Astrologia Restaurata, or Astrology Restored

Aſtrologia Reſtaurata; OR, Aſtrologie Reſtored: BEING AN INTRODVCTION TO THE General and Chief part of the Language of the STARS.

In Four BOOKS.

THE FIRST,

Proving the Legality of ASTROLOGIE, both by Scripture, Reaſon, and the teſtimony of the Ancients and learned in former Ages, wherein is cleared to every Rational and Impartial man the Authors Lux Veritatis in Anſwer to Doctor Homes, to remain unſhaken notwithſtanding the Doctors unowned Reply.

THE SECOND,

By a plain Method teaching the Names and Characters of the Planets and Signs, as alſo the Reaſons thereof: and of their Dignities, Terms, Faces, Houſes, Exaltations and Triplicities; with the Reaſons why the Signs are reckoned from Aries; and in number juſt twelve; and [•••]ither more nor leſs; with the number of the Sphears; their Order and Motions: being a moſt neceſſary Introduction to the whole ART, and very uſefull to all wel willers thereunto for inabling them to give Reaſons for any part thereof, &c.

THE THIRD,

Fully comprehending Inſtructions and Rules for electing any manner of Work; never before made publique in our Mother Tongue; the which both for the Adminiſtration of Phyſick, Letting of Blood, Husbandry and other neceſſary Works is both uſefull and profitable.

THE FOURTH,

By a moſt eaſie Introduction teacheth, by Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipſes, great Conjunctions, Comets and Blazing-ſtars, how to Judge by the ordinary courſe and order of Nature, of the general Accidents of Countreys, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, Alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Cuſtoms, Cauſe of Plenty, Dearth, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickneſs, Alteration of the Ayr and (to be ſhort) of all things appertaining to the life of man in a Natural Way; wherein is the infinite Wiſdom of GOD ſeen manifeſtly in the Government of the World by the Influence and conſtant Harmony of the Celeſtial Planets and Stars; the Innocency, Legality and Purity of the Art demonſtrated, and proved by demonſtration of the inevitable events of the Heavens, ſo long as GOD upholdeth the Order and Courſe of Nature unperverted; and the Students thereof conſequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers, or Practiſers of what is unlawfull.

By VVILLIAM RAMESEY, Gent. Student in Aſtrologie, Phyſick, and the moſt Heavenly and Sublime Sciences.

Aſtra regunt homines, ſed regit aſtra Deus.

Publiſhed by Authority.

LONDON, Printed for Robert White, 1653.

SERENISSIMO ILLVSTRISSIMOQVE PRINCIPI AC DOMINO, DOMINO HONORATISSIMO IACOBO STVARTO DVCI DE RICHMOND ET LENOX: COMITI DE MARCH: DOMINO IN AVBVGNY, DARNLY, TARBOLTON, ET METHVEN: BARONI DE LEIGHTON, BROMSWOLD ET S. ANDREWS, &c. ET PERISCELIDIS INSIGNIS MILITI;

DOMINO SUO CLEMENTISSIMO Salutem & Felicitatem Perpetuam. HANC SUAM ASTROLOGIAM RESTAVRATAM

SUBMISSE CONSECRAT

Wilhelmus Rameſeus.

TO THE Illuſtrious and High-born PRINCE, IAMES STVART, Duke of Richmond and Lenox; Earl of March; Lord Aubugny, Darnly, Tarbolton and Methven; Baron of Leighton, Bromſwold and St. Andrews, and Knight of the moſt Noble Order of the GARTER.

May it pleaſe your Highneſs,

IF Nobility of Birth, Antiquity of Houſe, Magnanimity of Spirit, Multiplicity of Vertues, and the moſt excellent Endowments that a Mortal Man can attain unto may juſtly (as their due) challenge the patronage of theſe my Labours, there will be none found to anticipate your Highneſs; and though my misfortune is ſuch, that I never had the Honour in the leaſt to kiſs your Highneſs hand, or to appear in your preſence, but remain as yet a Stranger to your Highneſs; yet by reaſon the Work is of that ſublime Worth and Excellency (I mean the Science of Aſtrology, as appeareth by the firſt Book of this Volumn, it being the chief of the Liberal Sciences, together with Aſtronomy, Phyſicks and Natural Philoſophy (which are all but part of one intire Science) and that wherewith none is able to compare) have I humbly preſumed to caſt it at the feet of your illuſtrious Self; whoſe incomparable worth and indowments are unparalleld: ſo that if your Highneſſe's Munificence doth favourably accept of this ſmall Token of my wel-wiſhes to true Nobility, [••]d in a particular manner to your Highneſs, I muſt neceſſarily be conſtrained to acknowledge my ſelf arrived to the higheſt pitch of Honour that (for the preſent) I am capable to expect. The ſubject of this my unworthy Work (for ſo I may call it in reference to your Highneſſes unparalleld excellency to whom it is preſented) is that part of Natural Philoſophy (vulgarly termed ASTROLOGY) which teacheth by the Natural Motions, Configurations, Aſpects and Inclinations of the Coeleſtial Stars and Planets to Iudge of the Natural Accidents, Mutations and Alterations of Laws, Cuſtoms, Kingdoms, States and Empires, and the general caſualties of the whole World in the Natural way of its Government, by the Coelestial and Superiour Bodies: which next under GOD are the efficient Cauſes of all corruption, generation, production and nutrition in this Elementary World, the knowledge whereof is to know NATURE the great Hand-maid of the Almighty, and the temper and quality of all things; and although through the mercenary practiſes of ſome by ſetting of Nativities, and anſwering of Horary Queſtions (thus abuſing the Art) the validity of this Science hath been brought into queſtion, reproach and contempt, yet I queſtion not but your Highneſſes innate magnanimity is ſuch, that it will not condeſcend to give any cenſure on what hath not firſt been ſummoned to the Bar or Tribunal of your Highneſſes piercing Judgement; for becauſe a thing is calumniated and queſtioned, is no proof of its illegality, neither doth the abuſe take away the uſe thereof; for were this admitted, even the beſt of Sciences and chief of Studies, Divinity it ſelf could not be exempt from prohibition and condemnation; wherefore ſince the firſt BOOK of this Volumn tendeth wholly to the Vindication thereof from the aſperſions of the Antagoniſts, and the abuſes of the ſeeming Friends thereunto, I ſhall not further inlarge on this point; ſince it is well known unto the Learned, that among the Ancients and graver ſort of people in all Ages, this Science (being unpolluted and unſophiſticated) hath been ſtill had in moſt high eſteem; nay, it is of that profundity and excellency, that it was firſt taught to our firſt Father ADAM by GOD himſelf (as teſtifyeth Ioſephus, Lib. 1. Cap. 2. of h[••] Antiquities of the Iews) who taught it to his Poſterity; for he further recordeth that Seth was ſo excellent therein, that foreſeeing the Flood, and the deſtruction of the World thereby, ingraved this Art for the benefit of after-Ages in two Pillars, the one of ſtone, and the other of brick, and that he ſaw himſelf that of ſtone to remain in Syria in his own time; and in the 3. chap. of his aforeſaid book, he further witneſſeth and affirmeth, that man lived ſo long before the Flood to learn Arts and Sciences, eſpecially naming Aſtrology and Geometry; and in his 8. chap. of that ſame 1. Book of the Antiquities, he doth yet further teſtifie, that Abraham having learned Aſtrology in Chaldea [being the place of his Birth] when he came into Egypt taught the Egyptians the knowledge of Aſtrology and Arithmetick. Wherefore I humbly conceive, whatever ſome weak diſputants [not worthy the noting] have affirmed in the diſparagement of this Authors Credit, thinking to make for their own envious and idle conceits; I ſay (my Lord) I humbly conceive ſince he beareth ſo great an applauſe and credit among the Learned and Fathers of the Church, of whom I ſhall only mention the teſtimony of Euſebius, who abundantly throughout all his ten Books of his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory maketh uſe of this Authors words, for further confirmation of his ſcope; and in lib. 1. cap. 6. de Hiſt. Eccleſ. (with divers other places which for brevitie ſake I omit) he particularly uſeth theſe words (in the Engliſh verſion it is in the 7. chap.) Hereof thou haſt Joſephus a witneſs worthy of credit: Wherefore ſince by ſo worthy a man as Euſebius was, Ioſephus is thus deemed: how worthy of credit are they that now adays traduce him rather then want of their wills, or confeſs themſelves weak in confuting what they are ignorant of? Wherefore (my Lord) ſince this Science is of ſuch Antiquity, worth and excellency, it imboldneth me humbly to make choice of your Highneſs for my Patron in this froward and confuſed generation, ſuch ſublime Sciences being too good, too worthy to be owned by any but who are truly Noble both in Vertues and Deſcent; for let men be of what opinion they will, yet I am meerly perſwaded, and I have alſo ſome Natural Reaſons inducing me to this bel[•••], that meanneſs of Birth and Deſcent, though exalted to the moſt eminent places and worldly dignities that may be, cannot but ſtill retain ſome ſmack of a mean ſpirit, and can never be throughly acquainted with magnanimity, or be truly heroick, though ſome glimmerings they may have of both: Even as a Dunghill-Cock, although he be never ſo well fed, trim'd and ordered for the tryal of his proweſs and courage, and although to the outward appearance he ſeem ſtrong, able, brisk and couragious, and begin with an undaunted courage and boldneſs, yet when he is forc't to feel either the ſharpneſs of the Conflict, or the want of breath, hath not that Heroickneſs of Spirit to die rather then yield, but (which is worſe) doth then divulge his own deteſtable puſillanimity and dunghilly cowardiſe by running away; which a true Game-Cock that is lineally deſcended of Noble blood, although taken from the field, and overladen with his Feathers, Comb and Gills, before he will be guilty thereof, will chooſe rather to die, not preferring life before Honour, but Nobleneſs of Spirit before life, chooſing rather that death ſhould be acted on him with extremity of rigour, then that he ſhould with eaſe act the leaſt unworthineſs though to his greateſt advantage. Wherefore my (Lord) though my offence hath been inexpreſsibly hainous by this my boldneſs, being altogether a Stranger to your Highneſs; And although I want both words and audacity to plead for my ſelf in ſo foul a Fact, yet my comfort is, your own Munificence and Nobleneſs of Spirit will ſeal my Pardon; then which he is nothing more ambitious of,

Die ☽, 17 Januarii 1652.

My LORD,

That is really Your Highneſſes Wel-wiſher And moſt humble Servant. Whilſt I am William Rameſey.

TO THE Iudicious Reader.

WHen I Conſidered the wickedneſs of this preſent Age, how envious, how malicious, how ſlanderous and how evil ſome men therein are through ignorance, it was no ſmall diſcouragement to my intentions, haveing experimentaly taſted of the bitterneſs of both their Tongues, and viperous, inhumane, malitious, ſlanderous and approbrious reproaches, for vindicating this Liberal Science of NATVRAL PHILOSOPHY vulgarly known by the Name of ASTROLOGIE by reaſon it declares the motions and words or language of the ſtars; from the greek word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] & [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] id eſt The Language or Preaching of the stars, becauſe their various and conſtant influencies dictate unto us dayly new things or mutations in the Elements or Elementary bodies.

This is the fourth time I have undertaken to undeceive my Country men of ſuch Calumnies as are caſt upon this Heavenly and chiefeſt ſtudy meerly through tradition and envy: yet have I been ſtill reviled and ill requited not only by the Antagoniſts thereof, but alſo by ſuch as are ſeeming friends therunto and who have advanced ſo much of the droſſy and more ridiculous part (or rather abuſe) which (though it hath advanced them and their purſes) hath brought the Art and its purity by their practices into contempt, and the Artiſts that ſtudy and practiſe none of their Chimera's but Natural Philoſophy only, to ſuffer the harſh cenſures, abuſes and abominable ſlanders and affronts from the moſt inferiour and rural of men Coblers, Hay-makers and ſuch traſh, to whom though in the firſt Book of this ſubſequent diſcourſe I am forc't to ſay ſomwhat for my own vindication, yet I have not ſo far forgot my ſelf as to name the Animal, leaſt poſterity ſhould think him more then he is▪ wherefore I ſay I being hitherto envied by both the Antagoniſts of the Art for vindicating and maintaining the Inocency and Legality therof; and by the Seeming friends therunto traduced for ſhewing myſelfe ſo forward therin and endevouring to demonſtrate the uſe from the abuſe, and for delivering ſome rules and ſecrets of the Art to the world which they would have kept to themſelves: for ſome are ſo ambitious and ſelf-ended as well as conceited, that they would not have any other hand in the labour but their own, and pretend great forwardneſs and wilingneſs to lay plain the whole body of the Art, but act nothing leſs; ſatisfying themſelves that the particular and vain part or rather the abuſe of this Art is a ſufficient inſtruction to the whole; wherefore out of this conſideration and no other, he I now as it were challenged all their invectiveneſs and malice by theſe my Labours (which I muſt aſſuredly look for) the which for the good of my Countrey, the Propagation of the Art, and for the undeceiving of the World touching the falſe aſperſions caſt on it, I have endeavoured to Compile in this manner.

^[1] In the firſt Book I have as brief as may be proved that Science, which we commonly term Astrology, to be one of the Liberal Sciences, together with Astronomie and Natural Philoſophie, and that by the Ancients there was made no diſtinction between the one and the other as ſeveral Sciences, but divers parts only of one Liberal Science, as the Head, Trunck and Limbs, though diſtinct parts and members, conduce all to the making up but of one intire body; to be Warranted by Divine Scripture, and the Writings and teſtimony of the Fathers; the Objections againſt it removed, and the Art cleared from all the abuſes thereof; as alſo my Lux Veritatis in Anſwer to Doctor Homes vindicated from all the cavils and ſophiſtications of both himſelf and his pretended ſecond.

^[2] The Second, comprehending the Names, Number and Characters of the Signs and Planets Celeſtial, together with the Reaſons why they were ſo named and charactered, and why there are but juſt twelve Signs, and neither more nor leſs, and why the Planets are aſsigned Rule both by Houſe, Exaltation, Triplicity, Term and Face therein, and the Reaſons why the Signs are reckoned from Aries; with the number of the Sphears, their Order and Motions, whereby is plainly delivered a moſt eaſie and ſhort Introduction to the whole Art of Astrology, and the great and Univerſal Book of the Creatures made manifeſtly legible to the meaneſt and ordinarieſt capacity; as alſo ſufficient grounds whereby to anſwer all Gainſayers and Carpers thereat, and to vindicate it in every reſpect.

^[3] The Third Treateth of the Rules of the Ancients, touching the Election of a time proper for the accompliſhment of any manner of Work neceſſary in this life, but more eſpecially for the Adminiſtration of Phyſick, letting of Blood, Husbandry and the like; to the which it is both effectual and lawfull, though in every particular in other matters not altogether ſo certain, except depending on the general Accidents of the World, as Revolutions, Eclipſes, Comets, Great Conjunctions, Blazing-Stars, and the particular Nativities of men. Yet I have thought fit to deliver the Inſtructions of the Learned in former Ages in thoſe matters alſo; for that they may in ſundry things (by the weighing and conſidering the Natures and Temperatures of the Celeſtial Signs and Planets) be of much uſe to the Wel-willers and Students in this moſt Heavenly and Lawfull Science of ASTROLOGY.

^[4] The Fourth, is a compendious Tract of the whole general part of the Art, wherein is at large manifeſted the Order and Courſe of the Government of the World, by the Natural Operations and Harmonical Motions and Aſpects of the Heavens, Celeſtial Signs, Stars and Planets, in Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipſes, Great Conjunctions, Comets and Blazing Stars, whereby is portended the general Accidents of Countreys, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities; the Alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Cuſtoms; cauſe of Scarcity, Plenty, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickneſs, Alteration of the Ayr, and to be ſhort, of all things appertaining in a Natural way to the life of Man, whereby is manifeſt the infinite Wiſdom of the Great Creator, and the Innocency, Legality, and Purity of the Art, demonſtrated and proved by demonſtration of the inevitable Events, ſo long as God by his Providential Care upholdeth the Order and Courſe of Nature inviolate and unchanged: Alſo the Students thereof conſequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers or Practitioners of what is unlawfull; for thereby may a man eaſily judge of any Revolution, Eclipſe, &c. or any part of them to the end of the World, by being thereby inſtructed of the Nature and Signification of every Planet in every Houſe and Sign of the Heavens, and Aſpects one amongſt another, and of their effects when Lords of the year and well or ill located, &c.

In which Book if thou beeſt well inſtructed and perfected, thou haſt the whole body of Astrology; ^[5] for neither is the Judgement of Horary Queſtions, Ordinary Elections, Charactery-Aſtrology, Nativities, or any other to be eſteemed in compariſon thereof, but as trifles, uncertainties, fallacies, illegalities, and abuſes of the purity of the Art.

^[6] For truly, may I ſay the truth, ſuch like Practiſes of men, unacquainted with the depth of this moſt heavenly Science by their frequent failings have been the main and only cauſe of ſo many Books againſt Astrology, which is in it ſelf ſo pure and undefiled, that the moſt ſcrutinous Wit alive cannot have one Word for the Condemnation thereof; for amongſt the Learned, the abuſe never takes away the uſe of a thing, for then there would be nothing under the Heavens Lawfull; for we ſee even the Pureſt and moſt Lawfull Arts, Sciences and things moſt abuſed, and moſt apt to be counterfeited.

As for inſtance, is there any thing in the World more Lawfull then Divinity in its purity? and is there any thing more hard to finde, or more commonly abuſed by falſe Tenets, Schiſms, Sects and Hereſies? And yet if upon theſe grounds, or out of theſe conſiderations, a man ſhould poſitively conclude no verity in Religion, or truth in Divinity, you would ſay that man were in a moſt groſs Errour, and very Impious: Then I ſay, let no man that is not willing to forfeit both his Reaſon, Diſcretion and Underſtanding, be ſo weak as without an aſſurance of the Nature and Quality of this moſt Lawfull Art which I here undertake to Vindicate and deliver to the World conclude ought againſt it either by Tradition or the common Voice of the World; both which being known to the Judicious to be very falſe, and to hold nothing of Credit in them.

^[7] For as it was meerly a Natural inclination within me to the Truth, and the propagation thereof, ſo far as in me lies, that firſt drew my Pen to Paper; ſo is it the ſame which maketh me now this once more appear and content my ſelf to incur all the Curriſh Snarls, Barkings and Bawlings of the envious and ingratefull, and the ſame it is alſo that imbolbeneth me not to fear nor be danted at them; it is no new thing with me to know that Dogs will bark at Strangers, and ſuch as are not of their kinde; Gentlemen will ſhew themſelves what they are, and love each other; but what ſhall I expect of Gallantry from Coblers, Hay-makers, Taylors and Serving-men?

^[8] The firſt occaſion of my Writing in the Vindication of this Science, was the appearance of a railing Pamphlet againſt it, without any fear or wit, to whom I returned a Reply in the year 1650. it is a ſhort Tract of two Sheets; what, and who the Author thereof was you may ſee in the latter part of my Lux Veritatis, Printed 1651. for I hold him not worthy the inſerting in theſe my Labours.

^[9] The ſecond time of my Writing was occaſioned through the weak Arguments, flaſhes and ſuppoſitions of Doctor Homes, who (being a Scholler) ſhould (me thinks) have had more underſtanding then to condemn this worthy Art under the notion of Witchcraft, Sorcery, and ſuch like illegalities; or diſcretion, then to rail down one of the chief of the Liberal Sciences, meerly for the abuſes thereof.

^[10] The third was, that I might manifeſt the innocency of this Science, and the legality, verity, excellency and validity thereof, if not abuſed; and therefore who ſo ſhall warily peruſe that Diſcourſe of mine, intituled Vox Stellarum, or The Voice of the STARS, Printed in the year 1652. ſhall be ſatisfied, that God doth work by Cauſes, and that he hath ordained the Stars and Celeſtial Planets to be immediate Cauſes next unto Him of all our Natural injoyments and caſualties, viz. Fertility, Sterility, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickneſs, Alterations of the Ayr, Inundations, Earthquakes, Thunders, Lightnings, Storms, Tempeſts, Commotions, Troubles, Alteration of States, Kingdoms, Laws, Cuſtoms, and of all things in a Natural way incident to, and in this Elementary World; for there is nothing more certain then that the Portencies of the Stars (ſo far as conduceth to the government of the Natural and Elementary World, and the things therein compoſed of the ſame matter and ſtuff) ſhall prove true and effectual, unleſs God do work a Miracle, and pervert the Order and Government of the World, &c.

I do not deny the omnipotent power of God, that he is able to alter the courſe of Nature; he that made them with and by the word of his mouth, can (queſtionleſs) by the ſame word not only alter their motions and pervert their effects, but alſo annihilate them again; but as this is not by me denyed, ſo cannot the Objectors againſt this Science but confeſs that God is the God of Order, and worketh in order, and not prepoſterouſly; for becauſe he can alter the courſe and influence of the Stars, argueth not at all that therefore he will for why ſhould this be any Argument to us, ſince we read but of three times he hath wrought in this manner ſince the Creation of the World? viz. firſt in Joſhuahs time when he made the Sun ſtand ſtill; the ſecond in Hezekiahs time when he made the Sun go back; and the third and laſt time at the paſſion of our Saviour Jeſus Christ, when he miraculouſly Eclipſed the Sun at the time of the Full Moon, which cauſed Dionyſius the Areopagite thus to burſt forth, Aut Deus Naturae patitur, aut Mundi machina diſſolvitur, Either the World is at an end, or the God of Nature ſuffereth.

Wherefore it is clear God worketh not, or createth new things; he finiſhed his Work in the firſt ſix days, he therefore now upholdeth all things by his Providence, and bringeth them to paſs by ſecondary cauſes, according unto his inevitable Decrees and Divine Will; for it were great impiety in us, and detraction from the Al-ſufficient Wiſdom and Power of the Almighty, to affirm he hath not preordained all things to come to paſs from the firſt Creation even to the Subverſion; and that they are ſignified unto us in the Heavens, have recourſe to Gerſon his Trilogium Astrologiae Theologizatae; for we read that before the deſtruction of Jeruſalem there appeared a Comet in the Heavens in form of a Sword for many days, Horſmen alſo fighting in the Ayr, Joſephus Bel. Jud. Lib. 7. Cap. 12. Euſebius Eccleſ. Hist. Lib. 3. Cap. 8. preſaging the overthrow thereof, which was after accompliſhed by Titus Veſpaſian; alſo before the death of Claudius Caeſar there appeared a Comet for a long time, and before the Civil broils in Rome, Octavius being Conſul; and again, before the War between Great Pompey and Julius Caeſar, as Plinie teſtifieth, Lib. 2. Cap. 25. De Nat. And if we come neerer home we ſhall finde the Comet in 1618. to be the forerunner of all our late Civil Un-civil Wars in England Scotland and Ireland, as well as of the Commotions and Deſolations in Germany, &c. But this will be very clear unto us even from The word of GOD, ^[11] if we but with diligence and obſervation read the Hiſtories of the Old Teſtament, of the Subverſion of Kingdoms and Nations; but eſpecially that of the Jews by the Babylonians, the which People, upon condition they would follow the Law of the Lord, were promiſed to be eſtabliſhed for ever; ſhall any one from this Promiſe aver, that their Kingdom was not preordained to deſtruction in its due time, and the limitation thereof long before ſet down? but that immediatly becauſe they diſobeyed, they were deſtroyed and carried away captive; or rather that that Age wherein they were ſo captivated, ſhould in the fulneſs of that time be ſo inclined to wickedneſs, as to bring that affliction ſo long before threatned upon them? So then theſe two, THEOLOGY and ASTROLOGY muſt agree together, or we ſhall never be able to agree in Truth, but run our ſelves into many Errours and Abſurdities.

In that Book alſo you may ſee how far we may ſafely attribute to the power of the Stars, and that their effects may be altered, yet but by one means, viz. Prayer; for if GOD give an heart to pray as it ought, no queſtion he alſo therewith grants the Petition requeſted in thoſe Prayers.

Laſtly, my main ſcope, and chief drift in this my fourth fourfold Work is (ſince I have ſo often ſtood up for the maintenance of this Science) to endeavour to manifeſt unto the World the purity thereof,^[12] having cleanſed it from its pollutions and abuſes, that ſo it may appear what TRUE ASTROLOGY is, and what I maintain to be ſo, and the abuſe be not only diſcovered but taken away, that once more it might ſhine gloriouſly, and be able to ſtand againſt all Gain-ſayers whatſoever: For notwithſtanding I had delivered my ſelf ſo plainly in my former Works, eſpecially in my Vox Stellarum, yet did the purity of this Science remain under the cenſure, being by many deemed no other then jugling; by others, to extend no further then to the reſolution of Horary Queſtions and the Judging of Nativities and the Fates and Fortunes of men thereby, or at leaſt that this was the main and chief ſubject thereof, when the truth is, the practiſe of ſome men in theſe ridiculous vanities, together with ſome other abuſes of this MOST NOBLE SCIENCE OF ASTROLOGIE, have brought the purity thereof into queſtion by the unworthy, and the Science it ſelf generally into reproach with the illiterate.

^[13] For I dare poſitively affirm (and ſhall be ready to prove it to any Rational man) That the Reſolution of Horary Queſtions is wholly vain and uncertain; as alſo Nativities, on which they depend (or at leaſt ſhould) excepting how to Judge of the particular Conſtitution and Temperature of the Body, and the Natural inclination of Man; as I ſhall ſpecifie in the 20. Chapter of the firſt Book of this Quadripartite, fol. 38.

But it may be ſome may here demand the Reaſon then I do in my Lux Veritatis undertake the Reſolution of ſome Queſtions? But I ſhall anſwer in that vulgar and ruſtical Proverb, It is a good Horſe that never stumbles; and truly this is Language fit enough for ſuch Horſe stuff as are they. I am but fleſh and blood, Ergo, (as all in my condition) have failings; I deſire not ſo much as to hide my fault when I finde it either of my ſelf, or by the loving adviſe of others, much leſs then do I deſire to continue in an obſtinate way of ſimplicity: I muſt confeſs there are many Faults in that Tract (yet not ſo many neither, as ſome would perſwade the World there is, as ſhall be in part cleared in the firſt Book of this Volumn) the which I am not aſhamed to confeſs, but confeſs my ſelf aſhamed [rather] I publiſhed it ſo raſhly. And although I dare not maintain thoſe Rules I there ſet down as infallible, yet I muſt let the World know, I can (and many others of good quality) juſtifie the verity thereof at that time, and therefore very fitly brought in anſwer to Doctor Homes, to ſhew him, that if he be diſpoſed to cavil, there was matter enough for him, it being his part to prove, but mine to defend.

And here now I muſt needs confeſs I have ſpent much time and pains in theſe^[14] toys and trifles: And truly I am ſo far from being ſorry therefore, that I much rejoyce thereat; for GOD hath in mercy thereby ſhewed me the Foolery, Vanity and Inſufficiency thereof [which ſome covetous Wretches and mean Spirited People, contrary to their own knowledge, raſhly attempt and practiſe] and ſo I am the better able to diſtinguiſh Truth from Falſhood; for I muſt confeſs that in as much as in me lies, I have ſet my heart to know Wiſdom, madneſs and folly, and am able (with the Wiſe man) to pronounce the ſentence of Folly upon moſt things that I know, and truly the beſt of things, and all things [in compariſon of that One and Only thing, The care of our Souls] are but vanity and vexation of Spirit at the beſt: What doth a man toyl and labour for all his days, vex and fret himſelf, riſe early, go to bed late, weary himſelf all day, ſpend his ſpirits, when alas! could he attain to the higheſt dignities, poſſeſs the greateſt Riches the World can afford, have the moſt abſolute command that ever Prince had, nay the whole Univerſe under his ſubjection, he cannot enjoy it above an hundred years, ſhould he begin to poſſeſs them the firſt hour he is produced or born into the World; this is with the moſt that I ſpeak; the life of man is threeſcore years and ten, Pſal. 90.10. but a ſpan, a ſhadow, Job 8.9. Sure this is worſe then madneſs, and vanity in the abstract. I have a large field here to walk in, might I with civility intrude on the patience of my Reader; wherefore I ſhall deſiſt, ſince Verbum ſapienti ſat est. I ſpeak not this verbally, from the ſayings of that Holy and Incomparable Man GREAT SOLOMON, but he that knoweth the heart, knows that this proceeds from an experimental knowledge of my own.

But why ſhould I thus fear to rehearſe unto thee theſe ſo neceſſary conſiderations? Art not thou at leiſure to read them? thou wilt be imployed worſe; if thou haſt heard them already, and ſo perhaps judge me vain in this my needleſs prolixity, I muſt needs tell thee thou haſt never heard them from me▪ and deſire thee to learn this Leſſon, That a good Leſſon can never be too well learned, nor a good Tale too often told: Wherefore let me intreat thy patience a little, before I come to declare what I have yet to ſay touching theſe my Labours; for though perhaps thou mayſt finde ſome of them, nay perhaps all in the Writings of other Authors, yet ſince I can deliver them as my own, [having taſted of the vanity of them all experimentally,] I know no reaſon why I may not aſſume the ſame liberty as others.

^[15] I will begin with our beginning; The Prophet DAVID the moſt great and glorious King of Iſrael, and the moſt renowned in his days, Pſal. 51.5. ſaith, Behold, I was ſhapen in iniquity; and in ſin did my mother conceive me. Our very conception, initiation, before we have either ſenſe or motion you ſee is vilde, it is vildneſs and wretchedneſs; Surely this is vanity and a great evil, even whileſt we were ſtill in our Mothers wombs. And when we were produced, to how many dangers, and troubles are we proſtrate? the which as being ſenſible thereof before we feel them or as a teſtimony thereof, We cry at our first coming into the world, preſaging thereby, we ſhall have no other cauſe even in the heighth of our proſperity, but with Heraclitus to continue the ſame tune, if we but conſider our Cucko-folly: are not many by their inhumane mothers even ſtrangled in the birth to hide their whoriſh condition, their throats cut, thrown into houſes of offices alive to be ſtifled there, buried alive, ſtrangled, drowned, burnt, their heads cut off, maſſacred, an hundred manner of ways according as the Devil worketh upon the inclination and humour of the Diabolical Mother, ſo are theſe poor innocent (ſave for the Original ſin they have from theſe Vipers) Children murthered, murthered, murthered; and all but to hide their Luſt and Shame from the World as they think, and yet thereby they bring themſelves, and run themſelves into not only what they ſhunned, the open divulging of the Fact and the ſhame of the World, by an untimely death extirpated from the ſociety of men, but alſo indanger themſelves utterly to be baniſhed the unſpeakable glorious company of GOD and Angels. This is worſe then madneſs.

But we ſhall ſuppoſe the beſt, that we are ſaved alive, and then again on the other ſide, we ſhall be forc't (ſuch are our innumerable Calamities, Infirmities and Diſeaſes, Miſchances, Diſaſters, Troubles, Vexations, Perſecutions, Impriſonments, Fears, Anguiſhes, Diſcontents, Jealouſies, Diſſentions, Quarrels, Anger, Strife & Debate) with Job (Job 3.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,. 12.) to curſe the day of our birth, and to wiſh the womb had been our grave, Job 10.18, 19. or that we had died when we firſt were born Job 3.11. For do we firſt but conſider the uncertainty of this life, we ſhall conclude it Much more then vanity; When we are the moſt carefully looked too, are we not often overlaid, and ſmothered, ſurprized with Apoplexies, Convulſions, the Rickets and Defluctions of Rheums? do not Chincoughs, Lasks, Vomiting, moſt frequently anticipate us of our Lives?

But to paſs this, and to ſpeak the beſt of it, being a two years multitude of dangers and caſualties, ſpent in ſleeping and eating, when we are ſet upon our own bottoms and ſtand on our own legs, how many knocks, how many falls? and which is worſe, how often are we pittifully whipt and beaten by our ſenſeleſs and fooliſh inconſiderate Parents, and Giddy-headed ſhallow-brained Nurſes, and puniſhed for puniſhing our ſelves by theſe unavoidable caſualties? how oft fall we into the fire, water, from on high, looſe our lives by all, break our limbs, legs, arms, heads, faces, disfigure our ſelves for ever, loſe an eye, both, criple and maim our ſelves? How are we ſubject to Meaſels, Small Pox, Scabs, Botches, Boils? How are we tormented with ſuch like infirmities and vexations? How gnawn and pulled with Worms both in the Maw and Belly? Can we help our ſelves? Are not we forc't to ſubmit to the ordering of thoſe ſet over us, our Parents, whether rational, irrational, wiſe, fooliſh, ſober, raſh, underſtanding, ignorant, diſcreet, ſimple, &c. and ſo conſequently expoſed even in this our greateſt extremity, which is worſe then our preſent ſad condition, to all the perils and dangers of ruine both of health and life that can be expreſt? and do we not many times hereby loſe our lives, or which is worſe, live in miſery all our life after? Do they not teach us as ſoon as we are capable of learning, all the evils and miſchiefs in the World? Malice, Give me a blow and I will beat him? Lyes, no, ſay, and I, ſay? when we ought rather to ſay clear contrary or nothing at all; with an hundred ſuch, which being ſo ſoon put into us, are eaſily retained, and prove ſometimes our deſtruction, having once taken root in our hearts; This is alſo vanity.

But paſs we theſe five troubleſom, uncomfortable years alſo; we no ſooner come to the leaſt capacity or underſtanding, but we are then ſeverely corrected by ſuch as are ſet over us, if we are not ſo wiſe preſently as themſelves, and underſtand what they either ſay or teach us; O ridiculous creatures, to think beating their buttocks, backs and ſides, will put brains or more capacity then GOD hath given them into their heads! what miſchiefs are we now at this Age prone unto? I need name none ſince I cannot name one which we do not with eagerneſs run into; and how grievous doth it prove unto us in the end? Learn we not vice? deſpiſe we not virtue? Are we not ſtill under the laſh and correction of one or other? Do we not follow trifles? Play with toys? and neglect our Book, or Trade, that which might make us men herafter? Have we any forecaſt? And yet will we be adviſed? Know we what is good for our ſelves? and yet can we condeſcend to be taught? run we not into all evil and extravagant courſes? and yet will we be taught the way of goodneſs? What ſhall I ſay? when I have ſaid all, and have made the beſt of all, I muſt neceſſarily be conſtrained to ſay, All is vanity and vexation of ſpirit.

^[16] Let us come now to the fourteenth year of our age, and ſee if we grow wiſer as we grow older. Now we fall in love, fond fools! with what, can we tell? know we why? have we reaſon ſufficient to guid us? have we ſufficient Judgement for theſe our fond and childiſh actions? Is ſhe beautifull? how ſimple are we ſo to beſot our ſelves with that which at the beſt is but uncertain, and with one puff of the ſtormy wind of ſickneſs, the Small-Pox, Feaver, or ſuch like, &c. withereth and fadeth? How weak are we to ſhipwrack our Judgements on ſuch quickſands, to build our houſe on ſo tottering a foundation which is impoſſible to ſtand? How childiſh are we ſo to bewitch our ſelves to bare outſides! Catch at ſhadows and neglect ſubſtances! when Vertue, Religion, Chaſtity, Humility, Patience, Prudence, Modeſty ought rather to be the rowling eyes, the love dimples, curled artificial locks, naked breſts, cherry cheeks, coral lips, black eye-brows, lilly white hands, ſoft, gentle & ſlender which we ſhould look too, and covet, and eſteem as the greateſt and chiefeſt beauty, though vaild under a Canveſs Curtain; this is the Jewel rather to be prized of the two, though locked up in an homely Cabinet; this is that vertuous Woman which ſhall he a Crown to her Husband, Prov. 12.4. The glory of the man, 1 Cor. 11.7. and the wife that buildeth up her houſe, Prov. 14.1. But the other which hath onely beauty and a bare outſide, is the fooliſh that plucketh it down, as is expreſt in the following words; For as a jewel of gold in a ſwines ſnout, ſo is a fair woman without diſcretion, Prov. 11.22. But alas! now we are raſh, indiſcreet, think our own wits beſt; like wilde Bucks; over hedge and ditch we go without fear or wit; reſtrain our ſelves of nothing for theſe ſeven years till we have ſown all our wilde Oats, and come home with weeping croſs; think we have time enough to repent; delay the time; we are young enough, and therefore go on in our ways: O but let us conſider the words of that bleſſed man, But know O man that for all this thou ſhalt come to Judgment, Eccleſ. 11.9. We ſhall anſwer for every idle word, Matth. 12.32. Much more aſſuredly then for every vain and fooliſh idle action, eſpecially when we voluntarily run thereinto, and wilfully and willingly give our ſelves over to looſneſs which profiteth not, but is a great evil and vanity it ſelf.

How do we Game, Sport, Drink, Rore it, and make Revel-rout, Rant, Cut it, and tear the ground, Vapor, Swagger, Domineer, Stare and Sware, follow a company to do evil, do as our Companions adviſe us, or as we ſee them do, never queſtioning whether there be Reaſon, Wit, Diſcretion or Honeſty in it; Whore, Drab, and take Tobacco, all for company, and ſo deſtroy both body and ſoul, being now for any deſign▪ drink healths to our Miſtreſſes till we leave our ſelves no health, and make beaſts of our ſelves in not denying to do that which beaſts cannot be conſtrained to: And truly, this beſtial vice of Drunkenneſs may alſo be reprehended in thoſe of more mature years, nay, to the ſhame of this our Land be it ſpoken, even the moſt grave age of men is too much addicted hereunto; ſo that it is obſervable that hardly any Houſes thrive of late ſince our manifold diſtractions, but tipling and guſling Alehouſes, the which as is very well known, are more in number by many then all the inhabitants of other Trades (in London) put together; This alſo is vanity, and a great evil.

Again, let us ſee the end of ſuch doings; what advantageth it? doth it produce any good? are not the effects hereof, Quarrels, Diſſentions, Fightings for Miſtreſſes; for not drinking of an Health; for not ſaying this Woman is handſom; for affirming that is not comely; for diſparaging of a Lady, a Perſon of Honour, Quality, Renown, becauſe he hath been admitted her preſence for an affront, nay for a pin, point, or pins-head, muſt they into the field, off with their doublets, and too it, murther one another, and then flie, or elſe be catcht and hanged; This is madneſs, vanity and folly. It mattereth not with theſe, whether they are Friends, Familiars, or Enemies, if once they are ſet-ont, they muſt kill or be killed, die in a Ditch, and that they call Honourable, then they die in the bed of honour (they ſay) and this for the ſmalleſt trifles, as I could teſtifie, might I relate their names, and ſo again revive mens raſhneſs which was but lately acted: However the ſtory of one is thus, Two Gentlemen in this City of London, happening to meet together and being very loving Friends and intimate acquaintance, went into one of theſe deviliſh Tipling-houſes, called for a Pot of Ale, the which the one taſting of it commended to be very good; the other was of a clean contrary opinion, and did altogether as much diſcommend it, thinking no hurt, but that he might freely give alſo his Judgement thereof; but to be ſhort, the other again reitered its excellent goodneſs, and was alſo replyed to the contrary, and ſo they fell to words and at laſt [to end this Whimſical controverſie] they reſolved to kill one another; the day being appointed, and meeting, the one was ſlain; and it was upon a good ground, was it not? yet could nothing ſatisfie theſe hot ſpirits, nor ſtand with their Honours, as they ſuppoſed, but this madneſs, madneſs, madneſs.

Many ſuch like vanities and raſh actions (I ſay) might I here relate; but I fear I ſhould in recording of them render my ſelf moſt vain, and ſhew my own vanity, whilſt I am reprehending it in others: Doth not this Drinking and Revelling, which they call good Company-keeping, not only declare it ſelf to be clean contrary thereunto, but alſo ſpoil their ſociety they pretend to enjoy? they meet together, but oftentimes know not how they depart; are not the effects thereof over and above what hath been ſaid, poverty, diſgrace, running in debt, cheating, lying, diſſembling, vain-glory, pride, luſt, prodigality? and when all fails, and Creditors call for their money, will be put off no longer, ſet Sergeants to dog them, and Taylors will furniſh them no more to flant and carry it out for their further running in debt with others unknown unto them; is not their Refuge at laſt to the High-way, turn Cutters, and from thence return to Tyburn, where too late they Repent, and wiſh any would cut the Rope, but cannot advantage themſelves then, and there's an end of them?

Poor Wretches! were not they better be old whilſt they are young, rather then be hanged, killed, and murthered upon every occaſion before they be old? be grave, ſober, ſerious, then whymſical, fickle and fantaſtical? apply their minds to the ſtudy of vertue and the liberal Sciences, then thus to learn nothing but vice, foolery, foppery, and vexation of ſpirit? Knowing that their time is ſhort enough to learn goodneſs, and therefore not prodigally thus to ſquander it away upon trifles and childiſh conceits: Had they not better be contented with a competency, and live within compaſs, and addict themſelves to their Book; then flant it, roar and ſwagger it about the ſtreets with the Drapers cloth on their back, the Taylors Workmanſhip, Points and Fancies, and all unpaid for? the Haberdaſhers hat, the ſmirking Semſters half and whole Shirts, Bands, Cuffs and Boot-hoſe-tops, with the Shoe-makers Boots? Like Eſops Bird that had borrowed and trict himſelf up with others Feathers, was thought ſome body, ſo that he preſumed to be King, till his Plot was diſcovered, and every Bird took his own again, and left him deſpicable; even ſo do theſe Chryſalides carry themſelves high, advance themſelves above their Betters, think every one their inferiour that hath not ſuch gaudy fine quelkeſhoſes about them; and ſo forgeting themſelvs, they run headlong into many abſurdities and Premuniries, being applauded of the World for this their outſide, though vitious, (which had every one his own, he would be ſpeedily ſtript of, and left as naked as any Nayl) not inſide, although vertuous, if outwardly mean; This is alſo vanity.

^[17] Well, we are now come to Age, and we may lawfully inherit what is our own, which we may quickly do GOD knows; but what is this our Heritage? ſurely not worthy the naming or particularizing; a bundle of Cares, Troubles and all kinde of miſeries, fears, horrors and tribulations, maladies and infirmities, expoſed to all dangers, and that upon every occaſion, ſo that I may ſay as one once very well ſaid, Man hath but one way into the World, but (I may affirm) an hundred thouſand ways out. This is vanity and vexation of ſpirits; no ſooner a man hath ſowed his wilde Oats, but the black Ox treads immediatly on his Foot: No ſooner a man comes to be a man, that he leaves his childiſh toys, extravagant courſes, and his wilde untamed accuſtomary life, but he is overwhelmed with all theſe; If he have money, he is troubled and perplexed with care to lay it out to the beſt advantage; and although he hath imployed it as well as heart could deſire, yet is he ſtill in the ſame condition, thinking he might have improved it ſo and ſo, much better; or ſuppoſe he be ſufficiently ſatisfied it is no better to be husbanded, yet is he on the other ſide eaten up with fear, ſadneſs, melancholy, and diſcontent, as much as if it were utterly loſt, when indeed he had more matter of joy; This is alſo vanity.

If he want money, what miſery is he overcharged with! a continual fear poſſeſſeth his Spirits, that he ſhall ſtarve, lie in Gaol, have no friend, abound with diſgraces, ſlights, frowns and affronts, even from the moſt rural, although never ſo well deſerving; is he not then ready to take any deſperate courſe and deſign in hand? and is not this troubleſom, loathſom, abominable life enough to make him do that which in his own natural humour he ever deteſted? Is not this vanity and folly then? ſure it is a great evil.

Hath he a competency [which is the golden mean to be deſired of all men] yet he is not content, he muſt have more, he lives not ſo high as his Neighbours, his Wife and Children flant it not like them, he hath not his Coach, Saddle-horſes for himſelf, and a couple of men, nor the attendance, cap in hand that he ſees others have; O miſerable man! how vain art thou, that thou knoweſt not thine own happineſs? Contentation is the chiefest gain: and as one moſt elegantly ſaid, It is not the abundance of Riches or Poſſeſsions a man hath, that maketh him Rich, but the contentedneſs of this minde. For how many old, grubbing Uſurers (who as Anacharſis ſaid, carry Gold like Aſſes, yet eat but Hay) pine themſelves? feed upon porridge a whole half year together, make a penny ſerve them a day, will not beſtow a farthing to the making themſelves well when ſick, for fear of parting with their Mammon-money, although but a trifle; but chooſe rather to put it to the venture, and let it wear away (as they uſe to ſay) when oftentimes it wears them away, or at leaſt bears them away; and ſo are juſtly diſſipated of all, for fearing to part with ſome. Are not theſe men wretched, poor, even whilſt they poſſeſs the greateſt Riches? Is there any of them can afford themſelves neceſſaries? do they not live more like Beggars, or Peaſants [at the beſt] then rich and wealthy men?

And now I might here ſhew the odiouſneſs and vitiouſneſs of coveteouſneſs, which of all things is moſt deteſtable; but I fear I have already tranſgreſſed the ordinary bounds of an Epiſtle; wherefore leaſt the Porch of this my Fabrick ariſe to a greater bulk then the whole building, I ſhall paſs it by.

And truly to go on in this I am upon (without branching it in the leaſt) were an Herculean Labour, and to inſiſt on every particular vanity in this vain, vain, vain World; Beſides ſhould I be ſo peremptory as to attempt it, my preſent condition, want of memory, and inſufficient capacity, would render me defective in as many things as I have already or can hereafter expreſs, and my vanity therein the greateſt of vanities; wherefore as hitherto I have but hinted at things, being (as I have ſaid) not able to do any other, nor indeed willing (if I could) to weary my Reader with ſo long a preamble; I ſhal proceed directly forward through the reſt of mans life, and give you alſo an hint thereof (having began) and that as brief as may be.

Is he ſingle? he deſires marriage; Is he married? he deſires again to be ſingle; as the ſtory goes of a fellow which whilſt he was a batchelor, was a boon-companion, and would ſpend his mony freely, and therfore with his Hoſts he was termed A good fellow; but ſo it happened, that at length he was married, and coming not ſo frequently to his Hoſts as formerly, nor ſpending his caſh ſo freely when he came, was by one of them demanded the reaſon of this his unwonted ſtrangeneſs and great change; who replying, ſaid, I am now married; why then quoth ſhe, Thou art now an honest man; but he ſighingly made anſwer in theſe words, Ha, but if I were once a good fellow again, I would never be an honest man whilst I live.

Thus you ſee we are never content with our condition, neither full nor faſting. How are we grieved and perplexed at the loſs of huſband, Wife, Children, Goods? And how again do we fret, pine and conſume our Spirits, Bodies and Souls, that we cannot be rid of our Husbands, Wives and Children? How careleſs are we of them when we have them? Spend all our ſelves, Grudge them pennies, when we ſquander away pounds upon Whores, Projects, Drink, Cards, Tables, Dice, and an hundred ſuch Vanities, Vanities, and ſtudy to render our ſelves hereby worſe then Infidels, and Deniers of the faith, according to the Apoſtle 1. Tim. 5.8. But if any provide not for his owne, and eſpecially for thoſe of his owne houſe, he hath denied the Faith, and is worſe then an Infidel. Is not this Vanity? What is this but Vanity? Surely it is the Vanity of Vanities.

Was not Marriage firſt inſtituted for procreation? Gen. 2. yet how many are there that would fain marry, were they but aſſured they might never have Child? O wicked wretches thus to ſet themſelves oppoſite to Gods own Ordinance! They would practice their laſcivious luſts, but deny the fruit of the womb; and truly I muſt confeſs it mattereth not how little we are troubled with the breed of ſuch beaſts; for let me tell you, and take it for a rule, you ſhall never find any of this humour, but ſuch as are moſt vilde Whores, though they may cover it and hide it from the World; I have obſerved it in very many, and have ſtill found them no otherwiſe reputed. Are not theſe Vain fools? And is not this a great folly ſo to deſire what the LORD hath threatened for a curſe? Hoſ. 9.14. Give them O LORD: what wilt thow give them? a miſcarrying womb and dry brests; and refuſe what he hath promiſed for a bleſſing? Gen. 49.25. I will bleſs thee with the bleſsings of the Womb, and ſo earneſtly to covet what virtuous Women in old time counted a Reproach? Gen. 30.23. ſaith RACHEL there, GOD hath taken away my reproach, when he had given her a ſon. This is worſe then Vanity or Madneſs.

Doth not the riches and preferment of many men, although naturally mean, baſe and unworthy, ſo elevate and tranſport them above themſelves, ſo as that they deſpiſe, neglect and contemn their betters, both for birth and endowments? meerly becauſe they have not thoſe preferments, that power, that eſteem with the Vulgar, nor thoſe fine knacks about them which he hath; when, ſhould we but give to every creature its own, how naked ſhould we be left? we ſhould be more mean and poor then the bruteſt creature, who hath hair [at leaſt] to cover his skin; This is a great evil, and vanity it ſelf.

And how vain are we to boaſt, and take pride in what is our ſhame? we were Created naked, and had we not ſinned we ſhould have ſo continued; we cloathed our ſelves firſt for ſhame, and now we are ſo void of ſhame, we are proud of our cloathing, glory in our ſhame; but I ſay, let us conſider the things we are proud of, they are but excrements, at the beſt but vile, and naturally, I ſay, belong to other Creatures, and therefore we have little or no cauſe to eſteem ſo of them, much leſs to be proud of that which we are beholding to our inferiours for: For to the Beaver we are indebted for our Hat or covering to the head, the chief member; to the earth for our ſhirt, which is nearer to us then our Petticoat▪ to the Sheep or Silk-worm, for our cloaths and ſtockins▪ to the Oyſters for our Neck-lace and Pendence; for our Shoes, Boots, and drawling Galoſhes to the Goat, Ox, Cow, Bull, &c. and to the Cordivant, Buck, Stag, Kid, Lamb, Sheep for our Gloves: and to the earth, rocks and mountains for our Gold, Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires, Jaſpers, Chryſalites, Heliotropians, &c. And laſtly, for our Fans and Feathers, which we ſo ſwagger with in Hide-Park down to our backs, to the Oſtridge; and for our Perfumes, to the Civet Cat, &c. what comes from their Tails, we glory to have at our Noſes. How can we be more vain, then to ſet our minds on ſuch Trifles? be proud of ſuch traſh and trumpery, vile abjects? This is vanity, madneſs, madneſs, madneſs; we dote, are ſtupid, beſotted, ſtark mad fools.

^[18]To be ſhort (for from this 21. year of our age, I intend to ſhew, or give at leaſt an hint to the folly of moſt men from this year to their very laſt: for although I might a little inſiſt on the crazineſs, peeviſhneſs and waſpiſh wilfulneſs of pettiſh old Age, and the calamities whereunto they are moſt prone and incident, yet, I ſay, I ſhall rather paſs that by) Let us firſt examine what the World it ſelf is, and the ſeveral degrees of men therein, and then he that ſhall conclude it to be other then vanity, foolery and ſimplicity, and the men therein other then fools and mad, Erit mihimagnus Apollo; but then I muſt tell him, he muſt not only conclude ſo, but prove it to be ſo; or he ſhall (on the other ſide) be Mihi hominum ſtultiſsimus, or Sapientum Octavus.

Is the world [firſt] any other then a School of Knavery, Jugling and hypocrifie, and (as it were) a Nurſery of Vice, Villany and Profaneneſs, where every one is for himſelf, and his own ſelf-ends, valuing nothing to the accompliſhment thereof, no not the fear of GOD, nor his Commandments, which is according to the Royal Law of Liberty, To love our neighbour as our ſelf? Is Chriſtianity, Love, Conſanguinity, Alliance, Charity, Friendſhip or mutual Acquaintance ſufficient to reclaim us? Is not this Proverb, No longer Pipe, no longer Dance, verified in moſt of the People of the World? Is not every man a Friend and a profeſſed Lover to him that hath no need of their Friendſhip? O what greazing of fat Sows in the — is there frequently to be found throughout the whole face of the Earth! but which is worſe, is not this vanity committed by ſuch as profeſs and make a great outward ſhew of Religion and Chriſtianity? And yet to an Acquaintance, Aſſociate, a decayed Kinſman, better and more worthy both for Birth, Parts and Breeding then themſelves, do they extend any thing ſave a bundle of flattering words, and diſſembling Proteſtations of Love, affection and good will? and then aſſoon as their backs are turned, give it out, he is wicked, a ſwearer, a beggar, he lives by this and by that; here lies all his hope, and here his greateſt refuge; never remembring, It is an ill bird that defiles his own nest, rejoycing at the decay and poverty of them, that themſelves might be had in greateſt eſteem? Is not this a great evil? How many Ambodexters, Januſſes, Hypocrites, doth the world abound with, that are outwardly Lambs, yet inwardly Wolfs, that play Legerdemain, and practiſe nought elſe, Hocus Pocuſſes, ſeeming Saints, yet really Devils, that have excuſes for the greateſt ſins, nay for pride it ſelf which hurled Lucifer the great Angel of light, the great Carrier of light (as his name imports, being interpreted) headlong to Hell and eternal deſtruction? We know the Apoſtle to Timpothy, Tim. 1.2, 9, 10. exhorteth, that women adorn themſelves in modest apparel, with ſhamefastneſs and ſobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly aray; but (which becometh women profeſsing godlneſs) with good works. Whereby we clearly ſee good works (according to the intent of the HOLY GHOST) ought rather to be the attire of women (eſpecially ſuch as profeſs the Goſpel and Godlineſs) then ſuch vanities as are there expreſt, and many now adays aſſume above their rank and quality; leaſt (as the ſcope of theſe words intimates unto us) they become a ſhame and reproach to the Goſpel and purity thereof; and Chriſtianity be lightly eſteemed for their ſakes, and theſe their vain practiſes. I ſay, notwithſtanding all this, ſome who pretend much to the world of Holineſs and Religion, are ſo hypocritical (nay I may well ſay deviliſh) as to maintain openly the gorgious apparel of women, and their vanities in ſuch practiſes, To be a grace, and an honour to the Goſpel; chooſing rather thus highly to ſin againſt GOD, and diſpleaſe him both in the maintenance of the act, and [which is worſe] the vindication thereof, then in the leaſt to reprehend it in their children, it diſpleaſe their fantaſtical, whimſical, hypocrital wives; but heap ſin upon ſin, that ſin might be hid from the eyes of the world, fearing more he cenſures of frail, deſpicable unworthy man, then the eternal Judgement of the great, terrible omniſcient, omnipreſent and omnipotent GOD that will call one day all to account; that will not meaſure men by the outward appearance, but the inward teſtimonies of the Spirit; that will reckon for every idle word; much more for every vain action, and premeditated and ſtudied lyes and fallacies to cloak and cover our wickedneſs and deteſtable actions; What profit will theſe vain, fooliſh, mad things be unto us, whereof we ſhall one day be aſhamed? our laying the fault on our Husbands, and ſaying he will have it ſo; or upon our Wives, that ſhe will have it ſo; will not then excuſe us, will not then plead for us, will not then advantage us a ruſh, will not expiate our ſin, nor will not protect us from the puniſhment; This is alſo vanity.

How do we ſuit with every occaſion, with every company? Do we not when we viſite the Religious, the Miniſters, attire our ſelves modeſtly, put on our plain black gowns, hide our necks, breaſts, gorgets, with our ſcarfs, our curled locks and broidered hair with our hoods; ſit demurely, talk of profeſſion, and of this body, and the other body, rather then want diſcourſe and occaſion to cry up our ſelves? and yet do we ſtudy ever the more ſanctity? Our SAVIOUR CHRIST teacheth us to know ſuch as are indeed his Servants by an infallible token, Matth. 7.16. Yea ſhall know them by their fruits; do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thiſtles? their outward pretences are not grounds ſufficient to convince us of their innocency; they may be thus in ſheeps cloathing, yet inwardly may be alſo ravening wolves, as you ſee in the preceding verſe. Wherefore I muſt needs reprehend ſuch as poſitively conclude men either good or bad, according to the report of the world of them, or their ſeeming pretences; deviating from this Rule, this infallible Rule; for as it is raſhneſs in any to believe windy reports; ſo is it folly, and worſe then madneſs to be carried away or deluded with pretences, and ſeeming outſides, without firſt ſeriouſly examining the truth of both; the want of this leſſon in wiſdom is the cauſe we run our ſelves into millions of Premunires, which but for brevitie ſake I might prove by a particular recital of many; wherefore learn this, and thou ſhalt be an abſolute Politician; for ſo ſhalt thou eaſily pluck off the mask of pretences, diſperſe the miſts of envy and reproaches, and free thy ſelf of many inconveniencies.

What coveting is there of this Daily applauſe of the world? Do we not run here, and run there, viſit this, relieve publickly, and that to be ſeen of men, make gatherings to our own advantage; ſpeak to the godly for money, cloaths, and other neceſſaries, to relieve the neceſſitated, and do it in our own Names; be known to none we have it from any, but that it is our own goodneſs and liberality, and yet hide our faces from our own fleſh? Is this Charity? Is this Chriſtianity? Is this according to what we profeſſe? Will we part with ſix pence to one that is in the moſt extremity of neceſſity when we ſee they cannot ſhew it to the world, or think it will not be known? Do we not abound with theſe formalities, nay do we not rather ſwarm with them?

How many men follow tradition and common cuſtom, rather then their own Judgements, Senſe or Reaſon?

What greater madneſs, folly and vanity can there be, then to ſee Soliciters, Clerks, Scriveners, be better rewarded for running of errands, writing of a Bill, or a Bond in a neat hand and flouriſhing Letters, and it may be neither true Engliſh nor Senſe in it, then a Scholar and ingenious perſon for teaching them wit: To ſee Huntſmen entertained, receive ſtipends, diſcourſed with, when Learning goes a Begging? A lying flattering Favourite, that is a meer outſide, get more in a year then a Philoſopher all his life? A quondam Beggar, that was glad to do any thing for a meſs of Porridge or a ſcrap of Bread, flant it, and ride in his Coach, have the worſt of his Attendants better then the beſt of his kindred, or any of his Predeceſſors? That was formerly a ſervant to every one, now Lord it over all? Gentlemen goon foot, Beggars ride on horſes, prancing Steeds? Philoſophers, Schollars and ingenuous ſouls crouch to Clowns, illiterate Curmudgins for a meals meat, or a nights lodging? Cloaths eſteemed before Wit, Learning, and underſtanding? meer outſides honoured, inſides ſlighted, not eſteemed or valued? Men to have their guts in their brains, and brains in their guts? To ſtrain at Gnats and ſwallow Camels? To skip over blocks, and ſtumble at ſtraws? To be angry for trifles, not moved for things of conſequence? Thoſe in Authority, Place, injoying poſſeſſions, though Idiots; be honoured, reverenced, applauded, eſteemed of, crouched to: when vertue, and the chiefeſt of endowments a mortal can poſſeſs, wanting preferment, and traſh riches, ſhall be diſreſpected and undervalued? Then to ſee riches make a man wiſe, ſolid, diſcreet, judicious and vertuous, though a natural Fool; and poverty to render all theſe, and the man that poſſeſſeth them, a Fool, a Coxcomb, an Aſs? Wiſe men degraded; Fools preferred to office? Orators and Judicious men to be ſilent; Fools and Idiots prate, and have all the talk, and reprehend others, of what they themſelves are juſtly to be reprehended? Men that have enough, make Vaſſals of themſelves to their Inferiours to get more? Diligently to ſcrape with the one hand money together, and to ſquander it away without care with the other? To be penny wiſe▪ and pound fooliſh? To buy ſhadows and neglect ſubſtances? Then to ſee ſo much difference between words and deeds? Men rob Peter to pay Paul? Act all kinde of villany, and pretend to be Saints? The Fox preach? Vice correct ſin? The Pig play on the Organs? Blind men judge of Colours? A world in the Moon and other Planets? Hell and damnation in Saturn and Mars? the Earth turn round and the Sun ſtand ſtill? A man to ſmile in your face, and cut your throat? Pretend one thing, do clean contrary? Neither ſpeak what they think, nor think what they ſpeak? To hear every one ſay he is your humble ſervant, yet ayms to be your inſulting Maſter? Cuckolds to be contented, wink at their wives abuſes, and make much of thoſe that Cornuted them? Women to wear the breeches, men made a Noſe of Wax? Horſes ride in Coaches, men draw them? The Cart before the Horſe? Men build Caſtles in the Ayr? Towers build Maſons? Men conquer Kingdoms, and be ſubdued by their own Paſſions and Affections? Rule Empires and millions of men, and be ruled themſelves by one Woman? Domineer abroad, be a ſneaks at home? Men poſſeſſed with the Devil-flattery, turn themſelves into all ſhapes and forms? be Religious with the Religious: profane with the profane: a ſpend-thrift with the Prodigal; a Miſer with the Uſurer; fawn and wag their tongues, hats and hands, as a Dog doth his tayl; be furious like a Lyon: milde like a Lamb; commend, diſpraiſe; domineer, crouch; vapour here, be baffled there; and what not, may it but advantage them ſix pence? Then to ſee men and women force their children to marry for Riches, Honour, this end and that, and compell them to reject and refuſe their loves to their utter ruine and deſtruction? Love is the bond of perfectneſs, and as it covereth all ſins, Prov. 10.12. ſo doth it alſo hide all faults; I dare not tranſgreſs on thy Patience to ſhew thee the excellency of Love, and the folly of Parents in this their extream vanity, ſince I have been already, I fear, too tedious, but deſire thee, ſince verbum ſapienti, to be content with this, and for that I deſire to haſten to a concluſion.

Then to ſee women think themſelves better, or at leaſt equal, or as good as men? Men not equal nor ſo good, much leſs better then women. A man to be Jack Jackſon in the Country, and Mr. Johnſon in the City? To live in a Chriſtian Commonwealth [or at leaſt ſo in pretence] and dare not believe a word a man ſpeaks? Every whiffling Mechanick, a Politician; Gentlemen, wiſe, and learned, Simpletons? Lyes, Plots and inventions to cozen be believed and credited; plain dealing, truth and honeſty ſuſpected, derided, and accounted weakneſs? The moſt rational, ſolid, ſober and moſt diſcreet of all Gods Creatures Man, become the moſt fickle, whimſical, ſimple and ridiculous? Men to become abſolute Apes? one while in a narrow brim'd hat, a long waſte, his breeches to his knees; Boots and Boot-hoſe-tops, and great gingling Spurs, their feet as long as their legs, or at leaſt full as long again as their foot naturally, as in the year 1645. and 1646. In 1648. and 1649. a broad brim'd hat, and no other muſt ſerve; our breeches muſt be long, even down to our ancles; Boots with the tops trailing on the ground, little Spurs that muſt not gingle in the leaſt. In 1650. and 1651. we tumble into ſhort breeches again: In 1652. and this preſent year 1653. we think it ridiculous to wear boots, but altogether ſhoos and ſtockins, turning down with a top as the French Lackies have uſed to go for theſe many years; one while we have too long curling locks on both ſides of our head! anon all the whole ſide muſt be of a length and ſhort behinde! Thus verifying the old Proverb that we Engliſh know not when a thing is well.

I have hinted but at theſe laſt ſeven or eight years for that theſe vanities might be the better remembred by us, and to our ſhame called to minde; as alſo for that I account not the ſubject worthy of further recital of other foregoing years; beſides, I bluſh to think men ſhould be ſuch Weather-cocks, or rather Cox-combs, thus never to reſolve on a ſet habit: might I give my Judgement what habit is moſt becoming, I ſhould commend this we now uſe, ſaving that our ſhoes and fantaſtical ſtockins ſpeak us rather Skip-jacks, Whifflers or Anticks, then ſober and ſolid men: I would have Boots, if I might give my verdict, uſed in their ſtead: for the length of our Breeches they cannot in my opinion be mended, being moſt rationally made according to the length of our thigh, not hiding our legs as formerly, and our doublets are made of the exact length of our waſts: I am not ſo traditionally ſpirited as to commend Trunk-breeches, making our Buttocks as big as a Barrel, nor the other extream, made cloſe to our thighs like a pair of ſtockins, neither their doublets with the waſte juſt under our Arm-pits (contrary to our natural ſhape) and flanting skirts reaching down to the ſeat, whence it was ſaid of old, I will ſit on your skirts, when an injury was threatened; for truly in my opinion thus to beſot our ſelves, and overſhoot our Judgements in following ſuch a monſtrous and Clowniſh habit, were to render our ſelves more ridiculous by far then we are already: great Bands and Cuffs, and a little narrow brim'd hat alſo, unleſs I could ſee any reaſon, comelineſs or profit in them, I can no wiſe commend.

It were a vain thing in me thus to recite the ſeveral alterations and mutations in the garbs of Women, ſince every day produceth a new Toy; wherefore I ſhall only name ſome of their darling-trifles, which are as dear unto them as their lives, and which they conſtantly obſerve and reſolve to keep, viz. Their embroidered, curled, powdered hair; their waſhings, paintings, waters and Pomatoes to their faces; and when they have done all, their ſeveral ſorts of patches, half-moons, ſtars, coach and horſes, round, triangled, quadrangled, pointed, little, great, long and ſhort: Vainly and fooliſhly hereby imagining to make themſelves handſomer then GOD hath created them, or is willing they ſhould be, and chooſing rather to pleaſe themſelves then him; nay, though it be to the diſpleaſing of him they muſt and will do it, what care they; their face is their God; they look no further; they believe no other; they care for no more. And as touching their Attire, it would tire Hercules, nay Sampſon, which were far ſtronger then an hundred ſuch as am I to relate it; and truly were I able, yet have I not patience, there are ſo many unworthy ſtinkards and flirts, ſneaking Mechanicks wives to be mentioned, which ſhould I attempt, would turn my ſtomack to think of them, and then inſtead of Writing, I ſhould preſent thee with a foul Paper; yet theſe muſt be lapt in ſilk, they are no body if they have not a Silk-Mo-hair, Taffaty, Tabby Gown (nay but for ſhame they would have cloth of gold or ſilver, forgetting it is a ſhame for them to attempt the worſt of theſe) a ſcarlet, watchet, tabby petticoat, and that muſt be laced too, gentle-woman-like; thus multiplying garment upon garment, till the apparel exceeds the worth of the bearer by an hundred degrees. They muſt have theſe out-ſides, though their in-ſides be as bad as may be; though they are as dirty that they are not to be tonched with a pair of tongs; though their ſmocks coſt not ten groats apeece, nay, though they pinch their bellies, and have hardly bread to eat, yet they muſt have clothes, and that a thouſand times beyond their quality. Can any thing be more vain then this? Do not our Governours deſerve ſeverely and ſharply to be reprehended they look not into theſe abuſes and vanities, when we know not a Gentlewoman from a Mechanical flirt? Joan is as good as my Lady; there is no more difference between them in their cloaths, then is in the dark; all's one; except ſhe write Lady on her back, ſhe ſhall never be known in this Age: Wherefore for diſtinction ſake [if for no other] it is moſt requiſite (as I humbly conceive) it be looked into, and an order taken, ſo as that every Jack and Gillet may be known to be Tradeſmen, Serving-men, &c. and not equal in habit with their Superiours, by many degrees, & Gentlemen of quality; for now with them (becauſe they are not reprehended in this their vanity) all are counted fellows at foot-ball, to the ſhame and blemiſh of the glory of this Nation; It would be much better certainly if the Cobler would not go beyond his Last, and everyone go according to his rank.

Again, what greater madneſs then to ſee Lords no Gentlemen, no Gentlemen Lords, no Lords Gentlemen? Serving-men able to buy out their Matters? Wiſe, ſober, ſolid and judicious Gentlemen be led away, gull'd, perſwaded to any thing by their Vaſſals, even againſt their own knowledge? Men to believe any reports whether good or bad, with or againſt their friends or foes, without the leaſt ſearch into the truth thereof? Illiterates that can hardly ſpeak ſenſe, write or read, preach and teach others; learned, reverend, orthodox Divines ſilenced, or at leaſt not regarded? Such as deſerve not only reprehenſion but ſevere chaſtiſement, to reprehend and teach others? Such as are guilty of folly, to laugh at folly? Of which number I muſt now needs rank my ſelf, and be ſo ambitious as account my ſelf the chief, or greateſt Fool, more deſerving to be laughed at then any other; wherefore I my ſelf may juſtly thus queſtion with my ſelf,

Art thou not more ſullen, melancholy and mad then Saturn? More jovial, merry and temperate at another time then Jupiter himſelf? More fierce, cholerick, peeviſh, waſpiſh and angry then Mars? And again, more gentle, wanton, and fuller of ſport then Venus? More lofty, proud, ambitious then the Sun? More fickle, wavering, and unconſtant then the Moon? Good with the good, bad with the bad like Mercury? Ever in extreams, too merry or too ſad? How ſilly art thou to tell others of their being led away by fair words, and none ſo ſoon wrought on as thy ſelf? Condemn others for following Antick Faſhions, and none ſo ſoon run into them? Plead for wiſdom, act nought but folly? Cry down Duels and ſingle Combats, yet account it better not to live then live with an affront? Condemn Drinking, and ſtay a whole week in a Tavern? To be ſo mad, as to tell mad-men of their faults? To expoſe thy ſelf to the cenſure of every fool by writing publickly, thereby loſing the happineſs of enjoying thy ſelf to thy ſelf? And to think the ſmiles and applauſes of ſome, can countervail the frowns and reproaches of others? Art not thou ſilly? The greateſt Fool of all? Worſe then mad?

I muſt confeſs, ſhould I anſwer for my ſelf, I could not in the way of excuſe plead one word in my own behalf; I muſt acknowledge my ſelf guilty, and can ſay nothing but this, that it is a mad world, and therefore ſhould be worſe then mad, ſhould I think my ſelf other then mad. Yet leſs ſome conceited youngſter imagine himſelf more then he is, I muſt turn him to Prov. 26.12. and then let him be ſo mad, as to caſt the firſt ſtone at me, whence I may conclude all are mad, or at leaſt fools, we being ſo generally guilty hereof; but I ſhall name the words of the Text, that you may the better judge of it, Seest thou a man wiſe in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool then of him. Now I would fain know, if one ſhould ſtrictly examine who is not guilty hereof, whether he ſhould finde any that is free: In former time there were but ſeven Wiſemen; now adays there is hardly ſo many Fools. Ergo, all fools, all vain, all mad, mad, mad for company; This is the world, other's the Country.

Thus have I given you a general character of the world or an hint thereof, being altogether unable to paint it out to the life, yet what hath been ſaid [being ſo obvious to the ſenſe of every capacity] is ſufficient to prove it altogether vanity. And now I might alſo here fitly give you the deſcription of the Courts and Palaces of Kings, Inns of Courts, or the practiſes of Lawyers, and of Markets; but I fear then I ſhould be inexcuſably guilty of prolixity. Wherefore of each of theſe I ſhall only give thee a touch, and haſten to conclude.

^[19]I ſhall begin with the laſt, becauſe it is a thing ſo frequent amongſt us, viz. Markets. Anacharſis doth well define it thus, Est forum locus in quo alius alium circumvenit. The Market-place, is a place where one cozeneth and defraudeth another. I may well term it (all things being conſidered) a convention of Cheaters and circumventing Lyers; a place where muſt much evil needs be committed according to that of the Wiſeman, Between the buyer and the ſeller must needs be ſin.

^[20]And what are our Inns of Court but meer conventions of Politicians, fomenters of ſtrife & debate? For fight Dog, fight Bear, they will never part you; Incendiaries? Lovers of miſchief? Takers of bribes? Reſiſters and perverters of juſtice, provided they are well fed? Do they not Justifie the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteouſneſs of the righteous from him? Iſa. 5.23. For doth not money do all? Is it not it that maketh the Mare to go? right or wrong doth it not carry the cauſe with theſe Catiffs? How hard is it for a man to be a Lawyer and an honeſt man both together? How many ſuch think you, you might find in a century of years? Wherefore the time is coming, and is now even at hand, wherein the Prophets very next words will be verified upon them, viz. Therefore as the fire devoureth the ſtubble, and the flame conſumeth the chaff, ſo their root ſhall be rottenneſs, and their bloſſom ſhall go up as duſt, becauſe they have caſt away the LAW of the Lord of Hosts, and deſpiſed the word of the Holy One of Iſrael, Iſa. 5.24.

^[21]And now ſhould we but examine the ſtate of the Chief Courts, viz. he Palaces of Kings, we ſhall yet finde therein naught but vanity and madneſs; from the loweſt to the higeſt, from the King to the Beggar, all are mad: what greater vanity, then to ſee men that are to Rule thouſands, be carried away with every breath of flattery of any one Paraſite? Then to ſee Kings and the Grandees of the World ſo eaſily perſwaded contrary to what they in their own judgements know. If there be any blemiſh in a King, how ſoon is it applauded, admired rather for a grace, a vertue rather then a vice? Alexander ſtooped in the ſhoulders, wherefore all his Souldiers and Courtiers did ſo too. Yet here I cannot but ſet down the wiſdom and gallantry of our late King James of happy memory, in this particulars, as I have been by ſeveral informed who were converſant with him. Conſidering one day the vanity of his Courtiers in applauding ſtill all his actions, very ſeriouſly about noon looking up to the Heaven out of a Window, demanded of thoſe that were about him, whether they ſaw not a Star neer ſuch a cloud; for (he ſaid) he was confident he did; whereupon every one looking up, began to deliver their opinions thus, one ſaid he ſaw it, and that it was a little bright ſtar; another that it twinckled very much, &c. every one with a ſeveral addition, concluded poſitively as he ſaid: whereupon he burſt forth in theſe words, or to this ſenſe, How unfortunate a man am I to have ſo many Fools to be my Councellors! No wiſer men then right or wrong to ſay as I ſay! Again, what Revelling, Masking, Playing, Feaſting, Toying, Fooling, Whoring, Pride, Gluttony, Drunkenneſs, Waſtry, and what not that is evil, or to be reprehended, but is to be found in theſe places moſt abundantly? There is no place free, nor thing free, but all, and in all is vanity.

^[22]Wherefore ſince it is ſo, I can commend nothing in this tranſitory, momentory, vilde World, but the knowledge of GOD and his Son JESUS CHRIST whom he hath ſent in the fleſh into the World to ſave ſinners and the world, and that we might through him obtain everlaſting life. We have here no abiding place, wherefore what profit will it be unto us ſhould we gain the whole World, and loſe our own ſouls? We came naked in to the World, & we ſhall carry nothing out with us; all muſt be left behind, our pleaſure, riches, honours, preferments, parts, endowments, wives, husbands and children; he that the whole earth could not contain, and that ſighing ſaid, Is there no more worlds to Conquer? was at laſt contained in the narrow confines of a Coffin, and could poſſeſs no more of what he had gained, then his juſt length and breadth, which was not denied to the meaneſt he ſubdued; you have heard what the Great Conquerour of the Eaſt, Saladin, carried to his Grave of all he had gain'd, bat a poor black Shirt; wherefore let the WORD OF GOD be thy whole ſtudy, thy delight both day and night, that when thou ceaſeſt to be here, thou maiſt be eternally glorified hereafter, this is the ſummum bonum, the chiefeſt good; yet next unto it, let me recommend the ſtudy of Nature before any other thing whatſoever, for that it is the great handmaid of the Almighty, by which thou mayſt daily and hourly ſee the ſecret operations of his hands, and be drawn neerer and neerer to him; for according to the Apoſtle, by knowing Natural things, we come to know Spiritual the better.

And now here it remaineth I ſhould again return to ſhew thee the method and manner of the ſubſequent Work where I left off, and ſo haſten to a concluſion; but ſince I have recommended unto you that which is the chief means of our future felicity, I think good firſt (ſince our happineſs here, and the hope thereof hereafter conſiſteth much on the goodneſs or badneſs of our friends and aſſociates) here to deliver thee ſome Rules how to chooſe a true Friend, to know a true Friend, and to keep a true Friend; for commonly according to the company, ſo we conform our ſelves, the which if it be other then good, proves our utter deſtruction, according to the old Proverb, Evil communication corrupts good manners.

^[23]In chooſing then of Friends; firſt negatively, and then affirmatively I ſhall deſire thee to obſerve theſe Rules: Negatively, that by no means you familiarly aſſociate your ſelf with a lyar, diſſembler or a flatterer, neither with a proud man, nor covetous perſon; for they will prove deceitfull, treacherous and ſelf-ended; beware alſo of Bragadotia's; I mean ſuch as boaſt and glory of their charity or courteſie to others, that they have done this good turn, and the other good turn for them; for though it be true they have been beneficial to ſuch, and that they have done all that they brag of, yet will ſuch [take it for an approved maxime] be never true-hearted unto thee: And ſuch as are ſo baſe as to deſire or beg that which they ſee is precious and deer in the ſight of any one, are alſo to be ſhunned, with thoſe that are not able to keep ſecret what is committed to them in Truſt, and Promiſe-breakers, and ſuch as meerly eſteem of thee for thy Riches; for theſe although they carry a great appearance or outward gloſs of Friendſhip unto thee, yet are they never cordial and real Friends, but fained outſides. But on the other ſide let ſuch be deer unto thee, and choſen for thy friends and familiars that are honeſt and prudent, and as Cicero ſaith, whoſe integrity, conſtancy, fidelity and liberality is known to all their acquaintance: Let him that is zealouſly affected with and to vertuous and religious acts, be thy aſſociate and choice companion; for as Plato ſaith, friendſhip was given by nature to Mankind to help us and further us to vertuous inclinations, not to vitious, lewd and ſordid practices: wherefore Pythagoras very excellently ſaid, if we would ſhun vice we muſt be familiar but with few; and Dicearchus would intimate the ſame unto us, when he adviſeth us to make the vertuous only our Friends, if we deſire to keep the name of vertuous and honeſt men, and the reſt of the world, if poſſible, welwillers unto us; wherefore wiſe Bias very wiſely ſaid, He was not wiſe that would make every one his Familiar; whence I may alſo conclude, that in the multitude of friendſhip is friendſhip violated. Do not exceed then in abundance of friends and acquaintance; for if thou haſt but a few honeſt men and real friends to be thy friends, thou mayſt be aſſured thou doſt exceedingly abound in friends.

^[24]And now that thou mayſt not be an enemy to thy ſelf in this thy choice, let me here give thee one or two Memorandums. Firſt, that you let not common applauſe or reproach be a rule or ground to your affection or diſ-eſteem of any one; but firſt ſeriouſly examine the truth, and then accordingly mayſt thou uſe thy diſcretion and reaſon: Secondly, let not the Nation of a man deter thee from real affection, if there be ſufficient cauſe and ground to the contrary; for it were abſurd in us to think all Nations evil, and our ſelves only good: As there are both good and bad amongſt us, ſo is there alſo in the very ruraleſt of Nations; what reaſon have we to think all the Iriſh blood-thirſty, all the Scots deceitfull, all the French fantaſtical, &c. becauſe many of them are ſo? For my part, if I meet with any man of theſe that is true-hearted and honeſt, or of any other Nation, they ſhall be more deer unto me then a thouſand Engliſh Knaves; and as I will not conclude any man of another Nation a Knave or Honeſt, till I have experience thereof, ſo will I not be ſo indulgent as to make no queſtion of thoſe of my own Nation, but carry a like ſuſpition of both the one and the other, till I am rightly and truly informed: The Scots are vulgarly amongſt us traduced and envyed, and yet they cannot be ſo odious here, but amongſt them we are as contemptible; Tradition carries a great ſway with fools and the vulgar, but with wiſe men it is never regarded. Thirdly, let not the apparel or cloaths of any one ſtave thee off from the familiar ſociety of friendſhip; it is not the Peacocks fine feathers, that can make him ſing like a Nightingal: a Philoſopher may be in rags, when an Idiot is gorgeouſly arrayed; look not to the outſide, but the inſide rather of a man, and thou ſhalt not be deceived.

^[25]Now to know the reality of thy friend, or whether thou haſt a true friend or no; ſee that in your tryal of him, you let him not know your condition, let it be in what degree or thing ſoever you prove him in; it would be too tedious a thing for me to ſpeak of every thing and way whereby thou mayſt try him, wherefore I ſhall here only inſtance one, by which according to the ſame method thou mayſt judge of the reſt. Admit you would borrow money, then be ſure firſt you want not money, leſt if your friend fail you, you are expoſed to want and ſorrow; yet be not known upon any condition to him you are or can be ſupplied, leſt then on the other ſide, he knowing your ability, readily performs your requeſt, and you thereby kept ſtill ignorant of his affection; for take this for a ſure Rule, that that, and that only is real love, that without regard to requital or conſideration at all thereunto, ſets it ſelf on work, let it be in this or any other kinde whatſoever; wherefore if thou haſt found ſuch a Friend as this, thou haſt aſſuredly a faithfull and real Friend indeed: never believe the fair pretences and promiſes of men, neither their alluring tongues and ſmooth ſpeeches, which commonly are the properties of diſſemblers and falſe-hearted, or hollow-hearted people▪ for you ſhall ſeldom ſee a fair tongue and a diſſembling heart go aſunder; wherefore if any ſuch thou findeſt, thou haſt more matter of ſuſpition then credit given thee. But remember that in proving of thy Friend thou render not thy ſelf ſo unfriendly to him, as to require any unlawfull thing at his hand; for then aſſuredly thou muſt not only expect a denial of thy preſent requeſt from thy friend, but the future friendſhip of thy Friend hereafter.

^[26] That thou mayſt now keep a true Friend when thou haſt found him, it is requiſite (as I have promiſed) to give thee ſome Rules. Wherefore then let your patience be reciprocal, your opinions mutual, your love in all matters (eſpecially things of indifferency) free, let your love be for love, not recompence or gain. And for that, Nemo ſine crimine vivit, there is none without a fault; you are to hide them, and to wink at them in one another, provided they proceed from frailty and imbecility of Nature; and when you admoniſh or reprehend a friend, let it be in a place and at a time convenient; not openly in company, but privately between you and him, otherways you will harden him in his way, and work no good on him; not when he or thy ſelf is in paſſion, for this will cauſe thy words to be lightly eſteemed, and work no impreſſion on him: And let thy ſpeech be gentle and mild, yet be plain with him, and ſpeak to the purpoſe, overcome him rather with mildneſs and clemency then anger and rigour, by which he will be conſtrained rather to adhere unto thee and acknowledge himſelf obliged for this favour, then remain obſtinate and wilfull.

But let me now returne to ſhew thee the method of theſe my ſubſequent Labours. In the penning of them I have bin very plain for that I deſire to be underſtod; Animis ſcribo non auribus, I write to edifie my readers underſtanding, not to pleaſe his eare with fine words, rather reſpecting the matter then ſyllables; and I have endeavoured to compare one Author with another, and thoſe with a third, and again a fourth with all, almoſt on every ſubject; and where one hath been ſhort, I have inlarged with another, and where all have failed to my expectation, I have ſupplied of my ſelf, according to Didacus Stella in Luc. 10. Tom. 2. Pigmei gigantum humeris impoſiti pluſquam ipſi gigantes vident. Dwarfs or Pigmies ſtanding upon the ſhoulders of Giants, may ſee farther then thoſe Giants: I would have none therefore wonder to ſee me frequently diſſent from the Ancients and relate my own conceptions in divers places; yet in moſt I follow my Authors, at leaſt in ſenſe, though not verbatim. And in ſome places I have trod the very ignorant and irrational paths of the Ancients, that ſo the ingenious and wel-willer to this Science may have matter wherewith to exerciſe himſelf, and not wholly to give himſelf over to traditional precepts; for my own part I abhor implicite Faith, or erroneous tradition, without ſound and ſufficient reaſon given for it; and therefore you will find I have often in theſe my labours diſſented from my Predeceſſors. By ſome perhaps I ſhall be diſcommended, and again by others applauded for it; it is an hard matter to pleaſe all parties, and therefore I have (I ſay) let ſlip ſome places, on purpoſe to convince thee that former Ages had not all the knowledge in the World, that ſo thou mayſt be weaned from thy confidence in the writings of the Ancients when neither reaſon nor experience are on their ſide; I ſhall not need to turn you to any of thoſe places in this Book; I hope your ingenuity will be a ſufficient index thereunto: yet leaſt ſome Momus ſhould convert this my ſilence to ignorance, and indeavour to wound me with my own weapon, by imputing that as a fault in me, which I did wilfully neglect, I ſhall here mention one place, being ſo remarkable and ſo palpable an abſurdity,^[27] Lib. 4. Sect. 2. Chap. 18. of this volumn you will finde the ſignifications of the Sun when he is Lord of the year in any of the twelve ſigns Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer and Leo being expreſſed, and the reſt by varying the former Rules implyed, which of all abſurdities is the greateſt, it being impoſſible for the Sun to be in Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittary, Aquaries or Piſces, in any yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly ingreſs, which is ever made at his entrance into the firſt point of the Equinoctials Aries and Libra, or Tropicks Cancer and Capricorn; and therefore I muſt needs conclude the Antients have herein been very weak and as worthy reprehenſion as applauſe in other matters. Yet I would not have thee expect any new thing; for I muſt conclude with Wecker in his Praef. ad Syntax. med. Nihil dictum quod non dictum prius; there is nothing ſaid or to be ſaid that hath not been ſaid before; or if you will not believe him, take the teſtimony of the moſt wiſe Solomon, Eccleſ. 1.9. The thing that hath been, it is that which ſhall be, and that which is done, is that which ſhall be done; and there is no new thing under the Sun: and if this were ſo in his days, ſo long ſince, how can we in the leaſt expect novelties in this Age, or in theſe latter days, wherein though the world aboundeth in Books, ſo that D. King ſometime B. of London very well noted, they are in number without number, yet we ſhall finde the moſt of them one and the ſame, expreſſed in ſeveral and divers terms and phraſes, according to the ſtrain and fanſie of the Penner, and for the moſt part we ſee him that comes laſt, to exceed his Predeceſſors.

It had been too intricate a thing for me to have noted where I have in any place inlarged of my own, ſince it is ſo general throughout all the four Books; yet my phraſe and ſtile will lead thee I believe unto moſt of it; it is wholly my own method and no tranſlation, but rather a collection, ſo that I may well ſay with Macrobius, Omne meum nihil meum; mine is none of mine: yet this I can aſſure thee, that I do not remember any point or place where I have willingly been dark, or deſired to detain any thing from thy underſtanding: It is, as I may ſay, even hewed out of the Rocks, and therefore I expect ſome places may be rougher and more unpoliſhed then I could wiſh; it is the firſt draught, and therefore I hope that may a little plead for me; wherefore be pleaſed (Courteous Reader) to accept of my wel-wiſhes, and out of thine own goodneſs and gratefull diſpoſition pardon my defects, which I cannot but fear are many, having not had time to correct it, or alter the ſtile or phraſe, which at the beſt is but homely, and ſometimes very harſh, according to the preſent condition and fancy of my genius at times, not at all ſtudying to frame or place my words, but quicquid in buccam venit ſerved turn; and to tell you the truth, it being once brought forth, I could not endure to think of correcting it, it being a work both ſo painfull and troubleſom, ſo that I had rather write another Book as big again, and could as ſoon accompliſh it, as correct what I have here written; beſides, ſhould I have gone about it, as oft as I ſhould have read it, ſo often ſhould I have altered it in one kind or other, according to that of Ter. Adelph.

Nunquam ita quicquam bene ſubduct a ratione ad vitam fuit,

Quinres, aetas, uſus, ſemper aliquid apportant Novi.

The which you may Engliſh thus,

Naught ever was at first contrived ſo fit,

But Uſe, or Age, or ſomething altered it.

Wherefore in this regard I was the more negligent thereof, but left it unto thee and thy courteſie, knowing that when I had done my utmoſt therein, I ſhould never be able to pleaſe all parties; if by ſome I were accepted, by others I ſhould be rejected; I muſt look for as well frowns, ſlights and deriſions from ſome, as applauſe or countenance from others, Quot homines tot ſententiae, ſo many men ſo many minds; wherefore (gentle Reader) let this conſideration plead for me, and be thou ſo favourable as to paſs by my failings, and remember that the beſt of the Antients had their faults and defects, the which I could here recite, might I juſtly vindicate my ſelf by the condemnation of others. Beſides, I would have thee alſo know I have not dwelt wholly on this ſubject, neither do I wholly devote my ſelf to any one ſtudy or Science whatſoever, or limit my Spirit to ſo ſtrait a priſon, or narrow confines; I was ever of a roving humour for matter of knowledge, and could never perſwade my ſelf I ſhould ever know enough of any thing: and although I am not of capacity to attain ought but the froth or ſuperficies of any ſtudy, yet have I endeavoured to be aliquis in omnibus, though (being brought to the proof) I ſhould be found Nemo in ſingulis; wherefore let this with the preceding prevail with thee, ſo as that my moſt abſurd faults may ſeem little or nothing in thy eye, ſince indeed theſe my Labours were penned at ſpare hours, and on purpoſe to pleaſe my own fancy and humour, although Providence hath now made them publique.

But here it may be ſome will carp at my writing in Engliſh; but at ſuch I ſhall only laugh: for I aym to benefit the ingenious of my own Country, and write to their edification, not to ſhew my ſelf a Scholar or a welwiller to Forrainers: but I would fain ask ſuch Creatures, whether Homer that wrote in Greek, or Cicero in Latine, were not as worthy reprehenſion, as I that write in Engliſh? ſince thoſe were alſo their vulgar tongues; or what advantage or benefit ſhould the people of my Nation receive by having an unknown language delivered them? I write not to a few, but to them all in general: But if I may be plain, the thing that moſt troubles them is, their Trade will be ſpoild▪ by reaſon their Juglings and Cheatings are beaten down, and the ſubſtantial part of the Art ſo plainly divulged.

But to theſe men I ſay, let them ſorrow and repent themſelves of their hypocriſie, ſelf-endedneſs, pride and coveteouſneſs the root of all evil, and learn love, humility, charity, and to purchaſe unto themſelves general ſpirits; I know the conſciences of ſome of them will teſtifie unto themſelves they are herein ſpoken to, and preſently imagine I ſpeak in ill will to them, being conſcious to themſelves they have given me ſufficient cauſe by their frequent diſparagements of me to ſome of my acquaintance.

But I appeal to an higher power to be Judge of this my action, I do not envy or bear ill will to any of their perſons, but I cannot endure to have men pretend to promote an Art or any thing elſe, and yet in the mean time act nothing leſs, nor nothing more then the ingroſsing of it wholly to themſelves: it is this, and this only that cauſeth me in any place to hint at them; wherefore ſince I know my own innocency herein, I ſhall be content to let them rail and revile me at their pleaſure.

^[28] It reſteth now I refer you to the ſubſequent Diſcourſes; but firſt I ſhall deliver unto the World a teſtimony of my Birth, Breeding and Life hitherto, being by ſome calumniated of late, and now likely to incur more of their bitterneſs by theſe my labours, and let not the Reader wonder I witneſs of my ſelf; for it is no more then many of the Ancients and Fathers of the Church have done before me; beſides I am not ſo ancient, but what I write may by one or other alſo be juſtified.

^[29] I was born the thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord 1625. stilo Angliae, in the City of Weſtminſter, in the County of Middleſex Angliae.

My Mother was by birth of England, as were all her Predeceſſors, my Father of Scotland and that of an antient family viz. of Eighther-houſe, which hath flouriſhed in great glory for 1500 years till theſe latter days, as the Records there teſtifie.

^[30] The Original of our Name was from the reſidence of his and my Progenitors in the Land of Egypt, from the pleaſantneſs of the ſoyl where they inhabited, or of herbs growing thereon, which therefore had the ſame name, RAMESEY, in Engliſh being as much as to ſay Joy and Delight, and this was in that County which is called Goſhen; from thence they came into Germany under the conduct of the Roman Emperour, in which Wars for their ſervice they obtained of him in a field Argent, the Eagle ſable diſplayed, with one head for their coat of Arms; whence (the War being ended) being deſirous to travel, they took ſhip, intending for England, and being often kept back by ſtreſs of weather and Divine Providence, they at length reſolved to take that place for their reſidence to Poſterity where they ſhould be firſt forced to Land; and not many days after, it ſo happened they were driven into an harbour in Scotland on that coaſt which is called Fife, where they being but eight in number left alive, built the aforeſaid houſe, and called it by that name in their Language, which hath ſince been thus called, according to the ſpeech of the Countrey, viz. [Eighther-houſe] It is further recorded of them, that as they increaſed in number they diſperſed themſelves into ſeveral Families, of the which Dalhouſie is now reported the chief, William Lord Rameſey being Earl thereof.

Of But to come neerer home, when our late Soveraign Lord King James of happy memory came to the Crown of England, he ſent into France for my Father, who was then there, and made him Page of the Bedchamber and Groom of the Privy-chamber, and Keeper of all his Majeſties Clocks and watches; this I mention for that by^[31] ſome he hath bin termed no better then a watch-maker; I contemn no trade or lawful vocation whatſoever, but I would have men ſpeake the truth; it's confeſt his ingenuity led him to underſtand any peece of work in that nature; we read the ſame of Henry the 4th. of France and Lewis the 13th. and many Princes and Emperors of Germany and others, which I could (but for brevities ſake) record, and therefore the king conferred that place upon him: Now how this ſhould prove him a Watch-maker and no other, more then the late Earles of Pembrook ordinary Chamberlains becauſe they bore this office in the Kings houſe, do thou judge; but this by the way.

^[32] As ſoon as I was of any capacity, I was put to School in St. Albones in Hartfordſhire, Buſhy, Weſtminſter, Milend-green, and other places; and when I ſhould have gone to Oxford, by reaſon of our late differences I was prevented, and therefore being deſirous to further my Learning, I importuned my Father to ſend me to St. Andrews in Scotland, but there alſo I was diſappointed by the frequent approaches of the Marqueſs of Montroſſe and his Army; I therefore (rather then fail) ſetled in Edinburgh Colledge, where I continued till it pleaſed God to viſit that Town with Peſtilence, the which at length growing very hot, I returned in April 1645. into England, and have remained in London ever ſince, wholly applying my ſelf, as ever, to the ſtudy of Nature, and the more ſecret and ſublime Sciences, but practiſed nothing ſave Phyſick; for our homebred differences and diſtractions, rending me (with many others) mean in the ſight of the more inferiour Spirits of the world (for wealth and honour I perceive brings not nobleneſs of mind) I would not aſſociate my ſelf with many men and much acquaintance, but ſtill lived an obſcure, retired and reſerved life, dedicating myſelfe wholly (I ſay) to my book, ſo that I dare boldly averr (notwithſtanding I was born and bred-up all my days in and about this City of London, ſave only the time I was in Scotland) I am not familiarly acquainted with three people in all England; for ſuch is my diſpoſition, that I had rather be a ſtranger in the Land of my Nativity (in this perverſe and rebellious Age) and to the generality of men living therein, then to my ſelf and my own conſcience; the which ſo long as I may freely enjoy, I ſhall never repine but be ever content with what condition, loſs or change ſoever, God hath farther in his Wiſdom and Providence decreed for me; to whom for eternal protection I ſhall here commend thee and remain

Die ☿ 19. Januarii, 1652.

Thy Loving Friend, William Rameſey.

On his Ever Honoured, and moſt Ingenious Friend the unparalleld AUTHOR.

W. D. Iatromathematicus.

On this incomparable Work, and my worthy Friend the Ingenious AUTHOR.

I. W.

Vpon the Authors Elaborate Pains in theſe his Labours.

I. B.

The Contents of the Firſt BOOK.

• CHAP. I. PRoving Aſtrology to be one of the Liberal Sciences. Fol. 1.
• CHAP. II. That Aſtrology and Aſtronomie are one and the ſame Science, and that they were ever ſo received by the Ancients. Fol. 3.
• CHAP. III. Shewing the excellency and nobility of the Science of Aſtrology, as alſo its antiquity, and the admirable power and vertues of the Heavens. Fol. 4.
• CHAP. IV. That the Stars and Heavens have influence on inferiour and elementary bodies, proved by Scripture or the Word of God, and acknowledged by the Philoſophers and the learned in former Ages. Fol. 5.
• CHAP. V. Shewing that obſervation may be made of the motions of the Stars, in anſwer to thoſe that hold it impoſsible for any man in his days to obſerve the particular configurations of every Planet with the fixed ſtars, and with one another, as alſo that thereby we may diſcern their Influences, if we have any capacity. Fol. 7.
• CHAP. VI. That the variation of the Heavens from their places wherein they were in Ptolomies time, or at the firſt Creation, cauſeth no Errour in Aſtrological judgements. Fol. 8.
• CHAP. VII. Shewing the powerfull influence of the Stars and Planets, and how far we are to have regard to the fixed ſtars. Fol. 10.
• CHAP. VIII. Shewing further the influence of the Heavens on inferiour and elementary bodies. Fol. 14.
• CHAP. IX. Shewing that the influences of the Heavens and predominancy of the ſtars in every climate, is the cauſe of the ſeveral Laws and Cuſtoms of the people therein. Fol. 16.
• CHAP. X. Containing the reſolution of the main objections againſt this Divine Science. Fol. 18.
• CHAP. XI. Containing an Introduction to the vindication of my Lux Veritatis from the aſperſions of Dr. Homes and his ſecond, with the firſt reaſon why I accounted him not worthy of my notice. Fol. 23.
• CHAP. XII. Comprehending three reaſons more why that rabble of theirs was not worthy anſwering as to every quirk. Fol. 24.
• CHAP. XIII. Containing the Authors fourth reaſon, and a vindication of both him and his Lux Veritatis from ſome of their abuſes and untruths, and their juglings and evaſions manifeſted. Fol. 26.
• CHAP. XIV. Containing the Authors fifth Reaſon, and the Scripture proofs, alledged for Aſtrology in his Lux Veritatis, proved to remain unſhaken. Fol. 30.
• CHAP. XV. Shewing that the Text in the 19. Pſal. ver. 3. alledged by the Author to prove the Stars have influence, is no wiſe refelled. Fol. 32.
• CHAP. XVI. Proving their Reply to Job 38.31. ſhewing the Stars to have influence, to be frivilous and of no effect. Fol. 33.
• CHAP. XVII. Proving their Reply to Judg. 5. and the 20. weak, and no wiſe available to their intent or purpoſe. Fol. 34.
• CHAP. XVIII. That the Stars are proved both ſigns and cauſes by the word of God, and the Art lawfull, notwithſtanding all their malice. Fol. 35.
• CHAP. XIX. Proving Aſtrology to be warranted by Councils in spight of their rabble. Fol. 37.
• CHAP. XX. Containing the power and ſubject of Aſtrology, and how far the Author vindicateth it. Fol. ibid.

ASTROLOGY FULLY Vindicated and Defended FROM ALL The Aſperſions and Calumnies of the Antagoniſts thereof: As alſo its Legality and Verity proved, both by the Teſtimony of the Scriptures, Fathers, Antients, and the conſeſsion of Councels: With a clear Vindication of the Authors Lux Veritatis, from the vilifying Reproaches of Dr. Homes and his Second; and that the purity of the Science remaineth ſtill untainted, notwithſtanding all their Reply.

CHAP. I. Proving Aſtrology to be one of the Liberal Sciences.

WHen I firſt entred upon theſe my Labours, I thought by reaſon of the bulk, and for that it had been of late traduced by the ignorant, it would be very convenient to prefix ſome Diſcourſe which might tend both to the vindication thereof, and the manifeſtation of its ſublime excellency and verity; whereupon at my ſpare times, I entred upon this ſubſequent Diſcourſe: upon my firſt conception thereof, I thought it would not have exceeded a ſhort Preface; but being brought forth, I perceived both for the largeneſs of its bulk, and variety of diſcourſe, it deſerved rather the denomination of a Book, which I call A Vindication of Aſtrology. I ſhall not need to ſay any more thereof, only refer thee to its peruſal, and here begin our matter, with the Anſwer of an Objection, the better to uſher in our following intentions; which is,

Object.

That Aſtrology is none of the Liberal Sciences,^[33] but Aſtronomy is. The vanity of which Objection ſhall be cleared here beneath, it being indeed one and the ſame Art, though two diſtinct parts or properties. But firſt, leaſt ſome may queſtion whether it be an Art, for that, as they ſuppoſe, Ariſtotle in ſome parts of his Works ſeems to deny it; yet upon better conſideration, there is no rational man but will ſoon finde that he is ſo far from denying any ſuch thing, that he ſpeaketh as much thereof as any Aſtrologer can.^[34] Look further, Ariſtotle Methaphyſ. 6. and 12. and 1. Polit. cap. 7. and ſeveral other places, too tedious to relate here. Alſo his 2. De Coelo text 17. and lib. de proprieta. element. and lib. de mundo cap. 9. and in the 4. de generatione animalium, cap. 10. for there is none that is well acquainted with his manner of Writing, but knows that he indifferently uſeth the Name of Aſtrologer and Aſtronomer for one and the ſame; and alſo in other places, Aſtrologer and Philoſopher, as making no difference between them, which here to particularize were both tedious and ſuperfluous in ſo clear a caſe; and in his Phyſ. lib. 2. cap. 2. he makes no more difference between Aſtrology, Aſtronomy and Phyſicks, then the particular names of the head, hand and foot, &c. do make that they are different things from the body, though diſtinct members, when all rational men know that notwithſtanding they are ſeveral parts, yet they all conduce to the compoſition of one intire body.

Wherefore in my Lux veritatis or defence of Aſtrology, chap. 1. ſect. 3. I bring Ariſtotle to affirm Aſtrology to be Scientia media, a Science between the Mathematicks and Natural Philoſophy; wherefore thoſe that finde not theſe very words, Scientia media, in the above ſaid 2. of Phyſ. cap. 2. if they finde ſo much inferred, it is ſufficient to evince ſuch carpers at Truth, to be either void of matter of diſcourſe, or envious, or both; when it is clear he makes no more diſtinction between the one and the other, then what you have but now heard.

I forbear here, to ſet down the teſtimony of Averroes in his Com. on the 12. of the Metaph. Text 44. and on the ſecond Book of Phyſ. cap. 2. but refer you to the peruſal of that 3. Sect. aforeſaid, where you ſhall alſo finde that in his Comment 7. of the third of his Metaph. he affirmeth Aſtrology to be a Mathematical Art; and this is acknowledged by all the Judicious and learned; neither do any but Fools and Novices make it a diſtinct Art or Science of it ſelf, but a part of Aſtronomy, Phyſicks and Natural Philoſophy, which make up one intire Liberal Science;^[35] this is well known to the Learned; yet for the ſatisfaction of ſome weak headed Momuſes have I thus plainly delivered my ſelf, who carp and rail at what they are ignorant of.

Further Averroes, Text 44. of the 12. of the Metaph. (amongſt many more, which to inſert here would make my labours of too great a bulk) acknowledgeth Aſtrology to be an Art; but in this place, I ſay he hath theſe words, Ita autem ars propria eſt huic intentioni inter alias Mathematicas, quia conſiderat de ſubſtantiis aeternis ſenſibilibus; aliae autem Scientiae Mathematicae conſiderant de accidentibus, ut ars Arithmetica, & Geometria. And in his Comments on the 2. de Coelo, Text 58. he attributeth ſo much to the power of the Heavens over theſe inferior Bodies, that he confeſſeth one Star to have a greater power then another: and alſo in the 68. Text of the ſame Book, he acknowledgeth every ſtar to have his own particular operation, &c.

^[36]As touching the legality and great eſteem Aſtrology was in in former Ages, I ſhall here (for brevitie ſake) refer thee to the peruſal of the 4. Section of the 1. Chapter of my Lux veritatis, and for its Antiquity to the 5. Section of the ſame Chapter; for there is nothing more certain, then it hath been ever in moſt high eſteem by all the more grave ſort of Councels, States, Kingdoms and Empires; as alſo by the chiefeſt and wiſeſt ſort of men ſtudied and maintained, it being the chiefeſt of all ſtudies under the Sun, and among the Learned the moſt coveted after.

For though it hath been (by the malicious adverſaries thereof) diſtinguiſhed from Aſtronomy, yet (I ſay) by the Learned and Judicious never; for though they are diſtinct parts, yet are they one intire Science, and that, one of the ſeven Liberal Sciences, as you have heard; wherefore the ſimplicity and ignorance of ſome weak-braind men who make this diſtinction, ought not to be countenanced, ſtaining and traducing thereby the chiefeſt of Sciences that was ever ſtudied by men; for that they, and they only were the firſt that made them any wiſe reputed ſeveral, ſhall beneath appear; for ſince it comes here ſo opportunely in my way, I will give you (for the farther clearing of this point) the teſtimony of ſome former and authentick Writers, though were I not confined to ſomewhat a narrow bounds, I might inſert moſt or all Writers that were any ways Judicious; but ſince, Verbum Sapienti ſat eſt, and the caſe ſo clear and unqueſtioned amongſt rational men, I ſhall (as brief as may be) give thee ſome, and then proceed, that I may haſten (as hath been ſaid) to ſay ſomewhat of one that hath put forth a patcht pretended Reply to my Lux Veritatis in anſwer to Doctor Nathaniel Homes.

CHAP. II. That Aſtrology and Aſtronomy are one and the ſame Science, and that they were ever ſo received by the Ancients.

I Have already declared the teſtimony of Ariſtotle on this point, and if we peruſe the works of Ptolomie, we ſhall finde alſo,^[37] that he maketh no difference between the one and the other; and more particularly (not to inſiſt long hereon) Lib. 1. cap. de Quadr. & cap. 3. de Quadr. he calleth there the Art of Aſtrology Aſtronomy, and the Predictions Aſtronomical; ſo confounding the diſtinction of the parts with the eſſential name of the Science. Wherefore though Ptolomie hath, by ſome brain-ſick men, been brought to condemn Aſtrologie, ^[38] we ſee thereby the folly of ſuch envious and ignorant gain-ſayers of what they are altogether unknown in: for it is very ſtrange that he ſhould be produced to condemn what he hath taught to the world in four Books in Folio; but ſuch is the ſtupidity and perverſneſs of the Antagoniſts thereof, that when Aſtrologers declare and ſhew manifeſtly the power and efficacy of the influence of the Stars, there they accuſe them with impiety and illegal practices: and when they ſincerely teach not to aſcribe ſo much to the Stars, as to neglect theſe inferiour cauſes, but to joyn the conſideration of the one with the other; here (not conſidering, nor indeed underſtanding the ſcope and intentions of their Writings) they pick out certain particular places of their works which they think makes for their idle conceits and cavils to the condemnation of Aſtrology, ^[39] and the labours of thoſe that herein have ſpent their whole lives for the benefit of theſe after Ages; who have by us ſmall requital of their care and pains thus to traduce them, when they ought rather by us to be eternized with Statues of Gold, and whole volumes of praiſes in perpetuum.

Hermes Triſmegiſtus alſo in his Centiloquium, calleth the Art no other then Aſtrology, ^[40] and the Students Aſtrologers.

And Tully alſo in all his Works calleth the Art no other then Aſtrologie, ^[41] never ſo much as once mentioning Aſtronomy; for in Lib. 2. de Divinitat. he maketh predictions a part of Aſtrology, and not an Art of it ſelf, when he teſtifieth of Caſſander and Archelaus that they were excellent in other parts of Aſtrology, yet never uſed Predictions.

And Plinie lib. 7. cap. 37. witneſſeth that Beroſus, ^[42] for his Divine Predictions in Aſtrology, had his Statue erected him with a golden tongue.

The Septuagints in the 47. of Iſa. alſo make no difference of Aſtrology and Aſtronomy, nor Aſtrologers and Aſtronomers, ^[43] comprehending them both under the name Aſtrologers, and the Art under the word Aſtrology.

Galen alſo, lib 3. cap. 6. & 12.^[44] De diebus decret. contrariwiſe calleth the Egyptian Aſtrologers Aſtronomers.

^[45]And again Caſſiodorus comprehendeth the works and effects of the Stars under the word Aſtronomy where he defines Aſtrology: ſo alſo Plato, Philo, and indeed all learned Writers; which, ſince to the Judicious this is ſo well known, I ſhall not need here longer to inſiſt; only ſhall alſo add this, that Bonatus in his 11. ch. De confirm. Aſtrol. Scientiae, maketh Aſtrology as did Ariſtotle (as you have already heard) a part of Aſtronomy in theſe words, Aſtronomia eſt Sciencia per quam non ſolum praeſentium, ^[46] verum etiam praeteritorum ac futurorum habetur cognitio. ^[47] Aſtronomie is a Science by which not onely preſent things but what is paſt and to come may be known. Here you ſee by theſe words he comprehendeth Aſtrology under the name and word Aſtronomie. And then as I have ſaid in the following words, ſhews it is a part of the ſame Art; definitur etiam alio modo, viz. In duas partes ſive ſpecies ipſius breviter, contemplativam ſcilicet & activam; quae ſunt Aſtrologia & Aſtronomia. It is defined alſo another way, viz divided into two parts or kinds, to wit, contemplative and active, which are Aſtrologie and Aſtronomie.

Thus you ſee here what difference the Antients have made betwixt the one part and the other; and he in that ſame chapter further ſheweth how they differ, where he ſaith, In quo differunt iſtae duae partes dicam tibi, in what theſe two parts differ I ſhall ſhew thee; and ſo forward; wherefore then this being apparently manifeſt, I ſhall not here ſpend more time or trouble thee, referring thee for further ſatisfaction to his twelfe chapter, where he ſheweth cleerly both the parts and ſpecies of Aſtronomie; and I believe an artificer is beſt able to deliver a definition of his own Art, and rather to be believed then one altogether ignorant therein, which that man muſt needs be, that will be ſo peremptorily baſe and impudent, or rather imprudent, as to deny what is thus confeſſed by all Antient and Authentick writers of this heavenly and moſt delectable and admired Science; neither upon due conſideration will any man finde the knowledge of the motions,^[48] which is one part of the Science, to be of much uſe or validity without the true underſtanding of their effects, &c.

And here alſo I may add one word to that fourth Section of my firſt chapter, I have referred thee to, that he alſo in his next chapter, viz, the thirteenth, witneſſeth that Abraham taught the Egyptians his Art, and that Atlas who was afterwards ſo excellent therein that it was thought of him, he was a God, and therefore was ſuppoſed (through his excellency in his knowledge therein) to ſupport thr Heavens on his ſhoulders.

CHAP. III. Containing the Excellency and Nobility of the Science of Aſtrology, as alſo its Antiquity, and the admirable power and vertue of the Heavens.

^[49]LOok alſo into the Preface of Gerſon his Trilogium Aſtrologiae Theologizatae (who reduces in that piece Aſtrology to Divinity) and you ſhall finde that he acknowledgeth it an admirable and Noble Science, revealed to Adam the firſt Patriark by God, and ſo to his poſterity; Ergo, moſt lawful, and to be deſired above all Sciences in the World, not being either Diabolicall, Illegal, oppoſite to truſt or confidence of God, but indeed rather a great means to acquaint us with his Heavenly and incomprehenſible divine ſelfe, when by the motions and conſtant influences of the Coeleſtial bodies, we know the corruption, generation and procreation of all things in this Elementary world, and ſo contemplate and talk or converſe daily and hourly with him who is not to be beheld by fraile mortal eys, or fleſh, nor to ſtand in the immediate preſence of that dreadful omnipotent God, whoſe voice alone is a conſuming fire, &c. Gerſons words (I ſay) are Propterea non eſt hoc negandum de Aſtrologia, quam eſſe Scientiam Nobilem, & admirabilem, primo Patriarchae Adam, & ſequacibus revelatam, Theologia non abnegat. Wherefore it is not to be denyed of Aſtrology, but to be a Noble and admirable Science, revealed firſt to Adam and his poſterity, Divinity refuſeth or denyeth not; for there is nothing more certain then that God hath in his ſecret wiſdom ſo diſpoſed of the conſtitution of the Coeleſtial bodies, that his Will by their operations and ſeveral influences is acted and performed thereby; ſo that to the end of the world it is fore-ordained and decreed by him to be ſo performed and accompliſhed by them, according to the opinion and excellent judgement of P. de Ariaco, who in his Concordance of Aſtrology with Divinity, proveth the Flood, Sects, ^[50] Schiſms and other moſt notable accidents to be ſignified in Heaven long before; and this is confirmed alſo by Gerſon, who in his ſecond Propoſition, acknowledged Heaven to be (as indeed it is) the Inſtrument of God, whereby he governeth this corruptible and inferiour Elementary world. And further ſaith he, Erraverunt hic aliqui, dicentes coelum nihil agere, ſed tantummodo ſignum eſſe, allegantes illud, & erunt in ſigna & tempora. They erre who think the Heavens do nothing, but are onely for ſignes, alleadging that, and they ſhall be for ſignes and ſeaſons, &c. For he further in the third Propoſition, ſaith and approveth it to be a probable and ſubtile opinion, that God foreknowing the chances of men, had deſcribed certain agreeable tokens in Heaven, concurring with the courſe of the world even to the day of judgement. By this I ſay is my words, and the opinion of P. de Ariaco confirmed; and in the fourth Propoſition, he declareth that Heaven hath received many and divers vertues of God, according to the variety of the parts of the Stars, of the Planets and of the motions of them, though not comprehended by all men; and ſo forward he teſtifieth, that they obey the commandment of God. But this by the way; let us now proceed.

CHAP. IV. That the Heavens and Stars have influence on inferiour and Elementary things, Proved by Scripture or the word of God; And acknowledged by Philoſophers, and the learned in former ages.

LEt us now then, (having cleered this Objection, viz. That Aſtronomie is an Art or one of the Liberal Sciences, but not Aſtrology, and proved that they are one and the ſame Science, though diſtinct parts, and that they were diſtinguiſhed but of late times by ignorant cavillers againſt it,) prove that the Heavens have influence together with the Stars, on Elementary and ſublunary things; being alſo by many unknown in the works of God, (not to uſe a harſher terme) denyed to have any.

^[51]That the Heavens have a great and ſtrong influence on ſublunary Elementary things, as touching ſterility and fertility, which we ſhall here begin firſt with, there is none but who are moſt impious, will dare to deny, ſince the Word of God himſelfe ſheweth us the truth thereof: for firſt if you look into the 26 of Leviticus, ver. 19. you ſhall finde there, the Lord threatning his children with ſterility for diſobedience, ſaith, I will make your Heaven as Iron, and your Earth as Braſs; viz. The Heavens ſhall not duly by their influence diſtill thoſe comfortable ſhowers of fertility, they ſhall be hard as Iron, and your earth as braſs, that it ſhall not receive any impreſſion there from, &c. And ſo likewiſe on the contrary, when of his infinite Goodneſs and Mercy he promiſeth plenty, he ſayeth, I will hear the Heavens, and the Heavens ſhall hear the earth, and the earth ſhall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oile, and they ſhall heare Jezreel, Hoſ. 2.21, 22.^[52] So that hereby you ſee cleerly a dependency of the earth on the Heavens, and their influence; Jezreel the people of the Lord, when their ways ſhall pleaſe him, ſhall be heard by the corn, wine, and oile, viz. all ſufficient neceſſaries, they being comprehended under theſe words; and theſe having their dependency as it were from the earth, as growing out of it, ſhall be heard or aſſiſted by it, or furthered to its utmoſt ability; but all this will not do, without the Heavens hear or aſsiſt the earth with its ſweet influence; nor, then, except God the diſpoſer and orderer of all things, hear and give his bleſſing to the Heavens; ſo that hereby we ſee God moſt cleer in the order and diſpoſal of nature,^[53] who is the firſt moving and efficient cauſe, to whom all cauſes are but ſubordinate; yet you ſee that next unto himſelf the Stars are ſecondary cauſes, and from him immediate cauſes of all our earthly enjoyments or afflictions; for what cauſeth that amongſt corn, the ground being diligently tilled and painfully mannured by the Husband-man, and the Corn ſowed herein being clean and pure, from other mixture of ſeeds; what cauſeth, I ſay, that yet notwithſtanding, there will ſeveral flowers both blew, red, and purple, grow amongſt it, alſo out of the ſame ſeed, Darnel, ſolders, and ſmutty geare? if this be not occaſioned through and by the influence of the Heavens, it is occaſioned by nothing in the whole fabrick of the world. But yet for further confirmation hereof, the 33 of Deut. v. 14. you ſee, doth manifeſtly make it apparent, where the whole influence of the Heavens, and the increaſe of all Vegetatives are attributed to the Sun and Moon, viz. For the precious fruits brought forth by the Sun,

Nota.

and for the precious things put or thruſt forth by the Moon.

Again we ſee cleerly in many places of Scripture, the ſtars are called the Hoaſts of Heaven, ^[54] which certainly would never have been thus named, were they of no force and efficacy, the word hoſts intimating their power and ſtrength; ſee 2 King. chap. 17. ver. 16. and chap. 21. ver. 3.5. and chap. 23. ver. 4, 5, &c. So likewiſe God himſelfe expreſſing his omnipotent and irreſiſtible power and force, he is called the Lord of Hoſts, Iſa. 24. v. 23. Iſ. 23.9. and chap. 22. v. 5.12.14, 15, 25, and many ſeveral other places which are worth the while to peruſe.

