About the author
William Lilly was the leading English astrologer of the seventeenth century, celebrated in his own time for horoscopes that seemed to anticipate major events, including the Great Fire of London in 1666. His central work, Christian Astrology, first published in 1647, is a systematic manual of horary astrology, the practice of casting and interpreting a chart for the exact moment a question is asked. Reprinted here in editions including Christian Astrology (Three Volumes in One) from Cosimo Classics and Astrologia Horaria from Obelisco, it has remained in near-continuous circulation for over three centuries and is still studied by practicing astrologers as a foundational text. Lilly wrote in the dense, example-driven style of his period, working through dozens of case questions on subjects from marriage to lost property. His influence on the modern revival of traditional and horary astrology is difficult to overstate.
📖 Where to start with William Lilly
💬 What our editors say about William Lilly's books
“Lilly’s monumental 1647 treatise remains a cornerstone for those dedicated to the rigorous study of English horary astrology. It offers a systematic approach to deciphering planetary omens with authoritative precision, making it…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Christian Astrology: Book One
“This volume is a rigorous academic and practical tool rather than casual reading. It appeals to historians of science and dedicated astrologers who require granular technical rules for horary and natal chart analysis. However, it…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Christian Astrology: Book Three
“While this text is undeniably a masterpiece of its genre, it demands patience and a strong interest in historical methodology. It is not suitable for casual readers seeking quick horoscopes or modern psychological astrology…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Christian Astrology: Book One Lilly, William
📋 Editions by William Lilly in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Astrology: Book One | — | Cosimo Classics | 156 | 9781646796649 |
| Christian Astrology: Book Three | 2005 | Cosimo Classics | 372 | 9781646796663 |
| Christian Astrology: Book One Lilly, William | 2005 | Cosimo Classics | 156 | 9781596054103 |
| An Introduction to Astrology and A Grammar of Astrology | 2011 | Old Book Publishing Ltd | 588 | 9781781070420 |
| Astrologia Horaria Lilly, William | 2022 | Obelisco | 424 | 9788491117902 |
| Christian Astrology: Book Three | 2005 | Cosimo Classics | 372 | 9781596054127 |
| Christian Astrology: Book Two | — | Cosimo Classics | 364 | 9781596054110 |
| The Astrologer's Guide Bonatus, Guido | 2005 | Cosimo Classics | 128 | 9781596053335 |
| The Astrologer's Guide | — | American Federation of Ast | 156 | 9780866905558 |
| An Introduction to Astrology: 1835 | 2018 | Createspace Independent Pu | 364 | 9781721203024 |
| The Astrologer's Guide: Anima Astrologiae or a Guide for Astrolo | 2014 | Literary Licensing, LLC | 152 | 9781497964396 |
| The Astrologer's Guide: Anima Astrologiae or a Guide for Astrolo | 2014 | Literary Licensing, LLC | 152 | 9781497964037 |
| Christian Astrology: Book Two | 2005 | Cosimo Classics | 364 | 9781646796656 |
| Christian Astrology (Three Volumes in One) | 2011 | Cosimo Classics | 884 | 9781616405434 |
| Christian Astrology, Book 3: An Easie and Plaine Method How to J | 2005 | Astrology Classics | 388 | 9781933303031 |
