Keepers of the Stars: William Lilly
London, 1640s. The city stirs with unease — plague whispers through the alleys, war brews between King and Parliament, the skies themselves seem troubled. In a modest house on the Strand, a man lights a candle, unrolls his charts, and sets his quill to paper. His name is William Lilly, and soon, lords, generals, and commoners alike will seek his counsel. For he is the astrologer of the people, the man who reads the fate of nations in the turning of the stars.
From Farmer’s Son to Master Astrologer
William Lilly was not born to power or wealth. He came into the world in 1602 in a small Leicestershire village, the son of a poor yeoman farmer. His youth was marked by hard work, not privilege. Yet fate had other plans. He found work in London as a servant, and there, amid the bustle of the city, he discovered books — books of astrology, philosophy, and the occult.
Hungry for knowledge, Lilly devoured them. He practiced casting horoscopes, first for himself, then for others, until his skill outshone those born far above his station. By wit, perseverance, and talent, he transformed himself from a humble servant into England’s most renowned astrologer.
The Prophecies
Lilly’s fame came from his almanacs — yearly books that contained not only calendars and advice but also bold predictions. Printed in the thousands, they were read in taverns, markets, and noble halls alike. He foresaw fires, floods, and political upheavals, and to the astonishment (and fear) of many, his visions often proved true.
He became most famous during the English Civil War. While king and parliament battled for power, Lilly’s prophecies were read like secret messages from heaven itself. Both sides accused him of favoring the other, yet both sought his counsel. In truth, Lilly’s loyalty was to the stars, not to crowns or councils.
The Great Fire of London
Perhaps his most chilling prediction came in 1652, when he drew an image of London in flames, warning that a great fire would devastate the city. Fourteen years later, in 1666, the Great Fire consumed London — and people whispered that William Lilly had foreseen it. Some even accused him of causing it through sorcery, and he was summoned before Parliament to explain himself. Calmly, he told them the truth: he had only read the signs in the heavens.
The Man Behind the Quill
Though feared by some, Lilly was not a sinister figure. He was practical, humorous, and kind to those in need. He offered advice on health, fortune, and love to rich and poor alike. He taught students, wrote manuals on astrology (Christian Astrology, 1647, remains a cornerstone of the craft), and sought to preserve astrology as a respected art, not a parlor trick.
He lived through plague, war, and political upheaval, yet his faith in the stars never wavered. To Lilly, the heavens were not distant — they were a map of possibilities, a guide through chaos, a reminder that human life was bound to cosmic rhythms.
A Keeper of the Stars
William Lilly died in 1681, leaving behind not just prophecies but a legacy of courage and devotion to his craft. He made astrology accessible to the common people, giving them hope and guidance when the world seemed to be unraveling.
He is a Keeper of the Stars because he dared to lift his eyes above the smoke of civil war and plague, to chart a higher order in the chaos, and to share it with everyone — farmer and king alike. He reminds us that wisdom is not only for the privileged. The stars shine on all, and sometimes it is the humblest who learn their language best.