we must take
notice of three motions: the First, of the mind, when a man is
stirred up in his thoughts and bath an intent to enquire; a Second,
of the superiour and celestial bodies; so that they at that time
imprint on the thing enquired after, what shall become of it; the
Third, of the free will which disposes him to the very act of
enquiring; for although the mind be moved to enquire, ‘tis not
enough unless the superiour bodies sympathize therewith; nor is
such motion of the stars enough, unless by the election of his will
the person does actually enquire.2. The 2nd consideration is (what we hinted at before) the
method or manner everyone ought to observe that enquires of an
Astrologer; which is, that when he intends to take an artist’s
judgment of things past, present, or to come, he should, first,
with a devout spirit, pray unto the Lord, from whom proceeds the
success of every lawful enterprise, that he would grant him the
knowledge of those things of the truth of which he would be
resolved; and then let him apply himself to the astrologer with a
serious intent of being satisfied in some certain and particular
doubt, and this not on trifling occasions, or light sudden
emotions, much less on matters base or unlawful, as many ignorant
people used to do; but in matters of honest importance, and such as
have possessed and disturbed his mind for the space of a day and
night or longer; unless in sudden accidents which admit not of
delay
1.3. The 3rd, is to consider how many ways Planets operate upon
Inferious Bodies according to the divers Qualities of their
motions: there being Sixteen different ways of such their
operations and effects in all things that are either wholly or in
part perfected or destroyed.4. The 4th , is to consider particularly these several
Sixteen ways, and what are the assisting causes that help forward
things to perfection, and what there are that destroy things after
they are perfected. Now of these the first(1) is Profection, or an advance of or in, things, which the
philosophers call ‘Alchecohol.’(2) Detriment, which they call ‘Aliber.’ (3) Conjunction or
Reversion, which they call ‘Alitifall.’ (4) Separation, which they
call ‘Alnichirat.’ (5) Translation of light, which they call
‘Annecad.’ (6) Collection, which they call ‘Algemei.’ (7)
Probition, which they call ‘Almana.’ (8) Reception, called
‘Alcobol.’ (9) Being void of course, called ‘Gastalcobal.’ (10).
Permission, called ‘Galealocir.’ (11). The restoring or giving of
virtue or disposition, called ‘Alteat.’ (12). The withdrawing of
virtue, called Dalpha Alchoa.’ (13). The withdrawer or driver away
of disposition, called ‘Daffaredbit.’ (14). Fortitude, ‘Alcoevah.’
(15). Debility, ‘Adirof. ’ (16) is the state of the Moon called
‘Gnaymel,’ or the Moon ill-affected; which the ancients generally
hold to be of ill signification.