Astrological Practice of PhysickContrary to modern beliefs, the medieval world was not one of superstition and ignorance. True, they lacked what we know as science, but on the other hand, they were in possession of a coherent philosophy of life, handed down to them from the Greeks and Romans, which had been further hammered out in a thousand ways over the course of centuries. When luck was with them (the period was, above all, poor), medieval peoples were surprisingly successful in dealing with the problems of everyday life. With minds open, we come to the medieval world as if it was a strange alien planet. Because their philosophy was different, their observations were different, and, therefore, their solutions were different. Some were good. Some were not. The best of them are worthy of our attention, for they can teach us much. The author, Joseph Blagrave (1610-1682), was a country doctor who lived in Reading, England, in part as he lacked the license that would let him practice openly in London. Fundamentally, he was an astrological herbalist. To this, he brought an eclectic mix of observation, experimentation, folk knowledge, and his own unique genius. Free of modern conceptions, he was able to view and treat the diseases of his day in ways that were revolutionary. |
Contents
A Catalogue of the Herbs and Plants appropriate | 1 |
General rules whereby to know under what planet every | 7 |
The way to find the Disease by the Sun or Moon afflicted 27 | 27 |
Observations concerning the Ascendant 50 | 50 |
Concerning the Moon of Saturn or Jupiter afflicted | 66 |
A Catalogue of Choice herbs or plants collected for the curing | 82 |
One cure done at Oxford Anno Dom 1658 110 | 110 |
Another kind of Evil which comes from Strong Sorcery | 127 |
The way to cure both Witchcraft and Sorcery | 143 |
Two pretty secrets in Philosophy | 149 |
Concerning the casting forth of Devils out of such who | 159 |
Concerning Agues and Quotidian Infirmities with the | 169 |
A short Epistle to those | 184 |
The PreCopernican World | 194 |
Glossary | 203 |
Extract from Smiths Family Physician on agues | 219 |
Other editions - View all
Astrological Practice of Physick: Discovering the True Way to Cure All Kinds ... Joseph Blagrave No preview available - 2014 |
Astrological Practice of Physick: Discovering the True Way to Cure All Kinds ... Joseph Blagrave No preview available - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
according Adders-tongue afflicting Planet aforesaid Agrimony Ague angelica asarabacca ascendant aspect Astrology Blagrave Blagrave’s blood body borage bryony bugloss calamint camomile Capricorn cause centaury choler comfrey complexion concerning costmary cranesbill cure danewort decumbiture Devil Diet-drinks diseases distemper dominion elecompane elemental qualities endive especially fever feverfew figure fits flowers fumitory gathered goutwort hair heart heat henbane herb or plant herbs herbs and plants horehound hyssop infirmities infortunes Intercidental Jupiter likewise liverwort Lord Maid Mars oppressed masterwort Melancholy Moon mugwort nature noon ointments pain past Patient pellitory pennyroyal Physick plantain purge Quartan reason rhubarb right Planetary hours rosemary rules of Astrology saffron sage Sagitary Saint John's wort Sanguine Saturn sick sometimes Sorcery southernwood stinking gladwin strong Sun’s rising take their bed thyme tormentil twelfth house urine usually Venus vine Virgo virtue vital spirits whereupon Witch Witchcraft wood-betony wormwood zedoary