But further to put this matter quite out of doubt, viz. That the ſtars have their influence on Elementary bodies, ſee Deut 4.19. where you ſee cleerly they are for the uſe of man divided or imparted unto all Nations under the Sun, by which if any man ſhall conclude and affirm is meant their light,

Object.

or that diſtinction which they cauſe between day and night,^[55] and of ſeaſons; I muſt needs tell him his concluſion is very weak, ſince we have ſo ſmall uſe of their light either in the day or night, that it may very well be counted none at all; and as touching that diſtinction of days and ſeaſons, the Sun and Moon would be ſufficient for that matter without thoſe innumerable Hoaſts of Heaven the ſtarres:

Nota.

therefore the uſe of the ſtars muſt in this place have a further conſtrution.

^[56]Moreover that their influences have power and extend to the temperature of men, appeareth Matth. 17.14. where the lunatick is offered unto Chriſt to be healed, whoſe diſtemper, as experience and common example ſheweth, followeth the courſe of the Moon, and to the ſucceſs of mens affairs, doth yet further appeare by Judg. 5.20. where it is recorded that the ſtars in their courſes fought againſt Siſera, of the which more anon, as alſo that paſſage in the 38 of Job, and the 19 Pſal. as touching the Pleiades and Orion, and that the Heavens declare the glory of God, their voice or language of the ſtars being gone through the whole earth, &c.

Thus have we cleerly ſeen the influence of the ſtars proved by the Word of God; how they were eſteemed in former ages by all Philoſophers, Emperours, Kings, and the nobler ſpirited people you may ſee if you will have regard to the 4 Sec. chap. 1. of my Lux Veritatis, where you may ſee not onely the great eſteem the Art was in amongſt all wiſe and learned men in former ages, but alſo the names of the chiefeſt Patriarchs, Fathers, Philoſophers, Emperours, and Kings that were ſtudents herein; which notwithſtanding the pretended arguments of the envious againſt it, ſtands unſhaken, as will appeare to any that ſhall peruſe it, comparing it with the pretended Replyers diſcourſe; therefore here I ſhall refer thee thereunto, being deſirous to be as ſhort as poſſibly I can.

CHAP. V. Shewing that obſervation may be made of the Stars motions, in anſwer to thoſe that hold it impoſsible for any man in his days to obſerve the particular configurations of every Planet, with the fixed Stars, and with one another; as alſo that thereby we may diſcern their influence if we have any capacity.

^[57]I Shall here therefore now ſhew, that obſervation will clearly evince us that the Stars have admirable influence on theſe inferiour and elementary things; for though it be moſt certain that the Heavens make not their Revolution under 36000. years, yet is its variation ſo ſlow, as that it dependeth upon the motion of the fixed Stars; ſo that before there can be any great difference worth ſpeaking of, the ſame conſtellations may be often obſerved in particular, though not in the whole; for the fixed Stars according to the neereſt account of our late Writers, or the ſphear in which they are, move not above one degree, which is 60. minutes in 72. years, in which time there is none, but who are altogether ignorant, that cannot make ſufficient obſervation of every conſtellation worth noting for the confirmation of their influence; for though they move from Eaſt to Weſt once in 24. hours, ſo making this Diurne Revolution 366. times in a year, yet ſince in reſpect of the motion of this Sphear from Weſt to Eaſt theſe 366. Revolutions cauſeth not a minutes difference; it muſt needs follow that the very ſame fixed ſtars do riſe, culminate, ſet,^[58] and lie in the ſame Circle of poſition, and alſo may be in configuration of the Sun, and any of the other Planets, and that ſo exactly in one and the ſame place or part of Heaven, that it is impoſſible with any inſtrument to diſcern any variation either in the longitude, latitude, declination, right or oblique aſcention thereof; ſo that hereby it is clear the nature of any ſtar may be found out, and be exactly known.

^[59]But now as touching the Planets; firſt, we attribute, as is clear to every vulgar notion moſt power and efficacy to the Sun, next to the Moon, then to Venus, and ſo to Mercury, and next to Jupiter and Saturn, and laſtly to Mars; this (I mean) in relation to their motion with the Sun; for by how much the light of the Planets to us is greater and their motion ſwifter, by ſo much are their operations neceſſarily the more apparent and manifeſt to us or our ſenſe: we prefer Venus before Mercury, for that though he be ſwifter, yet is ſhe the greater, and ſo conſequently of more efficacy: and the reaſon why Mars is of leaſt note, or moſt obſcure unto us is, for that he is leſſe then Saturn and Jupiter, who are preferred before him, and moveth in ſo large and great an Epicycle, that he ſeldomeſt rancounters with the Sun.

^[60]And we know that the Moon (as I have ſaid in chap 4. of my Lux Veritatis, ſect. 2.) finiſheth her courſe through the Zodiack every 28. days and ſome odd hours, viz. twelve times in a year; by which we may, and do plainly perceive her configurations, viz. Conjunction, Sextile, Trine, Square and Oppoſition with every Star in the whole Heavens, both fixed and errant, and thereby their nature and mixture often to be known and diſcerned, and that very certainly.

The Sun, Venus and Mercury alſo, do every year once finiſh their courſe, ſo that alſo hereby every year we may, and do plainly ſee and finde out their own ſpecifical nature, and the properties of the other Stars, viz. fixed, as alſo their mixtures, and that before any ſenſible errour can be made by the motion of the Starry Sphear.

Again, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, although they are (by reaſon of their ſuperiority) of flower motion, yet doth it neither any ways hinder, but that their effects may eaſily and ſoon (as alſo their mixtures among themſelves and the fixed ſtars) be known; for though Saturn be 29. years, ſome odd moneths and days, making his revolution, or running his courſe through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack, Jupiter twelve years, Mars three years; yet by reaſon of their long continuance in every ſign, as alſo by their retrogradations, ſtations and directions coming often to the conjunction of the Stars in the Sign wherein they are, and to the Aſpects of others in other Signs, we cannot but often and plainly be taught to perceive the ſeveral influence of every ſtar in the whole Zodiack without the leaſt ſenſe of errour, eſpecially ſince the Luminaries alſo, the Sun and Moon in the mean time come to them, and ſo make commixture of their influence, yearly and monethly.

^[61]Of all which the Student in Aſtrologie cannot be ignorant, if he but warily obſerve his Authors, who have ſufficiently and largely declared them all unto him, as they by obſervation, and frequent practice have both been found out and approved by them to be moſt effectually true from Age to Age; yet if thou beeſt ſo curious (as I could wiſh thou wert, and all other ingenious ſouls) as that thou wilt make particular obſervation thereof thy ſelf,

Nota.

thou mayeſt ſee that before the Starry Heaven moveth a degree, Saturn, who is the very ſloweſt of the Planets, finiſheth his courſe, and cometh to Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine or Oppoſition of every particular Star, of every particular magnitude, in every particular of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack twice; and Jupiter ſix times, Mars 24. times; the Sun, Venus, and Mercury 72. times, and the Moon 864. times or thereabouts; but oftner and more frequently they meet with one another (I mean the Planets) as the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter happeneth once in twenty years; of Saturn and Mars once in two years, &c. So that particular obſervation of their effects may eaſily, and that in a mans life be both obſerved and known diſtinctly, I ſay, if any be thus curious.

Thus far chiefly, to clear the point I intend here next to inſiſt upon, viz. That the Stars and their influence have power over all ſublunary things; leaſt ſome ſhould (as of late they have) render themſelves ridiculous to poſterity, in denying both their effects and power, or at leaſt, in affirming man (if they have any) is not able to comprehend the depth thereof, &c.

CHAP. VI. That the variation of the Heavens from their places wherein they were in Ptolomies time, or at the firſt Creation, cauſeth no erring in Aſtrological Iudgements.

Object.

ANd firſt, ſince it is objected by ſome, That the true effects of the ſtars cannot be known by us, for that Ptolomie, whom we account as a chief Doctor amongſt us in the delivering the myſteries and inſtructions of this Art, writ ſo long ſince, that the Heavens are gone ſome whole degrees from their places, they were in at his time, and therefore the ſame Rules will not now hold which he delivered.

^[62] For the anſwering of this Objection, I ſhould do well to ſay no more then this, that it is altogether weak, and occaſioned through ignorance, &c. and not trouble my ſelf further to anſwer what needs no anſwer;^[63] but leaſt thoſe for whom I have undertaken theſe my labours, ſhould then, for that they are not well grounded in the Art, think this Goliah to be more then it is; I ſhall ſay thus much, that Ptolomie tyed us not by his Writings to be confined to uſe his Rules for thoſe places the Signs were in at that time; but thus, Saturn in Aries ſignifieth ſo and ſo, where ever Aries be removed; for it is the nature of the Sign the Planet is in, that cauſeth him to have ſuch and ſuch a ſignification, not the place where the Sign is, in reſpect of the Revolution of the Starry Sphear; for then we (making no ſuch obſervation for the direction of our Judgements) ſhould never be able to predict any thing of certainty; beſides if this had been neceſſary, Ptolomy would have taught us accordingly, and alſo have directed the precepts of the Art to have dependency on the place of the Heavens at the Creation, which were as far removed before his time as they have been ſince ; ſo that ſince the firſt Creation of all things, Aries the firſt ſign (and ſo conſequently uniformly all the reſt in that Starry Sphear) is removed and revolved in the courſe of its motion neer upon three whole ſigns, according to Ticho his Account, which if this were of any, or the leaſt moment (as I have ſaid) we ſhould never poſſibly be able (having no regard thereunto) to foretell any thing with certainty; But our Rules run on another ſtrain (as hath been ſaid) viz. a Planet in ſuch a Sign, ſignifieth ſo and ſo, let it be by its revolution where it will, &c. But this we finde daily certain, and the other conſequently then of no efficacy; as for example.

We ſee clearly, and that to be teſtified by every vulgar notion, that when the Sun comes into the Equinoctial point of Aries, the Spring forthwith begins to ſhew it ſelf;^[64] every thing by its humidity and temperate heat, being thereby made to flouriſh, and as it were to riſe again from the dead, which have by the tedious blaſts of the Hyemnal Ayr been kept in obſcurity; and this without reſpect to the place where Aries was in Ptolomies time, or at the firſt Creation; which neither then at that time had any other but the ſame efficacy now they have, though they may be intended or remitted by the conjunctions and configurations of the Planets, or by the variation of their declination, as they dart their beams more or leſs down perpendicularly upon us, and ſo work more or leſs powerfully at one time then another in the ſame place.

So likewiſe when he enters into the firſt Solſtice, or the Tropick of Cancer (he being then neereſt our Zenith) cauſeth Summer; in the ſecond Equinoctial, Libra, Autumn; in the laſt Trophick, Capricorn, Winter, &c.

But to put this matter quite out of doubt, let us but obſerve when the Sun comes into the Sign Taurus, and ſtirreth up the vertue of the Pleiades and Hyades in that ſign,^[65] and the Hoedi to the North thereof, and Orion to the South, as alſo Arcturus then ſetting; and we ſhall ſee theſe Conſtellations (being naturally violent and tempeſtuous) do raiſe Southern and moiſt winds for certain days together, watring the earth, and cauſing thoſe ſeeds and vegetables (not before to be diſcerned) to ſpring forth and appear; and this hath not only been delivered unto us from Antiquity, but we every year (towards the latter end of that moneth, we vulgarly call April) finde it by experience moſt true: Hence that old Engliſh Proverb, even amongſt the illiterate that know nothing of the cauſe, April ſhowers, bring May flowers.

^[66]Again when the Sun riſeth with the Dog-ſtar, we ſee it cauſeth many infirmities, and vehemency of heat, ſo that Hipoc. Aphor. 4, 5. ſaith, Medicines are hard, or obnoxious that are adminiſtred under the Dog-ſtar; likewiſe we ſee Dogs at this time apt to run mad, the Sea to be troubled, and all Creatures whatſoever in one ſort or other perplexed; and this is known commonly to all the vulgar, as well as the learned, and therefore needs not farther to be amplified: yet in ſome Summers,^[67] this time is not ſo contagious as again in other years, which happens according to the places and configurations of the Luminaries with the other Planets and fixed Stars, according to their intentions and remiſſions, neither cold nor heat proceeding from the abſence or preſence of the Sun, as ſome weakly conceive; for then all Summers would be alike hot, as alſo all Winters alike cold, ſince the Sun keeps his conſtant motion, and is never more elongated nor appropriated, one year then another: And this we ſee alſo every year when the Sun comes near the 18. Degree of Cancer, wherein the little or leſſer Dog is, notwithſtanding the Revolution of the Starry ſphear; for otherwiſe it would be about the time he is in the 27. Degree of Gemini, which is about the latter end of that moneth we commonly term May.

^[68]Laſtly, and with this I ſhall conclude as touching this point, and then proceed: There is no man that hath any knowledge in Aſtrologie, but can affirm, that the Weather will be tempeſtuous, ſtormy and turbulent, Saturn going out of one Sign into another, according to Hermes, Centil. 33. and other ſayings of the Ancients, which if to be obſerved as they were juſt at the time Ptolomie writ, or at the firſt Creation, it will now be when he is in the middle, or towards the latter end of a ſign, as the ſigns are now; for that Aries is now in our times very far in Taurus, or where Taurus was in Ptolomies time; but this hindreth or varieth no more the Influence of the Heavens from their natural properties and inclinations, then to affirm a Faggot or any other combuſtible thing will not burn, although it be put into the fire, becauſe it is not in a Chimney, or any ſuch whimſical aſſertion, &c. wherefore let us now ſhew the power of their Influence, and ſo diſcharge our former promiſe, ſince it here ſo fitly offereth it ſelf.

^[69]What hath been already ſaid is ſufficient to ſatisfie any man who is not diſpoſed, or given over to obſtinacy, of the verity and certainty of Aſtrology: but for farther ſatisfaction, I think good yet to proceed to ſome particular effects of the Stars, that God may be glorified in his Works, being himſelf the firſt moving cauſe of all their wonderfull operations, that we may (according to the Apoſtle) ſee him in his Works, though not worthy to behold him as he is in himſelf, nor indeed able, ſo long as we carry this earthy Tabernacle about us unchanged and unglorified.

Firſt then, becauſe we are to haſten to ſay ſomewhat to a pretended reply to my Lux Veritatis, leaſt this firſt Book ſwell to a bigger bulk then I would willingly have it: I ſhall briefly ſpeak of the Planets firſt, and then of the fixed Stars, or as they are both joyned together, and ſo haſten to a concluſion.

CHAP. VII. Shewing the powerful influence of the Stars and Planets, and how far we are to have regard to the fixed Stars.

MOreover, having then ſeriouſly conſidered what hath been ſaid, it is clear to every capacity, that by conſequence, according to the account of Ticho, the annual motion of the ſtars, not being above 58. ſeconds, and 58. thirds; it is moſt palpably clear, that all that while, they riſe with the ſame degree of the Zodiack unto which the Sun yearly coming, at times prefixed and known, further by their preſence the work and effects of the Sun, after one and the ſame manner, and ſo do not of themſelves at all betoken plenty or ſcarcity more in one year then another;^[70] but this variety and change (as alſo the generation and corruption of all things) is to be referred to thoſe ſtars that have divers motions, viz. the Planets, and this there is none that is Compos mentis will ſhew themſelves ſo ridiculous as to deny; for by means of their various motions, they being particular Agents, apply their vertue and influence diverſly on theſe inferiour bodies; cauſing thereby the difference of the plenty of one year over another, &c. So that hereby the weakeſt Judgement may ſoon diſcern that the diverſity of plenty and ſcarcity between one year and another, dependeth not on the riſing or ſetting of the fixed Stars, but on the commixture of the Influence of the Planets with them; wherefore we ſee Clem. Alex. in his Eglogues doth not only make the Stars ſigns, foretelling the changes of the ayr, and plenty, dearth, plagues, drought, &c. and in his Strom. lib. 6. neceſſaries to direct the courſe of Husbandry and Navigation, but alſo in the ſame ſixth Book a little further, in his diſcourſe of the ſeven Planets, he aſcribeth the Rule and Government of the Globe of the earth thereunto, teſtifying farther that the Chaldeans by them▪ did judge of the future events of all things appertaining to this frail life; and alſo of Accidents to come. Look more Ptol. lib. 1. cap. 2. de Quadrip. where may be ſeen the ſeveral operations of the Planets and fixed ſtars in and over all Nations, Countreys and People, and the reaſon of their ſeveral Cuſtoms, Laws, Manners, and Inclinations.

Thus much for the general, ſince you have already heard that their force and power may be and is known by obſervation; wherefore to deſcend to particulars.

^[71]If we have regard firſt to the Sun, we ſhall finde that the power of the Sun, and the quality of the Heavens cauſe the inhabitants of the Torrid Zone, to be black; ſuch are they which we call vulgarly Blackmoors, or Negroes, and cauſeth them alſo to be of conſtitution Cholerick, their hair curled, of mean ſtature by reaſon of the temperature of their bodies, which is hot and dry; Look Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 2. de quadripar. We further know the Sun doth alſo tan even us in this our climate; and is the cauſe alſo of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, day and night; and the chief cauſe of the generation of all living creatures, but more eſpecially thoſe which proceed from putrefaction, &c. (every one knows) bringeth alſo to maturity all the fruits of the earth, and extimulateth all creatures to the act of generation for the procreation of their ſeveral kinds. But to be ſhort, that 33. of Deut. ver. 14. before mentioned, and the teſtimony of Moſes, Gen. 1.14. (of which anon) that the Sun and the Moon were conſtituted for ſigns and ſeaſons, as well as other ſtars, is cleer. We know alſo he is of a drying and attractive Nature. That Chronick diſeaſes follow his courſe, as acute and ſharp the courſe of the Moon, cum multis aliis; but here I ſhall paſs them by, ſince there is no Peaſant but can acquaint us with ſome one effect or other of this clearly, by experience known unto him.

And who is ſo ignorant but knoweth that the Moon hath a great influence on the ebbing and flowing of the Sea? which every waterman on the Thames can juſtifie;^[72] but if ſome urge, that in the Atlantick ſea there is no Tides, and ſo think by this their ignorance, to make ought againſt this moſt heavenly Art, they are miſtaken; for as touching this their idle and vain conceit, I ſhall not need for the anſwering thereof, uſe many words, but let them know, that by reaſon of the profundity and vaſt wideneſs of thoſe ſeas, I muſt confeſs, little or no Tide can be diſcerned; yet is it moſt probable, there is an increaſe and decreaſe of that current, as I ſhall appeal to all the learned in Navigation; for by reaſon of the indiſpoſition of the ſubject, the influence (I muſt confeſs) of the Moon is not ſo much diſcerned as in other things, as all moiſt and watery bodies; that ſhe wholly, rules as in freſh waters, by reaſon of the rarity and ſubtilty thereof, ſhe not having that fit ſubject to work on, which is requiſite, cauſeth no Tide there; alſo expert Navigators can teſtifie, that in ſome places of the Ocean, Tides are letted by the ſtrength of a contrary Current, &c. But there is no female of twenty one yeers of age, though ſome at ſixteen, nay ſooner, but can teſtifie its effects on their bodies, by cauſing their menſtrues once a moneth; this they finde by experience, though perhaps all know not the cauſe or reaſon thereof; you have already heard her influence on lunaticks, cauſing their fits ſometimes to be more grievous then again at other times; wherefore then if we further look to ſhell-fiſh, we ſhall ſee cleerly that they are made by her divers illuminations of or with the Sun▪ both to increaſe and decreaſe (this there is no Oyſter-wench but knows) the ſame effect ſhe hath in the humours of all bodies ſublunary. And there is none ſo ignorant but knoweth alſo, that thoſe who ſleep in the open fields in Moon-light-nights, ſhe filleth them with dulneſs and heavy drowſineſs, and their heads with moiſture; moreover fleſh newly ſlain, being hung forth in moon-light-nights, doth ſoon putrifie; and Peaſe ſown in the increaſe of the Moon, never leave blooming and bloſſoming; and that ſhe is the cauſe of critical days, and alſo judicial, you have had ſhewn you in my Lux Veritatis; wherefore here I ſhall not inſiſt thereon, but refer you thereunto; and to Galen de diebus decretoriis; and you ſhall there finde what admirable vertue and power he aſſigns her over all alterations of ayr and other inferiour Elementary things, as well as over diſeaſes, eſpecially acute, &c. And not only ſhell-fiſh and the humours in men and women do increaſe and decreaſe according to her increaſe and wane, but alſo the Brain of man and other living creatures.

Again, there is no Sow-gelder but can juſtifie he obſerves the age and configurations of the Moon with the Sun, for gelding of Cattle; and every husband-man or Peaſant knoweth that it is very uſeful for him to obſerve a time of the Moon to put his cattle to ingender; and as it is reported by Geſner in his 300 page of beaſts, Democritus affirmeth that if a Horſe cover a Mare the third day before the full Moon, the Mare ſhall conceive a male foal; if the third day after the Full, a female;^[73] and alſo in his 207 page teſtifieth that Pliny (knowing the ſtrange ſecret operation of the Moon in Elephants) doth as it were aſcribe a kinde of Religion in this creature; for from the Change of the Moon till the prime and appearance thereof, they take boughs from off the Trees, and firſt look or lift them up to Heaven, and then look upon, or towards the Moon, which they many times together do as it were in a ſupplication or adoration thereof. He further relateth of the Baboon, who by the influence of the Sun and Moon on him in the equinoctial times of the yeer, barks every hour once; viz. twelve times a day,^[74] and as often piſſeth; and at the Change of the Moon, the male Baboon will neither look up, or eat, but in a forlorn condition (through the ſence of that conjunction of the Luminaries) goes up and down; and the female purging her ſelf of abundance of blood: But this is further handled in the fourth chapter of the ſecond Book of this Volumn, viz. That which we call the Introduction; wherefore here I ſhall haſten to proceed.

^[75]Again, we ſee that thoſe that are born at the time of an Eclipſe of either of the Luminaries, or at the Change of the Moon, cannot live long; for the Sun or Moon being eclipſed, he being fons vitae, and ſhe the mother (as it were) of moiſture, the native then by this defect muſt be deprived (in the eclipſe of the Sun) of natural heat and nouriſhment, he being deprived of his light; and in the defect of the Moon, of convenient moiſture to mitigate and to temper the heat, and ſo alſo in her Change, &c.

Moreover, there is no Hearb nor fruit, that is either ſet or ſown in the wane of the Moon, but the taſte thereof is neither ſo good as naturally the fruit is, nor ſo kindely, except Peaſe only, (which you have already heard) being ſet or ſown in the increaſe of the Moon, will ſtill bloom and bloſſome.

So alſo that Vines may not ſpread and grow too faſt, and be too forward, they are pruned and cut in the Wane; and ſuch Timber or Wood which we deſire to keep long un-worm-eaten, we cut in the wane, for that then the Moons light being abated, ſo is the ſap and humidity of the Tree, which cauſeth corruption being once lopt; thus much concerning what we would not have grow; but as touching ſuch Vegetables as we would have increaſe, it is but obſerving the Moon contrariwiſe, and we ſhall ſoon accompliſh our deſires therein; as if we be deſired any thing ſhould grow up in heighth, we take care ſhe be at the time of ſetting or ſowing thereof increaſing in light and motion, and in an aiëry ſign; but contrariwiſe, if to take deep root and to grow downwards, we place her in an earthy ſign,^[76] &c. And it is reported of the Pomegranate (which is a thing worthy the noting) that it will not grow longer then ſo many years as the Moon was days old when it was firſt ſet; and this is moſt credibly reported by Lucius Bellantius in that Treatiſe of his in anſwer to Picus Mirandula. But Pliny and others will at large teſtifie of the admirable power and influence of the Planets and ſtars over Vegetables; wherefore what hath been already ſaid is ſufficient to evince any man (who hath not wholly given himſelf over to obſtinacy) of the verity and certainty thereof; for ſince you have already heard how evident and clear it is, that the Heavens have Dominion of, and ſhew their effects on ſenſitive things, I ſuppoſe there it none will render themſelves ſo weak and ignorant (after a ſerious conſideration thereof) as to deny (contrary to the opinions and teſtimonies of all learned Philoſophers) the Heavens and Planets to have influence over Herbs, Corn, Plants, and all Vegetables; for if the vegetative faculty be comprehended and included in the ſenſitive; (as there is none ſo ſtupid as to deny) then as a Triangle is contained in a quadrangle, ſo is this moſt certain and conſequently an aſſured truth.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice at this time for the manifeſtation and clearing, that the Moon hath influence over as well men, bruit-beaſts, ſenſitives, and vegetables, plants, herbs, &c. as over things without life; viz. of the ſea, cauſing (as hath been ſaid) its ebbing and flowing, humours in men and women, diſeaſes, critical-days, &c. I might here, but for tediouſneſs, deliver unto you the fivefold government of the moneth by the Moon, viz. of the latitude of the Moon, apparition, ſynodical, periodical and medicinal; but of theſe (God willing) I may hereafter ſay ſomewhat, and that at large, God ſparing me life and opportunity, &c. In the interim, I ſay, let what hath been ſaid ſuffice as to the proving the influence of the Sun and Moon, and now let us hear what we are taught by Saturn.

^[77]Not to inſiſt long then on the Planets, ſince their influence is not (by the rational) in the leaſt denyed, and we are anon to handle their effects at large, we ſhall therefore be as brief as with convenience may be; in my Lux Veritatis, chap. 1. Sect. 6. P. 35. I have declared how that Climacterical yeers happen,^[78] and are cauſed by the profection of the Planets, and firſt houſe to the Square and Oppoſition of their places in Nativities, being more eſpecially occaſioned by the motion of Saturn, he having as much power in the decree ſeveral of yeers,^[79] as the Sun hath in moneths, or the Moon in days; he coming every ſeven yeers, to the Square or Oppoſition of his place in the Radix of any mans Nativity. Again, there is no skilfull Phyſitian that is acquainted and verſt throughly in his Art (as Galen and Hippocrates ſay none are, but who are skilled and acquainted with and in Aſtrology) but knows that he after the Revolution of the Sun be cometh chief ruler and orderer of the Diſeaſe and critical days; and many times by his configurations with the Moon hinders the Criſis in acute and ſharp Diſeaſes; and, obſervation as hath been ſaid, and the manner taught, will cleerly evince all the ignorant, that Saturn is cold and Melancholy, as the Sun is hot and inclining to mirth; for as he is oppoſite to the Sun in nature, ſo is he oppoſite in relation to the ſigns and manſions of the Heaven he rules, and therefore inclines always to cold, as the ☉ doth to heat; whence the ☉ in ♒ being the houſe of ♄ and oppoſite to ♌ his own houſe; the weather inclines more to cold. And by reaſon the light, and ſo conſequently the influence of the Sun and the Moon is moſt manifeſt and apparent unto our ſenſe: yet I ſay, though the other ſtars by reaſon of their obſcurity and remote diſtance from us cannot ſo eaſily be diſcerned, a ſhort time ſpent in the obſervation thereof will ſoon cleer the truth of their ſeveral influences and inclinations. But to ſpeak more plainly, and home to the matter,

Nota.

do we not at every Conjunction, Square and Oppoſition of the Luminaries with him, finde all inclination of the ayr to moiſture and cold? and that it never fails, but at the Square, Oppoſition or Conjunction of the Sun and him (except the body of Jupiter or Mars interpoſe or ſome of their Aſpects;) cold ayr and wet weather is thereby produced, according to the ſeaſon of the yeer, notwithſtanding the natural inclination of the Sun to heat and dryneſs: and this ſince ſo manifeſt, and that even in the heat of Summer, we may well conclude he is of a cold nature, eſpecially ſince by often experience we ſo finde its effects.

^[80]Moreover there is none born that hath either the Sun, Moon, Mercury, or the Lord of the Aſcendant diſpoſed of by Saturn, and he located in the aſcendant, or in ſquare or oppoſition thereunto, or to Sol, Luna, or Mercury; or the Lord of the Aſcendant (as hath been ſaid) but the native will be much addicted to melancholy, and ſurly chumpiſh diſpoſitions; and in configuration of Mercury (as I can juſtifie by many teſtimonies for truth) the native ſhall be of ſlow and ill utterance, of a dull and hard wit and capacity.

And thus much of Saturn; and we are next in order to deſcend to Jupiter, and ſo haſten to proceed, ſince this point is ſo cleer; viz. That the Planets have influence on ſublunary and elementary bodies and things: ^[81] and that by our monthly and yeerly prognoſtication made apparent to every vulgar notion and capacity; ſo that for the further juſtification and confirmation thereof, I ſhall not need to deſire any better teſtimony then my Vox Stellarum and the writings of ſome of thoſe ſeen in this heavenly Art, publiſhed for the laſt yeer, and the two enſuing yeers, viz. till the latter end of 1654, provided they are guided by the rules of Art.

For inſtance, ſince as touching my Vox Stellarum, now I have ſo fit an opportunity, Firſt, from page 19, to 21, and from page 105 to 107, you may ſee I poſitively concluded we ſhould have war the yeer 1652, and yet by all judicious men it ſeemed very improbable both at the time of my penning and publiſhing that book, it being wrote in Auguſt 1651, and Printed in October following, at which time we were in a very ſeeming ſetled condition; yet we can all now experimentally teſtifie, that by the time the Summer quarter was well began, we were at ſlaſhing and pelting with the Hollanders, and they with us, and at ſwords drawing in the Spring quarter.

Secondly, in the thirty third page (though I durſt not ſpeak plain Engliſh then, yet I hope it will be no offence now it is paſt to mention it) I declared in Latin that thoſe ſignified by the ſign wherein Saturn was, ſhould have the better; Saturn was then in Cancer, under which ſign is Holland and Scotland; and I need not ask either our Army in the one, and Fleet againſt the other, of the verity thereof; and it is further to be noted, that both theſe were acted about one and the ſame time.

Thirdly, in the 134 page, I ſhewed the inclination of thoſe in Authority to Taxations; and what man is there that looks into his purſe, but can aver that in that very Winter-quarter, the Tax was raiſed 30000. l per menſem, above what it was before?

Fourthly, in the 103 page you may ſee I mentioned miſchief to men by Thunder and Lightning; and how fatal this proved, even to the aſtoniſhment of us all, is well known to all England, eſpecially to thoſe in Leiton in Cheſhire, in which Town on the 20 of June 1652 being Sunday, there was in the Sermon time eleven ſlain in the Church by Thunder and Lightning, and many hurt.

To be ſhort, let the Merchants, and ſuch as make long Voyages (hinted at in the 16. and 17. pages, and other places of my Book) teſtifie, whether they have not received many croſſes, loſſes and miſeries, and the people in general; and whether many have not ſuſtained loſſes by thieves, and hurts or wounds the year 1652. Alſo whether there was not an unuſual dryneſs in the Summer, a ſcarcity of Fruits, inſolency in the Commons, fraud and deceit amongſt moſt men, treachery and ſuch like evils, abundantly mentioned in many places of that Treatiſe; and many more, which at this time I forbear to particularize.

Only for a farther teſtimony of the verity and admirable excellency of this Science, let me intreat thee to make particular obſervation of what I have predicted by the Eclipſe of the 29. of March, 1652. treated of alſo in that ſame Vox Stellarum, and Lux Veritatis, whoſe effects will operate till towards the latter end of the year 1654. and tell me then what you think thereof, when you ſhall ſee what is here mentioned come ſo punctually true; as alſo, exceſs of heat in Summer, and divers maladies and infirmities, afflicting men in general.

Wherefore let the weakeſt capacity judge then, what reaſon or ſenſe there is in ſuch men as ſhall traduce ſo worthy and incomparable an Art as this, which they never broke ſleep to underſtand, but content themſelves (being altogether ignorant) with a bold facing down the unſpeakable validity, worth and excellency thereof, which of all Arts and Sciences is both the moſt noble (and ſo deſerving the ſtudy of the more refined and heavenly Spirits) and alſo the chief and moſt delectable of all the liberal Sciences.

Wherefore what hath been ſaid, ſhall ſuffice at this time, for the confirmation of the influence of Jupiter and the reſt, ſince I deſire not to be more tedious then I needs muſt; and ſince this will be cleared more fully anon when we come to treat of Eclipſes, Comets, Great Conjunctions and Blazing-ſtars, where we ſhall ſhew and teach their nature and influence over all earthly things whatſoever; I ſhall for this conſideration, as alſo for that we are here in this place ſtill to treat of the influence of the Heavens, and then to ſpeak a word or two of that Diſcourſe late publiſhed in pretence of a Reply to my Lux Veritatis, leaſt this Treatiſe grow too big, crave your pardon till anon.

CHAP. VIII. Shewing the Influence of the Heavens on Inferiour and Elementary Bodies.

^[82] IN this place then we are to treat of the Influence of the Heavens; you have already heard how for matter of plenty or ſcarcity they are the immediate cauſes next under God, and that proved and warranted both by Scripture and the Learned in former Ages; for, then that Eclipſes, Revolutions of the World, Comets, Blazing-ſtars, and great Conjunctions treate of the Accidents general of all Nations, Kingdoms and Languages, there is nothing more true; viz. plenty, ſcarcity, health, plague, wars, peace, alteration of ayr, and mutations in the Laws, Cuſtoms, Rights and Priviledges of Nations, and to be ſhort, of things appertaining to the life of man in a Natural way, &c.

And if we have regard to Ptolomy, lib. 2. cap. 2. & 3. de Quadr. we ſhall finde that he doth not only refer the Nature and Cuſtom of Nations unto the general Inclination and Nature of the Triplicity they are under, but the inclinations of their minde particularly, as well as the ſhape and form of their bodies; as alſo their manners and kinde of life; as thoſe who are inhabitants of the Torrid Zone (as hath been ſaid) are black,^[83] having alſo black and criſped hair, of a mean ſtature, and of a hot conſtitution, and of a fierce and cruel ſpirit, propter longam & aſſiduam ſolis moram in eorum regionibus, by reaſon of the long and conſtant ſtay of the Sun in that Region or Climate: & nigra ſunt corpora eorum quia Sol per Zenith ſuorum capitum currit eoſque comburit; they are black over all their body, by reaſon the Sun conſtantly tranſites their Zenith, and ſo ſcorcheth them, that they are of that hue.

^[84]And theſe Inhabitants of the South to be of a better and quicker wit, and more ingenious and apter to learning, eſpecially the ſtudy of the Stars, Propter circuli ſignorum & ſtellarum erraticarum loco Zenith eorum capitum propinquitatem, becauſe their vertigal point is neer the Zodiack in which the ſigns are, and under which the Planets move. He alſo farther teacheth,^[85] that thoſe that live further North are of ſtronger body, but of ruder manners and conditions, becauſe their vertigal point being far removed from the Suns courſe, they more abound in cold and moiſture, which for that it yieldeth plenty of nouriſhment, is not by the heat of thoſe places at all exhauſted, or but very little: from whence it followeth, that they are of complexion fair, long and ſmooth hair, their ſtature tall, and manners fierce and rude.

^[86] But it may be ſome cavillers and envious carpers at the truth, will object and ſay, That cuſtom and good diſcipline, we ſee, doth alter this general inclination. But I anſwer, That though oftentimes, through the force of good diſcipline and cuſtom (which is according to the opinion of Philoſophers, ſecunda Natura, a ſecond Nature) I muſt confeſs this is, or may be much altered; yet we ſee it hardly ſo removed, but that ſome, and thoſe moſt evident marks thereof, will ſtill remain in force; and this is evident in moſt or all Nations under the Sun, which might, but for brevities ſake, be at large proved and cleared; but we ſhall here content our ſelves with the teſtimony of Bodin, who in his 5. Book of his Method of Hiſtories, chap. 5. (though I might ſhew you what Galen, Hippocrates, Tacitus, Ariſt[•]tle and others hereon ſay) ſaith, and reporteth of the Germans, ^[87] that in Religion they might equal or compare with the Hebrews; in Aſtrologie, to match the Chaldeans; in Philoſophy, to ſtrive with the Grecians; in Geometry, to equal the Egyptians; and in Arithmetick, to exceed the very Phoenitians themſelves: and yet there is no Hiſtoriographer worth a pins-head, but knows they formerly were a moſt ſavage and rude people, without either civility or humanity (as a man may ſay) ſo that they did far, in ſavage and rude behaviour, paſs our wilde Iriſh: and if we farther look to their ingenuity and ſharpneſs of wit, what Nation is there under the Sun, to be found able to match them in Handicraft and Mechanick Arts?

Yet, I ſay, notwithſtanding all this, we ſhall finde, that neither time, cuſtom, nor education hath been able to extinguiſh their old and ancient faſhions, which is by the genius and nature of their Country hereditary unto them; if we but look into their form and ſtature of body, their immoderate inclination to tipling and homely diet, their continency, ſimplicity, ſeverity, exerciſes and aptneſs to War; for notwithſtanding all their other excellent indowments, we ſhall ſtill finde in them a ſmack of theſe, which is unto them Natural.

There is no man that ever dived into the cauſe of mens inclinations and diſpoſitions, eſpecially of the ſeveral cuſtoms and manners of Nations (which is the main ſcope of Philoſophers labours; who are never contented to know this thing is of ſuch and ſuch an inclination, temper and nature, but the reaſon thereof) but knows the truth of this point: wherefore I ſhall render my ſelf moſt weak longer hereon to inſiſt, ſince not only the Learned, but alſo every ordinary Reader of Hiſtories (if with diligence he hath obſerved what he hath read) can teſtifie the ſame.

I might alſo here ſhew you what the ſame Ptolomie ſaith of the Inhabitants of the Eaſt and Weſt, but then I fear I ſhould too much tranſgreſs my bounds; as alſo how the whole earth is divided into parts, and how governed by the fiëry, earthy, aiëry, and watry triplicities; and the reaſons of the ſeveral inclinations, cuſtoms, laws, manners, and tempers of all Nations, Kingdoms, Countreys and Provinces; but I ſhall here, for brevities ſake, refer thee to the aforeſaid ſecond and third chapter of his ſecond Book of his Quadripartite.

^[88]For there he doth not only ſhew thee under what ſign of the Zodiack every Nation and Countrey is: but alſo, that thoſe who are under the fiery triplicity, viz. Europe, are (by reaſon of the triplicity they are under, being in the North-weſt part of the earth, and by reaſon of the Planets ruling the triplicity) of magnanimous ſpirits, given to exploits and feats of War (and truly no diſparagement to other Nations, this our Iland of Britany may compare with the greateſt Conquerors, if not far tranſcend them) Anglia Ariete & Marte aſſimulantur, ideoque bellicoſi: England is under Aries and Mars, and therefore are the Inhabitants and Natives thereof addicted to be expert in War or feats of Arms. I omit here to inſiſt on every particular Region in this part of the world, as he there declareth it, particularly naming every Region under each ſign of the Zodiack, but refer you thereunto; only in this place we deſire but to ſatisfie our Reader with ſome particulars, that he may be aſſured of the verity of the ſtrong influences and manifeſt operations of the Celeſtial Signs, Stars and Planets over all Kingdoms, Nations, &c.

^[89]Again, in the ſecond part of the World, viz. Southern, which he nominates to be Aſia the greater, being under the earthy triplicity, he ſheweth that (among the reſt of the Regions and places ſubject to that triplicity) thoſe who are governed by Taurus (being the houſe of Venus) are generally effeminate and delicate; given to their pleaſure, eſpecially to the games and ſports of Venus; wherefore they go ſtill open breaſted: likewiſe thoſe under the ſign Virgo (being the houſe, exaltation and joy of Mercury) are exquiſite in all kinds of good learning, and obſervers of the motions of the Stars: and thoſe ruled by Capricorn (being the proper houſe of Saturn) are of form and ſhape commonly deformed, of condition ſordid, and of inclination fierce; but this I conceive, by reaſon it is the exaltation of Mars.

And if we have regard to the third part of the World, viz. Northern, or betwixt the North and Eaſt, aſſigned to the Aiery Triplicity; as alſo to that part under the watry; we ſhall abundantly be ſatisfied of the undeniable truth of the influence of the Coeleſtial Planets and Conſtellations in the ſigns; wherefore in this place, becauſe (as I have often ſaid) I deſire not to be too tedious, I ſhall refer thee to that learned Ptolomie himſelf, and now proceed.

CHAP. IX. Shewing that the Influences of the Heavens and predominancy of the ſtars in every Climate, is the cauſe of the ſeveral Laws and Cuſtoms of the People therein.

Object.

VAin and weak then are they who object and imagine (ſince it is clear that the ſtars have influence, and that as well general as particular) that Countreys and Kingdoms and Nations are ruled by Laws and Cuſtoms only, and not by the power of the influence of the triangle or triplicity they are under, which Ptolomy, in the aforeſaid place,^[90] abundantly ſheweth to the contrary, and alſo confirmeth by reaſon; look Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 3. whither I ſhall (at this time) refer thee; ſince natural reaſon will ſhew us, that through diverſity of Manners, which is cauſed through the diverſity of ſituations of the places or parts of the World, divers Laws and Cuſtoms according to the Natural inclination of the Conſtellations they are under, are apparent in each Nation, being far different from others; otherways I would fain know, why all Nations do not, or cannot ſubject themſelves to one Law or manner of Cuſtom. I could out of Livie, Plinie and others, ſhew thee the Authority of ſome Nations in theſe matters; but for that I deſire to draw to an end, I ſhall here content my ſelf with this one teſtimony of Bodin (before mentioned) who in his fifth Book de Repub. affirmeth, that the Low-Countreys ſhook off the Government of the King of Spain, by reaſon their manners are ſo far different from theirs, inſomuch that hardly can there be any thing more; for Laws, all Rational men know, ought to be agreeable, and be applyed to the manners of a Nation, and not the inclinations and manners to the Laws; for what is repugnant to the Natural inclination of the People, cannot be of any long continuance.

^[91]And here I may alſo affirm, that by reaſon of the Antipathy between the ſigne ruling England, and that under which Scotland is, the Engliſh out of this conſideration, together with ſome others, as &c. have ſhaken off the Government of Monarchy, being before under Scottiſh Kings for above forty yeers; the reaſon is, becauſe Aries (the proper Aſcendant of England) is hot and dry, and Cancer (the Aſcendant of Scotland) is cold and moiſt; again Aries is a fiery ſign, and of the fiery trigon; Cancer is a ſign watry, and of the watry trigon: ſo that ſince there is as much difference between the natural inclinations of thoſe two, as there is between fire and water; ſo is it as much impoſſible to unite them and make them of one inclination and minde, as to make the water and fire ſo agree, as that the one being thrown into the other, they ſhall ſo unite, as not to make a noiſe or thundring buſtle; for they are Nations that do naturally abhor and deteſt each other; and this I can aver, by what I have by obſervation found in their inclinations &c.

But if any ſay, this is not the reaſon, and affirm that the Engliſh do abſolutely deteſt the Monarchical Government, and therefore have ſetled another kinde of rule; I anſwer, that for the removing this Objection, I ſhall not ſay any thing but this,

Object.

that the ſtars Agunt ſed non cogunt, they incline, but compel not, as to inforce the will of man, (this is more cleared anon;) beſides, all rational and knowing men can tell,

Anſw.

that a deſperate diſeaſe muſt have a deſperate cure; verbum ſapienti ſat eſt, or erit, ſince I am not permitted to ſpeak all I either could or would; but thus much I ſhall affirm, that the natural inclination of the people of England, (according to the influences of the Heavens and conſtellations they are under,) are inclined to be ſubject to Monarchy; from whence I do poſitively affirm, that before many yeers be expired, there will be a Cataſtrophe mundi; we muſt be content, and not repine at the hand and will of God; who (according to his divine pleaſure,) hath ordered all things, ſo as to work according to his will, even from the firſt creation, till the ſubverſion of all Kingdoms and Nations, and the earth it ſelf, nay and thoſe coeleſtial conſtellations who then ſhall fall from heaven, as being longer of no uſe.

Wherefore, I ſay that not onely vain and ſilly are they who object and talk of the cuſtome of Countries, and yet refer all things to mans own Conſultation and opinion.

Nota.

but alſo moſt weak and childiſh; as if any Diſcipline, Law or Cuſtom were ſufficient, without reſpect to the natural diſpoſition of the people depending on the conſtellation of the Heaven under which they live, or that (ſince they would have it to depend on their own inclination) any people will conſtitute Laws contrary to their own nature; for we have Laws here againſt Adultery and Inceſt; and Diodorus and others teſtifie that the Perſians and the rulers of Africa do not onely maintain Inceſt, but alſo whole Legions of Concubines:^[92] it had been moſt prepoſterous therefore for theſe people to have created laws againſt what they are ſo naturally inclined to. The reaſon why they are ſo addicted to Venery, Ptolomie in the aforeſaid 2. de Quadri. cap. 3. will ſhew thee who ſaith, in coeundo ſuperabundant, ita quòd eorum conjugia fiunt vi atque rapina; multoties etiam eorum rex cum alienis ſponſis, priuſquam earum ſponſi, venereos actus exercet; & quorundam eorum ſunt uxores communes inter ipſos; ipſi quoque picturas & ornatus concupiſcunt, & ſe more foeminino adornant propter Venerem. They exceed and abound in venery, ſo that their marriages are by force, and their Kings uſe oftener to accompany, or covet more other mens wives then their own; many have their wives common for one another, and for the moſt part they delight in pictures, and go dreſt much after the faſhion of women; and all this by reaſon they are ruled and governed by Venus.

This point might be further amplified by many more examples; but ſince to the judicious and rational it is ſo cleer, it were vain longer to inſiſt thereon. Thus then have you heard how the Heavens are rulers and diſpoſers of Kingdoms, Nations, and Countries; and that by their influence, they do differ from each other, both in nature and temper;

Nota.

and ſo conſequently the inhabitants, as much vary in their natural inclinations and conditions, Laws, Cuſtoms and manners, as each Climate doth in its hearbs, beaſts, and Birds; wherefore now it reſteth, that we ſhew you the influence of the Heavens on the earth, cauſing health, ſickneſſes, plagues, plenty, ſcarcity, mutations of the ayre, innundations, wars, peace and all general and particular accidents in the whole world; but ſince we ſhall have occaſion to treate of this more anon, when we come to handle the rules of the Antients touching the judgements of Eclipſes, Comets, Blazing-Stars, Revolutions, and great Conjunctions in the fourth book, I ſhall here deſiſt; ſince by all the learned it is an approved truth,^[93] that by the divers motions, aſpects, and conjunctions of the ſtars and Planets, all particular and general events are ſignified and known; which cauſed Origen and all other good and learned writers, who have anywiſe had occaſion in their works to ſpeak of them, to compare the Heavens to a book in which God hath as it were writ all that ſhould according to his pleaſure come to paſs in this world, even to the ſubverſion thereof as alſo the actions of men, though ſome have exempted that; wherefore Origen for the confirmation thereof alleadgeth the Narration of Joſeph, which was in his time extant and in great eſteem; affirming therein, that Jacob told his ſons, the twelve Patriarks, that he had read in the Tables of Heaven whatſoever ſhould for the future befall them and their children:

Nota.

and there is none I am certain ſo ſtupid as to deny that the Sun is the cauſe of generation, life, motion, nutrition, growing and perfection of all viſible and ſenſible bodies. Nihil enim viſibile eſt, quod ille non penetret excellenti lucis ſuae magnitudine: ſed ad ipſam quoque generationem ſenſibilem corporum confert, ipſeque ad vitam movet, & nutrit, & agit, & perficit, purgatque & renovat.

And now this doth give me here a fit opporrunity to prove unto thee by the ſacred word of God that the ſtars are both ſigns and cauſes: but (as hath been already ſaid) ſince we are anon to cleer that, when we come to anſwer what the pretended Replyer to my Lux veritatis, hath or can ſay againſt it, we ſhall not in this place touch thereon; but refer thee thereunto.

Wherefore now all this being conſidered which hath been ſaid, let the moſt malicious againſt Aſtrology ſtand up and ſay if the ſtudy of the ſtars be unlawful,^[94] or anywiſe in the leaſt derogating from the Word of God or Religion; nay whether it be not a great means of drawing men to acknowledge a God, who if they ſaw him not in his creatures, perhaps would deny him; for what hindreth but a man may as ſafely ſtudy the natural influences and motions of the ſtars without offence to God as the uſe of Herbs, Drugs, and Minerals for Phyſick, or the cure of ſuch and ſuch diſeaſes, which at the firſt was by the influence of the Coeleſtial bodies (by which they are ruled) found out; for if it be a ſin to ſtudy and know nature, there is no ſtudy lawful; and if not, Aſtrology muſt then not onely be accounted lawful and good, but the moſt beneficiall and beſt of all ſtudies.

Yet doth the raſhneſs and ignorance of ſome men ſo abound, that they are not only (contrary to any ſenſe or reaſon) averſe thereunto, but alſo together with Sextus Empericus, Heminga, and others, not knowing what to ſay againſt it, or what it is indeed they ſo deſire to cry down, they raiſe idle and fooliſh queſtions, making Objections more worthy the laughing at then the anſwering, or rehearſing; yet by reaſon of late, ſome of the ſame have been by the Ignorant objected to me, I ſhall in this place touch or hint at one or two of them for the ſatisfaction of the well-willers to Aſtrology, that they may not by the idle and ſhallow brains of theſe men be diſcouraged from their ſtudy in this moſt divine and heavenly Science.

CHAP. X. Containing the reſolution of the main Objections againſt this divine Science.

DO we but ſeriouſly conſider the vanity of theſe Objections, it will be ſufficient to teſtifie unto us they have no reaſon for their high words.

Object.

Firſt then they object, that a man and beaſt being born at the ſame time, muſt according to the judgement of Aſtrologers, have one and the ſame fortune. But who knoweth not that of all Objections, this is the moſt weak? ſince as the influence of the ſtars comes to us by many means, ſo they reject not other cauſes and circumſtances;^[95] for there is none acquainted with learning, but knows that a man and a beaſt are more then membra dividentia, in that they differ the whole kinde: and ſince we are taught by God himſelf in his holy Word, that he created every thing in his own kinde, and indued man with a rational ſoul, thereby to bear rule and dominion over all creatures who are not reaſonable creatures: wherefore theſe objectors and cavillers do render themſelves moſt ignorant and impious, endeavouring thus by their envy to Aſtrology, to take away Gods Ordinance in the generation and conſervation of all creatures here beneath, by the ſubtile vertue of his ſecond cauſes; viz. thoſe heavenly lights the ſtars. ^[96] Yet if one were diſpoſed to be as ridiculous in anſwering, as ſome men are in queſtioning, it might be averred for ought they can ſay to the contrary, that the good conſtellations at the entrance of ſome horſes into the world, maketh them to be tended, rubbed, kept well and delicately with little or no toil, and labour, or ſtripes; and again, the malevolent conſtellations do cauſe ſome again to be kept in perpetual ſlavery hard uſage and ſtripes; but thus to compare horſes with men, is but to render our ſelves worſe then Aſſes, or the bruteſt of creatures; ſince you ſee they were from the firſt creation; deſtined to the uſe of man, and to be ſubordinate to his dominion, and will which is indeterminate, and ſo conſequently out of the verge of Aſtrology, as you may ſee at the latter end of this Treatiſe.

Again, ſome demand whether or no Dogs, Chickens, and ſuch like, muſt needs have one and the ſame end and life, or whether otherways Aſtrology be of any validity or certainty, &c. Truly I fear I do toy in recording theſe vain Objections, and anſwering thereunto digreſs more from the ordinary bounds of Reaſon, then the Authors thereof; when ſtill what hath been ſaid in the former objection, may and is ſufficient to refell this alſo; beſides it remains, that theſe Objectors prove all the Chickens they ſpeak of, to be hatcht at one and the ſame moment of time, and the Dogs to be all whelped together (which is impoſſible) or elſe they render themſelves very curriſh and ſnappiſh againſt Aſtrology. But whoſo deſires to be further ſatisfied, becauſe I hold it not either credit or diſcretion to inſiſt long hereon, let him peruſe Peucerus his Tract of Aſtrological Predictions, and he ſhall amongſt others there find the vanity and childeſhneſs of theſe fooliſh cavils ſilenced, by the example of three whelps (not being worthy to be refuted by learned reaſons) which being whelped in an Eclipſe of the leſſer Luminary, being grown to ſome bigneſs, fullfilled the effects and ſignifications of the eclipſe by their ſeveral deaths; one of them being torn in pieces with Hounds; the ſecond, firſt by a fall from an high place broke his Thighes, and then the ſecond time his Neck; and the third was burnt.

A third kinde of cavillers we are now to ſpeak of, who not obſerving and warily ſearching into the order of cauſes in Nature, nor the government thereof, are dazled and puzled with the contemplation of the marvellous and admirable works of God, and ſo by reaſon of the diverſity and diſſimilitude of events and effects in divers matters and ſubjects, raſhly and moſt inconſiderately deny the powers and vertues of the cauſes themſelves.

Object.

Their cavil is, that we ſee many born at one and the ſame time, and in one and the ſame latitude, and the one perhaps is a King, and the other a beggar, the third a Gentleman and the like. But this, (were I diſpoſed to vindicate Nativities,) I might ſay, is the groſs miſtake and ignorance of theſe Carpers at what they know not,^[97] that cauſeth them thus to render themſelves ridiculous; for there is no Aſtrologer but doth eſpecially regard in any mans Nativity, the time, place. Parents, and the ſeed, for the better inabling him in his judgement therein: for he is moſt ſhallow and weak, that thinketh it not material to conſider whether the Native be born the child of a King,^[98] or of a poor and mean parentage: or that it importeth not whether all the cauſes (the preſence of whoſe help is neceſſary to the conſtitution of an effect) do concur: or that ſome onely be preſent, or that knoweth not that the force of the general doth prevail over the particular: and of thoſe that are univerſal, that the firſt cauſe doth excel the reſt, which it ſuſtaineth. I ſay he that thinketh not theſe things to be moſt material, and worthy the conſideration, is not onely ſhallow and weak, but moſt ignorant in the Art, or at leaſt willfully obſtinate. For there is nothing more certain then that Aſtrologers which are true Artiſts indeed, do warily conſider theſe inferiour cauſes, according as their Rules in Art do preſcribe, and admoniſh to have reſpect (as I have but now ſaid) to the ſituation of the Climate or Place, Parents, Laws and Cuſtoms, &c.

^[99]For it were a vain thing for any man to pronounce that ſuch a conſtellation as giveth beauty here in England, ſhould have the ſame effect in Ethiopia; or that he that is the ſon of a beggar, ſhould (becauſe born at the ſame time the ſon of the King was) be a a King, or the like; but he the beggars ſon ſhall as far tranſcend the degree of his Parents at that time the Kings Son doth come to the Crown of his Fathers, or inlarge his Territories (which is the only way a King can be honoured or raiſed to dignity) as the Kings ſon doth his (they being both born under one and the ſame fortunate conſtellation;) and thus is the beggars ſon extolled and raiſed, in compariſon of his degree, as much as the Kings ſon in relation to his; he being perhaps made ſome Tradeſman, or one in good repute, and well to live among his Neighbours, which his Predeceſſors were not able to do; For you muſt know that the general fate doth over-rule the particular; for it is neither agreeable to reaſon or policy that two Kings or more ſhould be in one Countrey, &c. This, I ſay, were I diſpoſed to vindicate the practiſe of ſome men in judging of Nativities, I might ſpeak in their behalf, and to the ſilence of the Objectors, who know not how in the leaſt to reply.

Moreover, others I have heard alſo queſtion, nay affirm poſitively, (and thoſe too which ſeemed to be of ſome judgement in other matters; but truly in this rendred themſelves the moſt void thereof that can be imagined) that a figure of Heaven, which Aſtrologers do uſe to ſet for the goundwork of their buſineſs, is Conjuration, and illegal, nay Diabolical;^[100] When at the worſt it is but thus, The form and ſhape of the Heavens, or rather the picture thereof, by which the Aſtrologer is made acquainted with the poſitions and ſeveral ſituations of the Pianets and Stars in every ſign in the Heavens, as we ſee in a Map the ſeveral ſituations of Countreys, Provinces and Cities: and if it be illegal, diabolical and a Magical trick to ſet or make ſuch a figure of the Heavens in a piece of Paper, I know not what is lawfull; but this may ſuffice for the ſilencing of ſuch ſimpletons; for let them be demanded what a figure is they thus condemn, and you ſhall ſoon finde they have not a word to anſwer, nor cannot tell how to give any definition thereof, which is ſufficient then to ſatisfie any rational man of their ſtupidity, who thus raſhly and ignorantly go about to condemn that as illegal and Diabolical,^[101] which they are ignorant of, and is no more hurt, then to draw a mans figure or picture; for knew they what it were, they would never thus falſely conclude, having no ground for their words but ridiculous tradition: for indeed, it was a moſt rare and fine invention, and of great uſe; for I can ſhew any man thereby, the whole uſe of the Globe, and the riſing, ſetting and culminating of every Star and Planet in the whole Heavens. So then you clearly ſee the harmleſneſs of ſetting a Figure of Heaven, and the envy of the Antagoniſts; as alſo their extream ignorance, thus to traduce ſo noble, ſo worthy, ſo excellent, ſo delectable, ſo ſatisfying, ſo lawfull, ſo true, ſo tranſcendent, and ſo incomparable and innocent an Art.

I, but ſay they again (or others) though the Art in it ſelf be lawfull, being a contemplation only and ſtudy of Nature and its cauſes; and though the ſetting of a Figure of Heaven be ſo far from any illegal or diabolical practiſe, as that nothing can be more innocent, yet is the ſtudy unlawfull,

Object.

by reaſon the Devil oft times brings things to paſs in a ſecret way, according to the prognoſtications of the Aſtrologer, on purpoſe to cauſe the heart to be aſſured of the inevitable truth thereof; and ſo bringeth, by degrees, the Student into the labyrinth of believing a fatality, and ſo conſequently, to deny or diſtruſt the Providence of God.

^[102]But as touching this confidence, there is none that knoweth that God is the firſt cauſe of all cauſes, (to whom all other muſt, and do give obedience, and art ſubordinate) but knoweth there is no fatality on any inevitable decree in the Heavens; but that He the God of all the whole Univerſe that created them all, can, and may according to his good pleaſure alter their ſeveral decrees; this there is no Chriſtian, or any who is not indeed an abſolute Atheiſt, but will acknowledge: but this is ſufficiently cleared by what hath been already, and what is anon to be ſaid.

Now ſay ſome again, If it be ſo, there is no verity or validity in Aſtrologie, worthy any mans truſt or belief;

Object.

and therefore not fitting for any man to ſpend his pretions time on ſuch trifles, which when they are attained, are but a bundle of uncertainties.

^[103] To anſwer this vain Objection, I ſhall not need long to inſiſt in this place, ſince all rational men know,^[104] that though God the omnipotent Creator of thoſe glorious Creatures the ſtars, can at his good pleaſure alter, divert, prevent and annihilate whatſoever is effected by them: yet hereupon it followeth not that he doth ſo; for God worketh ordinately, and not prepoſterouſly; for as he hath made the Heavens for the ordinary adminiſtration of Nature, ſo he can whenſoever it is his good pleaſure, as in the days of Joſhuah, Hezekiah, and at the death of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, alter their courſe; but ſince theſe were miracles, and thus to do were miraculous, and that we read but of theſe three times he thus did work ſince the Creation; it is not therefore to be ordinarily or frequently ſeen, neither ought it then to be objected, ſince as long as God doth continue the order of Nature, it muſt needs follow that the effects of the Stars, by which nature is upheld, have very much of certainty and truth, and ſo conſequently the ſtudy thereof, and that more then any other ſtudy whatſoever, and that for the moſt part they never fail; but if at any time the Artiſts fail, it is their ignorance; and likewiſe theirs that conclude thereupon that the Art is faulty.

^[105]Thus far then to clear the latter part of this grand Objection, and the dangers ſuppoſed to be brought or cauſed thereby; but as touching the Objection it ſelf, viz. That the Devil bringeth the predictions of Aſtrologers to paſs, &c. ^[106] Now it is evident that the Devil knoweth not things to come, and therefore is not able to bring theſe things about according to his pleaſure, ergo; to be confeſſed he cannot thus delude the Aſtrologer, and cauſe his heart ſo to erre, as to run himſelf over head and ears into the belief of a fatality, and ſo conſequently, not cauſed thereby to deny the providence of God, which is the main thing theſe punie Adverſaries drive at in this their cavil.

^[107] For if the Devil knew things to come, he had never tempted and egged on the Jews to crucifie our Saviour, when his death was the utter confuſion of his Diabolical Kingdom and Government; neither had he attempted to tempt our Saviour in the wilderneſs, had he known he ſhould have had ſuch a repulſe: or would he be ſo buſie about the elect in their temptations, did he aſſuredly know that they would not be ſubordinate to his will. Wherefore then ſince this Devil, they talk of, is ſuch a ſimple fool,^[108] who indeed for knowledge of future events they may well ſhake hands with, it is evident their cavill is alike weak, if not moſt ridiculous. For if we will admit that the Devil do know aſſuredly things to come, what difference is there between the Angels that are not fallen and them? beſides, there is no man will be ſo vain as to imagine the Devil knows any mans thoughts or heart, and therefore cannot tell whether his bringing a purpoſe to paſs will a whit advantage his deſire, by making the Aſtrologer believe a fatality. But this is ſo clear, that I will not dwell longer hereon, but now proceed, &c.

Again, others have this fling at this moſt heavenly ſtudy of the ſtars,

Object.

and the Students thereof; that the Art is illegal, and the practice thereof altogether to be ſhunned, becauſe Aſtrologers therein do buſie themſelves, and pry into the ſecrets of God, &c.

^[109] To which there needs no more anſwer then this, that they are moſt falſly and ſcandalouſly abuſed, I mean Aſtrologers, when thus impeached, ſince the very word of God doth teſtifie, that the ſecrets of the Almighty are paſt finding out: thus much for the clearing of the Students thereof, whoſe practiſe and ſtudy is altogether legal, being only natural: for how is it poſſible that that ſtudy ſhould be ſo illegal and diabolical (as they call it) that extends it ſelf to nature only, and the cauſes thereof?

^[110]And as touching the Art it ſelf, you have it defined here beneath, whither at this time I ſhall refer thee; for the ſtudy thereof is meerly natural; and if to know that, be to ſearch into Gods hidden ſecrets, let the weakeſt capacity judge; when that is only to be accounted a ſecret, which immediatly dependeth on the ſecret will of the Almighty; wherefore what is manifeſt and clear to us in nature then, muſt conſequently be no ſuch thing; for there is none, I am confident, that hath any reaſon or underſtanding, and is compos mentis, that will ſay it is a diving and ſearching into the ſecrets of God, and ſo conſequently illegal, to foretell any mutation of the ayr, or other accident by the cauſes thereof, which is manifeſt by the ſtars to our ſenſe; when the word of God telleth us, that our Saviour himſelf confeſſeth, the Phariſees were able to diſcern the weather by the face of the Skie: and ſince you have already heard that the Heavens are the ſecondary cauſes of all generation and corruption, and cauſe of all mutations on and in Elementarie bodies, cauſing health, ſickneſs, plenty, ſcarcity, wars, peace, &c. If any Aſtrological Philoſopher (which of all Philoſophers is the chiefeſt) do foretell any or all of theſe a thouſand years to come, as plain as if they were to happen to morrow, or were preſent, which they may do, if God ſo long continue the ordinary courſe of Nature, ſhall any one render himſelf ſo ridiculous, as to imagine this man to pry and dive into the ſecrets of God, when he ſeeth plainly the events by the cauſes? truly if there be any ſuch, they ſhould be by my conſent begged for—.

^[111]So that then hereby thou doſt clearly ſee that the influences of the ſtars do not according to the vain opinions of ſome weak heads, take away Gods Government; for if we will believe that God worketh daily new things according as we ſee them procreated, and brought forth by Nature, we ſhall run our ſelves into a groſs errour; when we are taught that he finiſhed his work in ſix days, Gen. 1. Exod 20.11. Ergo, he worketh now no more, but (according to his inevitable decree by his Providence) upholdeth all things by the ſame power of his word by which they were firſt made, and leaveth the effecting of all things to the influence of the Heavens and Stars, which you have already heard, by the word of God hath been proved to be next under him the ſole cauſe of all mutations and bleſſings here on earth, and in elementary bodies.

What ſhall I ſay then, for the farther clearing of this point? I ſhall not ſay much more, ſince who ſo deſires to be further ſatisfied how far caſual events may be referred to the influences of the ſtars, and yet the government of God and Angels no wiſe diminiſhed or denyed, let him peruſe Lucius Bellatius his anſwer to Picus Mirandula, lib. 4. cap. 2. & 3. Yet one thing as touching Nativities I muſt here needs clear, which oftentimes the Artiſt may be deceived in, if he have not ſpecial reſpect to the general fate of the place, occaſioned by the general influence of Eclipſes, Comets, Blazing-ſtars, great Conjunctions, and Revolutions of the World, &c. For ofttimes though the Nativity of any man promiſe health or long life, yet by reaſon of the affinity he hath with the place of his birth his health may be much impaired, and life ſhortened, by wars, general diſeaſes and the like; but more eſpecially if the Topical ſtars of that place be in the Horoſcope or medium Coeli, viz. the aſcendant or firſt houſe or tenth or mid-heaven in the Nativity; and if ſo, this doth rather give him a fate ſtill ſubject to general accidents. There are many other ways which may alter the Nativity of any perſon, but they would be here too tedious to relate, ſince I have an earneſt deſire to be no tediouſer then I needs muſt, and for that I fear before I have delivered what I am yet to ſay, I ſhall far exceed my bounds; yet are not theſe ſo intricate, but by a skilfull and ingenious Artiſt they may be found out &c.

Object.

But here, it may be, ſome will ſay, that I do attribute too much to the influence of the ſtars and Celeſtial bodies;

Anſw.

wherefore I think good for the clearing of all what hath been already ſaid (leaſt ſome may be ſtumbled thereat) to deliver my minde as touching their influence thus.

^[112]That who ſo thinks by what in any point or part of what hath been already ſaid or to be ſaid, I do detract from the Government of God or Angels, in my tenets and ſcope, is altogether miſtaken; for I do not ſo attribute all the actions of men to the Heavens as they conſiſt of Bodies elementary, and ſo ſubject them to the heavenly influences; but I acknowledge them alſo ſubject to Angels rule and government, as being indued with underſtanding; and to the Government of God, as uſing will; Aſtra igitur niſi agunt, the Heavens but incline; and we (being induced by paſſion) incline either to anger, love, pleaſure or the like: but in theſe the Angels may ſo illuminate the underſtanding of our minds, that by ſome intelligible conſideration we are therefrom delivered; and God directs the will far beyond that wherewith we are inclined to by the Heavens or diſpoſed to by the Angels; for by how much God and Angels exceed the Heavens, being of a Corporal eſſence, and they of a Spiritual, by ſo much the more doth that whereunto we are carried by the illumination of Angels, and the direction of God, exceed thoſe inclinations, to which we are by the influence of the Heavens and Stars diſpoſed. Let men therefore apply their ſtudy to the knowledge of the chief part of the Art; viz. that which teacheth general accidents; for all this being conſidered, the judging of the fate of any man by the time of his birth muſt needs be uncertain, and therefore not maintained by me, being not of very much moment.

^[113] Wherefore then, let not ignorance and ſtupidity carry thee beyond the bounds of reaſon and diſcretion, to condemn or cenſure what thou underſtandeſt not; for it is naught but ignorance which is the cauſe of all thoſe open mouths which have of late ſo furiouſly barked at this moſt heavenly, dilectable, and moſt lawfull ſtudy; for did they underſtand it, they would be more hot againſt the gainſayers thereof, then Aſtrologers are with them, or they with the Art; for you ſhall finde their diſcourſes fraught with naught but ignorant miſtakes, as to think the Art Witchcraft, Diabolical, Illegal, and the like, barely becauſe thereby we declare things to come, not conſidering that we do it by no other means then the influence of the Heavens, which is altogether natural: when they might even as well ſay, it is Witchcraft for any man to ſay or affirm; that ſuch an herb,^[114] drug, or compoſition is good and available to the expelling of ſuch or ſuch an infirmity, before he applyeth the medicine, when all knowing men know ſuch imaginers to be moſt ridiculous, ſince they are infallibly known to be of ſuch and ſuch a nature and temper, and ſo conſequently available for ſuch and ſuch infirmities or diſeaſes; for no more then this,^[115] is Aſtrologie unlawfull; nay, it is more then this to be eſteemed, and to be allowed of and deſired, ſince without it, the other is of no uſe or certainty; for Hippocrates, Galen, Avicen and Paracelſus, the main pillars on which the fabrick of Phyſick Medicinal is built, found out the uſes of herbs, drugs, minerals, ſtones, and other medicines, by the influences of the Heavens, as they were known and found by them to be under ſuch and ſuch a conſtellation, and ſo concluded by them to be of ſuch and ſuch a nature, and then conſequently a remedy for ſuch and ſuch a diſeaſe. Hence it was that Hippocrates ſaid, that that Phyſitian which is ignorant in Aſtrology, cannot perfectly be knowing in his Art, being never able without Aſtrologie to give Phyſick ſafely, viz. when to purge by evacuation, or vomit, or phlebotomie, or for what humours, or in what quantity,^[116] neither can he know or come to the true underſtanding of the chief pillar of his Art, viz. the true cauſe of the malady, without it; neither with it (if well learned therein) can he erre. And Galen accounteth that man rather a fool then a Phyſitian, that is not an Aſtrologer; and he farther ſaith, that Phyſick given at unſeaſonable times, doth not only little avail or help, but oftentimes prove very hurtfull, even to the indangering of the life of the Patient; and that theſe times are only to be known and judged by the ſtars.

CHAP. XI. Containing an Introduction to the Vindication of my Lux Veritatis, from the aſperſions of Doctor Homes and his ſecond, with the firſt Reaſon why I account neither of them worthy of my notice.

EVen amongſt us, notwithſtanding all this, there are ſome that labour all they can to eclipſe the radiant ſplendor of this moſt heavenly Science, being blinded with ignorance and malice, as hath been ſaid; for Ars non habet inimicum praeter ignorantem, Art hath no enemy but an ignorant man; Ignorance converteth all the deſires and inclinations of a man to wretchedneſs,^[117] and taketh away the ſight of the minde and intellect, that he is herein as blinde as a man is externally that hath loſt his eyes, of which the former is a great deal the greater curſe: for knowledge doth diſtinguiſh us from bruit beaſts; and by how much we excell in knowledge and underſtanding, by ſo much we tranſcend the inferiour Creatures;^[118] for it is (in my opinion) better not to live, then to live in ignorance; for an ignorant man is not indeed worthy to live, or the earth to bear him; the conſideration of which, cauſed the Antients to ſay, That every ignorant man was evil, &c.

Wherefore then ſince it is ſo, of neceſſity there muſt much inconveniency and miſchief come thereby, both to the ignorant themſelves and others; I forbear here (for brevitie ſake) to ſhew you the prodigious and wofull effects of ignorance in ſome of former ages as well as in this wherein we live; this is already clear to all judicious and ingenious ſouls: wherefore to our purpoſe, I ſay there are in this perverſe age, many ſticklers (or ſo in pretence) againſt this Liberal and moſt divine Science, one whereof (for the undeceiving of my Reader, having publiſhed a pretended Reply to my Anſwer to Doctor Homes) I ſhall (craving pardon for my tediouſneſs) here take notice of, although he be not worthy of the ſame, as you your ſelf ſhall judge, when you have peruſed what follows; for, both his quality, and^[119] variety of profeſſions, as alſo rural behaviour and diſpoſition, in whoſe name it is publiſhed, ſpeaketh him not worthy the naming or anſwering, as I would have done had it been otherwiſe and better fathered, that the errours and abſurdities of that railing Pamphlet might have been divulged to the world. This may be the firſt reaſon why the Author holds not the pretended Reply to his defence of Aſtrology worthy the anſwering.

CHAP. XII. Comprehending three Reaſons more why that Rabble of theirs was not worthy the anſwering.

THus have you one reaſon whereby I am induced to ſlight it, yet have I theſe five more for my further inducement thereunto; firſt for that there is nothing in it but what hath been long ſince anſwered by Bellantius, Goclenius, Maraſealertes, Pirovanus, and Sir Chriſtopher Heyden, though in the Title page there be ſophiſtically promiſed an anſwer thereunto; which the penner thereof is as much able to do, as to remove St. Pauls Church.

^[120] Secondly, for that by the Author himſelf it was not thought worthy of his name in the Frontiſpiece thereof, or elſe his name was not worth the inſerting.

Thirdly, for that it was not worthy of the Authors owning, or elſe he was aſhamed of it, or he had never ſent it abroad in another mans name; for let whoſe name will be at the end of the Epiſtle to the Reader, it is well known by Mr Daniel the Printer in Paternoſter-row, and the then Compoſers and Preſſe-men, that Doctor Homes was the Author of it, and not onely payed for the printing, but alſo Corrected every day at the Preſs; and let him deny if he can his peeviſhneſs with the Preſſe-men, when they were angry he came not to Correct, and made them all that afternoon ſtand idle. For it is not likely that a Hay-maker (as it is very well known the owner thereof, or he under whoſe name it was publiſhed, was but two or three yeers ſince) ſhould be able to hold an Argument againſt one of the Liberal Sciences, although his ignorance might condemn it.

But truly I cannot but commend the policy of the Doctor herein, who knowing the inſufficiency of his brat to refell the Arguments in my Anſwer to his firſt diſcourſe, being loth to be ſeen bafled the ſecond time in Print, for a piece of mony knew how to make another father it; and truly therein he alſo did a very charitable deed; for of all ſneaks that ever I ſaw in my life (that pretended to any thing) was this poor fellow he got to be the father of this Rable; for hearing he lay at the Bell in Carter-lane, I went purpoſely to confer with him touching ſome paſſages of that book which went under his name, but could not meet with him, whereupon I left a note, deſiring him to do me the favour if it were he that owned ſuch a book (for I was unacquainted with him) to let me know, (or whether it might be ſome other of his name) and he ſhould oblige me therein, and for an anſwer thereunto, I would be there again the next day at eleven of the clock, &c.

To this purpoſe (I ſay) I writ a note and left it with the Chamberlain of the aforeſaid Inn, and deſired that he would importune him for an anſwer; he promiſed me he would, and ſo for that time I departed, came the next day according to promiſe, inquired for the Chamberlain, demanded an anſwer, who had no more for me then this, that he had delivered my note, and importuned an anſwer, but could receive none; then I acquainted the Chamberlain with the buſineſs, that there was a Book publiſhed in the name of ſuch a one, and being informed it was him that lay there, that owned it, and therefore I deſired him in my note to let me receive that favour from him to know whether he was the man, or ſome other of his name, and ſo wiſhed him to acquaint him again with my being there at the time appointed, and wondred he would refuſe to do ſo ſmall a favour as to reſolve me in ſuch a queſtion, I or no; which he again promiſed me he would.

But what courteſie could I expect from ſo mean a ſpirit, which was never either acquainted with courterſie, civility, or manners, who would refuſe to anſwer me, who wrote unto him in ſo indifferent a ma[•••]r? for had I known it had been him, which at laſt I found it was, I ſhould have ſaved that pains I put my ſelf to, and had never expected other then I found at his hand. For what can one have of a beggar but a louſe? but thinking it might be ſome other of his name, was the cauſe of this my overſight; but to return again to our buſineſs, I told the Chamberlain (after he had promiſed me (I ſay) to acquaint him with my further deſire) I would call again the next day at two of the clock in the afternoon, and if he were the man, I ſhould be very glad to converſe with him, if his occaſions could permit; but when I came at the aforeſaid hour, his anſwer was, he acquainted him to the full with all my deſire, but could not perſwade him to ſtay within to ſpeak with me, but bid him tell me, he ſcorned to deny any thing he owned; whereupon I anſwered, I did no wiſe queſtion that, if he were a man that had any ſpark of honour dwelling in his breſt, and this was all I could underſtand.

The which rugged, prepoſterous and uncivil anſwer, cauſed me preſently to believe him to be whom I found him at the laſt; for I knew one of that name and no other, but could never imagine it was he that ſhould ſhew himſelf to be Author of ſuch a Diſcourſe, though for the ſimplicity thereof he might very fitly have ſerved: ſo then I inquired of the Chamberlain what manner of a man he was, and upon his ill-favoured deſcription, I immediately reſolved my ſelfe of my former queſtion; and then I was very urgent to know when I might meet with him; he told me about noon any day, but he knew he was reſolved not to ſpeak with me, and ſo indeed I perceived by a friend of mine, as ſoon as I was parted from thence, whom I met, and in ſome diſcourſe, I acquainting him with what I had been about, he told me that the other day he was chid by this [•]ral Rufus Rolandus, or Orlando Furioſo; Perſwading him that he and none other had acquainted me with his lodging; and then alſo I was aſſured and confirmed, that it was him of that name which I knew, that was the Author (or at leaſt ſo in pretence) of that Pamphlet.

After this, being very deſirous to meet with him, that I might ſhew him ſome of his abſurdities and abuſes towards me, whom for matter of acquaintance he was a ſtranger to, I went twice or thrice about noon, thinking I might meet with him, but could not; till the 22 day of January 1651. I accidentally rancountred him; it were here both ſuperfluous, and too tedious to relate what diſcourſe we had, he not being able to ſpeak one word without anger and choler, as if his heart were alſo on fire as well as his head, but amongſt other paſſages, I fell into a very great laughter, the which he not ſeeming to take notice of, I asked him if he wondred not at this my ſuddain paſſion, who anſwered, yes; I told him then; I could not poſſibly forbear laughing to ſee ſo young a man as he was, pretend to be the Author of that Book wherein I am termed but a boy, and he not above three or four yeers (at the moſt) older then my ſelf, and therefore I told him I rather expected to ſee ſome grave fellow, whoſe Beard was at leaſt as long as his waſte, and not one whoſe Beard was hardly ſo long as his teeth.

But both he and the Antient Doctor his Maſter, and Author of that wiſe word (who confeſſed (to a friend of mine) nothing vexed him, but that he was anſwered by ſo young a man) muſt know that neither wiſdom, learning, knowledge, nor grace is to be meaſured by the Beard or age, and therefore but a moſt weak evaſion in his Arguments, of the validity and verity of Aſtrology; neither is it any extraordinary witty quibble, ſince he cannot as yet confute with all his manhood, what a boy hath affirmed; and if he thought I would take acceptions at this, with the reſt of his ſilly jeers and affronts, railings and abuſes, wherewith his Pamphlet is fraught, and therefore thought it fit to make it proceed from one ſo neer my own age, he muſt needs think it worthy of much more notice, to procure laughter onely, but no otherwiſe; perhaps out of a tender reſpect to my health he did it, knowing me to be a melancholy man: for I know he is alſo a Doctor of Phyſick; teſtis Bredſtreet; nihil amplius dico; for the which good receit, before the cloſure of this Book, (if I forget not) I ſhall requite him with a double Fee, for I abhor to be in his debt; but therein he did very ill to ſend me this medicine by ſo unworthy an Apothecaries boy, or man (I crave your pardon) if he intended I ſhould ever have taken notice of it; otherwiſe he had been repayed long ere now; I muſt confeſs I am not able to compare Beards with the Doctor; for mine is not by at leaſt two inches ſo long as a Goats, yet it was full as long as his (though not ſo hoary) the Sunday after the Eclipſe of the Sun in March laſt, when he beat down Aſtrology which Phreneticus, and ſuch like Phrenſies; and therefore in this he ſhall ha[•]e the prehemiency for ſenex bis puer, and ſo being now in his dotage, I will give him [•]eave to reckon up as many Boys of 26 yeers of age as he pleaſes, and make himſelf more ridiculous then already if poſſible, it being no unuſual thing with him to ſpeak repugnancies to both Reaſon and Senſe, as will appeare to any that ſhall peruſe his Book, and therefore I ſhall not need here further to inlarge.

CHAP. XIII. Containing the fourth Reaſon, and a Vindication from ſome of their abuſes, and untruths.

HAving thus entred, let us proceed to a fourth Reaſon.

Fourthly, for that it is a diſcourſe patcht up with nothing but evaſions, as not diſputing ad idem, and ſcurrillous railing language and abuſes towards me; amongſt hundreds of which, I ſhall here-onely trouble thee with theſe three.

Firſt, that a godly ſcholler reported unto him, I was aſſiſted in the penning of my defence of Aſtrology, Page 33 of his diſcourſe; the which he heatheniſhly, ſimply, and ignorantly (I will not ſay fooliſhly) termeth unchriſtianlike; I would he had not been thus hypocritical, but had named his godly ſchollars name (if any ſuch there were) and not have left his Reader and indifferent men thus in doubt; nor ſo diabolically wicked as thus to invent untruths, rather then he will not diſgrace and diſparage me, which I ſhall prove; and alſo that he is as I here term him, and ſo conſequently not worthy the taking notice of, crediting, and that firſt affirmatively and then negatively.

^[121]Firſt affirmatively, that ſince it is granted that no godly man will lye, he could not by any one be informed of any ſuch thing, ſince I never in the leaſt was aſſiſted, or inlightned in any part of the Art, by any man or party living or dead, much leſs in penning of that Book, which none ever ſaw till it was finiſhed and brought to be Licenced; beſides, I do here declare to all the world, I am not familiarly acquainted with any man living upon the face of the earth, that is a ſtudent in this moſt Noble Science, and therefore defie that man whoſoever he be, that ſhall herein ſo groſly abuſe me; for I deſire any one (be it whom it will) that can herein diſprove me, to publiſh it to the world, and I ſhall be content to ſubſcribe my ſelfe no other (and then I am ſure I ſhall be bad enough) then this moſt malicious and unworthy Orlando would perſwade the world of me.

But he had done well for the prevention of this my Anſwer, to have acquainted his Reader (as I have ſaid) both with the name of his godly ſchollar, and the names of thoſe that I borrowed aid of; wherefore to any rational man, what hath been already ſaid, is ſufficient to conclude him not worthy my Anſwer to every particular of his Rabble, and that he is as I have affirmed him. And therefore I refer him to Rev. 21.8. to receive his portion with ſuch as are there expreſt.

^[122]Secondly negatively, that he is neither Godly nor Religious; for ſince there is nothing more certain, then that a godly man will not lye: ſo (by the rule of contraries) is there any thing more affirmative, then that that man that doth lye, is nowiſe godly or religious; & that he erred in this particular is cleer; Ergo, Not Religious nor godly himſelf,^[123] although ſuch a pretender. And for the aſſurance therof, let him but make it yet appear to the world that he was by any (whether godly or no) informed of any ſuch matter, and the names of thoſe ſhould give me any aſſiſtance, that there be any in the world that will juſtifie it, and I do here promiſe (though if I overcome, I ſhall gain thereby no credit) I will honour him ſo far, as to let poſterity know he was worthy of RAMESEYS Anſwer.

And ſuch is his malice, he cannot be content with this, but upon my expreſſion of the Bleſſed ſtone of the Philoſophers which was but brought in by the way, he quibbles on it, (leaving the matter ſtill in queſtion, and his Reader unſatisfied) and that with invective, malicious, ſlanderous ſpeeches againſt my father, inferring by his rabble in the 39 page thereof, that my father was not onely ruined by his ſtudy in that matter, but alſo lay in priſon thereby, which is moſt notoriouſly falſe, as all that are of his acquaintance can juſtifie, for that he neither is in priſon or ever was upon any ſuch ſcore; there is nothing more certain. It is true, much he hath expended in trying concluſions that way, but I defie any man living to ſay he put him to a peny charges therein; but ſo intolerable is his further abuſe herein, that I cannot but deliver it to the world, both for the clearing of my father and manifeſting this Furioſo's maliciouſneſs; in the ſame place he hath theſe words, perſiſting thus in his wicked ſtanders; and truly for this had he his due, his ears ſhould be cropt to teach him to keep his tongue within compaſs; after he had mentioned moſt falſly and unworthily, he was in priſon thereby, he ſaith, though the late King bore with his defeating him of his expectations, and of ſcores of pounds, yet other men will not, cannot bear ſuch wrongs; intimating as will ſoon appear to the judicious Reader, that he had mony from the King for his charges in thoſe works, but to his great dammage brought naught to paſs, which of all miſchiefs and envies, is the greateſt; for there is none who had any acquaintance with the King, but can acquaint the world, he was ever averſe to ſuch a belief, and had many times diſſwaded him from ſuch expenſive courſes (this truly is a pretty world when ſuch fellows as he ſhall ſpeak of kings actions and expectations) and ſo far was he from lending him mony, that he owed him in arrear when he died, 5500. l. as is teſtified under the hands of Sir Robert Pye, Sir William Vuidale, Sir David Cunningham, Cap. Falkonbridge, Auditor Collins and others; but certainly he that will preſume in print thus to affirm untruths, and thoſe ſo ſcandalous, will not ſtick to ſay any thing, right or wrong, ſo he may but advantage himſelf ſixpence.

Wherefore what he ſaith in deriſion of that moſt ſublime Revelation and heavenly ſecret, which men vulgarly call the Philoſophers Stone, but in effect the ſoul of the world, and that whereby all things both Coeleſtial and Terreſtial that are creatures, ſubſiſt, increaſe, and next under God himſelfe, have their being; I ſay whatever he or any ſuch Animal to whom God hath not beſtowed ſo much mercy, as to believe ſuch a thing to be in rerum natura, or in poſſe, ſaith againſt it, is not much material; for my part, if I ſhould ſee ſuch kind of creatures believe and diſcourſe thereon, I ſhould (had I never before heard thereof) have concluded it to be meer foolery, and madneſs, as theſe mad kind of people do;^[124] but if I ſhould ask him what he thinks of Coining, I believe he would conclude that a great deal the better Trade; but I ſhall paſs by that, for he knows well enough what I mean, Ile warrant you, he thinks his a more bleſſed thing a great deal.

Again ſecondly, in his 43 page he ſaith, I was ſet on by my Brethren the Aſtrologers (being one of the ſilly weak ones) to confute Doctor Homes; and in divers places he informs and aſſures his Reader, I ſtudy and practice the Art in a mercenary way, and gain mony by reſolving queſtions; whereby you may plainly ſee how his envy runs him into an abſurdity, and inſtead of ſpeaking ſenſe, he committeth nonſenſe, and rendreth himſelf ridiculous by this his Bull, that I being one of the ſillieſt & weakeſt Students in Aſtrologie was choſen out of all the other to confute the Doctor and vindicate the Art; Ha, ha, he! by this, the Doctor and he are both very much credited that their ſtrong Arguments ſhould be refelled by the weakeſt Aſtrologer, and that all that they can do cannot ſilence him, nor vindicate themſelves in the leaſt point, ſave with railing, quibling, and evading with quillets nothing appertaining to the buſineſs in hand; for if high words and abuſes are of ſufficient force to maintain an Argument, I will get an Oyſter-Belins-gate-wench ſhall confute them both in any Argument they dare mention; and as touching my practiſing Aſtrologie in a mercenary way, I ſhall appeal to all my acquaintance; for I practiſe no ſuch thing; my practiſe publikely is Phyſick, and with it I privately conſult with Aſtrologie, and all ſuch Sciences as conduce to the knowledge of Nature, of which I prefer Aſtrology; for without it (as you have ſufficiently heard before) there is no Phyſitian able to be perfect in this Art, let them ſay what they will, and colour their ignorance over as they pleaſe; I have both Hippocrates, Galen, Avicen and Paracelſus for it, which I am ſure were better and more expert Phyſitians then any now adays which are againſt it.

Thirdly, whereas he ſaith, and that moſt impiouſly and falſly, that I hold and maintain a neceſſity and fatality in the ſtars, both that very Lux Veritatis, which theſe malicious wretches ſo indeavor to rail down, and my Vox ſtellarum will witneſs for me; and as for my Vox ſtellarum, there is hardly three leaves can be read together, wherein a clear manifeſtation of my denying fatality may not be had; therefore I ſhall not need to particularize any part thereof, only refer thee to the peruſal at thy beſt leiſure; but as concerning my Lux Veritatis, which they ſo pleno ore endeavour to cry down, it being thus under the cenſure, I ſhall here give you its language.

Firſt, In the Epiſtle to the Reader it hath theſe words, Aſtrologie, or the influence of the ſtars hath no fatality, except ſome contingency be mixt therewith; for this were to deny the Providence of God: and again, in the 97. page of the Book (being the firſt Sect. of the 4. chap.) it ſaith thus (and ſo forward) Sapiens dominabitur aſtris, a wiſe man may rule the ſtars (but this is^[125] Solomons wiſe man that is here underſtood) and Aſtra regunt homines, ſed regit aſtra Deus, the ſtars rule men, but God rules the ſtars; not meaning when we ſay, Aſtra regunt homines, any fatal neceſſity to be attributed to the influence of thoſe heavenly bodies, nor to have power over men farther then ſuch men are guided only by ſenſe as bruit beaſts, and not by reaſon, and farther that they Agunt, non cogunt, they act or incline, but no wiſe compel; but where grace or reaſon ſupports a man, there, or on ſuch a man the ſtars have no power: And in the 52. page thereof, thus, The ſtars of their own wills (as if they were living ſouls) decree not future events, nor neceſſarily uſurp power over our minds, but only to ſignifie the inclinations of the elements, and of all things compounded of them.

All this thou mayeſt clearly ſee in my Lux Veritatis; and but for tediouſneſs, I might rehearſe yet ſome other paſſages in Page 65. line 15. pag 70. l. 17. p. 75. l. 11. p. 85. l. 17. p. 97. l. 28. p. 94. p. 90. l. 29. &c. But by what hath been already ſaid, thou mayſt ſee their palpable malice and envy, as alſo their intolerable abuſes and untruths; for you ſee they care not what they ſay or affirm, ſo it may be but to their advantage, or what they rail out ſo to the diſparagement of thoſe that pleaſe them not.

^[126]Wherefore now Reader do thou judge, and tell me (all this being conſidered) whether by their own words (It is to prudent men the ſign of a bad cauſe, that needs to be defended by bad words) their cauſe be to be judged or accounted good, who have ſo often been guilty thereof, and that moſt maliciouſly, in both inventing and affirming detracting and moſt abuſive ſpeeches and ſtories: and whether their cauſe then be not only bad, but the baddeſt and worſt of cauſes, who in all that rabble of their pretended Reply have hardly one page wherein there is not ſome abuſe, foul language or an untruth.

Now as touching their evaſions, I ſhall briefly run over two or three of them that ſo they may be known for Sophiſters, and then proceed; for it would be folly in me to take notice of more. In the firſt page of my diſcourſe I ſhew the Reader, the Doctor in all his Book declares not what Aſtrologie is he ſo ſtrives to beat down; and therefore for their better underſtanding of what we ſo pro and con maintain, I there delivered a definition thereof, which I gathered from the 1. chap. and 1. book of Ptolomies Quadripartite, the which, ſay they, is not in that place, nor any other ſet down by him, after they had as you have heard, gone on in their invective railings and abuſes to make me odious, and then by this their weak evaſion they indeavour to give an inlet to all their abſurdities, which indeed muſt needs conſequently follow, if this be admitted.

But admit that definition was never recorded by him or any other Aſtrologer, yet are they never the neerer to their purpoſe; for, if I may (that am to vindicate the Art) have liberty to tell them what it is that I ſtand for and maintain, ſince they have not, nor cannot ſhew what it is they condemn; why then, I ſay, I define Aſtrologie to be that Art, which by the conſtant motions, configurations, and Influences of the Stars and Planets, ^[127] teacheth how to judge of the Natural effects and mutations to come in elements, and in and on elementary bodies; the which I ſay again, although not in ipſiſſimis verbis, is to be found in the aforeſaid place; yet would rational men have found the ſame in effect, which might and doth very well ſerve turn, which they know well enough, though they endeavour by this their weak aſſertion to evade, giving any anſwer thereunto, which indeed they are not able to do otherwiſe; wherefore what in all this their Galimaufry they condemn and argue againſt, deviating from this my definition, they neither ſpeak nor argue to what I have ſaid; Ergo, againſt what they know not, nor are capable, in ſaying they write againſt Aſtrology; for what is more then I have here expreſſed, I deny to be Aſtrology in its purity; but if they will not admit me to tell them what it is I hold to be lawfull or maintain, I muſt confeſs they may eaſily convince me; but to this definition I ſtand, upon which as I in the 100. page of that Book in anſwer to the Doctor ſay, ſo here again I dare undertake the vindication of the validity and legality of the Art, againſt not only what he hath ſaid, but all the Divines and men in the World put together in one can or will ſay againſt it: for I am certain he that can finde fault herewith, is not Compos mentis; and therefore I ſhall appeal to the learned and indifferent Judges that are judicious, whether my Arguments, that are grounded hereon, are not in full force, and remain as yet by them unſhaken, notwithſtanding all their ſimple querks, whimſical tricks and quillets, and ridiculous quibles like themſelves, which ſoon vaniſh, not being worthy of any wiſe mans notice, they no wiſe diſputing ad idem.

But this is not all; Who ſo ſhall but take the pains to compare my diſcourſe with their pretended Reply (although they pretend to the Reader they ſet down my chapters and ſections verbatim) will ſoon finde their Sophiſtical juggles, and the Reader deceived; for they not only omit here and there ſomewhat, which maketh abſolutely againſt them, but alſo in moſt ſections and chapters there is ſome very conſiderable points eſcaped their notice, for that they had diſparaged themſelves to have expreſſed them, knowing they could not give any ſolid or ſober Reply thereunto, I ſhall here only mention one whole ſection they have omitted, referring the reſt to your own ſearch at your leiſure; for it were an intricate and too tedious a thing in this Book to particularize every one, and the reaſons why they omitted them; ſince, I ſay they have been herein ſo generally guilty, and not only ſo, but alſo in many places of what they have ſet down thou wilt finde they have clearly wreſted the ſenſe and meaning of my words, and made them conformable to their own intentions, the better to have liberty for their bald jeers, abuſes and ſophiſtications: wherefore ſhould I take notice of ſuch ſhufflers ſo as to trouble my ſelf to return them an anſwer, according to that of the wiſe man, Prov. 26.4. I ſhould render my ſelf more ridiculous (if poſſible) then they are already.

But (as I ſaid) if you have regard to the 104. page of their ridiculous pamphlet, you will ſoon finde (not knowing how to give any ſatisfactory Reply) they have omitted my whole 6. Section of my 3. Chapter, being an anſwer to the 2. of Da[•]. the 1, 2, 3, 4. and 5. verſes, alledged by Doctor Homes to condemn Aſtrologie; pretending to their Reader there is nothing therein contained, but what was left to me by Sir Chriſtopher Heydon, and therefore not worthy the ſetting down; and this the impudent Penner indeavours to prove by theſe words, As I dare be judged by the learned in his own judgement; and if ſo, I am ſure he will be condemned both for his falſe aſſertion and his impudence thus to appeal to the Learned, in my judgement, in ſo untrue a thing, which his own conſcience accuſeth him of, and muſt needs flie in his face for this, as for many other his abuſes and untruths; for Sir Chriſtopher in no part of his Diſcourſe ſo much as mentioneth that paſſage; for indeed, it came not at all in his way, not being alledged by Mr. Chambers whom he wrote againſt; and therefore, before a friend of the pretended Replyers in the aforeſaid Inn where he lodged, the 22. day of Jan. 1651. I offered him 10. l. to ſhew me any one paſſage in all that Section in Sir Chriſtopher Heydon, or ſo much as that paſſage of Scripture mentioned by Mr. Chambers: wherefore what reaſon the Reader hath to credit him in his other aſſertions and allegations through out all that Book, that dare thus peremptorily ſay and affirm any thing, though never ſo falſe, let him judge; but the truth is, he could not (though he ſtood upon Doctor Homes his ſhoulder, who had formerly wreſted that text, thinking no body underſtood the Scripture but himſelf, becauſe he is a time-ſerving Divine) anſwer, or give any ſufficient reply to my Arguments in that ſixth Section, and therefore omits it, that his Reader might not know what was therein, and ſo comes ſneakingly off, with telling him it was not worth the ſetting down, being left to me from Sir Chriſtopher Heydon; the which if it had been true, being a paſſage of Scripture, and brought by the Doctor to condemn Aſtrologie, and again his affirmation refelled, it had not only been worth the ſetting down, but alſo anſwering (if he had been able) had he had any deſire to give his Reader any ſatisfaction in the thing in queſtion.

But alas poor fellow, he never looks to that, knowing he cannot well loſe his credit more then he hath already; ſo he might have money for the fathering of it, what cared he what was in it, good or bad, ſenſe or nonſenſe, tis all alike to him. And thus much ſhall ſuffice for my fourth Reaſon, why I hold not that pretended Reply worthy my Anſwer.

CHAP. XIV. Containing the Authors fourth Reaſon, and the Scripture proofs alledged for Aſtrologie in his Lux Veritatis, proved to remain unſhaken.

Reaſon 5

REaſon 5. Fifthly, For that it is not an anſwer to my Diſcourſe, which the learned and judicious will ſoon find; I mean the Penners thereof have no ways anſwered to thoſe paſſages of mine they have expreſt and pretend to refell. I might here ſet down many paſſages of that rabbling Diſcourſe for the manifeſtation thereof; but leaſt I ſhould make this Book too large, and trouble thee with the rehearſal of ſuch unworthy ſtuff, I ſhall here only clear ſome places of mine, wherein I ſhew Aſtrology not impugned by Scripture, but rather upheld thereby and allowed by that Divine Writ, and that thereby alſo the Stars are proved both ſigns and cauſes, notwithſtanding what theſe Punies have or can ſay againſt it; now theſe being the conſiderableſt points, and all others depending thereon, we ſhall in this place touch on no other: but for your farther ſatisfaction, refer you to the diſcourſe it ſelf.

In my 2. Section and 1. Chapter, being about to undeceive my Reader, that the Divine Writ allowed not of Aſtrologie, and that it was not everywhere therein condemned, as was wiſely affirmed by Doctor Homes, who when all came to all could produce but ſix places againſt it, and thoſe but imaginary neither, as may appear by the third chapter of my Lux Veritatis; I uſe theſe words, being penned by that glorious King David, who was a great Prophet,^[128] and had a large meaſure of the Spirit of God, being a man after Gods own heart: The heavens declare the glory of God, Pſal. 19.1. The language of the ſtars is heard over all the earth, or the uttermoſt parts thereof, Pſal. 19.3. As if he had ſaid (ſay I there) there is no part free from the power of their influences; for their power hath a general extent over all Nations, Kingdoms, Countries, Provinces and Languages; I pray who can reſtrain the ſweet Influences of the Pleiades? Job 38.31. And did not the ſtars in their courſes fight againſt Siſera? Judg. 5.20. One of theſe places had been enough to have convinced him of great wickedneſs, in denying the Scripture doth anywhere allow of Aſtrologie, &c.

To all which they reply thus. To that of Pſal. 19.1. they ſay thoſe words ſhew only that the Heavens were framed by the Word and power of God the Creator, which if no other meaning were in theſe words to be underſtood, the Prophet might as well have ſaid, a Dog, Cat, or any other Creature declares the wonderfull works and glory of the Almighty; but the meaning thereof is, that he effecteth thereby and worketh, and herein are his wonderfull works the more manifeſt, and to be admired. I thought the Doctor and the other now of late pretending to be a^[129] Miniſter of the word, had been better verſed in the ſenſe and meaning of that Scripture; but this by the way.

And as touching Pſal. 19.3. in their 22. page, where they ſhould have proved it no ways available to my Argument or purpoſe, diſputants like, alas, they tell their Reader, my interpretation muſt give place to the Apoſtles, Rom. 10.18. viz. preaching of the Goſpel, not of Aſtrologie; and for the Pleiades in Job, ſay they, they are anſwered after; and for the fighting of the ſtars againſt Siſera, compare Joſh. 10.11. Exod 9.23. but name the words of none of theſe places; for that would diſcover their wickedneſs in wreſting the Scripture by affirming what is not; as alſo their ignorance and weakneſs in not knowing how otherwiſe to anſwer the buſineſs, but by quoting the like number of Texts, and pretending to their Reader, therein he ſhall receive clear ſatisfaction, never regarding whether they were any thing or not to the purpoſe.

But ſince ye are ſo cunning, I will be as cunning as you; and ſince the point is ſo conſiderable, as that the legality of the Art, and the warrant thereof from Divine Scripture dependeth thereon, I ſhall ſhew you (becauſe you have thus played the Sophiſters with your Reader in this as in all other) what thoſe paſſages you quote ſpeak, and then let any that hath but half an eye to diſcern between light and darkneſs, good and bad, truth and falſhood, judge of the buſineſs.

But firſt, let me ſhew you what they have unawares confeſſed touching that of Judges, thinking it will confirm that ridiculous aſſertion of theirs, That the meaning of that Text is, the ſtorms, Tempeſts, winde and rain fought againſt Siſera: Ha, ha, he! I never knew in my life (nor (I am confident) the antienteſt and wiſeſt Philoſopher that ever was) any ſtar that had the name of ſtorm, tempeſt, wind, rain or hail; the Divine Writ expreſly telleth us, that the ſtars in their courſes fought, &c. and yet theſe —, what ſhall I call them, render it ſtorms, tempeſts, wind, &c. and therein themſelves both envious and ridiculous, having no better a come off; if all their learning cannot diſtinguiſh betwixt ſtars and ſtorms, they are not ſo fit to hold or maintain an Argument, as to go to ſchool to learn to ſpell better; for although they are ſo antient, nunquam ſera eſt, &c. for (no diſparagement to them) I have known wiſer, nay and far more ſolid and diſcreet at 18. yeers of age; but perhaps this their errour proceeded not from any defect of Judgement, but of old Age and wanting their ſpectacles miſtook & read ſtorms for ſtars, as their quondam brother read green-bay-horſe for bay-tree; wherefore ſince they are in their dotage, or at leaſt ſince theſe and ſuch like miſtakes are uſual with them, I ſhall not farther take notice of ſuch animals; but return to ſhew you what a rod they have given me to whip themſelves, which they had very well deſerved, had they been thus tardy at School.

^[130]In the ſame 22. page of their Pamphlet, they confeſs (but certainly unawares, as I ſaid before) that thoſe ſtorms, tempeſts, winds, &c. were accounted by Junius to be cauſed by the Influence of the ſtars and heavenly bodies; whereby you may clearly ſee how much they know what they write againſt, when the influence of the ſtars is confeſſed by them to be the cauſe of thoſe ſtorms, tempeſts, &c. that diſcomfited Siſeras Army (this is as much as I deſire) and yet in their very next words they deny that that paſſage of Scripture maketh any thing for Aſtrologie; wherefore ſince you have at large already heard, and now here again by their own Arguments and words I have fully proved and warranted that the ſtars have influence on elementary things, I need not here ſpend time to ſhew you farther what might be underſtood, and is indeed to be collected affirmatively out of that text for this our purpoſe; but haſten to ſhew that (notwithſtanding what they have ſaid) the ſtars are by the ſame teſtimony, viz. the word of God, proved to be both ſigns and cauſes; yet firſt let me ſhew you their impudence, wreſting of Scriptures, and concealedneſs, touching whom the wiſeſt of men, (Solomon) Prov. 26 12. teſtifyeth.

CHAP. XV. Shewing that the Text in Pſal. 19. v. 3. alledged by the Author to prove the ſtars have influence, is no wiſe refelled.

^[131]AS touching the firſt, viz. Rom. 10.18. which they ſay is rather to be taken then my interpretation, meerly hereby to deceive their Reader, not being indeed able otherwiſe to give any ſolid anſwer thereunto (as hath been ſaid.) The words are (the Apoſtle having before ſpoken of the difference of that righteouſneſs which cometh of the Law, and that of Faith in the foregoing verſe, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, and then he ſaith) but have they not heard? (meaning the People or Nations) yes verily; their ſound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world; being about to ſhew that both Iews and Gentiles ſhall hear the word preached unto them; but hereby they prove not (to any rational man) that becauſe theſe Texts agree and come neer to one another in words, therefore they are one and the ſame in ſenſe; for that were to render themſelves both void of ſenſe and reaſon; for we ſee clearly the Apoſtle here promiſeth in a Prophetick way the Univerſal preaching of the word, or at leaſt that it ſhould ſhine in the dark corners of the Gentiles, who were then unbelievers; but not one word or mention either in this Text, or to be gathered out of all the Chapter, of the ſtars or their influence: but in that 19. Pſalm and the third verſe we ſee clearly, there is no ſpeech nor language, where their voice is not heard; meaning the voice of the ſtars, viz. their influence; having (as you have heard) in the preceding words ſaid, The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament ſheweth his handy work, and in the ſubſequent words, viz. verſ. 4, 5, 6. their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world: in them hath he ſet a Tabernacle for the Sun, which as a Bridegroom cometh out of his chamber, and rejoyceth as a ſtrong man to run a race; his going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof; By which you may plainly ſee that David there ſpeaketh of all the Heavens in general; the heavens declare, &c. and ſtars therein, when he mentions their voice, and particularly the Zodiack, which he calls a Tabernacle for the Sun; moreover, you are quite put out of doubt, that he before ſpake of all theſe, and the influence of the ſtars by his mentioning this more particularly, the Sun, Qui eſt Rex aſtrorum, and his heat, and ſo comprehending all under him being the chief of them; intimating alſo that his influence is univerſal throughout the whole earth from the Eaſt unto the Weſt, the which courſe he rejoyceth to run as a ſtrong man to run a race; ſo that from hence here can nothing in the leaſt be gathered for the uniting thoſe two Texts in ſenſe being as different as the North is from the South, or as Heaven is from Earth, and altogether as impoſſible to be united, as it is to joyn the Eaſt with the Weſt, or the Pole Artick with the Antartick; for it was meerly the marginal notes in ſome of our Bibles, which led theſe two learned Teachers of the Word of God out of the way, and into this weak buſineſs, ſerving no whit at all to their purpoſe; which they knew well enough; and therefore it was they delivered not the words of the Text they quoted, perſwading themſelves that their telling the Reader it was St. Pauls interpretation of the Pſalm agreeing ſomewhat in words, would be ſufficient; and truly ſo it is for the making them ridiculous, but for nothing elſe; for ſure I am St. Paul, never made either an interpretation or expoſition of the Pſalms, or the marginal Notes in our Bibles; but me thinks they ſhould have taken the 4, 5, and 6. verſes before mentioned with them, and have made all concur, they depending ſo unanimouſly one upon the other: but this is clear, let us now to their anſwer to that in Iob by me alledged, and ſo proceed.

CHAP. XVI. Proving their Reply to Job 38.31. ſhewing the ſtars to have influence to be frivolous and of no effect.

MArk how as touching this point, they tell their Reader it is anſwered after, ^[132] but they tell him not in what manner; for if they had, they had been unwiſe; for all the anſwer that I could find in all their Galimaufry was only this, that what I ſaid was falſe, according to the old ſaying, in a word thou lyeſt; a pure way to confute an Argument, and very eaſie! But whoſo ſhall peruſe St. Auguſtine upon Iob, which here would be too tedious to diſcuſs, and in a manner (being ſo clear, and that by the teſtimony of ſo good an Author) ſuperfluous; I ſay no more on this matter, only deſiring thee alſo to peruſe but the preceding and ſubſequent words of that paſſage of St. Auguſtine which they bring, ſeeming to make for them, and thou ſhalt finde therein alſo their jugling tricks to deceive their Reader: juſt as they brought Ptolomie to condemn Aſtrologie, which I hinted at in the beginning of this Book; for it is very ſtrange that Ptolomie ſhould ſpeak againſt that which he taught to the World in four Books in Folio; but if the ſenſe and meaning of the Author be not regarded, it is an eaſie matter even in the beſt of Writings to finde out ſome ſeeming contradictions.

But I dare poſitively affirm and maintain that St. Auguſtine doth in no place of all his works condemn, and poſitively diſ-allow of Chriſtian Iudicial Aſtrologie in its purity, and not abuſed; and this may ſufficiently be manifeſted by thoſe five opinions I have ſet down in my Lux Veritatis, chap. 2. ſect. 3. which he recordeth in libro de Civitate Dei, lib. 5. cap. 1. for though the ſuperſtitious abuſes thereof be by him condemned, it argueth not therefore the natural uſes are to be aboliſhed; and therefore though before his converſion he followed the Hereſies of the Manichees, ^[133] who maintained the ſtars to be adored and prayed unto, and afterwards wrote againſt them, yet can it not be made apparent, that he utterly condemned this liberal Science, as will appear by theſe words of his in libro 5. cap. 6. de Civitate Dei; Non uſque quaque abſurde dici poſſit ad ſolas corporum differentias, afflatus quoſdam valere ſidereos, ſient in ſolaribus acceſſibus, & receſſibus; videmus etiam ipſius anni tempera variari, & lunaribus incrementis & decrementis angeri & minni quaedam genera rerum, ſicut echinos & conchas, & mirabiles aeſtus oceani, non autem & animi voluntates poſitionibus ſyderum ſubdi: whereby we ſee nothing exempted from ſubjection to the ſtars that is bodily, but only our ſpiritual part; neither doth he aſcribe this power to the ſtars in general, as that their ſpecifical vertues are not poſſible to be known by man; for in his Book De gen. lib. 2. cap 5. he agreeth with Aſtrologers that Saturn is cold.

Again ſhall we admit that St. Auguſtine, and with him all the Fathers unanimouſly are againſt Aſtrologie; yet may we not hence make our ſelves ſo ridiculous as to conclude Aſtrologie of no validity or efficacy, they being but men, and therefore ſubject to error; and ſince it is nowiſe condemned by the word of God (which ſhould be the touchſtone of all mens writings) further then that men ſhould not give the power of the Creator to the creature, nor impoſe a fatal neceſſity and truſt therein; and therefore St. Auguſtine in the aforeſaid fifth Book, and firſt chap. of his City of God, delivering five opinions (as I ſaid) concerning deſtiny, in his firſt ſheweth, that by deſtiny is underſtood The providence, will, and power of God; and therefore he warneth Aſtrologers, that they continue their opinions, but correct their tongues; for that through cuſtom of ſpeech the vulgar commonly underſtood nothing by the word fate, or deſtiny, but the inevitable power of the ſtars; and ſo becomes a means to draw them from a true truſt and confidence in God and his word.

And truly were it not for fear of making this Treatiſe too great, I could ſhew you that every part of Aſtrologie, nay even monethly Prognoſtications (which ſome men think are condemned by the word of God) being grounded upon obſervation deduced from cauſes in nature, have ever been permitted and ſuffered in all well ordered and Chriſtian Common-wealths; and that not only the Fathers and latter Divines, but even Mr. Calvin himſelf in his admonition, with others (that attribute as little to this Art as they may) do allow thereof, ſo far forth as it extends to the ſtate of the weather, of health, ſickneſs, plenty, dearth, and to the direction of the Phyſitian when to purge by Pill, when by Potion, when by letting of blood; this being as far as I maintain the Art, and make my ſtudy therein proceed, as ſhall be cleared before the cloſure of this Treatiſe; but let us here proceed.

CHAP. XVII. Proving their Reply to Judges 5.20. weak, and nowiſe available to their intent or purpoſe.

ENter we now on the laſt Text, viz. That in Iudges, with which they bid us compare Joſh. 10.11. Exod 9 23. the which you ſhall ſee maketh altogether as little for their turn as all the reſt have in the other, and therefore it was they durſt not deliver the words, which are theſe, Ioſh. 10.11. And it came to paſs as they fled from before Iſrael (meaning the hoſts of the 5. Kings) and were in the going down to Bethoren, that the Lord caſt down great ſtones from Heaven upon them unto Azekah; they were more which died with hale-ſtones, then they which the children of Iſrael ſlew with the ſword: in all which, we ſee only the vengeance of God executed on thoſe people that Ioſhuah was ordained to drive out from before the children of Iſrael: how doth this prove that the ſtars in their courſes fought not againſt Siſera, in the fifth of Iudges? or that they did not indeee fight alſo againſt theſe 5. Kings? for by their own confeſſion, the ſtorms, hale, wind, and tempeſts that diſcomfited Siſeras Army, were occaſioned by the influence of the ſtars; and therefore I know no reaſon to the contrary, but that they were alſo occaſioners of theſe hale-ſtones, ſo that they have gained little by this their firſt place to be therewith compared.

As touching the ſecond, it is this, Exod. 9.23. The words are, And Moſes ſtretched forth his Rod towards Heaven, and the Lord ſent thunder and hale, and the fire run along upon the ground, and the Lord rained hale upon the Land of Egypt; a ſtrong argument truly, that the ſtars in their courſes fought not againſt Siſera! what would they have it to be, or their Reader to underſtand by theſe their weak come-offs? would they have it the hand of God? I ſay the ſame; would they have it hale-ſtorms? I ſay ſo to; what would they have it to be? Can they ſhew me in either, or both theſe their texts, that the ſtars in their courſes fought not againſt Siſera? or can they ſhew that thereby we are taught and ſhewn to read that place otherwiſe? but they muſt know this, that though in neither of them there is a word to be found or mention made of any ſtars, yet in that of Judges there is both mention of them, and expreſs teſtimony they fought againſt Siſera, The ſtars in their courſes fought againſt Siſera.

So that you ſee clearly my Arguments, proving Aſtrologie to be warranted by the word of God, do remain yet unſhaken, and that notwithſtanding all that they have or can ſay; no ſolid Reply can be by them produced to the contrary; wherefore it mattereth not (ſhould we make no more words) what either of them both or all the men in the World that are either ignorantly or obſtinatly or traditionally againſt it, do ſay againſt it; for as I end that 2. ſect of my 2. chap. where I prove the ſtars to be both ſigns and cauſes, I may here, you ſee, again triumphantly ſing, Et ſi Scriptura, & ipſe Deus nobiſcum quis contra nos? If the Scripture and God himſelf be with us, who can be againſt us?

Wherefore you ſee now what great cauſe the Penner of that rabble had to ſay after theſe evaſions and juggles, Thus with a touch it appears that Mr. Rameſey is deceived in his concluſion to the ſaid proofs, that one of them were enough to convince any man the ſtars have influence; for, nor one, nor all, nor an hundred ſuch, are in any ſhew ſufficient to convince a prudent man of this, &c.

Thus you ſee he denies the very teſtimonny of the word of God, nay although it were affirmed by an hundred places, and yet with all his wit he cannot refell the leaſt of theſe, ſave with his facing down with a bold forehead, which to the judicious will be but a laughing ſtock; for now it is moſt manifeſt, that whereas he ſaid, I was then in a dream, he is in ſuch a dream that he knoweth not where he is, nor how to beturn or betake himſelf for refuge, but by railing and ſpitting his venome Viper-like againſt me and that wherewith I have wounded him to the quick; for it is moſt apparent, that (although he ſaith thus with a touch, &c.) he hath ſo ſlightly touched my Arguments that they yet ſtand unſhaken; and had he not ſaid thus with a touch, we had not known whether he had touched them or no. Wherefore now lets ſee how my Arguments alſo by the word of God that the ſtars are both ſigns and cauſes, are ſtill left alſo unrefelled, and ſo haſten to a concluſion.

CHAP. XVIII. That the ſtars are proved both ſigns and cauſes by the word of God; and the Art lawful, notwithſtanding all their malice.

^[134]SO in my Lux Veritatis, chap. 2. Sect. 2. From theſe Texts you will finde I prove that the ſtars are both ſigns and cauſes, Gen. 1.14. Hoſ. 2.21. and Deut. 33.14. the which becauſe it would here be too tedious to rehearſe, I refer unto thee to peruſe at thy own leiſure; to all which thou ſhalt finde no other reply returned then this at the latter end of the 73. page. The Doctor denies not that the ſtars are cauſes, and this I believe is granted me, becauſe they knew no other reply, without rendring themſelves ridiculous to the World; but if ſo▪ and (as it is farther granted) that he alloweth of Natural Aſtrology, and ſo conſequently that the ſtars are alſo ſigns; let me ask any rational man what they argue againſt then, if the ſtars be confeſſed ſigns and cauſes of wind, hale, ſtorms, tempeſts and alteration of weather? or how is it then unlawfull, Diabolical, or a doctrine of Devils, to practiſe or prognoſticate thereby of theſe accidents? as Doctor Homes moſt wiſely and diſcreetly termeth it: And thus haſt thou briefly been ſhewn the utmoſt of that diſcourſe for the refelling of mine, by which you ſee, notwithſtanding, Aſtrologie to remain in full force; that the ſtars have influence, and are both ſigns and cauſes warranted by the Divine Word of God. It reſteth therefore now, I only add this one place more in the 4. ſect. of the 1. chap. of my Diſcourſe, wherein I prove that the Art of Aſtrologie is not prohibited by the word of God, nor the ſtudy thereof by God himſelf, but rather by him allowed, and then ſhall conclude with a Relation of the power and ſubject of Aſtrologie, and how far it is by me defended or maintained, and paſs over all the reſidue of that rabbling, railing reply as not worthy my notice.

[•]n th t fourth Sect. (I ſay) proving the legality of Aſtrologie, and that God doth not proh[••]ite the ſtudy thereof, as is clear by that teſtimony of the Holy Ghoſt by St. Stephen in the 7. of the Acts ver. 22. ſpeaking in the commendation of Moſes, he giveth him over and above the commendation aforeſaid in that ſame 7. chap. this praiſe, That he was learned in all the wiſdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds, which (I ſay in that place) is clear to any rational man, That if it had been anywiſe ſinfull, Diabolical or odious in the ſight of God, Moſes would not have applyed his ſtudy thereunto, or at leaſt it would never have been recorded in his praiſe: I might inſtance here Daniel, Solomon and others; but this is ſo clear that to inſiſt longer hereon, were but vain; thus far I inſiſted in that place above quoted.

