THE ASTROLOGERS AND THE FREEMASONS
History of Freemasonry - Albert Mackey

That there was an association, or a club or society, of
Astrologers about that time in London is very probable.
Pepys, in his Memoirs, says that in October, 1660, he went
to Mr. Lilly's, "there being a club that night among his
friends." There he met Esquire Ashmole and went home
accompanied by Mr. Booker, who, he says, "did tell me a
great many fooleries, which may be done by nativities, and
blaming Mr. Lilly for writing to please his friends, and not
according to the rules of art, by which he could not well erre
as he had done." The club, we may well suppose, was that
of the Astrologers, held at the house of the chief member of
the profession. That it was not a secret society we conclude
from the fact that Pepys, who was no astrologer, was
permitted to be present. We know also from Ashmole's diary
that the Astrologers held an annual feast, generally in
August, sometimes in March, July, or November, but never
on a Masonic festival. Ashmole regularly attended it from
1649 to 1658, when it was suspended, but afterward revived,
in 1682. In 1650 he was elected a steward for the following
year. He mentions the place of meeting only three times,
twice at Painters' Hall, which was probably the usual place,
and once at the Three Cranes, in Chancery Lane. Had the
Astrologers and the Masons been connected, Masons' Hall,
in Basinghall Street, would certainly have been the place for
holding their feast.