Directions in the Pursuit of Astrological Knowledge
This beginner’s guide is useful background to how the art of astrology was taught in the 1790s. There are no signs to suggest it was written by Gilbert so I have not included it in his list of contributions to the Magazine.
From The Conjuror’s Magazine 1: 9 (April 1792), p.368. To Correspondents.
The Gentleman who desires directions in the pursuit of astrological knowledge, is directed first to make himself competent in Astronomy; then he may consult the following books, in order: Ball’s, Thresher’s, Blagrave’s, or Bishop’s Introduction to Astrology, or all together, as one will explain what the other will not obviate so clearly. Lilly’s Christian Astrology, Salmon’s Soul of Astrology, Ramsay’s Astrologia Munda, Coley’s Key new filed, Eland’s Tutor; and last, though not least of all, Partridge’s Defectio Geniturarum, proving the old principles superior to the modern. Upon particular parts he may consult Gadbury’s Astrological Seaman for nautical affairs; Sanders upon Sickness; but the best upon diseases, is Culpeper’s Astrological Judgments, the whole of which is reprinted, and prefixed to the new edition (now publishing at Mr Locke’s) of the Family Physician.[…]
Mercutio requires our opinion of the “Illustration of Astrology”. To this we answer, that, we only esteem it a quack performance, very unequally executed, by a head incompetent to the task of either composing or compiling; for in it we discover all the blunders of old John Gadbury, introduced without correction or distinction, in the very language of Bedlam.
Notes
The list below gives full information on all the books cited above in order of listing: (titles and editions mostly taken from Patrick Curry’s Prophecy and Power bibliography pp.190-206, and the British Library Short Title Catalogue).
The fact that these approved titles are all 17th century works speaks for itself. It is possible that many were available in later editions under different titles (and authors). Facsimile editions of most of the books below are available at very reasonable prices from Renaissance Astrology Facsimile Editions (RAFE) or Kessinger Publishing (KP).
Recommended Books
- Ball’s – prob. Richard Ball, An Astro-Physical Compendium etc. (London, 1697 and later editions) (KP)
- Thresher’s – prob. William Thrasher, Jubar Astrologicum, or a True Astrological Guide (London, 1671) (RAFE)
- Blagrave’s – Joseph Blagrave, Blagrave’s Introduction to Astrology, 1682. (RAFE)
- Bishop’s – prob. John Bishop, Student of Astrology, The Marrow of Astrology (1687)
- William Lilly, Christian Astrology [etc.] (1st Ed. 1647) (Modern edition: Ed David R. Roell, Astrology Classics, 2004)
- William Salmon, Horae Mathematicae seu Urania. The Soul of Astrology [etc.] (1671) (KP)
- Ramsay’s – prob. William Ramesey, Astrologia Restaurata, or Astrology Restored (1653) (KP)
- Henry Coley, Clavis Astrologiæ elimata: or a Key to the whole Art of Astrology new filed and polished [etc.] (1676) (KP)
- William Eland, A Tutor to Astrology (Curry, following BL Catalogue?, starts with the 7th ed 1694)
- John Partridge, Defectio Geniturarum [etc.] (1697)
- John Gadbury, Nauticum Astrologicum or the Astrological Seaman (1689)
- Sanders – prob. Richard Saunders, The Astrological Judgment and practice of Physic (1677)
- Culpeper – a plug for their own edition of Culpeper’s Astrological Physic and Herbal (W. Locke, 1792)
Vilified Book
- Illustration of Astrology – by Ebenezer Sibly -(see previous page). Note the rubbishing of Sibly’s book and the promotion of their rival edition of Culpeper on the same page.