SOURCE: "Astrology: Its Practice and Extent," in Religion and the Decline of Magic, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1971, pp. 283-322.

In the following excerpt, Thomas provides a detailed analysis of the practice of astrology, discussing the components of astrological readings and the means by which astrology reached the populace.

I resolve these ensuing astrological questions: the sick whether they shall recover or not; the party absent whether living or dead; how many husbands or children a woman shall have; whether you shall marry the desired party or whom else, whether she has her maidenhead or no, or shall be honest to you after marriage, or her portion well paid; if a man be wise or a fool; whether it be good to put on new clothes, or turn courtier this year or the next; if dreams are for good or evil; whether a child be the reputed father's or not...