Now as touching a Reply thereunto, they have none in the world, but a bold Aſſertion of an untruth in theſe words, pag. 38. of that Pamphlet, The Doctor hath fully anſwered that theſe Saints were not judicial Aſtrologers. But in what place, the Reader is left to to ſeek, which right Diſputants are never guilty of; but catch either the Doctor or this Rufus, without an evaſion or juggle, and — you may do what you will with them.

So alſo when I prove further, that Aſtrology is a lawful Art, being not prohibited by the Word of God, their Reply is, it is onely my paſſing my word for it; but I would fain ſee them paſs any ſound word or Argument againſt it, and not content themſelves with theſe ſilly and weak come-offs.

Again, in that 4. Sect. I come further to ſhew that, We ſee by experience, that God doth (ſo far is he from diſallowing and prohibiting the practice of Aſtrology) abſolutely allow of both the Art and Artiſts, in his ſhewing of blazing-ſtars to them onely that ſtudy Aſtrology (not to the vulgar and proficient in other Arts) to forewarn his people of the danger and puniſhment to come; and if it were not ſo, he might as well ſhew ſignes of his future pleaſure to the Illiterate by common vulgar things, as in heaven, to the learned Aſtrologer who can onely judge of their effects.

Now but warily obſerve their Reply, and thou wilt have fit matter of laughter; for in the 38 page, they ſay that my alleadging that God ſhews blazing-ſtars onely to Aſtrologers, is a grot[•] untruth, Confeſſed by thouſands of the vulgar yet alive in England, who ſaw the blazing-ſtar many nights that appeared afore the Swediſh wars in Germany; for what hinders but ſhepherds, ſaylers, watch-men, and Illiterates ſhould perceive that which is obvious to the common eys of man-kind, and diſtinguiſh a Comet from a ſtar by his neerneſs, moti n, and his feather or long taile?

And truly herein they have told us a long tale to no purpoſe; for ſhould I deny that ſuch things can be diſcerned that are obvious to the common ſenſe of ſeeing, I ſhould indeed render my ſelfe as ridiculous as they have in not apprehending my words, who deny not in the leaſt, but that they may plainly be ſeen of Sailers, Watchmen, Shepheards, illiterate Hay-makers, alſo dolts and Aſſes if they be not blind or aſleep, which is nothing at all to my Argument; for I was to let my Reader know that God more eſpecially (allowing of the ſtudy and contemplation of his heavenly creatures in his ſervants) ſheweth ſuch things as are Comets and Blazing-ſtars to Aſtrologers onely; I ſay becauſe they onely of all other men, are the ableſt to judge of their effects and portences, that the people might be forewarned of their miſery and the like; for otherwiſe he might ſhew his wonders in common vulgar things.

^[135]But if we obſerve, it is wonderful to ſee how learnedly theſe zealous blades by this their Reply prove that God (contrary to what I have alleadged) doth not in the leaſt allow of Aſtrology, or the Students thereof, by this his ſhewing of Comets or Blazing-ſtars; and that this my Argument conduced not to the validity of the Art or Artiſts, and not to come off ſo blewly to argue on what was never affirmed; but poor men they are to be excuſed come once to talk to them of Comets and Blazing-ſtars, and you put them quite out of their ſphear: therefore I ſhall onely propound this queſtion to them, and look for an Anſwer when they are able to underſtand Engliſh; they ſay I am ſhamefully out in my Latin, becauſe I interpret not the words of the Bachharen Councell verbatim, but deliver the ſenſe of them. I thought I had writ to men, which would have been content with the ſenſe, and not to children that muſt have it word by word expounded; but however, this muſt needs be a Bull to affirm that therefore I was out in my Latin, but they cannot deny they are in this place out in their Engliſh, which is a far greater fault, and deſerves both the ferula and flagellum, and therefore I ſay I ſhall onely ask them this queſtion▪ becauſe they underſtand neither Engliſh, ſenſe nor honeſty, for perhaps thereby they may come to underſtand what I ſaid; viz. whether it was the Aſtrologer I ſpake of, or the Shepheard, Sailer, Watchmen, and Illiterates they ſpeak of, that told them the Comet in 1618. foreſhewed the Swediſh wars in Germany, that they talk of?

CHAP. XIX. Proving Aſtrology to be warranted by Councels, in ſpight of their Rabble.

EVen in that ſame 4. Sect. having thus (as you have heard) ſhewed the legality of Aſtrology, and validity of the ſtudy thereof, not being prohibited by God, &c. I conclude then, that whatever Doctor Homes alledgeth was the Law of the Romans againſt it, was of no validity; ſince of neceſſity (if warranted by the Word of God) it muſt be allowed by the Councels, eſpecially the godlier ſort of Conncels, whoſe Acts and determinations will be grounded on piety and the Word of God; and if otherwiſe, I value not what their cenſure is; for they are but men and (guided by their own reaſons and opinions) fraile, ſubject to infirmities and errours; [•]umanum eſt errare.

To which in their 39 pag. they Reply, that as I prove Aſtrology not to be condemned by the Word of God, juſt ſo (and no wiſelier) do I prove it not impugned by Councels, namely by bare facing it down with a bold forehead.

Now I deſire no better proof that it is not condemned by Councels then this; for if their wiſdomes will admit this to be proved as wiſely, and juſt as I have the other, which all their wit you ſee, could not in the leaſt and weakeſt point ſilence, my Argument will be good and firm enough, and evident to the Reader, that they remain as yet by them unſhaken, and that they have no other refuge but barely to face it down with a bold and impudent forehead, eſpecially being in the former ſo ſhamefully bafled.

Wherefore now it reſteth I ſnew you the full power and ſubject of Aſtrology, and how far I maintain or allow of the Art, and here deſiſt, referring you for further ſatiſfaction to that diſcourſe of mine, which is able to juſtifie theſe my words, ſince for all that the Replyers thereunto can ſay, the Art remains ſtill unſhaken, and it unanſwered; wherefore they had but ſmall reaſon to title that weak piece, Judicial Aſtrology Judicially condemned, when alas there is hardly a judicious ſentence to be found between the beginning and end thereof, unleſs borrowed of ſome other Author, neither are they or it able to ſhew their faces before the judicious and impartial Judges of the matter, without ſuffering condign condemnation themſelves.

CHAP. XX. Containing the power and ſubject of Aſtrology, and how far the Author vindicateth it.

YOu are now to receive The power and ſubject of Aſtrology, which by all what you have heard,^[136] dealeth with ſuch things as are performed by Art and Nature, with the will of man indirectly and accidentally, and his inclinations temperature, and diſpoſitions; as alſo with his affections and body, and with natural and ſecondary cauſes, and general accidents and contingencies: But not with rare contingencies or ſuch as have an indifferent reſpect to the oppoſites, as depending upon unknown and indeterminate cauſes, which may happen one way or other: neither with mans will doth Aſtrology meddle, but accidentally, ſo far as the Soul with the faculties thereof follows the temperature of the body; neither with the Providence of God or ſhew a cauſe of miracles; or with the ſecrets of God; for they are (ſaith the Scripture) paſt finding out. Ergo, Aſtrologers, that are men that contemplate but natural cauſes, are falſly and moſt ſcandalouſly abuſed when thus impeached, neither hath the influence of the ſtars any fatality as inevitable, except ſome contigency be mixed therewith; for this were to deny the Providence of God.

^[137]Now as touching the parts of Aſtrology, I ſhall here according to Ptolomy, in the beginning of his ſecond Book of his Quadripartite, chap. 1. divide into two, the firſt and chief part being general, as having relation to Countries, Kingdoms, Provinces, and Cities, alterations of Kingdoms, Laws, Cuſtoms, death, plenty, wars, peace, health, ſickneſs, and mutations in the Air, &c. The ſecond particular, viz. To mens Nativities, as to know the particular conſtitution, temperature and natural inclination of any man or woman, but not other accidents, as whether a man ſhall live long, the time when he ſhall die, and what manner of death, whether he ſhall be rich, and how attain it, &c. which are, as alſo Horary queſtions depending thereon, not certain.

The firſt is judged by the poſition of the Heavens and the Planets, and their Natures and ſignifications at the time of any Revolution of the yeers of the world, the appearance of Eclipſes, Comets, Blazing-ſtars, or great Conjunctions; The latter, at the time of the parties birth: and ſo far and no farther do I any wiſe allow of the Art; for, what is called Aſtrology more then this, is not ASTROLOGY, but the meer abuſe of the Art; I meand Charactery-Aſtrology, and other ſuperſtitions of the Arabians, and Chaldeans, alſo horary queſtions, and elections, if not depending or grounded on the Radix of the parties Nativitie, or rather on that part which teacheth of the general accidents of the world, are neither countenanced or vidicated by me in the leaſt; for I have ſtudied and know ſufficiently the experience thereof, neither do I wholly relie on the ſetting of any mans Nativity, though it hath been approved of by ſome of the learned;^[138] fer, ſince the ſtars have no power on ſuch as are ruled either by Reaſon or Grace, (as you have heard where I ſay, Aſtra agunt, not cogunt, are ſapiens dominabitur aſtris) to what end then is it for a man to buſie his head about ſuch uncertainties, when except the native be a man meerly natural, no Prediction ſhall fall out true, as to accidents and diſpoſition? ſure is worſe then madneſs then, to ſpend time on this part of the Art.

^[139]Wherefore it muſt needs follow then, that the reſolutions of queſtions and elections thereon depending, are more uncertain; yet I muſt confeſs the Aſtrologer may undertake in ſome ſenſe to anſwer the demands of the Querent by his Art, without regard to the Radix or ought elſe, ſince he may be confidently aſſured that ſuch inquirers are nowiſe either rational or religious, and ſo conſequently are eaſily carried on to the temptations and deluſions of the devil, or according to the natural inclination and influence of the Heavens.

Yet know, that Elections touching the adminiſtration of Phyſicke, Phlebotomy, uſing of Husbandry and Navigation, I do allow of, as alſo all other elections if they depend on this matter; but what is more then this, doth (in my opinion) ſubject mans will to the power of the ſtars, and all his voluntary actions; which to affirm, were moſt ridiculous.

^[140]And thus far is the glory of God made cleerly manifeſt in his creatures; and to deny this which is indeed the pure Art of Aſtrology, is to deny the moſt heavenly and chiefeſt ſtudy (next to Divinity) under the Sun, and alſo that which of all ſtudies elſe moſt conduceth to the praiſe and glory of the omnipotent and omniſcient creator, for which they and all things elſe were firſt created; and then conſequently muſt the treducers thereof be moſt impious and ignorant.

Reader, I ſhall here for concluſion ſay no more then this, that thou firſt ſeek thy Creator and ſerve him, before thou apply thy minde unto this ſubſequent or any other ſtudy, for that ſo thou ſhalt be made the more excellent and perfect therein; yet particularly as for this heavenly contemplation, let me tell thee, wert thou an Heathen before thou wert ſeen therein, yet wilt thou cleerly be made thereby (when thou art acquainted therewith) to ſee thy Creator and his unſpeakable wiſdom therein^[141]; wherefore in all thy ſtudy give him the whole praiſe and glory, who hath diſpoſed and ordered all things according to his divine will, and inevitable decree; and that thou mayeſt be the better inabled thereunto, thou ſhalt never want my prayers nor ſervice.

Die ♄ 31. Januarii 1651.

FINIS.

AN INTRODVCTION TO THE Iudgement of the Stars. WHEREIN The whole ART of ASTROLOGY Is plainly Taught, and the Ground-work or Reaſons thereof for the benefit of the Students therein delivered, the better to confirm them in every point thereof; as alſo to ſatisfie ſuch who ſhall either enviouſly or ignorantly traduce or cavil againſt it.

By VVILLIAM RAMESEY, Gent. Student in Aſtrology Phyſick, and the moſt Heavenly and Sublime Sciences.

Job 38.31, 32, 33.

An conſtringes delicias Pleiadum? aut lora Orionis diſſolves? induces ne remotiora ſigna, quodque tempore ſuo? aut Arcturum cum filiis ſuis duces? An cognoſcis de ſtatutis Coeli? an diſponere potes dominium ejus in terra? &c.

LONDON, Printed for R. VV. 1653.

HONORATISSIMO DOMINO NON MINVS VIRTVTE SVA QVAM GENERIS SPLENDORE INSIGNI, ILLUSTRISSIMO WILHELMO SEYMOVR, MARCHIONI ET COMITI DE HARTFORD: DOMINO IN SEYMOVR, BEAVCHAM, &c.

Salutem & Felicitatem Perpetuam. DOMINO SUO MVLTIS NOMINIBVS OBSERVANDO HANC SUAM AD ASTROLOGIAM INTRODVCTIONEM SUBMISSE DEDICAT

Wilhelmus Rameſeus.

TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND Truly Noble both for Learning and Parts, VVilliam Seymour, Marqueſs and Earl of HARTFORD, Lord SEYMOVR and BEAVCHAM, &c.

Right Honourable,

SHould I have leaſt hope of merit from your Honour by this my Dedication, Having never had the happineſs to appear in your Honours preſence, I ſhould render my ſelf both weak and preſumptuous; but my comfort is, I write to a Perſon of Honour, Learning and Parts, who is of that Magnanimity, that he will not deſpiſe the ſmalleſt gift or the meaneſs of the Giver, or the firſt for the unworthineſs of the laſt; Artaxerxes King of Perſia diſdained not the water a poor man, as he ſaw him paſs by, brought from a River in his hand and gave him, but received it with a ſmiling countenance, not meaſuring the grace of the Gift according to the value of the Preſent, but according to the good Will and intent of the Giver, accounting it no leſs an act of Magnanimity and Kingly bounty to take ſmall Preſents in good part, then to give greater. And truly, though this my mite may ſeem ſmall, proceeding from ſo mean a hand as my own: Yet let me ſay thus much of this Science, which is the chief of theſe we call Liberal, together with ASTRONOMY, PHYSICKS, and NATVRAL PHILOSOPHY which make up all but one intire Science, and of themſelves are but parts thereof,^[142] as witneſſeth Ariſtotle Lib. 2. Cap. 2. Phiſ. as alſo further in his Metaphiſ. 6. and 12. and 1. Pol. Cap. 7. and in his 2. De Coelo, Text 17. and Lib. De Proprietat. element. & lib. de Mundo, cap. 9. and in his 4. De Generatione Animimalium Cap. 10. uſing in all his Writings indifferently the Name of ASTROLOGER and ASTRONOMER, and ASTROLOGER and PHILOSOPHER for one and the ſame; for the Contemplaters of Nature in and by this Science, are of all Philoſophers the chiefeſt; and this Antiquity maketh plain unto us, as teſtifieth the moſt Ancienteſt Hiſtoriographers, who Record that the Prieſts and Kings amongſt the EGYPTIANS, the CHALDEANS among the BABYLONIANS, the GYMNOSOPHYSTS among the INDIANS, the MAGICIANS among the PERSIANS, the chief PHILOSOPHERS of GREECE and ITALY, and the DRUIDES of FRANCE were all ASTROLOGERS; and eſteemed by theſe Nations as the wiſeſt men. And therefore fore I ſay, as it is a part of the chiefeſt of the Liberal Sciences, ſo hath it been ſtill in high eſteem amongſt the Nobler and Graver ſort of People, and the more refined Souls in all Ages, eſpecially amongſt the Chaldeans, Egyptians, Aſſyrians, Lacedemonians, Sydonians, Indians, Perſians, Greeks and Arabians; for amongſt the Egyptians, it was not Lawfull for any man to take the Function of Prieſt-hood on him, except he were an ASTROLOGER; neither could any be choſen King, except he were of the Colledge of the Prieſts: And Rodiginus reporteth, that for the prevention of Treaſon, the Nativities of all Infants born therein was brought to the King to be judged on; and Dion recordeth the ſame to be practiſed by the Emperour Tyberius; and in the Propheſie of Daniel, we may ſee that the Monarchs of Babylon attempted nothing of importance without firſt asking Councel of the Caldeans; And the Kings of Lacedemonia ſuffered none to ſit in their Councels, but who were Aſtrologers; And amongſt the Perſians none was admitted to the Crown, but who were excellently skilled in ASTROLOGY.

Wherefore (my LORD) ſince this is an ART that hath ever been eſteemed amongſt the Nobler, Wiſer, Greater, Ingeniouſer and the moſt refined Spirits of the World from Age to Age, and chiefly Studied, Maintained, and Upheld by them, I humbly preſumed to Dedicate this Introductory Part unto your Honour, ſince all theſe Properties are Naturally Inherent in your Noble Self; for t[•]ue Nobility is the fitteſt Patron for ſuch Noble SCIENCES, neither are they fit to be offered to any but who are really ſuch, it ſurpaſsing the reach of the ordinary capacity of the World; ſo that (my LORD) my hope is, that if not for the Wel-wiſhes and Honour the Preſenter thereof beareth to your Lordſhip, nor the Antiquity and Excellency of the Thing preſented; yet your Honour will accept thereof out of the Munificence of your own Innate Magnanimity, it being ſufficient honour for me to acknowledge my ſelf

MY LORD,

Your HONOURS Moſt Humble Servant, William Rameſey.

To the Reader.

HAving before in the Firſt Book ſufficiently proved, and ſhewn the validity, excellency, certainty and legality of this Noble Science, and vindicated it from all its aſperſions; it reſteth now I ſhew thee the grounds and reaſons of the Art, viz. the Number of the Signs, their Names and Natures, the Dignities, Number and Names of the Planets, and the Reaſons of all theſe, and what is elſe moſt expedient and neceſſary to be known, that thou mayſt not be to ſeek, but be ſufficiently enabled to anſwer all oppoſers and gainſayers thereof; in which thou haſt alſo a plain and eaſie Introduction to the whole Art; wherefore thou oughteſt to be very well skilled and perfect in every point and part contained in this Book, before thou ventureſt to proceed to the two other ſubſequent Treatiſes; for otherwiſe thou ſhalt never be able to apprehend them; the which (contrariwiſe, if thou art perfect in this) will prove very eaſie unto thee; wherefore that it might be ſo, I have in this place prefixed it: Let the benefit be thine or no, I am ſure the Pains and Labour hath been mine; yet now I reſt

Thy Loving Friend, William Rameſey.

The Contents of every Chapter contained in the Second BOOK, being an Introduction to the Iudgement of the STARS.

• CHAP. 1. OF the names and number of the Planets, with their ſeveral Characters, and ſignification and Nature of Saturn. Fol. 49.
• Chap. 2. Of the ſignification and Nature of Jupiter. Fol. 52
• Chap. 3. Of the ſignification and Nature of Mars. Fol. 54
• Chap. 4. Of the ſignification and Nature of the Sun. Fol. 56
• Chap. 5. Of the ſignification and Nature of Venus. Fol. 59
• Chap. 6. Of the ſignification and Nature of Mercury. Fol. 61
• Chap. 7. Of the ſignification and Nature of the Moon. Fol. 63
• Chap. 8. Of the Eſſential and accidental Dignities of the Planets according to Ptolomie. Fol. 65
• Chap. 9. Demonſtrating the uſe of the Dignities of the Planets. Fol. 67
• Chap. 10. Of the houſes of the Planets, and wherefore they were ſo diſtributed. Fol. 68
• Chap. 11. Of the Exaltations and Falls of the Planets, and wherefore they were ſo conſtituted. Fol. 69
• Chap. 12. Of the Triplicities of the Planets, and wherefore they were ſo appointed. Fol. 70
• Chap. 13. Of the terms of the Planets, and wherefore ſo called and appointed to the five Planets. Fol. 71
• Chap. 14. Shewing the uſe which is to be made of the terms. Fol. 72
• Chap. 15. Demonſtrating the uſe, nature and reaſons of the faces of the Planets. Fol. 73
• Chap. 16. Of the joys of the Planets. Fol. 75
• Chap. 17. Of the head and tail of the Dragon. Fol. 76
• Chap. 18. Of the Antiſcions and Contrantiſcions of the Planets. Ibid.
• Chap. 19. Shewing the Reaſons of the names and characters of the Planets. Fol. 77
• Chap. 20. Of the number of the Heavens and Sphears, their places, order and motions. Fol. 78
• Chap. 21. Of the Circles of Heaven, the Zodiack and the diviſions thereof. Fol. 79
• Chap. 22. Of the twelve Celeſtial ſigns, and their manifold diviſions. Fol. 80
• Chap. 23. Shewing theuſe which is to be made of the former Chapter. Fol. 82
• Chap. 24. Demonſtrating the Reaſons of the names of the 12. Signs, and why there are juſt twelve, and neither more nor leſs. Fol. 83
• Chap. 25. Shewing the Reaſons why the Signs are reckoned from Aries, and not from any other ſign, as alſo why they are not placed according to the Order of the four Elements. Fol. 84
• Chap. 26. Of the Nature, Signification and quality of the ſigns, and firſt of Aries. Fol. 86
• Chap. 27. Of the Aſpects of the Planets and Signs, their Names, Characters and Natures, and wherefore they were ſo named and charactered. Fol. 92
• Chap. 28. Of the Fixed ſtars in the Zodiack, wherefore they are called fixed, their number, particular names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes, and firſt of thoſe in Aries, as they are delivered by the moſt learned in this Art. Fol. 93
• Chap. 29. Of the fixed ſtars in Taurus, their number, names, nature magnitude, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 95
• Chap. 30. Of the fixed ſtars in Gemini, their number, names, nature, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 96
• Chap. 31. Of the fixed ſtars in Cancer, their number, names, nature, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 97
• Chap. 32. Of the fixed ſtars in Leo, their number, names, nature, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 98
• Chap. 33. Of the fixed ſtars in Virgo, their number, names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 99
• Chap. 34. Of the fixed ſtars in Libra, their number, names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 100
• Chap. 35. Of the fixed ſtars in Scorpio, their number, names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 101
• Chap. 36. Of the fixed ſtars in Sagittarius, their number, names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 102
• Chap. 37. Of the fixed ſtars in Capricornus; their number, names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 103
• Chap. 38. Of tho fixed ſtars in Aquarius, their number, names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 104
• Chap. 39. Of the fixed ſtars in Piſces, their number, names, nature, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes. Fol. 105
• Chap. 40. Shewing the uſe of the former Tables. Fol. 106
• Chap. 41. Of the ſignifications of the 12. houſes of heaven, and wherefore they have ſuch ſignification. ibid.
• Chap. 42. Of the diviſion of the houſes into twelve equal parts. Fol. 109
• Chap. 43. Containing ſome termes of Art very neceſſary to be known, as alſo Inſtructions how to erect a Figure of Heaven. Fol. 110

AN INTRODVCTION TO THE Iudgement of the Stars.

CHAP. 1. Of the Names, and Number of the Planets, with their ſeveral Characters, and of the ſignifications and nature of SATVRN.

^[143] WE are to know firſt, There are Planets in number ſeven, viz. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury and the Moon; and according to the uſual cuſtom of the moſt learned, they are thus Charactered; Saturn ♄, Jupiter ♃, Mars ♂, Sol ⊙, Venus ♀, Mercury ☿, Luna or the Moon ☽, there are alſo other Characters which thou wilt meet with in this Treatiſe, and others of this nature, and thoſe are ☊, Dragons head, ☋ Dragons tail, ⊗ part of fortune. Every of which Planets have their ſeveral ſignifications and influences on Sublunary and Elementary bodies; viz.

^[144] Saturn is the higheſt of all the Planets, which is the reaſon the Antients begin with him, both when they relate their names, and declare their natures and qualities; he is maſculine and cold, he is not of a bright ſplendent colour, as are Jupiter and Venus, neither is he ſo big to our vulgar ſight, but as a ſtar of the third magnitude; yet according to Tycho, his Orb exceeds the Orbe or Globe of the earth 22 times. Albotegnins ſaith 79 times, and Alfraganus 91 times,^[145] (their reaſons for theſe their opinions, were too tedious here to relate, I refer therefore the curious therein, to their works) he is eaſily known, he never twinkleth, (neither indeed do any of the Planets) he is of a pale wan leaden colour;^[146] ſlow in motion, not finiſhing his courſe through the twelve ſignes of the Zodiack in leſs then 29 yeers 156 days; for he ſeldom goes above three or four minutes in a day, but ſix minutes is his ſwifteſt motion; this is in relation to us by reaſon of his diſtance; which according to the former Tycho, is, 10550. ſemidiameters of the earth, Albotegnius and Alfraganus ſay 15800 ſemidiameters;^[147] the ſemidiamenter, or half thickneſs of the earth, is, 860 miles.

Saturn well fortified, and Lord of the year in any annual revolution, ſignifies that the people ſhall that year, or during that revolution, build and erect houſes; ſhall make many alterations in Fabricks, and ſhall abound in all things: the earth ſhall be fruitfull, and the people ſhall be in eſteem and honour with all their neighbours; the husband-man ſhall exceedingly increaſe his ſtore and wealth, and be ſucceſsfull in all his labours.

^[148]But if Saturn be Lord of the year and weak, there ſhall be much cold during that Revolution, great and grievous infirmities, and men ſhall ſuſtain much ſorrow, loſſes and croſſes, and great damage by ſtorms, winde and rain (but this muſt warily be conſidered, if other ſignificators of weather concur, and then mayſt thou be the more aſſured thereof) antient and old men and women ſhall die; and theſe things ſhall chiefly happen to thoſe Places, Cities and Regions under Saturn his Dominion, and the Dominion of the ſign which he doth then poſſeſs.

^[149] Of Humours, he is author of Melancholy. And ſuch men if they take to love any one, let them be man or woman (which happeneth but very ſeldom) they love moſt conſtantly and intirely; and if they hate (as moſt commonly they do) they hate to the death, and with a perpetual hatred, hardly to be removed.

^[150] If he be fortunate, of profeſſions and Maſtery, he denotes ſuch as are profound and occult, antiquities, things and callings belonging to labour, care and rarities, and ſuch as belong or have any relation unto water, or neer water; Saylers, Tankerd-bearers, Plummers, Ship-Carpenters, and the like; and ſuch as belong to the earth, as Curriers, Broom-men, Bearers of dead corps, Hoſtlers, Brick-makers, Plow-men, Scavengers, Colliers, Ditchers, Carters, Chandlers, Gardners, Herdſ-men, Dyers of black cloth, Shepherds, Coach-men and Cow-herds, Brick-layers, &c.

^[151]When unfortunate, he denotes generally labourers, emptyers of Jakes, Diggers of Cole-pits, and the like fordid and baſe occupations.

He is cold, dry, Melancholick, author of ſolitarineſs.

^[152]Corporature or ſhape of the body, he gives a middle ſtature, pale, ſwarthy, or muddy, ſmall black eyes, looking downward, a broad forehead, black or very dark hair, and it rugged or harſh, great ears, lowring eye-brows, thick lips, and Noſe, thin beard, a lumpiſh heavy countenance, large ſhoulders, ſtooping, and many times crooked, a ſhort lank belly, thin thighs, indecent feet, ſhuffling againſt one another.

^[153] Oriental, the ſtature is more ſhort, but decent and well compoſed. As touching this and other terms of Art, have recourſe to the 43. chapter.

^[154]Occidental, more black, and lean, leſs hair.

If he want latitude, he is more fat; if it be Merdional, but quick in motion, fat and fleſhly, and ſo of the reſt of the Planets.

If the latitude be North, hairy and much fleſh; his greateſt North latitude is two degrees, 48 minutes.

^[155]His South latitude is two degrees, 49 minutes, and more he hath not.

^[156]In his firſt ſtation, a little fat.

^[157]In his ſecond ſtation, fat il-favoured bodies and weak; obſerve this in all the other Coeleſtial bodies.

^[158] Quality of men in general, he ſignifyeth fathers, grand-fathers, old men, day-labourers, Beggers, Clowns, Husbandmen, Monks, Jeſuits, &c.

^[159] Savours, bitter, ſowre, ſharp.

^[160]In man he ruleth the ſpleen.

^[161]Herbs, Hemlock, Starwort, Bears-foot, Wolf-bane, Fern, white and black Helebor, Henbane, Burdock, Dragon, Parſnip, Poppy, Pulſe, Mandrake, Vervine, Nightſhade, Moſs, Angelica, Box, Tutſan, Orage, Sage, Bithwind, Spinach, Cummin, Fumitory, Shepherds-purſe, Horſe-tail, Tamarisk, Capers, Polipody, Sene, Hemp, Savin, Rue, Willow-tree, Pine-tree, Yew-tree, Cyprus-tree.

^[162] Crow, Owl, Crane, Thruſh, Oſtritch, Lapwing, Peacock, Bat, Black-bird, Cucko.

Stones ſubject to him are the Saphir, Lapis Lazuli, ^[163] or that ſtone of which Azure is made, unpoliſhed black and blewiſh ſtones.

^[164] Minerals, he governeth Lead, the Load-ſtone the droſs of all Mettals.

^[165] Fiſhes, the Tortois, Eel, and ſhel-fiſh.

^[166] Beaſts, the Aſs, Cat, Hare, Mouſe, Mole, Dog, Wolf, Bear, Elephant, Baſilisk, Crocodile, Scorpion, Serpent, Adder, Toad, Hog, all manner of creeping creatures breeding of putrefaction.

^[167] Places, he delighteth in deſerts, woods, obſcure vallies, dens, caves, holes, ſepulchers; Church-yards, ruinous buildings, cole-pits, ſinks, muddy dirty ſtinking places, wells, and houſes of offices.

^[168] Weather, cloudy, dark, obſcure ayr, cold and hurtfull, thick, black and condenſe clouds, this is but generally; his particular and immediate alteration of weather is to be known from his ſeveral poſitions and aſpects with other Planets, Fortitudes and Debilities, &c. of the which more hereafter, according as I have leiſure.

^[169] He delighteth in the Eaſt quarter of Heaven, and cauſeth Eaſtern winds.

^[170]In gathering of his herbs, turn thy face towards the Eaſt, in his hour when he is in an Angle, and well fortified eſſentially, and no wiſe accidentally impedited, and let Luna apply by a Sextile or Trine to him.

Obſerve this method in the reſt of the Planets, mutatis mutandis.

^[171]Of the ſigns, he ruleth Capricorn by night, and Aquarius by day, and the aiëry triplicity by day.

^[172] Old Age.

His Angel is Caſſiel. ^[173]

His Friends are Jupiter, Sol, and Mercury. ^[174]

His Enemies are Mars, Venus, and Luna. ^[175]

^[176]He ruleth Saturday, beginning the firſt hour after Sun riſing, and that night we commonly call Tueſday night.

Regions, he ruleth Bavaria, Saxony, Stiria, Romandiola, Ravenna, Conſtantia, ^[177] Ingolſtad.

^[178] His orbe is 9. degrees before and after any Aſpect; which is to ſay, his influence begins to operate, when either he applies to any Aſpect of any Planet, or they to him, and is within nine degrees of the perfect aſpect, and continueth in force untill he is fully ſeparate nine degrees from the aſpect Partill. What a Partill aſpect is, you ſhall have anon in the 28. chapter; but note this in all the reſt of the Planets.

• ^[179]In generation, he ruleth the firſt and eighth moneths after conception.
• His greateſt yeers he ſignifies are 465.
• His greater 57.
• His mean 43. and a half.
• His leaſt 30.

The meaning hereof, is no more but this; If a Kingdom, City, Town, Family, or the like, have its beginning when Saturn is eſſentially and accidentally well fortified, its probable the Monarchy, City, Building, &c. may continue firm, and in good condition, as at the firſt, 465. years; and ſo of the reſt, &c.

^[180] In long journeys, when he is Significator, he portends long and laborious travel, perilous dangers and impriſonments.

Diſeaſes cauſed by Saturn, are, the Falling-ſickneſs, Flegmatick humours, Defluctions,^[181] Melancholy, Leprouſie, Fiſtulas, Morphew, Aches and Colds in the joynts, Deafneſs, Tooth-ache, pains in the bones, in the bladder, all cold diſeaſes, the Gout, Scab, Palſie, Conſumptions, Black-jaundies, Quartan Agues, the Iliack-paſſion, Dropſie, Chin-cough, Catarrs, &c.

^[182] He is Stationary before Retrogradation five days, and five days before direction.

^[183] He is Retrograde 140. days.

CHAP. II. Of the Significations and Nature of IVPITER.

^[184]IN the next place we are to proceed to Jupiter, who is in height next unto him; he is maſculine and temperate, the greater fortune, bright, ſhining and clear; the biggeſt ſtar in magnitude (as to our ſight) except Venus; yet according to Tycho he exceeds the globe of the earth in bigneſs 14 times. Albotegnius ſaith 81 times, Alfraganus 95 times, yet many of late hold him to be equal in bigneſs with Saturn.

^[185]He is ſwifter in motion then Saturn, (as to us) his middle motion is 4, m. 59, ſ. his diurnal motion is 8, 10, 12, or 14. m.

He finiſheth his courſe through the twelve ſigns of the Zodiack in 12. years.

^[186]His diſtance from the earth is according to Tycho 3990 ſemidiameters; yet Albotegnius and Alfraganus ſay 10423 ſemidiameters of the earth.

^[187] Iupiter when he is Lord of the year and well dignified, the King ſhall do Juſtice, and it ſhall be happy for thoſe that are Noblemen, Judges, Councellors of the Law; and men of all ſorts of Religious Orders ſhall be in a ſucceſsfull, happy, pleaſant and good condition, and ſhall live pleaſantly and contentedly, in honour, and alſo great eſteem; and the people alſo ſhall be in a good and proſperous condition, and ſhall receive good from their King and Superiors, and they from the people, and the year ſhall be healthy, plentifull and good, a temperate ayr, rain, fair weather, and froſt in due ſeaſon, &c.

^[188]But if Iupiter be weak, judge the contrary, according to the ſtrength of the affliction wherewith he is afflicted and impedited.

^[189] Of Humours, he is author of the Sanguine or beſt complexion, moiſt, temperate, ſound, healthful &c.

^[190]Quality of men; in general this is to be underſtood, as indeed moſt of the qualities and attributions aforeſaid: he ſignifies Judges; Councellors, all Eccleſiaſtical men both Prieſts and Levites, Chancellors, Lawyers, or thoſe that follow the Law from the higheſt to the loweſt, all Scholars and Students in general, Clothyers, Woollen-Drapers.

^[191]When he is weak, he ſignifies Mountebanks, Quack-ſalvers, Empericks, Cheaters, Takers of Bribes, &c.

^[192]He is author of ſobriety and temperance.

^[193]He gives an upright ſtrait tall ſtature, brown ruddy and lovely complexion, an oval viſage, plump, high forehead, ſoft hair, large gray eyes, brown hair, and it thick, and a ſtrong well ſet body, a ſhort neck, and uſually a kinde of a black ſpot between his two fore-teeth, and indeed throughout a hanſom compleat body, ſober and grave in diſcourſe, and of a moſt noble diſpoſition.

^[194] If he be Oriental, the skin is uſually more clear, ſanguine, great eyes, a more fleſhy body, &c.

^[195] If Occidental, a pure complexion, yet a more ſhort ſtature, a browner hair, ſmooth, not curling, &c.

^[196]His greateſt North latitude, is 1. d. 38. m.

^[197]His greateſt South latitude, is 1. d. 38. m.

^[198] He ſignifies Religious men, Church men &c.

^[199] Sweet, delicious pleaſant favours.

^[200] He ruleth the aſh-colour, green, blew, purple, green and a mixt yellow.

^[201]In man he ruleth the Liver.

^[202]Gilly-flowers, Nutmegs, Sugar, Mace, Cloves, Straberries, Flax and Bitony, Balm, Fumitory, Lungwort, Walwort, Wild Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram or Organy, Pimpernel, Rubarb, Alheal, Wheat, Bazil, Bugloſs, Borage, St. Iohns-wort, Laskwort, Pyony, Liquoriſh, Violets, Pomgranates, Mint, Maſtix, Saffron, Dazy and Feverfew, and all ſuch herbs as are helpfull to obſtructions of the Liver, &c.

^[203] The Almond-tree, Hazel, Fig-tree, Olive-tree, Oak, Cherry-tree, Aſh, Gooſberry tree, Pine-tree, Coral-tree, Pear-tree, Birch-tree, Ivy, Vine, Mulberry-tree, &c.

^[204] Of Birds, he ruleth the Eagle, Peacock, Pheſant, Partridge, Stock-dove, Snipe, Stork, Lark, Bees &c.

^[205] The Topaz, Amitheſt, Marble, Emrald, Chryſtal, Saphir, Hyacinth, Bezoar, Freeſtone &c.

^[206] Tin, Pewter &c.

^[207] The Whale, Serpent, Dolphin &c.

^[208] The Sheep, Unicorn, Doe, Hart, Stag, Ox, Elephant, and all ſuch beaſts as are beneficial and uſefull to mankinde.

^[209] Churches, neat and curious places, Gardens Synods, Courts of Juſtice, Wardrobs, Palaces, ſweet places, Oratories.

^[210] He commonly cauſeth pleaſant healthfull weather, ſerenity, temperate ayr &c.

^[211] He ruleth the North and North-eaſt winds.

He ruleth of the Coeleſtial ſigns, Sagittary and Piſces, Sagittary by day,^[212] and Piſces by night; the meaning thereof is, that if Iupiter be ſignificators in the Revolution of any year, being by day, and in Sagittary, he is ſo much the more fortified; in Piſces in a Nocturnal Revolution &c.

He ruleth the fiery triplicity by night; ſo that if Iupiter be in the 20. d of Aries, ^[213] or the 10. deg. of Leo in any Diurnal Revolution, he ſhall be accounted peregrine, as not having any dignity there, not being in his houſe, exaltation, term, triplicity or face; in a Nocturnal Revolution he had not been peregrine; for then he hath triplicity in theſe ſigns.

^[214]He is exalted in the 15. d. of Cancer.

He ſuffers detriment in Gemini and Virgo; for that they are ſigns that are oppoſite to his Houſes. This you muſt obſerve in all the other Planets.

He is in his fall in the 15. d. of Capricorn, ^[215] for that it is oppoſite to the ſign of his exaltation; ſo alſo note that all the Planets are in their fall in that ſign which is oppoſite to their exaltations.

^[216] Middle age or years of moſt perfect judgement and diſcretion.

His Angel is Zadkiel. ^[217]

His Friends are Saturn, Sol, Venus, ^[218] Mercury and Luna.

His Enemy Mars only.^[219]

^[220]Of the days of the week, he ruleth Thurſday, and of the nights, that which we call Sunday night.

Spain, Hungaria, Babylon, ^[221] Cullen and Perſia.

^[222] His Orbe is 9. d. before and after any of his Aſpects.

^[223]In generation, he ruleth the ſecond and ninth moneths.

• His greateſt years he gives are 428.
• His greater years are 79.
• His mean years are 45.
• His leaſt years are 12.

^[224] In journeys, when he is ſignificator, he denotes pleaſant travel, good ſucceſs, ſafety, health and mirth.

^[225] Infirmities of the Liver, Obſtructions, Pluriſies, Apoplexies, inflamation of the lungs, infirmities in the left ear, palpitation of the heart, cramps, pains in the back, all infirmities of the reins, or proceeding from corruption of blood and putrefactions therein, Squinzies, windineſs, Feavers proceeding from abundance of blood; all griefs in the head, pulſe, ſeed, arteries; convulſions, prickings and ſhootings in the body, &c.

^[226] He is Stationary five days before retrogradation, and four days before direction.

^[227] He is Retrograde 120. days.

CHAP. III. Of the Nature and Signification of MARS.

^[228]LIkewiſe after Iupiter, or next under him, is located Mars, of whom we are now to treat; he is of a fiery ſhining bloody colour, or as you ſee the fire burning in its ſtrength to our ordinary ſight he is ſomewhat bigger then Saturn, yet not ſo big as Iupiter, but as a ſtar of the firſt magnitude (he is maſculine and nocturnal) or ſomewhat leſs, and according unto Tycho, he is 13. times leſs then the earth; Albotegnius ſaith he is (in compariſon of the earth) as ſeven is to ſix; and Alfraganus ſaith,^[229] he is bigger then the earth by one half, and diſtant 4584 ſemidiameters of the earth; yet Tycho ſaith but 1745.

^[230]His mean motion is 31. d. 27. m.

His Diurnal motion is ſometimes 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. m. a day.

He finiſheth his courſe through the 12. ſigns of the Zodiack in one year 321 days, or thereabouts.

^[231]When he is Lord of the year, ſtrong and well placed, all ſuch as belong to arms, as ſouldiers, and the like, ſhall be fortunate and in good condition, and ſhall overcome their enemies; there ſhall be alſo, during that Revolution, ſufficient and plenty of rain, and at ſuch times (and no other) as is convenient and requiſite; and the people ſhall be proſperous and happy; but if he be weak, judge the contrary, and that the good or evil by him portended,^[232] ſhall be chiefly incident to thoſe Places and Regions ſubject to the ſign wherein he is.

^[233] He is author of anger, haſte, choler, and ruleth theſe diſpoſitions in man; hot, fiery and dry.

^[234]Conquerours, Uſurpers, Tyrants, Generals of Armies, and all Souldiers in general, Phyſitians, Apothecaries, Chirurgions, Alchymiſts, Marſhalls, Butchers, Gunners, Watch-makers, Barbers, Armourers, and all ſuch as uſe Iron tools, Curriers, Tannes, Gameſters, Dyers, Carpenters, Cooks, Cutlers, Taylors, Smiths, Bakers, &c.

^[235]When he is ill placed and not ſtrong, he denotes hangmen, thieves, bayliffs, ſergeants, cutters by the high-way, murtherers, jaylors, and all cut-throat people.

He is author of paſſion, extravagancy, heat and choler.

Red-haired, a red face and round, a fiery ſparkling eye, yet tending to a ſaffroniſh colour; of ſtature, neither high nor low, but between both; I have ſtill obſerved that a right Martialiſt doth ſeldom exceed in height; or to be at the moſt above a yard and a half high: a bold confident countenance, and it moſt commonly very harſh, ſtrong and big-boned, ſeldom fat.

^[236]When Oriental, he is ſomewhat above the middle ſize, and hairy-bodied, and a purer complexion then hath been already rehearſed.

^[237]When Occidental, he is ruddy, and not ſo tall, a little head, and not ſo hairy-bodied, yellowiſh hair, and of a drier conſtitution.

^[238]His greateſt North latitude is 4. d. 31. m.

^[239]His South latitude is 6. deg. and 47. m.

^[240] Sharp, bitter, and unpleaſant.

^[241] Red, yellow, or ſaffron colour.

^[242]He rules the back, veins, gall.

^[243]All ſuch herbs as are hot and dry, and ſuch as have ſharp-pointed leaves, and are red, they uſually grow on dry places and ſuch as are barren and hard ſtony places; the thiſtle, Devils-milk, brambles, briers, nettles, cammock, onions, lingwort, radiſh, arſmart, muſtard-ſeed, ginger, pepper, garlick, hemlock, red ſanders, tamerindes caſtoreum, Carduus benedictus or the bleſſed Thiſtle, horehound, leeks.

^[244] All Trees that are thorny or prickly.

^[245] The Hawk, Kite, Raven, Vulture, Owl, Cormorant, Crow, Mag-pie, and all ravenous birds or birds of prey, &c.

^[246] Blood-ſtone, Load-ſtone, Jaſper, Touch-ſtone, Adamant, the Amethiſt of divers colours.

^[247] Iron, Steel, Arſenick, Antimony, Brimſtone and red Vermillion.

^[248] The Shark, Pike, Barbel, Fork-fiſh, all ſtinging Water-Serpents, and hurtfull Fiſh.

^[249] The Maſtiff, Wolf, Tyger, Cockatrice, Panther, and all ſuch beaſts as are ravenous and bold.

^[250] Thunder, lightning, fiery-meteors, peſtilential ayr, and in it ſtrange apparitions, &c.

^[251] All places that are appertaining to fire and blood, as ſlaughter-houſes, Furnaces, Smiths ſhops, &c.

^[252] He ruleth, and cauſeth Weſtern winds.

^[253] Of the Coeleſtial ſigns, he ruleth Aries and Scorpio.

He hath Triplicity or Rule over the watry Triplicity or Trygon, viz. theſe ſigns,^[254] which are Cancer, Scorpio and Piſces; he hath abſolute dominion therein both night and day; yet ſome of the Antients do joyn with him the Moon, &c.

He hath exaltation in Capricorn in the 28. deg.^[255]

He ſuffereth detriment in Libra and Taurus. ^[256]

He is in his Fall in the 28. deg. of Cancer. ^[257]

^[258] From 22. till 45.

Samael. ^[259]

His Enemie is the Moon only.^[260]

His Friends are Saturn, Jupiter, Sol, Venus and Mercury. ^[261]

^[262]Of the days of the week, he ruleth Tueſday; and of the nights, that night we vulgarly call Friday night.

Jeruſalem, the Roman Empire, even to the Weſt,^[263] &c.

^[264] His Orbe is ſeven degrees before and after any Aſpect.

^[265] His greateſt years are 214.

His greater years are 66.

His mean years are 40.

His leaſt years are 15.

In journeys, he portends thieving, ſacking, robbing, ſlaying, much danger or hurts, viz. to the Traveller, if Mars be ſignificator, and weak, and ill-placed,^[266] &c. of the which more hereafter, in our Treatiſe of Elections.

^[267] Feavers, and thoſe burning, contagious and peſtilential; Megrims, overflowing of the Gall, Phrenzies, the Plague, diſtempers through the whole body, Shingles, Fiſtulaes, Stone in the reins, yellow Jaundies, and all ſuch diſeaſes as proceed from exceſs of Choler, Paſſion and Anger; all diſeaſes proceeding from the Gall, Putrefaction of blood, &c.

^[268] He is Stationary two or three days before Retrogradation, and two days before direction.

^[269] He is Retrograde 80. days.

CHAP. IV. Of the Nature and Significations of the SVN.

LEt us deſcend now unto the Sun. We are by Gods bleſſing come now to the Sun, which is ſucceſſively next to be treated on; he is under Mars, placed in the midſt of all the Planets, being the chief light and preſident of them all, ſitting as a Judge or King amongſt his Nobles;^[270] for as Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars is placed above his ſphear, ſo are Venus, Mercury and Luna beneath him; wherefore ſome of the Antients have aſcribed to him chief rule, and made him, as it were, an Emperor amongſt the Stars.

Saturn is his Vice-roy, for that all Planets give unto him their light, or do homage and reverence unto him, by reaſon of his ſlowneſs.

Jupiter hath aſſigned him chief rule and dominion in the Realm, for that he is of a temperate, ſober, good, honeſt and religious inclination.

Mars is his chief Captain, or General of all his Forces.

Venus is Receiver, or Maſter-Comptroller of his houſe, by reaſon ſhe is nearer Sol then any other.

Mercury hath aſſigned him chief Secretary of State, by reaſon when the King goeth any Progreſs or Journey, he goeth; and when the King ſtayeth, ſo doth alſo Mercury, for he is never far from his beck.

Luna is his Standard-bearer, being furtheſt from him; ſhe is alſo, as I may ſay, Embaſſador, Meſſenger, &c. to do his buſineſs.

The fixed Stars of ſeveral magnitudes, are Officers and Commanders under theſe; I mean thoſe eſpecially of the firſt, ſecond and third magnitude; the other are only ſubjects, as it were, to the above-named, or equivalent to common people.

Wherefore then upon the meetings of theſe Superiors, are concluded the riſe, ſubverſion, confirmation, alteration, proſperity, ſcarcity, plenty, poverty, beginning and ſubverſion of States, Kingdoms, Empires, Common-wealths, and what not? nay and the whole government of the Elements and this Elementary World, and all things and cauſes external and internal in them, as in a Councel or Senate, &c.

^[271]The Sun is ſo vulgarly known, that here to inſiſt on his colour, complexion or light, were but vain; he is maſculine, Diurnal, the fountain of life, &c.

^[272]He exceeds the earth in bigneſs according to Tycho 140 times, Ptolomie ſaith 166. times, and Copernicus 162.

^[273]He is by the eſtimation of Tycho diſtant from the earth, 1150. Semidiameters of the earth. Ptolomie ſaith, 1165. ſemidiameters; and Copernicus ſaith, 1142. ſemidiameters of the earth.

^[274]His mean motion is 59. m. 8. ſec.

^[275] His Diurnal motion is ſometimes 57. m. 16. ſ. never exceeding 59. m. 8 ſec.

He finiſheth his courſe through the 12. ſigns of the Zodiack in 365. days,^[276] and ſix hours or neer upon &c.

^[277]When he is well dignified, the King and Nobles ſhall exceed and increaſe in glory and renown; Corn, Beaſts and Birds ſhall be plentifull; the people generally proſperous and ſucceſsfull, and all things in a good condition, whereof the Sun hath any ſignification: All this is meant, if he be Lord of the year in any annual Revolution; but if he be weak, judge the contrary.

^[278]Emperours, Kings, Monarchs, Princes, Dukes, Marqueſſes, and indeed all Noble and High-born people, and in general all Gentlemen, and thoſe that are in office or command of ſuperiority in City, Town or Countrey; Coyners, Maſters of the Mint, Goldſmiths, Spinners of Gold and Silver, and all ſuch neat Trades, Silver and Gold-wyer-drawers, and the like.

^[279]Tyrants, Uſurpers, Conſtables, Head-boroughs, and all ſuch as bear any petty or uſurped authority.

^[280]He is Author of magnanimity, ſtate and majeſty, heat, &c.

^[281]One of no tall ſtature, but about the middle ſize, ſtrong and portly, having a ſtately majeſtical gate, of a ſaffron-coloured complexion, or Sun-burnt, flaxoniſh, or light fair hair, ſomewhat criſping or curling; a large full hazle eye, a broad forehead, a very decent, hanſom body throughout.

^[282]The Sun is not, nor cannot be ſaid to be Oriental, or Occidental, otherwiſe then as he is in any Figure located near the Eaſt angle, or verging towards the Weſt; for all other Planets are ſaid to be Oriental, or Occidental, as in relation to the Sun, in that they riſe before him, or ſet after him.

The Sun hath never any Latitude;^[283] for he ever moves forward in the Eccliptick.

^[284] Sowre and ſharp ſavours.

^[285] Yellow.

^[286]In man, he ruleth the heart, brain and right eye; in women, the left eye.

^[287]Saffron, Pyony, Mary-gold, Balm, Ginger, Dittany, Sallendine, Vervine, which being gathered under its proper conſtellation, driveth away evil Spirits; and it is alſo uſed in propheſying; Pomcitron, Ambre, Roſemary, St. Johns-wort, Musk, Herb-grace, Roſa-Solis, Cinamon, Eye-bright, Cinquefoil, lignum Aloes, Barley, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Pepper, Frankinſenſe, Honey, Aromaticus, &c.

^[288] The Bay-tree, the Aſh, Cedar, Ivie, the Vine, the Orange and Lemmon-tree.

^[289] The Phoenix, Swan, Cock, Hawk, Nightingal, Lark, the Buzzard, &c.

Aetites, the ſtone called the eye of the Sun, ^[290] becauſe it is like the apple of the eye in form, the Carbuncle, the Chryſolite, the ſtone called Iris, the ſtone Heliotropion, the Hyacinth, the ſtone Pyroyphylus, the ſtone Pantauras, Pantherus or Pantochras, in the Scripture it is called Evanthum; the Topaz, Rubie, Diamond.

The learned and moſt famous Cornelius Agrippa, Lib. 1. Chap. 23. of his Occulta Philoſophia ſaith, that Albertus Magnus and William of Paris gave to theſe ſtones theſe vertues as followeth.

^[291] Aetites, or the ſtone that is found in the Eagles Neſt, cureth the Falling-ſickneſs, and poyſons.

^[292] The eye of the Sun, is ſingular good for comforting the brain, and ſtrengthening the eye-ſight.

^[293]The Carbuncle, is of great vertue againſt Aëry and vapourous poyſon.

The Chryſolite, is of marvellous operation, in preſerving the Lungs, and helpeth much thoſe that are Aſthmatical;^[294] and if it be bored through and filled with the Mane of an Aſſe, and bound to the left arm, it driveth away idle imaginations, melancholy fears and fooliſhneſs.

^[295]The Iris, it is like the Chryſtal in colour, it commonly having ſix Corners; it being part held in the ſhadow and part in the rays or beams of the Sun, it gathereth the rays of the Sun into it ſelf, and reflecteth them again in the form of a Rainbow.

^[296]The Heliotropion, is in colour green like a Jaſper, ſpeckled with red; this cauſeth the bearer to be conſtant, renowned, famous, and conduceth to long life; it is ſaid to turn the beams of the Sun into the colour of blood, viz. when it is joyned to the juice of the herb of the ſame name and put into water, it dazleth the ſight ſo much that the bearer can hardly ſee it by the help of the aforeſaid herb.

^[297]The Hyacinth, is good againſt poyſon and peſtiferous vapours; it keepeth the bearer ſafe and acceptable; it conduceth alſo to riches and wit; it ſtrengthens the heart, being held in the mouth, and wonderfully cheereth the minde.

^[298]The Pyrophilus as Aeſculapius maketh mention, There is a certain poiſon ſo very cold, which preſerves the heart of man (being taken out) from burning, ſo that if for any time it be put into the fire, it is turned into a ſtone; whence it is called Pyrophilus from the fire.

It is marvellouſly efficacious againſt poyſon, and it makes the bearer renowed and dreadfull to his enemies.

^[299]The Pantaura is of that ſympathetical vertue that it draweth other ſtones to it as a load-ſtone doth iron; admirable againſt Poyſons.

I know there are many good wits in this Nation that have not the leaſt faith in theſe matters concerning the vertues of ſtones, and indeed of the whole ſcope of theſe my writings; yet they muſt pardon me if I will not conclude as the vulgar and illiterate in ſuch myſteries do; for I have learned this modeſt leſſon (which I could wiſh were alſo imprinted in their breſts) Not to condemn what I am ignorant of; for of all things (in my opinion) there can be none ſo ridiculous as for a man to diſlike, contradict, gainſay or condemn what he is ignorant of: if thou haſt no belief in theſe matters; yet mayſt thou benefit thy ſelf thereby; it is but thy pains in trying the concluſions; if they fail, then mayſt thou on good ground condemn them; if they hit, thou reapeſt hereby a double benefit, knowledge and experience; wherefore by the way I thought good to hint at this, that thou mayeſt not perſiſt in thy ill conceit of this Heavenly Art of the Judgment of the ſtars, ^[300] or Aſtrology, ſince thou mayſt let it alone till thou beeſt urged by any Artiſt to have any eſteem thereof, though never ſo ſlight: but to our buſineſs in hand.

^[301] Of Mettals or Minerals, the Sun ruled gold.

^[302] The Sea-Calf, whoſe Nature is to reſiſt lightning, Shel-fiſh, the Star-fiſh for her parching heat, and the fiſhes called Strombi that follow their King, and Margari which have a King alſo; theſe Margari being dryed, are fixed into a ſtone of a golden colour, as witneſſeth Cornelius Agrippa.

^[303] All ſuch Beaſts as are ſtately, bold, ſtrong and invicible, as the Lion, Crocodile, Wolf, Ram, Boar, Bull, Horſe, and Baboon, of the which it is Recorded, that he barketh every hour in the day, viz. twelve times in a day, and that in the Equinoctial times of the year he piſſeth twelve times, viz, every hour, alſo as often in the night Geſner on Beaſts, pag. 10. Whence the Egyptians (as Cornelius Agrippa and others, Lib. 1. cap. 23. de Occult. Philoſ. relate) did uſe to engrave them on their Fountains.

Moreover the Aegyptians did uſe to preſerve them amongſt their hollowed things; for that by them they knew the time of the Conjunction of Sol and Luna, (ſee Geſner of Beaſts pag. 10.) for after the aforeſaid Conjunction, the Male Baboon will neither look up nor eat, but goes ſtill dejected, as it were lamenting the raviſhment of the Moon, with this diſdainfull paſſion; in like manner the Female at that time ſendeth forth blood out of her womb of Conception; for which cauſe the Egyptians ſignifie by a Baboon the Moon, and her riſing by his ſtanding upright, holding his hands up toward heaven.

^[304] He cauſeth Weather according to the Seaſon, &c. of the which more hereafter.

^[305] Princes Palaces, Courts, Houſes, all magnificent Buildings, Halls, Dining-rooms, Parlers, &c.

^[306] He loveth and delighteth in the Eaſt part of the World, and Eaſtern Winds.

^[307] Of the Coeleſtial ſigns, he ruleth for his houſe only Leo.

^[308] He ruleth by day the fiery Triplicity, viz. Aries, Leo, and Sagittary.

He is exalted in Aries the 19. degree.^[309]

He ſuffreth Detriment in Aquaries. ^[310]

And Fall in Libra. ^[311]

^[312] The ſtrength of years.

His Angel is Michael. ^[313]

^[314] His Friends are, Iupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Luna.

His Enemy Saturn only.^[315]

^[316]He ruleth Sunday of the days of the week, and of the nights that which we call Wedneſday night.

He ruleth the fourth Climate, Italy, Bohemia, Sicilia, Caldea, ^[317] the Roman Empire.

^[318] Is 15. degrees before and after any Aſpect.

^[319] In conception he ruleth the fourth moneth.

• His greateſt years are 1640.^[320]
• Yet Bonatus, and ſome others ſay, but 461.
• His greater years are 120.
• His mean years are 69.
• His leaſt years are 19.

^[321] In journeys he giveth good ſucceſs.

^[322] He ſignifieth hot and dry Diſeaſes, palpitation of the heart, infirmities of the eyes, cramps, ſoundings, giddineſs in the head, diſeaſes and infirmities of the mouth and brain, Catharrs, rotten Feavers, &c.

The Sun is never Stationary.^[323]

^[324] He moveth always direct in the Ecliptick, and is never Retrograde.

CHAP. V. Of the Nature and Significations of VENVS.

^[325]I Come now to Venus, who is next under Sol; ſhe is the leſſer Fortune, tranſparent, bright and ſhining; ſhe is very well known by the Country people by the name of the Evening Star, when ſhe ſets after the Sun; and ſhe is ſometimes by them called the morning Star when ſhe riſeth before the Sun, Feminine and Nocturnal.

And again, by ſome ſhe is called the Shepherds Star.

^[326]She is to our ſight the biggeſt of all the Stars and Planets, except Sol, and Luna; yet according to Tycho, ſhe is leſs then the earth ſix times: Ptolomy, Albotegnius and Alfraganus ſay 36. times, &c.

^[327]She is diſtant from the earth, according to the ſame Ptolomie, Albotegnins and Alfraganus, 618. ſemidiameters of the earth, but Tycho and Copernicus ſay 1150.

Her mean motion is 59. m. 8. ſec.

^[328]Her diurnal motion is ſometimes 62. m. 64. m. 65. m. 66. m. 70. m. 74. m. or 76. m. but ſhe never exceedeth 82. m.

She finiſheth her courſe through the twelve ſigns of the Zodiack in the ſame time the Sun doth,^[329] or thereabouts.

^[330]When ſhe is Lady of the year in any Revolution, and eſſentially dignified, the year will be advantagious unto women, who ſhall generally be free from infirmities and miſchiefs; they ſhall love and delight in the ſociety of their Husbands, ſhall be fruitfull, eaſily conceive and bring forth; the people ſhall alſo generally thrive and be proſperous, ſhall delight themſelves in recreations, ſports, feaſtings, mirth and jollities, and all pleaſure whatſoever; alſo in fine apparel; but if ſhe be weak,^[331] judge the contrary.

^[332]Muſitians in general, Gameſters, and what Game ſoever it be, Embroyderers, Jewellers, Linnen-Drapers, Perfumers, Picture-Drawers, Ingravers, Mercers, Silk-men, and all ſuch Occupations as ſerve to the adorning of women, &c. Women, Wives, Mothers, Virgins, &c.

^[333]Fidlers, Pipers, ordinary Painters, Seamſters, Glovers, Womens-Taylors, Upholſterers, &c.

She is author of voluptuouſneſs and pleaſure.

^[334]A light brown hair, ſmooth, and much of it, a mean ſtature, a fair complexion, tending to blackneſs; lovely black eyes, a round face, having a Love-dimple in the chin, a lovely mouth, cherry lips, extraordinary lovely and delightfull, a pleaſant taking countenance, an exceeding well-ſhaped body throughout, loving neatneſs, ſpruceneſs, trimming and the like; lovely in all his geſtures, ſpeaking ſoftly and ſweetly, ſtudious and ſolid in his deportment; in all exerciſes of the body light and nimble.

^[335] When ſhe is Oriental, ſhe gives a taller ſtature, upright and ſtraight, not corpulent, but decently compoſed.

^[336] When Occidental, not ſo tall, yet very comely and well-favoured.

^[337] Her greateſt North latitude is 9. deg. 2. min.

^[338] Her South latitude, at the moſt, is no more.

^[339] Delightfull, pleaſant, toothſom, ſweet favours.

^[340] Blew, tending to white, or white, &c.

^[341] The Reins, Back-bone, Seed, and the Veſſels of Seed, the Privy-parts both of man and woman.

^[342] All ſuch herbs and plants as are odoriferous, pleaſant, ſweet and delectable, and ſuch as ïnvite to Venery, viz. the Satyrian, Daffidel, Cucko-Pintle, Maiden-hair, the Violet, Valerian, Vervin, Time, the Roſe, Lilly, &c. All ſuch Spices as are fragrant and ſweet, &c.

^[343] The Fig-tree. Pomegranate, the Cypres, ſweet Apple-tree, Pear-tree, the Mirtle-tree, Walnut, Almond-tree, Peach, Apricoks, the Raiſon-tree or Vine, Turpentine-tree, the wild Aſh-tree, &c. And of Perfumes, Amber-greeſe, Musk, Civet, the Gum Ladanum, and all ſuch ſweet Perfumes, Frankinſenſe, &c.

^[344] The Swan, Water-wag-tail, Swallow, Pelican, Nightingal, Pigeon, Sparrow, Turtle-Dove, Stock-Dove, Crow, the Burgander, the Eagle; becauſe as the Egyptians report, it will come to the Male (if called) after ſhe hath been trod thirteen times in a day, the Partridge, Thruſh, Black-bird, Pye, Wren, &c.

^[345] The Beril, Chryſolite, Emrauld, Saphyr, Green Jaſper, Corneola, Aetites, the Lazul, Coral, Alabaſter, Marble.

^[346] Copper, Braſs, and ſometimes Silver, &c.

^[347] The Pylchard, Gilthead, the Whiting, Crab, Tithymallus, Dolphin.

^[348] All ſuch Animals as are of a ſtrong love, delicious or luxurious; the Dog, Cony, Sheep, Goat, Bull, Calf, Panther and Hart.

^[349] Weather, ſhe denotes gentle ſhowres in Winter, and temperate heat in Summer.

^[350] The South wind.

^[351] Beds and Bed-chambers, Dining-rooms, Dancing-ſchools, Gardens, Fountains, Wardrobes, Banqueting-houſes, Play-houſes, and Bawdy-houſes.

^[352] Of the Coeleſtial ſigns, ſhe ruleth, and hath for her houſes Taurus and Libra.

^[353] She ruleth the Earthy Triplicity by day, viz. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

She hath Exaltation in the 27. deg. of Piſces. ^[354]

She ſuffereth Detriment in Aries and Scorpio. ^[355]

She is in her Fall in the 27. deg. of Virgo. ^[356]

^[357] From 14. to 22.

Anael. ^[358]

Saturn only.^[359]

Friends are Jupiter, ^[360] Mars, Sol, Mercury and Luna.

^[361]She hath Friday aſſigned to her Dominion, and that night we call Monday night.

Arabia, ^[362] Auſtria, Campania, Polonia, Cyprus, Vienna, Parthia, Turin, and the ſixth Climate.

^[363] Her Orbe is 7. deg. before and after any Aſpect.

• Her greateſt years are 151.^[364]
• Her greater years are 82.
• Her mean years are 45.
• Her leaſt years are 15.

^[365] In Journeys, ſhe cauſes good ſucceſs, mirth, and ſport by the way.

^[366] Cold and moyſt Diſeaſes, ſuch as happen in the members of generation, veins, bladder, back, belly, navel, matrix, the Running of the reins, Gonorrea, Pox, both French and Neapolitan, Priapiſm, Surfets, the Piſſing Diſeaſe; weakneſs in the reins and members of generation, all ſtrains by over much exceſs of Luſt.

^[367] She is two days Stationary before Retrogradation, and two days before Direction.

^[368] She is 42. days Retrograde.

CHAP. VI. Of the Nature and Significations of MERCVRY.

^[369]AFter Venus, or next under her, and above Luna, is located Mercury, of whom by Gods bleſſing we are come now to Treat; he is of a ſilver-colour, but duskiſh; ſeldom ſeen by us, by reaſon of his proximity to the Sun, he being never diſtant from him above 27. degrees to our ſight: he is the leaſt of all the Planets to our ſight, except Saturn; but according to Tycho, ^[370] he is leſs then the earth 19. times; Albategnius ſaith 19000. time, and Alfraganus 22000. times.

And by the opinion of Tycho, he is diſtant from the earth 1150.^[371] ſemidiameters of the earth; Albotegnius and Alfraganus ſay but 115. ſemidiameter; of the earth.

^[372]He is like an Hermophridite, participating of both ſex; he is Maſculine when joyned by Conjunction or Aſpect to a Maſculine Planet, Feminine when with a Feminine; good and fortunate when joyned with the Fortunes; bad and miſchievous when joyned to or with the Malevolents.

^[373]His mean motion is 59. m. 8. ſec. and ſometimes 40. m. never more.

^[374]His Diurnal motion is never above 100. m. in a day, ſometimes 86. m. 80. m. 70. m. 68. m. and 66. m.

^[375] He finiſheth his courſe through the 12. ſigns of the Zodiack, much about the time that Venus doth, yet he is the ſwifter of the two by ſomewhat.

^[376]When Mercury is ſtrong and Lord of the year, he ſignifies, Merchants, Tradeſmen, and all ſuch as give their minds to learning Arts and Sciences, ſhall have a ſucceſsfull year; but if he be weak, judge the contrary.

^[377]Aſtrologers, Philoſophers, Mathematicians, Secretaries, Diviners, Merchants, Sculptors, Poets, Advocates, School-maſters, Orators, Embaſſadors, Commiſſioners, Atturneys, Ingenious Artificers, &c. and all learned men in general.

^[378]Scriveners, Accomptants, Clerks, Sollicitors, Thieves, Carriers, Meſſengers, Footmen, Uſurers, Petty-foggers, &c.

^[379] He is Author of Wit, Fancy, Ingenuity, and Invention.

^[380] Not much colour in his face, nor much abounding in white nor duskiſh, but a kind of a Sun-burnt-colour, long viſage, a high forehead, long noſe, thin lips; his eyes of a ſaddiſh gray, not altogether black; a dark brown hair, long hands and fingers, and of a tall, upright, ſtraight, ſpare body.

^[381] When he is Oriental, he is not very high, but big-boned, of a honey-coloured complexion, ſmall eyes, and in diſpoſition one altogether ſelf-ended, but well ſhaped.

^[382] When Occidental, of a thin ſpare body, ſwarthy viſage, hollow-eyed, of a dry conſtitution, &c.

^[383] His greateſt North latitude is 3. d. 33. m.

^[384] His greateſt South latitude is 3. d. 35. m.

^[385] Sowriſh, and ſharp ſavours.

^[386] A mixt Galimaufry of colours, purple, &c.

^[387] The brain, tongue, and left ear.

^[388]The herb Mercury, Five-leaved graſs, Fumitory, Marjorum, Parſly, Pimpernel, and ſuch as are of divers colours, and mixed natures; they have chiefly relation to the brain and tongue, to diſpel wind, to comfort the ſpirits, and open obſtructions; Adderstongue, Lungwort, Dragonwort, Cubabs, and all ſuch herbs as are beneficiall to the Muſes and Divination, as Vervin, Hiera, Treacle, Diambra.

^[389] The Walnut-tree, Filbert-tree, Hazel, &c.

^[390] Thoſe Birds that are Naturally witty, melodious and inconſtant, as the Linet, Nightingal, Black-bird, Thruſh, the Bird Ibis, the Bird Porphyrio, Parret, Swallow, Popinjay, Cockatoo, Crane the Jack-Daw, Lark, the Bird Calandra.

^[391] Serpents and Adders.

^[392] The Emrald, Agates, Red marble, Topaz, and ſuch as are of divers colours, Milſtone, Marchaſite.

^[393] Quickſilver, Tin and Silver Marchaſite.

^[394] The Trochius, the Fox-fiſh, the Mullet, the Pourcontrell, the Fork-fiſh.

^[395] Of Beaſts, the Dog, and ſuch as are of quick ſenſe, ingenious, inconſtant, ſwift, and ſuch as are eaſily acquainted with man, Apes, Foxes, Weeſles, the Hart and Mule, the Hare, Civet-cat, Squirrel, Spider, Piſmire, the Hyaena, &c.

^[396] He muſt principally be obſerved, the ſign he is in, and ſeaſon of the year; but uſually he cauſes rain, hail-ſtorms, ſometimes thunder and lightning, according to the nature of the Planets in configuration with him, of the which more hereafter.

^[397] He delighteth in the Northern Quarter of Heaven, yet commonly he cauſeth ſuch winds as are ſignified by the Planet to which he applies.

^[398] Schools, Common-hals, Tennis-Courts, Fairs, Ordinaries, Markets, Bowling-Allies, Tradeſmens-ſhops; in a gentlemans-houſe, his Hall, &c. Studies, Libraries.

^[399] Of the Coeleſtial ſigns, he hath for his houſes which he ruleth, Gemini and Virgo.

^[400] He ruleth the Aëry Triplicity by night, viz. Gemini, Libra, and Aquaries.

He is exalted in Virgo the 15. degree.^[401]

He ſuffreth Detriment in Sagittary and Piſces. ^[402]

His Fall is in the 15. deg. of Piſces. ^[403]

^[404] From 7. to 14.

Raphael. ^[405]

His Enemies are Mars, Sol, and Luna. ^[406]

His Friends are Jupiter, ^[407] Venus, and Saturn.

He ruleth Wedneſday, ^[408] and that night we call Saturday night.

Flanders, Graecia, Aegypt, ^[409] and Indies both Eaſt and Weſt.

^[410] His Orbe is ſeven degrees before and after any Aſpect.

^[411] He ruleth the ſixth moneth.

• His greateſt years are 450.^[412]
• His greater years are 76.
• His mean years are 48.
• His leaſt years are 20.

^[413] In Journeys, he is according as he placed and in Aſpect with the other Planets.

^[414] Vertigo's, Lethargies, Madneſs, Frenſies, Diſeaſes of the brain, Ptiſick, Stammerings, Defects in the memory, Hoarſneſs, Dry-cough, the Hand and Feet-gout, all imperfections in the Fancy.

^[415] He is Stationary one day before Retrogradation, and one day before direction.

^[416] He is Retrograde 24. days.

CHAP. VII. Of the Nature and Significations of the MOON.

MY Intentions are now to treat of the lowermoſt of all the Planets, and next unto the earth, which is the Moon; ſhe is Feminine and Nocturnal;^[417] her colour is ſo vulgarly known, that it were ſuperfluous or needleſs here to relate, ſince our intentions and ſcope of our writings are to inform the ignorant and illiterate of what they as yet are ignorant of; ſhe is the biggeſt of Planets to our outward ſight, except the Sun; nay and it is hardly diſcernable externally, which of the two is the greater; but this is by reaſon of their nearneſs unto our ſight, whence in Geneſis ſhe is called one of the two great lights (which is to be underſtood as in relation to our ſight.) But according to Tycho, ^[418] is 42. times leſs then the earth. Ptolomie ſaith 39. times, and Copernicus 43. times.

And according to Tycho, ſhe is leſs then Sol 5848. times;^[419] Ptolomie ſaith 6348. times, and Copernicus 7000. times.

^[420]And diſtant from the earth, according to Tycho, 60. ſemidiameters at her greateſt elongation; in her leaſt elongation but 52. ſemidiameters; Ptolomie ſaith 64. ſemidiameters; her leaſt 34. and her mean 49. Copernicus ſaith, her greateſt 68. her leaſt 52. and her mean 60.

^[421] She is neither fortunate nor unfortunate, but as ſhe is placed and in configuration with either the Fortunes or Malevolents; ſhe is moſt powerfull in operation of all the other Planets, on Elementary bodies, by reaſon of their proximity to us, and her ſwiftneſs, by which ſhe transfers the light and influence of all the Superiors to us, by her configuration with them.

^[422] Her mean motion is 13. deg. 10. min. 36. ſec.

^[423] She never exceedeth 15. deg. 2. minutes in one day.

^[424] She finiſheth her courſe through the 12. ſigns of the Zodiack in 27. days, hours and 45. minutes or thereabouts.

Moon Lady of the year, and ſtrong in any Revolution,^[425] denotes there ſhall be no want of rain in its due ſeaſon, both former and latter; men ſhall be generall healthy, fortunate, ſafe and punctual in all their actions and promiſes, eſpecially if ſhe be in reception with her diſpoſitor or good Aſpect therewith, &c. but if ſhe be then weak and unfortunate, you are to judge the contrary.^[426]

One of a paliſh, whitiſh colour, round face, gray-eyes, yet having a kind of a lowring or cloudiſh eye-brow, very hairy, fleſhie and plump, of a large ſtature, corpulent, and well ſet.

^[427] When Oriental, ſhe inclineth more to fatneſs.

^[428] When Occidental, not ſo well ſet.

• Her greateſt North latitude is, 5. deg. 17. ſec. or neer upon.^[429]
• Her greateſt South latitude, is, 5. deg. 12. ſec. or neer upon.

^[430] She ſignifieth common people.

^[431] Freſh watriſh taſtes, or ſuch as one can hardly ſay what taſte it is of.

^[432] Silver-colour, white, a pale-green, and a pale yellow.

^[433] She ruleth the Flegmatick humour, the brain, all watriſh and excrementitious humours; the left eye, and the right eye of a woman, her menſtrues, &c.

Sea tangle, Lunaria or the Moon-herb, Hyſope, Roſemary Agnus-caſtus,^[434] the herb Chinoſta, Pompion, Melon, Muskmelon, Gourd, Cucumber, Colwort, Cabbidge, Endive, Muſhrooms, Poppy, Lintſeed, Rapeſeed, and all ſuch herbs as turn towards the Moon, and increaſed and decreaſe as ſhe doth.

^[435]The Plam-tree, for that it ſends forth a twig every time the Moon riſeth, and all ſuch trees and plants as participate or ſympathize with her, and are juicy and full of ſap.

^[436] Gooſe, Swan, Duck, Divedapper, Moor-hen, and all Fowl uſing the water, Night-owl, Night-raven, Bat, &c.

^[437] All ſtones that are white and green, the Marchaſite, the Chryſtal, the Senenite, and ſoft ſtones.

^[438] Silver.

Aelurus, ^[439] whoſe eyes increaſe aand decreaſe according to the courſe of the Moon, all fiſh of the like nature; the Tortoiſe, the Echeneis, Crab, Oiſter, Lobſter, Cockle, Muſcle, and all ſhel-fiſh, alſo the Eele, &c.

^[440] Such Beaſts as uſe and delight in water, as the Otter, &c. and ſuch as ſympathize any wiſe with the Moon, as the Camelion, Dog, Hog, Frog, Hind, Goat, Baboon, Panther, Cat, the Civet Cat, all monſtrous Beaſts, Mice, Rats, &c. Of the Baboons paſſions I forbear here to ſpeak, ſince you have had it related in the 4. chapter, being cauſed by the ſecret influence of Sol and Luna.

^[441] Fountains, Fields, Sea-Ports, High-ways, Rivers. Deſerts, Pools, Fiſh-Ponds, Bogs, Brooks, Docks, Springs, Common-ſhores, Wharffs, &c.

^[442] According to her configuration with the other Planets, viz with Saturn, cold, moyſt and clowdy weather, with Jupiter heart and temperate ayr; with Mars wind and clouds; with the Sun according to the time of the year; with Venus ſhowres; with Mercury wind and rain.

^[443] She uſually cauſeth that wind ſignified by the Planet ſhe applies unto.

^[444] Of the Coeleſtial ſigns ſhe hath but one for her houſe, viz. Cancer.

^[445] Her Triplicity is the earthy Triplicity, which ſhe ruleth by night, viz. Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

Her Exaltation is in Taurus the 3. degree.^[446]

She ſuffers detriment in Capricorn. ^[447]

Fall in Scorpio 3. degree.^[448]

^[449] Infancy till ſeven years of Age.

Gabriel. ^[450]

Her Enemies are Saturn and Mars. ^[451]

Her Friends are Jupiter, ^[452] Sol, Venus and Mercury.

^[453]Of the days of the week, ſhe ruleth Monday and that night we commonly call Thurſday night.

Denmark, ^[454] Holland, Zealand, Flanders, Norinberge.

^[455] Her Orbe is twelve degrees before and after any Aſpect.

^[456] Her greateſt years are 320.

Her greater years are 108.

Her mean years are 66.

Her leaſt years are 25.

^[457]In conception ſhe ruleth the ſeventh moneth.

^[458] According as ſhe is ſtrong or weak, ſtrengthened or debilitated.

^[459] Megrims, Frenzies, Apoplexies, Vertigoes, Wind-Cholick, Diſeaſes in the bladder, Teſticles and left-ſide, and in the liver of women, and members of Generation, Menſtrues, Fluxes, cold Rhumes, Belchings, cold ſtomack, hurts in the left eyes of men, and right of women, Sciatica, Surfets, Coughs, Convulſions, Falling-ſickneſs, Apoſthumes, ſmall Pox, Meaſles, and the Kings-evil.

^[460] She is never ſtationary.

^[461] Nor Retrograde, but when ſhe goeth leſs then 13. deg. in 24. hours, ſhe is accompted equivalent to a Planet retrograde; but in her own proper motion ſhe ever moveth direct forward.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Eſſential Dignities of the Planets.

I Have already ſhewed the Natures and Significations of the Planets; I am come now to ſhew their eſſential Dignities, without the which there can no part of this Art be underſtood, or indeed by any wiſe beneficial; wherefore it is neceſſary that all the Students herein, warily obſerve their Fortitudes and Debilities in any part of their works; to which end they muſt be exceeding well skilled herein; which, that they may diligently ſtudy to do, I will (God inabling me) cordially and ſincerely to the full here relate.

^[462]A Planet then is ſaid to be eſſentially ſtrong, or in eſſential Dignities, when he is in his own Houſe, Exaltation, Triplicity, Term, or Face. How theſe are aſſigned to every Planet, you may ſee by this Table following, though there hath been much diſſention therein amongſt the Ancients; with the which if thou agree not, I hope thou art not hurt hereby, ſince thou haſt liberty to follow what Authors thou pleaſeſt.

A Table of the eſſential Dignities of the Planets according to Ptolomie.

The Vſe of the Table.

IN the firſt Column you have ♈, ♉, ♊, &c. under each other to the end of the ſigns; over them is written, ſigns, intimating all theſe beneath are the Characters of the ſigns.

In the next Column to ſigns, you have written the Houſes of the Planets, under which you ſee ♀. D. over againſt it on the left hand is ♈; and under ♂. D. you have ♀. N. and over againſt her on the left hand, ♉. intimating no more but this, that ♈ is ♂ his day houſe, ſignified by D. and ♉ is ♀ her night houſe, ſignified by N. and ſo all along underneath you have declared what ſign properly belongeth to every Planet.

In the next column you ſee written Exaltations; under it and over againſt ♈, you finde ☉ 19. and under him, over againſt ♉, you ſee ☽ 3. which is, ☉ in the 19. degree of ♈ is in the very point of his exaltation, and ☽ in the 3. degree of ♉; and ſo of the reſt.

In the next column you ſee Triplicities, and under is D. N. & under D. N. you have ☉ ♃. ☉ under D. and ♃ under N. and over againſt ♈; ſo alſo over againſt ☊ in the ſame column you ſee ☉ ♃, and again over againſt ♐; which ſhews no more but that the ☉ hath triplicity in the Day, ſignified by D. in theſe three fiery ſigns or Triplicity; and ♃ in the night ſignified by N. ſo you may ſee ♀ and ☽ rule the earthy Triplicity, ♀ by day, ☽ by night; ♄ and ☿ the aëry; ♂ the watry only; wherefore you finde ♂ both under D. and N. ſhewing that both night and day he ruleth the watry Trygon.

In the next column and over againſt ♈, you ſee ♃ 6. and in the next column ♀ 14. and next unto her over againſt ♈ ſtill you finde ☿ 21. &c. and over their heads you have written The terms of the Planets; the meaning whereof is, that ♃ in the firſt 6. degrees of ♈ hath terms, ♀ from 6. to 14. hath terms, ☿ from 14. to 21. hath terms, &c. and ſo in order of the reſt.

In the tenth column over againſt ♈, you finde ♂ 10. ☉ 20. and ♀ 30. over their heads, The faces of the Planets, which is, ♂ in the firſt 10. degrees of ♈ hath a face, ☉ from 10. to 20. degrees, and ♀ from 20. to 30. degrees: mark this all along in the reſt.

In the thirteenth column, you finde ♀ over againſt ♈, and under her ♂ over againſt ♉, next ♃ over againſt ♊, and over all, written Detriment, intimating ♀ in ♈, ♂ in ♉, ♃ in ♊, are in detriment, viz. in houſes that are oppoſite to their own, whereby they are debilitated or ſuffer detriment or damage, and ſo you may ſee of all the reſt of the Planets.

In the laſt column you finde over againſt ♈, ♄; over againſt ♋, ♂; over againſt ♍, ♀, and over all, written Fall, ſhewing that ♄ in ♈, ♂ in ♋, ♀ in ♍, &c. are in their Falls, viz. in the ſigns oppoſite to their exaltations.

^[463]But, that you may fully examine the ſtrengths and debilities of the Planets, in the judging of any part of this Science, and to know how many dignities eſſential a Planet hath; when in Exaltation, what in houſe, how many in Triplicity, term or face; nay and accidental dignities, as being in Aſpect or Conjunction with the Fortunes, and located in good houſes, &c. or debilities eſſential or accidental, have ſpecial regard to this following Table.

A Table, ſhewing the Fortitudes and Debilities of the Planets.

CHAP. IX. Shewing the Vſe of theſe former dignities, &c.

^[464]USE: The uſe that is to be made of all this, is no more but this; if you finde a Planet in his own houſe, and he ſignificator, he ſhews a good ſtate of the perſon or thing he ſignifieth in any ſcheam whatſoever. As if in the Revolution of the year of the World, he be ſignificator of the King, People, &c. he ſignifies thus much, That their condition is, and ſhall be during the time of his being eſſentially ſtrong, in great eſteem, proſperity, health, plenty, &c.

^[465]If a Planet be in his Exaltation, he ſhews a man of a high and majeſtical carriage and diſpoſition, very high-minded, lofty and proud, taking more upon him then befitteth.

^[466]If a Planet be in his Triplicity, it ſhews a man meanly endued with the goods of this life, not meanly, nor very well deſcended; yet his preſent condition to be good.

^[467]If a Planet be in his Terms, it ſhews a man rather participating of the temper and ſhape of the Planet, then of the wealth, power or dignity ſignified by the nature of that Planet.

^[468]In face, a Planet no otherwiſe fortified, then but being in face, and ſignificator of any one, ſhews him ſignified to be, as it were, at the laſt ſhift, or as we ſay, at the laſt gaſp, not knowing how to beſtow himſelf, nor what courſe to take; and ſo judge of any thing ſignified, to be either in a good or bad condition, according to the ſtrength of the ſignificator.

Chap. X. Of the Houſes of the Planets, and wherefore they were ſo distributed.

DIligently note this Chapter. The Reaſons why the ſigns are (as aboveſaid) in that manner attributed and aſſigned to the dominion of the Planets, I thought good here to relate, that the Students in this Noble Art may not want grounds and reaſons for their Rules; as alſo that they may be able to give an anſwer to the proudeſt Antagoniſt. We will then, according to our method begin with the Luminaries,^[469] viz. Sol and Luna, who have Cancer and Leo aſſigned them by reaſon of their heat, which is cauſed through their nearneſs to our Zenith or Cardinal point; the Sun hath allotted him Leo, for that it is moſt agreeable unto his nature: beſides, we ſee that the Sun being naturally hot and dry, doth ſhew its effects more forcibly in this ſign then in any other; for though Aries Sagittary be alſo fiery ſigns, yet is he not ſo hot, powerfull nor efficacious therein, as in Leo.

The Moon hath Cancer for the ſame reaſon allotted to her government, it being moſt agreeable to her temper: for Cancer is the firſt ſign of all the reſt that are moveable and watry, and ſo more agreeable with her temper and quality then any of the reſt.

^[470] Saturn becauſe he is naturally cold, and an enemy to heat, and the higheſt and moſt remote from the Luminaries of all the Planets, hath therefore aſſigned him Capricorn and Aquaries, which are the oppoſite ſigns to Cancer and Leo, wherefore they are cold and moyſt; and by reaſon of this their Oppoſition, Saturn is reputed hurtfull, and the moſt obnoxious and malevolent of all the Planets, by reaſon he thus oppoſeth the Luminaries that are the Lamps of light, life and nutrition.

And becauſe Jupiter is placed under Saturn, ^[471] he hath allotted him thoſe two ſigns that go before and after Capricorn and Aquaries, viz. Sagittary and Piſces, which are in a Trine to the houſes of the Luminaries; Piſces his night-houſe to Cancer the houſe of the Nocturnal Luminary; and Sagittary his day houſe to Leo the houſe of the Diurnal Luminary: wherefore they are temperate, and by reaſon of this their Amical Aſpect he is concluded aſſiſtant, temperate and good; fortunate and benevolent to mankinde, and the greateſt Fortune of all the Planets.

Mars in order followeth Jupiter, ^[472] whom you have heard is immediatly placed after him; and therefore thoſe ſigns which go before and after the houſes of Jupiter are given to him, viz. Scorpio and Aries, which are in a Square to the houſe of the Luminaries, viz. Aries his day-houſe to Cancer, and Scorpio his night-houſe to Leo: wherefore by reaſon a Square is an Aſpect of enmity, he is accounted hurtfull and unfortunate, (yet not ſo bad as Saturr, who beholds them (as hath been ſaid) with an Oppoſition) and is the leſſer infortune.

Venus by reaſon of her temperate conſtitution,^[473] challengeth thoſe houſes which go before and after the houſes of Mars, viz. Libra and Taurus, which are in a Sextile to the houſes of the Luminaries, which is an Aſpect of love and amity, cauſing generation and multiplication; and by reaſon Sextile is not ſo perfect an Aſpect as a Trine, ſhe is truly accounted the leſſer Fortune.

And becauſe Mercury is carried below the reſt of the Stars,^[474] the two remaining ſigns are given him, viz. Gemini and Virgo, preceding and following the houſes of the Luminaries; and becauſe he is on neither ſide, and never diſtant from the Sun above one ſign, he inclineth naturally neither to good nor bad, but is adjudged to be participating of the nature of the Planet to which he is joyned.

CHAP. XI. Of the Exaltations and Fall of the Planets, and wherefore they were ſo constituted.

ENter we ſhall here (as in the preceding Chapter) with the Luminaries, and firſt with the Sur, as being the chief light, and Fons vitae, the Fountain of life; the Sun then is ſaid to be in the point of his Exaltation when he is in the 19. degree of Aries, he being then in the higheſt Northern point of the Ecliptick, ^[475] by which all things are made to ſpring and flouriſh, the heat of weather and the length of days being increaſed; therefore for the ſame reaſon contrary is he ſaid to be in his Fall in Libra, it being the oppoſite ſign in the heavens to Aries, in the which he declineth Southward, by the which the ſhortneſs of the days and cold is increaſed, to the hinderance of the fertility of the earth.

The Sun in Aries then being the cauſe and original of all things;^[476] and becauſe the Moon hath her light from him, ſhe being in conjunction with him in Aries, ſhews her ſelf firſt unto us in Taurus, the firſt ſign in which ſhe hath Triplicity; and therefore for theſe cauſes ſhe is ſaid to be in exaltation in Taurus, in which ſhe is alſo increaſed in light; and in Scorpio ſhe is in Fall (for that it is the ſign oppoſite to Taurus) ſign to the Suns exaltation when ſhe is in her Fall, being in her Fall, being in Conjunction in Aries, or receiving there her firſt light.

And becauſe as you have heard before, Saturn is moſt remote from the Sun, ^[477] contrary in houſes, and author of cold, as the Sun is of heat; therefore is he exalted in that ſign in which heat is diminiſhed, and cold increaſed, viz. Libra; and in his fall where cold is diminiſhed and heat increaſed, viz. Aries, quite contrary to the Sun.

Iupiter is exalted in Cancer, and in fall in Capricorn, ^[478] for that Iupiter delighteth in the Northern part of Heaven, ſtirring up Northern winds, which cauſeth fertility, and maketh things to grow, and his greateſt declination Northward is in Cancer, wherefore he is therein exalted, and by reaſon of the contrary, is he in Fall in Capricorn.

Mars is naturally hot and dry,^[479] and becauſe he ſheweth his effects more powerfully in Capricorn (it being a Southern ſign, where the Sun is moſt hot, viz. about noon) is he ſaid to be exalted therein, and in fall in Cancer, quite contrary to Iupiter, Mars being violent, Iupiter temperate.

And becauſe Venus is naturally moyſt, and chiefly in Piſces, ^[480] by which the Spring is moiſtned and increaſed in ſtrength, is ſhe ſaid to be exalted in Piſces, ſhe being the cauſe of generation and procreation: wherefore Autumn when all things wither, and fade, viz. in Virgo, is ſhe in fall.

Mercury, for that he is dry and contrary unto Venus, is exalted in Virgo, ^[481] and in fall in Piſces, Virgo being both his houſe and joy.

CHAP. XII. Of the Triplicities of the Planets, and the Reaſons why they were ſo appointed.

^[482]THus then firſt you muſt know, that a Triplicity is no more then three ſigns of the Zodiack, all of one nature, making a perfect triangle; and of theſe Triplicities, amongſt the ſigns there are four, viz. the Fiery-Triplicity, the Aëry-Triplicity, the Watry-Triplicity, and the Earth-Triplicity. The Fiery-Triplicity, conſiſteth of Aries, Leo and Sagittary: the Aëry, of Gemini, Libra and Aquaries: the Watry, of Cancer, Scorpio and Piſces: the Earthy, of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; and theſe ſigns behold one another with a Trine; as a Planet in a fiery ſign beholds another Planet in another fiery ſign (being in equal number of degrees) with a Trine; as alſo a Planet in an Aëry ſign, another Planet in An Aëry ſign; one in a Watry ſign, another in a Watry ſign: in an Earthy ſign, a Planet in an Earthy ſign. And this Trine Aſpect, conſiſts of an hundred and twenty degrees, &c.

^[483]The Sun and Iupiter have dominion in in the Fiery-Triplicity, the Sun by day, and Iupiter by night: the Sun, for that he is not and fiery, of the nature of theſe ſigns; and Iupiter, for that he is temperate; and to moderate the extremity thereof, therefore he ruleth this Triplicity in the night: yet ſome of the Ancients have added in government with the Saturn, that by his cold nature, he may temperate the exceſs of heat. This is the Eaſtern Triplicity.

^[484] Saturn and Mercury have dominion in the Aëry-Triplicity, which is Weſtern, Mercury by night, and Saturn by day; Libra is his Exaltation (and you have heard for what reaſons) Aquaries is his houſe and ſign wherein he moſt doth joy; Gemini is Mercurys houſe; wherefore Saturn hath chief Dominion in this Triplicity; yet ſome have joyned Iupiter in ſignification with them, by reaſon of his temperancy.

^[485] Mars both night and day, hath aſſigned him chief Dominion of the Watry Triplicity; this Triplicity is Northern: certainly the reaſon why Mars was aſſigned chief Rule of the Water, was to cool his courage and abate his heat; for we ſee he is more powerfull to work his miſchievous pranks in Leo then in Cancer; for he having dominion and rule in Cancer, he worketh not altogether ſo much miſchief (yet is he in Fall in Cancer, but Peregrine in Leo) wherefore a Planet Peregrine is worſe then a Planet in Fall, if he be but in a term: yet ſome of the Ancients have joyned Venus and the Moon with Mars, by reaſon Cancer is the Moons houſe, and Piſces the Exaltation of Venus.

^[486] Venus and Luna are appointed chief Governeſſes of the Earthy-Triplicity, which is Feminine and Southern, cold and moyſt, cauſing South-eaſt winds, cold and moyſt Ayr; and therefore aſſigned to theſe Feminine Planets.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Terms of the Planets, wherefore ſo called, and ſo aſsigned to every of the five Planets.

^[487]HEre now you muſt know the Sun and Moon have no terms; A Term is a certain number of degrees, which in each ſign (whether it be exaltation or houſe) every of theſe five Planets, viz. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, have a priority; which by long ſtudy and experience was at the laſt (by Gods aſſiſtance) found out by the Antients.

^[488]The are called Terms, Ends or Bounds, for that the Planets have their proportion ſo allotted them, at the end of ſo many degrees, begin the bounds, term or ends of another Planet: As for example, from the firſt degree of Aries to the ſixt, is the term, end, or bounds of Jupiter; from the 6. to the 14. is the term of Venus, &c.

^[489] Ptolomie, Albumazer and Bonatus ſhew that the greater years of the Planets are found out by their ſeveral terms, through the Zodiack, which is no more but this; look what number of degrees every Planet hath aſſigned him in every ſign, and add them together, and the make the juſt number of the great years, as you have the before; as for example more plainly.

Theſe being added together; make juſt 360. degrees.

But the reaſon why the Planets are after this manner divided into terms, is briefly this. The Sages and Philoſophers in former Ages followed this rule;^[490] firſt, to obſerve what Planet had moſt dignities in a ſign; whether by Exaltation and Houſe, Triplicity and Houſe; or Houſe, Exaltation or Triplicity only; and to that Planet that had two or more Dignities, they aſſigned the firſt term, whether he were a Fortune or Infortune; and if an Infortune have not two dignities in a ſign, they placed them laſt, and gave them the laſt term of the ſign, and the firſt term to the Lord of the Exaltation, to the Lord of the Triplicity, or the Lord of the Houſe; ever preferring him who hath two dignities, before thoſe or him that had but one, except only in Cancer and Leo; for becauſe Cancer is the oppoſite ſign to the exaltation of Mars, viz. Capricorn; therefore is the firſt term of Cancer aſſigned to Mars; and becauſe Leo is the oppoſite ſign to the houſe and joy of Saturn, is the firſt term of Leo given to him; to the Infortunes are given ſtill the laſt of all the ſigns, except of Leo; the laſt term is given to Jupiter; the quantity of the terms are thus divided; when Iupiter and Venus have not two of the aforeſaid dignities in the ſame ſign, nor in the ſecond, third, nor fourth, they have ſeven degrees alotted them for their term: Saturn and Mars, becauſe they are infortunes (except in their own houſes) but five; ſometimes four, three, and two; Mercury, for that he is of a mixt nature, and naturally neither good nor bad, hath ſix degrees alotted him. In like manner, when a Planet hath the aforeſaid dignities, he hath aſſigned him one more, as Venus in the firſt term of Taurus hath aſſigned her eight degrees; and Saturn in the firſt term of Aquaries hath ſix degrees alotted him; and where Venus hath eight, you ſee Saturn hath but two in Taurus, being ſo much diminiſhed, he being very weak in Taurus: ſo alſo in Sagittary, you ſee Jupiter is increaſed one, being he is there ſtrong; and Mercury being weak, is diminiſhed one; Jupiter hath eight, Mercury but five; but why they are ſo divided throughout the ſigns, I finde no Author give ſufficient reaſons; I mean for this Table, according to Ptolomie, which, he ſaith, he found in an old rotten worm-eaten book, which was half conſumed with worms and age, in which, he ſaith, there was a long ſtory of the utility and reaſons of the terms: but by reaſon of the ſo much decay of the Book it could not be legible, ſo that he could not tranſcribe it; and ſo leaveth the Reader ſtill in doubt concerning this point, the clearing whereof requireth much time and ſtudy, which ſhall not be wanting hereafter in me to beſtow (God granting me life and health) for the benefit both of the Art and Students therein. In the interim be content with what I have now delivered.

CHAP. XIV. Shewing the uſe which is to be made of the Terms.

REmember that a Planet in his own Term is ſtrong, and that the more dignities he hath there, the ſtronger he is; for Iupiter in the firſt term of Sagittary, is ſtronger and more powerfull then in the firſt term of Aries; yet they are both his terms; the reaſon is, becauſe Sagittary is both his Houſe and Triplicity; Aries is but his Triplicity only; wherefore you ſee in Sagittary he hath the firſt eight degrees for his term, in Aries but ſix; and ſo obſerve the neerer a Planet is in nature to the place of his term, the ſtronger is the Planet therein; for Iupiter being hot and moiſt, hath but five degrees for his term in Virgo, which is cold and dry; yet in Gemini, which is hot and moiſt, he hath ſix, it agreeing with his temper; yet in Cancer, which is cold and moyſt (you will perhaps ſay) he hath ſeven, which agreeth not ſo near to his nature; but the reaſon thereof is, Cancer is his houſe of Exaltation, and ſo hath alotted him one for that, as you have heard before; for you muſt know the more dignities a Planet hath in a ſign, the ſtronger he is, and hath the greater term alotted him.

In like manner, if a Planet that is cold and dry, be in a term ſo likewiſe qualified, viz. cold and dry alſo, his cold and dryneſs is the more increaſed, and will work the more forcibly on the Inferiours he is ſignificator of: obſerve the ſame rule in all the reſt of the qualities and humors, ſtill remembring that a Planet is ſo much the more increaſed in ſtrength, by how much the more he is located in the places of his own temper and nature.

Moreover a Planet that is hot and dry, is leſſened of his vigour in a term that is cold and moyſt; ſo likewiſe is he augmented in heat if he be naturally cold and moyſt, and in a term that is hot and dry.

In like manner note, that if a fortunate Planet be in a fortunate term (I ſay note in general) his goodneſs is the more increaſed and augmented, having more power and ſtrength to operate in any thing whatſoever he is ſignificator of; as if he have ſignification of good, he is then ſo much the better; and on the contrary an evil or malevolent Planet in a malevolent ſign and term is the more miſchievous.

The Lord of a Termwhen he is in that Term, let it be what ſign it will, hath more power therein then the Lord of that ſign or the Planet that hath that ſign for his Exaltation, if he be Peregrine anywhere, which is as much to ſay, Poſſeſſion is eleven points of the Law, when there is but twelve. And if the Lord of any term be in his term, and the Lord of the ſign in another ſign in any Aſpect with him, the Lord of the term ſhall have more power in the ſign where he is, then the Lord of the ſign, and ſhall be principal ſignificator; and if the Lord of the term be in his own term and ſign, his ſtrength and power is ſo much the more increaſed.

What ever Planet be weak in a ſign, that Planets debility is leſſened, when or by his being in that part of the ſign he be where he hath any term; and if he be in term and ſign both of his own nature, he is very ſtrong and fortunate, as aforeſaid.

CHAP. XV. Demonſtrating the Vſe, Nature and Reaſons of the Faces of the Planets.

AGain, the Reaſons of the Vertues of each Planet through the 12. ſigns of the Zodiack in their proper Faces is very rare, and a great myſterie, which every capacity cannot reach unto; neither is it to be attained by any but who are great and profound ſearchers of the hidden myſteries of nature, and of great experience; for as water quencheth fire, and as fire dryeth up water; ſo one Planet over-ruleth another, and again is contradicted by the ſame; a term divides a face; a face divides a ſign; a ſign a triplicity; a triplicity the Zodiack, &c.

^[491]Know therefore that in every ſign there are three Faces, conſiſting of 10. degrees a piece: they are called faces for that they are equivalent to ſigns, forms or ſhapes, by reaſon they ſhew the nature and inclination of the Planets in them, as in their own houſes, as it were, as anon ſhall appear, being borrowed from the practiſe of thoſe that did uſe to foretell the Accidents, Nature, Diſpoſition and inclination by the face of the Planet.

To know the proper Faces then of the Planets, you muſt begin with Mars, and give him the firſt face of Aries, viz. the firſt 10. degrees, becauſe Aries is his houſe: the ſecond face to the Sun becauſe he followeth Mars in courſe, and is located under him in the Heavens: the third to Venus, who ſucceſſively followeth the Sun: to Mercury you muſt after the ſame Rule give the firſt face of Taurus, who ſucceſſively followeth Venus; the ſecond to the Moon, being under Mercury; the third to Saturn, being the firſt of the Planets; and therefore in order to be reckoned after Luna, which is the laſt. The firſt face of Gemini to Jupiter; the ſecond to Mars, and ſo round about the Zodiack; for following this method, you will ſoon come to the exact knowledge of every Face, and the true Lord thereof.

^[492] Mars then hath the firſt face of Aries aſſigned unto him; and this is the face of boldneſs, ſtrength magnanimity, unſhamefaſtneſs, reſoluteneſs and confidence.

The Sun hath the ſecond face of Aries, which is the face of nobleneſs, might, majeſty, power, renown and authority; and in this face he is in his exaltation.

^[493] Venus hath the third face of Aries, which is effeminate, milde, joyfull, merry, full of ſport and play.

Mercury hath the firſt face of Taurus, ^[494] which is the face of Ploughing and Tilling, Sowing, Building, giving of Laws, Precepts and Learning.

The Moon hath the ſecond face of Taurus, which is a face of power, dignity and authority,^[495] depopulating Towns and Caſtles, and conſtraining the People.

Saturn hath the third face of Taurus, which is a face of miſery, ſervitude, poverty, neceſſity and cruelty.^[496]

Jupiter hath the firſt face of Gemini, ^[497] compleat in all things, and it is a face of writing, caſting of accounts, of giving and receiving of Petitions and Writings of no profit or utility.

Mars hath the ſecond face of Gemini, ^[498] which is a face of labour, trouble and ſtudy in what is painfull, and indiſhoneſt actions.

Sol hath the third face of Gemini, ^[499] which is a face of forgetfulneſs, diſdain, jearing, ſcoffing and boldneſs.

Venus hath the firſt face of Cancer, which is a face of ſtrength, underſtanding, wit and power,^[500] deſiring favour of all men.

Mercury hath the ſecond face of Cancer, which is a face of ſport, mirth, women,^[501] riches, fertility and abundance.

The Moon hath the third face of Cancer, ^[502] which is a face of hunting, purſuing of Runaways, gaining by ſtrength and arms, and oppoſing of men.

Saturn hath the firſt face of Leo, ^[503] handſom in ſhape; it is a face of cruelty, miſchief, and violence; of induring labour and toyl; of boldneſs and luſt.

Jupiter hath the ſecond face of Leo, ^[504] which is a face of quarrels and of miſchief, cauſing Wars and ſtrife.

Mars hath the third face of Leo, ^[505] which is a face of love and friendſhip, and eaſily leaving his goods and abode for the fear of War or Commotions.

Sol hath the firſt face of Virgo, ^[506] which is a face of Ploughing and Sowing, Tilling; of gathering wealth and riches.

Venus hath the ſecond face of Virgo, ^[507] which is a face of gaining, and growing rich, of coveteouſneſs, intreating and deſiring the help of others.

Mercury hath the third face of Virgo, ^[508] which is a face of age, weakneſs, and decrepedneſs; of deſtroying people, and pulling up trees by the root.

The Moon hath the firſt face of Libra, ^[509] which is a face of Juſtice, Right and Truth, helping the weak and needy, compleat and handſom in ſhape.

Saturn hath the ſecond face of Libra, ^[510] which is a face of quiet, profit and happy life.

Jupiter hath the third face of Libra, ^[511] which is a face of gluttony, lechery, revelling and following ill courſes.

Mars hath the firſt face of Scorpio, ^[512] which is a face of quarrelling, fighting, miſchief, ſlaughter, robbing and ſacking.

Sol hath the ſecond face of Scorpio, ^[513] which is a face of contentions, ſtrife, theft, of ſowing miſchief and debate amongſt men, and of deceit.

Venus hath the third face of Scorpio, ^[514] which is a face of Wars, violence, drunkenneſs, of rapes and fornications.

Mercury hath the firſt face of Sagittary, ^[515] which is a face of boldneſs, freeneſs and ſtrength.

The Moon hath the ſecond face of Sagittary, ^[516] which is a face of trouble in mind, fear, miſtruſt, &c.

Saturn hath the third face of Sagittary, ^[517] which is a face of obſtinacy and wilfulneſs, ſticking to his own whimſical conceits, neither will he by any means be beat out of them; miſchievous, quarrelſom, and apt in, and delighting in odious, abhorred and vilde actions.

Jupiter hath the firſt face of Capricorn, ^[518] which is a face of handſom form and ſhape, loving to ramble, to be merry and ſport.

Mars hath the ſecond face of Capricorn, ^[519] which is a face of ſeeking things that cannot be attained, nor brought to perfection.

Sol hath the third face of Capricorn, ^[520] which is a face of a coveteous deſire to rule and govern or have riches at his diſpoſal, ſuſpecting and miſtruſting himſelf.

Venus hath the firſt face of Aquaries, ^[521] which is a face of continual trouble for money and profit, never at reſt, ever in labour and toyl, yet poor and indigent.

Mercury hath the ſecond face of Aquaries, ^[522] which is a face of comelineſs and beauty, of underſtanding, modeſty, mildneſs, clemency, of good behaviour, and of a handſom compoſed ſhape.

Luna hath the third face of Aquaries, ^[523] which is a face of contentions, repinings and ſtrife.

Saturn hath the firſt face of Piſces, ^[524] which is a face that is not ſad, penſive nor dejected in his undertakings, of a good nature and handſom, of many thoughts and cogitative, flitting from one place to another for the procuring himſelf a name and riches.

Jupiter hath the ſecond face of Piſces, which is a face of haughtineſs,^[525] and a high diſpoſition, ſeeking after great and high things.

Mars hath the third face of Piſces, which is a face of concupiſcence and luſt,^[526] and delight with women, yet loving reſt and quietneſs.

The Uſe of all this is no more, but if you finde the cuſpe of the Aſcendent in the Nativity of any one, in any of theſe faces, you may judge the Native to be qualified as you here find; your judgment will be the more certain, if you finde the Lord of the Aſcendent, the Moon, Planet beholding the aſcendent, or Planet beholding the Lord of the aſcendent or the Moon, or both, in the ſame face or faces of the ſame nature; to dwell longer here were but vain, ſince this is ſo clear and plain.

CHAP. XVI. Of the Joys of the Planets.

MOreover, the Planets are ſaid to be in their joys when they are in thoſe houſes where they are moſt ſtrong and powerfull, as,

• ♄ Joyeth in ♒
• ♃ Joyeth in ♐
• ♂ Joyeth in ♏
• ☉ Joyeth in ♌
• ♀ Joyeth in ♉
• ☿ Joyeth in ♍
• ☽ Joyeth in ♋

The reaſon why theſe are their joys, is this. Saturn joyeth in Aquaries, and not in Capricorn, although both are his houſes, becauſe in Aquaries he hath both houſe and triplicity by day; in Capricorn he hath only houſe; ſo likewiſe Jupiter joyeth in Sagittary, and not in Piſces, becauſe he hath in Sagittary both houſe and triplicity, in Piſces but only houſe: and ſo of all the reſt except Luna, who although ſhe hath not triplicity in Cancer, yet is it a ſign of her own nature and complexion: The uſe that is to be made hereof, is only this; Saturn is more powerfull in Aquaries then Capricorn, and Jupiter in Sagittary then Piſces; Mars in Scorpio then Aries; Venus in Taurus then Libra; Mercury in Virgo then Gemini, &c. Of which may many good Uſes be made in the practice of this Art; as beneath in their due places will appear.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Head and Tail of the Dragon.

EVer remember, that the head and tail of the Dragon are not ſigns nor Planets, neither any Conſtellations; only Nodes and Places of the Ecliptick which the Moon cutteth, they have no Aſpect to any Planet; but they may be, and are aſpected by them; as touching their motion, it is according to the motion of the Moon.

Their Nature is various according as they may be placed and aſpected; ſome of the Ancients have maintained that the head is good and fortunate; the tail bad and infortunate naturally, without any exception; others are of a contrary opinion, and ſay the Head is good when well placed and fortunately aſpected by the benevolents and fortunate Planets; but when afflicted and aſpected by the malevolents it is bad: Alſo that the Tail is good with the good Planets, viz. being joyned with them, or in aſpect therewith, and bad with the bad; and ſome again will have the Head when joyned with the Malevolents to be good, and with the Benevolents bad: alſo the Tayl when joyned, or in configuration with the Fortunes, they ſay is bad, and with the Infortunes good; for my part, I have ſtill (by that little obſervation I have made) found the Head to be good, and the Tail bad and unfortunate, as is the nature of Saturn and Mars naturally, but accidentally they may alſo ſometimes be both good and bad, I mean contrary to what they are generally reputed; thou mayſt follow which thou pleaſeſt; experience will be thy beſt rule when thou haſt done all; therefore let that together with reaſon be thy guide, till thou canſt inform thy ſelf in what is not fully comprehended by thee.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the Antiſcions and Contrantiſcions of the Planets.

^[527]SOme of the learned in this Art do hold that the Antiſcions of the Planets be equivalent unto a Sextile or a Trine-aſpect, eſpecially if they were beneficial Planets; and their Contrantiſcions to be of the nature of Quadrate or Oppoſition. How to know the Antiſcions is no more but thus; firſt, know the Antiſcions of the ſigns,^[528] which is no more but a ſign being equally diſtant with another from Cancer and Capricorn the two Tropicks; as Gemini hath its Antiſcion in Cancer, Taurus in Leo, Aries in Virgo, Piſces in Libra, Aquaries in Scorpio, and Capricorn in Sagittary; for when the Sun is in the 1. degree of Gemini, he is as far from the Tropick point of Cancer, as when he is in 29. degrees of Cancer; and in the 5 degree of Taurus, as when in the 55. degree of Leo, &c. Having the true knowledge of the Antiſcions of the ſigns, the Antiſcions of the Planets then is eaſily known; viz. look in what ſign and degrees your Planet is whoſe Antiſcion you would know, and ſubſtract the degrees and minutes he is in from 30. degrees or a whole ſign, and in what degree and minute remains is his Antiſcion and then knowing in what ſign he is, and his Antiſcion muſt be in what anſwers thereunto as aboveſaid; as if he be in Virgo, his Antiſcion is in Aries &c. The Contrantiſcion is known thus; look in what ſign, degree and minute your Antiſcion falls,^[529] and your contrantiſcion will be in the ſame degree and minute of the oppoſite ſign to your Antiſcion: as for example, I admit your Antiſcion of Saturn, Iupiter or Mars, or any Planet be in the 16. degree, 24. minutes of Leo, then your Contrantiſcion falls in the 16. degree, 24. minutes of Aquaries, &c. But theſe are things now (by Gods bleſſing) vulgarly known; it is not our buſineſs therefore here to dwell, only ſince in ſuch a work as this, it is neceſſary to ſay ſomewhat of the Planets, their dignities, ſigns, aſpects and natures, the whole Art conſiſting thereon, as the chief rock on which this moſt incomparable glorious Fabrick, viz. Aſtrologie is founded and built; and having by the bleſſed aſſiſtance of my glorious Maker waded through the beginning, that the work might be full, I thought to give ſome ſmall hint of the Antiſcions, and ſo proceed; for our intentions in theſe our undertakings are not to inſiſt on what is already made manifeſt (further then to make the work the eaſier to the weaker ſort and ſtudents therein) but what remains in the Art (as yet unrevealed and not made to ſpeak our language) which we conceive the preſent times capable of receiving; it being my hearty deſire to have knowledge increaſe upon the face of the earth, and ignorance aboliſhed, ſince the more knowledge a man hath, the nearer he is to the Divine Eſſence, and further from the ſottiſh ſtupidity of the World.

CHAP. XIX. Shewing the Reaſons of the names of the ſeven Planets and their Characters.

ENter we ſhall in order, according to their ſtations and places in the Heaven, with the higheſt firſt, viz. Saturn.

^[530]And the reaſon why he was called Saturn is this (though I muſt confeſs for ſeveral reaſons (which would be too tedious and ſuperfluous here to relate) he was otherwiſe called) he is called I ſay Saturn (for becauſe this is his vulgar name amongſt us; I give you the reaſon and cauſe thereof) à ſaturo to fill or give in abundance, quaſi ſaturavit omnia, it being thought amongſt the learned that where he giveth, it is in full plenty and in abundance.

Jupiter, is ſo called à Juvando, quaſi eſt Iuvans pater, from helping,^[531] or being beneficial to mankinde, he being naturally temperate, inclining by his ſweet influence the diſpoſitions of men to ſobriety, moderation and goodneſs.

Mars, quaſi Mavors, quia magna verteret, turning great things,^[532] and acting high exploits.

Sol, quaſi ſolus Lucens, as only ſhining, being the Eye, Candle,^[533] and ſoul of the World.

Venus, à veneror, ſo called, to honour, and as it were giving due reverene to beauty,^[534] ſhe being the cauſe thereof.

Mercury, quaſi Merces, a merendo, ſignifying wages and mercature,^[535] being the cauſe and Author thereof.

Luna, quia aliena luce lucet, ſhining with a borrowed light.^[536]

Saturn is thus Charactered ♄, repreſenting a Sithe or a Croſs, for that he is author of miſchief and old Age. Iupiter hath this Character ♃,^[537] repreſenting one with a Mace or Scepter on his ſhoulder or in his hand, as deſerving a Kingdom for his temperate good nature, and inclination. Mars is made thus ♂, pointed like a Dart or Engine of War, for that he excites to ſuch miſchief. The Sun is ſo charactered ☉, as being a full light of himſelf, not borrowing in the leaſt from others, or I may ſay he is made round, having a prick in the middle, as being the Center of the whole Univerſe, as ſome have maintained he is. Venus is thus charactered ♀, reſembling a beautifull Lady, with a lovely round viſage. Mercury is made in this manner ☿, for that he is the Embaſſador and Meſſenger of the gods, with a pair of wings as it were on his head. The Moon you know either in her wane or prime is horned: wherefore ſhe is ſtill charactered thus ☽, as beſt reſembling her form.

CHAP. XX. Of the number of the Heavens and Sphears, their places, order and motions.

^[538] YOU are to know we are now about to ſpeak of the ſigns of the Zodiack, as alſo of the Zodiack it ſelf; it is neceſſary here therefore (having done with the Planets) that ſo this Art may be throughly underſtood by the lovers thereof, firſt to ſpeak a word of the ſphears, and number of the Heavens, which by moſt Philoſophers, eſpecially Hermes Triſmegiſtus and Ptolomy are held to be in number nine, which indeed are plainly to be demonſtrated and proved by reaſon; and this is the opinion not only of the Ancient Philoſophers, but of all Aſtronomers and Mathematicians, who will better and more at large inſtruct you; wherefore I refer you for ſatisfaction in what you farther doubt of then what I ſhall here deliver, to their volumes; only for the ſatisfaction of my Reader, ſince it comes in my way, I thought good to ſay ſomewhat. Wherefore theſe are briefly thus diſtinguiſhed.

^[539] Firſt, know then, that about this Elementary World (as being the center) they all move one above another in their ſeveral ſphears, as the Moon firſt above the earth in her ſphear; Mercury above the Moon; Venus above Mercury; the Sun above Venus; Mars above the Sun; Iupiter above Mars; Saturn above Iupiter; the ſtarry heaven or eighth heaven, above Saturn; and in this heaven are located all the fixed ſtars which never move but as their ſphear moves and carryeth them, they being never the one farther or nearer to another, but are firm and fixt in their places; for which cauſe was this eighth heaven called the firmament;^[540] and laſtly is this firmament or ſtarry heaven incloſed by the firſt mover or Chryſtaline heaven, which is the guide (as I may ſay) of the heavens (not being at all under the rule of any of the other heavens, but governed only by that intelligence that ruleth it,^[541] or the expreſs commandment of God) but carryeth them all violently about with it ſelf (of whoſe motions you ſhall here more anon) yet there is another higher then the ninth heaven, which doth incloſe and comprehend them all; and this by ſome is held to be the habitation of God, the Elect and Angels; others hold that Iupiter is the place of the Elect; and likewiſe that Mars is the local place of Hell for the damned, others hold Saturn to be Hell, &c. But we leave theſe opinions, it being no part of our Diſcourſe; and return to ſhew you the motions of the ſphears and heavens.

