Christian Astrology (Modestly Treated in Three Books)

Historical Significance of William Lilly’s Magnum Opus

Published in London in 1647 amid the turbulence of the English Civil War, William Lilly’s Christian Astrology represents the zenith of traditional European horary and natal craftsmanship. Lilly was the most celebrated predictive practitioner of seventeenth-century England, famously consulting for Parliament and predicting the Great Fire of London (1666) years in advance.

In his preface to the student of astrology, Lilly sets down the noble ethical code of the astrologer:

“Afflict not the miserable with terror of a harsh judgement; in such cases, inform them of their adversity by degrees; direct them to God to avert the impending mischief… Be modest, covet not riches, and let no worldly pomp tempt you to pronounce a false judgement.”

Architectural Breakdown of the Three Books

Book 1: The Elements of Astrology

• The nature and properties of the twelve Zodiacal signs.
• Detailed anatomy of the seven classical planets, their physical descriptions, diseases, colors, and minerals.
• Complete table of Essential Dignities and Debilities (scores from +5 for Exaltation to -5 for Fall/Detriment).
• Construction of the twelve astrological houses and calculations of the ascendant.

Book 2: The Art of Horary Astrology (Interrogations)

Contains Lilly’s famous practical judgments answering specific life questions based on the exact moment an inquiry is presented:

• 1st House: The querent’s state, health, missing ship vessels, and life duration.
• 2nd House: Riches, debts, recovery of lost goods, and commercial gain.
• 7th House: Love, matrimony, lawsuits, open enemies, and fugitives.
• 10th House: Kings, offices, honor, employment, and political verdicts.

Book 3: An Easie and Plain Method How to Judge Nativities

• The Rectification of a birth chart via the Trutine of Hermes and Animodar.
• Finding the Almuten Figuris (the supreme ruling planet of the entire nativity).
• Primary directions, solar returns, profections, and transits for timing major life epochs.

Technical Pillars of Traditional Horary

1. Radicality and Considerations Before Judgement

Before delivering a horary answer, the practitioner verifies if the chart is “radical” (fit to be judged):

• The Ascendant must not be earlier than 3° (too early to tell) or later than 27° (matter already concluded).
• The Moon should not be in the Via Combusta (15° Libra to 15° Scorpio), representing intense agitation or misfortune.
• Saturn must not be in the 7th house, which afflicts the astrologer’s judgement.

2. Perfection of Matters

Lilly outlines how questions achieve positive manifestation:

• Direct Application: The ruler of the querent and quesited aspect each other directly.
• Translation of Light: A swifter planet separates from one significator and applies to the other.
• Collection of Light: Two significators that do not aspect each other both apply to a heavier, dignified third planet.