"At the Sign of the Flower De Luce"

C17th Astrology and Health

A great little (1685) example of an advertisement for the sale of a kind of knowledge, secrets or skills.

In this case, we have an example of an astrologer seeking business but it is no doubt reflective of the style of how other cunning-men and women or other empirics might advertise their 'wares'. The link drawn between astrology and medicine/health is of particular interest to me.

Source taken from EEBO, and transcribed by myself . As below, I have tried to remain as true to the original format as possible. I have refrained from modernising spelling, italics and punctuation marks are the authors own. I have also tried to maintain letter casing.


'At the Sign of the Flower De Luce' near the Church Porch in the Little Miuories, without Aldgate.

A Gentleman, who in his Youth was several Years a Student in Cambridge; hath Travelled, and for above 33; Years, spent the greatest part of his Time, In search after the solid Truth, of the Sublime Science, of Astrology, in all its Various Parts: Hitherto, for the private Satisfaction, and Diversion only, of himself and Intimate Friends. He is now willing, for the Benefit of all Sober Quaerents, to Communicate his Skill, by giving a faithful Answer to any Lawfull Serious Demand, within the Compass of the said Art; to Calculate Nativities, and impart his knowledge, to any Ingenious Gentleman or Others, who shall desire it.
We will add one Instance, (out of many) to prove the Usefulness and Verity of this Noble Science.
The greatest Evil that Invadeth our Bodies, is Sickness, to the Cure of which a certain knowledge of its Cause, Nature, Contenuance, End, &c. With a fit Election of Remedies, and the Time of Preparing, and Administring them, &c. is usually necessary: Now this Heavenly Fountain supplieth us with all this, as manifold Experience hath fully Convinced, not only us, but all the Sons of Urania.