^[542]You have heard already of the quickneſs of the motion of the ſphear of Saturn in the firſt chapter of this Treatiſe, where we ſpeak of the ſignifications, nature and ſhape of Saturn; as alſo of the ſphear of Iupiter in the ſecond chapter, where we treat of Iupiter, and ſo of all the reſt of the Planets; viz. Saturn finiſheth his motion, or he in his ſphear in 29. years, ſome moneths and days; Iupiter in 12. years, &c. Their motion, notwithſtanding they are carryed violently and accidentally once a day about the earth by the force and power of the firſt mover, is quite contrary thereunto, viz. from Weſt to Eaſt, and ſo likewiſe is the motion of the ſtarry heaven from Weſt to Eaſt alſo, whoſe Revolution is not finiſhed in leſs then 36000. years,^[543] whence it is held concluſively by ſome, that the World muſt laſt millions of years before the ſubverſion and diſſolution thereof, or at leaſt, till it hath made its Revolution once: from whence Plato was of opinion that after the Revolution of theſe years, all things ſhould be as at the firſt Creation; and as the years came about again, ſo ſhould things happen again as at firſt, viz. that after ſo many years there ſhould be another deluge, and Noah and his company only ſaved; and that when the ſame years came about again in which he himſelf lived, he ſhould again flouriſh as at that time, and be teaching his Scholars at Athens; and ſo in like manner that all things ſhould be renewed again as at firſt. But as theſe are points that would ſpend much time and labour to handle, and ſince the holy Writ teſtifyeth unto us that the Angels in Heaven, nay and Chriſt himſelf (as he was man) knew not when ſhould be the laſt day;^[544] we hold it convenient to paſs by ſuch curious matters in ſilence, and haſten to ſay ſomething of the Circles of Heaven, The Zodiack and the diviſions thereof.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Circles of Heaven, the Zodiack, and the diviſions thereof.

WE come now unto the Circles of Heaven. You are to know there are ſome greater then other, ſome leſs, ſome movable, and alſo ſome immoveable; as concerning the greater circles, they are thoſe that have the ſame Center with the Heavens; the leſſer Circles have their Centers out of that of the ſphear; but theſe are ſo plainly treated of by ancient Aſtronomers, that to inſiſt hereon were but vain: wherefore let us to our buſineſs, and ſay ſomewhat of the Zodiack and its diviſions.

^[545]Know then, that in the ſphear of the World there are two chief Circles, the one called the Equator or Equinoctial, the other the Zodiack or Ecliptick; it is called the Equator from the nature thereof, being a line of equality; for the Sun being under the ſame, cauſeth the equality of the day and night through the whole World; it is called the Equinoctial for the ſame reaſon, it cauſing equall nights, &c.^[546] The Zodiack is called the Ecliptick, becauſe the Sun and the Moon are never Eclipſed but in it; it is alſo called the oblique Circle, for that it is ſituated oblique in reſpect of the Equator, &c. This Equator divideth the whole ſphear into two parts, being placed directly betwixt the Poles of the World, viz. Artick and Ant-artick, which is alſo divided by the Zodiack into two equal parts; and thoſe points where the Zodiack cutteth the Equator are called Equinoctial points; and the points of the Zodiack which are the means between theſe Equinoctials are called Tropicks or Solſteads, viz. the ſtays or ſtations of the Sun, &c. From theſe diviſions, are the four quarters of the year, viz. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter; Spring beginning at the Equinoctial point, the Sun enclining towards the Vertical point: Summer beginning at the Solſtead after;^[547] Autumn at the other Equinoctial, and Winter at the ſecond Solſtead. Now you muſt know alſo that theſe ſeveral quarters are divided into three equal parts, as anſwering to beginning, middle and end, and ſo conſequently the whole Zodiack into 12. equall parts, which are called ſigns and houſes (the reaſons why they are ſo called you ſhall have anon) and every^[548] ſign is divided into 30. degrees; every degree into 60. minutes, and every minute into 60. ſeconds, and every ſecond into 60. thirds, and ſo ad infinitum. But now as touching the Reaſons, why theſe diviſions (as I ſaid before) are called ſigns, and becauſe they ſeem to define and ſignifie unto us the moſt notable alterations and mutations of the Ayr, and theſe inferiour Elements.

Now as you have heard of the two principal Circles moveable, ſo it is requiſite alſo you hear ſomewhat of the two immoveable Circles, the Horizon and Meridian; we leave the Colures, Tropicks, Zones, Vertical, Parallel, and Polary Circles, &c. to be taught by thoſe that have writ whole volumes thereof; for our intentions are but curſorily to ſpeak ſomewhat, that our ſcope may the better be underſtood; our intentions being to lay open that part of the Art which is not manifeſt in our tongue.

^[549]The Horizon then is that Circle dividing the Hemiſphere of any place under it, from that which is above it, to which one of the Poles is always the Vertical point, and the other Pole the oppoſite; according therefore to the heighth of the point of each place, doth the Horizon of each place differ; for look how many places there are, ſo many Horizons are there; wherefore the Horizon of thoſe places which have the vertical or perpendicular point under the Equinoctial, is called the right Horizon; for that it paſſeth by the Poles of the World, and equally divideth the Equinoctial at right Angles; ſo likewiſe it is called a right ſphear; for that it ſeemeth to be rightly placed in reſpect of that Horizon, and the ſtars to make their motion directly by the univerſal motion of the ſphear.

Now the Horizon of thoſe places whoſe Zenith is out of the Equinoctial towards either of the Poles, is called oblique; for that that Pole which the Vertical point is next to, is elevated above the ſaid Horizon, and the other is ſo much depreſſed; which therefore doth divide the Equinoctial at oblique angles, unequal one to another; for which cauſe alſo, the ſphear is ſaid to be oblique; being in compariſon of the Horizon placed obliquely; and the ſtars turn obliquely in their univerſal motion. Wherefore it is clear, that all direct Horizons are of one diſpoſition; but among the oblique there are as many differences as are diſtances between the Vertical point and the Equinoctial, or as the elevation of the Pole is divers above them.

^[550]As touching the Meridian, it is a great immoveable Circle, paſſing by the Poles of the World, and that point of the Heavens which is perpendicular in what place ſoever it be; and divideth both the Equinoctial and Horizon of right angles, parting the Eaſt part of the Heavens from the Weſt; whoſe Poles are the interſections of the Horizon and Equator:^[551] and for that it divideth the Natural day and the Artificial into two even parts, it is called the Meridian or mid-day-circle; for when the Sun cometh to this Circle above the Horizon, it is high noon, and the oppoſite point under the Horizon or earth is mid-night: all places then according as they are more Oriental or Occidental, have their proper Meridian; and they which lie alike Eaſt or Weſt. Know then, that every Meridian is a right Horizon to ſome places, and every right Horizon a Meridian.

CHAP. XXII. Of the twelve Coeleſtial Signs, and their manifold diviſions.

I Have ſhewed you the Heavens are divided into twelve equall parts, called Signs, and the Reaſons why they are ſo called: it reſteth therefore now, I ſhew what they are called, with their ſeveral Characters▪ and why juſt the number of twelve, and called by thoſe names, and why they begin at Aries, and not at Taurus, Gemini or Cancer, or any other ſign, and ſo placed; as alſo of their Natures and ſignifications. But firſt, let us ſpeak of their diviſions, and the ſeveral manners thereof, and then proceed.

Know then that the 12. ſigns are thus named and charactered, Aries ♈, Taurus ♉,^[552] Gemini ♊, Cancer ♋, Leo ♌, Virgo ♍, Libra ♎, Scorpio ♏, Sagittary ♐, Capricorn ♑, Aquaries ♒, and Piſces ♓. Of theſe ſigns, there are ſome of a fiery nature, ſome of an earthy, others of an aëry, and ſome of a watry.

^[553]Fiery ſigns are Aries, Leo and Sagittary; Earthy ſigns are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; Aëry ſigns are Gemini, Libra and Aquaries; Watry ſigns are Cancer, Scorpio and Piſces.

^[554]There are alſo ſome Maſculine, and ſome Feminine; the Maſculine are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittary, Aquaries; Feminine are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Piſces. Ever remember the fiery and aëry ſigns are maſculine; earthy and watry, feminine. There are alſo ſome moveable, others fixed, and ſome common; moveable ſigns are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, ^[555] of which two are Equinoctial, two Tropical; Equinoctial ſigns are Aries and Libra; Tropick ſigns Cancer and Capricorn; and theſe ſigns as the maſculine ſigns, are ſo called for that they are hot and dry, and diurnal; the feminine for that they are cold, moiſt, and nocturnal.

^[556]So are theſe called moveable, becauſe when the Sun enters into any of theſe ſigns, the weather and ſeaſon of the year is moved or changed.

Fixed ſigns are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquaries; and they are ſo called, for that the Weather, he being therein, is more permanent (either to heat or cold according to the ſeaſon of the year) and fixed. Common ſigns being between moveable and fixed both in place and nature, are therefore ſo called; and they are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittary and Piſces. Note that there is among the moveable ſigns one fiery, one earthy, one aëry and one watry; and ſo likewiſe have the fixed and common, for which cauſe alſo they are divided into four parts, as anſwering to the four ſeaſons and quarters of the year; viz. Aries, Taurus, and Gemini are the Spring quarter,^[557] for that when the Sun is in theſe three, it is the Spring Seaſon; when he is in Cancer, Leo and Virgo, it is the Summer Quarter; in Libra, Scorpio and Sagittary Autumn; in Capricorn, Aquaries and Piſces Winter; which is the reaſon why the year begins in March when the Sun enters Aries, which is the firſt ſign (ſo likewiſe are all the moneths in order attributed to the government of the Coeleſtial ſigns) It is the opinion therefore amongſt the learned that the Sun was in the firſt point or minute of Aries when the World began, whence they judge the general accidents of the World, as the fates and affairs of any Kingdom or place, &c. by the Sun his Revolution to the firſt point of Aries.

^[558]There are alſo ſome ſigns Auſtral or Southern, others Boreal or Northern: Southern ſigns are Libra, Scorpio, Sagittary, Capricorn, Aquaries and Piſces; theſe are called Southern, for that they decline Southward from the Equinoctial: Northern ſigns are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo: and theſe are ſo called for that they decline from the Equinoctial Northward.

^[559]Bicorporeal ſigns are Gemini, Piſces and the firſt part of Sagittary being double-bodied as twins, &c.

^[560]There are alſo fruitfull, barren, humane, feral and mute ſigns; fruitful ſigns are Cancer, Scorpio and Piſces; barren ſigns are Gemini, Leo, and Virgo; humane or courteous ſigns are Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Aquaries: feral ſigns are Leo, and the laſt part of Sagittary; and mute ſigns or flow of ſpeech are Cancer, Scorpio and Piſces, eſpecially if Mercury be in any of them in Conjunction, Quadrat or Oppoſition of Saturn; he cauſeth alſo an ill utterance in any ſign in the aforeſaid aſpects of Saturn.

^[561]There are alſo in the diviſions of the ſigns, ſigns commanding and obeying; ſigns of long aſcention, and ſigns of ſhort aſcention: ſigns commanding are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo; ſigns obeying are Libra, Scorpio, Sagittary, Capricorn, Aquaries and Sagittary: Signs of ſhort or oblique aſcentions are Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittary: Signs of ſhort or oblique aſcentions are Capricorn, Aquaries, Piſces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini.

There are alſo ſome ſigns that are whole and intire, others broken; ſome fortunate, others unfortunate; ſome ſweet; others bitter; whole, are Libra, Aquaries, Gemini, Virgo: broken, are Leo, Piſces: fortunate, are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittary, Aquaries: unfortunate, are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Piſces: ſweet ſigns are, Gemini, Libra, Aquaries: bitter, Aries, Leo, Sagittary.

There are alſo weak ſigns and ſtrong; weak ſigns are, Aries, Sagittary and Capricorn: ſtrong are, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquaries.

Note alſo that by the ſeveral places of the Heavens ſome ſigns have contrary operations, in divers places; as Taurus in the Eaſt quarter of Heaven, is inclining to heat, or luke-warm; in the Weſt cold. Gemini in the Eaſt is hot and dry, in the Weſt cold and moiſt. Cancer in the Eaſt is hot and dry, in the Weſt cold and moiſt. Leo in the Eaſt is hot and dry, in the Weſt cold and moiſt. Virgo in the Eaſt is hot and warm, in the Weſt cold and moiſt. Sagittary in the Eaſt cold and moiſt, in the Weſt hot and dry. Capricorn in the Eaſt is cold and dry, in the Weſt cold and moiſt. Aquaries in both Eaſt and Weſt is cold and moiſt. Piſces alſo cold and moiſt both in Eaſt and Weſt. This will be neceſſary for the judging of weather.

CHAP. XXIII. Shewing the uſe which is to be made of the former Chapter.

LEarn now the uſe which is to be made of all this; if in any ſcheam or figure of Heaven you find a maſculine ſign aſcending, and the Lord of the aſcendant in a maſculine ſign, or beheld of a maſculine Planet in a maſculine ſign, then is the nature and actions of the thing in queſtion, or ſignified, maſculine; if in feminine ſigns, the contrary, being more effeminate.

So likewiſe if the Aſcendant, his Lord and the Planets beholding them be in movable ſigns, the thing denoted by the Aſcendant is fickle, unconſtant, and wavering in all particulars: if the aboveſaid teſtimonies be through fixed ſigns, the contrary; if in common ſigns, neither perfectly conſtant nor fickle, yet both, ſometimes the one way, and ſometimes the other.

Alſo, if the aforeſaid teſtimonies be in feral ſigns, the thing ſignified is of the nature and temper of that beaſt repreſented by the ſign, as if Leo be the ſign aſcending, it is then bold, ſtrong, couragious, ſtately, hot and dry, &c. If Taurus, it is ſolid, ſtaid and reſolved, yet of a ſlow muddy condition, cold and earthy.

Likewiſe if in any figure of the Heavens the ſign aſcending be a fruitfull ſign, and the ſign of the fifth houſe a fruitfull ſign alſo, and the Lords of the aſcendant and fifth and the Moon be in fruitfull ſigns, it denotes fruitfulneſs.

So, if the ſign aſcending be a humane ſign, and the Lord of the Aſcendant and the Moon in humane ſigns, accordingly doth it ſignifie, as hereafter will more largely be ſhown; ſo likewiſe of all the reſt, &c.

CHAP. XXIV. Demonſtrating the Reaſons of the names of the twelve ſigns; and why there are just twelve, and neither more nor leſs.

LEt us now deſcend to the ſeveral diviſions of the ſigns: it reſteth now you know why they are ſo called, and wherefore there are no more nor leſs then twelve, which according to Albumazer and Bonatus, is for theſe Reaſons: Firſt, as all things are made of the four Elements, which are ſubject to the ſigns, every ſign through the whole Circle of Heaven ruling one element or other: now there are four elements, every ſign-being over them; and they divided into three parts, as having relation to beginning, middle and end, as there is in all works, make juſt the number of 12. Beſides the number 12. is ſo compleat a number, as none is to compare with it; it having more particular diviſions then any other number, there being therein three fours, and four threes; two ſixes and ſix twoes: beſides they are ſo conſtituted from the diviſion of the Heaven (as you have heard already) divided into twelve parts, every part being a ſign; the firſt called Aries, the ſecond Taurus, the third Gemini, &c.

^[562]The reaſon why they are called by theſe names, are briefly thus; the firſt ſign is called Aries (ſignifying a Ram,) becauſe when the Sun is therein, he approacheth to his higheſt point; heat thereby being increaſed, yet being mixed with the humidity of the preceding Winter, makes the temperature of the ayr hot and moyſt, which is according to the complexion of the Ram: but there are ſome of the Ancients ſay that the ſtars in the ſigns being particularly obſerved, and as it were meaſured with a line the one from the other, they reſemble each the thing they are nominated.

The ſecond ſign is called Taurus (ſignifying a Bull) becauſe the Sun being therein,^[563] the heat is more fixt and fortified, and the moiſture conſumed or expelled; the temperature of the ayr tending rather to dryneſs, which reſembleth the nature of a Bull.

The third ſign is named Gemini (ſignifying Twins) becauſe the Sun therein cauſeth a reduplication of heat; and all Creatures couple and ingender,^[564] every thing delighting in its mate.

The fourth ſign is called Cancer (ſignifying a Crab) becauſe the Sun being therein,^[565] goeth, as it were, backward, (after the nature of the Crab) retiring towards the Equinoctial from whence he came, declining contrary to that of the Twins.

The fifth ſign is called Leo (ſignifying a Lion) becauſe the Sun being therein,^[566] the heat is increaſed in great ſtrength and dryneſs, after the nature of the Lion, which is of a ſtrong, hot and dry nature.

The fifth ſign is called Virgo (ſignifying a maid) becauſe the Sun therein hath his heat diminiſhed, and dryneſs ruleth, ſo that things ceaſe to increaſe,^[567] and the earth becometh barren; being of the nature of a Virgin, who is naturally tending to cold rather then heat, and is of her ſelf barren.

The ſeventh ſign is called Libra (ſignifying Balance) for that the Sun being therein, both the length of the days and nights, as alſo the temper of the ayr,^[568] are in balance, as it were neither inclining one way nor other; the days and nights being of an equal length through the whole World; and the temperature of the ayr between the decayed heat of Summer, and the approaching cold of winter, is neither tending one way or other, but as it were in a balance.

The eighth is called Scorpio (ſignifying a Scorpion) becauſe when the Sun is therein, cold and dryneſs is predominate, which are obnoxious to nature,^[569] and by reaſon the natural temper of the ayr is hot and moyſt; the ayr is thereby corrupted, ſo that dangerous diſeaſes are ingendred thereby, as peſtilential Feavers, Plagues and the like.

The ninth ſign is called Sagittarius (ſignifying an Archer or one uſing to caſt darts) becauſe the Sun being therein,^[570] the heat is overcome by cold, whereupon enſue Fogs and Froſts, and ſuch like, being (for the nature of the miſchief and hurt they do) as obnoxious, or equivalent to venemous Arrows or Darts.

The tenth ſign is named Capricornus (ſignifying a Goat) becauſe the Sun being therein is fartheſt from the vertical point:^[571] ſo that by reaſon of the cold mixed with dryneſs, and the want of heat, which at that time is, the nature and diſpoſition of the ayr is melancholy, after the nature of the Goat.

The eleventh ſign is called Aquaries (ſignifying a Waterman, ^[572] or one pouring water) becauſe when the Sun is in this ſign, dryneſs is overcome by moiſture beginning, yet the cold remaining, which cauſeth the temper of the ayr to be cold and moiſt, after the nature of water.

The twelfth ſign is named Piſces (ſignifying [••]ſhes) for that when the Sun is therein,^[573] the ayr is inclined to cold and moiſture, yet [•••]ng ſome ſmall heat, after the nature of Fiſhes who are cold and moyſt by reaſon [〈◊〉] [••]eir Element the water, yet they retain ſome little natural h[•••] ſo the ayr is then fo[•] what participating of ſome ſmall quantity of heat, by re[•••] [〈◊〉] Suns approach to [〈◊〉] equinoctial point.

And thus much concerning [〈…〉] of the names of the [•]welve Coeleſtial ſigns; we come now to ſhew the Reaſon [〈…〉] reckoned from Aries, and ſo in order to Piſces, and not from Taurus [〈…〉] ſign; as alſo the Reaſons why they are not placed according to the order o[•] [〈…〉] [•••]ents, viz. F[••]e Ayr, Water and Earth, but firſt a fiery ſign, next an [〈…〉] [•]hen an aëry, and laſtly a watry, &c.

CHAP. XXV. Shewing the Reaſons why the ſigns are reckoned from Aries, and not from any other ſign; as alſo why they are not placed according to the order of the four Elements.

I Have ſaid before, my intention in all theſe my Writings, is not to treat of any thing that hath been already delivered to the Students of this noble Art by the wel-willers thereof, in a plain manner, and our vulgar tongue, farther then to give me occaſion for what is my drift, viz. to render to my loving Countreymen and wel-willers of this Science, the reaſons and grounds of the Art, according to the moſt rational of the Antients, that they may be both confirmed in their way, as alſo the better able to anſwer the weak Arguments, or rather cavils of their puny Antagoniſts, I mean the vain-glorious ignorant praters and ſcriblers againſt this Heavenly Science. I come therefore now, God enabling me, to ſhew you the Reaſons of the Ancients why the ſigns are ſtill reckoned from Aries, and ſo forward, ſince the Zodiack as well as the Heavens is round; and what is round hath no beginning, and what hath no beginning muſt needs have no ending; and what wanteth beginning and ending, muſt needs have no middle: yet the twelve Coeleſtial ſigns are ſaid to begin at Aries, which is called the firſt, and ſo forward to Taurus, which is the ſecond, to Piſces which is the twelfth and laſt, for theſe reaſons.

^[574]Firſt, becauſe the Equator cutteth and divideth the Circle of the Zodiack in the beginning of Aries, and alſo the oppoſite ſign Libra; ſo that ſix ſigns are Northern, and ſix Southern; but the reaſon why the beginning is from Aries, and not from Libra, is for that that part which is Northern is ſtronger and of more force, efficacy and power, and is more noble then that which is Southern; and Aries is the firſt Northern ſign, and ſo are all to the latter end of Virgo; the reſt are Southern, or declining Southward; wherefore ſince by all in general, the Northern ſigns are accounted ſtronger, and more noble then the Southern, did the Ancients appoint Aries the firſt of the ſigns, it being the firſt of them.

^[575]Secondly, the Ancients began to number the ſigns from Aries, for that when the Sun enters into Aries, all things increaſe and multiply; the days increaſe in length, the Trees flouriſh, the earth brings forth fruit, and all things are as it were revived or raiſed from [•••]th, being to outward appearance (as it were) by the preceding Winter barren an[•] [•]ead; alſo when Sol enters Aries, it is the beginning or chief principium of the [〈◊〉], cauſing every thing to receive vigour and ſtrength, reſembling youth, which is [•••••]me and moſt pleaſant time, and beginning of life, &c. which are the reaſons wh[••] Ancient have named Aries the firſt of the ſigns. Aries is a fiery ſign, and [〈◊〉] [•]nto him they have placed Taurus which is an earthy ſign; after him Gemini a [〈◊〉] aëry, [••]d then Cancer which is a watry ſign; and then again beginning with a [〈◊〉] ſign, t[•]en an earthy one, after an aëry, and laſtly a watry, and ſo following t[••] [〈◊〉] orde[•] [•]hroughout the twelve ſigns, and not according to the order of the fo[•] [•••]en[•]s, [•]iz. Fire, Ayr, Water and Earth; but the reaſons hereof are briefly th[•] [〈◊〉] we [•]ill haſten to conclude this our firſt Treatiſe, being meerly an In[•••••]y [•••]courſe before we come to peruſe the following Tracts.

Yet if you finde any be[•••] [〈◊〉] by, I ſhall be very glad, and eſteem my pains well beſtowed; for my [〈◊〉] to benefit young Students, that they may give reaſons and grounds for [〈◊〉] [•••]rt, as I ſaid before; I write not to the learned, but to ſuch as theſe, for [〈◊〉] I [•]ook theſe pains, knowing they may happily (by ſome ignorant Antagon[••] and enemy to the Art) be queſtioned wherefore ſuch and ſuch things are held by them, &c.

^[576]But let us proceed; the Ancients then (as aboveſaid) have placed firſt a fiery ſign, then an earthy ſign, after an aëry, and laſtly a watry ſign for divers good Reaſons; firſt then, for that the four Elements receive an alteration and corruption one with the other by the inceſſant motion of the Coeleſtial ſigns, of which corruption and alteration there are generated four ſpecial qualities incident to elementary bodies, viz. Generation, Conſervation, Corruption and Deſtruction. Now for that Generation is the chief and more noble quality, they began with that ſign which is the author of Generation; viz. a fiery; Next unto which quality is conſervation, fixation, durability or continuance, which is cauſed by thoſe ſigns by which nature is moved to conſtancy or duration, as corruptible things receive permanency and fixation, and they are earthy; After which is corruption the more inferiour quality; wherefore they placed in the third place that ſign which is author thereof (according to that of Ariſtotle, Aer vita eſt vivorum, deſtructio mortuorum: Ayr is the life of every living thing, but the death or corruption of every dead thing) viz. an Aëry ſign. Laſtly, the moſt ignoble and rejected is deſtruction, which is cauſed by the watry ſigns, wherefore they placed in the fourth place a watry ſign.

Secondly, they have placed the ſigns in this manner, for that heat and cold are active: Drought and moiſture paſſive; and heat being ſtrong and more noble then cold, ſignifying or cauſing generation, as moſt deſerving, is placed firſt, viz. a fiery ſign; ſo likewiſe for that dryneſs is the ſtronger of the Patients▪ it is put firſt of them, and next after heat, being an earthy ſign, cauſe of durability, and therefore placed next to generation; and becauſe corruption goeth before, deſtruction is an aëry ſign placed before the watry; and becauſe generation is the firſt beginning of any living thing, and therefore firſt placed, ſo is deſtruction being the laſt, placed laſt; continuation and corruption in the middle, &c.

They have alſo thus appointed the order of the ſigns, and placed a fiery ſign firſt, for that heat ruleth in fire, by which all things are quickned and vivifyed, and therefore being the more noble quality (as aboveſaid) they place it firſt; and next unto it an earthy ſign, by reaſon of the nearneſs of its quality with heat, it being a dry ſubſtance: after it they place an aëry ſign, and preceding the watry, as participating with the humidity thereof; and laſtly, is the watry ſign placed laſt, as the fiery is firſt, being contrary thereunto in nature and quality; the paſſives being placed in the middle between the actives, which are placed in the extreams. There are ſeveral other reaſons may be produced for this order of the ſigns, but one or two may ſuffice to put to ſilence any caviller againſt this moſt noble Art: let us therefore now look into the natures and ſignifications of the ſigns.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Nature, Signification and Equality of the Signs; and first of Aries.

^[577] ARies then is an Equinoctial, Cardinal, Diurnal, Moveable, Fiery, Cholerick, Hot and Dry, Beſtial, Luxurious, Violent Sign; Eaſtern, and of the fiery Triplicity.

^[578]A dry body, of middle ſtature, lean and ſpare, big bones, ſtrong, thick ſhoulders, a long neck, long viſage, and a ſwarthiſh complexion.

Pimples and heat in the face, hare-lips, ring-worms, ſmall-pox, and all infirmities and diſeaſes incident to the face; Head-ach, Tooth-ach, Apoplexy, Megrims, Baldneſs and Falling-ſickneſs, and all diſeaſes of the head.

Malchidael. ^[579]

White mixed with red.

Sandy, dry, hilly grounds, and all places where ſmall cattell uſe to feed; the ſeiling in houſes, new ploughed lands, brick and lime kills, and unfrequented places.

England, ^[580] France, Baſtarnea, Syria, Paleſtina, the upper Burgandy, Germany, Swetheland, the upper Sileſia, the leſſer Poland, Denmark, Judea.

Naples, ^[581] Capua, Ancova, Imola, Ferraria, Florenea, Verona, Lindavia, Brunſwick, Cracovia, Maſſilia, Seragoſſe, Berganum, Caeſaria, Padua, Auguſta, Ʋtrecht.

^[582] The head and face.

To divide here every Region of the World, according to the diviſion of the Heavens into four parts anſwering to the four Triplicities, would but ſpend time and Paper, and hinder me from haſting to what I rather drive at: Wherefore ſince to every ſign you have declared the Regions and Cities ſubject to the ſame; I paſs by the other in this place, and refer my Reader to the peruſal of the ſecond and third Chapters of the ſecond Book of Ptolomies Quadripartite, to be therein inſtructed.

Of Taurus.

^[583] Taurus, is an earthy, cold, dry, melancholy, domeſtick, feminine, fixed, nocturnal, beſtial ſign; Southern, and of the earthy Triplicity.

A ſtrong, ſhort, well-ſet body, a full face, broad forehead, big eyes, a large mouth, thick lips, a ſhort big hand, black hair, and it curling or criſping.

^[584] All infirmities in the neck and throat, Kings-evil, Wens, ſore throats, Quinſies, Impoſthumes and Rhumes in the throat or neck, &c.

Aſmodel.

^[585] White mixed with Citrin.

Stables, Cow or Ox-houſes, and ſuch places where their Furniture or Harneſſes are laid or kept; Paſtures, plain grounds, and ſuch places as are made level and plain, either on purpoſe, or by digging up Trees and Shrubs; Corn-fields, and ſuch fields as 07 are far from houſes, and in houſes cellars and low ground rooms.

Perſia, Media, Parthia, Cyprus, the Ilands of Archipelages, the leſſer Aſia, ^[586] white Ruſſia, the greater Poland, Ireland, Lorain, Helvetia, Rhetia, Franoamia, Switzerland.

Mantua, Bononia, Parma, Senas, Tarentum, Burgus a Caſtle in Spain,^[587] Panoruma, the head of Hiſtria, Brixia, Tigurum, Lucerna, Vanceium, Metis, Herbipolis, Carolaſtadium, Liepſia, Nants, Poſua, Gueſma, Novogardi.

^[588] The neck and throat.

Of Gemini.

^[589] Gemini is an aëry, hot, moyſt, ſanguine, common, double-bodied, maſculine, diurnal, Weſtern ſign, and of the aëry triplicity.

It denotes a tall ſtrait body, a ſanguine complexion, but ſomewhat ſwarthy, a dark brown hair or almoſt black, one of a wanton hazel eye, active in body, and of a judicious underſtanding ſpirit, but ſomewhat worldly-minded.

^[590] All infirmities in the arms or ſhoulders, alſo thoſe of the hands, frenzies, diſtempers, corruption of blood, wind in the veins, &c.

Ambriel.

^[591] White mixed with red.

Halls, Wainſcot-rooms, Plaiſtring and Walls of Houſes, Barns or Store-houſes for Corn, Coffers and Cheſts, Hills and Mountains, upper rooms or high places; alſo ſuch places where play is uſed.

The Weſt and Southweſt of England, Brabant, Flanders, Armenia, ^[592] Lombardy, &c.

London, Mentz, Corduba, Bruges, Hasford, Ceſena, Norrinberg, Lovain, ^[593] Bamberg, &c.

^[594]The arms, hands and ſhoulders.

Of Cancer.

^[595] Cancer is a watry, moyſt, cold, foeminine, flegmatick, Northern, moveable, mute fruitfull, Nocturnal and Solſtice ſign, of the watry triplicity.

It generally denotes one of a low and ſhort ſtature, the upper parts more big then the lower, ſad brown hair, little eyes and thoſe gray, of a ſickly, pale, whitely complexion, a round viſage.

^[596] It ſignifieth imperfections all over the body, or in the breaſt and ſtomack and paps, weak digeſtion, Tyſicks, rotten coughs, Cancers in the breaſts, ſalt flegme, Impoſthumations in the ſtomack, and Dropical Humours.

Muriel. ^[597]

Green or ruſſet.

The Sea, great and large Rivers, places near Rivers, marſhy grounds, Ponds, Lakes, Wells, Springs, Brooks, Ditches and Sea-banks, all watry places, Trenches, Ciſterns, Waſh houſes and Cellars.

^[598] Scotland, Holland, Zealand, Conſtantinople, York, St. Andrews, Venice, Algier, Genoa, Amſterdam, Tunis, Magdenberg, Prouſia, Millan, Wittenberg, St. Cadiz, and St. Lucas.

^[599] Cancer Rules in man the breaſt and ſtomack.

Of Leo.

^[600] Leo is a fiery, hot, dry, maſculine, diurnal, Eaſtern, cholerick, barren, commanding, beſtial ſign, of the fiery triplicity.

Leo denoteth one of a full and large body in the beginning of the ſign; the latter part giveth a more ſpare and lean body, and a black or dark hair; the firſt part giveth a flaxen or yellowiſh hair, big eyes, a fierce countenance or ſprightly look, quickſighted, valiant and active in body, of an oval viſage, ruddy or ſanguine complexion, yet ſomewhat mixt with obſcurity.

^[601] All infirmities of the back, ribs and ſides, as pains in the back, Convulſions, Pluriſies, &c. alſo paſſions and tremblings of the heart, violent and burning Feavers, Yellow-Jaundies, the Plague or Peſtilence, and ſore eyes.

Verchiel. ^[602]

Red or Green.

All Place where wilde beaſts frequent, as Woods, Deſerts, Fens, Forreſts, Rocky places, and hard ſtony or gravelly ways, Caſtles, Forts, Parks, Kings Palaces; all ſuch places where fire is, or hath been kept, as Chimneys, Stoves, Furnaces, Ovens, and the like.

Italy, ^[603] the Alps, Sicilia, Bohemia, Phoenicia, Chaldea, Aemilia, part of Turky, Sabina, Togata, Orichemia.

Damaſcus, ^[604] Rome, Revenna, Cremona, Confluentia, Prague, Linzinus, Cremiſium, Croton and Briſtol.

^[605]The heart, back, ſides and ribs.

Of Virgo.

^[606] Virgo is an earthy, cold, dry, barren, foeminine, Southern, nocturnal, melancholy ſign, of the earthy triplicity.

A ſlender body, ſomewhat above the middle ſtature, decently and handſomly compoſed, a ruddy brown complexion, black or dark brown hair, an handſom & lovely perſon, but of no great beauty; witty, diſcreet, ingenious and judicious in worldly affairs; and if it be free from the malevolent aſpects of Saturn, and its body, as alſo Mercury, the Native will be a good Orator; but the body or aſpect of Saturn to Mercury, or the Aſcendant, hindreth good utterance; it denotes alſo one ſtudious, of an excellent underſtanding, yet ſomewhat unſtable, a long or oval viſage, and the hair long, and not curling, but ſmooth, &c.

^[607] All infirmities of the belly, wind-cholick, worms, obſtructions in the meſeraick veins, and in the bowels, infirmneſs in the ſtones, croking of the guts.

Hamaliel. ^[608]

Black ſpeckled with blew.

A ſtudy where Books are, Cloſets, Dayrie-houſes, Corn-fields, Malt-houſes, Store-houſes for Corn, Hay, Barley, Peaſe or Wheat Ricks.

Babylon, ^[609] Meſopotamia, Aſſyria, Achaia, Greece, Croatia, Corinthia, Atheſina, Creet, the Dutchy of Athens, part of Gallia Comata, part of Rhenus, and the lower Sileſia.

Jeruſalem, ^[610] Corinth, Novaria, Rhodes, Arethium, Cumas, Brunduſium, Padua, Toloſa, Lugdunum, Paris, Baſil, Cratiſlavia, Heidelburg, Sigina, Erphordia.

^[611]The Belly and Intrals.

Of Libra.

^[612] Libra is an aëry, ſanguine, hot and moiſt, equinoctial, cardinal, moveable, maſculine, weſtern, diurnal and humane ſign; and of the aëry triplicity.

One of a tall, ſtraight, well framed body, uſually more ſlender then groſs, eſpecially in youth; of a round, lovely and beautifull viſage, a fine ſanguine complexion in youth, but in age commonly pimples or a very high colour in the face, the hair yellowiſh, or ſomewhat tending to flaxen, but it long and ſmooth, and gray eyes.

All infirmities in the reins, as the gravel, ſtone in the reins, back, kidneys, heats and diſeaſes in the loyns, impoſtumes or ulcers in the reins, bladder, or kidneys, corruption of blood, and weakneſs in the back.

Zuriel. ^[613]

Black, dark crimſon, or tawny colour.

Ground neer Wind-mils, Barns, and Out-houſes, Saw-pits, ſuch places as there is any Wood cut in, tops of Mountains and Hills, grounds where hawking or hunting is uſed, ſandy and gravelly places, the upper rooms in houſes, one chamber within another, Garrets, Lofts, &c.

Baſtriana, Caſpia, Seres, Oaſis, Aethiopia, Sabandia, Alſatia, Sundgavia, ^[614] Livonia, Auſtria, Pannonia, Portugal, the Dukedom of Savoy.

Olyſiponis, Arefatum, Caieta, Lauda, Sueſſa, Placentia, Friburgia, Argentina, ^[615] Veldkirchium, Spira, Francofordia, Halafriſinga, Heilprima, Moſbachium, Landſhuta, Vienna of Auſtria.

^[616]The reins, kidneys and bladder.

Of Scorpio.

^[617] Scorpio is a watry, cold, flegmatick, feminine, nocturnal, fixed, northern ſign, of the watry Trigon.

A ſtrong able corpulent body, not exceeding in height, a good broad viſage, but the complexion ſomewhat obſcure, a ſad brown hair, and it criſping or curling, an hairy body, ſhort necked, and a ſtrong ſet body every way, but commonly bowelegged.

^[618] All infirmities in the Privities and Bladder, as the gravel, ſtone, priapiſm, ruptures, Fiſtulaes, the Pyles, Defects in the Matrix, and running of the reins or Gonorrhea.

Baraluel. ^[619]

Brown.

All ſuch places as creeping and venemous beaſts uſe, Gardens, Orchards, Vineyards, muddy mooriſh grounds, ſtinking Lakes, and Quagmires and ſinks in houſes, ruinous houſes, and ſuch places where rubbiſh uſes to lie, the waſh-houſes, Kitchin or Larder.

Matragonitida, Commagena, Cappadocia, Iudaea, Idumaea, Mauritania, ^[620] Getulia, Catalonia, Norwegia, the Weſtern Swecia, and the upper Bavaria, the kingdom of Fez.

Algera, Valentia of Spain, Trapizuntius, Vrbinum, Aquileia, Piſtoria, ^[621] Camerinum, Petavium, Meſſana, Viena of the Allobroges, Gedamun, Crema, Ariminum, Forum Julii.

The privy parts or members of generation.

Of Sagittarius.

^[622] Sagittarius is a fiery, hot, dry, maſculine, cholerick, diurnal, Eaſtern, common, Bicorporial ſign; of the fiery Trigon.

It repreſents one of a well compoſed ſtrong body, ſomewhat above the middle ſize, a handſom comely countenance, ſomewhat longiſh viſage, a ruddy ſanguine complexion, a cheſnut coloured hair.

^[623] All infirmities in the thighs and buttocks, as Ruptures and Fiſtulaes in thoſe parts: alſo over-heating of the blood, Peſtilential Feavers, intemperateneſs in recreations, falls from horſes, &c.

Advachiel. ^[624]

Yellow or green tending ſomewhat to red.

A Stable of War-horſes, Ox-houſes, the higheſt places in Land, Hills, Stony places, and places where fire is or hath been frequently kept, the upper rooms in houſes.

Arabia Felix, Tyrrhenia, Celtica, Hyſpania, Dalmatia, Slavonia, Hungaria, Moravia,^[625] Miſnia, Provincia, Lyguria where Genua is, Luneſana.

Toletum, ^[626] Volaterrae, Mutina, Narbona, Avininion, Colonia, Agrippina, Stutgardia, Rotemburgus, Tuberinum, Indemburgus, Buda, Aſtum, Firmum.

^[627]The thighs and buttocks.

Of Capricornus.

^[628] Capricorn is an earthy, cold, dry, melancholy, feminine, nocturnal, movable, cardinal, ſolſticial, domeſtick, ſouthern, fourfooted ſign; of the earthy triplicity.

One of a mean ſtature, of a dry conſtitution, and uſually one of a long thin and lean viſage; a thin beard, black hair, a narrow breſt, long ſmall neck, narrow chin.

^[629] All diſeaſes incident to the knees, either by ſtrains, fractures or otherways, the leproſie, itch and ſcab.

Hanael. ^[630]

^[631] Black or ruſſet or a dark obſcure brown.

^[632] Ox or Cow-houſes, and ſuch places, as the Implements of Cattel are put in; alſo where ſails for ſhips, or old wood is laid, ſheep-pens, grounds where ſheep and other Cattel feed, Fallow ground, barren and thorny grounds, dung-hills, low rooms in houſes, dark places neer the ground, &c.

India, ^[633] Ariana, Macedonia, Illyria, Thracia, Boſnia, Albania, Bulgaria, Grecia, Maſſovia, Lithvania, Saxony, Morea, the Orcades, Stiria, Romandiola, the ſouth weſt part of Saxony, Marchia, Haſſia, Turingia.

Juliacum, ^[634] Chevonia, Berga, Meclinia, Gaudanum, Vilna, Oxford in England, Brandenburg, Anguſta, Conſtantia, Derrhona, Faventia, Tortona, Pratum.

^[635] The knees.

Of Aquaries.

^[636] Aquaries is an aëry, hot, moiſt, rational, fixed, humane, diurnal, ſanguine, maſculine, Weſtern ſign; of the aëry triplicity.

^[637] It ſhews one of a tall well-ſet thick corporature, of a ſtrong body, of a long viſage, ſanguine complexion; if Saturn be therein, he gives black hair; otherwiſe commonly the party ſignified thereby, is of a fair flaxen hair, and of a paler whiter countenance.

^[638] All infirmities in the legs or ancles, as Gouts, Cramps, and all melancholy wind in the veins or blood.

Cambiel. ^[639]

A skie-colour or blew.

Hilly and uneven places, places newly dig'd, Stone-quarries, Mines broken up, roofs of houſes, or the upper parts thereof, vineyards, &c.

Oxiana, Sogdiana, the Deſert of Arabia Paetrea, Azania, Sarmatia, ^[640] Great Tartary, Walachia, red Ruſſia, Dania, the South part of Swecia, Weſtphalia, Moſſelani, Pedemontium, part of Bavaria, Croacia, Germany, Muſcovia.

Hamburgum, Breva, Monsferatus, Piſaurum in Italy, Salisburgus, Ingolſtadius, ^[641] Forum Sempronium, Trent.

The legs and ancles.

Of Piſces.

^[642] Piſces is a watry, cold, moiſt, feminine, flegmatick, nocturnal, common, Bicorporeal, Northern, effeminate, idle, ſickly, fruitfull ſign, and of the watry Trigon.

One of a ſhort ſtature, not very decent; yet I have known thoſe that have had Piſces aſcending in their Nativities of a tall ſtature, and ſomewhat handſomly ſhaped; but it hath been when there was a Planet in the aſcendent of that power and ſignification: Piſces commonly gives a good large face, and a paliſh complexion, the body fleſhy, &c.

^[643] All diſeaſes in the feet, as Aches, Lameneſs, Gout, Salt-flegm, Scabs. Itch, Botches and Boils, Breakings out and Ulcers, proceeding from blood putrified, alſo cold and moiſt diſeaſes.

Barchiel. ^[644]

A white glittering colour.

It ſignifies grounds full of water, Springs, Fiſh-ponds, Rivers, places where Hermitages have been, Water-mils, Moats about houſes, Wells, Pomps, Conduits, Ciſterns, and thoſe places in houſes where water is moſt frequent.

Phazonia, Nazomonitidis, Garamatis, Lydid, Pamphilia, Cilicia, Calabria, Portugal, ^[645] Normandia, Galitia, Luſitania, Egupta.

Alexandria, Sibilia or Hyſpalis, Compoſtella, Parantium, Rhotomagum, Normatia, ^[646] Ratiſporia, Worms.

^[647] The feet.

Thus much of the nature, qualities and ſignifications of the ſigns; we come now to the Aſpects of the Planets, and to ſay ſomewhat of them, and ſo proceed.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Aſpects of the Planets and Signs, their Names, Characters and Natures, and wherefore they were ſo named and charactered.

MAny new Aſpects there are which we ſhall here omit, and here treat only of thoſe Aſpects of the Planets and ſigns which are moſt uſual and neceſſary. And they are thus called and charactered, Sextile ⚹, Quartile □, Trine △, and Oppoſition ☍: We omit here to ſpeak of Keplers new Aſpects, ſince theſe are the moſt neceſſary in the practiſe of this ſtudy. There is alſo a Conjunction thus Charactered ☌,^[648] which is not properly termed an Aſpect, ſince a Planet is then ſaid to be in Conjunction with another when he is in the ſelf ſame degree and minute of one and the ſame ſign the other is in, and therefore cannot properly be ſaid to behold or Aſpect him,^[649] but is in ☌ with him: this ☌ is of nature neither good nor bad, but according to the ſignificators and their diſpoſitions and places is both, viz. ſometimes good, and ſome times bad.

A Sextile is ſo called,^[650] for that it is the ſixth part of the Zodiack, and is therefore charactered in this manner ⚹ with ſix ſtrokes; it conſiſteth of 60. deg. in length; as a Planet in the firſt degree of Aries, beholdeth another in the firſt degree of Gemini with a ⚹ Aſpect. Alſo if a Planet be in the firſt degree of Aries, he beholdeth another in the fifth degree of Gemini, ^[651] with a ⚹; and this is called a Platick Aſpect, admitting of the Orbs of the Planets in Aſpect; as Saturn in the 15. degree of Aries, and Jupiter in the 23: deg. of Gemini; Jupiter is in a ⚹ of Saturn by reaſon he is not fully elongated 9 deg. which the half orb of Saturn and Iupiter maketh, as Saturns half orb being 4. deg. and a half, and Iupiters 4. d. and a half, added together make juſt nine deg. and here you ſee them but 8. deg. ſeparated from a Partile aſpect,^[652] which is when they are both in one and the ſame number of degrees and minutes as aboveſaid. The uſe thereof is only thus; if in any ſcheme or judgement whatſoever you finde the Significators in a Sextile Platick, you may be confident (if your light or Planet be applying) your buſineſs ſignified by thoſe Significators ſhall be accompliſhed when they come to the Partil aſpect, eſpecially if the more weighty Planet be retrograde or in reception by houſe or exaltation with the more light; if they are ſeparating and without reception, the contrary; for by how much they are ſeparated from the Partil aſpect, by ſo much the more unlikely is the buſineſs ſignified by the ſignificators ſo ſeparating to come to a concluſion; but look when they are fully ſeparated by the mediety of their Orbs, and about that time ſhall the buſineſs be fully broken of, except one of the Significators be juſt then Stationary, and then immediatly apply again, for then it hangeth in ſome ſuſpence, and after a while beginneth afreſh,^[653] &c. But you muſt note that application by ⚹ or △ is good, for they are Aſpects of love, amity and Friendſhip; yet the △ is more forcible and better, for that a Planet in △ with another is out of houſes of the one and the ſame nature, as fire with fire, earth with earth, water with water, and ayr with ayr. A ⚹ is by a fiery with an aëry, or earthy with watry, and therefore is not altogether ſo good as a △, for that theſe agree not in every point; for fire is hot and dry, ayr hot and moiſt, agreeing partly, viz. in heat: ſo likewiſe earth and water; the earth is cold and dry, the water cold and moiſt, agreeing in coldneſs; for which reaſon a ⚹ is accounted indifferent good, and ſo likewiſe note that a □ and ☍ are naught, and of enmity and diſcord, quite contrary to the other, yet the ☍ is the worſe, &c.

A Quartile is ſo called,^[654] for that it is the fourth part of the Zodiack, and is charactered four ſquare □; it conſiſteth of 90 deg. in length, and four times 90 deg. is 360. deg. you muſt know a Partil and Platick □ by the ſame rule you know a ⚹, and ſo of all the reſt, viz. △, and ☍ But note that a buſineſs brought to paſs by the □ or ☍ of the ſignificators, cauſeth much diſcontent and ſadneſs, ſo that the buſineſs had better never been done, &c.

A Trine is the third part of the Zodiack;^[655] and is therefore charactered three ſquare and triangled △; conſiſting of 120. deg. and three times 120. deg. maketh juſt 360. deg.

An Oppoſition ☍, is that aſpect which divideth the Zodiack in two equal parts,^[656] and is therefore charactered with a line between two round o's ☍ intimating the direct oppoſition of the Orbs of two Planets; and it conſiſteth of 180. deg. &c.

^[657] There is alſo an aſpect which the Ancients called Dexter and Siniſter; a Dexter aſpect is contrary to the ſucceſſion of the ſigns; a Siniſter is according to the ſucceſſion of the ſigns; as a Planet in Aries beholding another in Leo, is a △ aſpect Siniſter; a Planet in Aries beholding another in Sagittary is a 🜄 Dexter; the Dexter is not ſo good as the Siniſter. Here I may alſo give you ſome other reaſons why one aſpect is better then another (which I had almoſt forgot) which is in reſpect of the Luminaries; for as the Sun is Fons vitae, the fountain of life;^[658] ſo is the Moon of main power and efficacy by her forcible influence on inferiour bodies, bringing the light and influence of all the other Planets to us. I ſay in reſpect of them are the aſpects termed good or evil: for Saturns houſes behold the houſes of the Luminaries with an ☍, which is the worſt of Aſpects by reaſon he is the worſt of Planets: In like manner a △ aſpect is the moſt fortunate and beſt, for that the houſes of the beſt and moſt temperate Planet Jupiter, beholdeth the houſes of the Luminaries with a Trine aſpect, even as Capricorn is oppoſite to Cancer, and Aquaries to Leo; ſo is Piſces in Trine to Cancer, and Sagittary to Leo: and ſo is a Quartile the leſſer malevolent aſpect, for that the houſes of the leſſer fortune, viz. Mars, behold the houſes of the Luminaries with a Quartile, viz. Aries is in Quartile to Cancer, and Scorpio to Leo; neither is this aſpect ſo bad as is an Oppoſition, for that Scorpio one of his houſes is in Trine to Cancer the houſe of Luna: Likewiſe a Sextile being from the houſes of the leſſer Fortune Venus, is of leſs force then a Trine, &c. and ſo much for the aſpects of the Planets and Signs.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the fixed Stars in the Zodiack; wherefore they are called fixed, their number, particular names, natures, magnitudes, latitudes and longitudes; and first of thoſe in Aries, as they are delivered by the moſt learned in this Art.

I Come here to ſay ſomewhat of the fixed ſtars, ſince without the true knowledge thereof our works will be imperfect, I mean our Judgements; as alſo theſe our labours without them would be but lame and imperfect. I ſhall but ſpeak of ſome of the ſtars chiefly, viz. the moſt notable, and thoſe of the firſt, ſecond, third and fourth magnitude, except here and there of ſome more obſcure. I ſhall refer my Reader, if he be curious herein, to the peruſal of Copernicus, Tycho, Lucas Gauricus, Stadius and Sconerus, and what others treat of in this Nature; yet what I here ſet down may ſuffice for any judgement whatſoever in the Art of Aſtrologie, of what part thereof ſoever it be. The method I follow, is briefly firſt to declare unto you the number, names, nature, magnitude, latitude and longitude of the moſt notable fixed ſtars in the Zodiack, of the firſt, ſecond, third and fourth magnitude: as alſo thoſe (of the ſame magnitude) both on the North and South part, and theſe will ſerve for ever, and in all Regions and places through the whole Globe of the Earth, except their longitudes, which will vary ſomewhat in reſpect of the Equinoctial; wherefore I ſhall only give you the degrees of their longitudes.

We will begin with Aries being the firſt ſign (as you have already heard) and ſo forward; but before we begin, I think meet firſt to let you know, wherefore theſe ſtars are called fixed ſtars, that there may be nothing in the Art which the Student (if occaſion ſerve) may not give a reaſon for; for it is my deſire to have knowledge increaſe, and ignorance and envy perpetually put to ſilence: The reaſon then why they are called fixed ſtars, is, for that they are indeed fixed and immovable, never ſtirring, but they are violently carried about with the Heavens by the firſt mover (as aboveſaid) not having any peculiar motion of their own as the Planets have, &c.

But let us now come to the fixed ſtars, their number, natures, names, magnitudes and latitudes; and firſt of Aries: in Aries there are twenty five notable fixed ſtars.

CHAP. XXIX. Of the Fixed-ſtars in Taurus, their number, names, nature, magnitude, latitude, and longitude.

VNto the fixed ſtars in Taurus we now deſcend, as they ſucceed one another in longitude, which are in number thirty five, as followeth.

CHAP. XXX. Of the Fixed-Stars in Gemini, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

DEſcend we next unto the moſt notable fixed ſtars in Gemini, which are in number thirty ſix: we will here ſtill follow the ſame method, to ſet them down as they follow or ſucceed each other in longitude.

CHAP. XXXI. Of the fixed Stars in Cancer, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

ENter we now on the fourth ſign of the Zodiack to treat of the fixed Stars therein, which are in number juſt Thirty, as followeth.

CHAP. XXXII. Of the fixed Stars in Leo, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

THe fixed Stars in Leo, are in order next to be treated on, and they are in number Thirty one as followeth.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of the fixed Stars in Virgo, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

HEard you have already the Nature of the Stars in Leo, it reſteth therefore we in order now ſpeak alſo of the ſtars in Virgo ſucceeding, and they are in number Twenty ſix, as followeth.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of the fixed Stars in Libra, their Names, Number, Nature, Magnitude, Longitude and Latitude.

REmember Libra follows Virgo; we have done with the Stars in Virgo; wherefore we are to come now to the Conſtellations in Libra, and to ſpeak in order of them as of the reſt aforegoing, and they are in number Twenty five; as followeth.

CHAP. XXXV. Of the fixed Stars in Scorpio, their Number, Names, Natures, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

ANd thus we are come to the fixed Stars in Scorpio, which are in Number Thirty five as followeth ſince we are now in order to ſpeak of them, and then let us proceed to the reſt.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of the fixed Stars in Sagittary, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

MY intentions now are to treat of the Stars in the ſign Sagittarius, that we may ſay ſomewhat of the Stars therein, as we have already of the preceeding ſigns; and know they are in number Thirty, as followeth.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of the fixed Stars in Capricornus, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

ENter we in the next place on the fixed Stars in Capricorn, which are but twenty four, as followeth.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of the fixed Stars in Aquaries, their Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude.

SO much of the Stars in Capricorn, come we now to thoſe in Aquaries, which are briefly as followeth, and in number Thirty nine.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Fixed ſtars in Piſces, their nature, number, names, magnitude, latitude and longitude.

EVen as we have proceeded in the other ſigns, let us here conclude with Piſces which is the laſt: the number then of the ſtars therein are twenty nine, as followeth.

CHAP. XL. Shewing the uſe of all the former Tables.

YOU ſee in the foregoing page, in the 1. column 1, 2, 3. and ſo forward, intimating the number of the ſtars in the ſign Piſces, as you have ſpecified by the word number, on the head of the column.

In the ſecond column you have their ſeveral names, ſignified by this inſcription on the head thereof, The names of the fixed ſtars in Piſces.

Upon the head of the third column you have their Natures, intimating that underneath it, and over againſt every ſtar is ſet the Character of the Planet of whoſe nature it participates; as for example, over againſt the right ſhoulder of Pegaſus, we finde ♂, ♃, v. ☿, intimating that the ſtar on the right ſhoulder of Pegaſus is of the nature of ♂, ♃, or ☿, v. ſignifying vel, in Engliſh or: again we ſee over againſt the two ſubſequent ſtars ♃ P ♀, ſignifying they are of the nature of Iupiter, and partly of Venus P. ſtanding for partly, &c.

On the head of the fourth column you finde magnitude, intimating that by the Figures underneath, and over againſt each ſtar is ſhewn the magnitude of each ſtar; as over againſt the right ſhoulder of Pegaſus, you finde 2 l. intimating it to be of the ſecond magnitude ſignified by 2. and ſomewhat leſs, ſignified by l. and note that in the ſame column where you finde g. it ſignifieth greater in any of the Tables.

In the fifth column you ſee their latitude, ſhewing that by the figures underneath, over againſt each ſtar is declared their latitude, and that either North or South, ſignified by M and B. M ſhewing South latitude, B North, &c.

In the ſixth and laſt column you finde the inſcription Longitude, and this is in like manner demonſtrated by the figures underneath, as, the ſhoulder of Pegaſus (as aboveſaid) hath 31. d. 00. m. or 31. degrees, 00. minutes Latitude, and 23. d. or 23. degrees longtitude; or in 23. degrees of Piſces: and ſo obſerve and underſtand of all the foregoing and ſubſequent ſtar, &c. D. ſtanding for degrees, and M. for minutes.

The total ſum of theſe ſtars here expreſſed is 366. being the moſt material.

CHAP. XLI. Of the ſignifications of the 12 Houſes of Heaven, and wherefore they have ſuch ſignification.

ENdeavor to be perfect in this chapter, which is to demonſtrate the reaſons of ſome things which have not as yet been divulged in our vulgar tongue to the Students of this noble Art, and thou wilt much advantage thy ſelf, it being my deſire not to let ought ſlip for which thou mayſt not (if need require) give ſufficient ground and reaſons, &c.

You are ſufficiently inſtructed by other Authors of the Nature and ſignification of the houſes; their ſeveral diviſions you heard already in the 25. chapter of this ſecond Book; it reſteth therefore we now proceed to ſhew the reaſons why the houſes are ſo ordained, as the angle of the Eaſt to be the firſt houſe, and ſuccedent to it the ſecond, &c. and ſo of the reſt; as alſo why the Ancients aſſigned them thoſe ſeveral ſignifications which we commonly attribute unto them; for ſuch hath been their curioſity therein, that there is no one thing appertaining to the life of man or affairs or accidents therein, which hath not ſignification from one houſe or other, &c.

^[659]The firſt houſe then is that houſe which is the Eaſt Angle or corner of the Heavens, or the Aſcendent; It is called an Angle for that it repreſents one of the Cardinal points, as the ſeventh may the other: and the tenth and fourth the Tropicks, &c. It is called the Aſcendent becauſe the Sun doth there aſcend in our Horizon; Alſo in what ever Climate it be that houſe where the Sun aſcendeth or riſeth is the Aſcendent of that place; and it is called the firſt houſe for that it is the firſt that doth repreſent itſelf unto us upon the birth of any Infant, Revolution, or any work; ſo that what Sign at that time is aſcending or on the point or cuſp of this houſe, is Significator (together with the Planet that is Lord thereof, the Planet locally therein preſent, or in aſpect thereof,^[660] or the Lord thereof) of the Native (as ſay the Antients) For the Sign ſhall ſhew the complexion, form and ſhape of the body of the Native having relation to the Planets in aſpect therewith or neer in preſence; And the Lord thereof ſhall declare his diſpoſition, quality and inclination, having alſo reſpect to thoſe Planets in conjunction or configuration with him, &c. It hath ſignification of the life of the Native, for that it is the firſt houſe, as life is the firſt and chief beginning of any one, and firſt eſteemed or preferred before any other enjoyment under the Sun; for what pleaſure can there be in any thing when in the enjoying thereof the life is taken away? Certainly, though it be never ſo much to be deſired upon this conſideration, it will be altogether left unattempted.

^[661]It hath ſignification of the life of the Native alſo, and the beginning of any work, for that the Infant is unrevealed or known till it is borne: ſo is this firſt houſe or Aſcendent unſeen, and is in obſcurity (as unto us) till it doth ariſe in our Horizon, &c. In Revolutions, Eclipſes, and great Conjunctions and the like it hath ſignification of the common People of any place where theſe happen.

^[662] The Second houſe which is the ſuccedent to the Aſcendent, is ſo called for that it ſucceedeth the Aſcendent, and aſcends after it, and is therefore alſo called the ſecond houſe; it hath ſignification of the Riches and Subſtance of the Native or Querent, as alſo their aſſiſtance; for that next unto a mans life, is his wealth or livelihood to be regarded, and as wealth is an aſſiſtance and aid in all matters or buſineſſes of or in the affairs ordinary of mans life, hath it alſo ſignification of aſſiſtance, &c.

The Third houſe is ſo called for that it in order followeth the ſuccedent of the Aſcendent; it hath ſignification of Brethren, Kindred, Neighbors and Alliance, for that it is in * of the Aſcendent, ſubterranean: it hath alſo ſignification of ſhort jornyes,^[663] being the houſe oppoſite to the Ninth, ſignifying long journeys, the reaſon of which you ſhall have hereafter in its place.

^[664]The Fourth houſe or Angle of the Earth, or Northern, is ſo called for that it in order followeth the third; it hath ſignification of immoveable goods for that it is an Angle, and that of the Earth which is fixed; alſo heritages, lands and houſes, for that it is a terranean and earthy Angle; alſo it hath ſignification of hidden treaſures and the like, for that it is ſubterranean and not viſible in our Horizon; it ſignifieth alſo the father of the Native or Querent, for that he is the firſt cauſe of generation, as the earthy Chaos was the firſt original of Adam, &c.

^[665]The Fifth houſe is the ſuccedent of the Angle of the Earth, and therefore is ſo called. It hath ſignification of mirth and jollity, it being in △ to the Aſcendent; alſo private pleaſure and delight, it being ſubterranean and in △ with the Aſcendent, and for the ſame reaſon hath ſignification of all manner of paſtime and recreation, as drinking, revelling, ſporting, gaming and all kind of recreation pleaſing the fancies and tempers of men.

^[666]The Sixth houſe is the Cadent from the North Angle, and is in order the ſixth houſe from the Aſcendent: it beholdeth not the Aſcendent; it hath therefore ſignification of ſickneſſes, of what kind ſoever it be; it hath alſo ſignification of Servants, Bond-men and women and Slaves; and of Cattle of the ſmaller ſort for the ſame reaſon, as having no loving familiarity or correſpondency with the Aſcendent in friendſhip, &c.

^[667]The ſeventh houſe is the angle of the Weſt, and by reaſon it in order followeth the ſixth, is the ſeventh from the Aſcendent; it hath ſignification of open enemies, for that it is the oppoſite houſe to the Aſcendent; and for the ſame reaſon hath ſignification of theft, or the thing loſt; adverſaries in Law-ſuits, and the like; it hath in like manner ſignification of women in general, of marriages. I could never finde the reaſon why the ancients have ordained the ſeventh or oppoſite houſe to the Aſcendent, to ſignifie the wife of the Native, and women in general, except for that they are ſo contrary to the diſpoſition of men, the one being for the moſt part ſolid and reſolved, the other ſickle and unſtable as their mother the Moon; as alſo that they often prove the deſtruction of men rather then aſſiſtants and comforters, (for which they are made) as Eve was the deſtruction of Adam, Dalilah of Samſon; and many the like examples I could here relate both out of the Holy Writ, and other writings; but ſince the ſubject is ſo vile and mean it is not worthy the pains, wherefore that very example of Solomon, the wiſeſt of Mortals, may ſuffice, who notwithſtanding he had ſo large a portion of the ſpirit of God, was by this Sex, drawn to Idolatry and many other ſins againſt the living God; inſomuch that it hath ſtaggered the learnedſt Writers in Divinity, and put them to a non plus to imagine (by any concluſion) whether he was ſaved or no: but lets return to our buſineſs, ſince I may thus conclude of them that they prove either the greateſt comforts or the worſt of afflictions to men.

^[668]The eighth houſe, being the ſuccedent of the angle of the Weſt, is ſo called; it is a houſe which beholdeth not the Aſcendent, and is above the earth, and is the ayd and aſſiſtance of the open enemy, as the ſecond is of the Native, it being in oppoſition thereunto; wherefore it hath ſignification of mortality, death, poyſon, deſtruction and miſchief which is to happen the Native in his life.

^[669]The ninth houſe is ſo called for that it followeth next after the ſuccedent of the angle of the Weſt, and is called Cadent; it is in a Trine of the Aſcendent, and above the earth; wherefore it hath ſignification of all goodneſs, as Religion, learning, revelation by Dreams; as alſo of all religious men and orders, as Divines, Hermites, Monks, Fryers, &c. Alſo all manner of Students, as Aſtrologers, Phyſitians, Lawyers, and all Students of other good learning whatſoever.

^[670]The tenth houſe or the ſouth angle in order followeth next after, and therefore is the tenth houſe; this hath ſignification of the mother of the Native, for that it is the oppoſite houſe to the fourth ſignifying the father; it ſignifyeth alſo dignity, preferment and honour of the Native, for that it is the vertical point of the Heavens, or the higheſt pitch thereof, and alſo for the ſame reaſon, ſignifieth Emperours, Kings, Princes, Noblemen and great men, or the Grandees of the earth, and ſuch as are in authority muſt be underſtood if there be no King, &c.

^[671]The eleventh Houſe being the ſuccedent of the angle of the ſouth is ſo called; and for that it is in Sextitle of the Aſcendent, and above the earth it hath ſignification of friendſhip and amity, hope, faith, &c.

^[672]The twelfth houſe, being the Cadent of the angle of the South following in order the ſuccedent thereof, is therefore the 12. houſe; it is above the earth not beholding the Aſcendent, and therefore hath ſignification of private and occult enemies, impriſonment, poverty, miſery, and diſgrace, Witchcraft and Sorceries; it hath alſo ſignification of great cattel, as the 6. the oppoſite houſe had of ſmall. And ſo much concerning the reaſons of the ſignifications of the twelve houſes or manſions of Heaven.

^[673]Yet note here, as the ſecond houſe from the Aſcendent, ſignifieth the ayd, aſsiſtance and wealth or ſubſtance of the Native: the third, his kindred, brethren, neighbours, &c. the fourth, his father, lands, houſes, and the like: the fifth, his children, &c. ſo you muſt know that the ſubſtance of the brother, neighbour, kinſman, and the like, is ſignified by the fourth, being the ſecond from the third, the fifth doth ſignifie his brethren, the ſixth his father, the ſeventh his children, and ſo round the whole Heaven, according to the ſignification aforeſaid: ſtill remembring that the houſe ſignifying any party of whom the queſtion is, is his Aſcendent; The ſecond from it is ſubſtance; the third his kindred; as the fifth houſe in the Natives figure hath ſignification of the wealth or ſubſtance of the father: the ſixth, his kindred and brethren, alſo the Uncle or Ant of the Querent by the fathers ſide: the ſeventh his Father and the Querents Grandfather or Natives; and ſo you muſt underſtand of the reſt of the Houſes, ſtill varying your rules according to diſcretion; for much doth the thorow-knowledge of the ſignification of every houſe conduce to the perfection of the Student in this Art. I think good here (notwithſtanding in the 21. chapter of this firſt Treatiſe you have heard already ſomewhat as touching the diviſions of the Heavens) to give you the diviſion thereof more plainly in this following chapter.

CHAP. XLII. Of the diviſion of the Houſes into twelve equal parts.

NOw then you are firſt to know that the Horizon cutteth or divideth the Heavens into two Hemiſpheres, the upper and the lower, parting ſix of the houſes into one Hemiſphere, and ſix into the other, viz. the upper hath 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, and 7th. houſes, the lower the 6, 4, 5, 3. the 2d. and firſt houſe.

And as the Heavens are divided into two Hemiſpheres by the Horizon, ſo are they alſo cut by the Meridian into two equal parts, ſo that by theſe two Circles the Heavens are divided into four equal parts, and every of the parts by ſections and points of other Circles are divided into three parts, ſo that the whole Heavens are cut into 12. equal parts; which the moſt learned in this Art have called Manſions or houſes.

The diviſion which the Meridian makes, is to divide the Heavens into the Oriental and Occidental parts, ſix houſes being Oriental, ſix Occidental, or ſo inclining: Oriental are the third, ſecond, firſt, twelfth, eleventh and tenth; Occidental ninth, eighth, ſeventh, ſixth, fifth and fourth.

Now you muſt know that the four equal parts aboveſaid are called (by the learned in this Science) quadrants, becauſe each part is the quarter or fourth part of the Heaven.

The firſt Quadrant is that part of the Heaven which lieth between the middle of the Heaven and the Aſcendent or Horoſcope; and this is the Oriental, Aſcending, Infant, Maſculine, Sanguine and vernal Quarter, and it hath the twelfth, eleventh, and tenth houſes.

The ſecond Quadrant is thoſe three houſes, or that part lying between the points of the tenth and ſeventh, and this is the Youthfull, Feminine, Meridional, Cholerick, Summer Quarter, containing the ninth, eighth and ſeventh houſes.

The third Quadrant is from the point of the ſeventh houſe to the Imum Coeli or point of the fourth, and is called the Occidental, Manly, Maſculine, Melancholy and Autumnal Quarter, including the ſixth, fifth and fourth houſes.

The fourth Quadrant is from the Imum Coeli to the point of the Horoſcope or Aſcendent, and is the Septentrional, Feminine, Phlegmatick, old Age, and Winter Quarter.

The Angles are the moſt powerfull houſes; for a Planet therein hath more power and efficacy then another (in any other houſe) that is but equally dignified: but know that the houſes are in ſtrength as followeth, yet Ptolomie preferreth the mid-heaven, &c.

1, 10, 7, 4, 11, 9, 5, 2, 3, 8, 6, 12.

So that the meaning thereof is no more but thus; A Planet in the 1. and another in the 10. equally dignified, that hath more power which is in the Aſcendent; and likewiſe that in the 10. precedeth that in the 7. and ſo know of the reſt. And ſo much of the diviſions of the twelve houſes.

Chap. XLIII. Containing ſome Terms of Art very neceſſary to be known: as alſo Inſtructions how to erect a Figure of Heaven.

AMongſt the Planets here are ſeveral things to be known of all that ſtudy this Science, and they are in number which are moſt material 23. therefore I would have thee diligently obſerve this Chapter.

Direction, Retrogradation, Stationary, Application, Separation, Prohibition, Refrenation, Tranſlation, Reception, Fruſtration, Peregrination, Combuſtion, Cazimi, under the Sun beams, void of Courſe, beſieging, Oriental, Occidental, Superior, Inferior, Athazer, Almuten and Haiz.

^[674] A Planet is ſaid to be direct when he moveth in his Natural motion, directly forward as Saturn in the firſt degree of Aries, goeth into the 2, 3, and ſo forward; this is direction.

Retrogradation, ^[675] or a Planet is ſaid to be Retrograde when he goeth backward or contrary to the ſucceſſion of the ſigns, as Saturn in the firſt degree of Aries, going into the 30, 29, and 28 degrees of Piſces, &c. is Retrograde, or goeth backward.

Stationary is,^[676] when a Planet ſtands ſtill, or moveth neither backward nor forward, as the Superiors do ſometimes four days together, &c. as you have heard before, and this happeneth both before direction and retrogradation.

Application is,^[677] when two Planets (it mattereth not which) draw neer the rays or bodies of each other by Conjunction or Aſpect; and this may be done three ways; yet you are to know that a more weighty Planet, or that which is ſuperiour cannot apply unto the lighter or inferiour, except when he is retrograde.

The firſt manner of Application is when two Planets are direct, the weightier in more degrees, and the lighter in fewer; as if Saturn be in five degrees of Aries, and Jupiter in three, here Jupiter applies unto Saturn by Conjunction, and this is a direct Application.

The ſecond when both are Retrograde, as Jupiter in three degrees of Aries, and ♄ in the firſt, here Jupiter applies unto the Conjunction of Saturn by a Retrograde motion.

The third is when the one is Retrograde and in more degrees of a ſign, and the other direct and in leſs, as if Jupiter were in four degrees of Aries direct, and Saturn in ſeven Retrograde, here Saturn applyeth to the Conjunction of Iupiter, and Jupiter to him, and this is a mutual Conjunction; underſtand the ſame when they apply by Aſpect.

Separation is,^[678] where two Planets have been either in Partile Conjunction or aſpect, and are going from it; as if Saturn be in 8. degrees of Aries, and Jupiter in 9. here Jupiter is ſeparated one degree from the Partile Conjunction, yet he ſhall not be ſaid to be rotally ſeparated till he be the full half orb of Jupiter, and his own half orb diſtant from him; for every Planet both in Conjunction and Aſpect is admitted his half orb and the half orb of the other Planet joyned unto him; as the half orb of Saturn you have heard is 4. degrees 30. minutes, and ſo likewiſe Jupiters, the which being added together make 9. whole degrees; and therefore till Jupiter be thus many degrees elongated or ſeparated from Saturn, he ſhall not be ſaid to be fully ſeparated, neither ſhall their ſignification be inffectual for that time; underſtand the ſame of an aſpect ſtill admitting or allowing the half orbs of both Planets, &c.

Prohibition is,^[679] when two Planets are applying to Conjunction or Aſpect, and before they come to joyn themſelves another comes to Conjunction or aſpect of the Planet applyed to; as if Saturn were in 10. degrees of Aries, and Jupiter in five applying to the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in four degrees of Aries; here Mars being ſwifter then Jupiter, comes firſt to the Conjunction of Saturn, and prohibites Iupiter, &c. the ſame obſerve in an Aſpect.

Refrenation is, when a Planet is applying to another,^[680] either by Conjunction or Aſpect, and before he cometh to be joyned he becomes Retrograde: as if Saturn be in ſeven degrees of Aries, and Jupiter in three, here Iupiter applies (they being both direct) to a Partile Conjunction of Saturn; but before he can attain thereunto Iupiter becometh Retrograde, and ſo refrains by going backwards to come to the Conjunction of Saturn, who goeth direct forward.

Tranſlation of light and nature is,^[681] when a light Planet ſeparateth from a more weighty one and preſently applyeth to another more heavy; as Saturn in 16 degrees of Aries and Iupiter in 9. and Mars in 10. here Mars ſeparateth from the Conjunction of Iupiter, and tranſlateth the light and nature of Iupiter to Saturn, to whom he next applies; and this is in the like manner done by Aſpect.

Reception is, when two Planets are in each others dignities; for then they are ſaid to receive one the other;^[682] and this may be accompliſhed as many ways as there are dignities of a Planet; as Saturn in Aries, and Mars in Capricorn; here is reception between Saturn & Mars by houſe, Aries being the houſe of Mars, & Capricorn the houſe of Saturn; ſo alſo Iupiter in Capricorn, and Mars in Cancer is reception by exaltation, Capricorn being the exaltation of Mars, and Cancer of Iupiter; In like manner Saturn in Aries, and Sol in Gemini, is reception by triplicitie; the fiery triplicity being the Suns by day, and the aëry Saturns, &c. in like manner of term and face.

Fruſtration is,^[683] when a lighter Planet would come to Conjunction with another more heavy, and before it doth accompliſh it, the more weighty Planet is joyned unto another; as Saturn in 20 degrees of Aries, and Iupiter in 19, and Mars in 15, here Mars applies to the Conjunction of Iupiter; but before he can attain thereunto, he is fruſtrated or diſappointed by Iupiter, who comes firſt to the Conjunction of Saturn.

Peregrination is, when a Planet is in a ſign wherein he is a ſtranger, as it were,^[684] by being neither in his own houſe, exaltation, triplicity, term or face, and therefore then he is very weak, as Saturn in the firſt 26 degrees of Aries.

Combuſtion is,^[685] when any Planet is not diſtant from the Sun eight degrees and thirty minutes either before or after his body; as Saturn in the firſt degree of Aries, and the Sun in 8. and Iupiter in 16. here both Saturn and Iupiter are combuſt of the Sun; but you ſhall ſay Iupiter is moſt afflicted; for that Planet to whom the Sun approaches is more daminified then that from which he ſeparateth;^[686] and you muſt know that a Planet ſtill remains under the Sun beams till he is fully elongated 17 degrees.

Cazimi or a Planet in the heart of the Sun, ^[687] is when he is not diſtant from the Sun 17. minutes; as if Saturn be in 3. degrees 15. minutes of Aries, and the Sun in three degrees and 30. minutes of Aries.

Void of Courſe is, when a Planet is ſeparated from another,^[688] and doth not during the time of its continuance in that ſign, apply again to any other.

Beſieging is,^[689] when any Planet is placed between the bodies of the two Malevolents Saturn and Mars, as if Saturn be in 5. degrees of Aries, and Mars in 15. and Iupiter in 10. here Iupiter is beſieged.

Oriental is, when a Planet riſeth before the Sun. ^[690]

Occidental is nothing elſe but when a Planet ſetteth after the Sun, ^[691] and is ſeen above the Horizon after him.

Thoſe Planets that are placed above the Globe of the Sun, are called Superiour,^[692] and they are Saturn, Iupiter, and Mars.

Thoſe are inferiour that are placed under him, viz. Venus, Mercury and the Moon. ^[693]] Athazer is, when the Moon is in one degree and minute with the Sun, ^[694] and when ſhe is 12. degrees diſtant from him, or 45. or 90. or 155. or 168. or 180. or 192, or 215. or 270. or 348. any of theſe are Athazer, &c.

Almuten is that Planet that bears chief Rule of any ſign, or in any figures;^[695] as Saturn in Libra is Almuten, or is Almuter of Libra, becauſe he hath both exaltation and triplicity therein, and Venus hath onely houſe, ſo that Saturn bearing chief rule, is of this ſign Almuten.

Haiz is, when a maſculine and diurnal Planet in the day time is above the earth,^[696] or a feminine nocturnal Planet in the night time under the earth.

^[697]Now to erect a figure of Heaven, or Scheme at any time, hour or minute of any year for the judging of future events (I mean by Revolutions of the years of the World, Eclipſes, Comers, or great Conjunctions) you are to do no more then this.

Have regard to the place of the Sun at noon (according as you will finde in any Ephemeris) for that day wherein your figure is to be made, and ſee in what degrees and minutes you finde him; for if he be in any degree or minute under 30. you muſt then look for the ſame degree he is in, in your Table of houſes (viz. in that page wherein you finde Sol in Aries, Sol in Taurus, &c. If the Sun be then in any of theſe ſigns or any other, you muſt ſtill look for your number (viz. the degree or place of the Sun) in that page where you finde the Sun in the ſame ſign in the Table of houſes that you finde him in you Ephemeris) &c. But if he be in more then 30 minutes, you muſt look for the next greater degree; as if he be in 1. degree of Aries and 29. minutes, you are to look in your Table of houſes in the page where you f[•]nde Sol in Aries for 1. degree; but if he were in one degree 30 minutes or 31. minutes, and ſo to the end, you are to look for 2 degrees in the aforeſaid page, in that Column where you finde over the head thereof Dom. X. ſignifying the tenth houſe.

Having thus found out your number or place of the Sun at Noon; ſee what number you finde over againſt it in the left hand column, which is tituled time from noon in the ſame line, and add that number, viz. the degrees and minutes you finde there to the hour and minute of the day, for the which you would erect your Scheme.

And if they make not above 24 hours, look in your table of houſes for the number they make in the aforeſaid column of time from noon; but if they make more then 24 hours, caſt away 24 hours, and enter with the remainder, and where your number falleth there is your figure.

For firſt, you are to look in the ſame line what is over againſt your number in the column of the tenth houſe, where you finde Dom. X. and what number you finde there you are to place upon the cuſp of the tenth houſe in your Scheme; and then in the next colum where you finde Dom. XI. in the ſame line what degrees and minutes you finde, you are to place on the eleventh houſe in your figure, and ſo obſerve in the reſt, viz. the twelfth, firſt, ſecond, and third houſes, placing as hath been ſaid the degrees and minutes in every one which you finde in the ſame line over againſt your number on the cuſps of every of theſe houſes in your draught of the Heavens, and then fill up the other points of the Heavens thus.

Firſt, know what houſes are oppoſite.

Secondly, what ſigns of the Zodiack.

Then place the ſigns, degrees and minutes oppoſite to theſe places you have filled upon the other vacant points.

The houſes oppoſite are the firſt and ſeventh, the ſecond and eighth, the third and ninth, the fourth and tenth, the fifth and eleventh, the ſixth and twelfth, and therefore for our more ready apprehenſion we place them thus.

Which ſhews the firſt is oppoſite to the ſeventh, and the ſeventh to the firſt, the ſecond to the eighth, and the eighth to the ſecond, the third to the ninth, and the ninth to the third, &c.

Signs oppoſite are ♈ to ♎, ♉ to ♏, ♊ to ♐, ♋ to ♑, ♌ to ♒, and ♍, to ♓, which may alſo be thus ranked.

So that it is clear, ♈ is oppoſite to ♎ to ♈; ♉ to ♏ to ♉, &c.

Wherefore we ſhall ſuppoſe in our Scheme we have the 1. deg. of ♈, and the ſecond min. upon the aſcendent or firſt houſe: why then becauſe the 7th. is oppoſite unto the firſt, and ♎ to ♈, we are to place the 1. deg. 2. min. of ♎ upon the ſeventh.

Alſo it upon the 2d. there were the 3d. deg. of Taurus, and the 4th min. we are to place the 3. deg. and 4th. min. of ♏ upon the 8th. houſe, becauſe the 8th. is oppoſite to the ſecond, and ♏ to ♉, and ſo of the reſt; remember ſtill to place the oppoſite ſign, and the ſame degrees and minutes on the oppoſite houſe, and you cannot erre; and thus much ſhall ſuffice at this time.

FINIS.

AN INTRODVCTION TO ELECTIONS, Fully comprehending The RULES of the ANCIENTS IN Electing a Time for any manner of Work: Never before made publique in our Mother Tongue.

But now (by the Bleſsing of GOD) for the benefit of all true Lovers of knowledge ſent abroad,

By VVILLIAM RAMESEY, Gent. Student in Aſtrology, Phyſick, and the moſt Heavenly and Sublime Sciences.

Eccleſ. 3.1.

To every thing there is a ſeaſon; and a time to every purpoſe under the Heaven.

Sapiens Dominabitur aſtris.

LONDON, Printed for R. VV. 1653.

HONORATISSIMO AT QUE ILLVSTRISSIMO DOMINO, DOMINO HENRICO PERREPOINT, MARCHIONI DE DORCHESTER, COMITI DE KINGSTON APVD HVLL, PROCOMITI NEVVARK, ET DOMINO PERREPOINT DE HOLMES PERREPOINT, Salutem, Pacem & Felicitatem Perpetuam.

DOMINO SUO CLEMENTISSIMO HANC SUAM IN ELECTIONIBVS INTRODVCTIONEM SUBMISSE DEDICAT

Wilhelmus Rameſeus.

TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Henry Perrepoint, Marqueſs of DORCHESTER, Earl of KINGSTONE upon HVLL, Vicount NEW ARK and Lord PERREPOINT of HOLMES PERREPOINT, Health and life here, and Eternal happineſs hereafter.

MY LORD,

WHen Your Honour ſhall conſider the reaſon of this my bold Dedication, I know (were not Your Honour of a more Noble Spirit then to judge of things by the firſt ſight or glimpſe thereof) I ſhould have little or no cauſe to hope of acceptance at Your Honours hands, but ſhould rather juſtly be induced to expect (ſince it is my unhappineſs to be a ſtranger to Your Honour) Your frown rather then favour, and reprehenſion for this my boldneſs: But as it was nothing but really Your Honours Vertues, (which (according to the Philoſopher) are the onely Badges of Honour) and love to Learning that was the occaſion of this my tranſgreſſion, I humbly preſume (through them) my fault will be venial, ſince the blame is Your Honours and that my ſelf, and this my ſmall Preſent ſhall finde acceſs into Your Honours favour and Protection. The ſubject of this piece is that part of Aſtrology or NATURAL PHILOSOPHY which treateth of Elections, teaching by the powerful Influence of the Superior and Coeleſtial bodies, how to frame a fit and proper time for any manner of work belonging to the life of Man in a Natural way, there being (according to that moſt elegant expreſſion of the chief of Philoſophers, and ſageſt of Mortals SOLOMON, Eccleſ. 3.1.) A ſeaſon for every thing, and a time for every purpoſe under the Sun. And truly it is a peice of that ſublime Learning, that I fear it will paſs the bounds of not only the common and ordinaryeſt, but the indifferent capacities of moſt men, and in ſome meaſure put even the moſt Judicious to ſeek, unleſs they are true ſons [or Contemplators] of Nature, and its myſteries and ſecrets; this for the generality: Yet what conduceth to the adminiſtration of Phyſick and Phlebotomy (which according to Hippocrates and Galen (as I have ſufficiently ſhewn in the 10 Chap. of the firſt Book of this Volume and the 1. Chapter of the 7. Sect. of this very third Treatiſe) can never be rightly adminiſtred without the help of this Art) is more eaſily to be comprehended, as alſo what tendeth to the uſe of Navigation and husbandry. Wherefore ſince this my fabrick of THE RESTAURATION OF ASTROLOGY or the true Natural Philoſophy which is four ſquare is finiſhed now after my great pains and care, and brought to light, it imploreth Your Patronage, and eſpecially this Corner, leaſt the unworthyneſs of the Author may be a means of its fall to the ground without the leaſt notice taken thereof, or hope of recovery, unleſs Your Honours Nobility, Virtues and Learning be a gracious ſupport thereunto, the which if Your Honour be Munificently pleaſed to grant, it will be a perpetual rock unto it, and an inexpreſſible fame unto him whoſe highth of ambition is to be

My LORD,

Your HONOURS Servant, Whileſt he is William Rameſey.

To the Reader.

READER,

THou art here preſented with the whole Art of Elections, which may be very beneficial unto [•]ee in many things, eſpecially in the adminiſtration of Phyſick, uſing of Husbandry and Navigation, for which conſiderations I have undertaken to divulge the whole Body thereof; for herein are the rules infallible, yet in others (by reaſon they are to depend on ſeveral other conſiderations which we place as ground-works,

Note.

viz. the Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipſes, great Conjunctions, and in ſome meaſure Nativities) they are very intricate and doubful; and truly I may ſay they ſeldom or never prove true, by reaſon few that undertake the practice thereof underſtand the fundamentals and ground-works, and how to order and diſpoſe of them, or will take the pains to conſider every particular which is requiſite to be ſeriouſly pondered and weighed before Election can be made on any particular thing.

^[698]Wherefore let him that preſents this Book unto thee adviſe thee as thou tendreſt the propagation of the Art and thy own Reputation, not to dare to put any part thereof in practiſe, unleſs it be (I ſay) ſo much as thou findeſt tend to the adminiſtration of Phyſick, Phlebotomy, or uſing of Husbandry and Navigation, till thou art very well acquainted with Nature, and canſt prove thou knowſt the fundamentals and reaſons of every particular point of this Science, leſt thou become ridiculous and odious to the Ignorant and the rural of the World, by thy frequent failings which thou canſt never avoid if thou knoweſt no more then what is here verbally delivered, or if thou truſteſt barely to the writings of any man whatſoever; for the illiterate by this thy weakneſs (being no wiſe capable of the myſteries of theſe knowledges) will ſooner condemn the Art as imperfect or faulty, then thee or thy judgement, which art rather worthy reprehenſion; for by the right knowledge of the divine practice thereof thou mayſt attain to admirable ſpeculations and rare things.

For it was far from my intentions in the penning thereof to have it thus abuſed, which thou mayſt ſoon do, by baſely putting it openly in practiſe, as ſome have the reſolution of Queſtions, and ſo not only become an occaſion of deriſion to thy ſelf with them, but alſo an ill requiter of my pains and care towards thee, and bring this part of the Art, (if not all under the notion thereof) into the contempt of the World, the which in it ſelf is good and pure though ſublime; for there is nothing more certain, then that there is a proper time and ſeaſon for every thing under the Sun; A time to be born, and a time to dye; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to embrace and a time to refrain; nay even to the thrownig away of ſtones and gathering them again there is a time; and to be ſhort to every thing there is a ſeaſon and a time to every purpoſe under the Sun, Eccleſ. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. and that all inferiour things are ruled and ordered by the ſuperiour, I have here no more to ſay then only refer thee to the firſt Epiſtle and firſt Treatiſe; for what man is there that will deny that the ſubtile ſoul and life of the World quickneth and diſpoſeth of all things therein, or that all terreſtrial things have their dependency on the motion and influence of the Stars and Planets, and their Configurations; occaſioning the like ſympathy as is between the Loadſtone and Iron, there being nothing exempted from their power that is compoſed of the four Elements which they order, diſpoſe, and govern; nay even the hardeſt ſtones we ſee have a ſympathetical quality therewith, and are wrought upon by their penetrative power and vertue, which ſtill before rain (eſpecially if it be of continuance, even when the Heavens but incline to moiſture) ſweat drops of water, and become as wet as if they had been rained on, or waſht over by ſome hand; many ſuch like arguments I could produce for the proof hereof; but ſince the ſubject of almoſt the whole firſt Book tendeth hereunto, I ſhall ſay no more, but again adviſe thee not to put any part of this Book in practiſe till the grounds thereof be well apprehended by thee, that ſo thou mayeſt not violate his intentions that hath left it thee, and deſires to have no occaſion to write himſelf other then

Thy Loving Friend William Rameſey.

The Contents of every Section and Chapter contained in the Third Book of this Treatiſe, being an INTRODUCTION TO ELECTIONS.

• SECT. I. COmprehending an Introduction to Elections or neceſſary Inſtructions for the electing of any manner of Work by the ſecret Operations of the Heavens, by the nature of the Signs, Planets and Aſpects of the Moon, &c. Fol. 121
  • CHAP. I. Containing ſome neceſſary inſtructions to the judgement of Elections. Fol. 122
  • Chap. 2. Of the ſigns, and their ſignifications in Elections, and of the hinderances of the Moon being a farther inſtruction to the judging of Elections. Fol. 126
  • Chap. 3. Shewing Elections by the Aſpects of the Moon to the other ſix Planets, and by her Manſions. Fol. 128

• SECT. II. Containing Rules for Electing ſuch matters as appertain to the ſignification of the firſt houſe of Heaven. Fol. 132
  • CHAP. I. Containing neceſſary rules for putting children to nurſe, to ſchool and to a trade. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of the rules of Elections for the cutting of hair. Fol. 133
  • Chap. 3. Of cutting of nails of the hands or feet, alſo corns. Fol. 134

• SECT. III. Of Rules for electing matters appertaining to the ſecond Houſe. Idem
  • CHAP. I. Of receiving and borrowing of money. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Containing other rules concerning borrowing and lending. Fol. 135
  • Chap. 3. Of buying to profit again by the ſale thereof. Fol. 136
  • Chap. 4. Of ſelling to advantage. Fol. 137
  • Chap. 5. Being a farther inſtruction touching buying and ſelling in an ordinary way of the world. Idem.
  • Chap. 6. Of buying of cloathing, or putting on of apparel. Idem.
  • Chap. 7. Of flitting or removing from one place to another. Fol. 138
  • Chap. 8. Containing rules for electing any work in the Art of Diſtillation or Alchimy. Fol. 139

• SECT. IV. Comprehending rules in Electing ſuch matters as appertain to the ſignification of the third Houſe. Fol. 140
  • CHAP. I. Of ſhort journeys and their Elections. Fol. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of making friendſhip between brethren, or any two at variance. Idem
  • Chap. 3. Of applying the minde or ſtudy to Divine matters or contemplations. Fol. 141

• SECT. V. Containing rules of Elections appertaining to the ſignification of the Fourth Houſe. Fol. 142
  • CHAP. I. Of building of Houſes. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of building of Caſtles and Cities. Fol. 143
  • Chap. 3 Of building of Churches. Fol. 145
  • Chap. 4. Of building or erecting of Mils. Idem
  • Chap. 5. Of pulling down or deſtroying of Houſes or any Fabrick whatſoever. Idem
  • Chap. 6. Containing rules of elections in buying of land, houſes or heritages. Fol. 146
  • Chap. 7. Of buying of land for husbandry, and not to build upon. Fol. 147
  • Chap. 8. Of bringing of water to a houſe either by Conduit, Pipe, Pump; and of diging of Wels. 148
  • Chap. 9. Of tillage or manuring of the ground. Idem
  • Chap. 10. Of renting, hireing, and letting of houſes, land or fruit, or any other thing to be let or hired. Fol. 149
  • Chap. 11. Of planting of trees or graffing. Fol. 150
  • Chap. 12. Of ſowing of ſeeds in the ground. Fol. 151
  • Chap. 13. Of ridding houſes or places from evil ſpirits. Idem

• SECT. VI. Containing rules for electing a time for any work or thing appertaining to the fifth Houſe. Fol. 152
  • CHAP. I. Shewing a fit time for the procreation of boys or girls. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of delivering a dead child. Fol. 153
  • Chap. 3. Of chriſtening or circumciſing of children. Fol. 154
  • Chap. 4. Of giving and receiving of gifts or preſents. Fol. 155
  • Chap. 5. Containing rules for electing a time for putting on of apparel. Idem
  • Chap. 6. Of feaſting or eating of meat. Fol. 156
  • Chap. 7. Of drinking of wine and other drinks. Fol. 157
  • Chap. 8. Of writing of letters or any thing elſe of ingenuity. Fol. 158
  • Chap. 9. Of making odoriferous ſmels and unguents. Idem
  • Chap. 10. Of ſending Embaſſadours or meſſengers. Fol. 159

• SECT. VII. Of Elections appertaining to the ſixth Houſe. Fol. 160
  • CHAP. I. Of the true knowledge of the Criſis, or critical and judicial days, very uſeful for thoſe that ſtudy Phyſick. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of applying medicines generally to all the parts of the body of man. Fol. 162
  • Chap. 3. Of adminiſtring medicines to the diſeaſes of the head. Fol. 163
  • Chap. 4. Of applying remedies to the eyes, and preparatives in general. Idem
  • Chap. 5. Of applying remedies to the noſe. Fol. 164
  • Chap. 6. Of injecting clyſters, and ſtopping of rheumes or fluxes. Idem
  • Chap. 7. Of the adminiſtraction of gargariſms, or ſneezings, and ſuch like. Fol. 165
  • Chap. 8. Of giving of vomits. Idem
  • Chap. 9. Of adminiſtring purges and phyſick laxative. Fol. 166
  • Chap. 10. Of bathing and electing a time therefore. Fol. 169
  • Chap. 11. Of electing a time for uſing Chirurgery. Idem
  • Chap. 12. Of electing a time for phlebotomy or blood-letting alſo for applying ventoſies. Fol. 170
  • Chap. 13. Of the Phyſitians going to the Patient. Fol. 171
  • Chap. 14. Of hireing of ſervants. Fol. 172
  • Chap. 15. Of buying of birds and letting them fly to return again. Idem
  • Chap. 16. Of buying four-footed beaſts. Fol. 173
  • Chap. 17. Of bringing up dogs or tameing of ſmall cattel. Fol. 174

• SECT. VIII. Containing Elections appertaining to the Seventh Houſe. Fol. 175
  • CHAP. I. Of the elections apertaining to the ſignification of the ſeventh Houſe, and touching marriage. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of Venereal ſports. Fol. 178
  • Chap. 3. Of partnerſhip or agreements, or things between two. Idem
  • Chap. 4. Of going to war, or begining of differencies and duels, quarrels, lawſuits, controverſies and the like. Fol. 179
  • Chap. 5. Of making of peace, ſuppreſſing or encountring of rebels, and ſtorming of caſtles and towns. Fol. 182
  • Chap. 6. Of buying of arms and preparing of inſtruments of war, and ſhips or gallies. Fol. 184
  • Chap. 7. Of ſeeking of fugitives and examining of theeves and malefactors. Idem
  • Chap. 8. To know the ſubject and ſcore of the whiſperings or clandeſtine practiſes of any two, and at playing at Cheſs (or any other ſitting game) to win. Fol. 185
  • Chap. 9. Of hunting, fowling and fiſhing. Fol. 187

• SECT. IX. Containing Elections appertaining to the ſignification of the eight Houſe. Fol. 189
  • CHAP. I. Of making of wils. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of the heritages of the dead. Fol. 190

• SECT. X. Containing the Elections of the ninth Houſe of Heaven. Fol. Idem
  • CHAP. I. Of the returning of ſuch as are abſent, and of going of journeys and entring into any place. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of building of ſhips and gallies, and of Lantching them, and of voyaging by Sea. Fol. 194
  • Chap. 3. Of learning of ſciences, and of ſinging, and muſick. Fol. 195

• SECT. XI. Containing Elections appertaining to the ſignification of the tenth Houſe, Fol. 196
  • CHAP. I. Of electing Kings and Governours, and of their enſtanling and begining their rule or government. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of obtaining favour of Kings and Great men, juſtice on enemies and pardons, alſo of going of progreſſes with the King or any other Grande. Fol. 197
  • Chap. 3. Of learning any Art or Occupation. Fol. 198

• SECT. XII. Containing ſuch Elections as are under the ſignification of the Eleventh Houſe of Heaven. Fol. 199
  • CHAP. I. Of accompliſhing any thing hoped for, and of gaining a good repute, and the love of friends. Idem
  • Chap. 2 Of obtaining of promiſes and requeſts. Fol. 200

• SECTION. XIII. Comprehending the Elections of the Twelfth Houſe. Fol. 201
  • CHAP. I. Of freeing of priſoners and Captives. Idem
  • Chap. 2. Of buying and riding of horſes, &c. Idem

FINIS.

LIBER III. DE IVDICIIS ASTRORVM IN ELECTIONIBVS, OR AN Introduction to Elections, Fully comprehending the RULES of the Ancients in Electing a time for any manner of VVORK.

SECTION. I. Comprehending an Introduction to Elections, or neceſſary Inſtructions for electing any manner of work, by the ſecret operations of the Heavens, by the nature of the Signs, Planets, and Aſpects of the Moon, &c.

WE have found moſt of the Ancients to be very curious in this manner of Judicature, but ſome more excellent then others; wherefore ſince the knowledge thereof is not only delectable and rare, but alſo very uſefull and profitable, both for eſchewing evil, and chooſing the good; as alſo for that the verity thereof is wonderfull, if the Rules of Art be diligently obſerved, and with care and diſcretion practiſed; as alſo for that I earneſtly deſire the Students in this noble Art may daily more and more increaſe in knowledge (as I have ſaid) I have thought good here to give you without either fraud or deceit, the moſt Judicious and Rational Rules of the Ancients, concerning the electing or chooſing a time for any Work incident to the affairs of mankinde, whether particularly appertaining to a mans own particular perſon, or his eſtate, friends, or enemies, &c.

CHAP. I. Containing ſome neceſſary Inſtructions to the judging of Elections.

^[699] IN all Authors that ever I yet met with, I finde there can be no time elected (in this our Aſtrological way of electing) advantagious to any one whoſe nativity or time of birth is not exactly known; for according unto it muſt you frame your election, together with reſpect to the revolution of the year; and Zahel, Bonatus, Meſſahalla and Dariot ſay that in caſe the nativity of a man cannot be attained, reſpect muſt be had to the time of the queſtion; the reaſon is (as I conceive) for that (if the queſtion be radical) the Querent ſhall have the ſame ſignificator or one of the ſame nature in the queſtion as he hath in his Nativity;^[700] and this I have ever found true in all that ever I met with that could produce their Nativities; wherefore it is that the Antients conclude (as well indeed they may) that GOD the omnipotent and omiſcient Creator of the Heavens and the Earth,^[701] and all things therein, hath made the earth of the four Elements, but the Heavens being the quinteſſence of them, he hath made to ſurround and incloſe it, that by the ſecret working of the Anima Mundi, or ſoul of the World, which Zahel calleth Rem ſubtilem, the which (ſaith he) ſciunt ſapientes a ſubtile or ſpiritual quality which is known to the wiſe, which occaſioneth ſuch a ſympathy as between the Iron and Load-ſtone, as that all Inferiour things and actions have their dependency and government from the ſuperiour.

But although this be the Judgement of the Antients who ſay, Look to the aſcendent of the Nativity or Queſtion and make your Election accordingly:

Note.

Yet I ſay (as moſt agreeable to truth and reaſon) Let the Figure of the Revolution of the years of the world for that year be regarded, and therefore or according thereunto Elect your buſines, as being the True Radix, root or ground thereof. But Note that if the aſcendent and its Lord be unfortunate in your radix, or the Revolution of the world, there is no Election can be made any wiſe to advantage the body or the party for whom you would elect an advantagious time; and ſo conſider and underſtand of any Election whatſoever, viz. If the chief ſignificator of any buſineſſe be unfortunate in the radix, ther can be no time Elected to prevent the miſchief threatned; for whom the Lord hath ordained to deſtruction or puniſhment, he cauſeth one thing or other to be incident unto that party ſo ordained to puniſhment, either by inclination or caſualty (according to his Divine wil and preordination and the harmonious concordancy of Aſtrology with Divinity &c.) that it might come to paſs; (and ſo on the contrary for a mans happineſs, but this comes to paſs through repentance) for I have ever found men in this condition either to go on ſtill in their ways without reproof, or being reproved, will take ſo ſmall notice thereof, as that they will hardly believe it, or have an inclination to ſtudy amendment or prevention of the evil; wherefore theſe particular things in Elections ought to have their dependency on the generall fates.

But as I have but now ſaid, the figure of the Revolution of the world for that year ought to be regarded and concluded the radix or ground-work of all your Elections; for according to the nature of the ſignificator therein muſt your Election be framed,^[702] or your ſhall never be perfect in this Art. Hence it is that often we ſhall finde ſome kind of men and occupations thrive and proſper ſome years more then in others; and again on the contrary, do all what they can, their buſineſs ſtill and endeavours go backward; The reaſon is, their ſignificator is more fortified or debilitated in the Radix; and we ſee that ſuch ſhall in an Election by Saturn and Mars have a good and proſperous day,^[703] and upon the ſquare or oppoſition of the Moon to Saturn or Mars, although on a miſchievous day; becauſe theſe malevolents were chiefe rulers or ſignificators of the buſineſs in hand, things or perſons, &c. in the Radix. Conſider alſo the places of any Eclipſe or Great conjunction in every year. So that when your true ſignificator is known, and his eſſential and accidental fortitudes and debilities, you cannot erre, the following Rules being diligently and warily obſerved, there being an harmony and ſuch a concordancy betwixt the Coeleſtial Creatures, and our Terreſtrial affairs, according to that excellent ſaying of Hermes, there is nothing here beneath that is not governed and ruled by what is above.

^[704]Know then that in judging of the ſtars in Elections, ſpecial care muſt be had unto the buſineſs in hand; for according unto the nature thereof muſt your buſineſs be ordered, and your time choſen; as for earthy buſineſſes, as planting and ſowing and the like, an earthy ſign is to be choſen or placed in the aſcendent; if appertaining to fire, a fiery ſign; if to the water, a watry one, &c. As for example, if you would elect a time to plant, you muſt prefer Virgo before any other of the ſigns, becauſe ſhe is an earthy ſign, and ſuch an one too as is participating more of the nature of the fruits of the earth then any other, viz. Taurus or Capricorn; and ſo underſtand of any buſineſs; be ſure you ſtill elect a ſign proper for your buſineſs, and agreeable to the nature thereof.

^[705]And for the ſpeedy diſpatch of any buſineſs, let a moveable ſign be choſen; if for permanency you would elect any time, take a fixed ſign; if you be indifferent, or deſire your buſineſs ſhall neither be of long or ſhort continuance, preferr a common ſign, &c.

^[706]But ſtill look to the fundamental grounds of Elections, viz. to fortify your chief ſignificators, and cheifly the Moon, becauſe ſhe hath a general ſignification in all things, in journeys, times places and all buſineſſes whatſoever; alſo the Sun, he being as it were cheif Ruler or King amongſt the other Planets; but more particularly the Planet ſignifying the buſineſs in hand: as if your Election be concerning war or fireworks, you muſt fortify Mars; if to ſpeak to the King, the Sun; to gain money, Iupiter; if concerning marriage or love-matters, Venus; becauſe theſe ſignifications theſe Planets are generally of; and ſo underſtand of any buſineſs whatſoever; ſtill have a care to fortify the Planet ſignifying your buſineſs, in general as well as particular, if you can.

^[707]In like manner you muſt chooſe and fortify the Sign ſignifying your buſineſs in general (for as I have ſayd, as is the nature of your buſineſs, ſuch muſt the Sign be you chooſe and fortify) as if you would goe by water as to Sea, &c. you muſt fortify a watry Sign, and more eſpecially Cancer, for that ſhe is the houſe of the Moon; if by land, as a journey, &c. an earthy Sign, &c. viz. free from misfortune or affliction of the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, and place it in the Aſcendent of your Election, or the Lord of the Aſcendent therein, or the Moon,

Note.

or both, if poſſible; and this is neceſſary in all Elections▪ and the Antients moreover have for men elected a maſculine ſign, for women a feminine; but this is needleſs, &c.

^[708]The ſign alſo and houſe ſignifying your buſineſs in your Radix ought to be regarded and well dignifyed; alſo fortify the houſe and ſign ſignifying the buſineſs in your Election; as if you would elect a time for profit, you muſt fortify (in the figure of your Election) the ſecond houſe in the Radix, its ſign and the Lord thereof, as well as the ſecond in your Election, &c. In all Elections, remember to fortify the Aſcendent, its Lord and Diſpoſer of him, and the fourth, and the Lord of the fourth and alſo his Diſpoſitor; for by fortifying the Aſcendent, the Lord thereof and his Diſpoſitor, the health and ſafety of the Parties body electing is promiſed: by fortifying the fourth, its Lord and his Diſpoſitor, a good and ſafe concluſion and end of the buſineſs. But note (as aforeſayd) that if a malevolent Planet be ſignificator in any thing in the Radix, you muſt fortify it, and not think the making a fortune: viz. Iupiter or Venus (which are but generally ſo) ſignificators, will be beneficial: for it will often prove contrary:^[709] for all men are not ruled by Jupiter and Venus; neither (as I ſay) are they always fortunes: for accidentally they may be infortunes: and when they are Lords of the eighth, twelfth and ſixth, they are occaſions of ſickneſs, poverty, impriſonment, miſchief and death as effectually as Saturn or Mars: for every Planet muſt doe the office whereunto it is ordained: and ſo by the ſame rule may Saturn and Mars be fortunes, and ſo they are to thoſe they cheifly rule, and to ſuch things as are properly under their dominion either naturally or accidentally; wherefore the true knowledge of your ſignificator (in Elections) of the buſineſs intended is of great value, and worthy ſerious conſideration.

Alſo in electing any work, have eſpecial care to fortifie the part of fortune, the Lord thereof and its Diſpoſitor, ſo that they be either in body or aſpect helped by the fortunes, and free from the configurations of the Malevolents. Let not the Lord of your Aſcendent by any means be retrograde,

Note.

for it will occaſion tardity and hindrance in any thing, although all the other ſignificators were eſſentially ſtrong and promiſing the effecting of the buſineſs; it cauſeth alſo much trouble and pains in the buſineſs, although naturally never ſo eaſy to be accompliſhed.

^[710]In the beginning of any work alſo ſee that the Dragons tayl be not with either of the Luminaries when they are in conjunction or oppoſition, or in the Aſcendent, or houſe ſignifying the buſineſs in hand; but place in thoſe places ſome fortunate Planet, or in the houſe of the buſineſs in Election, or in the Angles of the Figure at the time of Election. But have a ſpecial care in all Elections you put not the Moon in the Aſcendent;

Note.

for ſhe is an enemy thereunto; ſo alſo is the Sun; for he therein diſſolves and undoes what is accompliſhed and done. And let not an Infortune be placed in the Aſcendent, nor in any of the Angles, eſpecially if he have dominion in the ſixth, eighth or twelfth; alſo look that in a diurnal Election you have a diurnal ſign aſcending; in a nocturnal, a nocturnal ſign: and if you can, that the Luminaries be in the ſame ſigns (I mean of the ſame nature) eſpecially that of the time.

Avoid Elections at ſuch time as the Moon ſeparates from the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun,

Note.

and immediately goes to the configuration of an infortune▪ for it ſhews that if the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition be unfortunate, the buſineſs then began ſhall come to no good end or concluſion; but if the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition be fortunate, it ſhews that the beginning of the buſineſs then in agitation ſhall be good, but it ſhall ill ſucceed in the end.

But if the Moon ſeparate from Conjunction or Oppoſition, and apply to a fortune, and the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition be unfortunate, it ſignifieth that the beginning of the buſineſs ſhall be bad, and the end thereof good; and when the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition is fortunate, and the Moon applieth immediatly to a fortune, it denotes that both the beginning and the end of the work then began ſhall come to good or be fortunate. And ſo on the contrary, if ſhe apply to an infortune when the places of the Conjunction or Oppoſition are unfortunate: when the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition, or their Lord or Diſpoſer of them, be in a ſuccedent houſe, it ſignifieth that the profit and good to be expected by the buſineſs ſhall be in the end accompliſhed, though with ſome trouble and pains; but if they be in a Cadent houſe, viz. Cadent from the aſcendent of the beginning of the thing or buſineſs, or from the aſcendent of the Election, or Radix, it ſhall be broken off, and come to naught.

Albumazer a moſt learned Arabian in this Art,

Note.

ſaith, that when the Lord of the Election (which is the Planet ſignifying your buſineſs) is Lord of the ſign of the Luminaries (eſpecially that of the time) in the Revolution of the year of the World, or Lord of the year, or Lord of the Aſcendent at the time of the Revolution and be fortunate therein, and alſo in the Election; it ſignifyeth and denoteth extraordinary ſucceſs and fortune in the buſineſs then began, and in all the affairs thereof.

When the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition, and their Diſpoſitors be well dignified and placed, the buſineſs then began or done ſhall be firm and of continuance and fortunate. Alſo accompliſhment and good ſucceſs of the buſineſs is ſignified when the Diſpoſitor or Lord of the houſe of the Conjunction or Oppoſition before the beginning of the work or buſineſs, is oriental in the hour of the beginning of the thing, and be in his own houſe beholding thoſe places with a Sextile or Trine; but if he do not behold the aforeſaid places of the Conjunction or Oppoſition, he profiteth not.

^[711]You may alſo make your Elections for the beginning of any work from the Lord of the Triplicity of the Moon at the time of the Conjunction or Oppoſition; for they have power in the beginning of buſineſſes; for when they are received and fortunate at the time of the beginning of any work, it ſignifieth good; but that which doth the more confirm it, is, that the aſcendent of the Election be a ſign in which he or they be well dignified, or have dominion in the revolution of the year, and that the fortunes be in Angles, and chiefly in the aſcendent and mid-heaven, alſo in ſuccedent, and in the place of the thing, or buſineſs intended, or in agitation.

^[712]In the beginning of any work (alſo) when the Luminaries behold each other with a good aſpect, it ſignifieth ſucceſs in any buſineſs then began; the buſineſs [alſo know] in hand is foreſhewed by the Moon, her being in the day-time under the earth, and in the night above: and in an Election wherein a ſpeedy diſpatch of any buſineſs is required, fortifie not the Moon, but put Iupiter or Venus in the aſcendent or in the mid heaven; but have regard unto the Moon in things of long continuance, as Marriage, Building and the like; and when ſhe is impedited, put her in an Angle or ſuccedent, but let her not behold the aſcendent nor its Lord, nor the Lord of the houſe of the thing, or his Diſpoſitor, nor the Planet which hath ſignification of the thing either generally or particularly; but if you cannot obſerve exactly all theſe, look that you obſerve as many of them as you can.

^[713]Some Authors hold it more neceſſary to fortifie the Lord of the Aſcendent then the Moon, others to fortifie the Lord of the houſe ſignifying the buſineſs, and others the general ſignificators, &c. For my part, I hold it moſt neceſſary to fortifie the ſignificators of the buſineſs, the houſe and alſo if poſſible the Moon, rather then the Aſcendent or its Lord, except they be proper ſignificators.

^[714]When the Moon is ſlow in motion, viz. not exceeding 12. degrees in 24. hours ſhe ſignifieth ſlowneſs and tediouſneſs in the buſineſs in hand; but if your buſineſs require haſte, and the Moon apply to an infortune, make your infortune Lord of your Aſcendent, and if then he be free from misfortune it will be the better, but if infornate and afflicted and receive the Moon out of the aſcendent it is much better. But ſtill look that your chief ſignificators be free from misfortune and the Quartile and Oppoſition of the malevolents, as alſo of the Sun, and of combuſtion, and that they be not under the Sun beams; a Planet is under the Sun beams when he is not fully elongated from the body of the Sun 17. degrees; he is in combuſtion when he is within 8. degrees 30. min. of his body, &c. as you have already heard in the 43. chapter of the ſecond Book of this Volumn.

Have regard alſo unto your aſcendent, that there be no infortune therein, & that it be not infortunate in the Revolution of the years of the World for that year, which you have bin taught is the Radix of your Work: have alſo a ſpecial care that you bring not your Radix backward, viz. from the aſcendent to the ſecond, but rather forward, viz. to the twelfth: and ſee that the Lord of your aſcendent be not Occidental, eſpecially if the Moon be joyned with him.

^[715]Know alſo, that the Sun in the aſcendent is not good (as hath been ſaid) except he be in Leo or Aries; the Sun in the aſcendent with Saturn hindreth the buſineſs in Election, and cauſeth an end with much labour and difficulty: Saturn with the Moon in the aſcendent ſignifieth much ſadneſs, long and tedious diſeaſes, miſchief and death, evil from Kings and great men, loſs of ſubſtance and kindred, friends and companions.

Jupiter with the Sun in the aſcendent, ſignifieth ſadneſs, grief and little good, and change out of one place into another; with the Moon he ſignifieth many waters,^[716] and young children, concubines, marriage and honours.

Mars with the Sun in the aſcendent ſignifieth alſo much grief and dammage by enemies, ſmall friendſhip from friends, deſtruction and ſudden death by iron or fire;^[717] with the Moon, he denotes power and ſtrength for miſchief and deceit.

Venus with the Sun in the aſcendent ſignifieth much pain and travel,^[718] diſcords and accuſations by friends and alliance; alſo the appurtinances of women; with the Moon ſhe denotes health and ſafety of the body, gain alſo and profit by women, &c.

Mercury in the Aſcendent with the Sun alſo ſignifieth grief and ſadneſs;^[719] with the Moon he ſignifieth many imployments and occaſions, and that often with friends and alliance.

The Moon in the aſcendent with the Sun ſignifieth deſtruction,^[720] miſchief, grief and trouble, inſtability alſo, and griefs in the eyes, &c. but the knowledge of theſe is more for curioſity then practice or uſe in my opinion.

Alſo have a care in buſineſſes of continuance, of movable ſigns; in ſuch as require haſte, of fixed; and in ſuch as are indifferent, prefer common ſigns, as hath been ſaid, ſtill remembring that according to the buſineſs in hand and agitation a ſign muſt accordingly (viz. of its nature) be choſen; and thus much ſhall ſuffice for the firſt chapter being introductory; therefore let us now proceed.

CHAP. II. Of the ſigns, and their ſignifications in Elections, and of the hinderances of the Moon, being a farther instruction to the judging of Elections.

LIke as I have promiſed, I ſhall for the better inſtruction of the Students herein, be in this Chapter ſomewhat more large in delivering the ſignifications of the ſigns▪ and how they are to be choſen in electing any manner of work.

^[721]Know then, that movable ſigns, as are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, ſignifie and denote mutation and alteration of things, and that they ſhall be of ſhort continuance; wherefore in Planting, Sowing, Graffing, and in buying and ſelling, they are to be choſen; and if any one fall ſick in theſe ſigns, viz. when they are in the aſcendent, or bearing rule otherways, the ſick party ſhall either ſoon die or ſoon recover; and whoſo flieth or taketh a journey at ſuch a time, ſhall be ſoon taken or return; and the promiſe made or any other thing then began, ſhall ſoon come to an end, and be ſpeedily performed; news or reports are at this time uncertain, and moſt commonly falſe.

^[722]Then look that you begin not any work you would have continue at ſuch a time, but in ſuch affairs elect the fixed ſigns which are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquaries; for in all things theſe make a continuance and prolong time; wherefore in building it is good to elect theſe ſigns, alſo marriages, or any ſuch thing as you would have continue; if voyages or journies be taken in them, they cannot be good, except there be many teſtimonies of the Fortunes; and if any one be at ſuch time taken priſoner, his inlargement ſhall be protracted; and this I can teſtifie upon my own knowledge; and who ſo ſhall incur the anger and diſpleaſure of any one, ſhall never be more in that parties favour.

^[723]The common ſigns ſuch as are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittary, and Piſces, are to be preferred in ſuch buſineſſes as you would have of no long continuance, nor yet ſoon at an end; for they are neither movable nor fixed, but common between both; wherefore that houſe founded, or what ever it be that is then began, ſhall not long continue; wherefore in ſuch it is good to purifie gold and ſilver, or to put children to School or any other learning, and it advantageth in all ſuch buſineſſes as do admit of a medium or indifferency, &c.

^[724]But to elect any buſineſs beforementioned, or any other in the like nature, put the Moon in the aſcendent in a convenient ſign, viz. both agreeing to your buſineſs in nature and continuance, and make her apply to a fortune with reception in a ſign alſo of the ſame nature if poſſible; if it be in the day, ſee that your ſigns be diurnal or the day-houſes of the Planets; and ſo on the contrary, if it be in the night time; for ſo much the better will your buſineſs ſucceed.

To inſiſt longer hereon were but vain, wherefore let us proceed, &c.

In this manner of work, viz. Electing a good and fitting time for the acting or doing of any buſineſs you muſt have a ſpecial regard to the Moon,

Note.

and that ſhe be nowiſe impedited or afflicted; for as all the ancient Rabies in this Art do teſtifie, there are ten ways whereby the Moon may be impedited; wherefore ſince it is a thing ſo neceſſary, I ſhall here plainly inſert them.

^[725]Firſt then, the Moon may be impedited by being in combuſtion of the Sun, and even when ſhe is twelve degrees diſtant from his body, either before or after; or more plainly applying to or ſeparating from him; but you muſt note ſhe is not ſo much afflicted when ſhe is ſeparated, as when ſhe is applying.

In the next place the Moon may be impedited when ſhe is in the degree of her fall, viz. in the third degree of Scorpio.

^[726]Thirdly, ſhe may and is impedited when ſhe is in Oppoſition of the Sun.

Fourthly, when joyned with infortunes or in Quartile, or Oppoſition of them.

Fifthly, the Moon is impedited when ſhe is within twelve degrees of the head or tail of the Dragon, which is the term or place of an Eclipſe.

Sixthly, when ſhe is in the latter degrees of a ſign wherein there is an infortune.

Seventhly, when ſhe is cadent from angles or in via combuſta the burnt way, which is in the laſt 15. degrees of Libra, and the firſt 15. degrees of Scorpio; and this is the worſt Impedition the Moon can have, eſpecially in Marriages, and in all matters belonging to women, alſo in ſelling, buying, and in travelling or going a journey.

