This work is
intended to act as
a supplement to
Lilly's original text.
The section of
the manuscript to which these notes refer is reproduced for study on the CA downloads page.
The external links below lead to suppliers of William Lilly's Christian Astrology, retyped & annotated by Deborah Houlding
Mace and nutmeg derive from the same tree.
Their medicinal properties are similar, both helping digestion in stomachic weakness.
Cloves, mace and nutmeg are all used as flavouring agents in cooking.
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Culpeper lists this as a solar herb. It was regarded as an aid to eye sight and used as a cure against witchcraft and evil spirits. The Greeks wrote of its value in liver complaints and for its effects on lifting depression.
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Prunella - a small purple-flowered plant reputed to have healing powers. Culpeper says Venus.
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20]
Besides its medicinal properties, borage was traditionally known for its effects in making men 'merry and joyful'. For details, link to
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This is probably what Culpeper refers to as 'flix weed'; both lask and flix/flux mean diarrhoea and the plant was given in cases of dysentery.
It is also strongly recommended for asthma. For details
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An aromatic resin obtained from the mastic tree and used as an astringent.
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34]
Culpeper says Venus, though it was well known as a protection against inflammatory disorders of the liver.
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35]
Feverfew, which derives from feferfuge (L febris fever + fugare to put to flight).
Culpeper says Venus. A decoction with sugar or honey is said to be good for coughs, wheezing and difficult breathing.
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A concretion formed in the stomach of animals, usually from goats; formerly used to draw out poisons.
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56]
Any fine-grained stone, such as sandstone or limestone, that can be worked in any direction without breaking.
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57]
From Tzadkiel: the archangel 'justice of God'; the angel is Sachiel. For details link to
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58]
The term sanguine is derived from the Latin sanguis meaning blood, and hence
denotes a physical appearance that is ruddy or describes a blood-red colour. Its meaning here relates to the astrological use of humours which was used in medical matters to associate the elements fire, earth, air and water with the bodily fluids of yellow bile, black bile, blood and phlegm respectively (also known by the terms choleric, melancholic, sanguine and phlegmatic). Through this connection, 'sanguine' is often used to describe something which is clear, well-balanced, moderate, lacking in extreme and pleasant. Culpeper gives a good description of the characteristics of the humours according to Hippocrates in his book The Astrological Judgement of Disease from the Decumbiture of the Sick. Briefly, these are as follows;
CHOLERIC (yellow bile / fire) - Short of stature and lean of build. A hairy body with skin which is rough and hot. In complexion they are between red and yellow and grow beards quickly. The hair is often red or auburn. By nature they are naturally quick witted, bold, hasty, quarrelsome and courageous. They are often full of anger and they are light in movement with a pulse which is swift and strong.
MELANCHOLIC (black bile / earth) - Small of build and slender of body. Their complexion is pale and duskish and their skin is rough and cold. They have sparse hair which is inclined to be dark. They are moreoften fearful, careful, solitary and covetous in nature and are often stubborn, ambitious, suspicious, and timid. They retain their anger for a long time and are obstinate in their opinions.
SANGUINE (blood / air) - The body is well composed and fleshy (but not fat) with larger limbs. The skin is smooth, the body hairy, and the complexion is white intermixed with redness in the cheeks. The hair is mostly brown. By nature they are merry, liberal, trusting, well natured and pleasant. They can be brought to tears quite easily but bear no malice.
PHLEGMATIC (phlegm / water) - Short of stature and inclined towards fatness. The hair is naturally flaxen and there is little of it. The skin is smooth and cold and the complexion is pale. They are dull, slow, sober and fearful characters with a weak pulse and a cowardly, slothful disposition.
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