TALISMANS READINGS COURSES BOOKS CDs SOFTWARE POSTERS PAYMENT CONTACT SEARCH Christopher Warnock, Esq. Traditional Astrology HOME Revival of Ptolemaic Astrology Growing Popularity & Attacks Height & Decline of Astrology Agrippa Biography Ficino Biography Lilly Biography Paracelsus Biography Ramesey Biography Bruno Biography Advanced Search An Introduction TO THE Astrology Practiced In Europe Before 1700 What is Traditional Astrology? How Does Traditional Astrology Differ From Modern Astrology? What are the different types of Traditional Astrology? Getting Started in Traditional Astrology: Reading List Getting Started in Traditional Astrology: Readings & Courses What is Traditional Astrology? Western or European astrology originated in Babylonia and Chaldea around 2,000 B.C. The planets were equated to gods and celestial events observed for omens. Most cultures observe heavenly omens, but Babylonian religion was particularly astral based and by 1,500 B.C. had collected systematic observations of Venus and other planets. The key invention was Zodiac around 600-400 B.C. which allowed for precise description of location of planets and complex system of delineation. This horoscopic astrology diffused to Greece and throughout the Hellenistic world and became part of the science and philosophy of the Roman Empire. With the fall of the Roman Empire and the onset of the Dark Ages in the 6th and 7th centuries, astrology was preserved in Byzantium and the advanced Islamic civilization of the Middle East. This astrology, enriched by the addition of observations and techniques, some from the Vedic astrology of India, passed to medieval Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries. There it flourished until the Enlightenment and went of out fashion due to the new materialism and mechanistic philosophies introduced in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Over the 2,000 year span from the Greeks to the Renaissance astrology exhibited great continuity in technique and philosophy despite some significant changes. The phase of this astrology in Europe from 1200 to 1700 is referred to as traditional astrology while the first period, 1200 to 1500, is known as medieval astrology and the terminal period, 1500 to 1700, is known as Renaissance astrology. Here is more information on the History of Astrology in the Renaissance. Links to pages on a number of figures, prominent in Renaissance astrology, appear above to left. The focus of traditional astrology was on outer events, rather than psychology (a science that did not come into existence until the 20th century). By using a myriad of techniques, traditional astrology was able to provide precise, accurate prediction of concrete events. Here is an example of the accuracy and precision possible with traditional astrology, the Disappearance of Chandra Levy. How Does Traditional Astrology Differ From Modern Astrology? From 1700 to 1900 astrology was practiced seriously by only a few isolated practitioners and much of the nuance and technique was lost. By 1900 with the renewed interest in the esoteric sciences reflected by such groups as the Theosophists and the magical order of the Golden Dawn, astrology came to be studied again. In its newest incarnation, however, astrology came to be seen as a method of character analysis and psychological insight. The stars and planets provided a map of the psyche which proved very useful for self insight and counseling. Prediction, the raison d'etre of traditional astrology, was dismissed as either impossible, due to the considerable loss of technique or unethical. Modern psychological astrology introduced the use of the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, asteroids, additional types of aspects and a myriad of techniques using advanced computer software. Modern astrology is excellent for psychological insight, but cannot predict with the precise of traditional astrology. What are the different types of Traditional Astrology? Traditional astrology is divided into four main categories: Natal astrology, which examines and predicts events based on a birth chart. Horary astrology, which answers specific questions by looking at a horoscope for the time of the asking of the question. Electional astrology, which picks astrologically auspicious times to take action. Astrological magic makes considerable use of electional astrology to create Astrological talismans. Mundane or geo-political astrology, which uses a variety of techniques to predict events on a national scale or over long periods of history. Mundane astrology also includes weather prediction. Getting Started in Traditional Astrology: Reading List The Renaissance Astrology web site is the largest traditional astrology site, with information on a wide variety of topics as well as actual examples of horary, electional and astrological magic charts. This is a great place to start learning about traditional astrology! Check out our Youtube Videos which are a great introduction to traditional astrology and astrological magic. If you