Eightly, the Moon is impedited when ſhe is in detriment, viz. in Capricorn or in Quartile, with her own houſe, or not beholding her houſe with Sextile or Trine.

Ninethly, when he is ſlow in motion, viz. when ſhe moves in four and twenty hours leſs then is her mean motion (underſtand the ſame in all the Planets) The mean motion of the Moon (according to the moſt learned in this art) is 13. deg. 10. min. 36. Sec.

Tenthly, and laſtly, the Moon is impedited when ſhe is void of courſe, which is when ſhe is in any ſign, and beholds not any Planet till ſhe enter another ſign, &c.

^[727]Let therefore (in all manner of Elections for good) the Moon be ſtrong and well dignified, and in good aſpect of the fortunes, and free from the Configurations of the Malevolents, and that ſhe be not in the Aſcendent; yet if ſhe be beheld by the Fortunes, and be in the Aſcendent, it is good to buy and ſell; and make the Moon and the Lord of the Aſcendent (in your affairs of electing) behold the Aſcendent; for when a Planet beholds not his own houſe, it is like a man that is not able to benefit his houſe nor remove the evil Impending; but when a Planet beholdeth his own houſe, it is like a man that is ſtrong in his habitation, that is able to protect and defend thoſe that are under his power and tuition, and to repell and keep off thoſe enemies that are without; and note further, that when the Lord of the Aſcendent is unfortunate,^[728] you muſt place him ſo as that he behold the Aſcendent with a Trine or Sextile; and if the Moon he impedited, let her by no means be in an Angle, but place the Fortunes therin, or the Moon, when ſhe is beheld of the Fortunes out of an Angle: Let not Part of Fortune be cadent in the beginning of any work or queſtion from the Aſpect of the Moon, or her Conjunction; it mattereth not for the Diſpoſitor of the Part of Fortune, neither mattereth it whether Part of Fortune be cadent from the aſcendent; but put the Lord of the aſcendent with Part of Fortune, becauſe it is moſt profitable for gain; but let not the Moon be placed in the ſecond, ſixth, eighth or twelfth from Part of Fortune becauſe it cauſeth ill ſucceſs.

^[729]And in all beginnings of works whatſoever, let the aſcendent and the Moon be in ſigns of right aſcenſions as are Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittary, becauſe it denoteth good ſucceſs and ſpeedy diſpatch in the buſineſs; but the ſigns of oblique aſcention, as are Capricorn, Aquaries, Piſces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini, cauſe a hindrance therein, and much tediouſneſs; wherefore let not the aſcendent or the Moon be in ſigns of oblique aſcentions: And if the Moon be impedited, and your buſineſs is in ſuch haſte as that you muſt elect your buſineſs at ſuch a time, let not her have any relation to the aſcendent either by body or aſpect, but let her be cadent from the aſcendent, and place a fortune in the aſcendent, or in good aſpect therewith, and fortifie the cuſp of the aſcendent, and its Lord and the Lord of the hour.

^[730]Thus have you as brief as can be the general way of judging of Elections: let us therefore now deſcend to particulars; wherefore the Method we ſhall take or follow herein, ſhall be to proceed according to the ſeveral demands belonging to every houſe of Heaven, ſince there is no one thing or buſineſs incident in the affairs and life of man but it is ſignified by one or other of them: wherefore we will begin with the buſineſſes appertaining to the firſt houſe; and then in order we ſhall proceed to the ſecond and third, and ſo to the reſt, &c. But firſt let me give you theſe two following Tables; the one of Elections according to the aſpects of the Moon to the other ſix Planets; and the other of the Manſions of the Moon and elections thereby; ſince they have been thought worthy of note by the moſt learned of the Ancients in this moſt noble and heavenly Science.

CHAP. III. Shewing Elections by the Aſpects of the Moon to the other ſix Planets, and by her Manſions.

LIkely ſome people have not the capacity to underſtand or judge of the Rules of Art, ſo as to elect a fitting time for their work or buſineſs in hand, or cannot perhaps admit of ſo much time as to make an Election; wherefore for brevitie ſake, ſince I have met with theſe following Tables in the books of the learned, not to leave theſe my labours lame, I thought good to inſert them, that I might not leave my Reader to ſeek in any thing of this nature that hath come to my hand; yet know that there is not much credit to be given unto them, ſince they are general Rules, and therefore cannot hold at all times, nor in every bodies affairs; for as hath been aboveſaid, Jupiter and Venus may accidentally be malevolents and infortunes to ſome men; and Saturn and Mars may prove Fortunes and Aſſiſtors; wherefore then in thoſe mens affairs that have Saturn or Mars their chief ſignificator, and ſtrong in their Nativities, the Quartile or Oppoſition of the Moon. I mean ſuch days as ſhe is thus aſpected, may prove rather advantagious then prejudicial; and to whom Jupiter or Venus are Rulers of the ſixth, eighth, or twelfth in their Nativities, a Sextile or a Trine or the Moon to them may not a whit advantage; however I thought good to give you them as they are here beneath repreſented to you by my Author.

A TABLE of Elections according to the Aſpects of the Moon to the other ſix Planets.

The Ʋſe of the TABLE.

You ſee here in the firſt column ♄ ♃ ♂ ☉ ♀ ☿; and in the five other columns ſeveral matters; over the firſt alſo yow ſee ☌, over the next ⚹, over the third □: and upon the fourth △, and over the head of the laſt ☍, which intimates no more then this, viz. That they are the Moons aſpects to the aforenamed Planets; As in the firſt column you have theſe words, An unfortunate day, take no Journey &c. in the ſame line and on the left hand yow have ♄ placed, and over the head of theſe words ☌, ſhewing that the ☽ in ☌ with ♄, is an unfortunate day to begin any buſineſs, or to go a journey, &c. In the next column, and over againſt ♄ you ſee theſe words, Converſe with old men and husbandmen, &c. and over the head thereof ⚹, intimating that the ☽ in ⚹ with ♄ is good for ſuch buſineſs; and ſo underſtand of the reſt of the columns and aſpects over againſt ♄; and know alſo that thoſe aſpects on the head ſerve for all the other Planets; and what you finde written over againſt any Planet, appertains to the ſignification of that Planet; as for example, in the third column and over againſt ♃, you ſee this written, Apply thy ſtudy to Philoſophy, and over the head thereor [•]; ſo that when the ☽ is in a □ of ♃, it is good to apply ones ſtudy that way; and ſo you may (following this rule) underſtand all the reſt.

A Table of the Manſions of the Moon.

The Ʋſe of the Table.

In the firſt Column, you have the number of the Manſions of the Moon, and on the head thereof this word Manſions: In the ſecond Column you have the Signs Characters, and over the head thereof Sig. intimating ſigns: you ſee firſt ♈, and ♉, ♉, ♉, over againſt ♈, on the left-hand Column you ſee the Figure 1. over againſt the firſt ♉, the figure 2. and the figure 3. againſt the ſecond ♉, 4. againſt the third ♉, all which ſpeaks no more then thus, that the firſt Manſion of the Moon is in Aries; the ſecond, third, and fourth in Taurus, &c. In the third Column over againſt the figure 1. and ♈, you finde 20.6. and over the head D. M. ſignifying degrees and minutes, which ſhews that the firſt Manſion of the Moon begins at the 20th. degree and 6th. minute of Aries, and ends at the ſecond degree, and 57th. minute of Taurus, at which beginneth the ſecond Manſion, and ſo underſtand of all the reſt; As for the Qualities of every Manſion in the next Column in the ſame line, with each Manſion, you have its quality or nature, over the head of which Column you have this word Qualities: As for example, over againſt ♈, you ſee Temperate, intimating the firſt Manſion to be ſo qualified; and over againſt the figure 2. being the ſecond Manſion, you have dry, and ſo obſerve of all the reſt; this being underſtood, you may alſo (over againſt each Manſion in the fifth and laſt Column) finde the ſeveral elections which are then to be enterpriſed; as over againſt the firſt Manſion, you have theſe words in the ſame Line, Take thy journey and Phyſick laxative: and over againſt the ſecond Manſion, Take thy journey by water, buy Cattel, plant, &c. And thus by the ſame way you finde the ſeveral Elections for every particular Manſion, as you ſee over the head of them written Elections. And thus much ſhall ſuffice for the Explanation of this Table, and the ſcope of this Chapter: let us therefore now proceed; yet if thou doſt but well underſtand and apprehend what hath been already ſaid, thou haſt ſufficient to lead thee through the whole Art of Elections without any more words.

SECTION. II. Containing Rules for Electing ſuch matters as appertain to the ſignification of the firſt Houſe of Heaven.

CHAP. I. Containing neceſſary Rules for putting Children to Nurſe, to School, or to a Trade, and of Weaning of Children.

IT hath been the curioſity of the Antients to deliver inſtructions for electing a time for putting out children to Nurſe; wherefore leaſt I ſhould detract from the Art, eſpecially writing for the edification of all ſuch ingenious ſpirits as ſhall apply their Study to Aſtrologie, I thought good to be ſo carefull, as not to let ſlip the leaſt matter (ſo neer as I can) that hath been delivered unto us by thoſe learned Rabbies, I mean, as are found in ſuch Authors as are with us extant.

^[731]Wherefore then in ſetting children to Nurſe, let the Moon when the Nurſe firſt begins to give the childe ſuck, be in Conjunction of Venus, but if that be not, let her be in a Sextile or Trine of her, with reception out of Taurus or Libra, and if Venus be deſcending in her excentrix or epecicle, it is the better; alſo fortifie the Moon and Venus in the radix and the aſcendent and other ſignificators; but if you cannot fortifie all theſe, ſtrengthen as many as you can, but be ſure you put them in Conjunction, or at leaſt in Sextile or Trine, as is ſaid before.

^[732]And to ſend Youths to School, let the Moon be in Conjunction of Mercury, or in Sextile or Trine, with reception out of Virgo or Gemini, fortifie alſo the aſcendent and its Lord, and the ninth houſe and its Lord, and the aſcendent and ninth in the radix and their Lords, or as many as you can; but be ſure you fortifie Mercury, the Moon and the Lord of the ninth in the radix, and your time wherein you make your Election.

^[733]And if you ſend any childe or youth to Apprentice, fortifie the Moon, and the Lord of the tenth, and ſign of the tenth, alſo the ſign of the tenth and Lord of the tenth in the radix of the Youths Nativity; and ſee what Planet the Trade he is to be bound to doth properly belong, and fortifie him both in your Radix and time; as if the trade, profeſſion or occupation be a Currier, Potter, Plummer, Brick-maker, Maltſter, Chandler, Gardner, or a Worker in Mines, &c. fortifie Saturn.

If thou makeſt the childe a Clothier, or Wollen-draper, or a Lawyer, Divine, or of any Eccleſiaſtical calling, fortifie Jupiter.

If a Phyſitian, Souldier, Apothecary, Alchimiſt, Chirurgion, Watch-maker, Cutler, Butcher, Smith, Baker, Barber, Dyer, Cook, Tanner or Carpenter, fortifie Mars.

If a Goldſmith, Minter of money, Copperſmith, Braſier or Pewterer, fortifie the Sun.

If a Silk-man, Muſitian, Mercer, Linnin-draper, Limner, Painter, Lapidar, Jeweller, Player, Embroiderer, Perfumer, Graver, Seamſter, Glover or Ʋpholſterer, &c. fortifie Venus.

If an Aſtrologer, Mathematician, Philoſopher, Merchant, Scrivener, Sculptor, Poet, Schoolmaſter, Printer, Stationer, Attorney, Clerk, Solicitor or Taylor, &c. fortifie Mercury.

If a Saylor, Fiſherman, Fiſhmonger, Vintner, Brewer, Huntſman, Miller, Maltſter, &c. fortifie the Moon, as you have been taught in the ſecond Book.

^[734] Bonatus, Haly, and others have been ſo curious in their Elections of all works, that they have given directions for weaning of children, which though of no great concernment, I thought fit notwithſtanding to deliver here their opinions; wherefore then in weaning of children, let the Moon be remote from the Sun, and in none of the houſes of Venus, thus Bonatus: and others ſay, if the Moon be in her 12th. Manſion, or in Libra, when you wean the childe, it will never more care for the breſt: Again, ſome of the Antients hold, that if the Moon be in any of the earthy ſigns, as are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, the childe will affect the eating of herbs or roots; if in Leo, to eat fleſh; if in Cancer, Scorpio or Piſces, fiſh; and if in any of the other ſigns, it will eat whatever you give it. Theſe are the opinions of ſome learned; but there is no doubt if the childe be ſeparated from the breſt of the Nurſe when the Moon is in Scorpio or Aries, remote from the Sun, and in Square or Oppoſition of Venus, it will do the feat; a little experience and tryal of theſe Rules will put the matter out of doubt; theſe are not things of much value or regard; but ſince it hath been the curioſity of the Ancients to write thereof, I have mentioned them (as I have ſaid) wherefore if thy curioſity be deſirous to make tryal of theſe Rules, thou mayſt follow which thou thinkeſt moſt agreeable to reaſon and truth, &c.

CHAP. II. Containing the Rules of Elections in the cutting of Hair.

ALways place the Moon in common ſigns, well dignifyed, but eſpecially in earthy ſigns; this is the opinion of ſome: and others again do contradict this, and ſay Virgo is not to be choſen; I conceive the reaſon was, becauſe it is a barren ſign: and therefore in cutting of hair,^[735] that you would not have to grow ſuddenly, place the Moon in either Virgo, Gemini or Leo, decreaſing in light and motion, and afflicted by Saturn. But if you deſire your hair to grow ſpeedily, let the aſcendent be one of the fruitful ſigns, as alſo Moon, ^[736] viz. in Cancer, Scorpio, or Piſces; but let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, and let her be in Sextile or Trine of the Lord of the aſcendent of the parties Nativity, but have ſpecial regard the Moon be free from the malevolent impedition of Saturn or Mars, for they will cauſe much ſcurff and dandriff at the roots of the hair. But if you deſire it ſhould be thick, let the Moon be in Oppoſition of the Sun, ^[737] and the aſcendent and the Moon free from the aſpects of the malevolents.

CHAP. III. Of cutting the Nails of the hands or feet, as alſo Corns.

^[738]MAke then the Moon in cutting of the Nails of the hands be in no cadent houſe, but in a ſuccedent, and if not in a ſuccedent, in an Angle increaſing in light and motion; The angles of a figure are, the firſt, fourth, ſeventh, and tenth; The ſuccedents are the ſecond, fifth, eighth and eleventh; the Cadents, are the third, ſixth, ninth, and the twelfth, as you have already in the preceding Treatiſe heard; and have a ſpecial care alſo that the Moon be not in Gemini, eſpecially if ſhe be beheld of Saturn or Mars, by a Square or Oppoſition; for if beheld of Saturn, it is to be feared they grow not again; and if they grow, they grow ilfavoured and thin; and if Mars behold her by any of theſe malevolent Aſpects and placed as aforeſaid, they will grow into the fleſh, which will cauſe much pain, and perhaps endanger the loſs of the joynt, if not the whole hand.

Haly ſaith, in cutting the nails, let not the Moon be in Gemini or Sagittary, nor beheld of their Lords, viz. Jupiter and Mercury; but put her in Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, or Libra, free from infortune or any impedition; and let her not be in Via combuſta (which is in the firſt 15. degrees of Scorpio, and the laſt 15. degrees of Libra, as you have already heard) but the firſt 15 degrees of Libra you may adventure on.

^[739]In cutting the nails of the feet put not the Moon in Gemini, or Piſces, or in Via combuſta, or in any other impediment or affliction.

^[740]And in cutting of corns obſerve the ſame rules; and that they might not ſoon grow again, let the Moon be in Gemini, Leo, or Virgo, decreaſing in light and motion, but not afflicted by the malevolents, for that may prove obnoxious and hurtfull; and if you can, let the Moon be in a cadent houſe of Heaven.

SECTION III. Of Rules for Electing matters appertaining to the ſecond Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of receiving and borrowing of Money.

^[741] IN things of this Nature, you muſt be very carefull to fortifie the Lord of the ſecond, the Lord of the ſign in which he is, the cuſp of the ſecond in your time of borrowing or receiving, and the cuſp of the ſecond in your Radix, the Lord of the ſecond, and the Lord alſo of the houſe in which he is, if you can; Jupiter alſo ought to be fortified, for that he is a general ſignificator of wealth, &c.

Let the Moon be alſo decreaſing in light, and in Leo, Scorpio, Sagittary, Aquaries or Piſces; and let Jupiter or Venus behold the aſcendent, or the Moon, and if you can both; yet look that the Moon be not impedited of any of the Infortunes, nor Mercury, eſpecially by Conjunction or Square; neither let the Fortunes be cadent; for the Moon by Mars afflicted cauſeth much ſollicitation, pains and labour, alſo much difficulty in the procuring, and perhaps anger; If by Saturn, it cauſeth much protraction and delays, and oftentimes after much pains and travel, cauſeth the buſineſs to come to no good, or fruſtrateth the borrowers expectation.

^[742]Take this for an approved Rule, that when the Moon is in the firſt degree of Gemini, Leo, or Sagittary, or they on the cuſp of the aſcendent, it is not ſafe either to borrow or lend, for that much inconveniency will come thereof.

^[743]And if you would borrow money privately that it might not be known or divulged, let the Moon (when you borrow it or receive it) be under the Sun beams, and going to Conjunction of the Fortunes when ſhe is ſeparate from the Sun, or ſome other good aſpect of the Fortunes no ways impedited; this cauſeth the buſineſs to be kept private and cloſe: But if the Moon be joyned, or apply by any aſpect to Mars when ſhe ſeparates from the Sun his beams, the buſineſs will be divulged abroad, and known by many, and thoſe too that you deſire ſhould be ignorant thereof; look alſo that the Moon be free from Via Combuſta, or the conjunction of Dragons Head, and and Dragons Tail.

CHAP. II. Containing other Rules concerning borrowing and lending of money.

UNleſs you know the true ſignificators, you can herein do nothing.

The Aſcendent and its Lord, are the ſignificators of the Borrower or Petitioner: the ſeventh and his Lord, are ſignificators of the Lender; Mercury and the Moon ſignifie the Thing to be lent. When therefore you finde the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Lord of the ſeventh in any good Aſpect of each other, or in reception, or the Lord of the ſeventh in any good Aſpect of each other, or in reception, or the Lord of the ſeventh in the aſcendent, or Mercury, or Mercury joyned to the Lord of the Aſcendent by body or aſpect, or in reception of each other, the buſineſs ſhall be accompliſhed:^[744] But if the Moon be under the Sun beams, the Sun ſhall ſignifie the thing demanded in ſtead of the Moon.

And Haly ſaith, If the Moon be in Via Combuſta, or in the aſcendent at noon, or in the firſt degrees of Gemini, Leo, or Sagittary, or if they be in the degree or cuſp of the aſcendent, it ſignifieth no good to the Lender; but to the Borrower; this is Halies opinion; you have but juſt now heard it is neither good for the Borrower or Lender at ſuch a time; you may follow which you pleaſe, and in your curioſity try them both, and follow which you finde moſt true; a little experience will ſoon clear the doubt: however it is no ways good to lend any thing in the hour of Saturn.

^[745]But if you deſire that the received money remain long with you, not deſiring any ways to imploy it; let the aſcendent at the time of the receit thereof be a fixed ſign, and the Lord of the aſcendent, the Moon and the Lord of the ſecond in fixed ſigns, free from misfortune or impediment, as alſo the angles of your figure.

But if (for ſome occaſions you have) you would ſpeedily disburſe, turn, and winde your money (which perhaps may be advantagious) let the aſcendent be a movable ſign, or a common: but a movable in ſuch a caſe is much better;^[746] let alſo the Lord of the aſcendent, the Moon, and the Lord of the ſecond in your Radix, and at the time (if you can) of the receit of the money be a movable ſign free from impediment, as alſo the Angles of your Figures; and remember that in all Elections you fortifie (if poſſible) your chief ſignificators; as alſo in your Radix, as well as at the time of the Election.

Furthermore if you deſire to keep what you get or receive, that it may be imployed by you to your beſt advantage, fortifie the aſcendent and its Lord at the time of the receit of the money; fortifie alſo Jupiter, and let not Mars behold the Moon, Aſcendent, Part of ſubſtance, or part of Fortune, or their houſes, or any of their Lords, eſpecially of the Moon or Aſcendent; how to take part of ſubſtance, or any other part you ſhall have hereafter, as I have leiſure.

CHAP. III. Of buying to profit again by the ſale thereof.

DOſt not thou know there are many men make a Trade of buying Commodities, and ſelling them again to their beſt advantage? yet there are many again confeſs they have often ſold their Wares at diſadvantage; the reaſon was, they bought them at hap-hazard, without reſpect to any peculiar or particular time (as our ignorant Phyſitians preſcribe Vomits, Purges and Phlebotomie, at any time,^[747] procuring thereby much miſchief to their Patients (as I have by ſeveral known) ſo that they had need again (the remedy being or proving (by the ignorance of the preſcriber) worſe then the diſeaſe) to take Phyſick to expel that Phyſick they have already taken; and this ſometimes cannot but indanger the Patients life; for that nature being far ſpent before, muſt needs by this raſh act of the unskilfull Phyſitian (who is rather (as Galen and Hippocrates ſay) to be termed a Fool, then to be honoured with that noble term of Phyſitian) in preſcribing their remedies at ſuch improper times that they work contrary effects (as Purges vomet,^[748] and Vomets purge) be more weakened and prejudiced; nay and it doth often fall out ſo, that nature together with the life is wholly extinguiſhed; wherefore anon in its due place more ſhall be ſaid hereon, and the true & real times for adminiſtring of phyſick be cordially delivered unto you; but to the buſines in hand) wherefore let them obſerve what followeth.

^[749]In buying therefore any thing to make advantage or gain of the ſail thereof, fortifie the Moon eſpecially, for that ſhe hath moſt power of any of the Planets in the ordinary courſe of the life of man; Fortifie alſo Mercury who hath alſo much influence in ſuch matters; alſo the Lord of the ſecond, and (if poſſible) the Lord of the Aſcendent: let the Moon alſo be joyned to Mercury by body or a benevolent aſpect, free from impediment, either accidental or eſſential, as alſo from the affliction of Mars as much as you can.

But if you cannot fortifie Mercury, fortifie the Moon, the eleventh houſe and the Lord thereof; but yet let Mercury be free from the body or Aſpect of Mars; and if you can by any means, let him be in Conjunction or good aſpect of Venus, or the Lord of the eleventh or both. Now be ſure you obſerve theſe rules well; for by how much the more you fortifie Mercury (next to the Moon being to be regarded) by ſo much the more may you be confident and aſſured of benefit and profit; for Mercury, the Moon, the ſecond and the eleventh are chief ſignificators herein, and they ſtill cauſe gain, if well dignified or diſpoſed; but then be ſure they be free from the body or aſpect good or bad of Mars.

CHAP. IV. Of ſelling to advantage.

^[750]EVen thus muſt you do if you would Elect a time to ſell thy commodity at any high rate. Let the Moon be in Taurus, Cancer, Virgo or Piſces, free from miſfortune and ſeparating from the Conjunction or aſpect of the fortunes and applying to the aſpect, not Conjunction, of the infortunes; for this is good for the Seller, but the clean contrary for the Buyer.

CHAP. V. Father concerning Buying and Selling in the ordinary courſe of the World.

^[751]THus in the daily and ordinary way of trade muſt you do, fortifie ⊗ and place it in one of the houſes of Iupiter, and let Iupiter or ſome other of the fortunes behold it with a good aſpect; for this will be advantagious to the Buyer, but not to the Seller; Alſo if the Moon be in ſigns of ſhort or oblique aſcentions, decreaſing in light, it is good for the Buyer.

But if ſhe be in ſigns of right or long aſcentions, increaſing in light, number or motion, and joyned with the fortunes, it ſhall be more advantagious for the Seller and it ſhall ſeldom be, but at ſuch a time the Buyer ſhall loſe by the bargain.

But note, that in all this, the Moon and Mercury be free from the body or aſpect of Mars, for that he ever hinders buying and ſelling, and cauſes diſcord and wrangling; alſo ſee they be free from the preſence of ☋, for he is little worſe then it.

^[752] Some of the Ancients have delivered theſe Rules for buying and ſelling; but others have taught that the Aſcendent and its Lord are for the Seller, the ſeventh and the Lord thereof for the Buyer, and the Moon for the thing to be bought and ſold; Althabarus [from whom I cannot deſcent herein] ſaith, that when the Buyer is the firſt propounder or mover of the buſineſs, or doth firſt ſpeak to the Seller concerning the thing he would buy, the Aſcendent and its Lord is for the Seller; the ſeventh and the Lord thereof for the Buyer: And if the Seller be the firſt mover of the buſineſs to the Buyer, the contrary is to be underſtood: The mid-heaven and its Lord is to ſignifie the price of the thing; the fourth and its Lord the thing to be ſold; and alſo the Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated is given to ſignifie the Seller; the Planet to whom ſhe next applies, the Buyer; and the ג the thing to be bought and ſold.

Some hold that the Moon in the Aſcendent, either in buying or ſelling is good, yet in a^[753] journey is very bad. But note that in ſelling it will not be amiſs for thee to place the Moon in her exaltation or triplicity ſeparated from the Fortunes, and beholding the Infortunes, but not joyned to them by body.

CHAP. VI. Of buying clothing, or putting on of Apparel.

HEar now what is obſervable in putting on or buying of Apparel; fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord, and the Moon and let the Aſcendent and the ſign wherein the Lord of the aſcendent is, be movable; and if poſſible, let the Moon be in Aries, except the ſeventh degree; or in Cancer, excepting the firſt ſix degrees; or in Libra, or the firſt eighteen degrees of Virgo, or in the firſt nineteen degrees of Sagittary, or the twenty firſt degrees of Piſces; and by all means avoid fixed ſigns, except the firſt twenty degrees of Taurus; for that there (it being the houſe of Venus and exaltation of the Moon) it ſignifyeth great joy and delight; but by all means let her not be in Leo or Scorpio, Leo eſpecially, &c. And if poſſible, let the Moon be in Sextile or Trine of the Sun, for it will be then ſo much the better; but if in thy Election thou canſt not obſerve all this, place the Moon out of Leo, Scorpio and Capricorn, and Via Combuſta, and look that ſhe be no wiſe impedited or beheld of the Malevolents.

Fortifie alſo the cuſp of the ſecond houſe and its Lord, eſpecially in buying of Habit, and let the Moon be increaſing in light; however if thou canſt not in every particular remember, or be able to follow every particular of this that hath been ſaid, in putting on of new garments, fortifie the Moon, and place the Sun in the tenth houſe, or place the Moon in the mid-heaven free from all misfortune; but of putting on of apparel, more anon in the Elections appertaining to the fifth houſe.

CHAP. VII. Of flitting, or removing from one place to another.

REmember this election (I mean its ſcope and nature) doth more properly belong to the third houſe, it being the houſe of journeys or ſhort removes; but the antient Arabians moſt skilfull and learned in this Art, have placed this election in this houſe, as moſt agreeing or belonging to it; but the reaſon thereof I ſuppoſe was, becauſe ſeldom any remove their habitation but for their own gain or profit in one kind or other; and for that the ſecond houſe hath ſignification thereof (as you may ſee in the ſecond Treatiſe) they have placed this election in this houſe; wherefore ſince it is and hath been ſo ordered by them, I ſhall (as becomes a good diſciple) follow as neer as I can (eſpecially in ſuch things as are indifferent) my Maſters directions and documents.

Wherefore then in electing a fit time for ſuch a matter, know that if the houſe be your own, the Aſcendent at that time muſt be a fixed ſign, and the Moon in a fixed ſign; but if it be a hired houſe, let the Aſcendent be a common ſign, and the Moon in a common ſign.

Fortifie the Aſcendent, the Moon, the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Lord of the place of the Moon, the ſecond houſe and its Lord, the fourth and its Lord, and Part of Fortune and its Lord, the Aſcendent and its Lord, and the Moon and its Diſpoſitor to receive or have good and civill entertainment; but to increaſe in ſubſtance and to augment what is gotten in a thriving way, fortifie the cuſp of the ſecond, its Lord, and Part of Fortune and its Lord; and alſo it will be the better if you can then alſo place Jupiter in the ſecond houſe, free from impediment or affliction; but however it advantageth much if Jupiter be ſo placed.

And for a good ſucceſs and end (as in all other undertakings) fortifie the ſign and cuſp of the fourth and its Lord; and if poſsible let Taurus or Leo be on the cuſp of the fourth; for that denoteth the goodneſs of the place, and that the houſe or place ſhall be clean and ſweet, free from venemous and obnoxious beaſts and vermin: but Scorpio on the cuſp of the fourth, cauſeth multiplicity and increaſe of ſuch animals, and ſo much the more if it be any wiſe beheld of Saturn; alſo be carefull that the aforenamed places and ſignificators be free from the Aſpects of the Malevolents, and, if poſsible not only ſo, but in configuration of the Fortunes.

However ſee that you fortifie your chiefeſt ſignificators, and your buſineſs order according to the intentions of the party removing or flitting his habitation, and thou ſhalt not erre.

CHAP. VIII. Containing Rules for Electing any Work in the Art of Diſtillation, or Alchymie.

A Man ſhall, if he have regard to the writings of the Antients, find, that there hath ever been in former Ages ſome, and indeed moſt of the more learned ſort of men, who have applied their ſtudy to this heavenly myſterie: and truly it cannot be by me believed, that ever there was an Age ſince the World had its firſt original that was ſo ſtupid and void of underſtanding, as not to have ſome ſons of the Hermetick Art produced therein; and as by the more learned and refined ſpirits of all Ages it hath been ever in great eſteem and practiſe; ſo is it ſtill in this we live, and by very many both ſtudied and cheriſhed, it being notwithſtanding by the muckworms and ſottiſh Aſinego's of the World ſlighted and contemned, and no more valued then a Diamond is with Hogs, both ſlighting that unſpeakable and never to be enough valued and eſteemed knowledge, and the Students or Searchers thereof, inſomuch that they account nothing more ridiculous, then that which they vulgarly call THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE, thus giving way to folly to condemn and not eſteem that great bleſsing they are in no wiſe thought worthy of; nay not ſo much as worthy the honour to be accounted in the number of thoſe that believe there is ſuch a thing in Nature: but it mattereth not what ſuch ſtupid Dolts conceive out of their ſhallow and conceited brains, that can admit of nothing but ignorance; wherefore let it be ſtill unto them a STONE and rock of offence; both it, and all thoſe heavenly ſouls, the Lovers thereof, ſhall by me be ever in great eſteem, and be more dear unto me then any worldly felicity: but I fear I tranſgreſs, let us therefore to our matter in hand.

Since then, I ſay, there are many in this our Age who apply themſelves to the ſtudy of this moſt heavenly revelation, and they ſubject to miſs of their intentions,^[754] and be (as many have) fruſtrated of their expectation, let them obſerve what followeth; and though ſome have erred through ignorance and want of a through underſtanding of what they have ſought, and others for want of proportionating the matter; and again others for want of governing it in working according to Art; ſome through one defect, and ſome through another, yet moſt muſt needs fail of their deſires, for want of a through intellect and right uſe of Electing a poſition of the Heavens fit for the ſame; for as the Elements and all thereof compoſed are [without diſpute] regulated and diſpoſed by the influence and vertue of the Coeleſtial Planets and Stars; it muſt neceſſarily follow then, that all Metals and Minerals whatſoever, have their dependency and efficacy from the ſuperiour configurations of thoſe bodies: wherefore it cannot but be very efficacious in all ſuch works as tend to Alchymie (as well as the temporal affairs otherways of men) and the great Hermetick Work.

Wherefore when thou beginneſt any work of this nature, place the Moon in a common ſign, free from all manner of impediment and misfortune; alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent; and let the ſign aſcending be a common ſign; fortifie alſo that Planet which ruleth the matter you work upon; as, if it be Lead, fortifie Saturn; if Tin, Jupiter; if Iron, Mars; if Gold, the Sun; if Braſs or Copper, Venus; if Quickſilver, Mercury; if Silver, the Moon, &c. ſtill remember to diſpoſe of them (viz. your ſignificators) according to this rule, and that in the beginning of your Work, &c.

SECTION IV. Comprehending Rules, in Electing ſuch matters as appertain to the ſignification of the third Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of ſhort Iourneys, and their Elections.

MAny men are not acquainted with this Language; wherefore I ſhall more plainly declare, that by ſhort journeys we are to underſtand ſuch as can be finiſhed within a day or two, or leſs; wherefore then in ſuch an Election, fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord, the Moon and its diſpoſitor, Part of Fortune alſo, and its diſpoſitor, and the Planet to whom the Moon is joyned or in configuration with; the ſign of the third houſe and its Lord, the Lord of the hour, and the Lord of the thing, or the Planet ſignifying the thing or buſineſs for which the Party takes his journey (if it be related unto you) as alſo its diſpoſitor.

But if all theſe thou canſt not poſſibly obſerve, neither (your occaſions being ſuch) can you defer them till ſuch a time; then I ſay fortifie the Moon and the Lord of the hour; and if you cannot fortifie the Moon, yet be ſure your Lord of the hour be no ways impedited or weak, and make the Moon fall from the Aſcendent, and if poſſible from the Lord thereof; But more of this in the ninth houſe when wee come to treat of Elections concerning long journeys.

CHAP. II. Of making of Friendſhip between Brethren, or any two at variance.

^[755]EVer have an eſpecial care in this manner of judgement in Electing a fit time to make frendſhip between brethren at variance whether the brother or kinſman be your better, equal or inferiour; for if he be your major or better, you muſt obſerve this general Rule to have regard unto Saturn; if he be your equal, to Mars; if thy inferiour, to Mercury: but firſt fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord, the Moon and its diſpoſitor, the Lord of the third, and the ſign and cuſp of the third it ſelf, by fitting it to your buſineſs, and let the Lord of the third be in Conjunction, Sextile, or Trine of the Lord of the Aſcendent with reception out of houſes, if poſſible, or out of exaltation or triplicity and term; for look how ſtrong and better your reception is, ſo much the ſooner will the parties at variance agree, and continue the longer in friendſhip: and if poſſible, let the Lord of the Aſcendent behold the ſign or cuſp of the third with a Sextile or Trine, and the Lord of the third, the Aſcendents cuſp, &c. Or let the Lord of the firſt be in the tenth or eleventh, and the Moon beholding lovingly both ſignificators or either or them.

But note, if the reconciliation be with women, as before you had reſpect unto Saturn, you muſt regard Venus,

Note.

&c. And as theſe Rules ſerve for reconciling of brethren and kindred, or ſuch perſons as are ſignified by the third houſe; ſo will they very well ſerve for the agreement of any perſon with the father, by ordering and placing the Lord of the fourth, as you heard of the Lord of the third, Mutatis mutandis; ſo likewiſe a ſervant, by fitly diſpoſing the Lord of the ſixth; and a childe, by ſo ordering the Lord of the fifth: a wife, by the Lord of the ſeventh; or an open or known enemy; and ſo underſtand of any perſon whatſoever, ſtill remembring to know exactly and truly your ſignificators, and then you cannot fail following your Rules.

CHAP. III. Of applying the minde or ſtudy to Divine matters or contemplations.

^[756] SUch hath been the induſtry of former Writers, that they have plainly delivered unto us the ſignification of every houſe as you have heard in the firſt Book, where you know the Ancients have aſſigned the ninth houſe to ſignifie the Religion and Divine inclination of any one whatſoever, and ſome have been ſo curious, that they have aſsigned it to ſignifie and denote the higheſt pitch of ſuch inclinations, and the men ſtudying thereof; as Popes, Cardinals, Arch-biſhops, Abbots, Deans, Prebends, Religious Hermites,^[757] &c. but the third to have ſignification of ordinary Prieſts, or thoſe that have not attained to that heighth of dignity, &c. alſo any man of what calling ſoever that is religiouſly inclined.

Wherefore if thou wouldeſt know a fit time whereby thy inclination may be furthered in thy devotion, and thou the better able to continue therein; fortifie the aſcendent and its Lord, the Moon and its diſpoſitor, the Lord of the third, and third it ſelf, and Jupiter who is a general ſignificator of Religion and good inclinations, alſo the Sun, and if poſsible, let the Luminaries be in the houſes of Jupiter, and either Sagittary or Piſces aſcending, &c.

And if thou wouldſt be an exquiſite and cunning ſearcher in Divine matters; fortifie Mercury,

Note.

and make the aforeſaid ſignificators behold each other with a good Aſpect, and each others houſes or the Planets in whoſe houſes they are located and this will alſo ſerve in any other buſineſs whatſoever mutatis mutandis; but if thou canſt not obſerve all this, follow as much thereof as you can poſsibly, the more the better.

SECTION V. Containing Rules of Elections, appertaining to the fourth Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of building Houſes.

ENdeavour therefore at the beginning of thy work to fortifie the Lord of the Aſcendent and cuſp of the Aſcendent it ſelf, the Moon and its diſpoſitor, and the Planet to which ſhe is joyned by body or Aſpect; alſo the fourth houſe and its Lord, the ſecond and its Lord, and the tenth and its Lord, and ſo much the rather if you intend the houſe to be high; and in ſuch a caſe be ſure your ſignificators be not under the earth, for that cauſeth ſlow progreſs in the fabrick, and that it ſhall never be brought to that heighth and ſhape it was firſt intended to be of; yet if the Moon be in the fifth or third, benevolently aſpecting any ſignificator, or a fortune above the earth, it hindreth not much: place alſo Part of Fortune in an angle, and fortifie it and its Diſpoſitor, and place Dragons Tail in the twelfth; fortifie alſo Mercury and its Lord, and let not Mars behold theſe ſignificators which have been named, neither let him have any power when thou beginneſt thy work; but if it fall out ſo that thou canſt not help it, but that he will have ſome power in thy figure, place Venus fortunate in the place of Mars, or more plainly, let Venus have great power and dignity in the degree and ſign wherein Mars is located, and let her be in a Sextile or Trine of him: Let Saturn alſo be in no configuration of Venus, as near as you can, and make the Moon increaſing in light and motion and joyned to Jupiter; for this cauſeth the fabrick to be beautifull and fair, and have a ſpecial care the Moon be not with Saturn or Dragons tail,

Note.

or Saturn in the Aſcendent or fourth, for this will impedite the work and cauſe delays therein, and perhaps hinder the finiſhing thereof; and if it be finiſhed, yet perhaps it will ſtand long empty; and if inhabited, yet will the inhabitants finde no good therein, but much vexation, troubles, fears, infirmities and many tribulations, and the fabrick ſhall ſoon be ſubject to decay and fall down; and if the Affliction be by Mars, and the Aſcendent be a ſign of ſhort aſcentions, it cauſeth fires therein; wherefore let (in ſuch a poſiture) the Moon be increaſing in light and motion,^[758] and the Lord of the houſe of the Moon in aſpect therewith, and the Lord of the Aſcendent beholding the Aſcendent, and theſe free from all impeditions; for if they behold not their own houſe, the Landlord of the Fabrick ſhall not live therein.

Let Dragons tail be by no means in the Aſcendent, ſecond or fourth, but eſpecially in the ſecond; for it cauſeth profuſeneſs, but you may ſafely place Dragons head in any of thoſe places, &c.

But if all theſe thou canſt not poſsibly at thy time place, according as thou haſt heard; yet fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord, the Moon alſo, the ſecond and fourth, and their Lords, or at leaſt the ſecond, and let the Moon be in good configuration, or Conjunction with Jupiter, and if poſſible let Jupiter be in the ſecond; fortifie alſo the Planet that hath exaltation in that ſign wherein the Moon is, if you can; however fortifie and many as may be, if not all, and eſpecially your chiefeſt ſignificators.

CHAP. II. Of Building of Castles and Cities.

YOu have heard already the time of electing the building of houſes; it reſteth now we know at what time it will be moſt advantagious to build Caſtles and Cities; know then that in ſuch a work you muſt fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord; alſo the Moon and the Lord of the ſign ſhe is in, and Part of Fortune and its Lord, and place in the Aſcendent at time of your firſt beginning to build ſome fixed Stars of the nature of Jupiter, Sol, Venus, Mercury, or Saturn if he be well placed; for that ſignifies the durability and continuance of the Caſtle or City; or ſuch ſtars as are of the nature of the Moon or Lord of the Aſcendent. And note here, that although in building of houſes we refuſe the aſſiſtance of Saturn,

Note.

yet in Caſtles and Cities he is not to be rejected; for Haly ſaith, In aedificatione Civitatum, fac Saturnum habere firmam portionem in medio Coeli, & in aſcendente in principio fundamenti Civitatis. In building of Cities, let Saturn have firm power or authority in the mid-heaven, and in the Aſcendent at the time of the foundation of the City, or when the foundation is laid; let the Aſcendent alſo, if you can, be one of the houſes of Jupiter; but if you cannot, however let it be free from the Configurations of Mars; let Mars alſo be in no aſpect or bodily preſence of, or with the Moon, or the Aſcendent or the Lord of the term of the Aſcendent, or Lord of the hour at the laying of the foundation or the firſt ſtone towards it; let alſo the Lord of the degree of the Aſcendent be fortunate, direct and ſwift in motion, and the Lord of the Aſcendent in his exaltation or joy no ways afflicted or retrograde; and the Sun in a ſign of right Aſcentions, alſo Part of Fortune and its Lord in fortunate houſes and lovingly beheld by the Moon; for by the ſtrength of Part of Fortune, ^[759] and its Diſpoſitor and the aſpect of the Moon thereunto, is the fertility, the goods and riches of the Inhabitants, the profit and what ever elſe there is of good in the City known and judged.

Let not Mars by any means behold Part of Fortune, for it cauſeth ſcarcity and poverty; and fortifie Saturn as much as you can; for when he hath power in the mid-heaven or Aſcendent as hath been ſaid, and in good aſpect of Jupiter, it denoteth the City ſhall continue for a long time, and that there ſhall be an innumerable multitude of Inhabitants therein, who ſhall live in peace and concord with each other, and that it ſhall not be depopulated.

But the fertility of the City is chiefly known from the poſition of Iupiter, and the Sun and the Moon, &c. but remember,

Note.

that you debilitate Mars in all foundations of Cities; let him not by any means have any configuration with the Lord of the place of the foundation, or indeed with any ſignificator; for if he have ought to do in the figure at the time you begin your work, it ſignifieth much miſchief and impediment to the Inhabitants, and that they ſhall be invironed and ſurrounded with miſchiefs. Place therefore Mars in a cadent houſe, very weak and impedited; otherwiſe he will be cauſe of much miſchief, diſcord and extortion amongſt the Citizens; but they ſhall on the contrary aſſuredly be free from theſe evils, if Iupiter be fortunately placed and elevated above Mars; alſo the Luminaries and Part of Fortune, but eſpecially the Moon, above all your ſignificators, ought to be well placed;

Note.

for by how much the ſtronger ſhe is and freer from impediment, will the fortune and good ſucceſs of the City and Inhabitants thereof be, &c.

Further know that in laying the foundation of Cities, it will be moſt advantagious if the Moon be free from misfortunes, and neither in Conjunction, Oppoſition, or combuſtion of the Sun, or in via Combuſta, void of courſe, or in meridional Latitude deſcending; in the latter degrees of a ſign, or in the beginning of a ſign, in her fall, or the Lord of the houſe in which ſhe is not beholding it, or in the ſixth or twelfth houſes, or with Dragons head or Dragons tail: but let her be increaſing in light and motion, and have Septentrional latitude aſcending, in her exaltation, or exaltation of Iupiter, and Iupiter or Venus direct and in an angle with her, but chiefly in the aſcendent, or mid-heaven.

It advantageth greatly alſo, if the Aſcendent and the Moon be in earthy ſigns, and chiefly Taurus and Virgo; alſo in Capricorn when ſhe is placed with Iupiter in the Aſcendent, and the light of the time in the mid-heaven; for this ſignifies the City ſhall continue a long time, and the Inhabitants thereof ſhall profit therein and have a good end; alſo if the Aſcendent be a common ſign, it ſignifieth there ſhall be many Inhabitants and multiplicity of ſtrangers and ſeveral ſorts of people, eſpecially if many Planets behold the Aſcendent and the Moon.

Know alſo that in building or laying the foundation of Cities, if Saturn be joyned with Dragons tail, there ſhall be much miſchief and trouble to old men and ſervants in that City. If Iupiter be joyned with Dragons tail, much miſchief will be incident to the Nobles of the City or the Aldermen, &c. If Mars, there will be evil by fire, diſcord and debate, and perhaps the Magazine will be blown up often, or be in danger thereof, or the Militia will be damnified. If the Sun, evil is threatned to the chief Ruler of the City or Mayor. If Venus, it will fall on the Women of the City. If Mercury be joyned with Dragons tail, there ſhall be much deceit and many lyes, and cozening deceitfull tricks uſed. If the Moon, the common ſort of people ſhall be afflicted. So on the contrary judge the good ſucceſs, of thoſe ſignified by thoſe Planets free from impediment, and in a fortified condition, at the time you laid the firſt ſtone of your foundation; if the Planets are all ſtrong, judge fortune and good ſucceſs in general, &c.

^[760]Moreover know, that the Aſcendent of a City hath ſignification of the life of the Inhabitants: the ſecond houſe of its riches, ſtrength and power: the third, of the Laws thereof; the fourth, of the end of the Inhabitants cauſes, as alſo the end of the City, and the ſecret places therein, as hidden treaſures and the like; the fifth, of the children of the Inhabitants: the ſixth, of the ſervants and infirmities and maladies incident to the inhabitants; the ſeventh, of the Marriages of the Citizens; the eighth, of their great houſes; the ninth, of their manners, cuſtoms and Voyages: the tenth, their habitations, Maſterie and occupations, alſo their honour, power and dignity; the eleventh, their friends and aſſiſtants; the twelfth, their great Cattel, Plots, and ſecret Enemies, alſo impriſonments and poverty.

So that from hence you may judge methodically, and particularly of every particular quality of any City; for in what houſes you finde the Malevolents, and ſuch houſes as you ſee are afflicted and impedited, you may judge the ill ſucceſs and miſfortune (according to the ſtrength of your afflicting Planets) to thoſe things ſignified by the houſe afflicted and impedited, &c. So likewiſe of the good ſtate and condition of thoſe things ſignified by thoſe houſes you finde aſſiſted by the Benevolents and well fortified.

When Saturn is in any of the angels alone, and not aſſiſted by the Fortunes, it ſignifies delays and ſlowneſs in thoſe things ſignified by the angle he is in, and in the actions and undertakings of the Citizens in general; if Mars be there he denotes many miſchiefs, dammages, robberies, and corrupt or over hot ayr.

But if at the beginning of the building, or laying of a Cities foundation, ♄ and ♃ behold each other with a good aſpect, and be in angles and other good places of Heaven, ſtrong and well dignified, it denoteth the City ſhall be of long continuance, and increaſe in glory and plenty a long time.

Obſerve warily what I have already ſaid, and it will be needleſs for me longer to inſiſt on this point. Let us therefore proceed.

CHAP. III. Of Building of Churches.

WE ſhall find this Election (ſince in this our age we build more Serralias then Churches) to be in a manner needleſs, yet ſince by the moſt Learned and well-minded Antients it hath been mentioned, I ſhall for the benefit of Poſterity, which I hope will exceed us in Religion and goodneſs, deliver the Rules of Aſtrologie in ſuch an operation, &c.

At the time then the firſt ſtone of the Foundation is laid let the Aſcendent be fortunate, as alſo its Lord, the Moon and its Lord, the Part of Fortune and its Lord, the ninth houſe and its Lord, the Planets in any of theſe Places, alſo the Planet in configuration with the Moon, and let Jupiter be in the Aſcendent, and if poſſible in Sagittary or Piſces, or if you cannot do ſo, let him be in Sextile or Trine of the Aſcendent, eſpecially in Trine, and out of his own houſes, and good places of Heaven: but let the Lord of the Exaltation of the Aſcendent be well placed, the tenth and its Lord, the ninth and its Lord, the Moon and its Diſpoſitor; and Jupiter, if you cannot obſerve all the reſt, &c.

CHAP. IV. Of Building or Erecting of Mills.

IN building of Mills be ſure you place the Moon in Aries in the Aſcendent or Libra, or the latter part of Virgo, and by no means let her be in Cancer or Capricorn, but in the aforeſaid ſigns, as alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent, or in Sextile and Trine thereunto; free from the Malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes: Obſerve alſo this time in beginning any work belonging to Mills, &c.

CHAP. V. Of pulling down or deſtroying of Houſes, or any Fabrick whatſoever.

LIke as the wiſeſt of Mortals very well once ſaid, There is a time to build, and a time to pull down what hath been built (there being a time for all things under the Sun) having given you the time of building, it reſteth you know alſo the time of pulling down what hath been built; for there is nothing ſublunary permanent, or that is not ſubject both to change and deſtruction, &c.

Haly ſaith, when you would pull down or ſpoil any building, place the ſignificators contrary to what you have in building.

Put the Moon in a fiery ſign, and its Lord; let the Aſcendent alſo be a fiery ſign, and the Lord thereof in a fiery ſign or an aëry: but Athabarus a learned Author ſaith, let the Aſcendent be a ſign of right Aſcentions, and the Lord thereof Occidental, ſlow in motion, going alſo to a ſign in which he is afflicted in Fall or Detriment, let him alſo be Retrograde, and falling from an angle; and let alſo the Moon be decreaſing in light and motion, cadent from angles, and joyned to Planets very weak and unfortunate, and if poſſible, let her be in Scorpio, or Capricorn, and under the earth, or in configuration with a Planet under the Earth, Meridional deſcending, and joyned to retrograde Planets, and let her be in the laſt Square with the Sun: Let the Lord of the fourth, and ſign thereof be weak and afflicted; as alſo all the other ſignificators, and the Planets to whom they are joyned or in Aſpect with; but chiefly in this work debilitate Mars, if you cannot all what you have heard; for as he is againſt building, ſo is he alſo againſt pulling down what is built.

But if it be ſo that you care not much whether the deſtroyed place or houſe be rebuilt or no, let the Moon be ſeparated from the Malevolents, and joyned to the Fortunes or in reception of them, and this will cauſe the Fabrick ſo deſtroyed to be the eaſier rebuilt, if ever taken in hand.

CHAP. VI. Containing rules of Elections in buying of Land, Houſes or Heritages.

^[761]LOok in every Election or Work, you have a ſpecial care you exactly know which are your true ſignificators; wherefore in this matter the Aſcendent, its Lord, and Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated, are the true ſignificators of the Buyer.

^[762]The Lord of the ſeventh houſe, and the ſeventh houſe it ſelf, and the Planet the Moon applies to, of the Seller; Alſo the Seeds and Plants ſown or growing on the ground.

The fourth houſe, its Lord, and Planets therein placed, and the Moon are ſignificators of the houſe land or heritage to be bought and ſold.

^[763]The tenth, the Lord thereof, and Planets therein located, ſignifie the price, viz. whether it will be cheap or dear; it ſignifyeth alſo the wood or timber on the ground.

Having thus rightly underſtood the ground of your Work, you will be the better able to go through with the ſame; wherefore then in buying or purchaſing houſes, land and heritages, fortifie chiefly the fourth Houſe and Lord thereof; alſo the Moon and its Diſpoſitor and Part of Fortune, and its Lord and thoſe Planets therein placed, let them be no wiſe impedited, or Retrograde in Fall or Detriment, or in any Aſpect of the Malevolents, eſpecially of Mars, for theſe cauſe the houſe or land ſo purchaſed to be ſoon loſt, and of no continuance with your Poſterity.

^[764]But in making your Bargain, or that your Bargain may be good and to your advantage, alſo that you may aſſuredly have the Land or thing to be purchaſed, if you pleaſe; fortifie the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated, alſo the Moon her ſelf, and her Diſpoſitor; the fourth, its Lord and Planets therein, and Part of Fortune and its Diſpoſitor, alſo place the Moon in Cancer or Taurus, if poſſible, and let her behold the Lord of the Aſcendent or ſign aſcending with a Sextile or Trine, and be in good houſes of Heaven, and the Lord of the ſeventh applying to the Lord of the Aſcendent, or diſpoſed of by the Lord of the Aſcendent or in reception therewith; let the fourth houſe alſo be in Taurus, Leo, or Aquaries, and the Lord of the Angles Oriental and free from combuſtion.

Let alſo the Fortunes (in purchaſing Lands or Heritages) have chief power in the Angles, if not in all the Angles, yet in the firſt and fourth; and in the other two, place the Luminaries beholding the Aſcendent and fourth or one of them, eſpecially the Aſcendent, with a Sextile or Trine; and ſee that the Lords of the Angles be not Retrograde, nor a Retrograde Planet placed in any of them; nor in the eleventh, or ninth, nor the Lord of the fourth of a fiery nature, nor any of that nature therein placed, eſpecially if they are not beheld by the Benevolent Aſpects of the Fortunes.

And note that if the Lord of the fourth be of a watry nature, or of a cold and moiſt temper; let not Saturn behold him or it, and let not the Lord of the tenth be unfortunate.

^[765]Fortunes or Planets eſſentially dignified in the fourth, or the Lord of the fourth, and the ſign of the fourth fortunate, denote the goodneſs and pleaſantneſs of the Land, Houſe or Heritage; alſo that it is a fertile and good ſoil, and the ſeeds already ſown or to be ſown therein ſhall be fruitfull, &c.

^[766]Such in the ſeventh, and the ſign and the Lord thereof ſo diſpoſed; ſhew the Herbs, Sets and Plants, and the culture thereon are pleaſant, good and fruitfull.

^[767]In the tenth, the Trees are tall, ſound, fruitfull, and good, that there is much timber, or what is there, is excellent good and commodious.

Know alſo that the Infortunes or weak Planets in theſe places cauſe miſchief and impediment, according to the nature of the Planets and the places in which they are; therefore look that theſe Angles be free from them, and eſpecially the ſeventh houſe; for the Malevolents there, cauſe miſchief, malice and deceit of the Huſband-men or Tenents of the ground or houſes; Saturn therein placed, ſhews their cozening and lying; Mars denotes them lyars, unconſtant and thieves.

CHAP. VII. Of Buying of Land, or ground for Husbandry, and not to build on.

IN buying of Land then not to build on, but for to manure and husband for thy profit and advantage, fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord, the Moon and its diſpoſitor, Part of Fortune alſo and its Lord, alſo Saturn, and if it be poſſible, put him in Libra, or if the Land be to be bought in the day time, place him in Capricorn or Aquaries; but if in the night, put him in Aries, Leo or Sagittary, or Libra; let him alſo be in a Trine of Jupiter, or in a Sextile with him, or the fourth houſe; but by all means ſee that Mars behold them not by any Aſpect, and let the Moon be in the increaſe of her light, viz. in the firſt Square or Quarter, beholding Saturn with a Sextile or Trine, or that Planet that beholds him.

^[768]And if the Moon behold Jupiter, it ſignifieth that the land ſhall have labourers enough, that there ſhall be many fruitfull Trees and Plants, and that the land ſhall be very fertile; the ſame underſtand if he be in configuration with Saturn, &c.

But if Saturn cannot be made to be beheld of Jupiter, yet let Venus behold him, and fortifie the watry ſigns, for the Fortunes ſhall be ſtronger in them then in the aëry; let the Moon be in the tenth in Taurus, beholding the lord of the Aſcendent with a benevolent Aſpect, and let the Moon and the ſign aſcending be free from all manner of misfortune.

CHAP. VIII. Of bringing of Water to a houſe, either by Conduit, Pipe or Pump; and of digging of Wells.

AS in the foregoing Elections, ſo in this it is neceſſary you fortifie the Aſcendent, and let it be one of the watry ſigns as alſo its Lord, and let him be oriental and free from all manner of Impediment, and in an Angle in his own dignities eſſential; Let Saturn alſo be oriental and free from misfortune, and in the eleventh houſe, but look that the Moon be not in Conjunction with them.

Fortify alſo Iupiter, and let there be no Infortune or malevolent planet in the tenth houſe, for that it will cauſe rather diſcenſion then aſcenſion of the water.

Let the Moon alſo and its diſpoſitor be well dignified, and in the third or fifth houſes of Heaven in an Earthy ſign; but if ſhe will needs be above the earth, place her in the ninth, tenth, or eleventh; Alkindus adviſeth to place the Moon, Aſcendent, or any other Angle free from all manner of misfortune or impedition; and let her be in her firſt Quarter, or from her Conjunction to the firſt Square of the Sun increaſing in light and motion: But know, that if the Moon be in any houſe under the earth, you muſt fortifie her well, and place her in configuration of a benovolent Planet in the tenth, if poſsible; or however of one above the earth: and if ſhe be above the earth, let her by no means behold any Planet below the earth, except with reception by houſe or exaltation and in eſſential dignities.

It is neceſſary alſo you have regard to Part of Fortune and the Lord of the Conjunction of the Luminaries praeventional or before your Election, and fortifie them both, eſſentially.

But if you cannot obſerve all this, yet as much as you can; but chiefly fortifie the Moon, the Lord of the Aſcendent and Mid-heaven, and the cuſps thereof, eſpecially the cuſp of the tenth.

CHAP. IX. Of Tillage, or Manuring of the Ground.

MArk the firſt hour thou beginneſt to Till, or Manure the ground; and fortifie the Aſcendent, the Lord thereof, and the Moon, and the Planet who is the Diſpoſitor of the Moon, ſo that they be received of the Fortunes, or ſuch Planets as are free from misfortune and well dignified, and that out of Angles, or ſuccedent houſes at leaſt.

But if all this cannot exactly be followed, yet let the Moon be fortunately received, and that out of an angle by a Fortune; and if poſsible, place thoſe Planets you can moſt fortifie, in the ſecond houſe; alſo fortifie Part of Fortune, and the Lord of the praeventional Conjunction of the Luminaries, and place him an angle, &c.

CHAP. X. Of Renting or Hiring, and Letting of Houſes, Land or Fruit, or any other thing to be Let or Hired.

IN this, the Aſcendent and its Lord are Significators of the Hirer or Farmer; the ſeventh and its Lord of the Letter or owner of the Houſe, Land, or thing to be hired or Let; the mid-heaven, of the price; the fourth houſe, of the end of the buſineſs.

Fortifie therefore the aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon and her diſpoſitor, for the aſcendent or its Lord being ſo conſtituted, denotes the hirer or farmer to be juſt, good and honeſt, and willingly and readily performing what he hath promiſed to the letter or owner; If he be weak and afflicted, as alſo the cuſp of the aſcendent, Judge the contrary; after the ſame manner underſtand of the ſignificators of the Owner or Letter.

Wherefore let both ſignificators be well fortified, and the Lord of the ſeventh applying to the Lord of the aſcendent if you would have the Owner or Letter be reaſonable or deſirous to deal with the Farmer or Hirer at a reaſonable rate, and to cauſe him to have a good penyworth (as we call it) but if you would that it ſucced or fall out to the advantage of the Letter ot Owner, let the Lord of the aſcendent apply to the Lord of the ſeventh.

Some Authors (and that with good reaſon) have aſsigned the aſcendent, its Lord and planet from whom the Moon is ſeparating, to ſignify or be ſignificators of the Farmer or Hirer; if he be the firſt mover or deſirer to traffique or deal in the Farming the Land or houſe; The ſeventh, the planet Lord thereof, and the planet the Moon next applys unto, of the Letter or Owner: But if the Owner be the firſt mover of the buſineſs, Judge the contrary.

And as the fourth houſe hath ſignification of the end of the thing, ſo alſo hath the Moon and the ſign wherein ſhe is.

Know then that in Electing a time for this buſineſs, it will not be amiſs to fortifie Jupiter and Saturn, beholding each other with a benevolent aſpect, for this cauſeth both the Renter and Letter to be faithful in keeping their promiſes and bargain with each other.

However obſerve in this matter chiefly to fortifie the Moon and its diſpoſitor; the aſcendent, ſeventh and their Lords, the Lord of the tenth and fourth, as alſo their houſes and let the ſignificators apply to each other as you have heard according to the intent and purpoſe of your Election; and remember that the application of the planets the Moon ſeparates from and applyes to, have the ſame ſignifications as you have heard the Lords of the ſeventh and aſcendent have.

CHAP. XI. of Planting of Trees or Graffing.

^[769]USually in this work theſe Rules are to be obſerved. Let the Moon be in Taurus, Aquaries, Leo, Piſces or Virgo, but eſpecially in Taurus, and in Sextile or Trine of Venus; but if it be ſo you can not place her in Taurus, let her be in Aquaries for that it is next of theſe abovenamed ſigns to be choſen; And if you can not place her in Aquaries, let her be in Leo beheld of a benevolent planet out of a watry ſign; let her alſo be well dignified, I mean free from the ill aſpects of the Malevolents; Let Saturn be alſo direct and in the aſcendent, eleventh, fifth, or ſecond, in his own eſſential dignities.

And if you cannot place Saturn in the Aſcendent, let Jupiter be there, and in Sextile or Trine of Saturn; however let Saturn be in what place of the figure you pleaſe, he ought to be well aſpected by Jupiter, and let him be in a place where he hath eſſential dignities.

But if neither of theſe be placed in the Aſcendent, let the Moon be there, or in the tenth, eleventh, fifth, or third, free from all impediment; for you muſt have a ſpecial care that in all Plantings and Sowings, the Moon be chiefly free from misfortune, and not only ſo, but well dignified eſſentially, and upheld by the other Planets, viz. the Fortunes and their benevolent rays.

In all Plantings and Sowings (as you have heard already in buildings) ſee that you debilitate Mars,

Note.

and hinder him from any power in your work; let the Moon alſo be in no configuration of him, neither let him be in the Aſcendent, tenth, eleventh, fifth, ſecond or third, or in any aſpect to either of them, or their Lords, if poſsible; for he is deſtructive; let alſo Part of Fortune, its Diſpoſitor and the Diſpoſitor of the Moon be free from his miſchievous beams or aſpect, good or bad; and fortifie alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Lord of its exaltation.

Let the Diſpoſitor of the Moon (ſaith Alchaiat an ancient Author) behold her out of a watry ſign; and if the Aſcendent be not a fixed ſign, let the Moon and Lord of the Aſcendent be Oriental of the Sun and aſcending, or at leaſt one of them; for this cauſeth ſuch Trees or Graffs, as ſhall be then ſet or graffed to grow quickly and be fruitfull; but if they be aſcending and not oriental, the Trees ſhall ſoon grow, but not ſo ſoon fructifie; but this in ſuch Trees as are not fruitfull, or bearing no fruit, as Willows, Aſh, Elms, &c. hurteth not much; but if you place them occidental and decreaſing in light and number, and deſcending, judge the contrary to what you have heard.

Know moreover, if you cannot make your Aſcendent a fixed ſign, let it be a common one, and the ſignificators in common ſigns, and fortifie them, as you have already heard, &c.

But if thou canſt not diſpoſe and fit all thy ſignificators in ſo full a manner as you have already heard, order as many thereof as you can; and chiefly the Moon, who ought to be in Taurus, or in the laſt part of Sagittary, free from all misfortune or impediment; let her alſo be in Conjunction, if poſſible, of Jupiter, or in Sextile, or Trine of him, and let Jupiter be no wiſe impedited, and be in the aſcendent, tenth, eleventh, fifth or fourth, and if poſſible, alſo let Part of Fortune be free from the Malevolent coufigurations of the afflicting Planets, and in one of the aforeſaid houſes.

CHAP. XII. Of Sowing of Seeds in the ground.

DO thou be ſure in Sowing of ſeeds (becauſe it is a thing in which ſpeedy gain is expected) thy aſcendent be a movable ſign, and the Lord thereof in a movable ſign, as alſo the Moon, and the Lords or Diſpoſitors of the Lord of the aſcendent and the Moon beholding them out of movable ſigns, or if this cannot be, common may be choſen; but fixed by no means.

Place the Moon in an earthy or watry ſign of the movable ſigns, viz. Cancer or Capricorn; but if ſhe be in Aries, let ſome Planet behold her out of ſome watry ſign, eſpecially out of Cancer, leaſt the herbs or ſeed dry and wither.

^[770]Let the Lord of the Aſcendent be free from misfortune, and in good aſpect to the Aſcendent, and let the Aſcendent be alſo free from the configurations of the malevolents: Let the Moon alſo be free from the Sun beams, and in eſſential or accidental dignities, increaſing in light and motion; for if the Moon be decreaſing in light and number or motion and under the Sun beams, the Seeds ſown will not come to good: But know, that in Sowing of Peaſe,

Note.

the Moon muſt be decreaſing in light and motion, eſpecially in light, for otherwiſe they will never leave blooming, &c.

And if the Seeds be ſeeds of Trees, or ſuch as ingender or produce Trees, let the Moon be in Taurus, as you have already heard, &c.

CHAP. XIII. Of ridding Houſes or places from evil Spirits.

EVil ſpirits and the way of commanding them or ridding houſes of them, is beſt known to ſuch as practiſe and make uſe thereof, it being no part of the ſtudy of an Aſtrologian; however ſince often times miſchief is done in ſuch actions for want of underſtanding, I thought good here to ſet down a fit time for ſuch buſineſſes, it being otherwiſe very dangerous.

There have been ſeveral inſtructions for this matter given to us by the Antients; but moſt, and thoſe moſt authentick too, ſay as followeth.

See that the Moon be not in the Aſcendent, and that neither the Aſcendent or the Moon be in Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquaries, but in ſome other ſigns, and let the Moon ſeparate from the Malevolents, and apply to the Fortunes, &c.

And thus much concerning Elections appertaining to the fourth houſe; it reſteth now we proceed according to our promiſe next to the fifth houſe, &c.

SECTION VI. Containing Rules for Electing a time for any Work, or thing appertaining to the fifth Houſe.

THere are many curious Spirits I know which will not be a little taken with the Elections appertaining to this Houſe, they being indeed all ſo neceſſary in the ordinary courſe of a mans life; I ſhall not in the delivering thereof in the leaſt be covetous or deſirous to keep to my ſelf the leaſt thing that may advantage poſterity herein; for ſince the cauſe of theſe my undertakings was for the benefit and inſtruction of the illiterate in theſe matters, I ſhall be free and liberal therein according to that ſmall Talent of knowledge God hath given me; wherefore ſince the getting of children is the chiefeſt thing appertaining to this houſe, I will begin with it.

CHAP. I. Shewing a fit time for getting of Boys or Girls.

^[771]HAve regard firſt to the ſign aſcending, the ſign of the fifth, the Lords thereof, and the Moon and its Diſpoſitor that they be in Maſculine ſigns, and let the Moon be free from impediment, as alſo the Lords of the Aſcendent and the fifth, and the Diſpoſitor of the Moon; this for boys.

But in getting of Girls, let the aforeſaid ſignificators and places be in feminine ſigns.

^[772]And if you cannot obſerve all this, let your ſignificators be (the major part of them) maſculine for a Boy, and ſo the contrary for a Girl; but if the ſignificators be equal, you muſt have regard to the Lord of the hour and the Planet to whom the Moon applies, and judge by the major part, viz. if moſt Maſculine Planets, a Male may be expected; if feminine, a female; but if it ſo happen that yet notwithſtanding the ſignificators are equal, viz. that there is the ſame equal number of maſculine Planets and ſigns that there is feminine, the conceived Infant will be an Hermophrodite;^[773] or if the Moon, the fifth and Aſcendent, be in ſigns of double bodies, perhaps there will be Twins conceived.

^[774]But moreover know, that in Electing a time for getting of Men-children it is neceſſary you place a fixed ſign in the Aſcendent and the reſt of the Angles, alſo the Fortunes free from all impediment or affliction, let the Aſcendent alſo be a maſculine ſign, and a ſign of right Aſcenſions free from the malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes; but ſee that there be in no ways an Infortune in an angle or a Feminine Planet, and let the Lord of the Aſcendent be fortunate, both in the ſeventh, eighth, ninth and tenth moneths after the Conception, for that ſometimes the Birth falls out in theſe moneths as well as in the ninth; Let the Luminaries alſo be fortunate or free from impediment, and let the Moon be in Sextile or Trine of the Sun.

^[775]Chiefly have reſpect to ♀ and the ☽ that they be eſſentially dignified, or at leaſt free from misfortune; for if ♀ be afflicted and weak, the place of Conception or the receptacle for the ſeed will be deficient and weak to perform its office; and if the Moon be impedited and weak, it debilitates the ſeed: Some of the Ancients alſo have adviſed that this ſhould be done in odde or uneven hours, as are the firſt, third, fifth, ſeventh, ninth and eleventh, for the getting of Boys, they being accounted maſculine hours; but for a Girl in even, as the ſecond, fourth, ſixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth, they being feminine.

^[776]Let your Aſcendent be Libra, and place the Moon therein, and Cancer on the tenth, being a fruitful ſign; but place the reſt of the Significators in maſculine ſigns, and this cauſeth conception, and that of a Male childe; but it is to be underſtood then, that the woman be ſound in health and nature, and of capacity for ſuch matters: Your Significators in feminine ſigns cauſe a Girl.

All theſe Rules it may be are too tedious, or difficult to obſerve, yet at leaſt at the time of copulation, let the Aſcendent and the Moon be ſtrong, and Jupiter upon the cuſp of the mid-heaven fortunate; for this ſignifieth the woman ſhall conceive at the firſt bout, except ſhe be a maid before, and then the firſt goes to another uſe but at the ſecond it will not fail, provided the party be capable and ſufficient in ſuch an exerciſe: If your Aſcendent be a Maſculine ſign, and the Moon and Jupiter in maſculine ſigns, or the major part, it is a Boy that is conceived; if feminine, a Girl.

But if thou canſt not place Jupiter on the cuſp of the tenth, let him be on the cuſp of the eleventh, or fifth, or in ſuch a degree as that he may behold the Aſcendent its Lord, or the Moon with a Sextil, or Trine, or place the Moon or Lord of the Aſcendent in the fifth, within five degrees of the cuſp thereof in good Aſpect to the Aſcendent, for this ſignifieth the woman then made much of ſhall conceive.

CHAP. II. Of Delivering a dead Childe.

RArely, yet ſometimes doth it happen, that the childe dyes in the mothers womb, which without ſpeedy help will alſo indanger the life of the mother: it is neceſſary therefore before we go any further, to elect you a fit time for applying remedies for this accident: I might here ſet ſome remedies down, but I conceive it belonging no wiſe to our work in hand, it will be in a manner needleſs; and I am confident of ſmall benefit to the Students in ſuch matters, for that they will never be acquainted with any ſuch thing, little expecting to finde ſuch matters in a diſcourſe of this nature,^[777] though I muſt confeſs to all parts of Phyſick this Art is a great help, and ought eſpecially therefore to be ſtudied by the Students of Phyſick;^[778] otherwiſe it is impoſſible for them to be throughly maſters of their Art: Therefore, I ſay, ſince in the Volumns of the learned in Phyſick, ſuch remedies are frequently to be rancountred, I ſhall here paſs it by, and ſhew you only a fit and convenient time according to the influence of the ſuperiours to apply your remedy, &c.

^[779]Wherefore then ſee that you apply your medicine when the Aſcendent is a feminine ſign of right aſcentions, and let the Moon be decreaſing in light and deſcending in your ſchem; viz. at the leaſt ſix or eight degrees paſt the mid-heaven, and declining towards the ſeventh, and let her be in Sextil or Trine, if poſſible of the fortunes, whether ſhe be received or no: or if ſhe be beheld of Mars by theſe Aſpects, ſo it be with reception it advantageth; neither is it amiſs, if it be not with reception, provided the Moon be in a feminine ſign, and the Aſcendant in a feminine ſign of right aſcentions, as hath been ſaid: Moreover, have a ſpecial care that the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon, and its Diſpoſitor be not in ſigns of oblique aſcentions; place alſo, if poſſible, the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Diſpoſitor of the Moon declining towards the ſeventh, as you have heard of the Moon; or beholding ſome Planets in that part of heaven with reception.

CHAP. III. Of Chriſtening or Circumciſing of Children.

ARabians and others have delivered rules for electing ſuch a time, eſpecially for that oftentimes through negligence or ignorance the childe hath been almoſt ſpoil'd, in that the place ſometimes did gangreen or feſter, &c. but ſince we have that Ceremony in no uſe, it being aboliſhed by the death of our Lord JESUS, it may ſeem here to be needleſs; but ſince the rules may (if obſerved) tend to ſome other benefit; and for that I would not willingly omit any thing that might be beneficial to poſterity in theſe my weak endeavors, I thought I would however ſpare one ſide of Paper for them.

^[780]See then that Venus be exalted above Mars, and applying to the benevolent Aſpect of Jupiter; alſo let the Aſcendent, its Lord and Venus, and the Moon be free from the Aſpect of Saturn, for that he cauſeth putrefication and corruption to the generating of a Gangreen, and perhaps the indangering of the life of the childe.

Let the Lord of the Aſcendent alſo be aſcending in latitude, and the Moon and its Diſpoſitor in ſeptentrional ſigns and in ſuccedent houſes of heaven, and look that the Moon be not in Scorpio, nor Mars in the Aſcendent or any other Angle.

^[781]Theſe rules might ſerve alſo for Chriſtening; but ſince the Ancients were not ſo well acquainted with the uſe of Chriſtening as we in this latter age, they have been herein ſomewhat deficient, and have not delivered the rules of Aſtrology thereon as is requiſite; many, nay moſt of them, wholly omitting it; wherefore (though Aſtrology medleth not with Divine matters, nor cauſeth or procureth grace (this Ceremony being a ſign and ſeal of our admittance into the Church of Chriſt, and number of the Elect, if we live accordingly) yet they act and incline, though not compel or force) I will give you here ſome directions concerning this matter.

^[782]Know then that your Aſcendent, and its Lord, the Moon alſo and its Diſpoſitor, ought to be fortunate, and if poſſible, let the Aſcendent be a fixed ſign, and Jupiter herein well dignified, or in the ninth, or in good configuration with the Planets therein, or with the cuſps of thoſe houſes: and let the Planets either in the Aſcendent or ninth be fortunes, or at the leaſt well dignified; but let Saturn and Mars be in no wiſe either therein placed, or in configuration with them, or their Lords, or the Planets therein placed; and let the ſign of the ninth be fortunate, as alſo its Lord, and place Venus and the Moon in a good Aſpect of Jupiter; and if poſſible, with reception, or let them be all in conjunction in the ninth or aſcendent.

But if you cannot fully follow all theſe directions yet let the aſcendent, the ninth houſe, the Planets therein poſited, the Moon, its Diſpoſitor, and the Lords of the Aſcendent and ninth, be well dignified, and in Sextil or Trine of Jupiter or Mercury.

And thus much of Chriſtenings and Circumciſions; let us now proceed to electing a fit time for giving of Gifts or Preſents.

CHAP. IV. Of giving and receiving of Gifts or Preſents.

MY intentions are now to treat of the rules of the Ancients for electing a fit time for giving and receiving of Gifts or Preſents: We have here already treated of ſome Elections which might ſeem needleſs; but truly this of all we have hitherto mentioned, I may ſay is moſt properly to be termed ſuperfluous or needleſs, Hoſpitality and Charity being things ſo different to the tempers and natures of moſt men of this age we live in: But ſince we write not barely to this age, but alſo to Poſterity, I ſhall ſoon reſolve upon the buſineſs; for ſince I have better hopes of their goodneſs, I ſhall by no means omit this Election, but deliver plainly the words of the moſt approved Authors hereon.

^[783]Know then firſt, in receiving of Gifts you are to fortifie the Aſcendent, the ſecond Houſe and their Lords, alſo the Moon and its diſpoſitor, for this cauſeth gain to come unto thee by this Gift or Preſent; I mean it ſhall be advantageous to the receiver, and he ſhall thereby much benefit himſelf.

^[784]But to make this the more certain, you muſt fortifie Part of Fortune and its Lord, viz. the Planet who is diſpoſer thereof, which is more plainly that Planet that is Lord of the ſign wherein Part of Fortune is, fortifie alſo Iupiter, for that he is a general ſignificator of wealth and riches: this confirmeth the former rule, and maketh it the more certain.

^[785]But know that in ſending of Preſents or Gifts you are to fortifie the fifth Houſe and its Lord, as alſo Iupiter; and let Mars both in receiving and giving be in no configuration with the Aſcendent, the ſecond, their Lords, the Moon, its diſpoſitor, Part of Fortune, its Lord, Part of Subſtance, Iupiter, the fifth Houſe or their Lords: and if poſſible let the Aſcendent and fifth Houſe be in common ſigns; and know that Sagittary and Piſces are to be preferred before Gemini or Virgo, yet Virgo is before Gemini; You muſt underſtand this is meant of the firſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary.

You are not onely to beware of Mars, but alſo of Saturn, that he be not either bodily preſent or in configuration with the Moon, the Aſcendent or its Lord, Part of Fortune, Part of Subſtance, or any of the aforeſaid ſignificators or places without reception; and let the Lord of the Aſcendent be elevated above the Lord of the ſeventh.

^[786]But if thou canſt not obſerve all this, fortifie the Moon, Iupiter and Lord of the ſecond Houſe and the cuſpe thereof in receiving Preſents.

In giving, the Moon, the fifth, its Lord, Iupiter and Part of Fortune and its diſpoſitor. And thus much for this.

CHAP. V. Containing Rules for electing a time for putting on of Apparel.

EVen in this Chapter are we now to ſhew you the rules of the Learned in former ages in electing a time proper thereunto, I ſhall (as in all the other) give you the marrow or quinteſſence of their Writings; a Volume five times as large as is this, is not able to contain them all verbatim; but in what one is deficient. I ſhall help you with another, and ſo with a third, that however thou ſhalt not be to ſeek in any Election as well as this, ſo thou beeſt able to underſtand the reaſons of the rules, otherwiſe thou ſhalt be ſtill ignorant hadſt thou all the Volumes that were ever penn'd ſince the Creation;^[787] ſomewhat you have heard already of putting on of Apparel, but not ſo fully as here in this place I intend; we will begin therefore with it, and then in order of what remaineth, and ſo proceed.

^[788]Herein you muſt have regard to the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon, the Lord of the ſign wherein ſhe is, the fifth Houſe and Lord thereof, and let them be in moveable ſigns, and let the Moon if poſſible be in Aries, excepting the ſeven degrees after the eighth, viz. from the eighth to the end of the fifteenth, and the 22 and 23 degrees of the ſame ſign; or let her be in Cancer, excepting the firſt ſix and laſt three degrees thereof, or in the firſt fifteen degrees of Libra, or the firſt eighteen degrees of Virgo, or the firſt nineteen degrees of Sagittary, or the firſt twenty degrees of Piſces.

Fixed ſigns are to be ſhunned in putting on of Apparel, wherefore ſee that none of the aforeſaid ſignificators be in them,

Note.

except the firſt twenty degrees of Taurus which may be made uſe of in this buſineſs, it being the Houſe of the leſſer fortune and exaltation of the Moon; but Leo of all the fixed ſigns is to be refuſed, for it cauſeth danger; therefore in no wiſe let the Moon be in Leo, except ſhe be in Sextile or Trine of the Sun with reception, and then it is not to be feared ſo much: however Ptolomy, Centilo. 22. ſaith, Veſtem nec primum induas, ubi Luna fuerit in Leone collocata; eſt autem pejus, ſi eadem male affecta fuerit. Idem ait Hermes, Centilo. 82. Put not on new Apparel when the Moon is in Leo; and it is ſo much the worſe if ſhe be there afflicted.

^[789]Yet if all this thou canſt not obſerve, be ſure thou place not the Moon in the Aſcendent or fifth Houſe, neither their Lords in Leo, Scorpio or Capricorn, eſpecially Leo, or in via combuſta, and ſee alſo they be free from all manner of misfortune: or place the Moon or the Sun in the mid-heaven free from misfortune, and if poſſible in Sextile or Trine of Iupiter or Venus with reception, and fortifie the ſecond Houſe and its Lord, &c. If thou warily obſerveſt what hath been ſaid, thou needeſt no further inſtructions herein; wherefore let us deſcend to what remains unreſolved, &c.

CHAP. VI. Of Feaſting or eating of meat.

^[790]SInce this Election is needleſs in the ordinary courſe of diet, ſuch as eating at due times moderately, and the like, you are to underſtand we mean or ſignifie ſuch eating as is in exceſs, as at Feaſts and ſuch ſuperfluous vanities, &c. Let us obſerve what follows.

In this manner of exerciſe you muſt chiefly have reſpect to the place and motion of the Moon; for if ſhe be in Taurus applying to Venus eſpecially by a good Aſpect, you may ſafely eat Beef, either boyled, roaſted, ſtewed, or any otherwiſe dreſſed.

Alſo if ſhe be in Piſces in good configuration of Iupiter, you may eat of Fiſh, either freſh or ſalt.

And if in Libra or Aquaries received, Milk or any thing made therewith, as Cuſtards, Fools, and ſuch like Quelk-choſes.

If in Virgo in any malevolent aſpect of Mars, it is not ſafe to eat of Hearbs, as Salads, or roots and ſtalks, as Colly-flowers, Coleworts, Artichokes, Cabbage, Parſnips, Turnips, Carrats, &c. neither of Fruit, as Apricocks, Peaches, or any other Plumb or Fruit, as Cherries, &c.

But if ſhe apply to the Sun or Mars by a Trine, you may ſafely eat of varieties and divers ſorts of Meats, &c. Underſtand the ſame if ſhe apply to Venus.

If ſhe apply to Saturn, have a care of ſtale meats, or ſuch as have been kept long in ſalt.

If ſhe be in Aries or Capricorn, applying to Iupiter, you may eat of variety of gelded Cattel, &c.

But it is no wiſe ſafe to eat of what dyed of it ſelf, if ſhe be in a Square of Saturn▪ or in Conjunction or Oppoſition of him; neither is it good to eat Veniſon when ſhe is in Leo, nor when ſhe applieth to Mars out of Virgo.

But if ſhe be in Gemini or the aëry triplicity applying to Mercury, it is not ſafe to eat any Bird of a hot nature or conſtitution; and if to Mars, all meats that are califactive or of a hot quality are alſo to be ſhunned.

If in Leo applying to Saturn, it is not ſafe to eat any thing of a cold operation, &c. Thus much for eating.

CHAP. VII. Of Drinking of Wine and other Drinks.

EVen now thou haſt been at a Feaſt, and ſince ſo, it is requiſite I give thee alſo ſome drink after it, otherwiſe it will be but a dry one: but ſince perhaps thou art a good-fellow, or one that loves thy liquor better then thy meat, I intend to give thee of the beſt, and that ſuch as comes out of Bacchus his own Rampant Bucephalus; it is Nectar and Ambroſia, ſuch as will make the wilkin roar, that will pay all debts when money is ſhort, that will make a Beggar an Emperour, and an Emperour a Fool; to be ſhort, it will make thee merry when all thy ſpirits are at the loweſt; it is a remedy againſt all diſeaſes, and is good againſt the ſimples; and will make a fat fellow lean the ſooneſt of any thing that is. But I need not ſay any more, I believe thou art convinced long ſince of the vertues thereof, if thou art a lover of the Beaſt Bacchus; I think thou deſireſt now rather to taſt it then hear of it; I will not promiſe to make thee drunk therewith, however I will give thee as much as will countervail what thou haſt eaten at my Feaſt; but if thou at length goeſt away with an appetite, be not angry; it is to be noted it is a Scholars Feaſt, not an Epicures. Wherefore

Take this Cup, and know that if the wine be not good, it is the fault of thoſe that preſſed the grapes; for had they obſerved this rule I will here give thee, it had been much better; but to be ſhort, the receipt is thus.

^[791]Recipe Piſces or Taurus, and put the Moon therein in configuration of Venus; this is all, but this I'le warrant thee will make the wine paſſing good, and drink pleaſingly and delightfully; but mingle not the beams of the Moon with Saturn, for that will ſpoyl all the reſt of thy Ingrediencies, and will make thy wine crabbiſh and harſh to the palate, and no wiſe delectable or pleaſing to the drinker; and not onely ſo, but very hurtful to the body; avoyd alſo the beams of Mars, for he will make it heady, and cauſe the drinkers to quarrel and fall out with each other, and the veſſel you put it in to break or come to ſome miſchance or other; the beams of Iupiter or Mercury would do very well to mingle with the Moon, as alſo the beams of the Sun, provided they be infuſed by a Sextile or Trine.

In making of other drinks it is neceſſary you alſo follow the ſame receipt with the ſame Ingrediencies, for it will make them both pleaſant and good; and this is worth your learning, when with one receipt you are taught how to make all manner of drinks.

^[792]Know alſo that when you would take off your cups merrily without offence to either your friends or others, let the Aſcendent at the time you begin be fortunate, as alſo the Lord thereof, the Moon and its diſpoſitor, alſo the Lord of the fifth and ſign of the fifth, and let them be free from the configurations of Mars, and in reception with the Lord of the ſeventh and eleventh, or with the Lords of thoſe Houſes ſignifying the parties you ſhould be merry and civil with, &c.

So now ſince thou haſt had thy fill of good chear and drink, let me deſire your pardon that I may go alſo into my element of writing, and then perhaps anon I may ſend my boy to you with ſome comfortable odours or unguents. Or if thou haſt ſurfetted, and mayſt thereby prove ſick, I have a remedy for thee a little further, which I may ſend all under one.

CHAP. VIII. Of writing of Letters, or any thing elſe of Ingenuity.

^[793]YOu muſt in this matter let the Aſcendent and its Lord be fortified and free from the malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes; and if poſſible let Mercury behold them or either of them with a Sextile or Trine, and let him be well dignified, no wiſe Infortunate or Retrograde, and let him be beheld of the Moon by a Sextile or Trine, and if poſſible with reception.

CHAP. IX. Of making Odoriferous ſmels and unguents.

^[794] WE know ſince the fifth Houſe is the Houſe of pleaſure and delight; and ſince many men are much taken and delighted in ſuch things, this Election doth moſt properly belong to this Houſe.

Look then that in making of unguents or odoriferous ſmels, that you place the Aſcendent and the Moon either in Aries, Leo or Sagittary, and Venus in the Aſcendent; and if ſo, let the Moon be in the mid-heaven, applying by a benevolent Aſpect to Venus; for this ſignifieth the confection is good, and of a good ſmell, and that he that makes it will much delight in it.

But if you would make ſuffumigations apart, ſee if the Moon be received of Mars or the Sun; for if ſo, whatever is then done by the fire ſhall be good.

Alſo when you make any ſweet ſmels or odours, and the Moon in Gemini applying to Mercury, it ſignifieth that it ſhall be well and neatly performed.

CHAP. X. Of ſending Embaſſadors or Meſſengers.

^[795]IN matters of this nature you muſt know that the Moon is chiefly to be regarded; joyn her therefore by body or Aſpect to your ſignificator, or Planet ſignifying the party to whom you ſend; as if to a Father, let her be in Sextile or Trine of the Lord of the fourth; if to a Wife, to the Lord of the ſeventh; to a Child, to the Lord of the fifth; to a Brother, to the Lord of the third; to a Servant, or Fathers brother, to the Lord of the ſixth; for that it is the third from the fourth; to the Mothers brother, to the Lord of the twelfth; to the Mother or any great man, King or Prince, to the Lord of the tenth, &c. So underſtand of any perſon ſignified by any Houſe; and if poſſible, make the Planet to whom the Moon applies receive the Moon, or at leaſt the Lord of the Aſcendent, &c.

^[796]But further know, that in ſending to a King or great man, the Moon muſt be in configuration (with reception) of the Sun or Lord of the tenth; and let the Sun and the Lord of the tenth, or that of them that is placed in aſpect of the Moon, be in the Aſcendent, tenth or eleventh; but if with conveniency thou canſt not ſo place him, let him be in the third, fifth or ninth Houſe; but theſe are not ſo powerful or ſo good as the aforeſaid places.

In going or ſending to Kings or great men,

Nota.

let not the Moon be in Gemini or Piſces.

^[797] Alſo if you ſend or go to Popes, Cardinals, Biſhops, Deans, Prebends, or any belonging to the Church, let the Moon be in Sextile or Trine of Iupiter, out of the aforeſaid places; and if poſſible with reception or in reception with the Lord of the Aſcendent.

^[798]If your buſineſs be with Warriers, as Generals, or any Souldiers whatſoever, underſtand the ſame by Mars, and let him be accordingly placed, but let not the aſpect of the Moon be from Angles, but ſuccedent Houſes.

^[799]If to Husband-men or ancient men, underſtand the ſame of Saturn.

To Women, let her apply to Venus.

To Mercury let the Moon be joyned or have aſpect, if you ſend to young men of no alliance or relation to you; or to Scriveners, Secretaries or Scholars, &c. but let Mercury be free from misfortune and impediment; and underſtand the ſame of the foregoing Planets, if your buſineſs be with ſuch as are ſignified by them. And thus much for the Elections appertaining to the fifth Houſe.

SECTION VII. Of Elections appertaining to the ſixth Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of the true Knowledge of the Criſis or Critical and Judicial Days, very uſeful for thoſe that study Phyſick.

^[800]LIke as we read in the holy Writ, The Phyſician is honorable, ſo indeed he is; but being ignorant in his Art, he rendereth himſelf deſpicable and ridiculous: and the way to make him perfect is to know NATURE, and her ſecret operations, and that by the influence of the Superiors and Rulers of all Inferiors; viz. The Stars: It is not his looking in an Urinal of water, or feeling the pulſe of the party, or queſtioning with him how he feeleth himſelf, and in what places of his body he is moſt afflicted, that can give a through underſtanding of his malady; the water is Meretrix, the pulſe is Fallax, the patient himſelf is Ignorans: Theſe, I ſay are not ſufficient grounds for him to work on; and without a good foundation, the fabrick is not likely to be well built, or at leaſt to ſtand long; they are indigent and inſufficient, and the patient perhaps ſo overcome with torment, or deſire of relief, that he cannot well define his own miſery.

^[801]And ſince it is ſo, a Phyſician (or rather a Pretender thereunto (I may juſtly call him) for as Galen and Hippocrates ſay, They are rather to be termed fools then Phyſicians) muſt be better verſed in his Art before he can do any thing; for as he is, he can do nothing with certainty: A blinde man may catch a hare, but it is very unlikely: The cauſe of a diſeaſe muſt firſt be known before it be endeavored to be removed; and the cauſe being taken away, the effect will ſoon ceaſe: but they are ignorant of the cauſe; ergo, not able to perform what they undertake.

And again, the nature and temper of the Patient is to be regarded; and this can never be certainly and throughly diſcerned by looking in his Urine, nor by feeling of his pulſe: That which cauſeth his Conſtitution to be either Sanguine,^[802] Flegmatick, Cholerick or Melancholy, is to be regarded; it is not any inferiour thing that cauſeth it, it is the influence of the ſuperiours; ergo, Phyſicians ignorant therein, are not able to perform with certainty, any Cure whatſoever: For what will cure a Flegmatick man of a Feaver, will not a Cholerick; and then the pretended Phyſician ſeeing his Medicine doth not work the like operation as formerly, ſuppoſes the malady to be ſomewhat elſe, and himſelf miſtaken, and falls another way to work, and ſo kills the patient with a great many Thanks and Gratuities both of Money and Gifts, for (as the ignorant about him ſuppoſe) doing his endeavour to ſave the ſick,^[803] eſpecially if he can but talk of this rare cure, and that excellent remedy he hath formerly given, and preach himſelf up, and others (a thouſand times more knowing then himſelf) down, and now and then uſe ſome Latin in his Diſcourſe, and flouriſh it over with hard words to the ignorant: I ſay, he carries it then, whether he ſave or kill, and that with a great deal of credit: but of all murtherers, theſe we ſee ſeldomeſt hang'd, yet none more deſerving it.

^[804]Again, the nature and quality of every medicinal thing ought eſpecially to be known, as Herbs, Drugs or Minerals; otherwiſe the pretending Phyſician doth what he doth not underſtand; and if we will believe GALEN, he telleth us, They are onely to be known and judged by the ſtars: So alſo Fernelius and Ficinus, two learned Phyſicians confeſs, alſo HIPPOCRATES, PARACELSUS, and CORNELIUS AGRIPPA, who was Phyſician to the Emperor Charles the fifth; and not onely theſe, but all the more rational of the Ancient Phyſicians and Studiers of Nature (which were onely Phyſicians indeed) have acknowledged the ſame, whoſe names if I ſhould here record, it would be be too tedious both for my ſelf and thee, and in a manner ſuperfluous or needleſs in ſo clear a caſe, ſince it is moſt certain, that Hippocrates and Galen, the two pillars of the Art of Phyſick, found out the uſe of Vegetables and their natures, as alſo of all their Phyſical things by the Stars, who are the Governors and Diſpoſers of them all, and cauſes of their ſeveral vertues, according to the ſeveral Conſtellations they are under.

^[805] Hippocrates and Galen further ſay, that a Phyſician cannot ſafely give phyſick that is ignorant in the knowledge of the Stars and Superior bodies, not knowing indeed when to give purges, or vomits, or let blood, without much miſchief doing, nor in what quantity; which ignorance often times indangers the life of the Patient, when as theſe that know not the influence of the heavenly bodies, give vomits at ſuch times as cauſe a purge; and purges when they become vomits, which in laxative diſeaſes or fluxes prove very dangerous, if not deadly or totally deſtructive; and at other times when the phyſick never worketh at all;^[806] yet you ſhall never finde the ignorant without an excuſe for their raſhneſs; as when they adminiſter a purge, if it cauſe vomiting, then ſay they, the party is of a weak conſtitution, and cannot retain the Phyſick, when phyſick is not given to be retained, it is either to work downwards or upwards immediately, and then the next day perhaps (as it hath been often known) gives the patient a ſtronger potion,^[807] and then then the heavens otherwiſe diſpoſed (which they underſtand not) work ſo violently, that nature is both weakned and overcome, which ſhould have been only helped; and alſo the diſeaſe increaſes, which ſhould have been diminiſhed: and ſo on the contrary, when a vomit is given at an unfit time, cauſeth purging, then they conclude the patient ſtrong, when perhaps he requires ſtrength, and is very weak; for it is not nature that then worketh, it is an influence of the Superiors that orders the matter, which without a skilful Artiſt, you ſee is moſt obnoxious, which cauſed Galen to admoniſh men not to truſt themſelves with that Phyſician (or rather Pretender) which is not skilled in Aſtrology. ^[808]

So likewiſe blood letting if the heavens be not duly obſerved, is of no efficacy; and ſometimes hinders phlebetomie, which the ignorant Chyrurgion colours with ſaying, The party is faint-hearted, or hath much wind in his veins, or with ſome ſuch like ridiculous whimſie.

^[809]This is not all; critical days alſo are known by Aſtrologie, and no otherways, without the due knowledge whereof, the Patient ſuffereth much by the Phyſicians applying contrary remedies very dangerous. I might here give you the diſcourſe of Duret hereon, but that it belongeth not to the work in hand, being elections; yet I ſhall here give you ſome inſtructions how to know the true Criſis, or Critical day, and Judicial days, though it be at this time out of my way, and then proceed to the clearing of what hath been ſaid; viz. to ſhew you the rules of the more learned in electing a time for adminiſtring Phyſick and Phlebotomie.

Let us then (ſince it will not be amiſs) ſtep a little out of our way, and ſay ſomewhat of the Critical days; when we come into our road again, we will make the more haſte to our journeys end.

Learning and all good Arts whatſoever, I ever greatly deſired ſhould be nouriſhed and refined from their droſs, and that knowledge may ſtill increaſe upon the earth; wherefore ſince the underſtanding of this matter conduceth much to the skil of the Phyſician, and welfare of the patient, as doth the want of it oftentimes through the ignoronce of the Phyſician, prove very dangerous to the patient, I ſhall deſire thee to obſerve what followeth.

It is generally taken for granted (amongſt the unskilful) that the ſeventh and fourteenth days are Critical, and that theſe are the firſt and ſecond Criſis; but tis no wiſe true as to build on, but the true Criſis is thus known.

^[810]Look at the time of the parties firſt falling ſick, what ſign, degree and minute of the Zodiack the Moon is, and when ſhe comes to the Square thereof, that is the firſt Criſis; when ſhe comes to the Oppoſition or oppoſite place thereof, it is the ſecond Criſis: The next Square is the third Criſis, and the ſame place where ſhe was at the firſt falling ſick, is the fourth Criſes; and ſo go round again. The judicial days are the middle between the two Criſis, ^[811] and as the Criſis is the ſuddain motion of the diſeaſe, either towards health or death, whereby the Phyſician may clearly diſcern which way the diſeaſe will tend: ſo are the judicial days ſician may clearly diſcern which way the diſeaſe will tend: ſo are the judicial days ſuch times as the Criſis may be judged of, or known whether it will be good or bad; for as the Moon is diſpoſed at the time of the Criſis, whether fortunate or in good aſpect of the Fortunes and Aſſiſting Planets, or the Malevolents and Interſilient Planets, which commonly are the Lords of the fourth and eighth, eſpecially the eighth, or in configuration with the Lord of the ſixth, ſo may you judge of the Criſis good or bad.

^[812]Good, if fortunate and upheld by the Fortunes; bad, if the contrary; as if afflicted by the Malevolents or Lord of the ſixth, the diſeaſe increaſes; if by the Lord of the eighth, death is to be feared.

Alſo, when the Moon tranſits the cuſp of the twelfth, eighth or ſixth, according to its ſtrength, it proves good or dangerous, &c.

In like manner underſtand in a judicial day, if the Moon be well dignified and aſſiſted, a good Criſis may be expected; if weak or afflicted, judge the contrary.

Now by reaſon the Moon is ſometimes ſwift, and at other times ſlower of motion, never retaining a conſtant courſe, it muſt needs follow, ſuch as are ignorant therein, muſt needs be ignorant in knowing or finding out the true Criſis, and whether it will be good or bad, that is not acquainted with the ſtars.

But note, that you may the better underſtand, the reaſon thereof, it is this; ſometimes by her flowneſs of motion, ſhe comes to the Criſis as the ſixth day after the beginning of the diſeaſe, and again ſometime (by her ſwiftneſs) at the eighth or ninth day; wherefore they muſt needs fail, that conclude it to be always at the ſeventh day; and ſo accordingly in the other Criſis, ^[813] ſhe cometh ſooner or later very often.

So then you ſee the error and ignorance of moſt of our pretending Phyſicians, and the reaſon of the Criſis and uſes thereof; it reſteth therefore now we proceed and haſten into our road again, &c.

CHAP. II. Of Applying Medicines generally to all the parts of the body of Man.

LIke as I have already given you the error of the vulgar Phyſicians, and the excellent uſes of Aſtrologie in the adminiſtation of phyſick, it reſteth therefore now I begin to ſhew you the rules of Aſtrologie herein, that thou mayſt be throughly convinced and ſatisfied of the verity of what hath been ſaid: And firſt of adminiſtring of Medicines generally to all the parts of the body, and then proceed.

^[814]Know then that in giving of Phyſick, you ought to look in what part of the body the diſeaſe is, and let the Aſcendent be that ſign which ſignifieth the diſeaſed part free from misfortune: fortifie alſo the Moon, and let her by no means be in Oppoſition of the Lord of the ſixth, eighth or twelf, at the time of the parties firſt falling ſick, or at the time of your election, or in the radix of the patients nativity; and if ſo be you cannot avoid it, but the Moon muſt needs be in aſpect of them, let it be by Sextile or Trine, and if poſſible, with reception; but let not the Moon be in Conjunction of any of them, nor deſcending.

Note, that the Moon muſt by no means be in the ſign ſignifying the member diſeaſed,

Nota.

if any inciſſion be made therein, for that is very dangerous; yet if the medicine be by emplaiſters orunguents, or any ſuch buſineſſes that do not draw blood, ſhe may ſafely be therein, if you cannot otherwiſe diſpoſe of her.

^[815]If the infirmity be over all the body, let the Aſcendent be a humane ſign, of the which Libra is the beſt for this uſe; and let the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Moon be alſo in humane ſigns, free from impediment, eſpecially of the aforeſaid Significators.

But if thou diſireſt to give the medicine to cure or remove any infirmity, let the Aſcendent be Libra or Scorpio, and the Moon therein joyned, or in confirguration with the fortunes, and free from the Malevolents aſpects of the Infortunes; but if you cannot make her avoid the Aſpects of the Malevolents, let the Aſpects be by Sextile or Trine, and let her not be aſpected by two Malevolents, or going to combuſtion; but however, chiefly ſee that thou doſt fortifie the Moon, for otherwiſe the Phyſick will torment and afflict the patient, according as ſhe is afflicted, &c.

CHAP. III. Of the Adminiſtration of Remedies to the Diſeaſes of the Head.

^[816]IN electing a fit time for applying or taking of remedies or medicines for the head, either univerſally or particularly, as Rheums, diſtilling humors, and the like, whether by Vomit, Gargariſms, or ſuch like, let the Aſcendent be Aries well fortified, if poſſible by the Benevolents, and freed from the Aſpects of the Infortunes; place alſo Moon therein, or in Taurus, decreaſing in light, and joyned to the Fortunes, or configuration with them, and free from any affliction or impediment. If thy medicine be to take away the hair, or the like,^[817] let the Aſcendent and the Moon be in feminine ſigns, and the Lord of the Aſcendent, and let him alſo, and alſo the Moon, be deſcending from the mid heaven towards the fourth houſe, &c.

And have a ſpecial care that the Sun behold not the Moon, or the Aſcendent by any Aſpect, when they are in Aries, eſpecially by Square or Oppoſition, becauſe of the great heat of the Sun.

CHAP. IV. Of Applying remedies to the eyes, and preparatives in general.

^[818]ALl miſts, pearls, films, or dimneſs of the eyes, or any other infirmities belonging to them, if thou wouldſt remove or know a fit time to apply thy remedy thereunto, &c. let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, fortunate and in configuration with the Benevolents.

Let the Moon be free from all the Configurations or Aſpects of Mars, when ſhe is thus increaſing in light and motion, and let Jupiter be in the Aſcendent, or ſome other houſe above the earth; however let him be in Sextile or Trine of the Aſcendent, or with a Square, if no other can be, provided he be not impedited or afflicted.

See alſo that the Aſcendent nor the Moon be in earthy ſigns, and if ſo be you cannot avoid the aſpect of Mars to the Moon, be in earthy ſigns, and if ſo be you till ſhe is paſt the aſpect and ſeparating.

Remember that in all elections where there is any inſciſſions or ſcarifications to be made,

Nota.

let not the Moon be in the ſign ſignifying the member to be inſciſſioned, nor in a moveable or common ſign, or in Square or Oppoſition of Saturn or Mars, for that then ſhe cauſeth the wound to feſter or ganger. Look whether Ptolomy in his twenty Centilo. doth not ſay the ſame, Membrum ferro ne percutito, cum Luna ſignum tenuerit, quod membro illi dominatur.

Let this be diligently obſerved which hath been ſaid, eſpecially when the Moon is near her Conjunction with the Sun, or till ſhe be fully ſeparated twelve degrees at leaſt.

^[819]And in adminiſtring Preparatives, let the Moon be in Gemini, Libra or Aquaries.

CHAP. V. Of Applying remedies to the Noſes.

^[820]MArk now; if thou wouldſt apply any remedy for the infirmities of the Noſe, as unguents, ſuffumigations or ſneeſing-powders, or ſuch like, &c. let the aſcendent be Cancer, Leo, or Virgo, and the Moon in the aſcendent in configuration with a fortune, and free from all manner of affliction, or the configurations of the Malevolents, and let her not be in combuſtion, nor joyned to a Planet that is weak or retrograde, &c.

CHAP. VI. Of injecting of Cliſters, &c. and Stopping of Rheums or Fluxes.

^[821] IN giving of Clyſters, remember to make thy aſcendent Aries, Libra, Scorpio or Aquaries; however, let the Moon be in one of them, and the Lord of the aſcendent free from the configurations of the Lord of the ſixth, and the Moon applying to Venus; for this will be helpful in ſuch caſes or buſineſſes.

^[822]In Stopping of Rheums, or Fluxes, let the Moon be in Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn.

CHAP. VII. Of the adminiſtration of gargariſms, or ſneezings, and ſuch like.

^[823]USE to make the Aſcendent in this manner of work, either Cancer, Leo or Virgo, and the Moon decreaſing in light and motion, and in Taurus deſcending in latitude, or in Aries; but be ſhe in what ſign ſhe will, let her be applying to the fortunes; Let alſo the Aſcendent, its Lord, and the Moon, be in ſigns that chew the cud, as are Aries, Taurus and Capricorn; yet Alſayat commendeth Cancer, Leo and Virgo, as you have heard; ſee alſo that you let not the Moon be in a Square of Iupiter, eſpecially out of Aries.

CHAP. VIII. Of giving of Vomits.

^[824]DO thou be ſure in giving of ſuch medicines as provoke Vomits, that thy Aſcendent, its Lord, and the Moon be in ſigns that chew the cud, as are Aries, Taurus and Capricorn, of the which Taurus is the beſt, for that the Moon is exalted therein; wherefore it will be the better if ſhe be in the firſt three degrees thereof, the third degree being the point of her exaltation.

Let the Lord of the Aſcendent alſo be in his exaltation, or in Sextile or Trine of the degree thereof.

And look that the Moon be by no means in any configuration with any Planet beneath the earth; for that cauſeth the Phyſick to work downward, eſpecially if the Planet ſo in aſpect with her be ſtrong; wherefore let her be joyned or in aſpect with a Planet above the earth, which is well dignified, if you can poſſibly however let her be ſtrong. For according to Ptolomy, Centilo. 21. Cum Luna copulata fuerit ſtellis ſupra terram conſtitutis, evomere fecit potionem.

If the Vomit be for the help of an Infirmity in any member or part of the body, (ſay ſome Authors) let the Moon be in the ſign ſignifying the member or part of the body, well dignified and ſtrong; and let the ſign alſo if poſſible be fortunate; In my practice I have followed the former rules with much ſucceſs; however thou mayſt take thy choyce and pleaſe thy ſelf; but let me give you one Caution more, Let not the Moon or the Lord of the Aſcendent be in watry ſigns,

Nota.

eſpecially Scorpio and Cancer, nor the Aſcendent; for they are apt to make the Phyſick laxative, and work downwards. And ſo much for adminiſtring of Vomits; it reſteth now we deſcend to Purges, &c.

CHAP. IX. Of adminiſtring Purges and Phyſick laxative.

EVer in adminiſtring Purges obſerve three things, viz.

• 1. The Time.
• 2. The Age.
• 3. And manner thereof.

As concerning the Time, thou art to take heed the weather be not extream hot or cold; for ſo ſaith Hippocrates, part. 4. Aphoriſm 5. Avoyd the dog-days and froſty weather; therefore rainy and open weather is good; and in his 46 Aphoriſm of his 6 part,^[825] he proveth that the Spring and Autumn are more convenient for this purpoſe then Summer or Winter; yet he commendeth Winter more then Summer; for in Summer the humours boyl through extremity of heat, and ſo fainteth the ſpirits and annoyeth Nature much: He teacheth alſo, that in Summer we are to purge by the upper parts or by vomit;^[826] in Winter by the lower, or by purge, if neceſſity require that Phyſick muſt be given at theſe times.

Secondly, As touching the Age, Phyſick by a prudent and wiſe Phyſician ought not to be adminiſtred to Infants nor decrepid old age, nor much to youth; for to the Child it is needleſs ſince it cannot duly work its effect, where there is neither ſtrength nor matter to work on; and in age it worketh in a manner the ſame; but without doubt it muſt needs debilitate Nature in both; in youth a little at the Spring and Fall may be advantageous; but to take it often, it hindreth the natural heat and concoction, and ſo conſequently the radical heat and moyſture being hereby abated, the days of the party muſt needs be ſhortned.

Laſtly, Of the manner of adminiſtring Purges and other Medicines, ſome thou haſt had already; but of adminiſtring of Purges thou ſhalt have beneath; wherefore here I ſhall onely give you this note or caution, and ſo proceed.

^[827]That adminiſter what you will when the Moon is in the firſt fifteen degrees of Libra or Aquaries in the Conjunction, Square or the Oppoſition of Saturn, Iupiter or Mars, or they in theſe configurations of one another, it hindreth the operation of the Phyſick.

Ptolomy in his 56 Centiloquium ſaith, Cum Luna eſt in primo quadrangulo, hoc eſt, ex quo à Solis conjunctione receſſit, corporum humiditates ad ſecundum uſque effluunt, in reliquis autem decreſcunt. ^[828] When the Moon is in her firſt quarter, viz. from her Conjunction with the Sun till the firſt Quartile, the humours of mans body increaſe or flow from the inward parts of the body to the outward, in the reſt retire or move from the External parts to the Internal; wherefore in the firſt quarter it is requiſite that you know it is moſt fitting to apply then External evacuations, and afterwards Internal; yet I have ever held it ſafeſt to defer Internal potions till after its Oppoſition with the Sun, or as we vulgarly ſay, the Full Moon.

^[829]Some of the Ancients have approved of Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio and Piſces to be placed on the Aſcendent at the time of giving of Purges; others of Cancer, Scorpio or Piſces; and again, ſome of the latter degrees, or more plainly the laſt fifteen degrees of Libra, and the firſt fifteen degrees of Scorpio; alſo that the Moon ſhould be in one of theſe places; ſo that the Learned in this moſt heavenly ſtudy have been of ſeveral opinions in this matter; there is none of them but had reaſons for their rules, and any of them may be followed according as the caſe may ſtand with the Patient, and the humour to be purged; wherefore as Ptolomy in his firſt Aphoriſm of his Centiloquium ſaith, A te & à ſcientia, ſo muſt thou warily conſider the ſtate of thy Patient, and the reaſons of the Ancients in their practice, which thou wilt ſoon know when thou art well verſed in the nature of the Planets and Signs; wherefore I ſhall here deſire thee to be throughly perfect in the ſecond Treatiſe of this Volume before thou adventureſt too far, and then thou needeſt not fear to go forwards.

^[830]In my practice I have ſtill followed theſe rules; To place the Aſcendent in one of the watry ſigns, viz. Cancer, Scorpio or Piſces fortunate, as alſo the Lord thereof, and the Moon in one of the aforeſaid ſigns alſo, and its diſpoſitor; but eſpecially I have deſired if poſſible to place the Moon in the firſt 15 degrees of Scorpio, or the laſt 15 degrees of Libra beholding a Planet under the earth, and free from the aſpects of Saturn, Iupiter and Mars; for that Saturn by his coldneſs doth thicken and make groſs the humours, and cloſing up the pores doth hinder the effect of the Phyſick; Iupiter his aſpects I have (ſo near as I could) ſtill alſo avoyded, for that he being hot and moyſt, and ſo conſequently a helper or aſſiſter of Nature, the Phyſick working contrary, muſt needs be either hurtful or of no great efficacy; Mars, for that through his heat and dryneſs of nature he oftentimes ſharpneth the humours to the extraction of blood if the Phyſick be ſtrong, or when but moderately ſtrong, if the Patient be weak.

I have alſo ever ſhunned thoſe times wherein the Moon doth any-wiſe behold a Planet above the earth, or a Planet that is retrograde, and thoſe times I find her in Aries, Taurus, Capricorn or the laſt 15 degrees of Sagittary, for that they rather provoke the Patient to vomiting, although the nature of the Phyſick be a purge ſo ordained to work downwards; and this doth often for want of underſtanding rather increaſe the diſeaſe then diminiſh it, when Nature is thus weakned by this Combuſtion of the Phyſick and Nature, which is aſſiſted by the influence of the ſuperiours, the one working downwards, the other upwards, &c.

^[831]And this my method I collected from the ſayings of Hermes and Ptolomy; wherefore for thy better ſatisfaction I will here give thee their words, and firſt I will begin with Hermes, for that he is the more ancient, and was Ptolomies predeceſſor.

Hermes then in his 74 Aphoriſm of his Centiloquium ſaith, Luna exiſtente in ſignis ruminantibus, vel conjuncta Planetae retrogrado, non eſt bonum purgationibus uti: haec enim vomitum inferunt, vel alias laeſiones. The Moon in ſuch ſigns as chew the Cud, (which you have heard already are Aries, Taurus, Capricorn, and the laſt part or 15 degrees of Sagittary) or in Conjunction or Aſpect with a retrograde Planet, it is not ſafe to adminiſter purges, for they cauſe vomiting or ſome other miſchief.

^[832]And Ptolomy in his 21 of his Centiloquium ſaith, Cum Luna fuerit in Scorpione aut Piſcibus, Dominúſque Aſcendentis ſtellae ſub terram pofitae copulabitur, bonum eſt purgationibus uti. Si verò copulatur ſtellae ſupra terram conſtitutae, potionem qui ſumpſerit evomet. When the Moon is in Scorpio or Piſces, alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent in configuration or Conjunction with a Planet under the earth, it is good to give or uſe purges. But if either of them be in configuration with a Planet above the earth, the Phyſick which is given ſhall be vomited up again.

Again as touching Iupiter, as I have ſaid, for that I know ſome will not condeſcend with me, Ptolomy in his 19 Centiloquium, ſaith, Vis purgationis hebetatur, cum Luna Jovi fuerit conjuncta. The ſtrength and efficacy of a purge is taken away when the Moon is in Conjunction or configuration of Iupiter.

^[833] Haly and Alkindus give directions that the Moon be in the laſt 15 degrees of Libra, or the firſt 15 degrees of Scorpio, and that its diſpoſitor or the Lord of that Houſe ſhe is in be ſtrong or well dignified, oriental and in an angle, and the Planet in configuration with him (if any there be) be alſo fortunate, oriental and in an angle, and that the Lord of the Aſcendent be alſo ſo pofited; and the Moon and they free from the aſpects of the Malevolents, eſpecially the Moon, Lord of the Aſcendent and the ſign ſcending, and the Moon applying to Venus rather then Iupiter, for that ſhe will further the Phyſicks operation, and comfort the ſpirits of the Patient; but Iupiter will ſo fortifie Nature, that he will hinder the operation and effect of the potion; and let the Moon be received by the fortunes; and if its diſpoſitor be weak, let him be received of the fortunes alſo by a Sextile or Trine.

And if you would purge any particular member, or if the potion be prepared for ſuch an uſe, obſerve ſtill what hath been already ſaid, and place the Fortunes in that ſign ſignifying the member of the body,^[834] and fortifie the ſign as much as you can, and the Lord of the fourth Houſe.

But if your potion be prepared to cool, heat, moyſten or dry, place the Moon and the Lord of the Aſcendent in one of the ſigns ſignifying the temper you deſire or aim at, viz. which is of the nature of the buſineſs you intend, and fortifie it; but ſigns chewing the cud are to be avoyded, as you have heard, &c.

If your purgation be to expel or remove Melancholy, let the Moon be ſtrong and in a Sextile or Trine of Iupiter; but remember to ſtick faſt to what you have already heard in this Election and theſe ſubſequent rules; onely let theſe applications of the Moon be particularly and chiefly followed and obſerved, &c.

As if to purge choler, ^[835] let her apply by a benevolent aſpect to Venus.

To purge flegm, ^[836] let her apply to the Sun. Note that theſe muſt be by Electuaries.

^[837]Know thou that if the medicine be by potion for any of theſe, Scorpio is preferred before any of the ſigns, and to be placed on the Aſcendent, or the Moon to be therein when ſhe ſo applys.

^[838]If it be an Electuary, Cancer is to be choſen.

If Pils, Piſces.

Know further, if the Moon be in the Aſcendent at the time you take the Phyſick, it cauſeth unuſual ſwellings in the body.

Let not the Moon and the Lord of the Aſcendent be in the fourth Houſe, nor in the eighth, for it cauſeth deſtruction: Obſerve the ſame in Phlebotomy.

Still remember to fortifie your ſignificators, and make them free from the configurations of the Malevolents.

Let not the Lord of the eighth, or interficient or killing Planet be in an angle, nor in configuration with any of the ſignificators. Theſe things if thou diligently obſerveſt, thou ſhalt be an artificial workman, and ſhalt far exceed the chiefeſt Phyſician of thy time that is ignorant herein.

^[839]If you would purge the ſpleen, let not Saturn be ſtrong in the Heaven; and give your medicine in the hour of Iupiter, and let him be well dignified and placed or diſpoſed.

^[840]If the liver, let it not be in the hour of Iupiter, or when he is ſtrong, but fortifie Saturn, and let it be in his hour.

If the heart, let not the Sun be ſtrong, neither apply your medicine in his hour; but if he be in the Aſcendent, tenth or ſeventh Houſe, you may ſafely adminiſter Cordials; but purge not.

When Mercury is ſtrong, purge not the lungs.

When Mars, purge not the gall.

When Venus, purge not the members, or veſſels of generation.

When the Moon, purge not the brain.

In preparing your medicines you may take any hour except the hours of Saturn and Mars.

Note alſo that if any of the Infortunes were Lord of the Aſcendent of the Patients Nativity, you may make uſe thereof; for though it may be hurtful to another, it will not be to him, as you have ſufficiently heard at the beginning of this third Book.

And thus much concerning the adminiſtration of Purges; let us therefore now hear the Elections touching Bathing, and ſo of uſing Chirugery and Phlebotomy, and then conclude this Section.

