William Lilly
Anima astrologiae
A Guide for Astrologers
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Table of contents
Preface
ANIMA ASTROLOGIAE OR A GUIDE FOR ASTROLOGERS
To The Ingenious Lovers Of Art
Proem
The Several Considerations Of Guido Bonatus
Of the several twenty-one Modes aforesaid, which are most strong Helpers, etc. and which strongest obstructs.
Notes
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
title Anima
Astrologiae which
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
delay1.3. The 3rd, is to consider how many ways Planets operate upon
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