are interested in reading about traditional astrology here is a booklist to get you started. You can also check out the complete list of books published by Renaissance Astrology Press. There are not many contemporary books written on traditional astrology, most were originally written in the Renaissance and Middle Ages: Horary Astrology William Lilly's Christian Astrology written in 1647 is the best single source on horary astrology. It is available in a pdf facsimile of the original in the Renaissance Astrology CD Library or in paperback from Amazon. I recommend both Books 1 & 2 as well as Book 3 so you have the complete Christian Astrology. Guido Bonatti's Book of Astronomy Horary Section translated by Ben Dykes, is also excellent. Bonatti, a medieval Italian astrologer, is a key source for traditional astrology. My Horary Casebook is a very useful resource with over 40 actual horary questions, charts, analysis made before the results were known and the actual results. This is the only way to really test your skills and knowledge of horary, with real charts! This is also available on Amazon. John Frawley's Horary Textbook is a rare contemporary book on traditional astrology. Worth reading! Astrological Magic The Complete Picatrix is the most important grimoire of astrological magic. Anyone interested in astrological magic should have a copy. Our translation is from the Latin and is clear and usable. It is available from the Renaissance Astrology website and from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle editions. My Secrets of Planetary Magic is an excellent and relatively easy introduction to traditional astrological magic. This is also available on Amazon. A classic text for astrological magic is Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy. There is a a new modern translation of Book One from Renaissance Astrology Press and the 17th century translation is available on Amazon from Llewellyn. Keep in mind, however, that the Llewellyn version edited by Donald Tyson, is not reliable when it comes to notes. The Book of the Treasure of Alexander is an ancient book of Hermetic astrological magic and astrology. Very useful source, originally written in Arabic, translated into English. This is also available on Amazon. Electional Astrology The Renaissance Electional Astrology Compilation contains over 13 different traditional sources on electional astrology, including William Ramesey's Astrology Restored/Astrologia Restaurata. Guido Bonatti's Book of Astronomy Electional Section translated by Ben Dykes, is also useful. Natal Astrology John Gadbury's Doctrine of Nativities is available in pdf on the Renaissance Astrology CD Library. Guido Bonatti's Book of Astronomy Natal Section translated by Ben Dykes is excellent as well. Mundane or Geo-political Astrology William Ramesey's Astrology Restored/Astrologia Restaurata is available in a pdf facsimile of the original in the Renaissance Astrology CD Library. Guido Bonatti's Book of Astronomy Mundane Section translated by Ben Dykes is very useful. Getting Started in Traditional Astrology: Readings & Courses One of the most useful ways to get a feel for traditional astrology is to get an astrological analysis or reading. When I do readings I include, the chart details, a complete listing of the astrological factors I considered as well as an analysis so you can see how I do my chart delineations. Definitely consider getting a horary, electional or natal reading so you can see how traditional astrology actually works in action! The best way to learn traditional astrology, however, is to take a course. It is impossible to achieve mastery just reading books, instruction with actual charts and a real teacher is really necessary. I have a number of mini-courses, designed to teach a small, self contained area you can immediately put to use and give you an introduction to traditional astrology including the Planetary Magic Mini-Course and Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course. My full courses include the Horary Astrology Course, the Renaissance Natal Astrology Course the Electional Astrology Course and the Astrological Magic Course. All of these courses are on CD and include free books. No knowledge of astrology or magic is necessary. Each full course has multiple lessons and homework. There are no deadlines for lessons or time limits for course completion and students work at their own pace. All full courses are personally taught by Christopher Warnock, the foremost contemporary traditional astrological magician and a leading traditional astrologer. Full course students can contact Christopher via phone or e-mail for any questions they may have on the current lesson. A certificate of completion is awarded to course graduates. Please Contact me if you have any questions concerning course enrollment. TOP HOME Please Contact me with any Questions & Comments Specializing in Horary Astrology, Electional Astrology Astrological Magic and Astrological Talismans. 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