CHAP. X. Of Bathing, and Electing a time therefore.

^[841]THou wilt here beneath finde the moſt fitting time for Phlebotomie; uſe the ſame alſo for bathing; yet if thou Batheſt for health, and the infirmity be cold or moiſt, and requireth evacuation, let the Moon be in fiery ſigns, and in good aſpect of the Sun; but if hot, let the Moon be in watry ſigns, in good configuration of Jupiter or Venus.

^[842]If thou doeſt Bathe for cleanlineſs, let the Moon be in Libra or Piſces, and in Sextile or Trine of Venus.

^[843]If thou doeſt Bathe or anoint thy ſelf to remove ſuperfluous hair growing on thy body, let the Moon be in Piſces or Scorpio, in Sextile or Trine of Jupiter, the Sun or Venus, or Quartile, but not bodily joyned in Conjunction with any of them, nor in configuration of Saturn; and if thou canſt not put her in thoſe ſigns, place her in Cancer or Piſces; but by no means in Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn or Aquaries: But if the Patient do not anoint himſelf, let the Moon be in what ſign ſhe will; but if he be anointed, be ſure thou place not the Moon in any ſign increaſing hair, as Aries, Taurus, Leo, and the laſt part of Sagittary and Capricorn.

CHAP. XI. Of Electing a time for uſing Chirurgery.

^[844]HAve regard in electing a time for uſing Chirurgery, that the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, and in Sextile or Trine of Iupiter, or Venus, and let not Mars be in any aſpect with her; and ſome Authors among the Caldeans hold, that the Moon is more afflicted by Mars when ſhe is increaſing in light then diminiſhing, and by Saturn more when ſhe is diminiſhing or decreaſing then increaſing.

Let the Moon be in a fixed ſign, but not in the ſign (or in configuration therewith) that hath ſignification of the member, if inciſsion be to be made: neither let the Lord of the Aſcendent be therein, nor the cuſp of the Aſcendent, nor the Moon nor Lord of the Aſcendent Cadent.

Fortifie the ſign ſignifying the member and its Lord, and place the Lord of the Aſcendent in the aſcendent or mid-heaven, free from the configurations of Mars,

Note.

and let the Moon be free from all manner of impediment; obſerve theſe, if thou canſt not all the foregoing Rules.

CHAP. XII. Of Electing a time for Phlebotomy or Blood-letting, of applying alſo Ventoſies.

^[845] REmember that in Phlebotomie there are four things conſiderable, viz.

• 1. The time of the year.
• 2. The Age of the Patient.
• 3. The cuſtom of the Patient.
• 4. The ſtrength of the Patients body.

^[846]Firſt the time of the year is to be regarded, and therefore in very hot or cold weather Phlebotomy is not to be uſed, for three Reaſons.

Firſt, becauſe that in extream heat or cold, the body is very looſe and open, and the diminution of blood diſſolveth it more.

Secondly, through inflammation of the Spirits and humours, Phlebotomy inflaming them more.

Thirdly, becauſe the Ayr as a Bath draweth the Humours from the Center to the circumference, and the effect of Phlebotomy is to draw the humours from the circumference to the Center, though it for the preſent extracteth the blood.

^[847]Secondly, the age is to be regarded; for before the age of fourteen, and after ſixty three, Phlebotomie ſhould not be adminiſtred, for that it diminiſheth that which is the greateſt nouriſher both of the decrepid age, and the tender youth, viz. blood; wherefore in theſe avoid Phlebotomie, unleſs the caſe be deſperate, as in ſome Hectick Feaver or the like, and then draw not much blood neither, but only open a vein for the cooling of the body.

Thirdly, the cuſtom of the Patient is to be regarded; for as Ʋſus eſt ſecunda natura, Uſe is a ſecond nature, as we ſay, Phlebotomy is not any wiſe dangerous to thoſe that are accuſtomed therewith, but it may prove dangerous to the unaccuſtomed; for ſometimes it may breed an infirmity; wherefore let ſuch refrain Phlebotomie, unleſs neceſsity very much require.

Fourthly, the ſtrength of the Patients body is to be obſerved or conſidered; for upon every ſlight occaſion, weak conſtitutions are not to draw blood, but in a ſtrong conſtitution, there is not altogether ſo much danger, &c.

If neceſsity inforceth, thou needeſt not ſtand to elect a time (as in Apoplexies and Squinancies) but for ſuch infirmities as may admit of ſo much time, thou mayſt follow theſe Rules, and if thou art wiſe thou wilt not neglect them, no not if thou wert hired thereunto, when thou haſt made experiment thereof.

^[848]Let the Lord of the Aſcendent, ſign of the Aſcendent, and the Moon, as alſo its Depoſitor be ſtrong and free from the configurations of Saturn, Mars, or the Sun; for theſe hinder Phlebotomie, for the Moon in Conjunction with either of them hindreth Phlebotomy a day before, and a day after the bodily or Partile Conjunction; in Oppoſition of them, hindreth 12. hours before and after; in a □, 6. hours. The Moon alſo in Conjunction with Venus or Mercury, hindreth blood-letting (eſpecially if they be combuſt) 12. hours before and after the Conjunction.

Remember that the Moon be not in that ſign of the Zodiack or the Lord of the Aſcendent,

Note.

ſignifying the member to be ſtruck; neither place the Moon in Leo, nor (if you apply Ventoſies) let her be in Taurus, &c.

^[849]The ☽ in ☌, * or Δ or ♃ or ♀ if not combuſt, cauſeth good blood-letting, as alſo in □ of them, ſo the ☽ be in a good ſign, &c.

The Moon alſo in a good ſign and free from impediment in * or Δ of Saturn, Mars, or the Sun, cauſeth good extraction of blood.

^[850]Extract blood Melancholy when the Moon is in Libra or Aquaries, the reins, buttocks and legs being excepted.

Cholerick, In any member when ſhe is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Piſces, the breſt, ſecrets and feet excepted.

Flegmatick, the Moon in Aries or Sagittary, ^[851] the head and thighs excepted.

^[852]Let blood

• Sanguine, from the Conjunction of the Moon with the Sun to the firſt Square.
• Cholerick, from the firſt Square to the Oppoſition.
• Flegmatick, from the Oppoſition to the laſt Square.
• Melancholy, from the laſt Square to the next Conjunction.

^[853]Note alſo, that young men and women ought to Phlebotomize from the Conjunction of the Moon with the Sun to the firſt Square; from the firſt Square or quarter to the Oppoſition or Full, Middle age; from the Oppoſition or Full to the laſt Square or Quarter, elder years; from the laſt Square or Quarter to the Conjunction or Change, old age, if neceſſity ſo require that they muſt be let blood.

What hath been ſaid of Phlebotomy,

Note.

is alſo to be underſtood in applying Ventoſies.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Phyſitians going to the Patient.

ALways make the Aſcendent, the tenth, ſeventh and fourth, and their Lords as ſtrong as you can; alſo place the Fortunes therein; for the Aſcendent being well dignified, and its Lord, and the Fortunes therein, ſignifie that the Patient ſhall be bettered by the Phyſitian; the tenth, that the Patient ſhall be obedient and ruled by the Phyſitian; the ſeventh, that the Phyſitian ſhall be able to go through with his cure; the fourth, that the Phyſick ſhall work its effect.

If the Infortunes be in any of theſe places,

Note.

or they or their Lords indigent and weak, judge the contrary, &c.

^[854]Fortifie alſo the ninth houſe and its Lord, alſo the Moon and its Diſpoſitor; for if the ninth houſe, and its Lord be unfortunate, afflicted or weak, though the Phyſitian be never ſo deſerving, he ſhall be ill though off, miſtruſted, undervalued, and ſhall gain no credit by his Patient or endeavours.

And if to obtain a great reward for his pains and labour, let the Moon be ſtrong and well dignified, and alſo Jupiter, and let him be in the ſecond houſe, or in Sextile or Trine thereof, or with the Lord thereof, the which you muſt alſo fortifie, and Part of Fortune, and its Diſpoſitor; and if thou canſt not make him aſpect all theſe, let him behold Part of Fortune, and as many as thou canſt contrive, &c.

Let it be the hour of Jupiter that thou firſt feeſt thy Patient in (if poſsible) or take thy journey towards him therein; for ſo ſhalt thou gain credit and good repute,

Note.

whether thou advantage him or no.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice at this time for adminiſtring of Phyſick and Phlebotomy; let us therefore now proceed to what farther we are to conſider in this houſe, &c.

CHAP. XIV. Of Hiring of Servants.

MAny things are ſignified by the 12. houſes you have heard in our ſecond Treatiſe, wherein you finde Servants are ſignified by the ſixth houſe; wherefore in this place it reſteth we ſpeak ſomewhat of them; the Arabians and ancient Aſtrologers in their Volumes have delivered Rules for Electing a time to buy Servants; for that in their days they were uſed to be bought and ſold (being ſlaves) as horſes (or any other thing for the uſe of man) in Markets: But ſince in our Age wherein we live we uſe no ſuch thing being (by the bleſsing and mercy of GOD) inſtructed otherways by his word, and by the bond of charity tyed to be more civil; we ſhall in this place (it belonging not to us to practiſe any ſuch matter) omit their Rules of Buying, and deliver you ſome Rules for hiring of Servants, &c. which if thou findeſt not in their Volumes, ought not therefore to be abſolutely ſlighted; for it followeth not that becauſe they found out many rare things in their ſtudy of this moſt heavenly and admirable Science, that no body elſe is able, and ſo to ſtand at the ſame ſtay they left us, &c.

Fortifie then the aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon, its Diſpoſitor, the Part of Fortune, and its Diſpoſitor, alſo the ſign and Lord of the ſixth, and its Diſpoſitor, and let the Fortunes be above the earth; make alſo the Lord of the ſixth apply to the Lord of the Aſcendent, or make the Lord of the Aſcendent diſpoſe of the Lord of the ſixth; this makes thy ſervant diligent and reſpectfull to thee, and loving: But if there be an Infortune in the fourth, or ſixth, the ſervant will be unfaithfull, a fugitive, and no wiſe conſtant.

If thou canſt not obſerve all this, place the Lord of the ſixth in the Aſcendent, or tenth, or in Sextile or Trine therewith; and if thou wouldeſt have him advantagious to thee in thy eſtate; place the Lord of the ſixth in the ſecond, but let him not be eſſentially dignified yet free from impediment or affliction of the Malevolents; or if thou canſt not place him therein, let him be in Sextile or Trine thereunto, or in reception of the Lord of the ſecond, or diſpoſed of by him, &c.

CHAP. XV. Of buying of Birds, and letting them flie to return again.

^[855]EVer remember, if the Birds you intend to buy are Faulcons or Hawks and the like, that the Moon be in Gemini, Libra, or Aquaries, or in the firſt 15. degrees of Capricorn, and fortifie the Aſcendent, the ſign of the ſixth and its Lord.

^[856]If the Birds are Pea-cocks, Turkeys, ordinary Cocks and Hens, &c. or any houſhold Poultry, let the Aſcendent, the ſign of the ſixth and their Lords be fortunate, and the Moon in an earthy or fixed ſign well dignified; this cauſeth them to be profitable, good, and to remain with you: but if the Cocks you buy are for fighting or of the Game,^[857] let the Moon, Sun, and Mars be ſtrong, and if poſsible, in reception of each other, or of the Lord of the ſixth, &c.

^[858]If thou intendeſt to buy Pigeons, or any ſuch Bird for thy pleaſure, let the Aſcendent, the ſixth, their Lords and the Moon, as hath been ſaid, be ſtrong or under no impediment, and let the Moon be in Sextile or Trine of Venus with reception, and if poſsible out of the fifth houſe; and if you can, let the ſign of the ſixth be Taurus or Libra, but Taurus, eſpecially, for that it is the houſe of Venus, and exaltation of the Moon, and alſo fixed, which will conduce much to their ſtaying with you.

^[859]But if thou wouldſt know when thou hadſt beſt venture to let them firſt flie, that they may not wander away or forſake the place, let not the Moon apply to Conjunction or Aſpect with any Planet going to combuſtion, or to Mars, eſpecially out of aëry ſigns, or to Saturn; for all theſe denote no return, or that they ſhall be killed or come to ſome miſchance or other.

Wherefore let the ſign aſcending, the ſign of the ſixth, and their Lords, and alſo the Moon, be free from all impediment and in good aſrect of Iupiter or Venus, provided they be not combuſt or going thereunto, and let as many of theſe as you can be in fixed ſigns or beholding them, eſpecialy the Moon, the Aſcendent and the ſixth houſe.

^[860]And laſtly if thow wouldſt buy Water-fowle, as are Swans, Geeſe and Ducks, let the aforeſaid ſignificators and places be in watry ſigns, viz Cancer, Scorpio and Piſces; if to remain or keep from ſtraying, let Scorpio be preferred; Piſces alſo in this matter hath preheminency before Cancer.

CHAP. XVI. Of buying fourfooted beaſts.

^[861]SEE that in this work thou fortifieſt that ſign which doth repreſent the beaſt to be bought, or that which is neereſt to its nature, and fortifie it, and the Moon, the Lord of Aſcendent, ſign of the ſixth and their Lords, and let the Moon if poſsible be in reception with the Lord of the ſign ſignifying the beaſt, or the Lord of the ſixth, and free from impediment, or if not in reception, yet in Sextile or Trine.

^[862]If the beaſt to be bought be Bull, Ox, Cow or Horſe, or any other great Cattel, let the Moon be in Taurus, or the laſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary.

^[863]If Sheep, in Aries; if Goats, in Capricorn, or in Taurus, if it cannot be otherwiſe helped; and if the Beaſt be a male, place your ſignificators in maſculine ſigns, if a female, the contrary:

^[864]If Dogs or Hounds for hunting, fortifie the Aſcendent, the ſixth and their Lords, alſo the Moon, and let the Aſcendent be in the laſt 15. degrees of Leo or Sagittary, for this maketh them ſtrong and bold; and for ſwiftneſs, let the Moon and your ſignificators be in aëry ſigns;^[865] underſtand the ſame in buying Race Horſes.

Let the Moon in buying any beaſt be fortunate, in Sextile or Trine of the Fortunes, and free from the malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes.

^[866] As for matter of the price, as buying to advantage and cheap, I refer thee to the 3. chap. of the 3. Sect. of this 3. Book, where is ſufficiently of this matter, which will ſerve in any thing of this nature Mutatis mutandis, varying your Rules according to Art, and ſo thou art to take notice in any other houſe where any thing is left out; you muſt have reſpect to the foregoing Chapters for buſineſſes of the ſame nature, and ſo frame your buſineſs according to diſcretion and underſtanding; for it is not for me to inſiſt on every particular in every houſe, for that would ſwell this Volumn to a bulk as large again as it is, naturally I abhorring tedious Diſcourſes, eſpecially if it may be helped; ſo alſo in Sect. 4. and 2. Chap. I have given thee ſufficient Rules for electing a time to make any agreement of love between brethren; the like I might have handled in the fourth houſe between the Son and the Father: in the fifth between the Native and his Son; and in this houſe between him and his Servants, &c. But ſince thoſe Rules are ſufficient, the ſignificators being varyed (as I have ſaid) what need is there for me to inlarge my Volumn when it may be ſufficient otherways? for it is but placing the fourth houſe and its Lord (as you have heard of the third) for the Father: the fifth, for the Sun; the ſixth, for the ſervant; the ſeventh for the wife, Leaman, or open enemy, &c. and then you are right; and thus much for this, or any other buſineſs.

CHAP. XVII. Of bringing up Dogs, or Taming of ſmall Cattel.

^[867]EVer you are herein to fortifie the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon and her diſpoſitor, the ſign of the ſixth and its Lord, and let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, and in reception with the Lord of the ſixth or his Diſpoſitor, or in good Aſpect with them, or either of them, or the Lord of the Aſcendent or its Diſpoſitor in reception or good Aſpect with them or either of them; and if poſſible, let the Moon, the Lord of the Aſcendent, or the Lord of the ſixth be in Sextile or Trine (with reception) with Jupiter or Venus, or in good Aſpect, if not reception; yet if thou canſt not obſerve all this, be ſure to obſerve as much thereof as thou canſt; but eſpecially fortifie the Moon, the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Lord of the ſixth, and if poſſible, let them be in ſome benevolent configuration of Jupiter or Venus, and ſo order your time according to diſcretion and your Rules, &c.

SECTION VIII. Containing Elections appertaining to the ſeventh Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of Elections appertaining to the ſignification of the ſeventh houſe, and touching Marriage.

YOU ſee we are now to Treat (according to a regular courſe) of ſuch things as come under the ſignification of the ſeventh houſe, having done with the ſixth, and give you the moſt authentick Rules appertaining to the Elections of any work having relation thereunto: we ſhall therefore according to our former method proceed, and ſpeak firſt of Marriages, being the chiefeſt or principalleſt matter under its ſignifications; but firſt I ſhall here ſhew you what other Elections are here in this houſe to be handled, &c.

Elections under the ſignification of the ſeventh houſe, are ſuch as appertain to Marriage, Wars, Duels, to the making of Inſtruments for War, Partnerſhip, or ſuch things as are done between two, to ſeek Fugitives, to make Thieves, confeſs the truth, to hunt, fiſh or fowl, to buy Arms, to ſtorm Caſtles and make Batteries, and to play at any Game, and the like; thus much then of the Elections in general; let us now deſcend to particulars, and firſt (as hath been ſaid) of Marriages.

Know that in this manner of Judgment, it is moſt requiſite to know exactly your ſignificators; otherways it is impoſsible ever to frame any ſure or ſolid judgement.

Wherefore then obſerve, that the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Sun and the Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated, are ſignificators of the Man; the ſeventh houſe, its Lord, Venus and the Planet to whom the Moon next applies, of the woman.

The tenth houſe, the Lord thereof, and the Planet or Planets therein or in configuration therewith, or with the Lord thereof, hath ſignification of thoſe things that ſhall happen between them, viz. whether good or ill.

The fourth houſe, its Lord, and the Planet or Planets therein, or in configuration thereof, or with its Lord, hath ſignification of the event and end of the Marriage.

Wherefore in this matter when you make any Election, have ſpecial regard to the Moon; for according to her fortitude or debility, thou mayeſt judge the good or bad event of any of theſe.

Mercury is not to be rejected, for he hath ſignification of the children which they are to have, ſo that if at the time of Marriage or contract, he be well dignified, and in Conjunction or Aſpect with the Fortunes, thou mayſt aſſuredly ſay the married couple ſhall ſoon have a child. The Antients have ſaid the ſame, he being but in configuration with the Fortunes; but I hold it moſt true if he be in his own dignities alſo at that time, and beholding them out of the fifth houſe, and the more aſſured will this be, if they be in prolifical Signs.

^[868]Let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, at the time of the Marriage, and ſee that ſhe be not joyned to any Infortune in the Aſcendent; for that ſignifieth that the parties then Married ſhall be continually in ſtrife and contention, brawling and diſcord; ſo likewiſe if in either of their Nativities this poſition be found, then that party that hath this in the Radix ſhall have moſt power and bear greateſt^[869] way; yet note if the Moon upon ſuch a conſtellation in any ones Nativity be above the earth, that party that hath her ſo poſited ſhall be inclined (notwithſtanding the ſtrife and contention the party is naturally prone to) to make peace again, and compoſe all differences.

But what ever you do, be ſure you fortifie Venus, and ſee that ſhe be not Cadent, Retrograde, Combuſt, nor in her Fall or Detriment, nor in any malevolent configuration with the Infortunes; for it is impoſſible the Marriage ſhould be good where Venus is impotent or afflicted; neither can it be very bad if ſhe be ſtrong and well aſpected of the Fortunes; for in Marriages ſhe is the chief ſignificatrix; wherefore, if poſsible, make Jupiter to be in Sextile or Trine with Venus, or ſhe in reception with him, and the Moon in the houſe of either Jupiter or Venus, or in one of their terms; and, if poſſible, alſo in good aſpect with them, or place the Lord of the ſeventh in Sextile or Trine of Venus, the Moon, or Lord of the Aſcendent; but make the Lord of the ſeventh apply or elſe be diſpoſed of by them either by houſe, exaltation, triplicity, term, or face; but by houſe or exaltation is beſt, &c.

Let the Moon,

Note.

Jupiter, and Venus, if poſsible, be in Sextitle or Trine of each other, but the Trine is beſt, and out of the watry triplicity; but be ſure then you let them not be in ſuch ſigns or parts of ſigns as are to be avoided: For the Ancients have taught that the Moon, or indeed (as I hold) any of the ſignificators, Jupiter, or Venus, is not to be placed in the Aſcendent at the time of Marriage in any of theſe ſigns following which are to be avoided or ſhunned.

^[870] Aries, Cancer, Libra and Aquaries, are to be avoided in Marriage; yet I conceive (with ſome of the Ancients) Libra may be choſen for betrothing or contracting, though not for marrying.

Taurus from the firſt degree to the twentieth is good, from the twentieth to the end bad.

The firſt fifteen degrees of Gemini are good, the laſt bad.

The whole ſign of Leo is good, only it cauſeth the one to deceive the other of their ſubſtance.

Virgo ſignifieth the woman ſhall ſoon loſe her husband; wherefore it may be beneficial to her, though pernicious to him, women ſeldom loving ſo affectionately as men.

The firſt fifteen degrees of Scorpio are good to Marry a Maid or Virgin in, for that it denotes ſhe will be obedient, good and chaſte, alſo loving to her husband: but the latter fifteen degrees are altogether to be rejected in that it cauſeth the Woman to be of diſpoſition quite contrary; viz. lewd, a Brawler, Perfidious, unconſtant, envious, malitious and diſobedient, &c.

Sagittary is indifferent, as ſome of the Ancients hold; I for my part cannot agree to reject it.

The firſt ten degrees of Capricorn are to be neglected, yet the other two laſt faces are good, and ſignifie the woman ſhall be loving and tractable to the will and deſire of the man, and they are better in a Widow then a Maid, excepting they cauſe but few children.

Note that the Moon in Aquaries at the time of Marriage, cauſeth the woman to be of a manly ſpirit and diſobedient to her husband.

Piſces is good, in that it denotes the woman to be loving and juſt; yet it will alſo cauſe her to be addicted to twatling and prating, which will now and then leſſen the mans love towards her.

Underſtand this, when the Moon is in any of theſe ſigns,

Note.

or the Cuſp of the Aſcendent, or if Venus be therein, yet their ſignifications will be moſt manifeſt, the Moon being therein.

Yet hadſt thou Venus, the Moon, Aſcendent, the Sun, and Lord of the Aſcendent fortunate in the Radix, thou needeſt not much to obſerve theſe, or if they be but indifferently well dignified and located: it is but making the ſignificators in the Womans^[871] Radix (if it could be procured) apply by a benevolent aſpect to the ſignificators in thy own, or let thine diſpoſe of hers, or let hers tranſlate the light of the benevolents to thine, or be in reception with thine by Houſe or Exaltation, and out of good Houſes, or but indifferent Houſes, ſo they be in reception; and thou ſhalt aſſuredly find the match in all reſpects fortunate and agreeable to thy deſire, if thou deſireſt to live contentedly and lovingly with her.

If at the time of marriage Iupiter be in a feminine ſign, and Venus in a maſculine,

Note.

the marriage ſhall conduce more to the good of the man then the woman: but if the ſign wherein Iupiter is be a maſculine, and the ſign wherein Venus is be a feminine, judge the contrary.

See that in Marriages you let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion,

Note.

but be ſure ſhe increaſe in light, and if poſſible let it be before ſhe be paſt the firſt Square of the Sun.

^[872]Have regard alſo to the Radix of both parties if they can be procured; for if there be fortunes in the mid-heaven at the time of their Nativities, or ſuch Planets as are in configuration with the fortunes, the new-married Couple ſhall have Iſſue the firſt year of their marriage.

If in their Nativities you find in one and the ſame place fortunate Planets, they ſhall aſſuredly be loving the one to the other: And this is a rule which will ſerve in the Nativity of any two.

If in the Radix thou findeſt the Lord of the tenth in the ninth, there ſhall be no Conception the firſt month, as ſay ſome of the Learned;

Note.

a little obſervation will ſoon verifie it; wherefore till then I ſhall leave it in doubt, being a thing not much material.

^[873]But if thou wouldſt know which of the two ſhall be moſt Maſter, or bear greateſt ſway, look into both their Nativities, and ſee (as ſay ſome of the Ancients) if the ☽ of eithers Radix be in the twelfth Houſe of the others Nativity, and that party which hath the ☽ of the others in his Radix thus located, ſhall be predominant.

That party is moſt ſubordinate to the others diſpoſition, that hath the Lord of the Aſcendent, ☽ or the ☉ (in the Nativity of the man, and Aſcendents Lord, the Moon and Venus, in the Radix of the Woman) diſpoſed of by the ſignificators in the others Nativity, or applying to any aſpect with them, except there be ſtrong reception, and that cauſeth a mutual amity. I have obſerved alſo, that that party which had their ſignificators in their Nativity ſtrongeſt and moſt eſſentially fortified, to have the moſt reſpect and bear chiefeſt rule over the others inclinations and humours, &c.

^[874]To conclude, Know that it is a fit time (having conſidered what hath been already ſaid) to marry when the Aſcendent is aſſiſted by the benevolent aſpects of the Fortunes, or they therein located; but if it be afflicted by the Malevolents either by body or aſpect, judge the contrary.

^[875]Note alſo, that when the ☽ and ♀ are in moveable ſigns, the joy and mirth between thoſe then married will not be of long continuance. And thus much for the electing a time for marriage; let us therefore now proceed.

CHAP. II. Of Venereall ſports.

^[876] WOuldſt thou be verſed in things of this nature, thou muſt warily then follow thy rules thus: As, Si pro dilectione muliere jacere vis, let the Moon be in Aries, Leo, Libra or Capricorn, for that they are of ſtrength and power; and let her be in benevolent configuration with Mars or Venus, or both; for applying to ♂ ſhe cauſeth multum ſperma; to ♀, gaudium quod invicem habebunt, & rationes delectabiles ſignificat. But ſee that ſhe apply not to ♄, quia taedium, frigiditatem & faſtidium illius facti ſignificat. But to apply to the ☉ is good, for that it ſignifieth magnam dilectionem amborum in illo negotio. See that the ☽ be not in ♓, for that oftentimes Infirmities come thereby; but ♊, ♎ or ♒ are not to be rejected, quia ſignificant delectationem & gaudium.

If the ☽ be the configuration of ♃, the Woman will refrain, &c.

^[877] Nota quod ſi volueris muliere jacere ut non concipiat, let the ☽ be in ♊, ♌ or ♍ applying to ♀, and in no configuration to ♃, and be ſure thou place her not in ♋ ♏ or ♓: Some of the Ancients ſay, that ſi aſpexerit Luna Martem, prohibebitur generatio. But know that ♀ in the Aſcendent in ♎ or ♓, delectationem & gaudium dat. But ♄ in the ſeventh, in coitu, diſcordiam inter eos denotat.

^[878] Know that ☽ in prolifical ſigns, as alſo the Aſcendentor fifth Houſe denotes the contrary: Still remember to vary your rules and order them according to diſcretion, and you cannot err.

CHAP. III. Of Partnerſhip, or Agreements, or things between two.

^[879]IF in all things you have chief reſpect to the ſignificators, and that to the right and true ſignificators of what you undertake (as hath been ſufficiently ſaid) you ſhall always be able to perform any thing in this nature with certainty.

Wherefore in this manner of Judgement, know that between partners, the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon and Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated, are ſignificators of that party which begins the buſineſs; the ſeventh, its Lord and the Planet the Moon next applys unto, of the other: the tenth and its Lord ſhall ſignifie what is or ſhall happen between them; and the fourth, and its Lord, the end of the buſineſs.

^[880]Look then whether the Aſcendent or ſeventh Houſe (I mean the cuſpe thereof) be moſt or more benevolently beheld by the Lord of the tenth, or in which he is moſt dignified or hath moſt fortitudes (which thou mayſt know by the Table of Fortitudes in our ſecond Book of this Volume) and judge that party ſignified by the Houſe he is moſt in favour with, to proſper or be moſt ſtable or firm in the thing.

^[881]Be ſure that you place the Moon, the Aſcendent and its Lord at the time of the making the agreement or partnerſhip between tw[•] [〈◊〉] common ſigns, ſuch as are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittary and Piſces, as you have heard already in our ſecond Book; but ſome of the learned in former ages have not approved of Sagittary or Piſces, except the Moon be received of Jupiter, yet Leo is to be choſen, for that it being the houſe of Sol, and he being advantageous in matters of ſociety, it hath been by the Ancients approved of for a good ſign, but other of the fixed ſigns in this matter they have diſallowed of; as alſo of all moveable ſigns, except Capricorn only: wherefore let neither the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon, its Diſpoſitor, Part of Fortune, or its Lord, be in them, but place them in common ſigns, and fortifie them to thy utmoſt power, free from both impediment, and the Malevolent Configurations of the Infortunes, but if poſſible place them in aſpect of the Fortunes.

Moreover, let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion; but if thou canſt not obſerve all this, yet ſee that thou fortifie as many as thou canſt, and thoſe chiefly ſuch as are eſpecially to be regarded, as are the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon, its Diſpoſitor, the Lord of the ſeventh, and cuſp thereof, as alſo ⊗, its Diſpoſitor, and the Medium and Imum Coeli, and their Lords; and if poſſible, make them behold one another, or at leaſt as many thereof as thou canſt, eſpecially the Lord of the Aſcendent and ſeventh, or in reception of each other, or with the Lords of the tenth and fourth, &c. let diſcretion and judgement be your directors, and you cannot fail of your deſire, but to obtain it, you muſt dive into the reaſons and grounds of the Art, as have the Sages in former times; otherwiſe neither what they, my ſelf, nor an hundred after me (ſhould ſo many endeavor to inſtruct thee) can well direct thee: but contrariwiſe, when thou haſt ſearched the depth thereof, thou wilt ſoon be able to write as authentickly and truly as any that hath gone before thee, &c.

CHAP. IV. Of going to War, or beginning of Differences and Duels, Quarrels, Law-Suits, Controverſies, and the like.

^[882]LEarn thou this, that the Aſcendent, and its Lord, and the Planet or Planets therein, or in Conjunction or Configuration with the Lord thereof, or in aſpect with it, are to ſignifie him or them that begin the quarrel or controverſie, the ſeventh, Lord thereof, and Planet or Planets therein, and in aſpect therewith, or with the Lord thereof, or Conjunction with him, the other, or contrary party.

^[883]Having thus a true knowledge of your Significators, you may eaſily frame your buſineſs to the beſt; as if you would have the party or parties ſignified by the Aſcendent to overcome, or to have the better, it is good to place the Aſcendent in one of the houſes of the Superior Planets. viz. Saturn, Jupiter, or Mars; but note, that in this matter, Mars is to be preferred before the reſt, and of this houſe, ſome of the Sages have ſaid Scorpio, becauſe it is a fixed ſign: I conceive it being a ſign of deceit, it may help by policy or ſlight to overmatch the contrary party, and therefore to be preferred before Aries, who though it be a ſign fiëry, yet is it moveable and unſtable; however, be ſure, if poſſible, at the time of the firſt onſet or beginning of the quarrel, you make the Aſcendents Lord diſpoſe of the Lord of the ſeventh, or otherwiſe be more eſſentially fortified and dignified, and alſo elevated above him in the figure of heaven at that time; for by how much the more your Significator be ſtrong and well dignified, by ſo much the more ſhall he be able to deal with or overcome his enemy: underſtand the ſame by the Lord of the ſeventh, if you would have the party or parties thereby ſignified, to have the better: And note, that either in ſingle duels, open wars between Armies, domeſtick or forraign, or Law-ſuits, or any other Controverſie, the ſame rules will ſerve, having a ſpecial regard to the true Significators.

Theſe rules might ſufficiently ſerve for any buſineſs of this nature; but ſince the Ancients have hereon been ſomewhat large, I hold it not fit for me to bury their ſayings in ſilence; they may very well ſerve both to confirm thy judgement, and enable thee to order it according to the moſt rational rules, which thou mayſt according to diſcretion pick out thereof.

^[884]Let then the Lord of the Aſcendent (if that party you would have victorious, if it be your Significator, and ſo contrariwiſe the Lord of the ſeventh, if he be your Significator) behold the Aſcendent being his own houſe, with a Sextile or Trine, and alſo Mars, if he be not Lord thereof, or be in Benevolent Configuration with the Lord thereof, or place the Lord of the Aſcendent, in the Aſcendent, eleventh or tenth (but know the tenth is better then the eleventh) well dignified, both eſſentially and accidentally.

But have a ſpecial care he be not in the abject part of heaven, viz. the fourth, or in the ſeventh, becauſe then he is diſpoſed of by his enemy, or as it were intrapped or invironed by h m; neither let him be in the eighth, or in combuſtion, or retrograde, nor cadent, or any otherwiſe debilitated; neither in reception or aſpect of any Planet thus afflicted, &c.

^[885]And contrariwiſe, place the Lord of the ſeventh (if you would have thoſe ſignified by it be worſted) in the aſcendent or ſecond, and applying to the Lord of the Aſcendent by Sextile or Trine, or if not ſo, by any other aſpect, for that betokeneth a deſire or inclination to agreement.

Whatever you do, ſee that you fortifie Mars, and let him, if poſſible, be Lord of the party you would have victorious (as hath been ſaid) and eſſentially well dignified and well placed in the heaven,^[886] and alſo free from all manner of Impediment, applying by Sextile or Trine to the Significator or his houſe, the Aſcendent and its Lord, if they be chief Significators: the contrary if the ſeventh, and the Lord thereof be Significators, &c.

^[887] You muſt further know, that the ſecond houſe hath ſignification in Duels of the parties ſecond which is ſignified by the Aſcendent; in open wars, of the Militia, Moneys, or all other aſſiſtants and friends; in Law-ſuits, the Coadjutors or Helpers, or the help it ſelf: The eighth houſe alſo contrariwiſe of the aſſiſtants or aid of the enemies or proſecutors, being the ſecond from the ſeventh, as you have had abundantly taught you in the ſecond Treatiſe of theſe our labours.

^[888] Fortifie therefore the ſecond houſe, and its Lord, as you have heard of the Lord of the Aſcendent, as you have alſo heard by him; for this ſhall make ſtrong your aid and aſſiſtance in all reſpects for the better managing your buſineſs: ſtill remember to fortifie the Lord of the ſecond, and the ſecond it ſelf by eſſential dignities and aſpects of the Benevolents, as you have heard of the Lord of the Aſcendent and Aſcendent it ſelf, and you cannot erre; wherefore ponder well the reaſons hereof, and you ſhall be ſoon able to perform your work with great facility; otherwiſe it is impoſſible ever to inſtruct thee in this matter, as I have often ſaid

It is alſo requiſite, you have reſpect to the Moon, and its Diſpoſitor, that you fortifie them alſo as much as poſſibly may be,^[889] as alſo Mercury, and let them apply to that parties Significators you deſire to be Victorious.

In ſingle Duels or Law-ſuits and Controverſies between man and man, you would do well to have regard to the time of their^[890] birth, being the moſt ſure ground of thy work, if they can be procured; for look who hath Mars moſt eſſentially fortified in the Radix, and he ſhall aſſuredly be Victor in the Quarrel, Controverſie or Law-ſuit, and commonly he that is born in the night (as ſay ſome of the Learned) doth overcome.

But I hold that Mars in Law-ſuits, is not ſo much to be regarded, as the Lords of their Aſcendents; for to that which is moſt dignined, I give Victory, without any regard to Mars at all; onely in Duels or Wars Mars ought to be conſidered.

^[891]Yet note, if the war be betwixt two Kings, their Nativities are to be procured and regarded (as ſay ſome of the Ancients) but I hold more proper to have the time of the beginning of their Monarchies, for the judging thereon, or the beginning of their ſtock to be procured; and ſo conſequently if the war be between any King and State, to have the beginning of his Monarchy, and the time of the beginning of their being a State or Commonwealth, &c. and from theſe times collect your judgement. But more of this anon when we come to treat of Revolutions of the World; wherefore here we ſhall paſs it by and proceed.

^[892]Part of war (as ſome of the ancient Sages have inſtructed us) ought to be ſet, and then you muſt have a ſpecial regard to the placing thereof for advantage of that party you deſire ſhould be victorious; wherefore herein as thou haſt been warned of the ſeventh, fourth and eighth Houſes in placing the Lord of your Aſcendent, ſo underſtand of placing part of war. How you muſt take part of war and other parts taught by the Ancients, we may treat of hereafter, if it be requiſite. Alſo part of Victory is to be after the ſame manner regarded and diſpoſed, &c.

^[893]Know that the Moon in Taurus in any aſpect or configuration of Saturn or Mars, is not good, but very obnoxious to the beginner of the quarrel, war, law-ſuit or controverſy.

^[894]If the Moon be in Gemini or Cancer, let her be in Trine of Mars, otherwiſe ſhe is but indifferently well placed for the beginners advantage. But if ſhe be beheld of the Fortunes, there needs no fear.

^[895]Begin no quarrel, war or controverſy, neither invade thy enemy, the Moon being in Virgo or Capricorn; but when the Moon is aſſiſted and aſpected by the Fortunes, and free from the impediments and afflictions of the Malevolents, thou mayſt invade or begin any quarrel or controverſy with aſſurance of victory and ſucceſs; for according to the opinion of the Sages, this Configuration cauſeth aſſiſtance and ſtrength to the beginner, and debility and miſchief to the other.

Many Authors have obſerved to elect the time of beginning to war, or invade any place, Nation or Kingdom, in the day and hour of Iupiter, Venus or the Sun, and to make their Aſcendent free from all impediment and affliction, and in one of the ſigns of right aſcentions; oblique they wholly reject in this matter; what are oblique ſigns and ſigns of right aſcentions thou haſt had already taught thee in the 22 Chapter of our ſecond Treatiſe in this work, or, Introduction to the Iudgement of the STARS: but if thou haſt ſeriouſly weighed the foregoing rules, thou wilt find this of ſmall or no uſe or importance.

^[896]Know that Part of Fortune (if thou deſireſt ſucceſs to the beginner (as hath been ſaid) or other) ought to be placed in their Confines or Houſes appertaining to them; as if for the beginner, let it be in the Aſcendent, tenth, ſecond or eleventh; if for the other, in the ſeventh, fourth, eighth or fifth: Underſtand the ſame in Law-ſuits, the Aſcendent is ſtill for the Plaintiff, and the ſeventh for the Defendant; but remember that in any of theſe buſineſſes Part of Fortune be free from impediment, eſpecially of the Lords of the ſeventh, eighth, fourth or fifth; but if poſſible, aſſiſted by the Fortunes.

^[897]Obſerve the ſame rules in diſpoſing of the Lord of Part of Fortune; for the Sages have ſaid, that party in whoſe Confines they are well dignified and located, ſhall aſſuredly be victorious and have the day.

^[898]Moveable ſigns to be in the Aſcendent at the time of beginning any controverſy, are to be ſhunned, eſpecially Aries, Libra and Cancer, and of theſe Cancer is the worſt, for that ſhe is a watry ſign, and the Houſe of the Moon which is the loweſt Planet; and the ſeventh then muſt be Capricorn, which is the Houſe of Saturn, the higheſt and moſt ſuperiour of the Planets; wherefore Capricorn is the rather to be choſen of the moveable ſigns, yet by reaſon of their inſtability and wavering inclination, they are in my opinion to be laid aſide in works of this nature.

CHAP. V. Of making of Peace, ſuppreſsing or encountring of Rebels, and ſtorming of Caſtles and Towns.

^[899]LOok in the fourth Section, and ſecond Chapter of this Treatiſe, where as touching agreements and making of friendſhip between party and party, we have treated already, and you will find we have ſufficiently treated hereof; wherefore here again to inſiſt, were both ſuperfluous and ridiculous; for thoſe rules, mutatis mutandis, will ſerve alſo for this matter; onely remember you ſtill are rightly informed of your true ſignificators, for then you may be ſure you are right for this matter, &c.

^[900]In ſuppreſſing alſo of Rebels, or invading them, you are eſpecially to regard your ſignificators, remembring always that the Aſcendent is for the Rebel or Rebels. As touching the ordering the matter to your content and deſire, follow the ſame rules you have heard delivered you in the foregoing Chapter of this eighth Section.

The Sages have taught that in this manner of Judgement you have ſpecial regard to the place of the Lord of the Aſcendent; for if he be in the Eaſt-part of Heaven, place the Moon in the Weſt; and if he be in the Southern part, place her in the Northern; and ſo on the contrary if he be in the Weſt, or North part.

Remember to fortifie Mars, Mercury and the Moon, as you have already heard, and you cannot do amiſs.

^[901]Alſo when thou ſetteſt out to war, have regard to the three ſuperiour Planets, and ſee whether they are direct or retrograde; for if they are retrograde, ſet out at that very inſtant they become direct; but if they be direct, let your time be when they become retrograde; alſo if they be oriental, when they become occidental; if occidental, when they become oriental; if combuſt, when they become free; if free, when they become combuſt; or when they are gone out of the ſigns they were in when the occaſion of the war was given; for when a Planet changeth his ſign, he alſo changeth his former property and ſignification; but if Mars be received in the hour of the revolution of the year of the World by houſe or exaltation of any of the Fortunes, the war ceaſeth for that year, or at leaſt for the time of that revolution, and peace and tranquillity followeth.

^[902]And if thou wouldſt elect a fit time to deſtroy Caſtles and ſtrong holds, it is requiſite you know the proper Aſcendent of the place at the firſt building thereof, and then ſee to the places of the Planets at that time, and to the place and ſtrength of the Lord of the Aſcendent, and place him in the oppoſite ſign and part of Heaven, and debilitate him as much as thou canſt, and if poſſible, place him diſpoſed of by the Lord of your Aſcendent, or afflicted by him, and let your Aſcendent be a fiëry or aëry ſign, and the Moon and Lord of the Aſcendent alſo in ſigns of the ſame nature.

Or let the ſign aſcending be a ſign of right aſcention, and the Lord of the Aſcendent occidental, and the Planet that ariſeth next after the Aſcendent ſlow in motion, and applying to a Planet of the ſame infirmity, and entring his Fall, and cadent from an Angle; but let him not be retrograde.

Or elſe let the Moon be oriental and decreaſing in light and motion, cadent and applying alſo to a Planet that is alſo ſlow in motion, cadent and entring his fall, or the fall of the Moon, viz. Scorpio. Alſo if the Moon be above the earth, let her apply to a Planet under the earth, and let not the Lord of the Aſcendent be retrograde.

This is good if it be done in the laſt quarter of the Moon, and ſhe in no aſpect of the Sun, or her own Houſe, or the Lord of the Houſe wherein ſhe is; and by this thou mayſt order thy matter at pleaſure, conſidering what hath been ſaid before, the which by varying thy rules thou mayſt accompliſh.

^[903]Yet as touching invading of Enemies, and ſuppreſſing of them, I think good yet further to inlarge, thus.

In ſetting out againſt, or invading of an Enemy, it is not ſafe whilſt the ☽ is ſtrong, for the Aſcendent and the ☽ are ſignificators of the Rebels: Neither is it ſafe for thoſe Rebels to ſtirr when ſhe is weak. Underſtand the ſame of the Lord of the Aſcendent.

But it is very neceſſary to begin againſt Rebels or an Enemy, when Mars is in the Eaſt part of Heaven, and between the tenth degree of Taurus and the tenth of Leo, and from the tenth degree of Scorpio to the tenth of Aquaries: This thou muſt obſerve if the Enemy or Rebels are Eaſtward.

But if they are Weſtward, begin to invade them when Mars is in the Weſt part of Heaven, from the tenth degree of Leo to the tenth degree of Scorpio, and from the tenth degree of Aquaries to the tenth degree of Taurus.

And truly it will be advantageous for both parties; if they are careful of not beginning their buſineſs in evil hours, viz. when the ☽ is combuſt, or joyned to the Sun in one degree and minute, and for the ſpace of twelye hours after, viz. Combuſt hours, for theſe times are to be ſhunned in the beginning of any good work, and ſo likewiſe at the time of any Athazer: You have heard what Athazer is, in the ſecond Book, and laſt Chapter.

^[904]It reſteth therefore for the better underſtanding and inſtruction of my Reader, I declare unto them which are Combuſt hours and unfortunate, and which are again to be choſen.

The firſt twelve hours then after the Conjunction of the Sun and the Moon, or (more plainly) after the change of the Moon, are Combuſt and unfortunate hours to begin any thing, the ſubſequent ſeventy two hours are good and fortunate, and the twelve hours following them are again unfortunate and Combuſt hours; but the ſeventy two following again after, fortunate; and ſo throughout all the month thou mayſt judge exactly hereof, by duly obſerving the number of theſe hours night and day: This is ſo plain, I ſhall not need to give you any example.

Onely know thus much, that you are to reckon your Combuſt hours from the very hour and minute of the Conjunction of the Luminaries either day or night; and ſo the fortunate hours from the time the Combuſt hours leave off, allowing ſtill ſeventy two hours for their number, and you cannot fail of the exact performance hereof.

If any war or quarrel be begun in theſe Combuſt hours, the beginner ſhall be deſtroyed, or there ſhall much evil and damage befall his perſon and his ſouldiers and aſſiſtants, viz. if it be begun in the firſt four hours of any of the twelve Combuſt hours, the beginner ſhall be deſtroyed; in the ſecond four hours he ſhall be wounded or damnified in his body or own perſon; And if it be begun in the four laſt hours, his ſouldiers and aſſiſtants ſhall chiefly ſuffer.

CHAP. VI. Of buying of Arms, and preparing of Inſtruments of War, and Ships or Gallies.

^[905]IN buying of Arms, War-horſes or Inſtruments of War, either offenſive or defenſive, ſee that the Moon be either in her own Houſe, exaltation or triplicity joyned to Mars in the latter end of the month, and in the beginning to Saturn; for all the Ancients conclude her infortunated in the beginning of the month when ſhe is joyned to Mars, and in the latter end when to Saturn.

^[906]In preparing of Arms, Armies, or Bands or Inſtruments of War, let your Aſcendent be fixed, and if poſſible all the four Angles, and let them be ſigns of right aſcentions, and place the Moon and the Lord of the Aſcendent in an Angle, eſpecially in the tenth, oriental and eſſentially ſtrong, and let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion.

Fortifie alſo Mars as much as you can, as alſo the Lord of the Conjunction or prevention of the Luminaries before the beginning of your work, and ſee that the firſt application of the Moon after her Conjunction with the Sun, or prevention, be to a fortunate Planet, and let the Lord of the Aſcendent be entring an angle if you cannot place him therein, and in aſpect of the fourth Houſe, and this is alſo good for ſetting out of Ships: but more of this in the ninth Houſe, where we ſhall treat of ſuch Elections as conduce to the building of Ships and Gallies; wherefore I ſhall in this place referr you thereunto.

CHAP. VII. Of ſeeking of Fugitives, and examining of Thieves and Malefactors.

^[907]A Fugitive, Run-away, or a man broke out of Priſon, or by any other manner eſcaped, is thus to be apprehended or found again; place the Moon when you make inquiſition in the ſame degree as is the Sun, but not within ſeventeen minutes of his body; and let the Sun alſo be weak and afflicted, and in the laſt fifteen degrees of Libra, or in the firſt fifteen degrees of Scorpio, or elſe with the head or tail of the Dragon, viz. within 12 degrees before it, or 7 degrees after.

But if you cannot thus place them, let them be in the Aſcendent, or elſe let the Sun and the Moon be in Quartile or Oppoſition or in Sextile or Trine without reception, and weak in thoſe Houſes wherein they are; or elſe let the time wherein you make inquiſition be three days before an Eclipſe, or one day after; but if poſſible let it be the Eclipſe of the Moon; for by how much you weaken and debilitate the Moon, it is the better in this manner of judgement, for it confoundeth the capacity and weakneth the ability of the Fugitive.

But if you would afflict and torment the Fugitive when he is taken, you muſt place the Moon in her fall or detriment; but if thou wouldſt onely impriſon him, let the Moon be in Aſpect or Conjunction with one of the Malevolents; but place her not in the fourth, neither the Malevolent to whom ſhe is joyned, and let the Lord of the Aſcendent be in Conjunction or aſpect with the Lord of the ſeventh, or place the Lord of the Aſcendent in the ſeventh, and the Lord of the ſeventh in the Aſcendent, and let the Moon by no means be in Conjunction or aſpect with any Planet in the twelfth; for it being the houſe of ſecret plots and deceits, it denotes either that he ſhall not be taken, or if he be, that he will get away again.

^[908]Now to cauſe any Malefactor or Thief to ſpeak and confeſs truth, Haly ſaith, as alſo Albumazar, it is good to place the Moon, and the Planet to whom ſhe applies in humane ſigns; but herein Bonatus is rather to be followed, who ſaith the Moon muſt be in Libra; and if poſſible, let the Aſcendent be Libra, and the Planet that is Lord of the ſeventh alſo therein, in Conjunction with the Moon; for Libra being the balance or ſign of equality (as you have heard in the ſecond Book) inclineth the Malefactor to ſpeak what is equity, truth and right: Haly alſo ſaith, it is good to let the Aſcendent be one of the ſigns of right aſcentions; and truly it will do very well, if Libra cannot be therein placed; however, be ſure you place the Moon, and the Lord of the ſeventh in Libra.

CHAP. VIII. To know the Subject and ſcope of the Whiſperings or Clandeſtine Practices of any two, and of playing at Cheſſe (or any other ſitting Game) to win.

MAny times it ſo happeneth that a man may have occaſion of ſuſpition of ſome that he ſees ſecretly laying their heads together or whiſpering; wherefore to ſatisfie thy ſelf of what they Treat, have regard unto the firſt and ſeventh houſes and their Lords; for the Aſcendent, its Lord and the Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated, are ſignificators of him that began the Diſcourſe, and that ſet his face towards the South; and the ſeventh, its Lord and the Planet to whom the Moon next applies, ſhall ſignifie the other or him that hath his face towards the North or Eaſt; the thing on which they diſcourſe ſhall be ſignified by the tenth houſe and its Lord; the fourth houſe, its Lord and the Diſpoſitor of the Moon, ſhall ſhew the end of their Diſcourſe or Reſult, but you muſt know the Planet ruling the ſign wherein the Moon is, ſhall have more power then the Lord of the fourth.

Wherefore if you finde that the Lord of the tenth apply, or is rather inclining to the Aſcendent, or be in reception with its Lord, ſay that the party ſignified by the Aſcendent ſhall obtain or prevail with the other in what they diſcourſe; but if you finde the Lord of the tenth, and ſeventh in the like manner, then judge the contrary.

See alſo if the Lord of the Aſcendent be a fortunate and good Planet, or evil and unfortunate; for if it be either Jupiter, Venus, or the Sun, and they free from the Malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, ſay the party ſignified by the Aſcendent ſhall ſpeak truth and be honeſt in his dealings and words; but if he be Saturn, Mars, or Mercury, he ſhall diſſemble, lye and deal treacherouſly; in like manner judge of the party ſignified by the ſeventh, according to his ſignificator &c.

Look to what Planet or part of Heaven the ſignificator of lies and treacheries caſteth his Square or Oppoſition and aſpect, and ſay to ſuch men or things ſignified by the Planet beheld or the place of Heaven, he intends miſchief; In like manner, judge he intends good if his ſignificator be fortunate, eſpecially to thoſe men and things ſignified by the Planet and place of Heaven beheld, &c.

So likewiſe if you finde the Lord of the tenth fortunate, you may judge they treat of honeſt, good and lawfull things; but if he be unfortunate, of unlawfull and baſe buſineſſes; Examine the nature of the ſign, and the Planet that is Lord thereof, and you ſhall ſoon be acquainted with the nature and quality thereof.

And if the Lord of the fourth, or the Planet ſignifying the accompliſhment or end of the buſineſs be malevolent and unfortunate, the buſineſs in agitation ſhall end with miſchief, treachery and deceit; but if he be a fortune and well dignified, judge the contrary.

^[909]And now as touching gaming, you are to underſtand that the Aſcendent and its Lord are ſignificators of the party that challengeth or beginneth firſt; the ſeventh houſe and its Lord, of the other: Fortifie therefore the Aſcendent and its Lord (if that ſide thou favoureſt) and debilitate the ſeventh and his Lord; for then ſhall the party ſignified by the Aſcendent win; and if thou placeſt the Lord of the eighth in the ſecond, or applying thereunto or to its Lord, or the Lord of the Aſcendent, it will be the better; and if thou canſt not place him thus, put him in the Aſcendent, but let him be in reception with the Lord of the ſecond or firſt; but let him not receive the Lord of the ſecond, eſpecially when they are in play.

Let alſo the Moon, when they begin, ſeparate from a Fortune and apply unto another, and let it be above the Earth; place alſo the face or breſt of him you intend ſhall win againſt the Moon, and let her be fortunate and ſtrong, leaſt ſhe prove more advantagious to the other.

He that challengeth or deſireth another to play, if thou wouldeſt have him win, place his face oppoſite to the Moon, and let her be in the Eaſt part of Heaven; but if thou wouldeſt have the challenged to be gainer, place the Moon in the Weſt part of the Heavens, and let him ſit in the Eaſt part of the room with his face againſt her.

If the Aſcendent be a movable ſign, and the Lord thereof in a movable ſign, as alſo the Moon when the Game is begun, they will not continue long in play; if it be fixed, and the Lord thereof and the Moon in fixed ſigns, judge the contrary; if common, indifferent, and as ſoon as they have left off, others will begin.

If the Moon apply unto a Fortune, he that begins ſhall win, but if to an Infortune, he ſhall loſe; if the Moon apply to a Fortune, and then immediatly after to an Infortune, he ſhall win at firſt, and loſe at laſt: But if ſhe apply to an Infortune, and then immediatly after to a Fortune, he ſhall loſe at firſt and win at laſt; In like manner if ſhe apply unto a malevolent, the challenger or he that beginneth ſhall loſe; and ſo in the ſame manner judge of the other.

In playing at Cheſs let the Moon apply to Mercury, and afterwards to Mars, for that in this Game there is variety of Play; and if the Moon be in reception alſo with them both, it will be the better; and if the ſign be common, neither of the Gameſters will advantage themſelves much.

Moreover in playing at Tables, let the Moon apply to Venus, or Mercury, and if a Fortune be in the Aſcendent, the beginner ſhall win, eſpecially if an Infortune be in the ſeventh; in like manner judge on the other ſide if the Fortune be in the ſeventh, and the Malevolent in the Aſcendent; alſo if the Lord of the Aſcendent be in the Mid-heaven, the beginner ſhall win; and if the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Lord of the ſeventh be in Oppoſition, they ſhall fall out in their play.

When the Lord of the Aſcendent is Retrograde, it ſignifieth the beginner ſhall cozen; but if both the Lord of the Aſcendent and Lord of the ſeventh be equally well dignified, in the tenth there ſhall not be much winning on either ſide; alſo when Mercury and the Moon are in the Aſcendent, they ſhall have many words and wrangle in their Play, and if Mars be in the Aſcendent, they ſhall tell many lyes, eſpecially the beginner.

But if Saturn be in the Aſcendent, there ſhall be no winning on either ſide, but after a tedious diſpute they ſhall leave off and draw ſtakes; and if Jupiter be in the Aſcendent, they ſhall part in choler; and if Venus be therein they ſhall break off merrily; and if the Moon be there, he that ought to have it go on his ſide ſhall quickly win; you have heard before of Mars and Mercury, &c.

Note, that when the ſign aſcending is a common ſign at the beginning of any two playing, it ſignifies that as ſoon as they have left off, others ſhall begin; and thus much for this; remember what hath been ſaid, and you are well enough; alſo let the Moon when you go out of your houſe intending to play be in your face, and the Lord of the Aſcendent applying to the Fortunes, and in the mid-heaven or in the eleventh houſe, and how ever, let him be above the earth, free from combuſtion, and the affliction of the Malevolents.

CHAP. IX. Of Hunting, Fowling and Fiſhing.

^[910] IN this manner of Judgement you are to know the ſign moſt proper for the buſineſs (as in all other) is eſpecially to be choſen; for here are three ſeveral elements to rove in: If on the earth you hunt either Hare, Deer, Fox, or wilde Beaſt, in every of theſe you are to place your Aſcendent accordingly; as if ordinary Beaſts, place a Beaſtial or fourfooted ſign upon your Aſcendent, and place the Moon therein, as Aries, Taurus, or Capricorn; but if you Hunt feral Beaſts, ſuch as are Wolfs, Lions, Bears, Leopards or the wilde Boar, let your Aſcendent be Leo, or Sagittary the laſt 15. degrees; and let your Aſcendent be ſtrong, as alſo its Lord, the Moon, and the ſign of the ſixth and its Lord, and weaken and debilitate the ſeventh houſe and its Lord as much as you can; for the Aſcendent, its Lord and the Moon hath ſignification of the Hunters, and therefore it ſtrengtheneth them; The ſixth and its Lord denote the Dogs, Nets, or other Inſtruments of Hunting, and the ſeventh hath ſignification of the thing chaſed; wherefore I rather adviſe thee to place the ſign of the ſeventh of the Nature of the thing you would take or Hunt rather then the Aſcendent, and debilitate it, and if poſſible, place Mars therein, for that denotes bloodſhed, and that you ſhall take what you ſeek; but be ſure you fortifie the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon, the ſign of the ſixth, and the Lord thereof, and it will be the more certain; but by no means let Saturn be in the ſeventh, leaſt you toil and labour to no purpoſe; for he ſignifyeth you ſhall not obtain your deſire, though you ſee the beaſt you aym at; or if you take it, yet ſhall it eſcape again; and theſe Rules you are Mutatis mutandis to uſe in Fowling and Fiſhing, &c.

^[911]As if you are to hunt Birds, or (more properly) to Fowl, and the Birds are ſuch as are taken by Nets, Setting-dogs, Pinfals or any other device, let your Aſcendent be aëry, and the Lord thereof in an earthy ſign well dignified, but debilitate the ſeventh houſe and its Lord, and fortifie alſo the ſixth and its Lord (as you have heard) for it addeth vigour to the Springes, Nets, Dogs, &c. and other inſtruments appropriate to your work.

^[912] But if you aym at ſuch Birds as are uſually taken in the ayr, by Hawk, or Faulcon, let the Aſcendent be an aëry ſign, and the Lord thereof alſo in an aëry ſign, yet let them both be ſtrong, and alſo the ſixth and its Lord, and debilitate the ſeventh and its Lord, as you have heard.

^[913] And if you hunt Water-fowl, as Duck, Mallard, or the like, let your Aſcendent be an aëry ſign, and the Lord thereof ſtrong in a watry; or place the Lord thereof in an aëry, and the aſcendent in a watry or earthy; in like manner do with the ſixth and its Lord, and diſpoſe of the ſeventh as you have heard.

^[914]Again, if your ſport be fiſhing, place the Aſcendent and its Lord in watry ſigns and well dignified; fortifie alſo the ſixth and its Lord, and place the Aſcendent if you would catch ſhel-fiſh, and are roving in the Sea, in Cancer, and let Iupiter be in Piſces well dignified, and debilitate the ſeventh houſe and its Lord. For ſmaller fiſh, if you angle or fiſh by any other Inſtrument in Rivers or Pools, prefer Piſces, and ſo according to diſcretion frame your buſineſs; for ſince you have had the fundamental Rules of Elections delivered you at the beginning of this third Book, you muſt not expect I ſhall do any more then hint at any thing we are hereafter to handle in this Book, for if your own ingenuity will not lead you and enable you to go through with any election pertaining to the life of man, by what thou haſt already heard, thou wouldeſt never apprehend the myſtery thereof, ſhould I inlarge as much as is poſſible upon every particular.

^[915]In teaching of Dogs to Hunt, ſuch as are Hounds, Grew-hounds and ſuch like, place the Moon in Aries in Conjunction of Mars; for this will make them ſoon learn, and put vigour and courage in them to ſlay and bite; but let Jupiter be alſo in aſpect unto them, for the better preſervation of them from danger in hunting.

In teaching of Setting-dogs, place the Moon in an earthy ſign, and the Lord of the Aſcendent in an Aëry in Conjunction with the Moon, and in good aſpect of Mercury, and Venus, that he may be the more docible and gentle.

In teaching of Hawks, Faulcons and ſuch like, let the Moon be in Aquaries applying to Mars, ^[916] and let Mars be in Scorpio.

Note, that if the Moon be applying to a Retrograde Planet when any one begins either to Hunt, Fowl, or Fiſh, it ſignifieth they ſhall get nothing but wearineſs, pain and trouble; but if it be in the Aſcendent, it denotes great agility in Hunting or in the Sport; and if Mars be in the mid-heaven, it denotes the ſame to the Birds or Beaſts purſued: And if the Moon be in the Mid-heaven afflicted by Mars, it ſignifies the Faulconer, ſhall loſe his Hawk.

But let thoſe that delight much in hawking place the Moon in Aries applying to Mars in Capricorn, for this denotes good ſport both in the ayr and on the earth.

To be ſhort, in hunting it is moſt neceſsary you place the Moon in the mid-heaven and a moveable ſign in the aſcendent, and Jupiter therein in good aſpect of the Moon, and Mars in the ſeventh, and Saturn Cadent, and in no aſpect of the Aſcendent, and Venus in the Aſcendent or mid-heaven, and the Moon applying unto her; for thereby ſhall both man, horſe and hounds be elevated and ſtrengthened to undergo the buſineſs chearfully, and they ſhall obtain their deſire without much pains, toil, or trouble, neither ſhall they be much wearied.

SECTION. IX. Containing Elections appertaining to the ſignification of the eighth Houſe.

CHAP. 1. Of making of Wills.

UNder the ſignification of this Houſe, cometh the Wills of the dead, and the heritages left thereby; as touching Wills we are in this place to treat, viz. what time is beſt for to make them.

When thou makeſt thy Will, let not the Moon be in a movable ſign nor the Aſcendent, nor its Lord if thou intendeſt it ſhall ſtand; for this denotes its mutability, and that after a ſhort time thou ſhalt alter it again; wherefore let the Aſcendent be fixed, and the Moon and the Lord thereof placed in fixed ſigns; for this denotes permanency; this is for ſuch as will be diſpoſed to ſuch actions before they are viſited with ſickneſs; but when once it hath ſeized on them, it is not to ſtand upon electing of times, but then you are to judge of the event by the time, in this manner.

If the Moon be ſlow in motion, and increaſing in light, and in no aſpect of any Planet, in combuſtion, under the Sun beams or Retrograde, it is good, and denotes the death of the party quickly, and that his Will ſhall not be altered, eſpecially if ſhe be joyned to Mars by body, but not by aſpect, provided Mars be not in the Aſcendent, nor in aſpect therewith, nor its Lord; yet it ſhall not be kept, but in a ſhort time it ſhall be either loſt or ſtollen.

But if Saturn be placed with the Moon or Lord of the Aſcendent, as you have heard of Mars, and in no aſpect of the Aſcendent, it ſignifieth the ſick party ſhall yet live, and the Will then made ſhall continue in force all his life, and alſo after his death, for it ſhall not be altered nor revoked; bur if he afflict the Aſcendent, it ſhall be altered.

Alſo if Iupiter and Venus be ſo poſited, the party ſick, that hath made his Will, ſhall again recover; And that ſome time after he ſhall revoke the former Will and make an other, &c.

CHAP. II. Of the Heritages of the Dead.

DO thou be ſure herein to place one of the houſes of either Jupiter or Venus in the eighth houſe; or elſe fortifie the cuſp of the eighth and the Lord thereof, and place them in Sextile or Trine of either Jupiter or Venus; or make the degrees of the cuſp of the eighth, and the Lord thereof the terms of Iupiter or Venus; and make the ſecond and its Lord ſtrong and free from all manner of impediment, and if poſſible, in good aſpect of the Fortunes: Fortifie alſo the Moon, and let her lovingly behold the eighth houſe, or its Lord, and if poſsible, fortifie alſo the Aſcendent and its Lord, and place the Lord of the eighth in reception with the Lord of the ſecond or Aſcendent; and if you can, let him be in the ſecond, and the Lord of the ſecond in the eighth, &c.

SECTION X. Containing the Elections of the ninth Houſe of Heaven.

CHAP. 1. Of the returning of ſuch as are abſent, and of going of journeys, and entring into any place.

EVery man hath ſome Fancy or particular way to himſelf that is not common to all; ſome of the Ancients have placed returnings in the tenth Houſe, by reaſon it is the next after the ninth that hath ſignification of long journeys and voyages, which returnings follow; others have placed this matter in the eighth, making the ninth houſe to follow it, becauſe a man muſt journey to return; but becauſe one cannot return without voyaging or travelling, contrary to both theſe, I have placed it in the ninth houſe it ſelf.

And as I diſſent from the Ancients in placing this Election, ſo do I alſo much deviate from them in the matter thereof; yet if thou wilt follow them thou mayeſt, pleaſe but thy ſelf and I am content.

^[917]Fortifie therefore in this manner of judgement the ninth houſe at the time of your ſetting forth, the Lord thereof and the Moon, as alſo the ninth and its Lord, and the place of the Moon in the Revolution of the year of the World or Quarter (if it be a year wherein ſuch are admitted) and if poſſible, let Jupiter, or Venus or both be in the ninth, or applying thereunto, or to the Lord thereof, or the Moon in both theſe Schemes, and let theſe places however you do, be free from the malevolent configurations of the Infortunes, and ſee that there be no Infortune in the ſecond houſe in a return, nor in the eighth when thou ſetteſt firſt out; for the ſecond is then in lieu of the eighth, being the eighth from the ſeventh which hath ever ſignification of the place intended or travelled to; and therefore it ſeemeth requiſite unto me, that you alſo fortifie the ſeventh houſe at the time of the firſt journey, as alſo its Lord, and the place of the Moon at that time. But thou wilt the better underſtand how to make an Election for returning, by knowing how to ſet out at firſt.

^[918]Wherefore you muſt know the Aſcendent is the ſignificator of the City, Town or place from whence any one Travels; the ſeventh of the place intended or journeyed to; the tenth houſe, hath ſignification of the ways or paſſages in the journey, and the fourth of the ways or paſſages in the return.

Look then how theſe places are affected, and accordingly judge; for if they are aſſiſted by the preſence or aſpects of the Fortunes, good is promiſed; if by the Malevolents, evil, according to the Nature of the thing ſignified by the houſe afflicted or aſſiſted; as if the ſeventh be fortunated, you may judge ſucceſs and happineſs to the Traveller in the Country or place to which he goes; if the tenth, he ſhall have good ſucceſs in his journey, ſhall be ſafe and merry and in good health; if the fourth, judge the ſame at his return, &c.

In beginning of any Journey, let the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, free from impediment and affliction of the Infortunes; for an Infortune afflicting the Moon doth more hurt then when it afflicteth the Aſcendent; and let her not be in the ſecond, eighth, fourth ſixth, nor twelfth, but in the fifth, and if poſsible, beheld of the Fortunes; however it cauſeth good ſucceſs, and gain in the journey, health of body, and that he ſhall quickly return to his own content; and let Mercury be free from combuſtion and the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, as alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent, and let him be placed in a good place of Heaven; place alſo a Fortune in the Aſcendent or ſome Angle, for ſuch an Election denotes ſafety, agility, joy and gladneſs in the journey; and let not the Moon be in the Aſcendent neither going nor returning, for it ſignifies ſickneſs, and much grief in the journey.

But if thou canſt not obſerve all this, let the ☽ apply unto the Aſcendent, as alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent, and let them be free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes; alſo proſperity and good followeth if the Moon be joyned to Jupiter or Venus, or be beheld of them by a Sextile or Trine.

But you muſt know there can no Election be framed without reſpect to the Revolution of the World, and the true ſignificator of every man therein, according to his quality; the which when thou haſt found, fortifie it and its Lord, the Moon and the ſign, and Lord of the Aſcendent at the ſetting out, and the ſign ſignifying the thing or buſineſs occaſioning the journey, and the Lord thereof, and have a ſpecial care, the Aſcendent be not Cadent; and if the journey be to the King, let the tenth in the Revolution of the year of the World be the ſign of the Aſcendent in the ſetting forth; and if it be to obtain a reward at his hands, let the eleventh in the Revolution be your Aſcendent, and ſo of the reſt, according to the ſignification of the thing deſired.

It is good alſo to place the Moon at the beginning of any journey in the tenth or fifth beholding her diſpoſitor, free from impediment and the afflictions of the Infortunes▪ and in good aſpect of the Benevolents, and they alſo eſſentially dignified, and the Moon increaſing in light, and Mercury free from combuſtion, and free from impediment; and let not the Moon be in the ſixth, nor twelfth, for that ſignifieth impediment and delay in the journey.

But if ſhe be increaſing in light and motion, it will be ſoon accompliſhed, and that with ſafety and quiet; but if the ☽, or Saturn, or both be in the Aſcendent or ſeventh, or Saturn in the Aſcendent, and the Moon in the ſeventh, there ſhall happen in the journey or place to which the Traveller tendeth, many grievous infirmities, loſſes, quarrels or ſlaughter unto him.

If ſhe be in the 10th. or 11th, it is good; but if ſhe be in the third, fifth, or ninth, it will not be ſo well, in the ſeventh or fourth, worſe; but ſhe denotes miſchief moſt in the Aſcendent, ſecond, ſixth, eighth or twelfth.

And ſome of the Ancients have ſaid, that if any ſet forth in the day time Aries aſcending, they ſhall meet with Thieves; yet if they ſet upon the Thieves they ſhall overcome them; alſo if at ſuch a time any go againſt a Caſtle or ſtrong hold, they ſhall take it; and if the Aſcendent be Taurus when the Traveller ſetteth out, he ſhall gain and profit by Cattel, as Cows, Oxen and Bulls and ſuch like; if it be Gemini that doth then aſcend, he ſhall profit by arms or expert ſervants.

Alſo if it be Cancer, he ſhall be ſafe in health or fortunate in all things he undertakes; if Leo, he ſhall overcome, and win, and there ſhall evil happen to others for him; if Virgo, he ſhall be merry, and profit by ſervants.

Again, if it be Libra, he ſhall have a mean both of good and evil; in Scorpio, he ſhall toyl and labour, but ſhall not obtain his deſire, and there ſhall happen much ſadneſs unto him, but afterwards he ſhall gain a little; If Sagittary, he ſhall obtain his deſire, and ſhall profit by horſes and arms, and ſhall act ſomething, for which he ſhall receive a great reward.

Moreover if it be Capricorn, he ſhall be tyred, and the journey ſhall be tedious, and his deſires ſhall not be obtained; if it be Aquaries, his hopes ſhall be fruſtrate, and his enemies ſhall deceive him; but if it be Piſces, he ſhall advantage himſelf by precious ſtones, ſhall obtain his deſire and ſhall have his health.

Note that ſome of the Ancients have taken that punctum of time wherein the Traveller ſteps out of his houſe onward of his journey, and the degree aſcending then to be his ſignificator, and that degree which aſcendeth when he is juſt out of ſight of his houſe to be the ſignificator, together with its Lord, of the journey.

Some of the Ancients have in this place given us Inſtructions, if any journey be to Kings, Great men, Generals of Armies, Judges, Lawyers, Women, Learned men, Poets, and ſuch like, of what kinde ſoever they be, by making the Moon apply to the ſignificator of the quality of the perſon a man intends to go to, and by placing the ſignificator in a good place of Heaven, viz. in the Aſcendent, tenth, or eleventh, or in the houſe whereby he is ſignified, but by no means in the ſeventh nor fifth, for that ſignifies labour and trouble; as alſo if he be in the fourth or Occidental; but ſince I have already given you the exact ſignifications of the Moon to the other ſix Planets in a Table in the third Chapter of the firſt Section of this ſame third Book, as alſo hinted at the ſame in the ſixth Section and tenth Chapter, I ſhall not in this place make any repetition, but proceed.

^[919]If thou wouldeſt ſoon return from thy journey, place Jupiter in a Quartile of the Sun, and Venus in his Sextile betwixt both the Fortunes, ſeparating from one, and applying to the other; or place the Moon in the room of the Sun increaſing in light and motion.

^[920]And if thou wouldeſt go ſecretly to any place, let the Moon be under the Sun beams, ſeparating from the Sun, and applying to a Fortune, and free from all other impediment; ſome of the Ancients have ſaid, if you would do any thing that you would not have revealed or come to light, begin it when the Moon is in Scorpio, and under the earth; others have concluded with the former Rule; yet ſome have adviſed to place the Moon and Lord of the Aſcendent both under the Sun beams, but not in combuſtion, and free from impediment, and that the Aſcendent be not beheld of the Sun, nor Lord thereof; and to make it the more ſure, let the Moon be in the fourth houſe, or the ſignificator of the thing.

^[921]And as touching walking abroad, ſome of the Ancients have been large; but I ſhall omit their Rules as ſuperfluous in ſuch a matter which depends on the Will of Man; only I ſhall add thus much, that if the Moon be increaſing in light and motion, and free from impedition, applying to a Fortune, it will be the better, and the walk will ſeem more pleaſant and delectable then tireſome; for commonly when ſhe is weak, and in Square or Oppoſition of Saturn, the time ſeems tedious, and the walker will be very ſad and penſive; and perhaps be ſubject to fals and other caſualties, when ſhe is ſo aſpected of Mars.

And take this for an approved rule, that if the walker go to viſit any one, or to look for any thing, if the Lord of the ſeventh Houſe at the time of his ſetting out be in the Aſcendent, and the Moon in aſpect of any Retrograde-Planet with reception at the ſame time, he ſhall meet the party or thing he ſeeks or intends to viſit.

^[922]Now as touching any Travellers entring into any Place, Town or City, you are to fortifie the ſign of the ſecond Houſe, and the Lord thereof, and place him in a good houſe above the earth, and the Moon in the third or fifth, or elſe in the eleventh, applying to a Planet receiving her, whether it be a fortune or no; and let your ſignificator never be under the earth, unleſs your buſineſs ſo require, or is to be kept ſecret.

Be ſure the Moon be not in the fourth, eighth, ſixth or twelfth, but place her in the ſecond, if poſſible, ſtrong and free from impediment, and applying to the Lord of the ſecond, or in reception of him.

And if he that entreth into any place would fain ſtay long there, let the Moon and the Lord of the ſecond be placed in angles;^[923] and it will not be amiſs in this buſineſs if he place the Moon in reception with Saturn by a good aſpect, and let the ſign of the Aſcendent and its Lord at the firſt entrance be fixed.

But if he would ſoon return from thence, let him place the Moon in the third, in a moveable ſign received;^[924] as alſo let the ſign of the Aſcendent at the firſt entrance be moveable, and the Lord thereof alſo in a moveable ſign, and place the Lord of the ſecond in the Aſcendent, and the Lord of the Aſcendent in the ſecond.

^[925]Moreover, if his coming to the place be to require ought of the King or Grandees, let him have recourſe to the mid-heaven and its Lord, and make him receive his ſignificator by a good reception; and place if poſſible the Lord of the tenth in the Aſcendent or ſecond, and in the tenth the Lord of the Aſcendent or ſecond; and ſo underſtand of any thing elſe he requires, or for which his entrance into the place is, ſtill remembring to order his ſignificators aright.

Wherefore generally in all entrings into any place, be ſure the ſecond Houſe and its Lord be free from impediment and affliction of the Infortunes, as alſo Combuſtion and Fall, neither let him be Cadent; for if the Lord of the ſecond be combuſt, it denotes the party ſo entring ſhall there dye ſuddenly; neither is it good for the Lord of the ſecond to be in the ſeventh, eſpecially if he be therein afflicted, becauſe it ſignifies damage both to his perſon and goods, and that he ſhall be troubled with many diſſentions and quarrels, and have much trouble by and through his acquaintance; alſo if the Moon be in the fourth Houſe, he ſhall dye there before he goes away, eſpecially if the Moon be weak and afflicted of the Malevolents, or the Lord of the eighth.

But the beſt Election in this matter is to let Iupiter be Lord of the ſecond, located in the eleventh Houſe, ſtrong and free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, or let him be in the ſecond in configuration of the Moon, and let Part of Fortune be in an angle or in the eleventh or fifth, for it ſignifieth ſafety and health of body being ſo placed, as alſo increaſe of wealth; and it will not be amiſs if you make the diſpoſitor of the Moon apply thereunto, for it will bring things to a good end and concluſion.

CHAP. II. Of building of Ships and Gallies, and of lanching them, and of voyaging by Sea.

THE firſt thing we are to provide for any voyage at Sea is a Bark, Gallie, Ship or ſuch like Veſſel; wherefore it ſeemeth requiſite unto me I here ſhew a fit time for making of ſuch Commodities, and then we ſhall come to the time of Voyaging. Some of the Ancients have placed this Election in the fourth Houſe; but becauſe Voyages are under the ſignification of the ninth Houſe, and they cannot be accompliſhed without Ships, I thought it more convenient to place it in this Houſe.

In the compoſition or building of Ships there are three ſorts conſiderable; the firſt are ſuch as ſerve for War, the ſecond for Traffique or Merchandiſe, the third we term Gallies and ordinary Veſſels.

^[926]Wherefore in building of Ships for War or ſwift ſailing, fortifie the Aſcendent and its Lord, the Moon alſo and its diſpoſitor, and place them in the Aſcendent, tenth or eleventh, and let the ſign aſcending be fixed; fortifie alſo the fourth Houſe and its Lord, which hath ſignification of Ships naturally, and if poſſible let all the angles be fixed, but be ſure you make the Moon and the reſt of your ſignificators ſwift in motion.

Let alſo the Planet from whom the Moon laſt ſeparated be ſtrong and well diſpoſed, alſo ſwift in motion, or place her diſpoſitor in a watry ſign free from all impediment and affliction; and if you cannot place the Moon nor the Lord of the Aſcendent in the Aſcendent, tenth or eleventh, place one of the Fortunes there, and let him be free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes; and let him be if poſſible oriental, and make the Lord of the ſeventh weak and ſlow in motion.

^[927]In building of Ships for Traffique obſerve all that you have already heard in the other, onely adde this thereunto, that Mercury muſt chiefly be fortified and aſſiſted of the Fortunes, and placed if poſſible in the tenth, eleventh or Aſcendent; fortifie alſo the Lord of the ſecond, and Part of Fortune and its diſpoſitor, and let not the Moon be ſlow in motion, yet it mattereth not much whether ſhe be very ſwift, as in the former.

^[928]In building of Gallies and other Ships you need not ſtand ſo much on the ſwiftneſs of the Moon and your other ſignificators, onely let her not be very ſlow; yet if thou canſt conveniently make her and all the other ſwift it will be the better; in other things obſerve what hath been ſaid already.

^[929]In buying or making of Ships you may alſo obſerve theſe rules; begin your work when Jupiter or Venus are located in the fourth Houſe in a watry ſign, ſtrong and free from all manner of impediment, or in a ſign of their nature, and let the Moon be in Taurus, Gemini or the beginning of Cancer. or Virgo or Sagittary, or the laſt degrees of Capricorn; for the latter degrees of Capricorn are reputed watry, and the firſt degrees earthy; but it is beſt to place the Moon or the Aſcendent in Piſces.

Let the Sun alſo be in Trine of the Fortunes, and the Moon increaſing in light and motion, as alſo in latitude, and beheld alſo of the Fortunes; but let not Mars be in any aſpect of the Aſcendent, nor of the Moon, for it denotes caſualties thereunto by fire, and that the Ship ſhall at the laſt be burnt; alſo if the Moon be in Aquaries, and the Sun and Mars in aſpect to her, viz. by Square or Oppoſition, or elſe bodily joyned thereunto, it ſignifieth the Ship ſhall endure many ſtorms and much damage and fear of ſhipwrack: Alſo if the ☽ be not in ♒, but in a watry ſign in either ☌, [•] or ☍ of the ☉ and ♂, it denotes the Ship ſhall be drowned and ſuffer ſhipwrack, and ſhall be ſunk with all that is in her to the bottom of the ſea: Moreover, if the ☽ be in any ſuch configuration of them, and be in a fiery ſign, the Ship ſhall be ſplit upon a rock, and ſhall loſe moſt of her Goods, or ſtick upon the Sands, and ſo periſh. Laſtly, if the Moon be in humane ſigns, and afflicted by the Sun and Mars, as you have heard, it ſhall met with Pirates and Cutters at Sea, which ſhall ſlay all that are in her, ranſack her, and laſt of all ſink her.

^[930]Now as touching lanching of Ships, and ſetting forth to Sea, to avoyd the tedious reiterations and tautologies of the Ancients, you need do no more then this: See that the Moon be ſtrong eſſentially and accidentally, well placed in the Heavens, and in good aſpect of the Fortunes, viz. Jupiter or Venus, and free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, as alſo the Aſcendent, and its Lord, and Part of Fortune, and its diſpoſitor at either of the times; for look by how much your ſignificator is impedited by the Malevolent, and by ſo much ſhall the Ship or the perſons therein be damnified; according to the ſignification of the ſignificator, and the Planet afflicting.

^[931]In Navigating and Voyaging by Sea you are to follow the ſame rules as hath been delivered unto you for travelling by Land; onely you are to elect watry ſigns in this, as in the other earthy: but as touching the main end of your Voyage, whether it be for gain or any other thing, you are to order your ſignificators accordingly; but be ſure you ever remember to obſerve theſe five times to fortifie them to your beſt advantage.

The firſt is the time wherein the Ship is firſt begun; the ſecond is the time wherein it is bought or purchaſed; the third when it is lanched; the fourth is the time of the entring thereinto; and the fifth and laſt is the time wherein it ſets out to Sea: The which you having obſerved, and according to art ordered, eſpecially your entring thereinto, and ſetting forward (if you cannot obtain the other times) is ſufficient to be ſaid hereon, &c.

CHAP. III. Of learning of Sciences, and of Singing and Muſick.

HEre I may ſeem to rob the tenth Houſe of this Election; but ſince the tenth properly hath ſignification of Majeſtie, and one may exerciſe Singing and any other Science without making it their profeſſion; and becauſe the rules depend rather on this Houſe then the tenth or any other, it is requiſite it ſhould be here placed.

Wherefore if you would learn any Science ſee that the Aſcendent be an humane ſign, as alſo that the Moon be located in an humane ſign, and the Lord of the Aſcendent in the tenth Houſe or entring thereinto, and the Lord of the tenth in configuration of the Aſcendent, as alſo the Lord of the ninth; and let the Moon be joyned to Mercury, or applying to him by a good aſpect, and Mercury ſtrong and well dignified.

Make alſo Mercury behold the Lord of the Aſcendent in a good aſpect, and let not the Moon be decreaſing in light, nor deſcending in latitude; and make the Lord of the ninth to be in reception with the Lord of the Aſcendent.

In learning of Muſick thou art to have regard to the chief ſignificators thereof, viz. Venus, Mercury and the Moon: ^[932] Wherefore that there might herein be found a true harmony, place Venus in ſome of her own dignities (if thou placeſt her as ſtrong as poſſible it will he the better) and Mercury applying unto her, being alſo in ſome of her dignities; as alſo the Moon eſpecially in Piſces, or ſeparating from Mercury, and applying to Venus; and let the Aſcendent be a ſign agreeable to the nature of this buſineſs, and let Venus have power therein; and it will be the better if Mercury alſo have dignity therein.

Look that neither Venus, Mercury nor the Moon be remote from an angle, unleſs it be the Moon, and then place her in the ninth Houſe, ſtrong and well diſpoſed, and let the other ſignificators be alſo ſtrong.

^[933]Alſo if the Lord of the Aſcendent were in the ninth ſtrong and free from affliction, it were very good; and place the Moon in Capricorn to learn ſinging, and this cauſeth a ſhrill voyce; but in playing on any Pipe or Inſtrument touched with the mouth, place the Moon in the laſt face of Leo, Scorpio or Piſces, becauſe theſe are Mute ſigns; but in learning Prick-ſong or any other Song wherein words are to be uttered, place her in Gemini or Virgo, and fortifie the ninth Houſe and its Lord, and let them be free from all the Impediments of the Malevolents, as alſo the tenth and its Lord, if you intend to make it your profeſſion. Alſo if thou wouldſt exceed all others in ſinging (as ſaith Bonatus) place Mercury direct and joyned to Venus retrograde, either in the Houſes, Exaltations or other Dignities of any of them.

SECTION XI. Containing Elections appertaining to the ſignification of the tenth Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of electing of Kings and Nobles, and of their enſtalling and beginning their Rule or Government.

^[934] REmember in chooſing and electing Kings, Dukes, Marqueſſes, or other Nobles, or ſuch as are to bear office in government, that thou fortifieſt the Aſcendent, and make it free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, as alſo the Lord thereof, and the tenth Houſe and its Lord, the Sun alſo and the Moon, and let neither of them be in any aſpect nor bodily conjunction of the Malevolents, Saturn and Mars: but if thou canſt not avoyd their aſpects, let it be by Sextile or Trine with reception, and place them in angles or ſuccedent houſes, and if poſſible place the Sun in Leo free from impediment; and if he cannot be in Leo, place him in Sextile or Trine of that Planet that beareth dominion in the houſe wherein he is by houſe or exaltation; but if thou canſt not order it otherwiſe but that he muſt be beheld thereby by a Square, let it be with reception; but ſhun the Oppoſition, whether it be with reception or no, and if poſſible let the Square aſpect be out of Maſculine ſigns, and let them alſo be ſuch wherein they have ſome dignity.

See alſo if there is any Eclipſe of either Luminary that year to be celebrated, or any great Conjunction; and let not the ſign wherein the Eclipſe or Conjunction is, be on the Aſcendent or tenth, neither let the Lords of the Aſcendent or tenth be therein, nor the Lords of either of theſe places in the tenth or the Aſcendent, and place both the Luminaries in the terms of the Fortunes beholding each other with a Sextile or Trine; and if poſſible, let the Lords of thoſe terms be in Sextile or Trine alſo of the Luminaries, or at leaſt one of them.

See alſo that the Conjunction or prevention of the Luminaries before this election be not unfortunated; but if it be ſo, let your Election be deferred till fifteen days after the Conjunction or prevention, if poſſible.

^[935]At Enſtallings or Coronations place Leo the ſign of the Aſcendent, and the Sun in Taurus in the tenth, and the Moon in the Aſcendent joyned to Venus, Iupiter or Mercury, and they ſtrong eſſentially and receiving the Moon.

^[936]And when you begin firſt to rule or govern according to the election and choyce of the people, let the angles be all fixed, eſpecially the Aſcendent and fourth, and let the Lord of the tenth be free from all manner of impediment, and place the Lord of the Aſcendent either in the Aſcendent, tenth or eleventh, or at leaſt in the fifth, received of the Lord of the tenth: and let the Lord of the tenth be received of its diſpoſitor by Sextile or Trine, and the Lord of the fourth free from impediment, and in a good aſpect of the Fortunes: And if thou canſt not do all this, let the Moon be received of the Lord of the tenth, and the Lord of the fourth, free from impediment; but let him not behold the Aſcendent nor its Lord, and let ſome of the Fortunes behold the fourth Houſe or tenth, or at leaſt one of them, if poſſible.

And thus may you judge of electing of other inferiour Magiſtrates whatſoever, by diſtinguiſhing their ſeveral ſignificators, and diſpoſing of them according unto theſe rules, Mutatis mutandis: wherefore it were needleſs here further to enlarge.

CHAP. II. Of obtaining favour of Kings and great men, Iuſtice on Enemies, and Pardons; alſo of going of Progreſs with the King, or any other Grandee.

^[937]ABout obtaining of favour at the hand of any King or great man, whatever ſign you place in the Aſcendent, let Iupiter be therein in a good aſpect of the Lord of the tenth with reception, or place the Lord of the tenth in the Aſcendent, or in Sextile or Trine thereunto, or to the Lord thereof, or the Moon; and if poſſible place the Moon in the tenth, free from all impediment, and let the Lord of the Aſcendent alſo be ſtrong and no wiſe afflicted by the Malevolents; and let not Saturn nor Mars be in any of the angles, eſpecially the Aſcendent, unleſs he be a ſignificator, and you have ordered him according to diſcretion.

And if thou canſt not perform all theſe, let the Lord of the thing deſired be in the tenth, or the Lord of the tenth in the Houſe ſignifying the thing, or in good aſpect thereunto, or to the Lord thereof; and if poſſible let the aſpect be with reception, &c.

^[938]Alſo when thou wouldſt obtain aid or leave of the King to proſecute thy adverſary, or when thou requireſt Juſtice againſt him, place the Moon free from all impediment, and let her be increaſing in light; let the Aſcendent alſo be free from affliction, and place the Lord thereof in a good place, ſtrong, and free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, and if poſſible let him be in his own dignities and direct; and debilitate the Lord of the ſeventh (which hath ſignification of your adverſary) and let him not be aſſiſted by any of the Fortunes, nor behold the Aſcendent, nor the Moon, nor the Sun, and let the Lord of the tenth be in reception with the Lord of the Aſcendent; and ſo if your condition be the others, and thou wouldſt obtain pardon, debilitate the Moon and Lord of the Aſcendent, and fortifie the ſeventh,^[939] &c. quite contrary: And thus by varying thy rule thou mayſt apply thy buſineſſ which way thou pleaſeſt, and be furniſhed upon any occaſion, provided thou art well acquainted with thy true ſignificator.

^[940]In progreſſing with Kings or Grandees, place Iupiter in the Aſcendent or in the ſeventh, for this ſignifieth good in the journey to thoſe that undertake it, and that they ſhall be merry; but look thou place him not in the fourth, neither let the Moon nor Venus behold him out of any angle; nor let Saturn or Mars be in the Aſcendent nor any other angle, nor joyned by body or aſpect to Venus; neither let the Moon be under the Sun-beams, nor with ☋ or the Infortunes; for this denotes the party going to progreſs ſhall never return (the Ancients alſo affirm,

Note.

that whoever fals ſick at ſuch a time, ſhall never recover, and whoever goeth into any combate ſhall be ſlain) but dye therein.

CHAP. III. Of learning any Art or Occupation.

MOſt of the Ancients have placed this matter in this Houſe; I conceive their reaſon was, becauſe a Trade or Occupation is the higheſt dignity ſuch can look for that are bound thereunto.

^[941]Wherefore in this matter you are exactly to diſtinguiſh of the Planet ſignifying the Trade or Myſterie you would learn, the which you have been taught in the ſecond Book of this Volume; then let your Aſcendent or tenth Houſe be a ſign wherein that Planet beareth dominion by Houſe; as if you would learn Morality or any ſtudy, or if thou deſireſt to be a Merchant, place Gemini or Virgo in the Aſcendent, or elſe Libra, the laſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary or Aquaries, and fortifie the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Cuſp of the tenth, and its Lord, ☿ alſo and the ☽ yet have a more ſpecial care to fortifie ☿ then any other, becauſe he is the Planet ſignifying the Trade or Occupation.

Still remember to fortifie the Lord of the Trade, or that Planet which naturally hath ſignification thereof above any other; for I ſhall ſay no more on this matter in this place, ſince I have been large in the ſecond Section and firſt Chapter of this third Book,^[942] whether I ſhall here referr thee, and now proceed, being even weary of reiterations: For whoſo can underſtand the reaſon and ground of any one Election, hath ſufficient to lead him through all other whatſoever, without theſe needleſs repetitions, or elſe he ſhall never be able to apprehend them when we have ſaid all we can; yet becauſe I have an earneſt deſire to make every thing plain even to the weakeſt capacity, I have been thus tedious; yet whoſo ſhall compare me with the Ancients, will find I do not equal them in tautologies.

SECTION XII. Containing ſuch Elections as are under the ſignification of the eleventh Houſe of Heaven.

CHAP. I. Of accompliſhing any thing hoped for, and of gaining a good repute, and the love of friends.

EVery man wiſheth and hopeth for ſome one thing or other, and few but ſtrive to have a good Name, or at leaſt to be thought worthy thereof; and becauſe this may be obtained, and yet the perſon no wiſe honoured in the world, this Election is rather placed in this Houſe then in the tenth by me.^[943]

Wherefore when either thou wouldſt accompliſh thy hope, or gain credit by any thing thou undertakes, place Sagittary, Piſces or Cancer in the Aſcendent, and fortifie Iupiter, and the Moon, as alſo the eleventh, and its Lord; and if poſſible place Iupiter in the eleventh, or elſe in the Aſcendent, or at leaſt in Sextile or Trine of theſe places, or one of them; and let him be in reception with the Lord of the eleventh, and place the Lord of the eleventh if poſſible in the Aſcendent, and in the eleventh the Lord of the Aſcendent; and if you can, let the Sun be in the tenth, or the Aſcendent free from impediment, and the Moon in a Trine or Sextile of him, or in Square with reception, provided ſhe be ſtrong and free from affliction; and if you can poſſibly, let her ſeparate from Iupiter, the Lord of the Aſcendent, or the Lord of the eleventh when ſhe applyes to the Sun and it will be much the better; for this denotes the credit or applauſe deſired will be the more blazed and ſpread abroad, for the nature of the Sun is to diſcover things.

Order thy ſignificator to thy beſt advantage; the more thou dignifieſt him the better it will be; however be ſure thou let the Luminaries be in Sextile or Trine of each other, as alſo the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Lord of the eleventh; but if it muſt be by a Square, let it be by reception,^[944] &c.

In obtaining the love and good will of friends, fortifie the Moon, and the eleventh Houſe, and its Lord, and make them both be received of Venus by a Trine, and let Venus be alſo well dignified; or elſe let her receive the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Lord of the eleventh by the ſame aſpect, and let the reception be by Houſe or Exaltation; and if this cannot be done, let them be received by a Trine of Iupiter in the ſame manner, and let the Lord of the Aſcendent be well dignified.

Moreover, if thou deſireſt the love and friendſhip of any to gain or profit thy ſelf thereby, let Part of Fortune be in the Aſcendent; and if it be for the accompliſhment of thy heritage, or for any aſſiſtance therein, place Part of Fortune in the fourth; and ſo in any other Houſe according to the nature of the thing wherein thou deſireſt the aid, friendſhip or aſſiſtance of thy friend.

CHAP. II. Of obtaining of Promiſes and Requeſts.

SEE that herein thou fortifieſt the eleventh and its Lord, the Aſcendent and its Lord, as alſo Part of Fortune, and its diſpoſitor; and make the Lord of the Aſcendent be beheld of both the Lord of the eleventh, and the diſpoſitor of Part of Fortune; or make one of them amically behold the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the other the Aſcendent it ſelf; and let the Moon be allo well dignified and received of the Lord of the eleventh, and the Planet ſignifying the thing promiſed; and let the Lord of the ſeventh be alſo applying to the Lord of the Aſcendent, or Aſcendent it ſelf; for the ſeventh Houſe hath ſignification of the party ſought to, and the Aſcendent is the ſignificator of him requiring promiſe or requeſting; and the Moon is ſignificatrix of the promiſe or thing queſited; wherefore it will not be amiſs if in this Election you make the Moon ſeparating from the Lord of the ſeventh, and applying to the Lord of the Aſcendent.

Thou art alſo to remember to place the Cuſpe of the eleventh Houſe in the dignities of the Planet ſignifying the party ſought to for promiſe; as if he be ancient and under the ſignification of Saturn, let his dignities be thereon placed; if a Judge or ſome reverend man, let the dignities of Jupiter be preferred, and ſo or the reſt; let alſo the Planet it ſelf apply to the Lord of the Aſcendent by a loving aſpect; as alſo the Lord of the Houſe in the Election whereby he is ſignified; as if he be a Father, then let the Lord of the fourth aſpect him; if a Mother, or ſome Nobleman, the Lord of the tenth; and ſo in order according to their ſignifications.

Alſo if thy buſineſſ be touching wealth or ſubſtance, order the matter ſo as that the ſecond Houſe or its Lord may receive ſome amicable aſpect from the ſignificators of thoſe from whom thou expecteſt promiſe or any other requeſt; for thou muſt remember ſtill to prepare in this manner the Houſe and Lord thereof ſignifying thy buſineſs.

SECTION XIII. Comprehending the Elections of the Twelfth Houſe.

CHAP. I. Of Freeing of Priſoners and Captives.

ENdevour alwayes to know your true Significator in every Election, and you have accompliſhed half your buſineſs; you muſt know then that the Aſcendent and its Lord hath ſignification of his or their condition that are freed, the Tenth of the perſon freeing, or that hath power to ſet at liberty, &c.

Wherefore if there be any Infortune in the Aſcendent at the time of deliverance, it denotes inſlavery and impriſonment again; place therefore a fortune in the Aſcendent, and let the Lord thereof be well dignified and free from the Malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes, and if poſſible let him be in Conjunction or loving Aſpect of the Lord of the Tenth, and received by him as alſo the Lord of the Twelfth, and if you can let the Lord of the Tenth be in the Twelfth, or applying thereunto, or to its Lord, and let him be alſo received of the Lord of the Tenth.

Make alſo the Moon increaſing in Light and Motion, and joined to Fortunes, and let the Fortune to which ſhe is joined either by Body or Aſpect be Oriental, and ſwift of motion alſo; but let not the Moon be in the Twelfth, nor beholding a Planet ſlow in motion; Neither let the Lord of the Twelfth be ſlow nor joined to any Planet but ſuch as are ſwift and well dignified; fortifie alſo the Tenth Houſe and its Lord, and let him not be impedited by any means; for then it ſignifieth imbecillity in the party that is to free the other out of Priſon, fewds or ſlavery; wherefore it is requiſite alſo you dignifie the Sun who is the general Significator of power and authority, &c.

CHAP. II. Of Buying and Riding of Horſes.

YOu have him taught in the 16. Chapter and 7. Section of this Treatiſe, how to buy ſmaller Cattel, as alſo in ſome meaſure great; however you need but vary your Significators to the Twelfth, as you are there taught of the Sixth, and I need ſay no more on this matter, for I love not tedious diſcourſes Naturally.

Wherefore note,

Note.

that in what Section I have omitted ſuch things as might have been inſerted, you are to ſupply it out of another by varying in this manner your rules; as in the Eleventh Houſe alſo you ſee there is omitted Elections touching making of agreements between friends at variance, &c. but you have that delivered in the ſecond Chapter of the fourth Section, which may ſerve in the Eleventh or any other Houſe by exactly changing your Significators; and ſo likewiſe any other thing you muſt ſupply in this nature, for it were both tedious and ſuperfluous thus to make repetition.

As touching riding of Horſes for any Race, or to win at ſuch a time, fit the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon and its Diſpoſitor, as alſo the Planet to whom they are joined, alſo Part of Fortune, and its Diſpoſitor, and make the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Moon apply thereunto, and then place the Lord of the Hour in the Aſcendent at that time he ſteps out of the ſtable.

But if all theſe cannot be obſerved, place the Lord of the hour (to be ſure) in the Aſcendent and fortifie the Moon, and place her if you can in Sagittary, or in the firſt half of Libra, and look that neither the Lord of the hour, the Moon, nor the Lord of the Aſcendent be in their fall, for that denotes the horſe ſhall fall in the race before he come to

The End.

ASTROLOGIA MVNDA OR ASTROLOGY In it's PVRITY: BEING A Short but Compendious INTRODVCTION To the Iudging of the ANNVAL or YEARLY REVOLVTIONS O F The WORLD; by which, AS ALSO ECLIPSES, Great CONIVNCTIONS, COMETS, AND BLAZING-STARS Are Iudged (by the ordinary Courſe and Order of NATURE) the general accidents of Countries, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Cuſtoms, cauſe of Plenty, Dearth, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickneſs, alteration of the Ayr, and (to be ſhort) of all things appertaining to the life of Man in a natural way; wherein the Infinite Wiſdom of GOD is ſeen manifeſtly in the Government of the World by the Influence and conſtant Harmony of the Celeſtial Planets and Stars; the Innocency, Legality and Purity of the Art demonſtrated, and proved by Demonſtration of the Inevitable Events of the Heavens, ſo long as GOD upholdeth the order and courſe of Nature unperverted; And the Students thereof conſequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers or Practiſers of what is unlawful.

By WILLIAM RAMESEY, Gent. Student in Aſtrology, Phyſick, and the moſt Heavenly and Sublime Sciences.

Tempora Mutantur nos & Mutamur in illis.

LONDON, Printed by R. W. 1653.

HONORATISSIMO ATQUE ILLVSTRISSIMO DOMINO NON MINVS VIRTVTE SVA QVAM GENERIS SPLENDORE, DOMINO MOVNTAGVE BERTY COMITI DE LINDSEY; DOMINO DE WILLOVGHBY DE ERESBY, ET TO TIVS ANGLIAE SVPREMO CAMERARIO, Salutem in Perpetuum.

DOMINO SUO MVLTIS NOMINIBVS OBSERVANDO HANC SUAM ASTROLOGIAM MVNDAM SUBMISSE DEDICAT

Wilhelmus Rameſeus.

TO THE Right Honorable and truly Noble Montague Berty, EARL of LINDSEY, LORD WILLOVGHBY of ERESBY AND LORD HIGH CHAMBERLAIN OF ENGLAND.

My LORD,

DId not your Honours Merits claim this fourth and chief Part of my Labours as Your due, I durſt not have aſſumed that audacity as to implore Your Honours Patronage; for as I have humbly made choice of the three preceding moſt Noble Heroes, So (my Lord) leſt yet notwithſtanding my Fabrick ſhould at length fall to the ground, (which it muſt inevitably do, unleſs Your Honour paſs by the preſumption and unworthineſs of the Penner) I humbly preſumed to crave Your Honours Patronage and ſupport thereof (craving pardon for this my Simile) being the main pillar on which I deſire it ſhould be built and upheld) not queſtioning then, but Your Honours Vertues and moſt Excellent Endowments will adde ſuch a luſture to the whole, that the beholders will not queſtion the inſufficiency or unworthyneſs of Me the Author, nor further call the thing it ſelf in queſtion, but with all aſſured confidence accept thereof as moſt worthy and immaculate, which in it ſelf I preſume to conclude it is, how ever my weakneſs and inſufficiency hath expreſſed it to the World; the which as I queſtion not but Your Honours piercing Judgement will diſcover, ſo I hope Your Honours Munificent goodneſs will paſs over and pardon.

I muſt confeſs (my Lord) the ridiculous and baſe Mercenary practiſes of ſome that have pretended to the knowledge of this ſublime Science hath brought the whole Art into contempt, and in queſtion with the ignorant therein, and ſuch as are not able to diſtinguiſh between the uſe and the abuſe of a thing, or the purity of the thing ſtudyed, and the corruption of the Student; whereby the very word ASTROLOGY, under which this moſt heavenly Science and peece of NATVRAL PHILOSOPHY is expreſt, is become both odious and ridiculous to moſt of the rural now living; but ſuch is Yout Honors Magnanimity, that the Traduced ſhall not without diligent examination and evident witneſs be condemned, nor aboliſhed Your Honours Preſence, not making Tradition, but Truth and Experience the guide and ground of Your Judgement.

I ſhall not need here to ſpeak ought in the behalf of the whole Science, which I have endevoured in theſe my labours to purifie from its droſs and feculency, ſince in the preceding Epiſtles, and the firſt Book, I have hinted both at its Verity, Excellency and Validity; but only of this ſubſequent Diſcourſe, which now after my great care and indefatigable pains being produced, I am by an happy guſt drawn to this Anchorage, and crave Your Honours acceptance and Patronage.

It is an Inſtruction to the whole General Part of that Liberal Science which is called ASTRONOMY or ASTROLOGY, the which together with PHYSICKS make according to Aristotle, 2. Phyſ. 2. Cap. but one intire Science; for he throughout all his works indifferently uſeth the Name of ASTROLOGER and ASTRONOMER, and ASTROLOGER and PHILOSOPHER for one and the ſame; and amongſt all Ancient and Learned Writers Aſtrology and Aſtronomy have been received for one and the ſame Science, though diſtinct parts or properties, as hath been hinted at in the firſt Book of this Volume, and the 2. Chapter.

It containeth four Sections, the three firſt treating of the Revolutions of the Years of the World, and the fourth and laſt of Eclipſes, Comets and Blazing-Stars, and the great Conjunctions of the Planets, by which we are taught how to judge of the order and courſe of Nature, and the Government of the World; as the general accidents of the World, and the alterations therein, the change of Laws, Cuſtoms, Empires and Governments, the alterations of the Ayr, the cauſe of Plenty, Scarcity, Health, Sickneſs, Peace, Wars, &c. We may alſo hereby moſt manifeſtly ſee the infinite Wiſdom, Providence and Government of GOD in the whole Vniverſe by the conſtant Harmony and Celeſtial influences of the PLANETS and the STARS, whoſe Portencies, ſo long as GOD upholdeth the order and courſe of NATVRE unperverted, muſt inevitably prove true and effectual, they being never fruſtrated but by Miracle. My Lord, this is the ASTROLOGIA MVNDA, the Pure Aſtrology, which the Patriarchs and the Antient Fathers ſtudyed and contemplated: by which the Babylonians, Arabians, Syrians, Egyptians, Grecians, Perſians and Lacedemonians ruled and became famous and glorious to the whole World, and therefore (My Lord) as being the chief and moſt exquiſite part of theſe my undertakings, I have placed it laſt, that ſo it might not be attempted by any that are unacquainted with the preceding Diſcourſes, which ſerve but as it were Introductions hereunto, for which cauſe (My Lord) it is that I humbly preſume to lay it at Your Honours Feet above any others, being ſo nerely bound to Eterniſe for ever Your late Honorable and Vertuous Conſort of happy memory, doubting not but by the unparalleld ſplendour of Your Honours ſurpaſſing Endowments, it might be exalted to that hight of Honour as to be but accepted into Your Honours Preſence, which will be a perpetual Fame unto it and him, who in all humility Preſents it to Your Honour, and from thence aſſumes that Honour as to ſubſcribe himſelf

My LORD,

Your HONOURS moſt Humble Servant William Rameſey.

To the Studious Reader.

READER,

IN this following Diſcourſe is preſented unto thee the chiefeſt knowledge of the whole World, and the Myſteries of Nature; ſo I call them, becauſe they ſeem no other then Myſteries, and ſtrange unto us whilſt we are Ignorant in the cauſes thereof; In this peice thou mayeſt read the time paſt, preſent and future, the whole Government of the World from its Creation to its Subverſion in a Natural way, by the Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipſes, Comets, and great Conjunctions of the Celeſtial Planets, and all accidents that ſhall happen in any Year, whether good or evil, whether Wars or Peace, and who ſhall overcome, whether Sickneſs or Health, Plenty or Scarcity, what ſhall be the condition of Kings or Grandees, and thoſe that are placed in Authority in any Region or Kingdom, as alſo of the Beggar, and ſuch as are of low and poor degree, the ſtate of the Commons in any place, the wealth and proſperity or want of any City, Town or Village, and of all things belonging to Man, alſo of Rain, Hail, Snow, Froſt, Dew, fair Weather, Tempeſts, Storms, Thunder, Lightnings, Earthquakes, Apparitions in the Ayr, and alterations therein, and the cauſes of all theſe; and to be ſhort, thou haſt here Jaſons Golden Fleece, and the greateſt riches of Divine Knowledge and Learning that any Man [that is Philoſophically given] can wiſh or deſire; hereby thou ſhalt not only with SOLOMON know all things under the Sun, but be able to Govern the World with Solomons wiſe man, and not with Phaeton. Wherefore leſt it ſhould be attempted by any ſuch giddy raſh Yongſters, I prefixed theſe preceding Books; that ſo this may be made the more plain, and thy deſtruction thereby avoided, I mean the groſs abſurdities thou wilt be ready to run into, as alſo that thou mighteſt not be lulled aſleep with ſelf-conceited ignorance; read it therefore warily, and with attention, but firſt be throughly informed of the Nature and Quality of every Sign, Planet and Configurations thereof, which thou haſt delivered thee in the ſecond and third Books, and then there is no queſtion but thou wilt ſoon attain to this moſt heavenly and delectable Science; the which that thou mayſt be the better enabled, let me adviſe thee to ſeek firſt the true Knowledge of thy Creator, and then afterwards ſtudy to ſee him in his Nature and his Works; for perhaps otherwiſe thou wilt be apt to attribute all to His great Hand-maid NATƲRE, and ſo rob him of the glory moſt due unto him: Yet upon better conſideration, I cannot ſee but even the moſt rural in Divine matters muſt needs acknowledge (if they throughly underſtand the Myſteries of this Science) ſome Superiour and Divine Power, although they cannot be led to the perfect knowledge of him; and this we have found in moſt Philoſophers in former ages, eſpecially in Plato, who for his rare knowledge in Divine matters which he attained to by his ſtudy in Philoſophy, was termed DIVINE PLATO, the which Title he very well deſerved, as will appear to any that ſhall peruſe his labours: And this may ſerve very well to reprehend ſuch Carpers at Humane Sciences, and the Students thereof that think it is impoſſible for them to be ſeen in ſuch matters without being Heathens; for if I may deliver my judgement, I think it will be a means rather to induce them to acknowledge a Divinity, and to draw them neerer to the knowledge of the Creator, the which I can experimentally aver to be true, if they be any thing firſt grounded in Chriſtianity: Reader, I ſhall here ſay no more, but wiſh thou mayſt make no worſe a uſe of theſe my labours then I intended in my publiſhing thereof, and remain

Thy Loving Friend, William Rameſey.

ASTROLOGIA MVNDA OR, Pure Aſtrologie: BEING An Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars. Touching all general Accidents and Events in this Elementary VVorld, portended by the Revolutions of the Sun, Eclipſes, Comets, and Great Conjunctions in a Natural way and courſe of the Government of the Univerſe.

SECTION I. Containing the Ground-work of Revolutions, conſiderations before Judgement, and the true Significators of ſuch things as are neceſſary to be judged of in this manner of Work.

WE ſhall deſire the Studier and Well-willer to this moſt Heavenly and delectable Art ſeriouſly to conſider and weigh the ſubſequent Rules ſince this general part, and it only (as you have ſufficiently heard) is to be accounted ASTROLOGIE in its purity without fallacy or abuſe.

Wherefore for the better illuſtration thereof, as alſo inſtruction of the well-willers thereunto, I ſhall in the handling of this our Introduction to the Judgement of Annual Revolutions of the World follow this Method.

^[945] Firſt to demonſtrate (ſince you have heard already in the Epiſtle the extent of Revolutions, and what general Accidents may be foreknown thereby in the Elements and Elementary World) the ground on which Aſtrological Judgements are to be laid, or from whence to be deduced, for the predicting or knowing any accident or mutation in the World, and how many Schemes or Figures of the Heavens ought to be erected for the performance thereof.

Secondly, what is to be conſidered before Judgement be given thereon, neceſſary for the accompliſhment of the work.

Thirdly and laſtly, moſt rational and authentick Rules deduced from natural cauſes, how to judge of all accidents whatſoever portended by Revolutions of the years of the World, which (notwithſtanding you have already heard them expreſſed) by reaſon ſome of the Antients have reduced them excellently to four heads, I ſhall thus further illuſtrate.

^[946]The firſt, denoteth ſuch accidents as are viſible in this World, and to every mans ſight obvious, and common to every one, as any Epidemical or general thing, fertility and ſterility, rain, hail, ſtorms and the alteration of the ayr and weather and ſuch like.

The ſecond, ſuch as are inviſible in the Elementary World, either general or particular, as are Earthquakes, Thunders, Floods, &c.

The third, things peculiar to one ſingle Nation or People, as Wars, Peace, &c.

The fourth, relateth to ſuch things as happen in the ayr, ſuch as are fiery apparitions, Lightnings, Comets or Blazing ſtars, and ſuch like, &c.

CHAP. I. Showing the Ground-work on which Aſtrological Iudgements for the judging of Revolutions are to be built, and how many Schemes or Figures of Heaven ought to be erected for this Work.

IN this matter the Ancients (in thoſe days wherein the Art remained obſcure in ſome points) have had divers opinions, ſome grounding their judgments in theſe buſineſſes on the Aſcendent of the Law, Nation, Commonwealth or Kingdom, concerning which they have undertaken to write, and others on Eclipſes, and great Conjunctions, the which although conſiderable in ſome matters, and to be taken alſo into conſideration in every annual Judgement; yet the true time from whence Judgement is to be raiſed for the exact knowledge and predicting of future natural events in the Elements for any year,^[947] is when the Sun enters the firſt point or minute of Aries, which as you have heard is the firſt ſign of the Zodiack, and (in the 24. Chapter of our Second Book Of the Judgement of the Stars) that the Sun was in this very ſign, and in this very punctum at the firſt Creation, and therefore (I ſay) it is all the reaſon in the World his return thereunto every year ought to be the chiefeſt ground on which Aſtrologers are to build their judgements, touching the Natural events of all ſublunaries; eſpecially ſince he is (as you have been ſhewn in the firſt Book) Fons Vitae the Fountain of life, and Anima mundi the ſoul of the World, by which all things, as well Vegetatives as Senſitives have their ſubſiſtence and vivifying nouriſhment.

Beſides we ſee that when the Sun enters this Equinoctial all things increſe and flouriſh, the Trees and Earth grow green and bloſſom, and alſo fructifie by degrees afterwards, which may alſo prove unto us the manifeſt certainty of that opinion, or rather affirmation of the Antients that the Sun was in this firſt ſign at the Creation of them; and truly, if we will be regulated by reaſon, it will be ſufficiently proved by the very Word of God, which although not expreſly in terminis teſtifying ſo much unto us in plain words, yet will the Text delivered in the firſt of Geneſis verſe 11. be ſufficient together with the ſequel, verſe 12. ſhewing the effect, be enough in all reaſon to evince the Carpers at both this Art and Artiſts tenets, which for the moſt part are guided by paſſion, errour and tradition in all their diſcourſes they publiſh againſt them.

^[948]So likewiſe on the contrary, we ſee when he enters Libra which is the ſign oppoſite to Aries and the other Equinoctial, all things decay and diminiſh in their vegetative vigour; the earth becomes as it were barren, the leaves fall from the Trees, &c.

^[949]Thus have you heard the time of erecting your Scheme for your Work; now you are further to note thus much, that your Figure of Heaven be exactly ſet for the Region or place on which you would give Judgement, having firſt punctually taken the Elevation of the Pole.

^[950]And then having alſo reduced the Planets and Dragons-head to the inſtant of time the Sun enters the aforſaied point, and erected your figure according to Art and placed them therin, you may proceed to Judgement.

Yet firſt take this for a Rule;

Note.

if your aſcendent at this time be a moveable ſign, then muſt you not content your ſelf with that Scheme alone; but for every quarter of the year muſt you erect another, this induring no longer then till the Sun enter the firſt point of Cancer, and from thence (as of the former you do judge of the Spring Quarter, comprehending March, April, and May, under the ſigns Aries, Taurus, and Gemini) may you know the events of the Summer Quarter, being June, July and Auguſt, under Cancer, Leo and Virgo; the third figure, for the third Quarter, and that which is termed Autumnal, being September, October and November, under Libra, Scorpio and Sagittary, is to be erected for the Sun his entrance into Libra; and then the laſt for the Winter Quarter when he enters Capricorn, which together with Aquaries and Piſces doth rule December, January and February.

^[951]If your Aſcendent at the Suns ingreſs into the firſt point of Aries be a common ſign (you have already in the Second Book Chap. 24. been ſhewn which ſigns are common, alſo which are movable, and which fixed, wherefore we ſhall not here make any repetition) then muſt you erect two Figures, that of the ingreſs into Aries continuing in force but the firſt half year, viz. but till the Sun enters the firſt Punctum of Libra, for which time you muſt erect a Scheme for the other half year, and for the knowing of the effects portended thereby.

^[952]But if your ſign aſcending be fixed, then will that figure ſerve for all that Revolution, or to the end of the year, viz. you may thereby undertake to predict or acquaint your ſelf with all matters ſignified thereby, even till the next ingreſs, without erecting any figure of the Suns ingreſs into the other points.

Thus much for your foundation and Platform, viz. the Schemes; but firſt now before thou layeſt one ſtone, let me adviſe thee to acquaint thy ſelf well with theſe following neceſſary conſiderations, and then mayſt thou ſafely and with more judgement go through with thy work.

CHAP. II. Containing ſome neceſſary conſiderations before Iudgement.

LOok that you can readily and exactly diſtinguiſh of your true ſignificators, as which Houſe and Planet denotes the King, which the People, which their Aſſiſtants, and which their Enemies, &c. and from whence you are to inquire of the fertility and ſterility of the Earth, Wars or Peace, or any other Accident; otherwayes you ſhall never be able to come to any perfection in this moſt Divine Science.

Ever be ſure you weigh well the Fortitudes and Debilities of your Significators, as how they are eſſentially and accidentally dignified (which you are ſufficiently taught in the eight Chapter of the Second Treatiſe) how located in the Figure of the Heavens, and how Aſpected benevolently or malevolently by the Fortunes or Infortunes, and ſo judge according to the Nature of the Planet afflicting or aſſiſting your Significator, good or bad, as the ſignification and nature of the Aſpect, Planet, Sign and Houſe wherein he is denotes, and the ſignification of the Planet to which he transfers his light.

