William Lilly's History of His Life and Times, from the Year 1602 to 1681 (Annotated)

William Lilly's *History of His Life and Times, from the Year 1602 to 1681* is both an autobiography and a revealing social document of seventeenth-century England. Written in a plain, vigorous, and frequently anecdotal style, it traces Lilly's childhood, education, marriages, professional advancement, and celebrated practice as an astrologer, while recording the political and religious convulsions of the Civil War, Interregnum, and Restoration. Its pages move between personal recollection, astrological interpretation, medical observation, and eyewitness testimony, creating a distinctive hybrid of memoir, popular history, and occult intellectual culture. The work is especially valuable for the way it presents astrology not as an isolated superstition but as a language through which contemporaries interpreted providence, public events, illness, and character. Lilly (1602–1681) rose from modest origins to become the most famous English practitioner of judicial astrology. His career brought him into contact with politicians, clergymen, physicians, patrons, and ordinary clients, and his prophecies made him a controversial public figure during periods of extraordinary instability. These circumstances shaped a book concerned not merely with self-fashioning, but with defending his reputation, explaining his methods, and preserving the experiential knowledge of a rapidly changing world. His narrative also illuminates the enduring interaction between learned traditions and popular belief. This volume is recommended to readers interested in astrology, early modern science, autobiography, and the cultural history of the English Revolution. It will reward scholars seeking firsthand evidence of seventeenth-century mentalities, as well as general readers attracted to vivid historical personalities and richly textured memoir. Lilly's confident, sometimes defensive voice makes the book an unusually immediate encounter with an age in which celestial interpretation, politics, religion, and everyday life remained deeply entangled.

This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

William Lilly (1602–1681) was an influential English astrologer and occultist, most renowned for his work in horary astrology, the practice of answering questions by casting horoscopes. Born in Diseworth, Leicestershire, Lilly surmounted the barriers of his humble origins through keen intellect and diligence. His seminal work, 'Christian Astrology' (1647), is considered a cornerstone text in the field and showcases his mastery of astrological technique and interpretation. Lilly's reputation as an astrologer was so esteemed that he became embroiled in the politics of his day, reputedly forecasting events of the English Civil War, which earned him both fame and notoriety. His autobiography, 'William Lilly's History of His Life and Times, From the Year 1602 to 1681,' is an invaluable primary source, offering insights into his life and the tumultuous era in which he lived. Written with candor and introspection, it paints a vivid picture of 17th-century England, replete with personal anecdotes and reflections on his professional practice. His literary style is characterized by a clear and direct narrative, peppered with astrological observations that reflect the zeitgeist. Lilly's contributions to astrology and his detailed diary have not only provided a historical account of his life but also chronicled broader societal undercurrents of his times, ensuring his continued relevance as both an author and an astrologer.