ASTROLOGIA MUNDA - Classical Astrologer Weblog

Book IV – Astrologia Munda
Introduction
conduct of the Roman Emperor, in which wars for their service they obtained of him in a field of
Argent, the eagle sable displayed…»
Here Ramesey goes into some detail of his nobility and that of his father. More
to the matter of himself he continues,
«As soon as I was of any capacity, I was put to school in St. Albones in Hartfordshire, 1 Busby,
Westminster, Milendgreen, and other places; and when I should have gone to Oxford, by reason
of our late differences I was prevented, 2 and therefore being desirous to further my learning, I
importuned my father to send me to St. Andrews in Scotland, but there also I was disappointed by
the frequent approaches of the Marquees of Montrosse and his army. I therefore, rather than fail,
settled in Edinburgh College, where I continued until it pleased God to visit that town with the
pestilence, the which at length growing very hot, I returned in April 1645 into England and have
remained in London ever since, wholly applying myself, as ever, to the study of nature, and the
more secret and sublime sciences; but practiced nothing save physics, for our homebred
differences and distractions, rending me, with many others, mean in the sight of more inferior
spirits of the world 3
I would not associate myself with many men and much acquaintance, but still
lived an obscure, retired and reserved live, dedicating myself wholly, I say, to my book; so that I
dare boldly aver I am not familiarly acquainted with three people in all England. For such is my
disposition, that I had rather be a stranger in the land of my nativity, in this perverse and rebellious
age, and to the generality of men living therein, than to myself and my own conscious; the which
so long as I may freely enjoy, I shall never repine but be ever content with what condition, loss or
change so ever God has further in His wisdom and providence decreed for me…»
In his own words, he never practiced astrology. In fact, it would appear he was
a very reticent and reclusive man only having three friends.
Ramesey lived along side other astrologers such as William Lilly, but by all
appearances in his autobiography, Lilly never mentions William Ramesey as
being a known astrologer.
This is perhaps something that should be understood about this work. It is not
based on Ramesey’s personal experience from practice of it! But Ramesey,
being a noble and having good means, had a very respectable Library
containing not only the works of European philosophers and astrologers, but he
himself says he owned a large selection of Arabic works.
1
Probably modern Hertfordshire
2
Ramesey is referring to the civil wars with Scotland that prevented him from going to school in
England.
3
NOTE BY RAMESEY: For wealth and honour, I perceive brings not nobleness of mind.
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