^[953]Do not conclude Saturn and Mars alwayes Malevolents and Infortunes, and Jupiter and Venus ever Fortunes and Denoters of good; for as it may happen, they may be (contrary to this general and ſimple opinion) Fortunes and Infortunes as they may be poſited in Houſes, and be Significators, as you have been already ſhewn in the firſt Chapter of the firſt Section of our Introduction to Elections.

^[954]As for example, in the Suns ingreſs into Aries, I have Libra aſcending, or Aquaries or Capricorn, and Saturn located therein; I muſt not hereby, becauſe Saturn is Naturally evil, judge the condition and ſtate of the People ſignified by the Aſcendent to be evil and unfortunate this year, but contrarywiſe (other teſtimonies concurring) they will be in a moſt proſperous and gallant condition.

For you muſt know a Planet in his own, houſe is ſtrong and advantagious, according to the old Proverb, The Devil is good to his own Children; and ſo contrarywiſe Jupiter in my Figure at the ingreſs is in detriment and afflicted, and Significator or Planet from whence I am to inquire of fertility, and in Square or Oppoſition of other Significators, which alſo concur to the ſame ſignification; muſt I from hence becauſe Jupiter, who for the moſt part is good, and in his own natural inclination free from miſchief, affirm or conclude the year to be fruitfull and free from any want or penury? No, but becauſe he is the Significator this year of this matter, and in detriment, retrograde, in his fall, afflicted, impotent and weak, I judge the clean contrary.

For I am to judge according to his ſignification and ability at that time not according to his natural ſignification; for otherwiſe we ſhould make moſt manifeſt contradictions, and confound our ſelves both in judgement and reaſon, to make Saturn and Mars the only Workers of iniquity; for we ſee clearly all the evils in the World are not of the Nature of theſe two, which would of neceſſity follow, were this admitted; but ſome are Jovial, ſome Venereal, and a third fort Mercurial, others participating of the Nature of the Sun and again of the Moon.

But to clear this point yet more fully, (for I would not have the ingenious thus miſled in ſo groſs an errour) admit Jupiter or Venus bear chief Rule of the eighth houſe, which you know hath ſignification of death and mortality; and I finde by ſeveral conſequences and reaſons in nature the Heavens do incline to ſuch miſchief: ſhall I barely becauſe one of theſe rules that Houſe conclude contrary to all found reaſon and manifeſt teſtimonies, the year will be rather healthfull? Believe it, I ſhall refuſe thus to do, for every Planet muſt perform that whereunto it is ordained; Venus is now to denote death, as being Lady of the eighth, and therefore in ſuch years I ought thus to judge.

Yet thus much I ſhall follow her nature, as to ſay there ſhall be much mortality or death amongſt the People by reaſon of voluptouſneſs, or Venery and ſuch like, becauſe ſhe hath naturally ſuch ſignification: In like manner if Jupiter be Lord of the eighth, and mortality that year denoted, I ſhall (notwithſtanding he bears rule in that part of the Heavens) thus judge as hath been ſaid, viz. death and mortality, but the nature thereof I ſhall take from his natural ſignification, as by corruption of Blood, Feavers and the like, I ſhall ſay is this mortality to be occaſioned, &c.

In the next place you are to have a ſpecial care to be well inſtructed in the nature of every Planet and Houſe; wherefore be thou ſure to have the exact knowledge of the ſecond Treatiſe it being Introductory, before thou adventureſt thus far, leaſt thou be diſcouraged from ever attaining to the perfection of this ſtudy, which I am certain thou wilt never do, if thou beeſt not therein very perfect; wherefore let the firſt eight Chapters thereof be peruſed over and over, and then proceed.

Judge not upon every light teſtimony, but according to Reaſon and Art do thou order thy matter; for the more aſſurances and teſtimonies you have on any matter and concurrences in cauſes, the more affirmatively may you deliver your' concluſions.

Fear God, ſtudy Nature, follow the Rules of Art, be knowing therein, and be ignorant in the vanities of the courſe of the World, and thou ſhalt come neareſt unto Truth, and infinitely augment thy knowledge.

In your judgement of the Suns ingreſs, joyn alſo in conſideration with it, the ſignifications of Eclipſes, great Conjunctions, Comets and Blazing-ſtars, if there be any either preceding or coming after it; for be aſſured theſe things never happen but before ſome notable change and alteration in the World.

Remember that according to the Debility and ſtrength of your Significator you are to judge of the condition of any perſon, the people, or thing whatſoever thereby ſignified, and you have attained to a great help: but now leaſt you ſhould be ſtill to ſeek in the true underſtanding of the Significators neceſſary in this manner of Judgement, I ſhall (notwithſtanding what hath been delivered in the Introduction or Second Book of theſe our labours) here beneath clearly demonſtrate them unto thee.

CHAP. III. Shewing which are the Significators of the King, People, their Enemies and Aſsiſtants, in any Revolution of the years of the World.

LArgely have the Antients treated of theſe matters, yet ſome therein have come very ſhort, and to little or no purpoſe troubled their heads, leaving ſtill the Student both in doubts and errors; wherefore according to the ſincerity of my firſt undertakings, I ſhall here indeavour to undeceive my Readers touching theſe particulars, and impart unto them the truth and ſureſt rules for the judging thereof.

I ſhall firſt give you ſome of their Inſtructions, and then my own, or ſuch as I in my judgement hold to be moſt rational, that ſo thou mayſt be the better able to diſtinguiſh truth from falſhood.

^[955]We ſhall begin with the Significator of Kings (but you are to note that in any Nation where no ſuch are, the Grandees or chief Rulers of the times are to be underſtood) the which ſay they is thus to be known or found.

Look to the Lord of the tenth houſe in your Figure at time of the Revolution of the Sun into the firſt point of Aries, who if he be free from Combuſtion, Retrogradation, Impedition, and ſuch like, and within five degrees of the cuſp of the tenth, either before or after, viz. within or without the houſe, he ſhall without doubt be the Kings Significator, or chief Rulers, without any farther inquiry; but if he be any ways impedited, as in Detriment, Fall, Combuſt, Peregrine, Retrograde, or beſieged, &c. he ſhall not be ſignificator of the King or Chief Rulers.

Have recourſe then to that Planet who hath Exaltation in the Sign of the tenth, and if he be within five degrees of the cuſp (as you have heard) and in no ſort impedited or afflicted, thou ſhalt conclude him to be Significator of the King; but if he be impedited or afflicted (as aboveſaid) he ſhall not be Significator.

But now, you muſt regard the Sun, the Planet that is Almuten of the tenth, the Planet placed within five degrees of the cuſp thereof (if any ſuch be) or the Lord of Part of Government, the which if you finde (firſt beginning with the Sun and then conſidering the reſt as they are ſet down in order) placed and dignifyed eſſentially, or free from affliction (as you have heard) he ſhall be Significator of the King, otherwiſe not.

^[956]So that then by theſe their Rules (omitting many ſuch like Inſtructions for brevities ſake) there ſhall no Revolution whatſoever, though never ſo bad or miſchievous, in the leaſt have any relation, or extend unto the King or Chief Rulers of any place, as if they were excuſable from misfortunes, or the Heavens afraid to moleſt or afflict them, which muſt needs be if theſe Documents of the Ancients muſt be admitted authentick, who will have no Significator for them, but ſuch as is free from all impediment, from which, conſequently, we muſt conclude they ſhall never be moleſted or diſturbed by Wars, Commotions, Inſurrections, Loſſes or Croſſes whatſoever, which I could wiſh were true, but we can wofully teſtifie to the contrary: beſides to affirm it, were both ridiculous and prepoſterous.

^[957]For the Grandees of the Earth, although never ſo great and proud, yet they muſt know (with us) they are but men, and ſuch too, as are not excuſed from the harmonious configurations of the Celeſtial Planets and Heavens.

But the Ancients, although they have deſerved by their writings infinite applauſe from all ingenious and judicious ſouls; as alſo high eſteem, for both their care and learning; yet in this particular they have come ſhort (for the generality of them I mean) and therefore if in this I diſſent from them, as alſo in ſome other of their Rules, I deſire to be excuſed, ſince I know no Reaſon why in every Age and in every ſtudy there may not ſome one or other, not only finde out ſome failings of ancient Authors, but alſo correct them, nay far exceed them, though perhaps in every particular they may again come ſhort: for we ſee even the beſt Divines, the beſt Philoſophers, and Phyſitians have been corrected, and in ſome things amended, and ſo alſo the Aſtrological Philoſopher may come ſhort of another that ſtands upon his ſhoulders.

^[958]Wherefore then know, that the true ſignificator of the King or chief Rulers, is the tenth houſe of Heaven at the time of the Suns ingreſs into Aries, the Lord thereof, and the Planets therein poſited; but more eſpecially, the cuſp of the tenth and its Lord, whether well or ill diſpoſed [〈◊〉] mattereth not: Theſe in any Revolution to the end of the World ſhall ſtill be Significators of the King or Rulers particularly, and the Sun and Saturn in general, but more eſpecially the Sun.

^[959]In like manner, look what ever ſign aſcends at the time aforeſaid, viz. the Suns ingreſs into Aries in any year, and that ſign, together with its Lord, ſhall particularly denote the common People of that Kingdom or Nation for which your Scheam is erected, and ſhall be their ſignificators, and the Moon generally, as the Sun is the general Significator of the Rulers.

In declaring unto you the ſign ficators of the Enemies of both King and People in any Revolution, I might alſo ſhew you the defects of ſome of the Ancients, but I ſhould rather chooſe (though I had not a deſire to be as brief as may be) to paſs them over in ſilence, they meriting ſo much at our hands otherways; wherefore let us to our buſineſs.

^[960]See that in every Revolution of the World you have regard to the oppoſite houſe ſignifying your Significators, as the ſeventh houſe denotes the open Enemies of the Common People and King in a hoſtile way; the twelfth houſe their private, and the ninth houſe the ſecret Enemies of the King or Rulers, becauſe (as you have heard in the 42. Chapter of the Second Book) it is the twelfth from the tenth.

^[961]Even ſo, as the ſecond houſe ſignifies the wealth and aſſiſtance of the people, ſo doth alſo the eleventh the Kings ayd, wealth and aſſiſtance; the eighth the aſſiſtance, ayd and wealth of their open enemies, &c. as you have been fully inſtructed before in the ſame 42. chapter.

CHAP. IV. Of the Significators of Rich and Noblemen, the Kings Standard or Armour-Bearer; alſo Clergy-men, and of Students, Merchants, Lawyers, and Women in general: alſo Fryers and Monks; and theſe according to the ſignifications of the Planets.

I Shall here only give you the general Significators of theſe according to the Antients, as brief as may be, that I may proceed to the ſecond Section, having at large ſpoken of them already in the ſecond Book.

Wherefore know, that Rich and Noblemen are ſignified by Jupiter and the Lord of the ſign in which he is located in the Sun his ingreſs into Aries.

Souldiers, Armour or Standard-Bearers, Generals of Armies and the like, are underſtood by Mars.

The ninth houſe and the Lord thereof, denotes Clergy-men particularly, and generally they are ſignified by Jupiter: Alſo Judges, and the graver ſort of men.

Students, Merchants, and Lawyers, and Scribes, Clerks, and all Pen-men, Picture-drawers, and ingenious wits; alſo youth and young men in general, are ſignified by Mercury.

Venus generally denotes women and all females (ſee chap. 5. Book the 2.) and the Moon the vulgar and rural ſort of People: as the Sun, you have heard, doth Emperours and Kings.

And laſtly, all ſuch as live obſcurely and devoutly to the ſervice of God, as Monks, Abbots, Fryers, and the like, amongſt the Papiſts (as in the 1. chap. of the ſecond Book) and amongſt us ſuch as ſlight all things in the World, in compariſon of Gods Service and Divine Mediation, are ſignified by Saturn. As touching Cities and Countries ſubject both to the ſigns and Planets, you have alſo fully heard them declared in the Second Book, where we treat of them.

Now to know the ſtate and condition of any of theſe in a general way in any Annual Revolution, you have no more to do but this; look to your ſignificator, from which judgement is to be required, and ſee if he be eſſentially or accidentally ſtrong or aſſiſted, and judge according to his ſtrength or debility good or bad to the parties ſignified; for if well dignified and located, good may be expected: if afflicted, and impedited, the contrary, &c.

SECTION II. Shewing the ſtate and condition of the King or Rulers, and their continuation and durability in any Revolution; as alſo the condition of the People from the poſition and fortitudes of their ſignificators. Alſo how to know the Lord of the year in any Revolution of the years of the World, and the ſignifications thereof in the twelve Houſes, Signs and Aſpects of the Planets; alſo of the ſignifications of the Head and Tail of the Dragon in any of the twelve Houſes.

CHAP. I. Of the ſtate or condition of the King or chief Rulers and People in any Annual Revolution.

AFter thou art well informed of the true ſignificator of the King and People, or any ones perſon or thing, concerning which thou wouldſt judge of any future event, thou wilt be the better able to accompliſh thy deſires.

^[962]Wherefore now to know the true ſtate and condition of the King, People or any other, have regard to their true ſignificators, as unto the ſign of the tenth (if thou enquireſt concerning the King, &c.) its Lord and the Planet or Planets therein poſited; and ſome of the Ancients have ſaid the Sun, Part of Fortune, and its diſpoſitor are alſo to be joyned in conſideration with them (thou mayſt chooſe which thou wilt follow) and ſee how they are dignified, how aſpected, and by what Planets, their nature, place in the Heavens, and nature of the ſign from whence they aſpect your ſignificator.

If he be in Sextile or Trine of the Fortunes, and out of good Houſes, thou mayſt expect and judge from thence good; but if beheld by the Square or Oppoſition of the Infortunes, miſchief is to be feared; if the aſpects be good and from many benevolent Planets, judge much ſucceſs; if otherwiſe, leſs; and ſo contrariwiſe much evil if your ſignificator be ſeveral ways afflicted, &c.

^[963]If you would know the nature of the evil or good which is threatned by the aſſiſtance or debilities of your ſignificator, look to the nature of the Planet afflicting, and the nature of the ſign wherein he is located, and the part of Heaven in which he is placed, and according to their ſignifications judge.

As for example, in your figure you have (ſuppoſe) the Lord of the tenth in the ninth, by which you ſhall judge ſome ſecret treaſon or plot againſt his perſon during that Revolution, becauſe it is the twelfth from the tenth, and ſignifieth ſecret enemies and plots; But if beheld by the Lord thereof by a malitious Square or Oppoſition, you ſhall ſay he ſhall undertake ſome Journey by which he ſhall endanger his life, or in the which ſome ſuch Perils ſhall happen; and if alſo at the ſame inſtant he be afflicted by the malevolent Aſpect of the Lord of the Eighth, which is the Fifth in the figure, no wiſe aſſiſted by the adjuvant beams of the Fortunes, thou mayſt then aſſuredly conclude him to be in great jeopardy of his life: and if other Teſtimonies concur, thou mayſt abſolutely pronounce death; for you muſt ſtill remember that according to the ſignification of the Sign the afflicting Planet is Lord of, and the Sign and place of heaven wherein he is, to pronounce the nature of the evil threatned; for we ſhall ſuppoſe the Lord of the Eighth before mentioned to be in the Seventh, which is the Fourth in the Figure, though Seventh from the Tenth, by which you may aſſuredly ſay that the evil, viz. the danger of death threatned, ſhall be occaſioned by the malitious and furious actions of his enemy, the Seventh houſe having ſignification thereof; and ſo judge of any other poſition; and contrariwiſe if the Aſpects and Planets aſpecting be Fortunes, and in good places of Heaven, judge the contrary.

^[964]So likewiſe judge of the ſtate and condition of the People having regard to the Aſcendent, its Lord, the Moon and Lord of the year, and if they be well placed and dignified, alſo well aſpected by the Benevolents, judge the condition of the common People or Subjects to be proſperous; but if you find the contrary, judge alſo the contrary. In like manner you may judge of any of the aforeſaid ſignificators, mutatis mutandis.

As if the Sign of the Eleventh, the Lord thereof, and the Planet or Planets therein poſited be eſſentially ſtrong and free from all manner of impediment, judge the condition of the Souldiers and aſſiſtance of the Rulers to be fortunate and ſucceſsfull during that Revolution; If otherwiſe, judge the contrary, and ſo of the reſt, &c.

^[965]If the Significator of the King be under the Sun beams, there is much danger (as ſay the Arabians) of his deceaſe in that Revolution; but I ſhould rather judge his Kingly power to be then neer Death or an End, or likely to be much eclipſed, for that there are many Significators to be conſidered for the judging of Death, which ought never to be pronounced upon one bare teſtimony; beſides, were this admitted, we ſhould conſequently conclude by the ſame rule, the Death of a whole Senate upon ſuch a poſition in ſuch an Ingreſs, they being ſignified by the ſame ſignificator, where there is no King, which were ridiculous in any one ſo to do; but I ſay that their power and glory ſhall be eclipſed and ſhaken, and perhaps overthrown at that time when any ſuch Poſition is found.

If the Significator be not as yet under the Sun beams, but within twelve or thirteen degrees entring, then judge this Cataſtrophe to be when he comes under his beames, or in conjunction with the Sun bodily.

The ſame alſo is to be feared when the Sign of the Tenth is Leo, and Mars in Square or Oppoſition of the Sun, or in corporal Conjunction with him, but more eſpecially if he be Lord of the Eighth, or therein located, or in reception or tranſlation of light with the Lord of the Eighth, or with Saturn, or any Aſpect, eſpecially if he be infortunately placed in the time of his Nativity or Coronation.

So likewiſe when the Lord of the year is in Combuſtion in the Tenth, this danger is threatned him in his own Dominions; but if he be thus afflicted in the Fourth or Seventh, the danger is to be feared and expected from ſome coming out of thoſe Regions ſignified by the Sign wherein the Lord of the Year is afflicted.

Know alſo that when in any Revolution the Sun is Significator of the Rulers of any place, and in Square or Oppoſition of Jupiter, they ſhall be envyed and moleſted by their own Houſhold Servants and Subjects; if there be any ſuch Aſpect betwixt the Lord of the Aſcendent and Lord of the Tenth, the Common People will alſo riſe up againſt their Superiors to reject them.

But if there be any friendly aſpect betwixt them, or reception, or tranſlation of light, judge the contrary.

^[966]You may know the ſeveral accidents and the nature of them by your ſignificators coming to the place wherein the Infortunes were at the time of the ingreſs, or meeting with them in their ordinary motions, &c. and this of either King, People or any other; ſtill remembring to have regard to the Planet afflicted, and who are thereby underſtood.

If the ſignificator of the King or any other applyes to a malevolent Planet, or receive the light of one ſlow in motion, it threatens very much miſchief or death to the party or parties ſignified by your ſignificator.

^[967]Alſo if thou wouldſt know the cauſe of any evil or croſs to happen to the King or chief Rulers by the ſignifications of the Houſes, thou muſt be ſure thou beeſt well verſed in them, which thou mayſt learn in the 42 Chapter of our ſecond Tract in this Volume; as if the ſignificator be afflicted in the ſecond Houſe, or from Planets therein, judge the cauſe to proceed from the ſignification thereof, as Money, Wealth, Aſſiſtants, &c. if in the third, it is cauſed from or by Children, Kindred, Neighbors, ſhort Journeys, and the like; and ſo according to the ſignification of the other Houſes judge if it happen in any of them, and ſo likewiſe of any other ſignificator as well as the Kings, Mutatis mutandis; alſo of any other thing or accident let this be your rule, &c.

^[968]Look when the afflicting Planet comes to the perfect Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of your ſignificator, and at that time ſay the evil threatned will come to paſs, or when the afflicting Planet comes to the Cuſp of the Houſe ſignifying any perſon or perſons of whom thou wouldſt judge, or to the place, viz. degree and minute of the ſign wherein the Planet which is your ſignificator is located, and ſay then the evil ſhall happen, unleſs the fortunate aſpects of the benevolents thereunto at the ſame time prevent it; and if ſo, then alſo ſee what Houſe that fortunate Planet is Lord of, and where located, and of what, ſignificator, and judge the deliverance or prevention to proceed from the perſon, perſons or things ſignified by the nature and ſignification of the Planet, ſign and Houſe he is Lord of, poſited in, and is ſignificator of, &c. but if the aforeſaid Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition be in an angle, then judge the evil portended to happen when your ſignificator becomes combuſt of the Sun.

^[969]Further note, that if your ſignificator be afflicted by Sextile, judge the evil proceeds from ſuch as are pretendedly friends to the King, People or any which your ſignificator denotes, or from ſuch as are not thought or ſuſpected to be Enemies: if it be by a Square aſpect, judge the miſchief ſignified thereby to ariſe from ſuch as are clandeſtine and ſecretly Enemies; if by a Trine, from real Friends and Confederates; and laſtly, if by Oppoſition, by open and profeſſed Enemies.

Conſider alſo the Planet afflicting, and how dignified; as if a Planet in his own Houſe afflict the ſignificator of the King or chief Rulers, judge the evil to ariſe from their own domeſtick friends and alliance; if he be in his exaltation, ſay it will proceed from ſome of the Nobles, Princes, Dukes or ſuch as are in high power and authority, or near unto the Crown; if but in his triplicity, from ſuch as have their dependency on the aforeſaid Nobility, or are allied unto them; if in term, from ſuch as are inferiour unto theſe, as are Marqueſſes, Earls, Lords and the like; if in face onely, then ſay they are but Knights or Gentlemen: but if the Planet afflicting be peregrin and in no eſſential dignity, it ſhall proceed from ſuch as are altogether vile and baſe, or of no reputation or quality, having no honourable riſe or dignity; after the ſame manner may you judge (as you have heard) of the ſignificator of any other as well as the chief Rulers, by varying your rules according to art and diſcretion; but I believe you will never have much need of theſe curious rules of the Ancients.

^[970]If your ſignificator be retrograde in any annual Revolution, judge much trouble, impediment and anxiety to the perſons or things ſignified thereby.

As if it be ſignificator of the King or chief Rulers, it denotes much trouble and detriment unto their perſons, and great fear of unthroning of them; likewiſe if it be ſignificator of the People (and ſo of any other) or if the Lord of the year be thus afflicted, ſay the condition of the People ſhall be very ſad and grievous, and much trouble and miſchief ſhall be to their Cities and Towns; and this ſhall more aſſuredly be, if your ſignificator be then in the terms of the Infortunes, and the unfortunate Planet afflicted alſo and indiſpoſed, for then ſhall the miſchief and trouble be the more grievous and troubleſome: So alſo if your ſignificator be in the terms of a fortune, if he be ill-affected, weak and in the Houſes of the Malevolents; but if he be free, the evil will be the leſs; eſpecially if he be in his own Houſe or Exaltation, or triplicity, eſſentially well dignified.

^[971]Now as touching the ſignifications of the impedition of the Lord of the tenth in any annual Revolution; and then let us proceed to the rules of the Ancients in judging the true ſtate and condition of the Common-People in any Region, by any Revolution of the year, over and above what hath been already ſaid, for the better illuſtration thereof, that ſo the Student may be the better able to retain and underſtand the rules of Art, as alſo to judge of theſe matters the more accurately.

You have heard that the ſign of the tenth Houſe in any annual Revolution, together with the Lord thereof, hath ſignification of Kings and chief Rulers; the which if it be combuſt in any of the Angles, it ſignifieth deſtruction to the King or chief Rulers during that Revolutions effects.

As if it be in the Aſcendent, and the Sun be Lord thereof, you may from hence conclude (if other teſtimonies concurr) that the Common People or Subjects will riſe up againſt their Superior or Governers, and kill him or them or depoſe them, or at leaſt grievouſly moleſt and afflict them, according to the power and ſtrength of the ſignificators; for if Mars do then afflict him by Conjunction or aſpect, and be either Lord of the eighth or fifth, or therein located, death is the more to be feared; but if Saturn be then in aſpect or Conjunction with the Lord of the tenth, it is likely ſome Saturnian diſeaſe or evil will afflict his perſon if he be not Lord of the aforeſaid Houſes, and bear dominion either by eſſential dignity or bodily preſence in the ſixth, or elſe ſome other misfortune will befal him according to the nature of Saturn and the place and ſign of Heaven wherein he is located.

If the Combuſtion fall out ſo as to be in the ſeventh or fourth Houſes of Heaven, Judge the miſchief to be according to the ſignification of theſe Houſes, as you have heard of the Aſcendent: for if it be in the ſeventh you ſhall ſay (becauſe it hath ſignification of the Enemies of the People) that the diſaſter ſhall be occaſioned by them; in the fourth (being the ſeventh from the tenth) from his own proper Antagoniſts, &c. if in the tenth it ſelf this combuſtion be, it ſhall proceed from his own unrulineſs or wilfulneſs, &c. this is clear. Wherefore now alſo have regard to the condition and ſtate of the People, but firſt let us conſider the durability of Kings and Rulers.

CHAP. II. Teaching how to judge of the permanency or durability of Kings, or ſuch as are in Authority by any Revolution.

MUch time and paper might I here conſume in delivering unto you all the ways the Learned in former ages have ſet down for the judging of this matter; but leſt I then deviate from both my intentions at this time, and natural inclination to ſhort diſcourſes, and trouble both thee and my ſelf to no purpoſe, ſince it may as well be delivered in fewer words, I ſhall ſatisfie my ſelf with theſe following rules.

^[972]Firſt, Erect your figure of the Heavens, which for the judging of theſe matters muſt be according to that punctum of time the King was firſt Elected or Crowned; if you are to judge of a Senate, take the time of their firſt ſitting or aſſembling together, or wherein they were firſt created or made a Free State, or aſſumed power to act according to what their own counſels ſhall produce.

Then having exactly placed the Planets therein according to their then ſeveral places, and reduced them to the juſt hour and minute of the day, eſpecially the Moon, you are to ſee what Planet is Hylech or Alchochoden or Giver of Life in your Figure, and Almuten or Chief Ruler of the Aſcendent, to know the ſtate of his body or perſon; what of the mid-heaven, to judge of the ſtate and condition of his Kingdom or Regal power; and having thus done thou mayſt eaſily judge of either of theſe in this manner.

Obſerve what ſign, degree and minute aſcends and culminates, what ſign, degree and minute the Sua and [••]oon poſſeſſes, and where to a very minute alſo is your Almuten and Hylech of each Houſe; then ſee in every Revolution, Eclipſe or great Conjunction, how theſe places and ſignificators are diſpoſed, and how aſpected by the Malevolents, and judge the continuation or ſubverſion of their Government according as you ſee occaſion.

If your Hylech or Giver of Life be afflicted, judge the evil (according to the ſtrength of the afflicting Planet) to fall on the perſon or perſons of the Rulers, or touching their lives: if the Almuten of the mid-heaven, upon their Regal power; and ſo contrariwiſe if they be aſſiſted and fortunately beheld, or come to the places of the Fortunes, or the Fortunes fall in any of their places in any Revolution, Eclipſe or great Conjunction, judge the contrary; ſtill remember the good or evil doth depend on the power of the Benevolent or Malevolent Planets; for if much afflicted, much evil is to be expected, and ſo on the contrary as you have already been taught.

If any of the aforeſaid places or ſignificators fall in the place of any Eclipſe or great Conjunction, judge the miſchief threatned to happen according to the ſignification of the Eclipſe or Planets ſo in Conjunction; warily judging according to the nature of the Houſes wherein they are in the Scheme of the Eclipſe or Conjunction, and the ſignification of their own nature, and the nature of the Houſes which they rule and are located in at the time of the Kings Coronation or Election; This you ſhall more fully underſtand in the delivering the rules of this Art touching the Judgement of Eclipſes and great Conjunctions at the latter end of this Treatiſe.

I utterly for my own part Refuſe to follow the rules of the Ancients touching their giving a year to every ſign betwixt the Planet afflicting and afflicted, for the judging the time of the alteration of any Government and the like; for that they ſtand not with much reaſon, or are they built on any ſtrong foundation, ſo as to ſtand unqueſtionable; a little experience and obſervation will ſoon manifeſt unto thee the truth hereof; for touching the juſt time when any ſuch accident ſhall happen, I conceive ought rather (and that with a great deal of more reaſon) to be left to the good pleaſure and will of the Moſt High, who is the great orderer and diſpoſer of all the Cauſes in Nature, and will according to his own good time effect what is moſt agreeable unto his Divine will.

Wherefore let it ſuffice to know by the iuclinations of thoſe Glorious Bodies the alterations and durabilities of ſublunary things, without enquiring how or when it will be performed; if thou findeſt at the beginning of any Government or State the Angles of Heaven fixed, the Lords thereof well diſpoſed, eſpecially of the Aſcendent and mid-heaven, and free from the malevolent preſence and Configurations of the Infortunes, and eſſentially dignified and aſpected by the adjuvant Planets, thou mayſt from hence conclude the firmneſs and permanency of the Rule or Government then ſet up; but if thou findeſt theſe places and ſignificators contrariwiſe afflicted, moveable and weak, judge the contrary thereunto.

If Saturn be then Lord of the Aſcendent, and eſſentially well dignified and altogether free from the affliction of the Malevolents and Angular, ſay that the Kingdom, State, Rule or Government then began ſhall flouriſh and continue unchangeable 465 years, being the greateſt years of Saturn; and if he be not altogether ſo well placed, but free from all impediment and in a ſuccedent Houſe, the Government or Rule then ſetled ſhall continue firm and unaltered 57 years, being his greater years; if he be ſignificator and eſſentially dignified, and free from all impediment aforeſaid, and in a Cadent Houſe, ſay it ſhall continue in the condition it firſt was in, 43 years and a half, being his mean years; but if he be but thus meanly placed and but moderately dignified, judge the continuance thereof to be but 30 years, which are his leaſt years; and ſo accordingly judge of all the other Planets when they are ſignificators, and well placed and dignified, as you have heard of Saturn, their greateſt, greater, mean and leaſt years being all recorded in our Introduction to the Judgement of the STARS, where the nature and ſignifications of the Planets are delivered, &c.

CHAP. III. Shewing the ſtate and condition of the Common People in any Region, by any Revolution.

IN the firſt Chapter of this ſecond Section I have ſufficiently ſhewn the way and manner of judging the condition and ſtate of the People; yet for the better illuſtration thereof (as I have ſaid) I ſhall in this manner further enlarge my ſelf thereon.

The Aſcendent, Lord thereof, and the Planet therein poſited, but more eſpecially the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Moon are ſignificators of the Common People of any Nation, Country or Kingdom concerning which thou doeſt intend to judge by the Sun his ingreſs into the firſt point of Aries, the which if at that time thou findeſt well diſpoſed, fortunate, in their own dignities eſſential and in an angle, or ſuccedent, free from the aſpects of the Infortunes, it denotes the People ſhall that year be in a good condition, ſhall thrive, ſhall be ſucceſsful and proſperous, and ſhall have one gain and ſucceſs upon the neck of another; eſpecially if the Planet or Planets in Configuration with them be Fortunes or well diſpoſed, or that to which the Moon doth then apply.

If the Planet to which the Lord of the Aſcendent or the Moon doth apply or is in aſpect with be Jupiter, they ſhall be ſafe and ſecure that year, ſhall enjoy their Liberties, ſhall be free from all manner of moleſtation, ſhall have Juſtice and good Laws executed, and ſhall be in credit and honour.

If it be Venus, they ſhall abound and have plenty of all things, ſhall be merry, delight in and enjoy pleaſure and ſufficient recreation, ſhall be neat, curious, and propagate Marriages: Thus you ſee we ſtill judge according to the nature of the Planet in configuration of our ſignificator, and the ſtrength of both Planets; ſee this yet further cleared and demonſtrated.

If the Moon at this time when ſhe is thus in aſpect with theſe Planets that naturally (you know) are Fortunes, be cadent, weak and no wiſe eſſentially dignified, yet ſhall the condition of the People be fortunate and good, but ſhall not ſo abound in their felicities, nor have them multiplied ſo one upon the neck of the other, as you have but now heard; and if the Moon were ſo very well fortified and dignified (as you even now heard) and apply to theſe Fortunes, being alſo as aforeſaid eſſentially fortified, but cadent, it ſhall ſignifie the gallant condition and ſtate of the Commons, and that they ſhall have good ſucceſs upon the neck of another, but yet not in ſo ample a manner as was before declared when they were alſo placed in Angles.

^[973]Alſo if theſe Fortunes be out of all eſſential dignities and weak, yet ſhall they receive ſo much benefit therefrom as to be ſafe in their perſons and in health, though not much abounding in other matters, &c. Yet further obſerve but the ſubſequent rules, and the reaſons being well pondered in thy mind, thou ſhalt be fully enabled to judge of other matters and ſignificators, your rules being varied according to art and diſcretion.

If in any annual Revolution the Moon being weak and peregrine applyes to the Infortunes, being eſſentially ſtrong and well diſpoſed, it denotes miſchief, trouble and anxiety to the people, poverty, want and diſgrace, according to the nature and ſignification of the Planet ſo in configuration with her; and if the unfortunate Planet be Lord of the eighth, and be therein located, or have any dominion therein, judge the death and mortality of the People; nay even though the Infortunes were not ſo placed, and the Lord of the eighth beholding the Moon or the Lord of the Aſcendent, it ſtill portends the mortality of the People; but more particularly according to the nature of the Planet afflicting.

If it be Saturn, thou ſhalt judge the People to be afflicted and perplexed with cold Saturnian diſeaſes, ſuch as are Conſumptions, Palſies, Agues, and the like, which ſhall be the occaſion of death: if to Mars, they ſhall be hot and dry, Feavers, over-heating of the blood, &c. and if then Mars ſhall happen to be in an humane ſign, there ſhall be much blood-ſhed and man-ſlaughters; and ſo much the more aſſured ſhall this judgement be, if the Aſcendent come then to the place where Mars was in at the time of the beginning of that Law, or Government, or Commonwealth, &c. or to the Square or Oppoſition thereof, or to his place in any great Conjunction of his, going before this revolution; for in any year where thou findeſt ſuch like Configurations, thou mayſt aſſuredly judge Wars, Commotions and effuſion of blood to follow, eſpecially in thoſe parts ſubject to the ſign and quarter of Heaven wherein Mars was.

War may alſo be predicted when he is in an angle and ſtrong, alſo when he in any Revolution is Combuſt, or enters his Fall, or when Jupiter is in combuſtion; ſee in what part Mars is, and whether Occidental, Oriental, Meridional, or Septentrional, and judge thoſe in the quarter wherein he is to overcome.

If Saturn and Mars in any Revolvtion be joyned in ſignification, and in an earthy ſign, it denoteth Earthquakes in thoſe parts wherein they are; if Mars be joyned with Mercury, there ſhall be much Merchandizing.

Alſo if the Moon and the Infortunes be ſo diſpoſed and mixed together, ſo that one part is ſtrong and well dignified, and the other weak and peregrine, if ſignifieth the People ſhall change their condition during that Revolution from worſe to better, and from better to worſe, according to their ſtrength and ſignifications.

So likewiſe if Part of Fortune be ſtrong or well diſpoſed, as alſo its diſpoſitor, and free from all manner of affliction, good ſucceſs ſhall be to the People; if afflicted, miſchief and loſs; judge the nature of the good or bad according to what you have been already ſhewn.

^[974]Moreover, if Saturn be ſtrong in any Revolution, and well placed, he ſignifieth Content, quiet and reſt unto the People, alſo proſperity, health and increaſe of both food and money; but if he be weak and afflicted, he denotes the contrary, as miſfortunes, deſtructions, depopulations, &c.

If in any Revolution Iupiter be ſignificator of the People, or Almuten of the Aſcendent, and ſtrong, the People ſhall be good, vertuous, honeſt, chaſt, juſt, and loving Juſtice, Law, and all points of equity and honeſty; but if he contrariwiſe be unfortunate, the People ſhall exerciſe Cruelty, Oppreſſion, Injuſtice, ſhall be diſobedient and break the Laws, and prove quite contrary to what you have heard: Alſo when in any Revolution Iupiter is placed in the ſeventh, or oppoſite to the Aſcendent, it ſignifieth that the People ſhall have no ſucceſs or good that Revolution.

If Mars be as aforeſaid Almuten and ſtrong, &c. the People ſhall be ſafe, ſecure and free from the moleſtation of all their Enemies; they ſhall overcome them and beat them all under their feet, and ſhall be in a ſucceſsful and moſt proſperous condition; but if contrariwiſe he be then weak and impedited, retrograde, combuſt, &c. he denotes wars, quarrels, ſlaughters, trouble, effuſion of blood, epidemical diſeaſes, feavers, hot and dry diſeaſes, many miſchiefs, and the clean contrary to what he before promiſed.

So likewiſe if the Sun be as aforeſaid ſignificator and ſtrong, the People ſhall aſſuredly be in an honourable and noble condition, and many that are thereunto fit ſhall be raiſed to dignity, power and authority, according to the capacity and quality of their perſons, and be in great eſteem and favour with their King or Rulers: but if he be weak and impedited, it diminiſheth the honour of the King, and abaſeth their condition, and the People ſhall ſuffer much damage and diſgrace from their Superiors, and be tormented by them.

If Venus be placed and dignified as above ſaid, the People ſhall have all the pleaſures and good promiſed by her ſignification, as delights, banquets, riches, pleaſure, &c. and ſhall delight themſelves with Women, and the like; if ſhe be impedited, you may judge the clean contrary, as ſadneſs, poverty and little or no mirth, &c.

If you find Mercury in your Figure placed as you have heard, the People ſhall gain by Merchandizing, and increaſe their riches by Traffique, ſhall love and delight in knowledge, good inſtructions and ingenious Arts and Sciences; ſhall alſo cheriſh and propagate all good Learning, and the Studious therein, and ſhall love one another: but if he be afflicted and unfortunate, they ſhall ſuffer much loſs and vexation by contrary winds, decay of Trade and Merchandizing, and have no diſpoſition at all to any good Learning or Education; and to be ſhort, he ſignifies the clean contrary to what you have but now heard.

In like manner if the Moon be well placed, and be Almuten, and eſſentially ſtrong, as hath been ſaid, the year ſhall be ſeaſonable, fortunate and fertile, and the People during that Revolution happy, ſucceſsful and in a proſperous and fortunate condition, and ſhall be preſerved from death, ſlaughters and ſickneſs: Alſo if ſhe be ill-affected and impedited, much damage and miſchief ſhall happen unto the People, the year ſhall be unſeaſonable, deſtructive, ſickly and unfruitful or ſcarce, by diſtilling unſeaſonably rain and dew when no need is thereof, and withholding of it when it is requiſite and thirſted after by the earth.

So likewiſe as thou haſt judged of the Moon and the Planets (in a general way, as being Almuten) mayſt thou judge of the Lord of the Aſcendent, who if he be fortunate, and well dignified and aſpected, thou mayſt judge the fortunate condition and ſtate of the Common People during that Revolution; alſo their miſ-fortune, if afflicted, impedited, &c. Judge the nature thereof from the nature of the Houſe, Planet afflicting, and ſign wherein it is, whether it be good or bad, as you have been already ſufficiently taught; wherefore it were needleſs and ſuperfluous here to run over the nature of the Planets fortunate and unfortunate, afflicting or aſſiſting your ſignificator, and the nature of the Signs and Houſes they are in for an example.

Yet leaſt thou ſhouldeſt not be ſo apt and ingenious herein as I could wiſh thou wert, I ſhall a little hint at the manner thereof, that ſo thou mayeſt be the better enlightened to the through underſtanding of this kinde of Judgement.

If the Lord of the Aſcendent or Moon be in the ſeventh afflicted and weak, eſpecially if malevolently aſpected by the Lord of the ſeventh, and he eſſentially ſtrong, ſay the People ſhall during that Revolution be grievouſly afflicted and moleſted by their enemies, if in the eighth by death, in the ninth by or in long journeys, in the tenth by their Rulers, Superiours and Kings, in the eleventh by their friends, or ſo in pretence, or by the fruſtration of their hope and truſt, in the twelfth, by impriſonment, ſecret enemies and the like; in the Aſcendent they ſhall ſuffer bodily in their own proper perſons, according to the nature of the ſign then poſſeſſing the cuſp thereof (and ſo accordingly vary your Judgement after the nature and ſignification of the other houſes, if therein he be in the like manner afflicted) the more aſſured will this Judgement, be if it be a humane ſign; if beſtial, then will it happen to the beaſts of that place, for which your Revolution is obſerved.

And according to the Nature of the ſign will the evil fall on ſuch beaſts, as are appropriated thereunto, as if the ſign aſcending at that time be Aries or Capricorn, it will happen on Sheep, Hogs, Hares, Goats, &c. and all leſſer Cattel for the uſe of man; if Iaurus, or the laſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary, on Cowes, Oxen, Horſes, and the greater ſort of Cattel; if in Leo, or any of the feral ſigns, on the wilde ſort of Beaſts; if in Scorpio, Cancer or Piſces, on Fiſhes and ſuch Creatures as live on the Water; if in any of the aëry ſigns, the miſchief ſhall be in the ayr, viz. it ſhall be Intemperate, Peſtilential and Infectious.

Some of the Ancients alſo ſay, that if Gemini do then aſcend, the evil will fall on young men chiefly; if Virgo, on Virgins and young women; if Libra, on men of more mature years; if in the firſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary or Aquaries, on the Antienter People; this ſhall chiefly happen to thoſe Regions, Cities and Places ſubject to the ſign and the part of Heaven thereby ſignified (of which you are fully informed in the 28th. Chapter of our Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars) alſo to theſe places aſſigned to the dominion of the Planet, concerning which thou mayſt alſo fully be informed in the ſame aforeſaid Treatiſe.

As, if the Aſcendent be Aries, and Mars be then impedited, the Regions, Cities, Villages, and places ſubject to Aries ſhall be damnified, and ſhall ſuffer much detriment by the heat of the ayr and defluctions of Rheume, head-ach and the like; except the benevolent Aſpects of Venus be prevalent and gainſay it; if the Aſcendent be Scorpio, thoſe places ſubject thereunto ſhall be afflicted with water, and venemous Creatures, the Pox, pain in the head and arms, &c.

If the Aſcendent be Taurus, and Venus then impedited and afflicted, the Regions and Countreys ſubject thereunto ſhall ſuffer much detriment and loſs through extremity of Cold, Froſt and Snow, and alſo dryneſs, whereby the fruits of the earth ſhall be deſtroyed, &c. If the Aſcendent be Libra, ſuch as are thereunto allotted ſhall ſuffer affliction by winds, peſtilential ayr, ſickneſſes and pains in the head and reins, except Mars work or ſignifie to the contrary.

In like manner, if the Aſcendent be Gemini and Mercury then afflicted and weak, the Places under the power or Gemini ſhall be afflicted with corrupt ayr, and receive much hurt and loſs by winds, and the people ſhall be troubled with Head-aches and obſtructions of the Lungs and Breathing-pipes; if it be Virgo, the evil threatned will be in the Regions and Cities under it; as they ſhall ſuffer through extremity of cold and dryneſs, and in ſome ſort barrenneſs and ſcarcity, and the people ſhall have palpitations of the heart, and grief in their cheſts and bellies, unleſs it be prevented by Jupiter.

Alſo if Cancer aſcend, and the Moon be afflicted and weak, the People under its juriſdiction ſhall be moleſted with pains and Rheumes both in their head and breſt, and there ſhall be alſo much hurt and dammage by unuſual and exceſſive rain and moiſture if Saturn prevent it not.

If Leo, and the Sun be alſo weak, ſuch places, Cities, Nation, or Kingdoms as are ſubject thereunto ſhall ſuffer dammage through extremity of heat and drought, warm peſtilential ayr, &c. the people through intemperancy and diſeaſes incident unto the heart and brain, unleſs Saturn by his coldneſs reſtrain and alter the fury thereof.

If it be Sagittary that aſcends, and Jupiter impedited, then the Regions and places under Sagittary ſhall be afflicted with infirmities in the head and legs, and theſe ſhall in the firſt half of the year be incident to the perſons of men, and in the other part to beaſts of the greater ſort, as are Horſes, Oxen, Cows, Bulls, &c. If the ſign be Piſces which then aſcends, the places where it Rules ſhall ſuffer inundations, and grievous infirmities both in the head and feet, as the Gout, Dropſie, and the like, if Mercury mediate or prevent it not.

Laſtly, if Capricorn aſcend, and Saturn be impedited, the places ſubject to Capricorn ſhall be perplexed with extream cold and dry weather, and ſterility, and the people with griefs and aches in the joynts and knees: and if Aquaries aſcend, the places ſubject thereunto ſhall ſuffer by over-moiſt ayr and high winds, and the people ſhall have many infirmities in their legs and heads, if the Sun and Moon contradict it not. In the like manner mayſt thou judge the good condition of the People of any Country, and the happineſs of any place if thou findeſt the Lord of the Aſcendent fortunate and free from impediment; obſerve theſe Rules, and ponder the reaſons thereof, and thou ſhalt not need any farther example or illuſtration for any other in the like Caſe.

For after the ſame manner mayſt thou alſo judge of the ſignifications of the ſecond, third, fourth and fifth houſes, and ſo of them all round the whole Heavens, by having (I ſay) regard unto the Fortitudes or Debilities of the ſigns on every Cuſp, and their Lords, &c. Take notice alſo that proportionably, according to the affliction and ſtrength of every Sign and Planet, and the Signs wherein the Planets are afflicted and aſſiſted, ſhall the good or evil threatned fall on the Perſons of thoſe ſignified or their Eſtates, &c. and on the Places, Regions, Cities, Towns, Countreys and Provinces ſubject to the Signs wherein the afflicted or aſſiſted Planet Falls.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice for the judging of the true ſtate and condition of the Common People in any Nation or Kingdom, in any Revolution; yet by other teſtimonies and Significators, viz. the Lord of the year, and the Planet or Planets in the Aſcendent accidentally at the time of the ingreſs, thou wilt have their condition farther declared and inlarged in this ſubſequent Diſcourſe.

CHAP. IV. How to know that Planet which is Lord of the Year in any Annual Revolution of the Years of the World.

USually the Ancients have found out the Lord of the year by theſe Rules following, which I ſhall cordially deliver unto thee, and that with as much plainneſs as I can, and my Judgment which of them ſtands with moſt reaſon to be followed.

^[975]You muſt know that by the Lord of the year is known the condition of the whole Nation, People, and indeed every thing therein a general way to happen during the time of that Revolution, wherefore it ought warily to be conſidered and known, that ſo thou mayſt do thy work compleatly.

^[976]After thou haſt exactly calculated the true time (to a minute) of the Sun his entrance into the firſt point of Aries, and haſt erected thy figure as the Heavens were then on the cuſp of every houſe, and the punctual places of the Planets therein (being reduced to the exact time of the day) then ſee what Planet you finde in an angle; for if there be any at that time ſo located, he or ſhe ſhall be Lord or Lady of the year, or ſuch as ſhall denote the condition thereof during that Revolution; but if you ſhall finde many Planets in Angles, or one Angle, and wouldſt know which of them is to be aſſigned Lord of the year; look which of them is Lord of the hour or day, and he ſhall be choſen Lord of the year (having compared one with another, and judged by the major teſtimonies) eſpecially if he behold the Lord of the term wherein he is, or the Sun, if the Revolution be by day; or the Moon, if by night; and judge according to his ſtrength and debility good or bad as you have already been ſufficiently taught.

If you finde none of thoſe Planets in Angles Lord of the hour or day, or both, then ſee which of them is moſt Fortunate or ſtrong, and make him Lord of the year; ſee alſo which of the other Planets are joyned in ſignification with him, and according to their ſtrengths and debilities and nature do thou make a right commixture, and judge thereof.

But if at the time of your Revolution there be no Planet found in any of the Angles, ſee what Planet is in the eleventh or fifth houſes, and that Planet which is found in either of them ſhall be Lord of the year; if there be more then one, ſee that you canveſs the buſineſs, as you have heard of the Planets in Angles in every particular.

And yet if thou findeſt none in the eleventh or fifth, ſee what are in the ninth or third, and ſay the Planet in either of them is Lord of the year, and ſo accordingly judge as you have heard: but if there be no Planets neither in theſe Houſes, ſee which of all the Planets (the Moon excepted) goes firſt out of the ſign wherein it is, for he ſhall be Lord of the year, eſpecially if he behold the Lord of the term wherein he is, or the Sun, if the Revolution be by day; or the Moon, if it be by night.

But if it happen that the Sun in a Diurnal Revolution be in any of the Angles, or the Moon in a Nocturnal, he or ſhe ſhall be then Lord or Lady (as I may ſay) of the Year. Haly alſo ſaith, that when in any Revolution it ſhall happen that the Lord of the Aſcendent be alſo Lord of the houſe wherein either of the Luminaries are, eſpecially that of the Time, he ſhall without doubt or controverſie be Lord of the Year, and alſo ſignificator of the People.

Theſe are the Rule of ſome of the Ancients for finding the Lord of the Year in any Annual Revolution, others have taught us to have regard to the Lord of the Aſcendent, who if he be direct, free from Combuſtion, and in the aſcendent, viz within three degrees within the houſe or four without, or without ſide of the cuſp, he ſhall (without any more ado) be concluded Lord of the year, and you need not trouble your ſelf further to ſeek any other; but if he be either Combuſt or Retrograde he cannot be admitted Lord of the year.

Wherefore then you are to conſider the condition of the Planet that hath Exaltation in the Aſcendent; if it be a ſign wherein any of the Planets have Exaltation, and ſee whether he be free from Combuſtion and Direct, and placed in the Aſcendent, as you have heard: for if ſo, he ſhall be Lord of the year; but if he be Retrograde or Combuſt, he ſhall not have that honour.

So that then you are to inquire whither the Sun or Moon be not worthy of this Rule; for if the Revolution be by day, and the Sun have any dominion in the Aſcendent he ſhall have it; if by night, and the Moon ſo dignified, it ſhall be hers; but if neither of theſe be thus, have regard to the Lord of the term of the cuſp of the Aſcendent, and ſee whether he be free and placed as you have heard of the Lord of the Aſcendent and Planet therein exalted, and if ſo, he ſhall be Lord of the year, otherways not; and then laſtly, conſider the Lord of the Triplicity, of the ſign aſcending in the like manner, and if neither of theſe yet can be admitted Lord of the year, then you are to look whether the Lord of the tenth houſe be free from Combuſtion and Direct, and placed within three degrees within, and four without the cuſp of the tenth houſe, and if ſo, he ſhall be aſſuredly Lord of the year; but if Retrograde or Combuſt, not; and ſo you muſt conſider the Lord of the Exaltation of the tenth houſe, if there be any, and the Sun and Moon, the Lord of the Term of the tenth, and the Lord of the Triplicity as you have heard of the Aſcendent, &c.

And if ſtill thou art to ſeek for the Lord of the year, have regard unto the ſeventh houſe, after the ſame manner thou haſt to theſe; and then to the fourth, after that to the eleventh, fifth, ninth and third; firſt conſidering the Lord of the ſign upon the cuſp of the houſe, then the Planet therein exalted, afterwards the Luminaries, the Lord of the term then, and laſtly the Lord of the Triplicity, &c. and ſome of the Ancients alſo have had regard to the Lord of the face; but both that, as alſo all the reſt, I do not much eſteem, yet mayeſt thou, if thou pleaſeſt follow them, alſo all the reſt,^[977] I do not much eſteem, yet mayeſt thou, ir thou pleaſeſt follow them, wherefore I would not totally omit them; for by theſe Rules you ſee there is no Planet to be admitted Lord of the year, but ſuch as are direct and free from Impediment and Combuſtion, and ſo conſequently the year in every Revolution muſt always be fruitfull, and the People always ſucceſsfull, never croſſed or troubled, &c. which we ſee repugnant both to reaſon and experiene; and therefore the Ancients in this matter are no wiſe, I ſay, conſented to by me.

^[978]For this is moſt certain, that if the Lord of the year be free from Impediment, well dignified and aſpected, the year during that Revolution ſhall be plentifull, temperate and healthfull, and the People in good condition, fortunate, ſucceſsfull, and in eſteem; but if the Lord of the year be impedited, afflicted and unfortunate, judge the contrary; eſpecially if the Moon concur in ſignification: for ſhe is ſtill to be conſidered, being a general ſignificatrix of as well all things ſublunary, as men and women.

^[979] What the Lord of the year ſignifies in any Revolution, whether good or bad, ſhalbe manifeſted chiefly in thoſe Regions and Cities ſubject to the ſign wherein he is, the Quarter of Heaven he is located in, and to the ſignification of the Planet who is Lord of the year; if the Lord of the year be unfortunated or afflicted in the Aſcendent, or aſſiſted by the Fortunes and eſſentially dignified therein, the People ſhall be ſucceſsfull or afflicted in their perſons according to the fortitude or debility of the Significator, and the nature of the houſe: if in the ſecond, in their Subſtance; in the third, in their ſhort Journeys, Friendſhip and neighbourly Converſation; in the fourth, in their Lands, Grounds and Heritages; in the fiſth, in their Children, Mirth and Jollity; and ſo judge of all things appertaining to the life of man, whether good or evil, by running over the ſignification of every houſe, and conſidering the nature of the Planet afflicted or aſſiſted therein, &c.

I might here ſtill run on with the Rules of the Ancients for the finding out of the Lord of the year, and inlarge this Chapter to the conſiſtence of two or three ſheets, for (omitting the ſayings of other Authors) Bonaturs alone hath no leſs then 54. ſeveral Rules or Conſiderations for the finding out thereof, but to rehearſe them all were but to tire thee and my ſelf both, to little or no purpoſe; for were they of any moment, ſhould there be as many millions as units in them, I ſhould be very willing and ready to acquaint thee therewith.

^[980]Wherefore take this ſhort, but ſure Rule, for the finding out of the Lord of the year in any Annual Revolution whatſoever; ſee what ſing aſcends, and who is Lord thereof, at the time of the Sun his ingreſs into the firſt Punctum of Aries, and Almuten, and let that Planet who is Almuten be Lord of the year, whether he be Combuſt or Retrograde, or both, it mattereth not; yet joyn in Judgement with him the Planet therein exalted or dignified by houſe (in the eighth Chapter of the ſecond Treatiſe you are ſufficiently taught the eſſential dignities of the Planets, and how to judge of them) as for example.

We ſhall imagine at the time of the Sun his ingreſs (being Diurnal) Aries to aſcend upon the cuſp of the firſt houſe in any horizon, and the firſt degree thereof; the Lord of Aries I finde to be Mars, who by reaſon he is therein eſſentially dignified by houſe, hath five eſſential dignities therefore allowed him; the term of the cuſp being one of the firſt ſix degrees of the ſign is Jupiters, the exaltation is the Suns, who hath therefore four dignities allowed him, the Triplicity (if by day) is alſo the Suns, for which he hath alſo three dignities, which makes with the other four ſeven; then if we examine yet farther what face the cuſp is in, it being in the firſt ten degrees of the ſign, we ſhall finde it to be Mars his, for the which he hath one dignity aſſigned him, which together with the aforeſaid five, makes ſix and no more; hence then. I am to conclude the Sun to be Lord of the year being Almuten of the aſcenden, or the Planet bearing moſt dominion therein, whoſe dignities you ſee were ſeven; yet Mars ſhall be joyned in judgement with him, but ſtill the Sun ſhall be chief Dominator or Significator whether of good or evil, according to their ſtrength or debility, as you have already ſufficiently been informed; yet becauſe I deſire that the Students in this Science ſhould be well verſt in their Rules, I ſhall yet further deliver ſome Inſtructions touching the condition of ſuch things ſignified by the Lord of the year in any Revolution, by the ſignification of his Nature, place in the Heavens, and his configurations with the other planets, and I hope to give you any more examples in this matter, being ſo plain in this one; wherefore then we ſhall to our buſineſs in hand.

CHAP. V. Of the Significations of the ſeven Celeſtial Planets, when any of them is Lord of the Year, whether Fortunated or Impedited, and of the Aſpects of the other Planets with them.

DElivering unto you the Rules of the Ancients, for knowing of the Lord of the year in the preceding Chapter, I have fully declared unto you the general denotation of the Lord of the year, when well or ill dignified or diſpoſed in any Revolution, to which I ſhall only add theſe two or three words, and proceed to the ſignification of every particular Planet when Lord of the year and Fortunate, or afflicted.

If the Lord of the year be beheld by his Diſpoſitor (viz. the Planet in whoſe houſe or ſign he is in any Revolution) and free from Impediment; for if ſo, the People under that Revolution ſhall be in a good condition, quiet, ſecure, at peace and tranquility; alſo joyfull and pleaſant.

If the Lord of the year be not impedited, and not beheld by his Diſpoſitor, or if he be impedited and aſpected by him, judge their condition to be between both, viz what you have heard, and what follows.

For if he be impedited, and behold him not, they ſhall be ſad, ſolitary, fearfull, ſhall be moleſted with War, Trouble, and Anxiety; for thou ſhalt judge the clean contrary to what thou haſt heard.

Judge this alſo according to the Nature of the houſe wherein the Lord of the year is; for if he be in the Aſcendent, judge as you have but now heard; if in the ſecond, the good or evil ſignified ſhall happen to the ſignification of the ſecond houſe, as to the Peoples ſubſtance, aſſiſtants and friends, &c. according as you have been taught in the former Chapter, and other places in this Treatiſe.

^[981]Now then to our buſineſs, if Saturn be Lord of the year, and well dignified, the People ſhall that year, or during that Revolution build and erect houſes, ſhall make many alterations in Fabricks, ſhall abound in all things, the earth ſhall be fruitfull, and the People ſhall be in eſteem and honoured by all their neighbours, and the huſbandmen ſhall exceedingly increaſe their Store and Wealth, and be ſucceſsfull in all their labours.

^[982]But if Saturn be Lord of the year and weak or afflicted, there ſhall be much cold, great and grievous infirmities, and men ſhall ſuſtain much ſorrow, loſſes and croſſes, and great dammage by ſtorms, wind and rain (but this muſt warily be conſidered, if other Significators of Weather concur, and then mayſt thou aſſuredly conclude it to be ſo) Ancient and old men and women ſhall die; and theſe things ſhall chiefly happen to thoſe Places, Cities and Regions under Saturn his Dominion, and the Dominion of the ſign which he doth then poſſeſs.

^[983]When Jupiter is Lord of the year and ſtrong and well dignified, the King ſhall do Juſtice, and it ſhall be happy for thoſe that are Noble men, Judges, Councellors of the Law, and men of all ſorts of Religious Orders ſhall be in a ſucceſsfull, happy, pleaſant and good condition, and ſhall live plenteouſly and contentedly, in honour, and alſo great eſteem; and the People alſo ſhall be in a good and proſperous condition, and ſhall receive good from their King and Superiors, and they from the People alſo, if the Lord of the Aſcendent of the Moon be in reception with the Significator of the King or Lord of the year, or be located in the mid-heaven; but if Jupiter be weak or afflicted, judge the contrary to all what you have heard in every particular, which I omit to rehearſe for brevities ſake.

^[984] Mars when he is Lord of the year, ſtrong and well placed, all ſuch as belong to Arms as Souldiers and the like, ſhall be fortunate and in good condition, and ſhall overcome their enemies; there ſhall be alſo during that Revolution ſufficient and plenty of rain, as ſuch times (and no other) it is convenient and requiſite, and the People ſhall be proſperous and happy; but if he be Lord of the year and weak, &c. judge the contrary, and you muſt remember ſtill in the judging the good or evil portended by him, and alſo all the reſt of the Planets, it ſhall chiefly happen in thoſe places and Regions ſubject to his or their Dominion, which you have been at large ſhewn in the ſecond or Introductory Treatiſe.

^[985]If in any Revolution you finde the Sun Lord of the year and well dignified, the King and Nobles ſhall exceed and increaſe in glory and renown; Corn, Beaſts, and Birds ſhall be plentifull, the people generally proſperous and ſucceſsfull, and all things in a good condition whereof the Sun hath any ſignification; if weak, judge the contrary.

^[986]When you find Venus Lady of the yeare and wel and fortunatly diſpoſed, the year will be ſucceſsful and advantagious unto women, who ſhall be free generally from Infirmities and miſchances, they ſhall love and delight themſelves in the ſociety and company of their Husbands, ſhall be fruitfull, eaſily conceive and bring forth their Children; the People ſhall alſo generally thrive, and be proſperous, ſhall delight themſelves in Recreations, ſports, feaſtings, mirth and jollities, and all pleaſure whatſoever they deſire, ſhall feaſt, make Marriages and delight to go neat and fine in apparel; if ſhe be weak and impedited, ſhe denotes the contrary.

^[987] Mercury ſignifies, when he is Lord of the year and ſtrong, that Merchants, Tradeſ-men, and all ſuch as give their minds to Learning, Arts and Sciences, ſhall have a ſucceſsfull year, &c. and if weak, judge the contrary.

^[988]Laſtly, if thou ſeeſt the Moon Lady of the year in any Revolution, and that ſhe be ſtrong and well placed, ſay, there ſhall be no want of rain in its due ſeaſon, both former and latter, men ſhall be generally healthy, fortunate, juſt and punctual in all their actions and promiſes, eſpecially if ſhe be in reception, or good Aſpect of the Planet who is her Diſpoſitor, &c. but if ſhe be the weak, judge the contrary.

And thus much briefly, touching the general ſignifications of the Planets, when they are Lords of the year, and either ſtrong or weak, which you have been ſhewn ſomewhat more briefly, yet altogether as plainly before in the preceding Chapters of this ſame fourth Treatiſe; yet by reaſon the Ancients ſet them down thus large, nay far larger, and leaſt the ſignifications of the Planets ſhould not be well apprehended by thee, I thought good (notwithſtanding what had been ſaid) to ſpend one quarter of a ſheet more for thy better underſtanding; and that the rather becauſe thereby the ſubſequent Diſcourſe, I hope, will be the better underſtood.

^[989]Now we are to ſpeak of the Planets to the Lord of the year, that we may know how to judge of future events thereby; the Ancients as in ſome other things, ſo in this have not been ſo plain and full as I could wiſh they had been for the inſtructing of ſuch as are but young Students therein; wherefore I ſhall endeavour to be as plain therein as ſhall be requiſite for the inſtructing even the weakeſt capacity if he obſerve what is beneath expreſſed, which is not much, yet ad rem, it is more then hath been delivered by any Author that ever I met with for all their tediouſneſs: At the beginning of the firſt Chapter of this ſecond Section, I have in few words fully delivered ſufficient Rules for the judging of any Aſpect of any Planet to any Significator, ſpeaking of the Significator of the King, and how to judge thereof, by which Rules, I ſay (having regard ſtill to your Significator) thou mayſt judge of the condition of any perſon or thing to be conſidered in any Annual Revolution, and the natural inclination, and accidental ſignification of the Planet in Aſpect therewith, whether it be by Sextile, Trine, Square, Oppoſition, or corporal ♂, together with the ſignification of the ſigns and places of Heaven they are located in at the time of the revolution.

As for example (becauſe I deſire thou ſhouldeſt be well and perfectly ſeen in this particular; for then haſt thou attained to the accompliſhment of the whole Art, if thou canſt exactly vary thy Rules) I ſhall give you one or two by which thou mayſt eaſily judge of all the reſt.

If Saturn be Lord of the year, and in configuration of the Sun, ſuppoſe by a Seatile, upon which the Ancients ſay the King ſhall be poor, and be inforced to require ayd of the people, this becauſe the Sun is a general Significator of the King; but I ſee no reaſon at all it ſhould therefore follow we ſhould thus conclude, unleſs the Sun were at the time of the Revolution Lord of the tenth; but rather thus, if Saturn be alſo Lord of the Aſcendent, the Sun then (if the cuſp be Aquaries) being Lord of the ſeventh, is particularly and chiefly Significator of the enemies of the people, as you have heard, and therefore being thus in Sextile with Saturn, unleſs by reception, I ſhould ſay the enemies of the people ſhall deſire peace, and a conformity with the People, and ſhall intreat and ſue for it, and if there be any reception betwixt him and Saturn, either by Houſe, Triplicity, Exaltation, Term or Face, ſay it will be agreed to by the Common People, who are ſignified by Saturn, who is Lord of the year and Aſcendent. If the Aſpect be by Oppoſition, judge diſſentions, quarrels and diſcords among them or between them, alſo open War, if you finde other teſtimonies concurring in ſignification: for you are not to derive your judgement from the general ſignification of the Planet in configuration with your ſignificator altogether, though ſomewhat may be hereon affirmed, or from hence concluded: but from the ſignification of the Planet as located in your Scheme, and therein ſignificator having regard to the places of Heaven and ſigns they are placed in; for we ſee even the moſt pernitious Planets Fortunes ſometimes, as they may be Significators and placed; and the moſt beneficial and Fortunate Planets, Infortunes, as you have already heard; for every Planet muſt perform the Natural Office whereunto in any Revolution or other Scheme of the Heaven it is conſtituted, as we ſhall further inſtance; Admit the Sun be in the 12th. you ſhall then ſay the Peoples enemies (the Aſpect being by Oppoſition as aforeſaid) ſhall Clandeſtinely and Treacherouſly by ſome underhand Plot or Device, ſtudy the overthrow or prejudice of the People, the twelfth houſe ſignifying ſecret Plots and miſchief; and ſo judge according to the ſignification of the other Houſes when therein located, be ſure you ever remember the true ſignification of the Planet in his own proper nature, and accidental ſignification, by his Poſition in the Heavens, afflicting your ſignificator, or aſſiſting him, and the nature of the ſign and houſe wherein he is, and your ſhall never fail (if accordingly you pronounce Judgement) of giving not only a rational but ſolid concluſion on any configuration from any ſign or houſe of Heaven made by any Planet whatſoever to the Lord of the year: or indeed to any Planet whatſoever Mutatis mutandis.

And this (I ſay) if thou canſt attain unto, thou haſt accompliſhed not only the way and manner of judging the ſignification of the Aſpects of any Planet to the Lord of the year, but alſo to any other Significator in the whole Scheme, and art Maſter of the whole Art; and this thou ſhalt never be capable of by any inſtruction, but only by a diligent ſearch, and contemplation of the natures of every ſign, houſe and Planet, and the Reaſons why they were ſo conſtituted; wherefore I ſhould deſire thee for thy better inſtruction and aſsiſtance, to read over and over, and ſeriouſly conſider every title of our ſecond Treatiſe of this Book, being an Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars; and now let us proceed to ſhew you what may be expected in any Revolution from the Poſition of the Planets in any of the twelve Houſes of Heaven, whether they be Lords of the year or no, for the further illuſtration of what hath been ſaid.

CHAP. VI. Containing the true Significations of the Planet Saturn as he is in any Annual Revolution accidentally placed in any of the Twelve Houſes of Heaven, whether he be Lord of the Year or no.

EVen as it was an earneſt deſire that all the ingenious ſpirits of our Nation ſhould increaſe in Knowledge (eſpecially this, which of all other comes neareſt to Divinity) that hath egged me on to this undertaking, I ſhall (according to my deſire and firſt intentions) be herein as plain as poſſibly I can, and ſhall cordially and ſincerely deal with thee as I would be dealt by, for wilfully I ſhall not in the leaſt detain or keep back the ſmalleſt matter according to that little knowledge God in his wiſdom and infinite mercy and goodneſs hath beſtowed on me, that might advantage thee in this moſt heavenly ſtudy, or be a means to propagate the Art.

^[990]If in any Revolution of the years of the world Saturn be in the Aſcendent, and diurnal, and beheld by his diſpoſitor by a good aſpect, as alſo by the Lord of the mid-heaven, or in reception therewith, it ſignifieth the People under that Revolution ſhall be quiet during that Revolution, not making many Journies, ſhall be in a good condition, fortunate, ſucceſsful, and ſhall be much honoured by their King and Superiours, of whom they ſhall obtain much good; but if he be therein afflicted, unfortunate or anywiſe weak, he denotes miſchief and trouble to the People in their proper perſons, alſo infirmities and all vexations ſignified by Saturn; and this ſhall the more aſſuredly happen if he be in humane ſigns and no wiſe beheld of the Fortunes or adjuvant Planets.

^[991]In the ſecond, and beheld by the fortunate aſpects of the Lord of the ſecond, he denotes the ſucceſsful and proſperous condition of the Common People in their Trades and Merchandizings, and that they ſhall thrive and grow rich, eſpecially in ſuch things as are ſignified by the ſign wherein the Cuſpe of the ſecond is; if he be therein weak, impedited and unfortunate, he ſhall ſignifie the contrary, and that the People ſhall be poor, have loſſes and croſſes, eſpecially in ſuch things as are ſignified by Saturn and the ſign wherein he is; And this underſtand touching the quality of the good or evil underſtood or ſignified by any of the other Planets; for according to the nature of the Sign and Planet therein muſt you give Judgement.

^[992] Saturn in the third if he be well dignified ſhall generally denote mirth and jollity to the People, that they ſhall delight and aſſociate themſelves one with another, and all heart-burnings and differences between them ſhall be forgotten and laid aſide: but if he be in the third and unfortunate, men ſhall ſuffer by ſhort Journies, ſhall envy, hate and diſturb one another, ſhall be liars, perfidious and treacherous, and oftentimes ſhall have terrible and troubleſom dreams, &c.

^[993]Alſo if he be in the fourth and ſtrong (as aboveſaid) men ſhall be very laborious therein, and ſhall thrive thereby, as alſo by heritages and houſes; but if he be weak, there ſhall be no profit in ſuch things, houſes ſhall come to ruine, the earth ſhall not give its due increaſe (eſpecially if other teſtimonies concurr, for how to judge of plenty and ſcarcity you ſhall have anon; yet Saturn his preſence in this houſe and unfortunate (you muſt know) will ſomewhat leſſen the fertility promiſed in any Revolution) as will be expected by the husbandman whoſe hopes therein will be fruſtrated, and much of his time ſpent in vain.

^[994]Again, If he be in the fifth and ſtrong, the People ſhall be jocund, pleaſant and merry, ſhall delight in their Children, Feaſtings, and the like; if he be therein weak, judge the contrary; ſadneſs for joy, croſſes by Children for delight in them, and penury and want inſtead of Feaſts.

^[995]If he be fortified in the ſixth, judge health to the People if it be a humane ſign which poſſeſſeth the Cuſp thereof, and good to ſervants; if it be beſtial, it will be more eſpecially manifeſt in ſuch Creatures as are thereby repreſented; as if Aries or Capricorn, Sheep, Goats and ſmall Cattel; if Taurus, Buls, Cows, Oxen, and the greater ſort of Cattel, Horſes, &c. if in watry ſigns, ſucceſs and good to Rivers, Fountains and Fiſh; if the ſign of the ſixth be Virgo, to the Earth and its Fruits, as Corn, &c. if he be impedited or weak, judge the contrary, ſickneſs and detriment unto them, according as you ſee the ſeveral ſignifications of the ſign on the Cuſp of the ſixth Houſe.

^[996]Moreover if Saturn be in the ſeventh and ſtrong, and the ſign be humane, men ſhall delight themſelves in women, eſpecially old men, and ſhall Contract and make Marriages; if it be any other ſign, ſee of what nature and ſignification it is, and judge they ſhall delight themſelves in ſuch things as are according to the nature thereof, and profit thereby; but if he be weak, judge the contrary.

^[997]And if he be in the eighth, although he be ſtrong, yet ſhall he ſignifie danger of death, and ruine to thoſe things ſignified by the ſign of the eighth; as if a humane ſign, to men, &c. but if he be weak, it is the more to be feared, and if other teſtimonies agree, it is to be concluded, but eſpecially to men of elder years.

^[998]Alſo if he be in the ninth, well dignified, and in a fixed ſign, men ſhall be chaſte, lovers of Religion, the Law and all good Learning; but if the ſign be movable, they ſhall make many Voyages by Sea, or long Journies, in which they ſhall continue long; but if he be then weak, judge the contrary, and that many Ships ſhall ſuffer ſhipwrack, and men ſhall receive much damage and detriment through long Journies.

^[999]Again. If Saturn be in the tenth and ſtrong, the People ſhall receive much honour and benefit from their King and Superiours; but if he be weak and elevated above all the other Planets, it ſignifieth that his cold unfortunate and malicious inclination ſhall go generally through all the Region, Country or Kingdom; and then the King ſhall remove out of one place into another, and ſhall do much miſchief and evil acts, and too tyrannically impoſe unuſual Taxations on the People.

^[1000] Saturn in the eleventh and ſtrong, ſhews that men ſhall obtain their deſires and hopes, ſhall be ſucceſsful in their Journies and Removes, and ſhall be merry; but if he be weak, judge the contrary.

^[1001]Laſtly, If he be in the twelfth and ſtrong, men ſhall be quiet, ſhall love one another, and retain no malice or ill will; but if he be weak, men ſhall be envious, malicious and wicked one againſt the other, and there ſhall be many quarrels and diſcords in that Region for which your Revolution is.

CHAP. VII. Of the Signification of Jupiter as he is accidentally placed in any of the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no.

THus have you heard plainly and fully the true ſignifications of Saturn as he is located in any of the twelve Houſes in any Revolution whatſoever, whether he be Lord of the year or no; it reſteth therefore now we deſcend to Jupiter, who as you have heard in our Introduction is the next under Saturn, and therefore we ſhall in this place ſpeak firſt of him, and then of all the reſt in order as they are accordingly located in the Heavens.

^[1002]If Jupiter then in any Annual Revolution of the years of the world be in the Aſcendent and ſtrong, and in good aſpect of his diſpoſitor (as you have heard of Saturn in the former Chapter) he ſignifies the People of that Climate or Region ſhall be ſucceſsful and fortunate on every ſide, healthy in their bodies, ſhall have much joy, honour and peace, men ſhall be deſirers and ſearchers of and in Divine Myſteries, and the Law and the Students thereof ſhall be in great and high eſteem, and they ſhall build and repair Churches and Courts of Judicature, &c. and if he be weak, men ſhall be negligent and careleſs of Divine Duties and the Law; and though thou mayſt not judge altogether the contrary to what hath been ſaid, yet mayſt thou ſay the People ſhall be little the better for his preſence in their Aſcendent, or receive little or no good from him; for the good he would and is naturally willing to do you ſee he is altogether unable to perform, being weak or having no power or ability; in like manner judge of his conſiſtence in any other Houſe when he is in the like caſe indigent.

^[1003]If he be in the ſecond and ſtrong, he ſignifies abudance of proſperity and riches to the People, eſpecially in ſuch things and commodities as are ſignified by the ſign wherein Iupiter is; alſo if the Lord of the ſecond apply unto him, their riches will come tumbling on them they know not how; but if he apply to the Lord of the ſecond, it will be by their own labour and induſtry that they ſhall augment their riches: By this rule mayſt thou (if thou haſt well conſidered what hath been ſaid in the preceding Diſcourſe) judge of every thing appertaining to the ſignification of any Houſe: If Iupiter be weak and in the ſecond, he neither promiſeth riches nor poverty in himſelf except by accident; wherefore you are warily to conſider (as hath been ſaid) the ſignification of each Planet as he is in your Scheme ſignificator of any thing, and not (wholly) as he is naturally; and ſo judge of the good or evil portended by his ſignification and aſpect, ſign and quarter of Heaven he poſſeſſes.

^[1004]Alſo if he be in the third and ſtrong, the People ſhall be pleaſant and delight to aſſociate themſelves with their neighbours, acquaintance and kindred, ſhall delight alſo in charitable and almſ deeds, and be proſperous and ſucceſsful in all ſhort Journies, and give themſelves to the ſtudy of Arts and Sciences; but if he be weak, they ſhall not have the like ſtrong inclinations unto theſe things.

^[1005]Again, If Iupiter be in the fourth and well dignified, men ſhall infinitely abound in wealth, and proſper by their labours on the ground, eſpecially husbanders and manurers thereof; but if he be unfortunate, there ſhall happen much ſadneſs and trouble unto them towards the end of the year, &c.

^[1006]Moreover if he be in the fifth, men ſhall delight in feaſting, ſporting and all manner of recreation and paſtime, ſhall be pleaſant, merry and receive much joy and content from and by their Children, women ſhall be apt to conceive with Child, and they ſhall bring them ſafely forth, perfect and without danger; but if he be weak it will not be ſo well, if any thing at all good.

^[1007]In the ſixth and well dignified, the good condition and ſtate of Servants is promiſed, alſo health both unto them and the People in general if the ſign wherein he is be humane; if beſtial, to beaſts of that nature the ſign is of, &c. as you have heard in the preceding Chapter where we ſpake of Saturn his being in the ſame Houſe; if he be afflicted, judge not ſo much good, but (if you ſee other teſtimonies concuring) ſay rather there will be the clean contrary, and diſeaſes, ſuch as are Impoſtumes, unnatural windy, ſwellings, obſtructions of the Liver, and the like; be ſure you derive your judgement according to diſcretion, and the nature of the Planet and Sign he is in, &c.

^[1008] Jupiter in the ſeventh fortunate, denotes many Marriages and Contracts ſhall be made, and Men ſhall delight themſelves with Women; but if he be unfortunate, they ſhall not agree, ſhall jarr, claſh and fall out one with another during that Revolution.

^[1009]If he be in the eighth, there ſhall not be any great mortality (if he be then ſtrong) but if he be weak, judge the contrary, or there ſhall be ſome affliction according to the nature of the ſign in which he then is.

^[1010]Alſo if he be fortunately placed in the ninth, men ſhall make ſafe and proſperous Journies and Voyages by Sea, and alſo thrive by removing from one place or houſe to another, and men ſhall love and delight in the Law both of God and Man, Moral and Divine; but if he be weak it will not be ſo good: By what hath been already ſaid and rightly apprehended, thou mayſt eaſily judge when it will be contrary or bad in any degree.

^[1011]Again, If he be in the tenth and dignified, the King and Superiours ſhall be good, ſhall honour his or their People, and do Juſtice generally and impartially, and they ſhall thrive under their Government and be ſucceſsful; but if he be weak in dignities, he cannot be ſo ſtrong as to perform this good ſo effectually, and there ſhall be both Law and diſcord amongſt the People, &c.

^[1012]If he be in the eleventh, the People ſhall be moſt ſucceſsful or fortunate, alſo faithful, juſt and honeſt, ſhall not be deprived of their hopes nor confidence, and ſhall be merry; but if he be weak it will not be ſo good.

^[1013]Laſtly, If Jupiter be in the twelfth, the People ſhall profit and gain by their Enemies, ſhall be quiet, love and cheriſh one another, and ſhall be free from malice and envy; but if he be weak, judge the contrary, as you ſhall have occaſion and reaſon.

CHAP. VIII. Containing the Significations of Mars in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no.

^[1014]HAving done with the ſignifications of Iupiter, it follows now we come to Mars and his ſignifications, who if he be in the firſt Houſe in any Revolution and ſtrong, whether he be Lord of the year or no, ſhews that the People of that Country ſhall gain and be advantaged by wars or ſlaughters, and ſhall overcome their Enemies during that Revolution; but if he be weak, they ſhall diſagree and fall out one among another, and ſhall beat, draw blood and wound one another, for which cauſe much evil and damage ſhall happen unto them.

^[1015]If Mars be in the ſecond Houſe at the time of any Revolution, or Ingreſs of the Sun into Aries, and ſtrong, he denotes many thefts, rapines and robberies, and cozening and cheating of one another; thoſe alſo that are intruſted with money or goods of any one, ſhall be falſe and deceitful, and the People generally ſhall be driven to want, and be perplexed with taxations and tributes.

^[1016]But if he be in the third, men ſhall not aſſociate themſelves with their neighbours and kindred, but inſtead of being friends hate and envy one another.

^[1017]Alſo if he be in the fourth, he ſends his vigorous heat and malice to all the other Planets, ſo that if he be in a fiëry ſign, he dryes up and ſcorches the earth, and cauſeth great miſchief by fire, alſo mortalities; if the ſign be humane, he cauſeth many ſlaughters and effuſion of blood, quarrels and war, and that chiefly in or towards the latter end of the year, and in thoſe places generally ſubject to the ſin wherein ſhe is.

^[1018]And if he happen in the fifth, hard and tedious labour is threatned to thoſe with Child, little or no merry meetings and feaſtings; but if any, he cauſeth diſſentions and diſcords amongſt them.

^[1019]Again, If he be in the ſixth, in a hot and dry ſign, he cauſeth hot and dry diſeaſes; if the ſign be moyſt, the diſeaſes will be hot and moyſt; if aiëry, they will be feavers, corruption of blood, impoſtumes, ventoſies, &c. if it be an earthy ſign, they will be conſumptions and melancholy diſeaſes, with ſome mixtures of choler; and if the ſign be beſtial, the beaſts ſubject thereunto ſhall ſuffer, &c.

^[1020]Moreover, if he be in the ſeventh, afflicted and weak, he denotes then great diſſentions and enmities, and that men ſhall be perplexed with theft, much blood-ſhed, contentions and wars; and theſe ſhall chiefly be incident to the People of that Climate for which the Radix of your Figure is made, viz. evil accidents, wars and diſcords, alſo fraud and deceit in Merchandizing, trouble and ſadneſs.

^[1021]And if he be in the eighth, there ſhall be fearful and terrible ſudden deaths, according to the nature of the ſign in which he is.

^[1022]If he be in the ninth, travelling ſhall be dangerous, alſo much robbing and plundering therein, if the Journey be by Land; if by Sea, Shipwrack is much to be feared.

^[1023]Again, If he be in the tenth, the King and Rulers ſhall be froward and croſs with their People, exerciſing cruelty and tyrannie without any piety or fear of God, and puniſhing and taxing them without any mercy or pitty.

^[1024]If in the eleventh, men ſhall not love one another, nor delight in each others ſociety, neither will they be moved with any compaſſion or pitty.

^[1025]And if in the twelfth, the People ſhall be much terrified and troubled by their Enemies, from whence ſhall proceed ſlaughter and effuſion of blood.

CHAP. IX. Shewing the Significations of the Sun in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no.

REhearſing the Planets according to their order and places in the Heavens, after Mars follows the Sun, ^[1026] who if he be in the Aſcendent fortunate, eſſentially dignified, and in reception with the Lord of the Aſcendent, and beheld amically by him, the year ſhall generally be happy and ſucceſsful for every one, as well the King as the Beggar; but if he be therein infortunate, it ſhall be clean contrary; and eſpecially noble and great men ſhall ſuffer in their perſons diſhonour, diſgrace, and be perhaps caſt out of their dignities and places.

^[1027]The Sun in the ſecond, the People ſhall waſte and expend their wealth, alſo their Rulers ſhall covet after the fingring and diſpoſing thereof, inſomuch that they ſhall live ſneakingly and poor.

^[1028]The Sun in the third, ſhews the People ſhall delight in goodneſs, and in the Law, ſhall love and aſſociate themſelves with their neighbours, friends, kindred and aſſociates, for the which they ſhall be praiſed.

^[1029]If he be in the fourth, Gardens and Vegetables ſhall be ſpoyled and ſuffer detriment, eſpecially if he be in ſigns of that nature; great men and high ſhall be made low and degraded; and if it be a watry ſign, the earth ſhall be dry, and the water dried up: [I believe the Ancients meant fiëry.]

^[1030]Again, If the Sun be in the fifth, he denotes detriment and grief to ſuch Creatures as are with young, ſo that hardly do any eſcape without ſome manifeſt hurt or other.

^[1031]Alſo if he be in the ſixth, many griefs and infirmities ſhall happen, and chiefly in the eyes, and ſuch living Creatures ſhall dye as are ſignified by the ſign wherein he is located; the King alſo or chief Rulers ſhall be ſad that year, much loſs alſo and damage ſhall be by ſervants, and ſuch things as are ſignified by the ſixth Houſe; alſo the ignoble and baſer ſort of People ſhall envy and raiſe themſelves up againſt their Superiours.

^[1032]Moreover, if he be in the ſeventh, he denoteth diſcords between the People and their Rulers, and betwixt the King and the Nobles, and that the King ſhall keep at a diſtance with the People, or keep himſelf retire from them.

^[1033]In the eighth, he denotes the death of Kings and great men, alſo the depoſing of Kings, and unthroning of Nobles and Grandees, and a leſſening or diminiſhing of their power, eſpecially if he be beheld by the Lord of the eighth.

^[1034]But if he be in the ninth, he ſhews the inclinations of the People are generally to good, and that they ſhall be fortunate and ſucceſsful in long Journies and Voyages, and ſhall love and delight in both the Law of God and Man.

^[1035]Alſo if the Sun be in the tenth, it denotes the glory, renown and honour of the King or chief Rulers, alſo the good condition of the People, and that there ſhall be kindneſs and love betwixt them; for the People ſhall willingly obey, and the Superiors ſhall conferr honour and priviledges on the People.

^[1036]And if he chance to be in the eleventh, the People generally ſhall have joy and gladneſs, and ſhall be merry and ſolace themſelves with their friends, acquaintance and familiars, and their hopes ſhall not be fruſtrated; the chief Rulers ſhall love the People alſo, and be advantageous unto them.

^[1037]Laſtly, if he be in the twelfth, Rich and Noblemen, and the Grandees ſhall be eclipſed in their honour, and ignoble perſons ſhall affront and prejudice them; and the People generally ſhall hate and deſpiſe their Superiours, and their Superiours ſhall oppreſs and torment them.

CHAP. X. Shewing the Signification of Venus in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether ſhe be Lady of the Year or no.

^[1038]AFter the Sun follows Venus, who if ſhe be in the Aſcendent, ſtrong and well dignified, the people ſhall be ſtrong and healthy, and have much joy and gladneſs, ſhall endeavour to live neatly and in a comely ſpruce manner, both for matter of meat and raiment, and all other things neceſſary for the perfecting of a mans pleaſure in this life.

^[1039] Venus in the ſecond, cauſeth profit and gain by Women, happineſs and fertility of the Fruits of the Earth.

^[1040]If ſhe be in the third, men ſhall hate one another, and no wiſe deſire the ſociety of their friends and neighbours, alſo be careleſs of Religion, Law and all goodneſs.

^[1041]Alſo if ſhe be in the fourth, men ſhall be jealous of their Wives, and ſhall therefore ſhut them up, alſo ſadneſs and anxiety cauſed by Mothers; but yet the latter end of the year ſhall be better then the beginning.

^[1042]If ſhe be in the fifth, damage is portended through the occaſion of Children; but the latter end of the year will be better then the beginning, and the grief and ſadneſs converted into joy; ſuch Creatures as are with young ſhall go ſafely and be delivered, but the moſt part will be Females; Men ſhall be Captivated with the love of Women, and ſhall be merry with them, ſhall delight in ſinging, dancing, feaſting, and ſeeming ſpruce and neat.

^[1043]Alſo if ſhe be in the ſixth, and the ſign humane, men ſhall profit by ſervants; in like manner if the ſign be beſtial, they ſhall alſo gain thereby, viz. by ſuch beaſts as are thereby ſignified, and they ſhall be free from ſickneſs and other accidents, and women ſhall be ſick through ſurfets and weakneſs of the ſtomack.

^[1044]Again, If ſhe be in the ſeventh, Women ſhall make and conclude Marriages, and delight themſelves with their Husbands if ſhe be ſtrong; but if ſhe be weak, they ſhall fall out and ſcold with their Husbands, and ſhall be diſobedient unto them, and ſhall run ſcolding and prating out of their houſes, and ſeparate and divorce themſelves many of them from their husbands.

^[1045]Moreover if in the eighth, ſhe denotes the death of Matrons and great Women, alſo generally mortality to all Women, if ſhe be then weak.

^[1046]If ſhe be in the ninth, ſhe ſhews Men of Religious Orders ſhall flit and remove from one place and houſe to another, and that Men ſhall dream true Dreams, and perform long Journeys and Voyages with ſafety, and profit and gain thereby; Men ſhall be Lovers of the Law both of God and Man, and eſteem of all good Learning, and ſtrive to be vertuous.

^[1047]But if ſhe be in the tenth, joy and gladneſs will be occaſioned by and from the King and Superiours, the Grandees alſo ſhall love and delight themſelves with Women, whom they ſhall adorn and deck ſumptuouſly; they ſhall alſo take much pleaſure in Jeſters, all merry conceits and tricks, alſo in Muſick, Songs and the like; the People ſhall be in a good condition, and ſhall be beloved and honoured by their Superiours.

^[1048]Alſo if ſhe be in the eleventh, the People ſhall be fortunate, ſucceſsful and happy, by reaſon their faith, truſt and hope ſhall not fail them; they ſhall alſo accompany themſelves with Women, and ſhall be taken in love one with another, and commit Fornications, and tranſgreſs the Law, yet ſhall they ſpend the year with great jollity and mirth.

^[1049]If in the twelfth, Tribulation is threatned, and enmity with Women; for Men ſhall hate them, and no wiſe be aſſiſtant unto them, ſo that they ſhall be during the time of that Revolution moſt unfortunate.

CHAP. XI. Of the Significations of Mercury in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no.

^[1050] MErcury in the twelve Houſes of Heaven comes now to be conſidered, who if he be in the firſt, he ſhews the year ſhall be good and ſucceſsful; Men ſhall be ingenious and alſo Children and Youth, ſo that they ſhall during that Revolution be apt to attain to any thing that ſhall be taught them, or that they ſhall incline their minds to underſtand.

^[1051]If he be in the ſecond and ſtrong, Merchants and Tradeſ-men ſhall profit and gain by their Merchandizings, ſhall be faithful and juſtly perform the truſt repoſed in them, ſhall be honoured, famous and in great eſteem of their Superiours; but if he be unfortunate, it denotes loſs and decay of trading, infidelity and breach of truſt, and that men ſhall give themſelves over to gain by unlawful and indirect means, and the like.

^[1052]Alſo if he be in the third, men ſhall love and delight in the Law, and in all kind of Knowledge and Religion; and ſhall love and aſſociate themſelves one with another, and ſhall delight in ſhort Journies.

^[1053]Again, In the fourth he cauſeth diſcords and jarrings in words betwixt man and man, alſo vexation and ſadneſs; alſo many Scribes ſhall be captivated, or ſuch as keep Books of Accounts, or Secretaries of State; and if the ſign wherein he is be fixed, they ſhall continue long in Priſon; if moveable, judge the contrary; and if Mars do then maliciouſly aſpect him, they ſhall be grievouſly beaten and tormented, and perhaps ſlain.

^[1054]Alſo if he be in the fifth, he denotes ſucceſs and joy by and in Children, meſſages, ſports, paſtimes and ingenious recreations, by which ſadneſs ſhall be totally aboliſhed; alſo ſuch as are with Young ſhall go their time ſafely, and be at length well delivered, and theſe for the moſt part ſhall be ingenious Creatures; but if he be unfortunate, no Conception ſhall be brought to perfection, and judge the contrary to what you have heard.

^[1055]Moreover if he be in the ſixth, contentions, trouble and vexation ſhall happen through the default and actions of ſervants and vile ignoble perſons, or ſuch as belong to a mans own family, or by ſmall Cattel, viz. ſuch as are ſignified by the ſign wherein he is, or by ſickneſs, &c. Children alſo and Young men ſhall many of them dye and be diſeaſed according to his affliction in this Houſe.

^[1056]If he be in the ſeventh, he denotes men will be addicted to laſciviouſneſs, and the company of women carnally; and if he be weak, they ſhall fly out and commit many fornications and filthy acts.

^[1057]In the eighth, he ſhall cauſe the death of many Young men, Women and Children, alſo diſcords and contentions between men concerning Wils, Legacies and the mind of the deceaſed.

^[1058]Alſo if in the ninth, long Journies will be performed with ſafety and pleaſure, alſo men ſhall mutually deſire each others ſociety, and delight in all honeſt and good Learning, and apply their minds to the finding out of hidden ſecrets and myſteries; but if he be weak, their ſtudy will be impious and wicked; and ſo of all the reſt, judge the contrary.

^[1059]Again, If Mercury be in the tenth, Merchants and Scribes, alſo Scholars and Ingenious men ſhall be honoured by their King and Superiours; alſo all ſuch men as are ſignified by Mercury; but if he be afflicted, judge the contrary, according to the nature of the Planet afflicting and the Sign and Quarter of Heaven he is in.

^[1060] Moreover if he be in the Eleventh, men ſhall love and aſſociate themſelves one with another, they ſhall mutually give gifts, and profit one by another.

^[1061] In the Twelfth, the People ſhall be plotted againſt by their Enemies: alſo Servants and Children ſhall diſagree and claſh with men and women: alſo loſſes by great Cattell, if the Sign be Beſtial, &c.

CHAP. XII. Of the ſignifications of the Moon in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether She be Lady of the Year or no.

EVen as we have already treated of the Six fore-going Planets, let us yet continue to ſhew alſo the ſignifications of the Moon in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven.^[1062] Wherefore if the Moon in any Annual Revolution be in the firſt Houſe whether ſhe be Lady of the Year or no, ſhe denotes the People ſhall be fickle, ever wavering and going out of one Opinion into another, and one houſe and place to another: and men ſhall have joy and profit by women: eſpecially ſuch as have Mothers ſhall gain much by them. The Year ſhall be proſperous, men ſhall be ſucceſsfull, and in health of Body and ſtrong: this if ſhe be fortunate, but if ſhe be impedited and weak judge the contrary.

^[1063] Alſo if ſhe be in the Second and Fortunate, men ſhall gain and profit and abound in Riches, having plenty of all things: but if ſhe be infortunate, they ſhall be indigent, poor and vile, &c. ſhall have many loſſes and croſſes.

^[1064] If ſhe be in the Third, men ſhall delight and joy in the ſociety and company of their Friends, Acquaintance and Kindred, and all enmity and former heart-burnings ſhall be forgotten and laid aſide: they ſhall delight in all goodneſs and charitable Almſ-deeds; alſo ſhort journies ſhall be performed with all the ſecurity and profit that may be.

^[1065] In the Fourth, and the Revolution be diurnal, ſhe denotes misfortune at the beginning of the Year; but towards the latter end amendment: but if it be nocturnal the People whether at the beginning or ending of the Year ſhall not have any ſucceſs, but contrariwiſe many tribulations, croſſes, loſſes, vexations and impriſonments: but if ſhe be ſtrong and well dignifyed, the evill will not be altogether ſo bad.

^[1066] In the Fifth, men ſhall be fortunate in and through their Children in whom they ſhall rejoyce and take pleaſure: there ſhall be plenty of every thing: men ſhall juncket, banquet, feaſt and be merry, and the like, delight to get Children, and many ſhall be conceived, and all things with young ſhall be ſafely and well delivered: in a word, every thing appertaining to the ſignification of this Houſe ſhall be ſucceſsfull if ſhe be fortunate: but if afflicted, judge the contrary

^[1067] Alſo if ſhe be in the Sixth, men ſhall leave off their accuſtomed wickedneſſes, and apply themſelves more to goodneſs then uſually they were wont: gain by Servants and ſmall Cattell: but if unfortunate, loſs and dammage thereby, and the clean contrary is to be expected.

^[1068] Again, if in the Seventh, men ſhall be fortunate and happy in women, and gain and profit much by them.

^[1069] And if in the Eighth, Mortalities ſhall happen amongſt men: and if ſhe be then unfortunated, it ſhall be ſo much the worſe: and if ſhe be in any of the houſes of Mars, there ſhall be many and grievous ſlaughters, alſo tribulations and anxieties amongſt men, and that about Legacies, and the like: and men ſhall endeavor to proſecute one another, and to caſt one another out of their Poſſeſſions, &c.

^[1070] Moreover if ſhe be in the Ninth, men ſhall make many journeys, and Remove out of one place into another; if the Sign be watry, they ſhall make Voyages by Sea; if an earthy, long and tedious journies by land; Men ſhall be lovers of Arts and Sciences; for if the Sign on the Ninth be one of the Houſes of Saturn, they ſhall delight in Alchimy and Chimical preparations; if it be one of the Houſes of Jupiter, in Divinity, Law and Juſtice; if of Mars, in wars, feats of Arms, &c. if belonging to Sol, in all noble Sciences; if to Venus, in Muſick, ſinging and dancing; if to Mercury, in Aſtrology and all curious Sciences and ingenious Arts; to herſelf, in all waterworks or things pertaining thereunto; and if ſhe be therein afflicted, then mayſt thou judge inconveniency will come thereby, expences and trouble according to the nature of the Planet afflicting, &c.

^[1071] If ſhe be in the Tenth, the People ſhall be in a good and proſperous condition, ſhall be honored and beloved by their King and Superiors, and this ſhall the more aſſuredly happen if ſhe behold the Lord of the Tenth, or be in reception therewith, and the revolution Nocturnal.

^[1072] If in the Eleventh, the year ſhall be fortunate and ſucceſsfull in every thing appertaining to that houſes ſignification if ſhe be ſtrong; but if weak, judge the contrary.

Laſtly if the Moon be in the Twelfth,^[1073] ſhe denotes the inſtability and uncertainty of every thing, and the People ſubject to the Sign wherein ſhe is ſhall have many quarrels, diſſentions and diſcords, if not wars, &c,

Remember ſtill that if your Significator or Lord of the year,

Note.

&c. be afflicted, then miſchief is to be expected; if aſſiſted and well dignified, the contrary; and whether good or bad is portended, it ſhall ſtill happen to the quarter of the Region anſwering to the quarter of heaven he is in; as if in the Aſcendent, it ſhall happen in the Eaſtern parts; in the Seventh, in the Weſtern; in the Tenth, in the Southern; in the Fourth, in the Northern; in the Second, in the North-eaſt and by Eaſt; in the Third, in the North-eaſt juſt (if upon the Cuſp thereof;) but if within the houſe, North-eaſt and by North; and ſo judge of all the reſt of the houſes round the whole heavens; But the good or evill ſhall chiefly be incident to thoſe Regious and Countries ſubject to your Significator and the Sign in which he is located.

Alſo you are to remember to judge the nature of the good or bad according to the nature of the Planet afflicting or aſſiſting, and the nature of the Sign in which he is, whether Aiëry, Earthy, Fiery or Watry; for it is not for me upon every Rule to make repetition; wherefore you are warily to underſtand and conſider what hath been already delivered, &c.

CHAP. XIII. Containing the ſignfications of the Head and Tail of the Dragon in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution of the Years of the World.

SInce we have now waded through the ſignifications of the Seven Celeſtial Planets in the Twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Revolution of the Years of the World, it reſteth we now alſo ſhew the ſignifications of the Head and Tayl of the Dragon, and then proceed to the ſignifications of them in the Twelve Celeſtial Signs;^[1074] wherefore then if you find ☊ in the firſt, the People will be ſucceſsfull, fortunate, in honor and health, eſpecially if free from the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes,^[1075] and fortunately beheld by the Benevolents; But if ☋ be in the firſt, it denotes dangers, misfortunes, croſſes, loſſes, and that all manner of miſchief ſhall be incident to the perſons of the People, alſo infirmities according to the Nature and ſignification of the Sign wherein it is.

^[1076] If ☊ he in the Second, it portends fortune and good ſucceſs to the People in their Trades, that they ſhall grow rich and thrive in the world: but if ☋ be therein, little or no Trading, croſſes and loſſes in their ſubſtance and wealth is to be feared,^[1077] and that caſually and unexpectedly.

^[1078]If ☊ be in the Third, ſhort Journies ſhall be profitable, ſafe and advantagious to the People who ſhall alſo be good and well diſpoſed, and dream true Dreams, and ſhall delight in all manner of good things: Brethren and Aſſociates ſhall love and agree, alſo be helpfull and advantagious one to another: but if be therein,^[1079] judge the contrary, diſcords, diſſentions and feuds among them; chiefly amongſt the men if the Sign wherein it is be maſculine, amongſt the women if feminine; alſo dammage and loſs by long journies, &c.

^[1080]If ☊ be in the Fourth, and the Sign wherein he is be ♈, ♌ or ♐, or ♊, ♎, or ♒, if ſignifies good ſucceſs and increaſe of things of the Earth, as fruits and the like, and all immoveable things ſignified by the Fourth houſe; but if it be ♉, ♍, ♑, ♋ ♏ or ♓, judge the contrary: and if ☋ be therein, Poverty and Indigency,^[1081] alſo a ſcarceneſs of fruits, and the ill ſtate of things ſignified by that houſe is to be expected.

^[1082]Alſo if the Dragons Head be in the Fifth, it ſignifies encreaſe of Joy by children, alſo abundance of pleaſure, &c. but if the Dragons Tayl be therein, ſadneſs, trouble,^[1083] vexation and anxiety is to be expected, alſo grief and trouble by and through children: and if any recreation or paſtime be uſed, it is an hundred to one if there follow not much inconveniency thereby.

^[1084]Again if the Dragons Head be in the Sixth, it denotes encreaſe of ſmall Cattell, and much gain and profit thereby: alſo faithfull Servants and ſuch as ſhall advantage their Maſters, and the Ayr ſhall be healthfull and pleaſant: but if you find the Dragons Tayl therein, judge the contrary, alſo loſs by Cattell and Servants,^[1085] and that they ſhall be perfidious and falſe.

^[1086]Moreover if the Dragons Head be in the Seventh, men ſhall delight in the company and ſociety of women, and love ſhall be encreaſed between them; the enemies of the People ſhall be ſtrong and in good condition; but if the Dragons Tayl be there,^[1087] ſay there ſhall be no love nor delight between men and women, nor ſociety in any love, but 02 rather quarrels, ſcoldings & brawlings, chiefly among the common ſort of people, &c.

^[1088]If ☊ be in the Eighth, the People ſhall gain and profit by the deceaſe of men and women, alſo by Legacies and ſuch like, &c. but it ☋ be there,^[1089] it ſignifies loſs by the death of men and women, quite contrary.

^[1090]Alſo ☊ in the Ninth, long journies ſhall be ſucceſsfull, men ſhall alſo be Lovers of the Law and all good Learning; but if ☋ be therein,^[1091] long journies and voyages by Sea ſhall be tedious, dangerous and unprofitable; alſo men ſhall be negligent and careleſs of the Law and Learning.

^[1092]Again, if ☊ be in the Tenth, the condition of the King and Rulers ſhall be good, and the People ſhall ſtudy ſuch Trades as are very curious and ingenious, alſo dive into the Secrets of all Sciences and Studies; but if ☋ be there,^[1093] they ſhall be alſo as inquiſitive, but the Arts ſhall be Diabolical and unlawfull, and the Trades-men ſhall deviſe ways in their Trade to cozen and cheat their Neighbors; and the King or Rulers ſhall have croſſes and troubles, and perhaps their Honor ecclipſed.

^[1094]Alſo if ☊ be in the Eleventh, the Ancients have ſayd he ſignifieth neither good nor bad; the ſame alſo they affirm of ☋.^[1095] I muſt confeſs I have not had much regard to the verity thereof by any ſufficient obſervation, nor can I as yet conceive the true Reaſon thereof: I hope a little time and Search thereinto will better inform both me and thee: in the Interim becauſe they have ſo concluded, I ſhall not in the leaſt contradict them in this Point, nor derogate from them, becauſe ſomething may I know be ſayd for this their Tenet, although not ſo much as is fully ſatisfactory to my Objections, &c.

^[1096]Laſtly, if ☊ be in the Twelfth, he denotes encreaſe of miſchief and not good; and ☋ loſs to and by great Cattell, that few men ſhall during that Revolution be impriſoned: and if they be, they ſhall not ſo continue:

Note.

but I ſhall deſire thee to remember that according to their affliction or aſſiſtance thou art to judge good or bad, and not always according to theſe general Rules, as you have been ſufficiently taught of the Planets, ſo alſo touching the places where their effects ſhall be manifeſted, obſerve the ſame Rules you have been already taught, viz. thoſe ſubject to the ſigns in which they are, &c.

CHAP. XIV. Shewing the Significations of the Planets in any of the Triplicities, when any of them is Lord of the Year in any Annual Revolution of the years of the World.

EVen as we have before promiſed to give you ſome Rules more at large for the better and further illuſtration of what hath been already delivered, ſo (though what hath been ſaid is ſufficient) we ſhall yet further perſiſt, and endeavour to make every thing ſo clear, that there ſhall not be the leaſt complaint thereof; now therefore as touching the ſignification of every Planet when they are either Lords or Ladies of the year in any of the four Triplicities (what a Triplicity is, and how and wherefore ſo divided you have been already ſhewn in the 12. Chapter of our Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars) and then what may be expected by their being in any of the twelve ſigns, as alſo the Head and Tail of the Dragon, and ſo we ſhall proceed to the third Section, that we may the ſooner haſten to a concluſion.

I might hereon inlarge, as have the Ancients, but it ſhall be needleſs to ſay more then thus much, That look what Planet is Lord of the year, and the ſign he is then placed in, and ponder exactly his Debilities and Fortitudes, and according to his ſtrength you know and have been ſufficiently already taught, you are to judge, good or bad, according to his nature, the nature of the ſign he is in, and the nature of the place of Heaven he is placed in; as if Saturn be in Aquaries or its Triplicity, this being both his houſe and Triplicity by day, and ſo conſequently (if the Revolution be Diurnal) ſtrong and well dignified, as alſo having exaltation in Libra the ſame Triplicity, you ſhall judge what he ſignifies and denotes ſhall be advantagious and good to the Common People and Nation, but it ſhall chiefly be manifeſted and effected in the Weſtern parts, becauſe this is a Weſtern ſign.

For, whatever your Planet Lord or Lady of the year denotes, whether by her or his natural Complexion, or Accidental Fortitudes, good or bad, it ſhall be chiefly manifeſt in thoſe Regions ſubject to the ſign wherein he or ſhe is, and the Countreys alſo ſubject to that Triplicity, but more particularly in the quarter ſignified by the ſaid Triplicity; as for example, if Saturn be in Aries, he ſhall denote miſchief and dammage to all Noble, Rich and Great men (becauſe they are denoted and ſignified eſpecial by fiery ſigns, which alſo you have heard in the 23. Chapter of the ſecond Treatiſe of this Volume are regal) alſo to the Common People and Nation in general (becauſe he is Lord of the year, and ſo becomes ſignificator thereof or of them) now I ſay miſchief ſhall be unto theſe, loſſes, and croſſes, becauſe Saturn in this ſign, as alſo in the whole Triplicity, is weak, Aries being his Fall, and Le[•] his Detriment &c. And this ſhall be in the Places, Cities, Regions, Countreys and Kingdoms ſignified by Aries, and all the Triplicity (which you have alſo been ſhewn in the aforeſaid Book, and 27. Chapter) eſpecially in the Eaſtern parts thereof, becauſe they are Eaſtern ſigns, &c. this is clear.

So that if thou haſt but regard to the Natural and Accidental ſignifications of the Planet,

Note.

ſign he is in, his ſtrength, and debilities therein, what Triplicity the ſign is of, and what Regions and Quarter of Heaven it denotes, together with the Triplicity, and do but judge according to what thou haſt been ſhewn and I need ſay no more, for thereby mayſt thou eaſily and exactly judge of the reſt.

CHAP. XV. Demonſtrating the Significations of Saturn when he is Lord of the Year in any of the twelve Signs.

YOu have been promiſed this plain jog trot way, and therefore I ſhall here deliver it you, though to the ingenious what hath been already ſaid is ſufficient, and this ſuperfluous.

^[1097]Wherefore then know, that if Saturn be Lord of the year, and in Aries, he ſtirreth up many great winds, and thoſe Eaſtern, and cauſeth the death of many Matrons and old Women, or ſuch as are Overſeers of Nunneries, ſcarcity of Proviſions, and a leanneſs and barrenneſs of the earth: And if he be impedited, he cauſeth many Thefts and Robberies, Cutters by the High-way, anxiety, ſadneſs and tribulation during that Revolution: Alſo if he be the only Lord or Significator of the year, and be Cadent from the Aſcendent, and behold it not, and be direct, he ſhews anxiety and trouble to Rich and Noblemen, or ſuch as are the Grandees of the earth; and if he be Retrograde, their houſes, ſubſtance and coffers of wealth ſhall be viſited and deſtroyed or taken away, and ſo much the rather, if he be beheld by the malevolent Aſpects of Mars; for then he ſhall denote grievous cold weather, the death of Cattel, eſpecially Sheep, and ſuch as are ſignified by Aries, and that by ſome rot or the violence and rudeneſs of Wars; and if he do not behold Mars, or Mars him, the Winter ſhall be extream cold, according to the nature and quality of the Climate, and there ſhall be a deſtruction or death of Cattel; alſo if he be not Retrograde there ſhall be diſſentions and quarrels amongſt men, Sackings, Robbings and Spoilings, and a great deal of miſchief; eſpecially if he be beheld of Mars out of an angle; but if he behold him from a Cadent houſe, it ſhall not be ſo bad: Alſo if Saturn be direct, and in an angle, he ſignifies much rain, diſcords amongſt great and rich men, eſpecially if he be aſpected by Mars, for then the Common People ſhall aſſuredly diſagree, and contend with their King and Superiours; and if he be Retrograde, the ſtate and condition of the People ſhall be grievous; and if both Mars and the Moon behold him with a malevolent Aſpect together, there ſhall be terrible cold weather, Cattel ſhall die, and there ſhall be diſſentions and Wars.

^[1098]In any Revolution of the World, if you finde Saturn in a fixed ſign, he denotes mortality, poverty, ſcarcity, and great want of the fruits of the earth (if he be Lord of the year this is meant) eſpecially in Leo, becauſe he is therein afflicted and in detriment (being the ſign oppoſite to his own houſe Aquaries) not altogether ſo bad in Scorpio, and in Taurus a great deal leſs miſchievous then in Scorpio; for the more he is impedited, the more evil ſhall he be the occaſioner of, eſpecially if he behold Mars, or be aſpected by him, except Jupiter do moderate the matter by his benevolent beams.

If Saturn be Lord of the year, and have Septentrional Latitude,^[1099] (or more plainly North Latitude, becauſe every one underſtands not Septentrional) he denotes thick, groſs and corrupt ayr, alſo dark and cloudy.

If he have Meridional or South latitude, he ſignifies much hard cold weather and froſt.

^[1100]If he be Oriental alſo, he ſhall be the occaſioner of trouble, ſadneſs, grief and ſorrow to Great and Noblemen, perhaps through the coldneſs and froſtineſs of the weather.

^[1101]Again if he be Occidental, there ſhall be Earthquakes during that Revolution, eſpecially in the Eaſtern parts (this is if he be in Aries or any ſign ſignifying that Quarter) if he denote Earthquakes, and be Oriental, joy ſhall not be ſo great; if he be Retrograde it will be the worſe, and ſo judge of the quality and greatneſs of the good or evil ſtill ſignified by any Planet according to his ſtrength or impediment and affliction.

^[1102]Thus much touching the ſignifications of Saturn when Lord of the year, and poſited in Aries; wherefore now as touching this poſition in Taurus when he is Lord of the year, who if he be then in an angle and direct, he ſignifies War and Diſcords or Quarrels, chiefly in the Regions and Places ſubject to Taurus, and in the Southern parts of the Nation in which the Revolution is made, alſo deſtruction to the Seeds and Plants in the earth, becauſe Taurus is an Earthy ſign, and he no ways eſſentially fortified ſo as to do there any good, and being naturally evil, unleſs the good aſpects of the Fortunes do prevent and alter his influence; he ſhall alſo cauſe Catterpillers, Worms, and ſuch kinde of Creatures as ſhall deſtroy the Fruits of the Earth; alſo Tribulations, and Sorrows in the earth, deſtruction of Houſes, Cities and Towns, alſo Earthquakes, chiefly Southward (becauſe Taurus is a Southern ſign, &c.) and in thoſe places ſubject unto Taurus.

Moreover if Saturn be Lord of the year, and located in Taurus, he ſignifies Wars, Scarcity and Famine, or a want of ſuch things as are produced out of the earth; and if he be impedited, he alſo denotes mortality, and that alſo to the great Ones of the earth; and if Mars and the Moon be joyned either in Conjunction or Aſpect with Saturn, in what ever ſign it be, or what ever then aſcends, they ſhall denote mortality and famine, or a ſcarcity and if they be joyned to Mars, it ſignifies trouble and vexation to the King and chief Rulers; alſo Quarrels and Wars in the Southern parts; and if he be then Retrograde, he denotes deſtructions and violencies generally over all the Region, Wars and Bloodſhed, eſpecially if he be in the tenth, for then it ſhall be more univerſal; alſo miſchief and dammage to children and young men: but if he behold the Aſcendent, and be direct, the evil ſhall not be ſo great and general; and if he be Cadent from the Aſcendent, nor in Aſpect therewith, and be direct, nor beheld of Mars, the evil is thereby ſtill declared not to be ſo great: but if he be retrograde and impedited by Mars, he denotes deſtruction to the fruits of the earth and mortalities, according to the nature of the ſign he is in.

^[1103]When Saturn is Lord of the year and in Gemini, and in an angle direct, he ſtirreth up many great and high Weſtern winds, and cauſeth very ſharp cold weather in Winter according to the nature and quality of the Climate; the Birds of the ayr ſhall ſuffer Detriment of which there ſhall be a ſcarcity; alſo men ſhall be afflicted with cold and dry Diſeaſes commixed with heat and moiſture, and men ſhall be lyars, contentious and ſhedders of blood; there ſhall be much Froſt in Winter, and in Summer corruption of ayr, thunder, lightning and rain; and if he be Retrograde, diſſentions and diſcords ſhall happen between Kings, Nobles and great men; alſo they ſhall during that Revolution be in great fear of death; it ſignifieth alſo Earthquakes and theſe towards the Weſtern parts; and if he be remote from an Angle, he ſignifies as well Eaſtern as Weſtern winds, and abundance of Cold, and men ſhall ſuffer many changes; ſo alſo judge they ſhall be if Saturn be then Retrograde; and that there ſhall be many infirmities through winds, ſtorms, unnatural Dews and Rains: but if he be Cadent and not beholding the Aſcendent and be direct, theſe things ſhall happen in the ſign in which Saturn then is, and ſhall cauſe many Southern and Southweſt winds.

Alſo if Saturn be in the fourth houſe in Gemini, or its Triplicity, and Lord of the year, or if he be not Lord of the year, yet if he be in aſpect of the Lord of the Aſcendent, he ſignifieth that in the Weſtern parts during that Revolution many men ſhall die through Earthquakes; but if he be in Aſpect with the Lord of the tenth, there ſhall be many controverſies and diſſentions about Rule and Government, and the power and right of one another; alſo many inundations, and abundance of overflowings of Waters, by which the fruits of the earth ſhall be damnified.

Again,^[1104] if Saturn have Septentrional Latitude, there ſhall be many grievous high winds, corrupt, foggy dark ayr and earthquakes, and theſe chiefly in the Weſtern parts and places ſubject to Gemini.

^[1105]But if he have Meridional Latitude, there will be a hot and dry ayr, mortality, and little or no rain; if he be Oriental, he denotes infirmities and ſickneſs, alſo trouble to the Grandees of the earth, and Nobles of thoſe Regions under Gemini; ^[1106] ſo if he be Occidental, there ſhall be a very dry ayr, and little or no rain, &c.

^[1107]Again, if Saturn be in Cancer in any Revolution and Lord of the year, there ſhall be an increaſe and abundance of Water, Fiſh and Locuſts (or Caterpillers rather in our Country) and ſuch Worms and creeping Creatures as are deſtructive to Fruits, and are ingendred by immoderate rain with which the year ſhall abound, as alſo with Fiſhes; and if Mars behold him not, there ſhall be grievous and terrible cold weather, and many infirmities in thoſe places under the ſign wherein Saturn is, as alſo under the ſigns in Square and Oppoſition to him, and they ſhall be ſuch Diſeaſes as ſhall be of the nature of the ſign he poſſeſſes, and if he be Retrograde, let the King have a care of death, or ſome prime and chief Ruler during that Revolution: and if Mars behold him with any Malevolent aſpect, it ſignifieth Mortalities to the aforeſaid places and many evils and miſchiefs.

And if Saturn behold not the Aſcendent, there ſhall be much cold, rain and dew; but if he be direct, the evil ſhall not be ſo bad, except then the Moon be in the Aſcendent, for that ſignifieth the evil ſhall fall on the King or chief Rulers of the Region in which the Revolution is, if not death it ſelf; but if he be retrograde, and beheld of Mars, it ſignifieth death and mortality in thoſe Regions aforeſaid; and if he be Cadent and not beholding the Aſcendent, and be direct and Mars Cadent from him, it ſignifieth that men ſhall be ſecure and ſafe; and ſo much the more aſſured will this be if he be paſt the firſt fifteen degrees of the ſign; yet ſhall there be infirmities in the Regions and Places ſubject unto the ſaid ſign: but if he be retrograde and beheld of Mars, and neither of them in the Aſpects of the Fortunes, many tribulations and troubles ſhall be incident unto thoſe Regions, alſo abundance of rain and cold weather, alſo Shipwracks and Diſaſters by Sea, and much danger to Navigators, and ſuch as make Voyages; alſo death to fiſh, and the creatures lying in the Sea and other Waters.

