Ramesey, William, Gent., Student in Astrologie, Physick, and the most Heavenly and Sublime Sciences ‘Astrologia Restaurata; or, Astrologie Restored: being an Introduction to the General and Chief part of the Language of the Stars. In Four Books. The First, Proving the Legality of Astrologie, both by Scripture, Reason, and the testimony of the Ancients and learned in former Ages, wherein is cleared to every Rational and Impartial man the Authors Lux Veritatis in Answer to Doctor Homes, to remain unshaken notwithstanding the Doctors unowned Reply. The Second, By a plain Method teaching the Names and Characters of the Planets and Signs, as also the Reasons thereof: and of their Dignities, Terms, Faces, Houses, Exaltations and Triplicities; with the Reasons why the Signs are reckoned from Aries; and in number just twelve; and neither more nor less; with the number of the Sphears; their Order and Motions: being a most necessary Introduction to the whole Art, and very usefull to all wel-willers thereunto for inabling them to give Reasons for any part thereof, &c. The Third, Fully comprehending Instructions and Rules for electing any manner of Work; never before made publique in our Mother Tongue; the which both for the Administration of Physick, Letting of Blood, Husbandry and other necessary Works is both usefull and profitable. The Fourth, By a most easie Introduction teacheth, by Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipses, great Conjunctions, Comets and Blazing-stars, how to Judge by the ordinary course and order of Nature, of the general Accidents of Countreys, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, Alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Customs, Cause of Plenty, Dearth, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickness, Alteration of the Ayr, and (to be short) of all things appertaining to the life of man in a Natural Way; wherein is the infinite Wisdom of God seen manifestly in the Government of the World by the Influence and constant Harmony of the Celestial Planets and Stars; the Innocency, Legality and Purity of the Art demonstrated, and proved by demonstration of the inevitable events of the Heavens, so long as God upholdeth the Order and Course of Nature unperverted; and the Students thereof consequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers or Practisers of what is unlawfull. With a Table of the most material things therein contained[1]’ Published by Authority; printed for Robert White, and are to be sold at the Gun at the West-end of Pauls, London, 1654[2].
Leather (front board detached). [2 single-sided leaves] + [4] + 29 + [3] + 38 + [2 single-sided leaves] + [5] + [2] + [pp. 49-112] + [2 single-sided leaves] + [8] + [pp. 121-202] + [2 single-sided leaves] + [6] + [pp. 213-333] + [6] + [12]
[1] With additional sub-title page to Book I: “Astrology Fully Vindicated and Defended from all The Aspersions and Calymnies of the Antagonists thereof: As also its Legality and Verity proved, both by the Testimony of the Scriptures, Fathers, Antients, and the confession of Councels: With a clear Vindication of the Authors Lux Veritatis, from the vilifying Reproaches of Dr. Homes and his Second; and that the purity of the Science remaineth still untainted, notwithstanding all their Reply”. With additional title page to Book II: “An Introduction to the Iudgement of the Stars. Wherein the whole Art of Astrology Is plainly Taught, and the Ground-work or Reasons thereof for the benefit of the Students therein delivered, the better to confirm them in every point thereof; as also to satisfie such who shall either enviously or ignorantly traduce or cavil against it” Printed for R. W., London, 1653. With additional title page to Book III: “An Introduction to Elections, Fully comprehending The Rules of the Ancients in Electing a Time for any manner of Work: Never before made publique in our Mother Tongue. But now (by the Blessing of God) for the benefit of all true Lovers of knowledge sent abroad” Printed for R. W., London, 1653. With additional title page to Book IV: “Astrologia Munda or Astrology in its Purity: Being a Short but Compendious Introduction to the Iudging of the Annual or Yearly Revolutions of the World; by which, as also Eclipses, Great Coniunctions, Comets, and Blazing-Stars Are Iudged (by the ordinary Course and Order of Nature) the general accidents of Countries, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Customs, cause of Plenty, Dearth, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickness, alteration of the Ayr, and (to be short) of all things appertaining to the life of Man in a natural way; wherein the Infinite Wisdom of God is seen manifestly in the Government of the World by the Influence and constant Harmony of the Celestial Planets and Stars; the Innocency, Legality and Purity o the Art demonstrated, and proved by Demonstration of the Inevitable Events of the Heavens, so long as God upholdeth the order and course of Nature unperverted; And the Students thereof consequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers or Practisers of what is unlawful” Printed by R. W., London, 1653.
[2] The 2nd issue of the original edition, first published 1653. This copy lacks the occasionally-present frontispiece portrait of Ramesey, which appears to be missing from the vast majority (75-80%) of surviving copies that appear for sale, suggesting that it was probably not issued in the first place in most cases. A facsimile of the frontis. is included at the start of the Ballantrae Reprint of the 1653 edition, q. v. below. There was also a 1655 imprint, which is scarcer than either of the first two (photographs of a copy at auction were witnessed by me some years ago)
About this Book Scan
Carefully scanned in full colour from our original 1654 printing purchased at auction in the UK in the 2000s.
William Ramesey’s Astrologia Restaurata is a key 17th century English text on mundane astrology.