^[1108]If that Saturn be in Cancer having Septentrional Latitude, he denotes a ſcarcity of Waters, and a drought of fountains and rivers, and but little rain; Alſo if he be Meridional, that men ſhall labour and take much pains in their Trades, but ſhall gain little or nothing thereby: if he be Oriental, he denotes dark, thick and obſcure unwholſom ayr, alſo in the Winter time, grievous cold raw weather; and dammage to fruits by Northern winds; if he be Occidental, alſo much rain; And if he be retrograde the evil ſhall be augmented, and the King or Rulers of the Countreys and Nations under the ſign wherein Saturn is, ſhall undergo grievous aſperſions, reproaches and diſgraces even equivalent to death it ſelf; but if he be direct it will leſſen and diminiſh the evil a little, for look how much your ſignificator is fortified, and ſo much the leſs ſhall the evil ſignified be, and ſo much the more the good, &c. And this thou wilt plainly ſee by what follows, if thou haſt diligent reſpect to what ſhall be expreſſed, ſo as to ponder throughly the reaſon of every Judgement, the which I would adviſe thee to do, for then ſhalt thou be aſſuredly an expert Philoſopher, and be ſoon able to deliver Judgement moſt rationally on any Configuration of the Heavens without recourſe to thy Books; for, that Aſtrologer whoſe brains remains in his Library ſhall never come to the accompliſhment of this Science: but he that makes his Library remain in his brains ſhall not erre; Et ille erit mihi amicus.

^[1109]But if Saturn be Lord of the year in any Revolution, and in Leo, having Septentrional (or North) latitude, he cauſeth much rain and corruption of things both to the prejudice of great and ſmall, Rulers and People, alſo bringeth to nought the deſigns and works of mens hands.

If he be Oriental, he denotes many infirmities to the People of the Climate under that Revolution: and if he be Occidental, many Mortalities and Peſtilencies ſhall happen unto the People: and ſo much the more grievous will the Evil and miſchief be if he be retrograde, leſs if direct.

^[1110]Alſo if Saturn be in Virgo, and be Lord of the Year and Septentrional, he ſignifies good, wholſom and ſweet gales and blaſts of wind, alſo convenient and ſeaſonable guſts in Harveſt-time: and if he be Meridional, there ſhall be a drought of Fountains, and a ſcarcity of waters; but if he be Oriental, the women that ſhall conceive during that Revolution ſhall miſcarry, by reaſon of wind or carnal copulation after conception: but if he be Occidental, he cauſeth acute and ſharp Fevers: and if he be Retrograde, the King and Rulers ſhall fear their Enemies: but if he be Direct, they ſhall not thus fear, but be provided for by them.

^[1111]Again if Saturn be in Libra and Lord of the Year Septentrional, he denotes a hot and dry Ayr, and little or no rain during that Revolution, and a ſcarcity of Waters: And if he be Meridional, a good wholſom ſweet Ayr and no noyſom Blaſts: and if he be Oriental, men ſhall have a luſtfull inclination to women: but if he be Occidental, he denotes infamy and diſgrace which ſhall come of ſuch Doings: If he be Retrograde, he ſignifies Infirmities to Servants and the Baſer Sort of People: And if he be direct, there ſhall be pretty Plenty of the Fruits of the Earth, eſpecially of Barly, &c.

^[1112] Saturn Lord of the Year and in Scorpio Septentrional, ſignifieth abundance of Rain and increaſe of Waters both in Rivers and Fountains: alſo that they ſhall be corrupt: and if he be Meridional, he ſhall denote a ſcarcity of proviſions appertaining to the life of man, eſpecially ſuch as are produced by the Earth: And if he be Oriental, there ſhall be many diſſentions, and quarrels amongſt Great men: but if Occidental, he ſignifies deſtruction and trouble on the Sea, alſo loſs and dammage to ſuch as have their Livelihood thereon: alſo if he be Retrograde, there ſhall happen Peſtilential Diſeaſes: but if direct, Babylon (as ſay ſome of the Antients) ſhall be ſafe.

^[1113]Again if Saturn be Lord of the Year Septentrional and in Sagittary, he denotes the increaſe of Fountains, and extremity of Cold in Winter according to the nature of the Climate: if he be Oriental, Noble and Rich men ſhall be put out of their Countries and Habitations: and if he be Occidental, there ſhall be many diſſentions, quarrels and wars between Kings and Great men: alſo if he be Retrograde, it ſhall go ill with all manner of men and their affairs; and quarrels ſhall be amongſt them: and if he be Direct, Travellers both by Sea and Land ſhall be in a good Condition and ſucceſsfull

^[1114]Moreover if Saturn be Lord of the Year, and in Capricorn and Septentrional, the Ayr ſhall be temperate and healthy, and there ſhall be moderate and ſeaſonable Rains: but if he be Meridional or have Meridional Latitude, in Winter there will be dark, cloudy, cold weather: and if he be Oriental, the ſtate of Great and Noble men ſhall be but ſad and troubleſome, neither ſhall they agree with the Common People: and if he be Occidental, the fruits of the Earth ſhall be waſted and conſumed by and through extremity of heat and creeping things, as Catterpillers and the like: and if he be Retrograde, the Common People ſhall be angry and fall out one with another: if Direct, it ſignifies the good Condition of Great and Noble men, that they ſhall carry themſelves well towards all men, and that they ſhall delight in and love the Law, and put it in execution.

^[1115]If Saturn be Lord of the Year and in Aquaries having Septentrional Latitude, he ſignifies much Rain, Froſt and Cold at Times convenient; when Meridional, a ſcarcity of water in Fountains and Rivers: if he be Oriental, the Common People ſhall obtain but few Heritages, and thrive but little: if he be Occidental, he ſignifies many Combuſtions: if he be Retrograde, the Evill is increaſed; and if Direct, he denotes the Death of ſuch Cattell as Men ordinarily imploy about their Occaſions.

^[1116]Laſtly, if Saturn be Septentrional, and Lord of the year, and in Piſces, he ſignifies many great and tempeſtuous blaſts of winds and that from the North, and grievous cold weather in winter; if he be Meridional, he denotes ſtorms and tempeſts by ſea and many ſhipwracks, alſo hurt and loſs to thoſe that have their living and dependency on the ſea or water; and if he be Oriental, it ſignifies diſſentions and diſcords amongſt great and noble men, and alſo ſlaughter amongſt them; but if he be Occidental, the ignoble and baſer ſort of people ſhall exalt themſelves above their Superiors; and if he be Retrograde, there ſhall be many diſſentions, tribulations and diſcords amongſt Religious men and ſuch as ſtudy Divine matters; and if he be Direct, men ſhall ſerve and worſhip God, &c.

CHAP. XVI. Shewing the Significations of Jupiter, when he is Lord of the year in any of the Twelve Signs.

WE are now in order to deſcend to Jupiter, being the next Planet under Saturn in the heavens,^[1117] who if he be in Aries and Lord of the year, he ſignifies an appearance of religion in the Eaſtern parts, or that ſome new Sect or Schiſm ſhall there ariſe; and men ſhall be obſervers and lovers of the Laws, both Moral and Divine, and ſhall be given to good works: alſo he denotes much windy weather, and that from the Eaſt or Eaſtern parts: as alſo much cold and rain in winter, yet not ſo much as ſhall be hurtful, or to cauſe any inundation; the fruits of the earth alſo ſhall be plenteouſly and ſeaſonably produced: And if he be then well dignified when he is Lord of the year and in Aries, he ſignifies the proſperous and ſucceſsful condition of thoſe men, places, Cities and Countreys ſubject unto him and the ſign wherein he is, that they ſhall be merry and jovial and want nothing: the like alſo to the common people in general, and that they ſhall love their Superiors; but if he be impedited and weak, judge the contrary.

Alſo if Jupiter be in humane Signs, or fiëry Signs in any Revolution and Lord of the year, you are to know (if he be weak) that he ſignifies great and noble men ſhall be dejected and perplexed, moleſted and afflicted, and ſhall ſuſtain many loſſes, and diſgraces according to the nature of the affliction, and theſe ſhall chiefly be incident to the Regions and places ſubject unto him, and the ſign in which he is located, as alſo the place for which the figure of the Revolution is erected; but if he be ſtrong, judge the contrary. Alſo if he be ſtrong and well placed, or accidentally aſpected by any of the other fortunate Planets (which you have heard may ſometimes accidentally be fortunes) in earthy or watery Signs, he ſhall denote good to all ſuch things as are thereby ſignified, as the fruits of the earth and ſeeds if in earthy Signs, alſo fiſhes and ſuch things as appertain to water, if in watry ſigns, as Navigators and ſuch as have their living out of the Sea, they ſhall make good voyages and that ſafely and with ſecurity; but if he be weak, you may judge danger by ſhipwrack, tedious and unprofitable voyages and the like: and ſo contrariwiſe in earthy Signs when he is weak and afflicted, he denotes a ſcarcity of Grain, fruits and ſeeds, and that the earth ſhall be afflicted with barrenneſs, according to the nature of the Planet or Planets aſſiſting him, &c.

^[1118] Jupiter in Taurus and Lord of the year well dignified, or aſſiſted by Adjuvant Planets, ſhall denote fertillity, and the good condition of the fruits of the earth, and that there ſhall be a temperate and good ayr: men ſhall delight in the husbandring and manuring of the ground, and ſhall profit thereby; the King alſo and the Rulers, or Great and Noble men, ſhall do good to the people, and incourage them, and do them juſtice and equity: and again, the People ſhall love, honor, and reſpect their Superiors; there ſhall alſo be ſufficient and moderate rain, and ſweet Southern winds, and all things ſignified by Jupiter ſhall chiefly be manifeſt in the Southern parts, and thoſe places ſubject to Taurus; but if he be weak and afflicted, judge the contrary, and judge the nature thereof from the ſignificator aff[•]icting, as you have been often taught before.

^[1119]But you are ever to remember this general rule, which I would alſo have you obſerve and take notice of in all the other Planets, that although Jupiter do in Taurus ſignifie good when he is well diſpoſed, he being naturally good in himſelf, yet doth he not effect it ſo powerfully or ſo fully as when he is in Aries; for he hath therein borh Triplicity and Term; but in Taurus only Term, and in Sagittary more power then in Aries to effect what he denotes; for therein he hath both Houſe, Triplicity and Term; for by how much the ſtronger eſſentially a Planet is, by ſo much is his power increaſed; and ſo on the contrary, when he is debilitated, &c. this, I ſay, I would have thee ſtill remember in what thou haſt already heard, as alſo in what follows, and in all the other Planets.

^[1120]If Jupiter be Lord of the year in Gemini and well dignified, and in ſome Aſpects of the Malevolents, men ſhall be perplexed with extream warm winds; and if he be in Aſpect with Mars, many caſualties through thunder and lightning ſhall be incident unto them; but if he be aſpected with Saturn, he denotes corruption of ayr; and if other teſtimonies concur, peſtilential ayr and diſeaſes through corruption of blood are to be feared; but if you ſee him free from any Aſpect of the Malevolents, yet ſhall he denote no very pleaſant ayr, many ſudden guſts of winds, and ſtorms of rain, which ſhall be ſomewhat deſtructive to the fruits of the earth, and not pleaſant unto men; For it is certain, that when Jupiter is in Gemini, if he do no hurt, he doth as little good, or rather none at all, eſpecially if Retrograde, weak or afflicted.

^[1121]When Jupiter is in Cancer, and Lord of the year, the People and Nobles ſhall be in a moſt proſperous and good condition, ſhall live credibly in honor and eſteem, the ayr ſhall be pleaſant and healthy, the earth fruitful, and the fruit wholſom and good. There ſhall be no danger by Sea, but men ſhall make proſperous and ſuccesful voyages; rain ſhall fall ſeaſonably and moderately, the winds alſo ſhall be temperate and calm, if other teſtimonies alſo agree therewith; but if he be in Cancer, and weak, the year will not be altogether ſo happy as you have heard; yet you are to know, that if he be ſo aſpected and afflicted, that his ſweet influence of doing good is letted; yet will he not do any miſchief when he is in any Revolution of the years of the world located in Cancer.

^[1122] Jupiter Lord of the year in Leo, denotes high winds and cold weather in winter: alſo much rain and tempeſts, even to the blowing up trees by the roots; yet there ſhall be a clear and wholſom ayr towards the latter end of winter, in the ſpring aboundance of rain, a drought of fountains, and a ſcarceity of water in rivers; and laſtly, in Autumn thou ſhalt be ſure of a plentiful and good harveſt, yet many people ſhall be troubled with unuſual coughs, &c.

^[1123]If he be Lord of year, and in Virgo, free from the Malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes, men ſhall be ſociable, and love one another, and delight in Husbandry and manuring of the earth, the fruits ſhall be plentiful, but ſoon corrupt, alſo ſeeds ſhall come to good; many Southerly winds and thoſe ſometimes obnoxious, &c. but if be afflicted in this Sign, he will not be of ſufficient force and efficacy to effect the good he naturally would perform.

^[1124]Alſo if Jupiter be in Libra, in an annual Revolution, and Lord of the year, well aſpected and placed, he ſhall manifeſt his effects chiefly in the ayr, which ſhall generally be temperate and wholſom, many warm winds, and pleaſant ſhowers for the production of the fruits of the earth, which ſhall be good and pleaſant; men alſo generally ſhall be healthy, and love one another; if he be beheld by the Malevolent aſpect of Mars, there ſhall be much thunder and lightning in Summer, and in the Weſtern parts ſome hurt thereby; if by Saturn, the ayr ſhall ſometimes be perplexed with unwholſom fogs and miſts.

^[1125]Again, Jupiter in Scorpio, denotes a good clear ayr if he be Lord of the year, and not afflicted, and thin clouds, the year ſhall be plentiful, many ſeaſonable and ſweet ſhowers or rain ſhall fall, hot weather may be expected in ſummer, but very cold in winter, and thick clouds; the ayr ſhall be healthy, and there ſhall be many Northern winds; alſo the Sea ſhall be free from misfortune; viz. Shipwracks, Wars, and the like; but if you finde him Retrograde, and in Square or Oppoſition of Saturn or Mars, judge the contrary to what hath been ſaid.

^[1126]Moreover, if Jupiter be in Sagittarie, he denotes a temperate ayr in the beginning of winter, but in the end thereof great cold, but few or no high winds, alſo much ſnow and froſt in the ſpring, inſomuch that the fruits of the earth ſhall be much damnified thereby; for many of them ſhall be nipt in the bud, and blaſted: And if his latitude be Septentrional, he ſignifies little rain, but a moſt temperate good ayr; if Meridional, a turbulent ayr, and many great guſts of wind; if he be Oriental, noble and rich men ſhall be in a good and joyful condition; if Occidental, they ſhall be raiſed to dignity and renown; if Retrograde, it ſhall not be ſafe travelling or voyaging by Sea; but if Direct, judge them to be ſafe and free from any danger that voyage by ſea; judge alſo, that fiſh, and ſuch creatures as delight in waters ſhall in creaſe, &c.

^[1127]In Capricorn, Jupiter if he be Lord of the year, doth not promiſe much good weather; indeed he will be the Author of much miſchief, but according to his poſition, and the aſpects of other Planets unto him you are to judge; for if he be well aſpected, and free from Retrogradation and other impediments, he promiſes a plentiful year quo ad Capax, yet no extraordinary abundance, but ſufficient; alſo a pleaſant ayr, many great Southern winds; ſucceſs and profit to the common people, &c. but if you finde him afflicted by their Malevolent Aſpects, and ill placed, judge the contrary.

^[1128]But if Jupiter be in Aquaries, and Lord of the year, alſo aſſiſted and well placed, judge the year to be temperate and ſeaſonable, for the moſt part a temperate ayr, pleaſant ſhowers, &c. but if you finde him afflicted, judge the contrary, much hurt and damage by high winds, rain, and ſnow, &c.

^[1129]Laſtly, if Jupiter be Lord of the year, and in Piſces, the ayr ſhall be wholſome, clear and good, a plentiful year, ſeaſonable ſhowers, and ſucceſs to all thoſe that navigate and negotiate by ſea, abundace of fiſh &c. but if he be afflicted, he ſhall denote much thunder and rain.

CHAP. XVII. Shewing the Significations of Mars, when he is Lord of the year in any of the twelve Signs.

^[1130]IN the next place you ſee follows Mars who is next under Jupiter, and therefore now to be treated of; wherefore if he be Lord of the year, and in Aries, he ſignifies many great and high winds, and various mutations in the ayr, in the Eaſtern parts eſpecially; he ſignifies alſo little or no rain, and that men ſhall have pain in their eyes, and quarrels, diſſentions and debates amonſt men, eſpecially in the Eaſtern parts, and ſuch places and Cities ſubject to Aries, and that Kings ſhall diſagree amongſt themſelves and fight: but underſtand, this is when he is maliciouſly aſpected of Saturn, or any other Infortune.

^[1131]But if he be free from their affliction, as alſo retrogradation and combuſtion, the common people in that Revolution, as alſo thoſe ſubject unto Aries, ſhall be in a happy and good condition, ſhall proſper and overcome all their enemies; the ayr ſhall be temperate, and the year fruitful, and there ſhall be much plenty, chiefly if he be then Lord of the Aſcendent, and men ſhall generally be joyful and merry, as having no other cauſe.

^[1132] And if he have Sepentrional latitude, he notes little or no rain, and a hot ayr.

^[1133] If he have Meridional latitude, he denotes much thunder and lightning.

^[1134] Alſo if he be Oriental, wars and diſcords amongſt noble, great and rich men, or ſuch as are the Grandees of the earth.

^[1135] But if he be Occidental, many fears and troubles ſhall fall upon men, as alſo diſcords and contentions.

^[1136] Again, if he be retrograde, men ſhall be perplexed with many infirmities in many parts of their body, but eſpecially in their eyes.

^[1137] But if direct and combuſt, or otherways impedited, men ſhall be hypocritical, cloathed in ſheeps cloathing, but ſhall inwardly be ravening woolves.

^[1138]Alſo, if Mars be Lord of the year in any Revolution, and in Taurus, he denotes many great Southern winds and blaſts, very hurtful and deſtructive to the fruits of the earth, by reaſon ſudden heats will follow thereupon: there ſhall alſo be many ſhowers of rain, and much thunder and lightning, death to greater cattel and women, or at leaſt many tribulations and croſſes unto them: alſo the year ſhall not be fruitful, nor healthful, the fruits ſhall be blaſted, and rotten, and the ſeeds of the earth deſtroyed.

^[1139]And if he have North latitude, he ſignifies much rain, and ſomewhat the more good unto the herbs and fruits of the earth.

But if South latitude, he denotes many guſts of wind and blaſts (as you have heard) and deſtruction to the fruits of the earth.

^[1140]If he be Oriental, there ſhall be peace in the Southern and Weſtern parts.

And if Occidental, he denotes much death, and many infirmities, eſpecially to women, and that they ſhall be hated if he be direct and otherways impedited.

^[1141] But if he be Retrograde, many children and young people ſhall dye, during the time of that Revolution.

^[1142]But if Mars be Lord of the year, and in Gemini, many caſualties and damage ſhall befal men through thunder, and lightning, and little rain, or through the want thereof alſo by exceſs of heat; there ſhall alſo be debates and contentions, thefts and robberies in the Northern and Weſtern parts; the King or chief Rulers ſhall be exalted and overcome their enemies; there ſhall be many griefs of the ears, as inflammations and puſtules which ſhall be very offenſive and troubleſome to men.

^[1143]And if he have North latitude, he ſignifies much rain; but if his latitude be South, there ſhall be a drought of fountains, and a ſcarcety of water.

If Oriental, he cauſeth many infirmities, puſtules, ſcabs, and breakings out in the skin; and if Occidental, he denotes much trouble and auxiety to Lawyers, Scribes, Merchants and Judges, and that ſome of them ſhall run away by reaſon of their injuſtice, extortion and cheating tricks.

^[1144]Again, if he be Direct, men ſhall be blabs of their tongues, and divuldge both their own and others ſecrets, committed to their charge; and when he is Retrograde, religious men, or ſuch as take ſuch kinde of functions on them, ſhall claſh, diſagree and contend upon ſome nice points.

^[1145]Again, if Mars in any annual Revolution of the world, be Lord of the year in Cancer, he ſhall ſignifie frequent ſhipwracks, by reaſon of ſudden blaſts of wind; alſo diſſentions and quarrels in the Weſtern and Northweſt parts, and that men ſhall ſuffer much damage under taxations; many infirmities alſo are threatned, feavers, pains and infirmities in the throat and breaſt; the ayr ſhall be grievous and contagious, and a want of rain; alſo the year ſhall be turbulent and dangerous, many cattel, eſpecially horſes ſhall dye, the fruits of the earth generally ſhall be wanting, and there ſhall be a palpable ſcarcety thereof.

^[1146]And if his latitude be Septentrional, there ſhall be grievous ſharp cold weather in winter, and a drought of fountains: alſo if he have Meridional latitude, many noiſom guſts of wind, very deſtructive to trees and fruits.

^[1147]If he be Oriental there ſhall be a death or mortality amonſt ſuch creatures as are kept upon Commons, and in the open fields: when Occidental, the common people ſhall be very careful and induſtrious in their ordinary imployments and negotiations.

^[1148] And if it be Direct, the ayr ſhall be healthy and pleaſant; but if he be Retrograde, men ſhall be laſcivious, and ſtudy how they may opportunely commit Adulteries and Fornications.

^[1149]Yet again, if Mars be Lord of the year, and in Leo, he ſignifies wars, contentions, and diſcords and a ſcarcity of proviſions, and the fruits of the earth, in the Eaſtern parts eſpecially: alſo death amongſt men, and that chiefly to thoſe of younger years; and if he have Septentrional latitude, there ſhall be a ſcarcity of waters; but if he be Meridional, there ſhall be no want thereof; if Oriental, damage to ſuch beaſts as are uſeful to mankinde, eſpecially the greater ſort; Occidental, fiſh, and ſuch creatures as inhabit the water ſhall be deſtroyed and dye: If he be Retrograde, loſs and detriment ſhall be to the great and rich men of the earth; and if he be Direct, many great Weſtern winds,^[1150] and ſhips ſhall be ſafe and ſecure at Sea.

^[1151]Moreover, if Mars be in Virgo, and Lord of the year, he denotes war and effuſion of blood in the Northern parts; alſo pains and griefs in the eyes, plenty of proviſion and fruits of the earth, death to many women, &c. And if he be Septentrional, damage to fruits and ſeeds; alſo infirmities to mans body: if Meridional, ſucceſs to the fruits, &c. if Oriental, the death of old men: if Occidental, he denotes great and tempeſtuous winds; if Direct, he denotes the good and proſperity of rich and great men; if Retrograde, wars ſhall happen amonſt men.

When Mars is Lord of the year, and in Libra, he ſignifies vehement and great winds, infirmities and mortalities, and more eſpecially to men then women; alſo winds rain and clouds, alſo miſts, and thoſe chiefly Southward, and infirmities and mortalities, a ſcarcity of the fruits of the earth, corn and wine, many ſackings and robberies, quarrels, diſſentions and diſcords amonſt men, terrors, fears and tribulations.

^[1152]And if he have Septentrional latitude, there ſhall be many thunderings and lightnings; if Meridional, many infirmities amonſt men, eſpecially on the left ſide; and if he be Oriental, he ſignifies wars and diſſentions amonſt rich and noble men; if Occidental,^[1153] rich noble and great men ſhall be ſafe and ſecure; if Retrograde, ſickneſs ſhall be incident to noble, great, rich men and Judges; if Direct, it will not be ſo bad with them.

^[1154]Again, when Mars is Lord of the year, and accidentally located in Scorpio, he ſignifies much miſty and cloudy weather, alſo much cold in winter, and very exceſſive heat and intemperate ayr in Summer, for which cauſe the fruits of the earth ſhall be much damnified, as alſo the herbs and ſeeds ſhall be much hurt; men ſhall be moleſted with pains and griefs in the eyes, thefts and robberies, quarrels and debates, as alſo deceits and frauds, and a ſcarcity of fruits and proviſions: Alſo if he be Septentrional,^[1155] there ſhall be a ſcarcity of water; if Meridional, abundance of water; if Oriental, many infirmities ſhall be incident to man, eſpecially in the lower and ſecret parts, if other teſtimonies concur; if Occidental, ſmall Piety among men; if Retrograde, he denotes many tribulations, fears and troubles; if Direct, things will be ſo much the better.

^[1156]Alſo Mars in Sagittary, if he be Lord of the year, he ſignifies wars ſhall happen in the Eaſtern parts; alſo damage and miſchief unto the inhabitants of thoſe parts, and the Regions ſubject to the ſign Sagittary; death, infirmities, coughs and infirmities in the eyes, as alſo in the loyns and back; little or no rain, and extream cold weather in winter, as alſo the ſpring, ſo that the fruits of trees ſhall be blaſted and nipt; alſo plants, herbs and ſeeds ſhall be very much damnified, and the year generally ſhall be ſcarce and indigent of proviſions, alſo honey ſhall not be plentiful; for by reaſon of the ſcarcity of herbs, Bees ſhall many of them be deſtroyed: and if therein he be well aſpected, and free from the Malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes, all ſuch as bear arms, or have any relation thereunto of what degree ſoever, ſhall be in good condition, fortunate and ſucceſsful.

Some of the Ancients with Albumazar ſay, that if Mars be in the laſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary, ^[1157] and Lord of the year in any Revolution, or in any humane Sign, he denotes wars, tumults and inſurrections of the people againſt their King and Superiors, ſudden death, feavers both Tertian, Quartan, and Peſtilential, and many other infirmities, robbings, ſackings and polings, bloodſhed, fire and ſword, and lightnings, and if he be Infortunately aſpected by the Malevolents, and otherways alſo debilitated,^[1158] he ſignifies all theſe things you have now heard, but more miſchievouſly, unleſs the Benevolent Aſpects of Jupiter prevent and contradict his fury.

^[1159]If his latitude be Septentrional, he ſignifies the ayr ſhall be good, pleaſant and temperate; if Meridional, Merchants and Tradeſ-men ſhall be on the thriving and gaining hand; if he be Oriental, he denotes peace, quietneſs and ſecurity, and no war; Occidental, the ſafety of trees, and much fruit; and if Retrograde, he denotes coughs,^[1160] and pains in the hinder part of the head and neck, alſo in the thighs; if Direct, a death or mortality amongſt cattel.

^[1161]Again, if Mars be Lord of the year in any Revolution, and located in Capricorn, he denotes wars, tribulation and ſlaughter to yong men, perplexities and fears to the Eaſtern parts: alſo rain in due ſeaſon, and that moderate, plenty of all proviſions, and a fruitful and plentiful year.

^[1162] And if he have North latitude, he ſignifies much ſnow in thoſe parts where it is uſual and requiſite if he have Meridional latitude, he denotes a cloſe, hot ayr; if Oriental, let the Roman Emperor have a care of a ſtob, and ſo much the more aſſured will this be if the Moon be in the eighth houſe or joyned by body or aſpect to the Lord thereof, or joyned to Mars in any of the Angles, or indeed any other houſe, eſpecially in the eighth, or be beheld by the Square or Oppoſition of the Lord of the eighth; and the more aſſuredly will this be, and thou mayeſt be confident thereof, if there be mutual reception alſo betwixt them, or either of them, and the Lord of the eighth; for if then Jupiter prevent not by his Benevolent beams, and caſt his aſpect unto Mars or the Moon, he will not eſcape with life that Revolution, unleſs God miraculouſly ſhew his infinite mercy towards him; if he be Occidental, botches, boyls,^[1163] and ſuch like, ſhall moleſt the bodies of men; if Direct, abundance of plenty is promiſed during that Revolution; if Retrograde, want, ſcarcity and penury.

^[1164]Moreover, if Mars be in Aquaries, and Lord of the year, tribulation and trouble is threatned to men during that Revolution; abundance of rain, ſnow and cold weather in winter and ſuch times as it is uſual; a probability of degrading and unthrowning Kings and great Hogens of the times, in thoſe places for which the Revolution of the year is; a ſcarcity and want of proviſions and fruits of the earth, eſpecially in the Weſtern parts; but if he be beheld then by Venus, or the Lord of the Aſcendent, and ſhe be then alſo Septentrional, the ſpring ſhall be good and ſeaſonable; and if he be Septentrional,^[1165] much ſnow and cold hard weather in winter; if Meridional, much hot weather, but a thick, obſcure, muddy ayr; if he be Oriental, it ſhall be well with great, noble, and rich men, and they ſhall be jovial,^[1166] and merry; if Occidental, it will not be ſo good: but if he be Retrograde, he denotes very hot weather, and detriment to trees and their fruits by reaſon thereof; if Direct there ſhall be many Catterpillars, and ſuch like creatures,^[1167] that ſhall deſtroy trees, eſpecially if then the Dragons head be alſo in this Sign, or in Gemini.

^[1168]Laſtly, if Mars be Lord of the year, and in Piſces, he ſignifies much ſnow and rain; alſo deſtruction to fiſh, and ſuch creatures as live in the water, for men ſhall catch many during that Revolution; the ſlaying and maſſacring of Kings and Great men, ſcarcity of proviſions, and the fruits of the earth, and generally it ſhall be a turbulent and hard year both for man and beaſt; and if Venus behold the Aſcendent, there ſhall be much thunder and lightning, alſo much death and mortality amongſt men, and grief and pains in their eyes:^[1169] and if Mars be Septentrional, the ayr ſhall be good, pleaſant and healthy; and if he be Meridional, there ſhall be many Caterpillars and Locuſts in ſuch places, as ſhall be natural for them, and ſuch like noyſom creatures, but they ſhall not do much hurt: if he be Oriental,^[1170] he ſignifies the ſlaughter of rich and great men: if Occidental,^[1171] many infirmities ſhall fall on ſervants, and the inferior ſort of people; and if he be Direct, they ſhall be ſafe and in health: alſo ſheep and ſmall cattel ſhall be in good condition: if Retrograde, the good condition and ſtate of thoſe that follow Trading is alſo promiſed,^[1172] who ſhall gain and profit.

CHAP. XVIII. Containing the Accidents ſignified by the Sun when he is Lord of the year in any of the twelve Signs.

LAbour but to underſtand the nature of every Planet and Sign, and to diſtinguiſh exactly every ones ſtrength and fortitudes from his debilities, and then by obſerving the reaſons of what hath been already ſaid in theſe three forgoing Chapters, in handling the Significations of theſe Superior Planets thou mayſt ſoon know how to underſtand the Significations of the Sun in every Sign, when ever he is Lord of the year, and judge of them without any further inſtruction.

^[1173]Yet thus much I ſhall ſay, If the Sun be Lord of the year in Aries, free from the Malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes, it ſhall be well with the Common people, the year ſhall be fruitful and ſucceſful unto them, as alſo to great, noble and rich men, Kings and the Grandees of the earth, and that they ſhall be fortunate in honor, and ſhall overcome their enemies, be gracious and loving to their people, and ſhall do them juſtice, &c.

^[1174]But if he be in Aries afflicted and impedited, judge the contrary; yet know that whatever he ſignifies whether good or evil in Aries or its triplicity, ſhall chiefly happen in and to thoſe parts ſubject unto the Sign and their Cities and Towns, and more particularly to the Eaſtern parts thereof, ſo underſtand of the reſt of the ſigns when he or indeed any of the other Planets are located in them or in any Triplicity.

^[1175]When in any annual Revolution you finde the Sun Lord of the year and in Taurus, you ſhall judge the ſtate both of rich and poor, great and ſmall, noble and vile to be but ſo ſo, although he be no wiſe afflicted by the Malevolent beams of the Infortunes; for in Taurus he hath no manner of dignity, but is wholly peregrine and weak; the fruits of the earth alſo ſhall not be very plentiful, eſpecially if he be afflicted; and you muſt ſtill remember, (as you have been ſufficiently taught before) that according to the nature and quality of the affliction you are to judge dammage or detriment to ſuch things as are ſignified by the Sun, and that they ſhall chiefly be incident to thoſe places ſubject unto Taurus, and in the Southern parts of thoſe places.

^[1176]If the Sun be Lord of the year and in Gemini, if he be well aſpected by the Fortunes, judge ſucceſs, health and good (according to the nature and accidental Significations and the adjuvant Planets or Planet) to the Commons, and year in general, fruits of the earth, nobles, rich and great men, and that theſe ſhall chiefly be incident to the Regions and Cities ſubject unto Gemini, and the Weſtern parts; but if he be afflicted, judge alſo the affliction accordingly by the nature and ſignification of the afflicting Planet, &c.

^[1177]If he be in Cancer or its Triplicity, judge the good or evil ſignified by him (according to the natures of the Planets afflicting or aſſiſting him) to happen to the Northern parts of thoſe places, Cities, Regions and Kingdoms ſignified or ruled by the Signs wherein he is; this you have had often reiterated; I do it not through forgetfulneſs or careleſneſs, but through a willingneſs and an earneſt deſire the Rules may be eaſily apprehended and retained by the young Students, for whoſe ſakes only I did undertake theſe my labours; for I doubt not but thereby they will ſoon be inabled to give a probable judgement upon any poſition of the heavens, without the help of any Book, when they have well pondred (as I have often ſaid) the Rules of Art and the reaſons thereof.

^[1178]Again, if the Sun be Lord of the year and in Leo, it ſhall be well with the Grandees of the earth, and people in general, the fruits of the earth ſhall be plentiful, &c. for you muſt know the Sun in Leo is very potent and ſtrong, by being in his own houſe, unleſs he be afflicted at that time by the Malevolent Aſpects of the Infortunes, and then according to their miſchievous power you are to judge the misfortune and detriment of ſuch things as they ſhall naturally or accidentally ſignifie, &c.

In the fourth Chapter of the ſecond Book of this volumn, you have heard the Sun hath no latitude, neither can be Oriental, Occidental, Stationary, Retrograde or Combuſt: and therefore, if you but remember to judge according to his ſtrength eſſential and accidental in all the other ſubſequent ſigns, as you have heard the method before, this ſhall ſuffice to be ſaid of the ſignifications of the Sun when he is Lord of the year and located in any of the twelve Signs of heaven; Wherefore let us proceed to the ſignifications of Venus when ſhe is Lady of the year and ſo poſited.

CHAP. XIX. Of the things ſignified by Venus when ſhe is Lady of the year in any of the Twelve Signs.

LIttle will it avail you to obſerve the Latitudes of the three inferiour Planets in this manner of Judgement as you have heard of the Superiors as ſay moſt of the Ancients: and truly in this I do agree with them (though not in in many other of their tenets, eſpecially in their Rules in the laſt Chapter, where they would teach the ſignifications of the Sun in the 12. Signs in Annual Revolutions, when it is impoſsible for him at ſuch a time to be in any other ſign then Aries; and if the Judgement be half yearly, or quarterly in Libra; Cancer, or Capricorn, he muſt needs be but in no other) for oftentimes we ſhall finde the Rules in the inferiour Planets vary and prove falſe by reaſon of their ſwift motion and frequent variations but in the ſuperiour ſeldom or never; This I thought good to prefix before our Diſcourſe of the inferiour Planets that it might not ſeem ſtrange to the diligent Inquirer we follow not the ſame Method in theſe as in the former.

^[1179]When Venus then is Lady of the year and in Aries in any Annual Revolution well aſpected and in Configuration of none of the Malevolents and neither Retrograde nor Combuſt, the ayr ſhall be temperate, the Earth fruitful, men in general ſucceſsful, ſhall thive, be merry and delight in all pleaſant recreations, it ſhall alſo be well with Great and noble men, and with the ſmaller ſort of Cattel, men ſhall be peaceably given, and many pleaſant moderate ſhowers of rain ſhall fall, and generally there ſhall be plenty of proviſions, and theſe ſhall chiefly be in the Eaſtern parts, and thoſe Cities, Regions and Countreys ſubject unto Aries.

^[1180] But to ſpeak the truth, I ſee no reaſon at all why Venus ſhould occaſion ſo much good in Aries, it being a ſign wherein ſhe ſuffers detriment and affliction, although no wiſe aſpected by the malevolents, and although ſhe be naturally of her ſelf fortunate and good, yet it will not follow (I conceive) that ſhe is of the ſame power to effect good when ſhe is weak and impotent, as when ſhe is ſtrong, for ſhe can promiſe no more then this you have heard, when ſhe is well dignified and in Taurus or Libra which are her own Houſes, and wherein ſhe is eſſentially ſtrong and dignified; a poor weak fellow in another mans power and conſtraint without arms (there is no man but knows) is not ſo able to reſcue or aſſiſt his friend, as one that is ſtrong, at liberty, and a good Sword, or Rapier at his command.

Wherefore I muſt needs diſſent from the Ancients in this point; for it is not the Nature of a Planet ſimply that muſt be the ground on which we muſt judge good or bad, for then Jupiter or Venus ſhall never be occaſioners of miſchief in what ever houſe or ſign they are placed; the which to affirm were ridiculous and very erronious, but this you have already ſufficiently heard cleared; I ſhould therefore ſay when any benevolent Planet is thus poſited in any ſign wherein he ſuffers detriment or any other affliction, that the evil threatened will not be altogether ſo bad as was likely becauſe the benevolency of the Planet doth contradict it; nor the good altogether ſo effectual, by reaſon the Planet ſignifying it, is in detriment or otherwiſe afflicted; and therefore in ſuch poſitions as are theſe, let not the Rules of the Ancients and Tradition, lead you wholly beyond the bonds of reaſon and ſenſe for thereby you ſhall not avoid rendring your ſelf both irrational, weak and ſenſeleſs.

^[1181] Venus in Taurus Lady of the year denotes proſperity, health and gladneſs unto all men in general under that Revolution, and in thoſe places ſubject unto Taurus, eſpecially in the Southern parts, plenty of proviſion, and the fruits of the earth, pleaſant wholſom ayr and moderate ſhowers and blaſts of wind, ſafety to women with childe, and alſo to all cattel for the uſe of man, eſpecially the greater ſort, and the year generally happy; but it will not be altogether ſo good if ſhe be impedited, retrograde, combuſt or the like,

Note.

ſtill remember, that if ſhe or any other Planet be much afflicted, little good, or much evil is promiſed; if much aſſiſted, the contrary; according to the ſignification and nature of your Significator, and the impedition and affliction, or aſſiſtance and ſtrength thereof.

^[1182]Alſo if Venus be in Gemini, and Lady of the year, well aſpected of the Fortunes and free from Retrogradation, impedition, combuſtion and other ſuch like impediments and the aſpects of the Malevolents, the bodies of men ſhall be healthy, ſafe and ſound; the ayr temperate, good and wholſom; the fruits pleaſant, profitable and plentifull; and the year generally happy, fortunate and ſucceſsfull; But if ſhe be afflicted by the malevolents, or otherwiſe impedited, the contrary mayſt thou judge, or ſo farre as ſhall be agreeable to reaſon, remembring your former Rules.

^[1183]Again if Venus be Lady of the year and in Cancer in the like manner free from impediment and well aſpected or accidentally dignified, the Fruits of the Earth ſhall be plentifull, the Sea ſafe and free from many uſual Piracies and Shipwracks, many comfortable, pleaſant, neceſſary ſhowres, and men ſhall generally be healthy, ſucceſsfull and proſperous: But if ſhe be afflicted it will not be ſo well by ſo much as ſhe is afflicted, &c.

^[1184]Moreover if ſhe be Lady of the year and ſtrong or accidentally dignified and in Leo, many Diſeaſes, Wars and Diſcords ſhall be abated and taken away; alſo men ſhall delight themſelves in ſuch things and Recreations as are of the nature of Venus; But if ſhe be weak, impedited or afflicted, it will not be ſo well.

^[1185]And if ſhe be in Virgo and well dignified as aboveſaid, the year (as ſay the Ancients) ſhall be fruitfull, and plenty of all things of the earth is thereby promiſed, ſafety alſo to ſeeds and grain, and that men ſhall generally be healthfull.

I ſhould judge that the year would not be very ſcarce, becauſe the Lady of the year is Venus one of the moſt fortunate Planets, nor very fruitfull, or plentifull, becauſe ſhe is in her fall but ſo ſo; and indifferent both for plenty of fruits and health of body; But if ſhe be afflicted, it will be ſo much the worſe.

^[1186]Again if Venus be Lady of the year and in Libra free from retrogradation, combuſtion and other impedition and aſpects of the Malevolents, although not at all beheld or aſsiſted by the fortunes, yet ſhall the Cities, Regions and Countreys be ſafe that are under the power of Libra and in good condition, mankind alſo ſhall generally be healthfull, and likewiſe the ayr; it ſhall be alſo temperate and pleaſant, alſo fruitfull and plentifull in every thing, and the people ſhall be generally happy, and free from all Thefts, Rapines and Robberies, and diſſentions, troubles and diſcords; and if ſhe be aſsiſted by the benevolents it will be the better.

^[1187]But if ſhe be Lady of the year, and free from all manner of impediment and in Scorpio, ſhe ſhall cauſe a pure, good and thin pleaſant ayr, but ſomewhat ſharp, and ſhall leſſen the heat of Summer and cold of Winter; as alſo Diſeaſes, and increaſe Proviſions and Fruits of the Earth; and there ſhall be little or no filching and ſtealing; But although theſe be the Rules of the Ancients you are to remember ſhe is herein in detriment, judge thou therefore according as thou haſt been taught in the former Rules.

^[1188]Moreover if Venus be Lady of the year and in Sagittary well dignified accidentally, ſhe denotes peace and quietneſs amongſt men in the Weſtern parts, alſo health of body and proſperity to men in general under that Revolution, and in thoſe places ſubject to Sagittary unleſs it be hindred by Mars, the earth ſhall be fruitfull, and the Winter ſomewhat abated of its cold; but if ſhe be afflicted by Mars or any other way judge the contrary, or at leaſt not ſo much good by the quantity of the evil afflicting.

^[1189]Alſo if ſhe be in Capricorn free from all manner of impedition and be Lady of the year, there ſhall during that Revolution be little or no War, Thieving, Pillaging, Plundring or Robbing, little rain in the Eaſtern parts, and abundance of proviſion, and the earth ſhall be fruitfull and the year generally ſucceſsfull; but if ſhe be impedited, it will be nothing ſo well.

^[1190]Again if Venus be in Aquaries in any Annual Revolution, and free from impediment, men ſhall be in a happy and proſperous condition during that Revolution, and there ſhall be no abundance of rain nor ſnow, neither much cold in Winter, the year ſhall be ſucceſsfull and plentifull, and people in a happy condition and proſperous if Mars work not the contrary.

^[1191]Laſtly if Venus be in Piſces free from the Malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes, and Lady of the year, there ſhall not be much cold weather in Winter, nor much ſnow nor rain but what ſhall be neceſſary and convenient, and that too in due Seaſon; the Earth ſhall be fruitfull, the year plentifull, and the Sea quiet and ſafe from Shipwracks and Pirates: but if ſhe be afflicted, Retrograde or Combuſt, and beholding the Aſcendent, ſhe denotes Thunders and Lightnings, alſo death amongſt men, and pains in the eyes, and generally, unleſs Mars hinder, they ſhall abound in all things that are produced by the Earth.

CHAP. XX. Of the Significations of Mercury when he is Lord of the Year in any of the Twelve Signs.

IN the next place we are to look what are the ſignifications of Mercury, who is the ſecond of the inferiour Planets, and the next under Venus, who if he be Lord of the year and poſited in Aries, ^[1192] there ſhall be abundance of water and rain, and a ſcarcity of proviſions in the Weſtern parts; he ſignifies alſo great winds, much dew, and many thin clouds, alſo death to young men and women.

Now becauſe he is of that quality that he participateth ſtill of the nature of that Planet in Configuration with him, it is requiſite we have reſpect thereunto; for with the Fortunes he is good, with the Infortunes bad, in his own nature indifferent, and he is with the Maſculine Planets a Maſculine Planet and of that ſignification; with the Feminine a Feminine.

Wherefore if Mercury be joyned to the Moon either by body or aſpect, it denotes plenty of Fiſh; if to the Sun, plenty of Wine, and the ſafety and proſperity of women, and ſo much the rather if Mars and Venus be then in Conjunction or Aſpect with the Sun; and if Saturn be in the place of Mercury, he ſignifies very much rain and abundance of Waters; but if Mars be only then with the Sun, he denotes pains in the eyes and much war and blood-ſhed.

^[1193]If Mercury be Lord of the year, and located in Taurus, he ſignifies many ſhowers and plenty of waters, and a deſtruction of Corn and the fruits of the earth through diverſity and change of ayr, pains and infirmities in the eyes in the Eaſtern parts and the death of Great and Noble men, unleſs Jupiter or Venus work the contrary by their benovolent aſpects to him or to the Aſcendent; but if Mars behold the Aſcendent, he ſignifies the death of Cows, and the greater ſort of Cattel, eſpecially in the Southern parts.

^[1194]Alſo if he be in Gemini, and be Lord of the year in any Revolution of the World, he denotes Wars in thoſe parts ſubject to the ſign, much ſnow, and dammage to the fruits of the earth, and plenty of wine. This is one of the mad Rules of the Ancients; I would fain know why not a plentifull year for every thing elſe as well as wine if he be ſtrong; for this is his own houſe; and if he be weak, how comes he to be ſo ſucceſsfull to Vines and nothing elſe? they ſay alſo he ſignifies peſtilencies and death, inflammations, ſwellings and eruptions; he denotes alſo much dew and moiſt ayr: I believe, it ſhould be a wholſom good ayr, and health and proſperity to the People in general; the Antients ſay, if Jupiter or the Sun behold the Aſcendent of the Revolution, Peſtilence and Sickneſs will be leſſened, and that there will be a diminution of theſe evils, and men in the Eaſtern parts ſhall be ſtronger and in a better and happier condition then before; it is clear to me all this will happen without their aſſiſtance, ſo Mercury be but free from impedition and the malevolent aſpects of the Infortunes when he is located in this ſign. Reader, thou mayſt follow the Ancients in every thing they ſay if thou wilt, and be a Drone for ever; for my part I am abſolutely reſolved to the contrary, eſpecially in theſe and ſuch like whimſies of theirs.

^[1195]If Mercury be Lord of the year in Cancer, he ſignifies ſlaughter and bloodſhed in the Weſtern parts (I believe it ſhould be in the Northweſt parts; a little time and experience will ſoon decide the controverſie) ſcarcity of proviſions and the fruits of the earth, miſchief and detriment to Trees and Seeds, many infirmities through Rheums, Defluxions and Swellings, and thoſe chiefly in the neck, throat, and breſt, ſuch as are Squincies, Kings-evil, Obſtructions and ſtuffings in the pectorals, through thick, groſs, tough Flegme, unnatural Swellings or Hydropical Humours in the legs: If he be joyned by either body or aſpect to Mars and Venus both together, he denotes the murthering and ſlaughtering of great and Noble men, or perhaps of ſuch as are rampant in authority in any Nation for which your Revolution is made; but if Venus and the Moon be ſo joyned to him, judge the contrary.

^[1196]Alſo if he be in Leo, and be Lord of the year, he denotes exceſſive and vehement hot weather in Summer; alſo hot and warm winds; alſo if he be beyond the tenth houſe, viz. towards the ſeventh, he ſignifies impediment and dammage to thoſe parts, or to that Quarter of Heaven, viz. Southweſt, Southweſt and by South, and Southweſt and by Weſt, and a diminution or a ſcarcity of Proviſions and Fruits, but not an abſolute Famine. If he be in any Configuration of the Fortunes, the evil will be leſſened by ſo much as the adjuvant Planet is in ſtrength, and the aſpect in goodneſs; but if beheld by the Infortunes, by ſo much the more is the miſchief increaſed by how much the worſe is the aſpect and power of the malevolent Planet; he alſo ſignifies the death of Lions, Wolves, and ſuch beaſts as are ravenous.

^[1197]Again, if he be in Virgo, and Lord of the year, there ſhall be much rain and plenty of Corn (and the fruits of the earth too, I may add) and there ſhall be many Infirmities of the eyes and death in the Southern parts. I ſhould truly rather conclude (this ſign being the houſe wherein he is both exalted, and eſſentially dignified by houſe) contrary to the precepts of my Predeceſſors in this moſt heavenly Science, that there will be a pleaſant wholſom healthy ayr, and a diminution of infirmities both of the eyes and other parts of the body, comfortable and ſeaſonable ſhowers, and guſts of winde, and plenty of all manner of fruits and proviſions convenient for the life of man, unleſs the malicious beams of Saturn or Mars prevent it.

^[1198] Mercury in Libra and Lord of the year, denotes great and high winds, and if he be free from impediment of the Malevolents (ſaith my own Natural Reaſon) the ayr ſhall not be ſo troubleſom, and the year ſhall be pretty plentifull; yet the Ancients ſay (without any exceptions) there ſhall be a diminution of Proviſions if he be in Libra; and truly I am of their opinion, if he be then afflicted, otherwiſe not. If Saturn be either joyned to him in this ſign by either Conjunction or Aſpect, he ſignifies men ſhall be troubled with pains and infirmities in the head and belly; (I know no reaſon why they might not alſo have ſaid in the neck, throat, back and reins) but if the Sun do then behold Saturn, the malice and miſchief of Saturn is taken away.

^[1199]Alſo if he be Lord of the year and in Scorpio, there ſhall be much ſnow and cold weather in thoſe parts wherein ſuch are natural or uſual; alſo Wars and Quarrels in the Northern and Weſtern parts; and if he be beheld of Mars, they will be rather Northern then Weſtern; and there will be alſo much thieving, pillaging and robbing, both by Sea and Land; the Sea ſhall be very turbulent, and there will be many Shipwracks and miſchiefs therein, alſo peſtilencies and contagious Feavers in the Northern parts (why not in thoſe Regions and places ſubject to Scorpio?) and all manner of infirmities and diſeaſes of the eyes.

^[1200]Much ſnow during that Revolution ſhall fall in Winter when you finde Mercury Lord of the year and in Sagittary, eſpecially in thoſe parts of the World where ſuch accidents are moſt uſual, as alſo in the place under which your Revolution is, an unconſtant turbulent ayr, a ſcarcity and dimunition of the fruits of the earth, and proviſions for the uſe of man; and Wars and diſſentions in the Weſtern parts, ſay the Ancients; but if it ſhould prove in the Eaſtern parts, I know no reaſon why we ſhould ſo much confide in every thing they write.

^[1201]Again in Capricorn, Mercury ſignifies if he be Lord of the year in your annual Revolution, Wars, Tribulations and Sorrows to the Southern parts and places ſubject to the ſign; this is if he be afflicted; but if aſſiſted by the benevolent aſpects of the Fortunes, and free from all other impediments, the year will be pretty fruitfull and healthy; but if he be afflicted by the Malevolents, judge the contrary.

^[1202]Alſo if he be in Aquaries and Lord of the year or Quarter, he ſignifies many Catterpillers and Locuſts in ſuch places where they are naturally, and diminution of rain; alſo that men ſhall be moleſted with Pluriſies and Puſtules or Eruptions in the skin, eſpecially in the thighs; and this ſhall chiefly be occaſioned through corruption of the ayr, and ſeveral changes thereof; and if he be then in a corporal Conjunction of Venus, there will be earthquakes in that Revolution, eſpecially if the Sun do then behold them or be joyned unto them; and if Mars alſo, or Saturn behold them with a Square or Oppoſition, thou mayſt be confident thereof, and that there will be peſtilential Diſeaſes, and many Thefts and Robberies; and if Saturn be corporally joyned to Mercury, there ſhall be an increaſe of waters and rain.

^[1203]Laſtly Mercury in Piſces in any annual Revolution when he is Lord of the year or Quarter, denotes very much wind and rain in the Northern parts, alſo death; Fiſh ſhall abound, and want of proviſions and fruits of the earth; detriment alſo to the Sea and thoſe that converſe therein, many Shipwracks, &c

Now although Mercury at time of the Sun his ingreſs into Aries cannot poſſibly be in ſome of theſe ſigns (by reaſon he is never diſtant from the Sun above 28. degrees, as you have heard in the ſixth Chapter of the ſecond Treatiſe of this Work) yet may not any one conclude theſe Rules ſuperfluous, and the Antients therein ridiculous, ſince as you have heard in the firſt Chapter of the firſt Section of this very Treatiſe, it often falls out that there are four Schemes to be erected, and ſometimes two, for the judging of annual affairs in the World; and therefore it was requiſite that his ſignifications ſhould alſo be known in any ſign of the Heavens; for in theſe we ſhall otherwiſe be to ſeek, &c.

CHAP. XXI. Containing the Significations of the Moon, when ſhe is Lady of the Year in any of the twelve Signs.

ALL that I have ſaid from the 15. Chapter of this ſecond Section hath been but (in a manner) meerly reiterations, and an inlargement of ſuch rules as were more briefly delivered before, that the Students in this Art might be very well verſed in their rules, and perfected in the reaſons and grounds thereof.

It reſteth therefore now we alſo handle the ſignifications of the Moon in every one of the twelve Celeſtial ſigns when ſhe is Lady of the year; but I muſt confeſs I am almoſt tired and wearied out with this kinde of repetition; wherefore I ſhall only in leſs bounds, [yet as largely and plainly as the Ancients for matter of Inſtruction,] deliver unto you the ground of theſe rules, and ſo proceed to the ſignifications of the Dragons Head and Tail.

Know then that the Moon (as you have heard in the 5. Chapter of this ſecond Section) doth denote all the good that can poſsibly be deſired to the Commons and People in general when ſhe is Lady of the year and ſtrong or well dignified; if ſhe be weak, the contrary according to her debility and impediment you are to judge.

Well then when you ſee in your figure ſhe is ſtrong either eſſentially or accidentally, look to the Nature of the ſign ſhe is in, and artificially commixing their Natures and their ſtrength therein, judge thou good to ſuch things and places as are by her and the ſign ſhe is in ſignified or underſtood either naturally or accidentally as they are placed in the Heavens, according as you have heard ſufficiently before; if ſhe be weak, judge the contrary after the ſame manner.

For you muſt remember that the Moon in humane ſigns ſhews her events whether good or bad on mankinde, according to the Sex of the ſign ſhe is in; if in aëry ſigns in the ayr; in watry, in the water; in earthy, in the earth; in beſtial in and upon beaſts of the nature and quality of the ſign; as if it be Aries, on ſheep; Capricorn, on Goats; Taurus, on Bulls, Cows, Oxen and the greater ſort of Cattel, and the like.

Neither oughteſt thou to forget to make commixtures according to the nature of the Planets in configuration or Conjunction with her at the time of the Revolution; for upon the true and exact commixtures (which you have been ſhewn in the foregoing Planets, and therefore needleſs here again to make repetition) dependeth the whole ſecret and key of the Art, and therefore let me here admoniſh thee once more (although I have often already) to be perfect in the nature and temperature of every Planet, every ſign, every aſpect, every houſe, every dignity, every Triplicity, every exaltation, every term, every face, every detriment, every fall, every eſſential dignity and debility of every Planet in every Sign, and then thou haſt attained above half the Art, nay three parts and three quarters (being divided into four) and therefore let the ſecond Treatiſe intituled An Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars, be read over and over, which will perfect thee in theſe particulars, ſo mayſt thou boldly venter upon theſe two other Treatiſes, which will then be moſt eaſily comprehended, and the greateſt myſteries therein quickly attained.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice to be ſaid of the ſignifications of the ſeven Celeſtial Planets in the 12 ſigns when they are Lords or Ladies of the year; the ſame alſo ſhould ſerve for Rules to the judging the Portencies of the Dragors head and Dragons tail, but that perhaps (their natures having not been before diſcuſſed, ſo much as have the Planets) they might remain obſcure, and the knowledge of the young Students therein defective; wherefore I ſhall yet ſpend one quarter of a ſheet more for their further inſtruction in this matter.

CHAP. XXII. Shewing what is ſignified by the Head and Tayl of the Dragon, as they are placed in any of the Twelve Signs in any Revolution.

MAny are the ſignifications of ☊ and ☋ therefore to particularize every particular thing, would be both tedious, and in a manner needleſs, yet I hold it very neceſſary you be well acquainted with their denotations in every ſign of the Zodiack in any Revolution, as followeth.

If therefore in any annual Revolution of the World you finde ☊ in Aries, ^[1204] it ſignifies the riſe of great and noble men, and the dejection and ſuppreſſion of vile and ignoble; and if ☋ be in Aries, ^[1205] it ſhews the ill ſtate and condition of noble and great men, and that they ſhall be injured and damnified by the common ſort of People.

If ☊ be in Taurus, it denotes the ſlaughter of Kings, Noble,^[1206] Great and Rich men in the Northern parts, and in the Weſtern parts many controverſies and Diſſentions amongſt great and noble men and the Pleabeans: if ☋ be in Taurus, ^[1207] it ſignifies little Piety or Mercy in men and women, and many troubleſom and unprofitable journeys in the ſame parts.

☊ in Gemini ſhews ſickneſſes and divers infirmities to Rich and Noblemen,^[1208] or ſuch as are the Grandees of the earth, which ſhall happen through tempeſtuous and noyſom gales of wind, earthquakes, and unwholſom infectious Miſts; it ſignifies alſo Wars and Diſſentions betwixt great and rich men, and men of a middle degree, and that the Trees ſhall be much damnifield by Catterpillers, and ſuch like Worms. If ☋ be in Gemini, the Commons ſhall be exalted and elevated,^[1209] and they ſhall ſpurn at, and deſpiſe their Superiors and Rulers, and indeavour to get all power and authority into their own hands.

Alſo if ☊ be in Cancer, ^[1210] it denotes honorable and bountious acts of the King and Rulers towards their People and Subjects; and if ☋ be in Cancer, ^[1211] it denotes great mortalities and peſtilencies, ſudden deaths, fornications and little or no juſtice, reaſon or honeſty amongſt men, the deſtruction of treaſuries, and the flitting of great and noble men our of one place into another, alſo their ſad condition and baniſhment through the works of their own hands, as writing, or ſome other thing ſignified by the ingenious Planet Mercury.

^[1212]Again ☊ in Leo in any Revolution ſignifies much lightning and apparitions in the ayr, much dammage trouble and vexation, and alſo infectious ayr:^[1213] Dragons tail in Leo, ſignifies a dark obſcure ayr, earthquakes, increaſe of waters and wet weather and deſtruction to the fruits both of trees and the Earth.

^[1214]Alſo if ☊ be in Virgo, the fruits of the Earth and of trees ſhall be deſtroyed, there ſhall be many Catterpillers, and dammage and hurt ſhall purſue even thoſe fruits doth of Trees, and of the Earth that are gathered into the Store-houſes or Barnes, and they ſhall ſuffer great detriment: and if ☋ be in Virgo ſhame, hatred,^[1215] and diſgrace ſhall fall upon noble and great men, and there ſhall be much diſſention and controverſie amongſt them, Religious houſes, and ſuch as ſtudy Divine matters, alſo ſhall greatly ſuffer dammage, trouble and loſs, many diſcords, debates and quarrels amongſt men in points of Religion and Faith, Schiſms and Hereſies, &c.

^[1216]Moreover ☊ in Libra ſhews that Kings and the Grandees of the earth, ſhall exerciſe their power and authority over their People, both againſt Juſtice and their own Honour, taxing them with crimes, whereof they are innocent, and impoſing Taxations, and heavy extortions and burthens on them, inſomuch that by reaſon of their poverty, which they ſhall be reduced to, and their grievous ſad condition, they ſhall ſink under the burthen as not being able to ſuſtain it; but if ☋ be in Libra, ^[1217] it denotes the mortality of fourfooted Creatures, eſpecially thoſe of the ſmaller ſort; alſo in Summer, extream drought; and in Winter, very hard cold weather; the Fruits of the Earth ſhall be deſtroyed, alſo the Seeds, Plants and Trees ſhall be damnified, ſo that they ſhall produce little or no increaſe.

^[1218] Dragons Head in Scorpio, ſignifies joy, ſucceſs and gladneſs to men of mean degree, and ſadneſs, grief and trouble to great men, and thoſe in high degree; alſo diſſentions, quarrels and bloodſhed amongſt them (if other teſtimonies concur) and amongſt the common people, deceat, treachery and fornications, for the which miſdemeanors, they ſhall (many of them) fall into the hands of their Kings and Rules; if Dragons tail be therein,^[1219] men ſhall be moleſted with many feavers and infirmities in the breſt, catarrs and defluctions in the throat, but noble and great men ſhall be ſafe, quiet and in a peaceable condition.

^[1220] Again, if Dragons head be in any annual Revolution in Sagittary, the common people of Babylon ſhall be afflicted by their King and Superiors, and ſuffer many vexations and injuries by them; alſo their beaſts ſhall ſuffer much detriment, and thoſe that are in an hoſtile-poſture, eſpecially if it be in the laſt fifteen degrees of Sagittary, it ſignifies alſo an hot and dry ayr, alſo a thick and obſcure face of heaven;^[1221] And if Dragons Tail be therein, it ſignifies the dejection of Noble and Great men and their misfortune, but the riſe of Ignoble baſe fellows, and the ſad condition of Judges, Councellors, Learned and Wiſe-men, eſpetially if Dragons-Tail be in the firſt fifteen degrees.

Alſo if Dragons-Head be in Capricorn it denotes joy and gladneſs to Rich,^[1222] Noble and Great men, and their honour and preferment, but the dejection of the baſe and Ignoble;^[1223] but if Dragons Tail be therein, it ſignifies Earthquakes and dammages eſpecially in the ſouthern parts.

And Dragons-Head in Aquaries ſignifies the death of religious men and ſuch as ſtudy the Law,^[1224] this to ſome few, but in one kinde or other they will all ſuffer detriment and vexation,^[1225] many Sects and Shiſmes ſhall alſo ariſe: and if Dragons Tail be therin, Kings, Great-men and Land-Lords ſhall be very injurious and tyrannical over their ſubjects, ſervants and tennants, and ſhall afflict, tax and grinde theire faces beyond common humanity and honeſty.

Laſtly Dragons-Head in Piſces ſhews the honour and dignity of Great and Noble men,^[1226] and of every man according to his degree; and if Dragons-Tail be in Piſces, ^[1227] many Noble and rich men ſhall be ſubjugated and brought under the power of the militia or men in armes, and be removed out of their habitations for their faults, and much controverſie and debates concerning Sects and the apperance of ſome new Hereſie or Schiſm.

And ſo much for the ſignifications of the Head and Tail of the Dragon and what we have to ſay in this ſecond Section; Let us now proceed to the third and haſten to a concluſion.

SECTION III. Containing ſome other neceſſary Inſtructions for the judging of Events portended by any Revolution of the Years of the World; Alſo ſhewing how to judge of ſuch Years as ſignifie fertility, ſterility, wars, peace, health or ſickneſs, alteration of and in the air, and of all other things foreknown by the poſition of the Heavens at the Ingreſs of the Sun into the firſt point of Aries.

CHAP. I. Shewing the Significations of the Planets in their Exaltations, and alſo in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Saturn or Mars at that time in any Revolution.

IN this matter we ſhall have chief reſpect to the ſuperiour Planets, who by reaſon of their magnitude and ſlowneſs of motion in compariſon of the other, do effect more forcibly and infallibly on the Elementary things of the world, and bodies of men.

^[1228]We ſhall begin then with Saturn, being the higheſt as you have heard, who if he be at the time of the Sun his Ingreſs into the firſt point of Aries in Libra, eſpecially the 21 degree thereof, which is the ſign and point of his exaltation, and receive the light and nature of Venus, he ſhall ſignifie and denote and be the fore-runner of ſome great and moſt notable thing to happen during that Revolution, eſpecially in thoſe parts ſubject to Libra and Saturn, and men ſhall ſuffer much loſs and detriment in their eſtates and fortunes, and that his ſignifications ſhall be of long continuance; but if Venus be fortunate, Occidental, direct, free from the affliction of the Malevolents, or other impediment, free from combuſtion and the Sun-beams, Saturn ſhall be the portender of good, proſperity and increaſe of the Kingdoms and Powers in the places ſubject to his dominion and the ſign Libra; but if Venus be weak, retrograde, unfortunate, afflicted by the Malevolents, combuſt, under the Sun-beams and impedited, judge the contrary; but yet you may be confident of ſome ſtrange Cataſtrophe to happen thereupon, but the nature thereof will incline rather to evil then good.

Alſo if Jupiter in any Revolution be in the 15 degree of Cancer being his exaltation, fortunate and ſtrong accidentally as being well aſpected of the Fortunes and no wiſe afflicted by the Malevolents,^[1229] and well aſpected of the Moon, and ſhe alſo ſtrong both eſſentially and accidentally there is no doubt to be made of it but that he ſhall be the occaſioner of ſome great alteration in Church-affairs and matters Divine and appertaining to the Law, and that for the better; but if they be afflicted, weak and impedited, judge the contrary, viz. that the alteration ſhall be for the worſe.

Again, if at the Sun his ingreſs you find Mars in the 28 degree of Capricorn, being his exaltation,^[1230] he denotes many and great Mutations, yet not altogether ſo notable and ſtrange as the two other preceding, and the nature and quality thereof ſhall be according to his own proper ſignification, viz. wars, fire, combuſtions, uproars, ſlaughters, thefts, rapines and robberies, and ſuch like, unleſs he be beheld of Saturn by a Sextile or Trine, and Saturn be then alſo well dignified and free from all manner of impediment and affliction, or behold other Planets of whom he is received and well aſpected, and thoſe Planets alſo fortunate and free from all manner of impediment; but if otherwiſe, it ſhall be the worſe.

^[1231]There is nothing to be ſaid of the Sun in this particular, who (by reaſon the Revolution is ſtill made by his return to the firſt point of Aries) can never be in the point of his exaltation in any Revolution of the World: neither indeed have I found any of the Ancients regard any of the inferiour Planets in this matter; onely Bonatus teſtifieth of Albumazar (a moſt learned Arabian in this Heavenly Science) that in every Revolution of the World we are to have regard to the exaltation of Mercury, which is the 15 degree of Virgo, and ſee what Planet is then therein receiving Mercury, or Mercury him, for he ſhall be Lord or chief Denoter or Significator of what is portended by him according to his ſtrength or weakneſs, as you have heard of the Superiours; for after the ſame manner muſt you judge, &c. And truly I ſee no reaſon why we may not after this rule judge of Venus and the Moon alſo.

^[1232]In every Revolution ſee what Planet is in his exaltation, and how aſpected by either Saturn or Mars; for if it be Saturn, he ſhall cauſe much dammage and detriment and trouble to thoſe Regions and Places ſubject to the Planet with whom he is in Configuration; and if Saturn be in a fixed ſign, and the Planet alſo in a fixed ſign, the evill ſhall continue ſo many years as there wanted degrees betwixt the perfect Conjunction or Aſpect; if in common ſigns, ſo many moneths; if movable, ſo many weeks or dayes: but if one be in a fixed ſign, and the other in a common one, you are according to diſcretion to make commixture of moneths and years; one in a common ſign, and the other in a movable, make commixture of moneths and weeks, or weeks and days, as you ſee reaſon; but if by other teſtimonies thou findeſt that the evil ſhall not continue after that Year wherein your Revolution was made although the Conjunction or Aſpect be in or from fixed ſigns, yet ſhalt thou give but moneths then for every degree they want of the perfect Conjunction or Aſpect: Note alſo, that if the Conjunction or Aſpect be by common ſigns, and thou thereby judgeſt moneths, and the evil ſtill continue longer then thy time prefixed, then▪ ſhalt thou convert them into Years: So likewiſe if thou didſt judge days or weeks thy ſignificators being in movable ſigns and the evil ſtill continue after thoſe weeks or days be expired, then art thou to ſay the continuation thereof will be ſo many moneths or years, &c. for as Ptolomy in his Centilo. 1. ſaith, A te & à ſcientia; for though thou haſt the art to help thee, yet thou art not wholly to lay aſide diſcretion and reaſon.

But if any Planet by his body or aſpect doth fruſtrate the Conjunction or Aſpect of Saturn, then ſhall not the evil happen in the places ſubject to the Planet in exaltation, but to thoſe places ruled by the Planet ſo fruſtrating; but if there be no fruſtration by neither the interpoſition of the body or aſpect of any Planet, but that Saturn do come by his beams to touch the beams of the Planet ſo in exaltation, the evil by him threatned ſhall aſſuredly happen in thoſe Regions and Places ſubject to his Dominion, &c.

^[1233]Alſo if any Planet in exaltation in any Annual Revolution be beheld of Mars (as you heard of Saturn) by a Square or Oppoſition, or elſe afflicting any Planet by his bodily Conjunction, he ſhall denote very much evil, detriment and dammage to the people under his juriſdiction that is in exaltation; but if the Planet ſo exalted be afflicted by Square or Oppoſition, it will be the more grievous by reaſon the nature of Mars is to cauſe quarrels, diſſentions, wars, bloodſhed and thefts which will then be incident to thoſe parts; as touching the durability of the time, you are to judge thereof according to the nature of the ſigns your ſignificators are in, as you have heard of Saturn, whether they be movable, fixed or common, &c.

Conſider alſo the poſition of the Sun and Moon, and ſee how in every Revolution they are placed, and in Conjunction or Aſpect with any Planet; for if either of them be in any Configuration with any Planet in the whole Heavens, they ſhall be joyned in ſignification therewith; and note that if the Moon be lately ſeparated from any Planet according to the nature thereof, and the place of Heaven he is located and hath dominion in, mayſt thou judge of what hath lately happened; but if he be applying to any, thereby mayſt thou know what is immediatly to happen, &c.

CHAP. II. Of the Significations of the Planets, and Dragons Head and Tail, as alſo Blazing-Stars, when they are (in any Revolution) exalted one above another.

UNleſs I here remove a ſeeming obſtruction or ſtumbling block, perhaps ſome miſtakes or errours might ariſe much to the dammage and puzzeling of the younger Student; which is this; In the foregoing Chapter you have heard the ſignifications of the Planets (eſpecially the Superiour) when in any Revolution they are in the point of their proper exaltations; but in this Chapter when we ſpeak of their being exalted one above the other, we mean as to their places in the Heavens at the time of the Sun his ingreſs into Aries; for he or ſhe that is neareſt to the Cuſpe of the mid-heaven or tenth houſe, is the Planet moſt elevated or exalted, and ſhall have ſignification as followeth; yet note that it is not meant barely by the poſition of one above the other at that time, but when any two are in Conjunction or other Configuration and elevated the one above the other at that time, then I ſay ſhall their ſignifications be as is here expreſſed.

Contrary to the Ancients who begin in this matter with Venus, I ſhall as all along I have done begin with Saturn, and ſo give you their ſignifications ſtill in order as they are placed in the Heavens; as Saturn being in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition with any Planet, the Dragons Head, and Tail, or Blazing Star, and exalted above them, we ſhall begin thus: Saturn exalted above Jupiter, and then above Mars, and afterwards above the Sun and ſo forwards; and not as the Ancients have done who ſet down his ſignifications as he is exalted above the Moon firſt, then above Iupiter, then Mars, then Dragons Head, Dragons Tail, Blazing-Star, and laſtly Venus; omitting his ſignifications when in any Configuration of Mercury or the Sun, and exalted above them; which defect as in this, ſo in the ſignification of the other Planets, I ſhall endeavour to ſupply; for in the ſignifications of Venus they have omitted Iupiter and Dragons Head; and a Blazing-Star in the ſignifications of Iupiter; the Sun in the ſignifications of Mars; the Sun and Venus, of Mercury, the Sun alſo, of the Dragons Head, Iupiter and Mars, &c.

If you find not my opinion and judgement herein ſufficiently grounded on reaſon, you may follow what other you can find delivered unto you, which may be more pleaſing and agreeable to thy fancy, or remain ignorant as the Ancients have left thee; but to our buſineſs:

Saturn in any Scheam at the time of any Revolution of the years of the World,^[1234] Ecclipſe, or great Conjunction, or at the time of the appearance of any Comet, or Blazing-Star, or at the time of any Oppoſition of the Superiours, or any other remarkable or conſiderable face of the Heavens, in Conjunction; Square, or Oppoſition, or any other Aſpect of Jupiter, and at that time elevated above the Body of Jupiter, in the figure of the Heavens, Great and Noble men ſhall be ſlain; if he be exalted above Mars, ^[1235] he ſignifies good, and better ſucceſs; if above the Sun when in any of the aforeſaid Configurations with him, Let thoſe Kings and ſuch as are in high or chief Authority in thoſe Regions ſubject to the ſign the Sun then is in look for much trouble and ſorrow, as alſo Treacheries and Treaſons; If he be exalted above Venus, ^[1236] men ſhall delight in Pictures, Ornaments, and neatneſs, and addict themſelves to their Trades and Occupations and delight themſelves therein;^[1237] above Mercury, they will delight in Arts and Sciences, eſpecially ſuch as are Ingenuous; above the Moon, ^[1238] men ſhall be clowniſh and ill-behaved; Above Dragons Head, Great and Noble-men ſhall have good ſucceſs joy and gladneſs;^[1239] but if above Dragons Tayl, this felicity ſhall happen to the Commons; And if he be exalted above any Blazing Star, when he is in any Configuration therewith, men ſhall generally ſuffer poverty, penury and want anxiety and much miſery.

^[1240]If Jupier be eaxlted above Saturn when in any Configuration with him, he ſignifies much lamentation, weeping, howling, grief, trouble and ſadneſs: Above Mars there ſhall happen much grief and trouble to Men, alſo dammage and loſs if above the Sun: above Venus, Womens affairs and buſineſs ſhall ſucceed well and proſperouſly: and if above Mercury the Kings Officers ſhall be increaſed, and they ſhall have honor,^[1241] profit, gain and praiſe: above the Moon, Noble and Great men ſhall increaſe and abound in honor, proſperity and ſucceſs: Above the Dragons Head he denotes all good ſucceſs and fortune:^[1242] if above the Dragons Tayl, depopulations and deſtruction of houſes and buildings; above a Blazing Star, it ſignifies that Noble men and ſuch as are in great eſteem ſhall be ſlain.

^[1243]When Mars is exalted above Saturn and in any configuration with him he doth not ſignifie much hurt or miſchief: Above Jupiter, great men ſhall agree to take arms and kill one an other: Above the Sun, Kings and Rulers will go neer to be ſlain treacherouſly: Above Venus, men ſhall not care much for pleaſures, neither will women ſoon conceive with Child: Above Mercury, quarrels, ſlaughters, and diſcords are ſignified:^[1244] And above the Moon, Earth-quakes, and thoſe very violent: Above Dragons Head he denotes good ſucceſs, and proſperity, and honour to Great and Noble men:^[1245] Above Dragons Tayl, there ſhall happen Combuſtions, troubles and inconveniencies to Men concerning Plants and Vegetables; And if he be exalted above a Blazing Star, ^[1246] there will happen many ſlaughters amongſt men, and they ſhall delight to ſway and bear Arms.

The Sun is of that nature and quality,^[1247] that by his beams any Planet is afflicted, wherefore when he is exalted ſo above any Planet, he is the ſignificator of much evill and miſchief, excepting Mercury ſtrong and fortified.

Venus being exalted above Saturn, Men ſhall be perplexed with much grief and trouble: Above Jupiter, Great and Noble men ſhall be in a proſperous and happy condition, and all things ſhall ſucceed well with them: Above Mars, Women ſhall willingly uſe the Art of Generation, and ſoon Conceive, and Men ſhall be troubled in their ſtomachs through Surfeits and eating too much: Above the Sun, ^[1248] men ſhall be laviſh and expenſive: Above Mercury, men ſhall domineer and triumph one over another: Above the Moon, men ſhall have much joy and gladneſs:^[1249] Above Dragons Head, joy and gladneſs to Great and Noble men, and all proſperity and happineſs; and they ſhall delight themſelves with young Maids and Virgins,^[1250] and in Womens affairs; But if above Dragons Tayl, judge neither proſperity nor good; and if ſhe be exalted above any Blazing Star. being in Configuration therewith, ſhe ſignifies that there ſhall be a ſcarcity of waters, and that women ſhall not be in any great eſteem, ſhall miſcarry and come to many misfortunes and miſchances.

Alſo Mercury being exalted above Saturn, men ſhall go about to deceive, cheat, and betray one another: Above Jupiter, Kings, Great men,^[1251] and thoſe in power and Authority ſhall increaſe in health and Honor: Above Mars, fear and terror ſhal fall upon men: above ☉, Kings and Rulers ſhal be famous, and addict themſelves to knowledge and learning: Above ♀, men ſhall addict themſelves to ſports, and the ſtudy of Necromancy, occult and ſecret Arts: Above the ☽ he ſignifies joy and gladneſs, and that men ſhal do wonderful and ſtrange feats: Above ☊, there ſhall be many manifeſt thefts and robberies: above ☋ it ſignifies men ſhall be ſcoffers and jeerers one of another: Above a Blazing Star, men ſhall ſtay and deſtroy thoſe that are Maſters of their Militia, and ſuch as are in moſt eminent and chief command and beſt ſouldiers.

The ☽ being in any Configuration of ♄, and exalted above him,^[1252] ſignifies evill and miſchief, and that men ſhall be ill-conditioned one towards another: Above ♃, rich and noble men ſhal encreaſe in health, wealth, and honor. Above ♂. Houſes and buildings ſhall be deſtroyed by fire; alſo Earth-quakes and much blood-ſhed: Above ☉, miſchief and much evill; and take this for a general rule, Let her be Significatrix of what you will, ſhe ever denotes miſchief and misfortune if ſhe be under the Sun-beams: Above ♀, Noble and rich Women ſhall encreaſe in honour and eſteem:^[1253] Above ☿, men ſhall be wiſe, ſhall chooſe grave and judicious Counſellors, and ſhall make good Laws and wiſe Acts: Above ☊, ſhe ſignifies dammage to Rivers and Fountains, Springs, and water-places: Above ☋, mortality and deſtruction to beaſts: And laſtly, above a Blazing Star, ſhe ſignifies loſs of of ſubſtance.

Thus much of the ſignifications of the Planets, when exalted one above the other, and above ☊, ☋, and Blazing Stars, it reſteth therefore now to ſhew you the ſignifications of them, being exalted over one another, and alſo over the Planets, and ſo conclude this Chapter; according then to the ſame order we have hitherto followed, we are to begin with ☊, and then of the other two.

Now if ☊ be beheld of ♄, and ☊ at that time exalted above him,^[1254] it ſtirreth up Wars, and men ſhall delight to bear Arms: Above ♃, Noble and rich Men ſhall increaſe in honour and greatneſs, and all buſineſs ſhall ſucceed well with them: Above ♂, Souldiers and ſuch as carry Arms ſhall be proſperous, in eſteem, and fortunate;^[1255] It ſhall alſo go well with Kings, and the Grandees of the Earth when it is exalted above ☉: And if it be above ♀,^[1256] it ſignifies that Women and Virgins ſhall be joyfull and merry, and that every thing ſhall ſucceed well with them in a generall way: Above ☿, men ſhall delight and addict themſelves to laying of foundations for Palaces Royall, Caſtles, Cities, Towns, and Villages: Above the ☽,^[1257] men ſhall have loſs and detriment in their ſubſtance and goods: Above ☋ in this nature it cannot be exalted,^[1258] (becauſe (as you have heard in the 17. Chapter of the 2. Treatiſe of this Volume) they are but Nodes, and can behold no Planet, becauſe they have no rayes nor beams, but may be beheld by any Planet) and therefore in this, ☋ is omitted; again if Dragons Head be exalted above a Blazing Star, ^[1259] it ſignifies tempeſtuous ſtormy windes and tempeſts, and thoſe very often.

Dragons Tayl exalted above ♄,^[1260] ſignifies the death and deſtruction of old people, and Monks, and Religious men: Above ♃, long life and joy: Above ♂, ſadneſs and vexation: above ☉, much evill and want of charity: Above ♀, dammage to Women, eſpecially to young Maids and Virgins: Above ☿, evil to learned and wiſe men: above the ☉, deſtruction to rich men and loſs of ſubſtance: Above a Blazing Star, It denotes damage in the affairs generall of women.

Now laſtly, touching Blazing Stars, ^[1261] and what may be predicted by their being exalted above the Planets, ☊ and ☋; A Blazing Star then being in Configuration of ♄, and exalted above him, ſignifies many and great infirmities: Above ♃, men ſhall kill and murther their Nobles, and Great men, and ſuch as are in eſteem: Above ♂, men ſhall uſually delight to bear Arms, and there ſhall happen many great wars and ſlaughters: If above ☉,^[1262] men ſhall quarrell one with another, be treacherous and given to Treaſons: Above ♀, a deminution and drying up of waters: Above ☿, damage and deſtruction to young men: Above ☽, loſs and damage to men in generall in their ſubſtance: Above ☊, Noble men ſhall be ſlain, and ſuch as are in eſteem: Above ☋, there ſhall happen loſs and deſtruction to fruits of the Earth and Trees.

CHAP. III. Containing Conſiderations from the Sun and Moon when the Revolution is either Diurnal or Nocturnal, alſo when the Revolution happens at Sun-ſetting and break of day; from the Lord of the hour, Part of Fortune, the indiſpoſition of Saturn and Mars, from their Conjunction with the Dragons Head and Tail in any Annual Revolution.

DIligently thou art to obſerve whether the Revolution in any year be by night or by day, viz. Diurnal or Nocturnal; and if it be Diurnal, have regard to the Sun, ^[1263] how and where he is poſited in the figure at the time of the Revolution, and how aſpected of the Fortunes or Infortunes; for if he be well aſpected by benevolent and adjuvant Planets, it ſignifies according to the nature and ſignification of the Planets aſpecting him and the nature of the ſigns they are in; if he be maliciouſly and unfortunately beheld by the Malevolents, judge the contrary dammage and evil.

For if the Sun be ſtrong and well dignified and aſpected, he ſignifies (the Revolution being Diurnal) the accompliſhment of ſome high and remarkable action; ſee alſo if the Lord of the then Aſcendent be ſtrong eſſentially, and accidentally well aſpected; for if ſo, he ſhall ſignifie proſperity, health and happineſs during that Revolution to thoſe Regions, Cities, Towns and Places ſubject to the ſign which is then upon the Cuſpe of the Aſcendent, alſo to that Kingdom or Nation for which the Revolution is made, and the Kingdoms, Regions and Places ſubject to the Lord of the Aſcendent; but if he be weak, afflicted and impedited, he ſhall ſignifie trouble, vexation, miſery, detriment and very much unhappineſs (according to the quantity and quality of his affliction) unto thoſe aforeſaid places ſubject to the Lord of the Aſcendent and ſign thereof.

And if the Aſcendent be Libra, and Venus who is Lady thereof be cadent from it, or from an angle, impedited, retrograde or combuſt, afflicted by the Malevolents or any other ways unfortunated, it ſignifies there ſhall happen ſadneſs, vexation, trouble, miſery, and many infirmities and deſtruction in an high meaſure to all thoſe Regions, Towns, Cities, Kingdoms and Nations under the dominion of Venus and Libra; what thoſe are you are taught in the ſecond Book; and ſo likewiſe judge of any other Planet and Sign in the ſame nature.

^[1264]But if the Revolution be Nocturnal, you are to have regard to the place and ſtrength of the Moon, as you have heard of the Sun, and judge accordingly; for if the Moon be Lady of the Year; or of the Aſcendent, increaſing in light and motion, in Cancer well dignified and aſpected of the benevolent Planets, you ſhall judge the Year will be ſucceſsful, the people generally healthful, fortunate and happy; but if ſhe be weak, impedited, afflicted of the malevolent Planets, ſlow in motion, decreaſing in light and impedited, judge the contrary, and that this good or evil ſhall chiefly be incident to thoſe Regions and Places ſignified by her and Cancer, &c. but if ſhe be not in Cancer, look to the Planet that is then her diſpoſitor, viz. [he that is Lord of the ſign wherein ſhe is] and ſee whether he be eſſentially or accidentally debilitated or aſſiſted, and accordingly judge as you have heard of the Moon good or bad, as he is ſtrong or weak, and that it ſhall happen to the places ſubject to the ſign aſcending, the Lord thereof, and to the ſign wherein the Moon is, and its Lord, as alſo the Region for which your Figure is erected.

See alſo if the Moon (the Revolution being Nocturnal) be either in Conjunction or aſpect with Saturn (or any other malevolent Planet if in your Figure you find him alſo accidentally ſignificator of miſchief and impediment) without any reception either of houſe, exaltation, triplicity, term or face, and the Moon decreaſing in light; for if ſo, the miſchief and misfortune is ſo much the more increaſed, as is the nature and ſignification of the afflicting or impediting Planet; but if the Moon be ſeparating from the Conjunction or aſpect of any afflicting and unfortunate Planet, and be increaſing in light and motion, the evil will be ſo much the more leſſened and diminiſhed, &c.

^[1265]If you would know the nature of the affliction threatned or portended by any Planet afflicting or impediting your ſignificator, you need do no more then this; ſee to the natural ſignification of the afflicting Planet, and alſo accidental as he is placed in your Scheme, the nature of the houſe and ſign he is placed in, and ſo judge accordingly; judge the evil ſhall proceed from the ſignification of the houſe wherein the afflicting Planet is located; the nature and quality thereof from the natural and accidental ſignification of the Planet and ſign wherein he is.

As for example, we ſhall ſuppoſe your ſignificator to be the Lord of Year or Aſcendent, the Planet afflicting to be Mars and he Lord of the ſeventh and located in the ſecond; from hence you ſhall conclude that the people of the Nation for which the Revolution is made, ſignified by the Lord of the Year or Aſcendent, ſhall be afflicted and damnified in their eſtates and riches, being afflicted in or from the ſecond houſe (which you know denotes the wealth and riches of the people) therefore from hence ſhall the evil or miſchief threatned proceed: Now as touching the nature thereof, or manner how it ſhall come to paſs, you ſhall ſay it ſhall be by the ſword, thefts, wars, murthers and the like, which are the natural ſignifications of Mars; or elſe by the power or treacherous plots of their Enemies, which is his accidental ſignification as being Lord of the ſeventh, which you have heard is the houſe of Enemies, &c. or if the ſign of the ſecond be Libra, and Mars therein, look to his ſignifications in Libra, as you have been taught in the ſeventeenth Chapter of the ſecond Section of this ſame Treatiſe and ſay it ſhall be occaſioned ſo and ſo as you have it there expreſſed; in like manner if it be any other ſign or any other Planet, judge according as you ſhall ſee moſt requiſite and agreeing to art and nature; if the afflicting Planet be in the third, the evil ſhall proceed from ſhort journies, neighbours, kindred, or brothers and ſiſters or aſſociates; if in the fourth, from fathers, heritages, loſs of poſſeſſions, houſes, farms, or deſtruction of ſeed and fruits, &c. judge ſtill according to the nature of the houſe wherein your afflictor ſhall be found, which you have been taught elſewhere ſufficiently.

^[1266]Having hereby now fully declared unto thee the manner how thou mayſt exactly and truly judge of the ſtate and condition of what is ſignified by the Lord of the Aſcendent, ſo alſo is it requiſite to acquaint thee that thou mayſt (following the ſame method) judge of what is alſo ſignified by the Lord of the ſecond, third, fourth, fifth, ſixth, and ſo round the whole Heavens of every thing appertaining to the life of man in a natural way, there being nothing in the world but what is ſignified by one houſe or other, and by which a man may judge of the quality and nature thereof.

As if the Lord of the ſecond houſe be ſtrong, free from misfortune and impediment, judge the good ſucceſs of all things thereby ſignified, and to all Nations and Places ſubject unto the ſign thereof and its Lord; but if unfortunate, impedited, weak and afflicted, judge miſchief, trouble, croſſes and loſſes, &c. according to the ſignification thereof, and the aforeſaid Places and Regions under the ſign and Lord thereof; and ſo (I ſay) mayſt thou eaſily in this manner judge of any other thing, ſtill remembring to derive your Judgement from the ſignification of the houſe, nature of the Planet afflicting or aſſiſting, and that the good or evil will be incident to thoſe Regions and Places ſubject to the ſign and Lord thereof, &c.

^[1267]Look alſo that if your Revolution be at the time of the Sun-ſetting, or within an hour and half thereof, you regard not the poſition and fortitudes of the Sun, but of the Moon who is the Governeſs of the night, which doth then immediately ſucceed: In like manner if the Revolution be about the ſame time before break of day, the Sun is to be conſidered in the ſame manner as you have been ſhewn, and not the Moon, it being ſo near day-breaking; and over and above what hath been delivered unto you, you are in the conſideration of the ſtrength of either the Sun or Moon, to ſee if either of them are to ſuffer an Eclipſe during the time of that Revolution; and if ſo, to look to the place thereof, viz. in what houſe of Heaven, in what ſign and degree of the Zodiack, and the Almuten of thoſe places, and the ſtate of thoſe Planets in Configuration with him, or the place of the Eclipſe, viz. whether they be ſtrong or weak; good or bad, and accordingly judge; but of this more in the next Section, wherein we ſhall treat of Eclipſes.

^[1268]Again, you muſt know that in every Revolution the Lord of the hour, or Planet ruling the time in which the Revolution is made, is to be regarded, as alſo Part of Fortune and its diſpoſitor; for if they be well dignified, well placed and aſpected of the fortunate and adjuvant Planets, thou mayſt aſſuredly conclude that the good ſignified by the Lord of the Year, or ſignificator of the King, ſhall be augmented, if the Lord of the Year or ſignificator of the King do denote any good; but if they portend evil, and the Lord of the Year, Part of Fortune and its diſpoſitor be alſo ill diſpoſed, unfortunate and weak, the miſchief ſhall be alſo augmented; but if then the Lord of the hour, Part of Fortune and its diſpoſitor be ſtrong, the miſchief ſhall be diminiſhed, and ſo on the contrary if they be weak, and the Lord of the Year ſtrong, and alſo the ſignificator of the King, they ſhall diminiſh the good by them ſignified.

^[1269]Conſider alſo in every Revolution the poſition of Saturn and Mars, and ſee if Mars be then ſtationary to retrogradation, and in Conjunction with Saturn, or Saturn applying to him whilſt he remains ſtationary, or Mars unto him when he becomes retrograde; for if ſo, thou ſhalt aſſuredly judge there ſhall be much fierceneſs, cruelty, barbarous and outragious actions amongſt men, and little or no piety, or mercy, but Malefactors, Thieves, Cutters, Murtherers and Robbers by the High-way ſhall abound, and ſervants and the rural ſort of people ſhall be diſobedient to their Maſters and Superiours; and it ſhall be the worſe if Saturn be in Libra retrograde, and in Oppoſition of the Sun, and the Sun in aſpect with Mars, and Mars by his retrogradation alſo applying to the Sun (for you muſt know that the ſuperiour Planets cannot apply to any inferiour Planet, except when they are retrograde) and the evil will be yet the more increaſed if Mars be then peregrine and going to the Conjunction of Saturn, and the Revolution be at Sun-ſetting, or near thereunto, viz. a little before or after; alſo when theſe Configurations are in any Revolution, ſome of the Ancients have concluded there will be many wars, quarrels, diſcords and much bloodſhed in the Cities and Regions of both the Eaſt and Weſt; and truly my opinion alſo is that there will thereon aſſuredly happen many commotions, inteſtine wars and bloodſhed in many parts; thoſe places chiefly I conceive will be concerned in it that are ſubject to both Saturn, Mars and the ſigns wherein they are then located.

^[1270]Again, ſee whether the Dragons Head in any Annual Revolution be in ♂ with ♄, for then ſhalt thou conclude much miſchief and detriment to thoſe Regions and Places ſubject to the ſign wherein the ♂ is, unleſs the benevolent aſpect of ſome fortunate Planet prevent it: for if they be in ♂ in ♈ they ſhall denote evil and miſchief to Sheep and the ſmaller ſort of Cattel, unleſs the ⚹ or △ of ♂ intervene, and he well dignified eſſentially; alſo much anxiety, vexation and trouble to Kings, Nobles and great men, if ☉ behold them not with a good aſpect, and be alſo fortified, or elſe the Lord of the tenth.

^[1271]And if ☊ be in ♂ with ♄ in ♉, the evil ſhall happen to Oxen, Buls, Cows, and the greater ſort of Cattel, Horſes, &c. alſo in ſome ſort to Sheep, and to young Men and Youths, Hearbs, Plants and Trees; there ſhall be little rain, and a diminution of proviſions and fruits of the earth, if ☽ and ♀ prevent not.

^[1272]In Gemini if they be in Conjunction, becauſe it is a humane ſign, there ſhall much evil and miſchief fall on mankind, eſpecially thoſe in their younger years, but thoſe in the ſtrength of years, not ſo much nor on ſuch as are well ſtricken in age; there ſhall alſo be many great windes and abnoxious.

In Cancer ſuch places as are ſubject to Locuſts and Caterpillars ſhall abound therewith, and where rain is no novelty there ſhall be much more then is uſual;^[1273] the fruits of the Earth alſo ſhall ſuffer much damage by Locuſts and ſuch kinde of obnoxious creatures, unleſs aſpected by Luna or Jupiter.

And if they be in Conjunction in Leo, the evil ſhall fall on wilde and ſavage beaſts,^[1274] alſo on Kings and Great men, if the Sun doth not with ſome benevolent Aſpect behold them.

Alſo if they be in Conjunction in Virgo ^[1275] dammage is threatned to women and chiefly to the younger ſort, and alſo young men will not be wholly free; Seeds, Corn▪ and ſuch fruits as are reduced to ſeed, will be diminiſhed, or there ſhall be a ſcarcity thereof, by reaſon they ſhall be much damnified, for you muſt know this is an earthy ſign.

Again, if in Libra, which is an aiëry and humane ſign,^[1276] it ſhall happen to men and in the air, and that chiefly to thoſe of mature years, and ſuch as are of a good age, and not to the younger ſort; and there will be many great and high windes, if Saturn or Venus contradict it not.

Moreover if they be in Conjunction in Scorpio, ^[1277] the miſchief ſhall happen to ſuch creatures as are of a poyſonous and venemous nature, eſpecially to Scorpions.

Alſo if Dragons Head and Saturn be in Conjunction in the firſt fifteen degrees of Sagittarius (which is humane) the impediment or miſchief ſhall happen to mankinde; but in the laſt fifteen degrees on great Cattel,^[1278] eſpecially on Horſes and ſuch as men ride on.

In Capricorn on Goats and ſuch like,^[1279] and the fruits of the Earth will ſuffer detriment, but not altogether ſo much as when they are joined in Virgo; alſo grievous cold and ſharp weather if Mars work not to the contrary by his Aſpect unto them.

In Aquaries on antient and old men,^[1280] and not to thoſe in their prime and ſtrength of age and youths or young men.

And in Piſces on ſuch creatures as live in the element of water,^[1281] eſpecially ſuch fiſhes as are uſually eaten by men, if Jupiter or Venus prevent not.

And if Dragons Head be in Conjunction with Mars in any of the twelve ſigns,^[1282] he ſhall ſignifie alſo much evil, but not ſo much as Saturn doth, and it ſhall chiefly be by heat and drought, unleſs Jupiter or Saturn work to the contrary.

Alſo in Conjunction with Dragons Tayl, be it in what ſign it will,^[1283] he ſignifies deſtructions, depopulations, fire, ſword, ſlaughter and great blood-ſhed, famine alſo and much miſchief.

So likewiſe if Saturn and Dragons Tayl be in Conjunction in any ſign,^[1284] he ſignifies famine, a ſcarcity of proviſions, great miſchiefs, cold in the extremity, grievous fears, anxieties, terrors and troubles, much want and ſcarcity of the fruits of the Earth, and a ſuperfluity of evils, torments and grievances; and theſe ſhall be incident to thoſe places ſubject to the ſign wherein they are joined, and underſtand the ſame of Mars when he is joined with either the Head or Tail, &c.

CHAP. IV. Teaching how to judge of the evil of any year, the nature thereof, and when the year is moſt likely to be both turbulent, obnoxious, and unfortunate, alſo what is portended in any Revolution when one Planet transfers his light and nature to another.

EVer when you would know what grievous and heavy accidents and evils are to happen, or are threatned to any place, look to the Poſition of Saturn and Mars, for from them are you to require judgment touching this matter, for if you find them in the higher circle, viz. in the middle thereof towards the North, and they have then Septentrional latitude, and be above the earth, thou ſhalt judge there will grievous and horrible actions happen in that Revolution, or before the Sun enter again the firſt point of Aries, in and to thoſe parts under the Sign and Triplicity wherein they are; alſo look how much they are elevated above the earth, (eſpecially Saturn) and they ſhall ſignifie ſo much the more miſchief and trouble, and the more certain will your judgment be; alſo when they are in the ſuperiour part of the Circle, they denote a hard and ſcarſe year, both for proviſions, fruits of the Earth, and all things elſe.

And if one be in a Square of the other, it will be the worſe in every particular, alſo Iefections to and in all kind of living creatures, tribulations and troubles, and that of continuance and durability, and ſo much the rather if Saturn be then in Virgo, and Mars in Gemini, and the Revolution Nocturnal, and Mars applying or tranſlating his light and nature to Saturn, and he receive him and either, both or one of them Retrograde: and Saturn ſhall be then moſt miſchievous, In ſo much that Jupiter ſhall not be of ſufficient efficacy to alter it, unleſs Saturn or Mars be in Cancer in a Sextile or Trine of Jupiter, and he ſtrong and well dignified at that time, and then he ſhall break his malice with whom he is aſpected, and diminiſh it or wholly take it away, which you may judge from the ſtrength of your Significators.

The affairs alſo of the King or Grandees of the Nation where your Revolution is, and their condition ſhall be bad and ſuffer detriment, and much trouble and difficulty there ſhall be in or about them, and they ſhall require aid and aſſiſtance from the common people, Religion ſhall be ſlingted and impiety and wickedneſs ſhall increaſe amongſt men, and no mercy or pity ſhall be found amongſt them, and this ſhall continue till either Saturn or Mars tranſite the cuſp of the tenth Houſe at time of the Revolution, or ſhall then begin ad continue, at leaſt till Mars have made one Revolution through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack.

But if then Saturn be in Virgo and Mars Aſpect him out of Gemini (as hath been ſaid) and the Moon alſo tranſlate her light to Saturn and ſhe in Sagittarie, there ſhall be miſery upon miſery, the miſchief of miſchiefs, the trouble of troubles, the tribulation of tribulations, the peſtilence of peſtilencies, and the misfortune of misfortunes, and all kind of vexations, troubles and torments, alſo it ſignifies the deſtruction of Kingdoms, and tranſlation of one Kingdome into the power and under the ſubjection of another.

Moreover if the Moon when ſhe tranſlates her light and nature to Saturn, either by Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition, and the Lord of the Sign wherein ſhe is when there is a Partil Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition betwixt them, be then impedited, unfortunate, weak or afflicted, there ſhall be many diverſities of miſchiefs during the time of that Revolution; and if then the Moon were eclipſed at the Preventional, or to be eclipſed at the Poſtventional full Moon immediately going before or comming after any ſuch Configuration, the miſchiefs and troubles threatned ſhall continue ſo many moneths as the Moon is or ſhall be ecclipſed houres, reckoning from the minute ſhe firſt begins to be ecclipſed till the Punctum wherein ſhe is again free.

But if Part of Fortune be Impedited, and its diſpoſitor when the Moon is ſo in Conjunction or aſpect partil of Saturn, the evill thereby ſignified or threatned ſhall be increaſed; have regard alſo to the Sun how he is placed, dignified and aſpected by the Malevolent Planet, or by what Aſpect he beholds him, (as you have heard of the Moon) and the Lord of the Sign in which he is at the time of the Partil Conjunction or Aſpect, and make Part of Fortune and its Diſpoſitor participate in ſignification therewith, and judge accordingly mutatis mutandis, as you have heard (I ſay) of the Moon; and if the Sun was eclipſed, or to be eclipſed at the Preventional or Poſtventional Conjunction of the Luminaries or change of the Moon (to ſpeak plainly) the evill then threatned ſhall continue ſo many years as the Sun is at that time eclipſed houres.

Alſo when any Planets behold one another, and be in any Reception, look in what place in the figure they project their rays or beams; for thoſe places ſubject to the ſign wherein they caſt their rayes, ſhall ſuffer ſuch things as are by thoſe Planets ſignified, whether good or bad, more then any other place.

And if one planet transfer his light, Nature and Vertue to another, you are diligently to weigh their natures and ſignifications, and judge accordingly as you have been before ſufficiently ſhown; as if the Significator of the King transfer his light and Nature to Saturn, and he alſo well diſpoſed, ſuch people and religious orders and things which you have heard elſewhere ſignified by Saturn, ſhall be bettered, and receive good from the bounty or liberality of the King or Superiours; If to Jupiter, Nobles, Judges, and ſuch as converſe in the Law, and are ſignified by him, ſhall receive honour, liberty, and much good from the Kings hand, &c. And ſo judge if any other Planet and if any other Significator transfer his light to any, remember the Nature of your Significator; transfering his light, and the Natural and Accidental ſignification of the Planet to whom it is transferred, and judge according thereunto and you are right, and will ſoon be able to judge of any matter mutatis mutandis, varying your rules according to Art.

And thus far have I in a manner reiterated rules and words for thy through underſtanding and inſtruction in ſuch matters as have been delivered in a more ſhort and compendious manner before, and indeed ſo much the rather, becauſe that though what was at the beginning of this Diſcourſe ſet down, was ſufficient to and for any one that is any thing entred into this Art, yet would it perhaps have ſeemed ſomewhat difficult to thoſe who are as yet altogether unſeen therein, and therefore I hope this fault will be by the Judicious deemed venial; Wherefore let us now proceed.

CHAP. V. Shewing how to judge of health or ſickneſs in any year.

THus then, if thou wouldſt be expert in this manner of judgement, have reſpect to the Cuſp of the Aſcendent of the figure of the heavens at the time of your Revolution, and the Aſcendent of the figures at the time of the Conjunction or preventional Conjunction of the Luminaries before the Sun his ingreſs into Aries; and then if theſe two Aſcendents and the Moon be free from Miſfortune, and the Lord of the place of the Conjunction alſo free, and then applying to a Fortune, as alſo the Luminaries beholding him, eſpecially that of the time, viz the Sun, if it be by day, the Moon, if by night; then it ſignifies that that year ſhall be free from infirmities general, and diſeaſes, and ſhall be healthful; but if the Lords of theſe two Aſcendents, and the Moon, and Lord of the place of the Conjunction, and prevention, be all or the major part of them unfortunate, it denotes general infirmites and diſeaſes, and no healthful year; and that according to the power of the infortunate Planets, their nature and the nature of the ſigns and places they are in; what diſeaſes are appropriated to both the Planets and Signs; I have ſully delivered unto you in the ſecond Treatiſe of this Volumn, entituled, An Introduction to the judgement of the STARS.

Alſo if the Lords of thoſe two Aſcendents, or one of them being ſo unfortunated, apply to the Lord of the Eighth Houſe, there ſhall be many general infirmities and alſo death; but if otherwiſe, there ſhall be many infirmities and general diſeaſes, but not mortality, and if death, it will not be great.

Moreover, if the ſtrongeſt Planet of theſe Significators apply to the Lord of the Eighth, there ſhall be many ſudden deaths, without any great or tedious ſickneſſes; alſo if to the Lord of the ſixth, there ſhall be many infirmities and general diſeaſes, and thoſe of long continuance: And if Mars be the afflicting Planet, he ſhall ſignifie hot and dry diſeaſes, eſpecially if he be in a ſiëry ſign, and ſwift of motion: and if it be Saturn, he ſhall cauſe lingring Agues, Coughs, Conſumptions and Saturnian tedious diſeaſes, eſpecially if he be in a cold and dry ſign, and flow in motion.

CHAP. VI. Of Wars or Peace.

HItherto we have proceeded in a plain and eaſie manner of Inſtruction, for it is my moſt earneſt deſire that knowledge may flow as a ſtream amongſt all judicious ſouls, eſpecially thoſe of this my native Nation of England; and therefore I ſhall here again deſire the more quick and nimble apprehenſions to pardon both my largeneſs and plainneſs, ſince I write to thoſe that are altogether to ſeek in theſe matters.

^[1285]Wherefore then know, that years of War, Diſſention, Quarrels and Bloodſhed, are to be judged from the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, as alſo from their Square and Oppoſition, alſo from the Aſcendent and Angles of the Revolution of the year; for if theſe Superior Planets be either in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of each other, or applying to each other by any of theſe Configurations, wars are to be feared, and that they ſhall then begin when they are in Partil Conjunction or Aſpect, if they are in Angles, or elſe they ſhall begin when Jupiter enters his exaltation or one of his houſes, or any of the Angles of the Figure at time of the Revolution; and judge that party to have Victory that is ſignified by the Planet moſt elevated in his excentrick; for if Jupiter be moſt elevated, and be exalted above Saturn, they ſhall overcome who make inſurrection or begin the ſtrife.

Alſo if Mars be in any of the Angles at time of the Revolution, whichſoever it be, he excites and ſtirs up wars according to his ſtrength and power; for if he be ſtrong and well dignified, it will be the more certain, alſo the ſtrife and war will be the more invective and grievous; in like manner if he be in a Square of Saturn or Jupiter, becauſe theſe are the Superior Planets; for take this for an approved Aphoriſm, that when any of the Superiors, viz. Saturn, Jupiter or Mars (who are thus termed becauſe they are above the Sun) are in Conjunction, or any Malevolent Configuration one of another, there happens great and manifeſt Alterations in this Elementary world, according to their ſtrength and natural and accidental Significations.

^[1286] If thou wouldſt know where the war ſhall be, when in any Revolution or other face of heaven thou ſeeſt it threatned, have regard unto the ſign in which Mars is located, alſo the ſign wherein he aſpecteth either Saturn or Jupiter by Square or Oppoſition; alſo in what ſign and part of heaven, Part of War, Blood-ſhed, or Contention falleth, and ſay that in thoſe parts ſignified by thoſe ſigns, the War, Diſſention, Bloodſhed and Strife will be, and ſo accordingly judge, or by the major part. How to take Part of War. as alſo Part of Peace, and all other parts requiſite to be known, I ſhall not here mention; the exact knowledge whereof would require a volumn by themſelves, which (God enabling me and granting me life and health) I ſhall endeavor to deliver to the world, if I finde the inclinations of men worthy of ſuch bleſſings, and therein alſo I ſhall endeavor to give them ſome grounds and reaſons why the Antients have invented ſuch variety of parts, and why they are of ſuch ſignification.

See alſo if any of the Infortunes, or all, behold the houſe of Mars or Part of War, with a Square or Oppoſition, or be therein, or behold the ſign by which the Nation, Town or City is ſignified for which your Figure is ſet, or the Significator of the King or Nobles of that Nation, Kingdom or People with a Square or Oppoſition; or be corporally joyned thereunto; it ſignifies, that if the King or that People have Wars with any, they ſhall be beaten and worſted; or at leaſt, poſſeſſed with much grief, ſadneſs, trouble, ſorrow and anxiety: alſo if the Planet that is their Significator be combuſt, it ſignifieth the ſame; and if Retrograde, they ſhall fly from before their enemies, and grow weakerand weaker, ſhall be indigent and caſt down; judge alſo the ſame, although he were at firſt well placed, and after a while becomes thus afflicted.

^[1287]Again, if in any Revolution of the year Mars be joyned to Part of War, eſpecially in fiëry ſigns, it denotes Wars and Quarrels; and if Part of War be ſtrong and free from affliction, they ſhall overcome that begin and ſoment the diſſention and quarrel; but if it be weak judge the contrary; you may alſo judge of the time when the War will happen, from the diſtance of Saturn and Mars, if their Conjunction or Aſpect be a forerunner thereof, or of any other Significators, by ſeeing how many degrees they want of the Partil Conjunction or Aſpect, and giving a moneth, day or week to every degree, according as they are in ſigns fixed, moveable or common, as you have been taught before; or elſe you may have regard to the Planet denoting War, who if he be Direct, it will happen when he becomes Retrograde; if he be Retrograde, ſay it will be when he becomes Direct, or when his beams are joyned in Configuration or Conjunction of the Significator of the King; and if he behold the Significator of the people, he ſignifieth much thieving, pillaging and robbing, eſpecially if the Malevolent Planet be in an Angle; but if he be not in an Angle, but only in a ſuccedent or cadent, the evil will not be general, but only in ſuch Towns, Cities and places under the ſign wherein he is, unleſs his beams be mixed in Aſpect or Conjunction with the beams of the Lord of the Aſcendent; for unleſs he have rule and Dominion in the Revolution, he ſhall not then ſignifie generally evill.

Alſo if Mars be in any of the Angles, and the Diviſion apply to any term of his, and the Revolution apply to the place where Mars was, in the laſt Conjunction of the Planets preceding, or to the place in which Mars was, in any great Conjunction, it ſignifieth in that year fighting and quarrelling in thoſe places and Regions ſubject to the ſign wherein Mars was, and the application is; Diſſentions and quarrels alſo are threatned when Mars is in Square or Oppoſition of Saturn, and Mars received; but if Mars be not received, neither Saturn, it ſignifieth but little quarrelling; alſo if in any Revolution he be under the Sun beams, he denotes Wars, eſpecially if in a moveable ſign, but in a common ſign he promiſeth not much; and if Mars be in Gemini, in the Tenth Houſe, the King ſhall be very laviſh and ſpend his treaſure; Note alſo that if the Lord of the Fourth be in the Ninth Houſe of Heaven, it ſignifies the priſons and goals ſhall be ſet open, and many Captives and Priſoners ſhall eſcape.

^[1288]Moreover, thou art to remember, that in what ever Revolution of the World thou lookeſt, Wars are ſtill to be known and judged from Mars, who is the occaſioner of all diſſentions, quarrels, wars, blood-ſhed and commotions in the Elementary world generally; but if thou wouldſt know the Immediate cauſes and fomenters thereof, look from what Planet Mars laſt ſeparated before the Sun his ingreſs into the firſt point of Aries; for although they be Fortunes, yet ſhall they and ſuch as are by them fignified be the occaſioners thereof; as, we ſhall admit Mars laſt ſeparated from Conjunction or Aſpect of Jupiter, from whence we ſhall judge that Noble men, rich and great in power, authority and eſteem, ſhall be the fomenters of the War threatned; or Biſhops, Pope, Cardinals, Church-men and Religious people, they being all Signified by him; In like manner if it Venus, Saturn, the Sun, the Moon or Mercury, you have no more to doe then judge in the like manner according to their ſeveral Significations which you are ſufficiently taught in the ſecond Book of this Volume.

^[1289]Now when thou haſt found in any Revolution, that wars are threatned, have regard unto the Planet ſignifying it; for if he be direct and well dignified, the war ſhall not continue or laſt long, but ſhall be broken by the King of that Region for which your Revolution is, for it ſignifieth a ceſſation of arms, and that there ſhall be peace; ſee alſo how he is aſpected and by what Planets, and by how many; for many Planets beholding him, (eſpecially being then eſſentially ſtrong) it ſignifies the people ſhall be in good condition, ſhall be ſtrong and able to defend themſelves, and offend their enemies, ſhall overcome them and have aſſiſtance from others, according to the nature of the Planets ſo aſpecting him.

But if he be retrograde, they ſhall be beaten, ſhall run away and be dejected; and if ſtationary to Direction, they ſhall be ſtrong and powerful in war; but if ſtationary to Retrogradation, at the beginning of the war they ſhall be ſtrong, but it ſhall go hard with them in the end. In like manner have regard to the Significator of their enemies, or thoſe that begin and firſt foment ſtrife, and judge of their condition mutatis mutandis, as you have of theſe; for if their Significator be direct there is a probability of peace, and that to proceed from their deſire and willingneſs, or if there be war that they ſhall overcome; but if thou wouldſt know by what means they ſhall thus become victorious, if thou findeſt their Significator ſtrong eſſentially, and not beheld by any other Planet, ſay by their own ſtrength and policy; but if it be aſpected and aſſiſted by the benevolent rayes of other Planets, their Significator eſſentially not being very ſtrong, ſay by the help of ſuch as are ſignified by thoſe Planets ſo aſſiſting and beholding their Significator ſhall they become victorious; as if it be Saturn, ſay by the help of ſome King; if the Sun, by ſome Prince or Noble man (for the Sun ſignifieth rather petty Princes then [•]aturn) if Mars, by ſouldiers and warlike men; If Jupiter, by noble, wiſe and diſcreet grave men; If Mercury, by ſcholars, and learned, witty, politick men; If Venus, by riches or by ſome noble ſpirited women; If Luna by Merchants, Sea men or the common people of any place; but if thou wouldſt particularly know the place, or from what Countrey, Nation, or Province, it is no more then thus, look to the Sign wherein your adjuvant Planets, or Planet is, and judge according to diſcretion, that they will be ſuch as are of the Nation or place thereby ſignified, remembring that antient Aphoriſm àte & àſcientia, for you muſt not judge impoſſibilities, or what is contrary or repugnant to reaſon.

^[1290]Again, If thou wouldſt know by what Nation or men the war threatned is to be begun or acted, look to which part Mars ſeems to be aſſiſtant, remembring that the aſcendent, the Lord thereof, and Planet from whom Mars laſt ſeparated are Significators of the Kingdom, People or Nation wherein your Revolution is; the ſeventh Houſe, the Lord thereof and the Planet Mars next applies unto, are Significators of their enemies: and that he is more aſſiſtant to that party with whoſe Significator he is applying or in Configuration, or that which he doth more lovingly behold; for on whoſe ſide ſoever you finde Mars, ſay that that party ſhall be the beginners or fomenters of the war if he be direct, and that they ſhall be valiant and ſtout, and turn their backs upon no enemy whatſoever; but if he be retrograde it ſhall be occaſioned by divers men who aim at the honour and applauſe of ſuch actions as they are never able to perform or are worthy of the name, yet attributing that unto themſelves which was acted and accompliſhed by others, ſhall boaſt of great and high matters, but ſhall perform little or nothing, and lay the burthen of the war on other mens ſhoulders, and ſhall themſelves only thieve, pillage and plunder, and cut by the high ways; and if Mars be ſtationary (as aboveſaid) the war ſhall be the more greivous and hot, and the men more ſtrong and couragious.

Have regard alſo unto Saturn, who ſtirs up moſt deadly fewds and heart-burnings above any of the other Planets, when he is Significator of diſſentions and troubles, and that to thoſe to whoſe ſide he takes: alſo grievous troubles and miſeries unto thoſe Cities and Towns ſubject unto the ſign wherein he is, according to the ſignification of the houſe of Heaven he is in, as if in the ſecond, they ſhall be damnified in their eſtates, ſubſtance and riches; in the third, in their ſmall journeys, brethren and kindred, and ſo (as you have been taught above) you may run over the ſignification of every houſe of Heaven; if he be retrograde, he ſhall ſignifie the ſame miſchiefs which you have heard of Mars, but they ſhall be more grievous and intolerable.

^[1291]Know alſo that if the Planet denoting war be in good aſpect and reception of the Lord of the Year, he ſhall denote good during that Revolution, viz. peace and no war; If with the Lord of the half Year or quarter, no miſchief by war ſhall happen that half year or quarter; In like manner, if he be thus in Configuration with the Lord of the moneth and day, ſuch miſchief ſhall not happen therein: and if this reception by either body or aſpect, be in the firſt ſeven degrees of any ſign, the good ſhall be chiefly at the beginning of the year and during the firſt quarter; If it be between the ſeventh and fifteenth degree, during the firſt half year, If betwixt the fifteenth and one and twentieth, in the third quarter; If between that and the end, in the laſt quarter and later end of the year: In like manner judge of the moneths, days and hours.

^[1292]The Antients amongſt other curioſities in this nature have given theſe rules for the knowing whether the Generall or chief Commander of the enemies party be young or old; have regard to the Significator of the afflicting Planet and Significator of the enemy, and ſee if they be Oriental, for then it denoteth him young, eſpecially if then the Moon be alſo Oriental; but if they be all Occidental, he is old; but if one ſhall be Oriental and the other Occidental, he is neither young nor very old but of a middle age.

I ſhall here now conclude this Chapter with this note, that all quarrels and blood-ſheds that happen in the World are generally occaſioned by Mars, becauſe when he enters any angle, eſpecially the fourth, he ſignifies there ſhall be many quarrels and wars, and great ſlaughters and effuſion of blood, and that men ſhall delight to kill one another.

CHAP. VII. Of Fertility and Sterility.

^[1293] REaſon and Experience teacheth us, that commonly after war comes a ſcarcity; and after peace, plenty; and therefore theſe being their ſucceſſors (as I may ſay) or events, I have thought good in this Chapter to ſpeak thereof.

Wherefore in this matter have regard to the Aſcendents of the Conjunction and prevention of the Luminaries to the Revolution and their places; and if the place of the Conjunction or prevention apply to the place of Jupiter, and Jupiter have dominion in that place, or if he aſſiſt the Lord of the Aſcendent, and the Lord of the fourth houſe at that time free from misfortune, and the application of the Aſcendent of that law or the change of Triplicities, applying to the place of Jupiter or Venus by Conjunction or Aſpect, there ſhall be plenty at that year of ſuch things as the earth doth produce; eſpecially if the Lord of the ſecond houſe aſſiſt or apply unto the Lord of the Aſcendent by a good and friendly Aſpect; and this ſhall be the more aſſuredly confirmed; if Part of Fortune have power and dignity there in that place, becauſe thoſe ſignifie plenty upon plenty.

^[1294]But if thou wouldſt know when the year is likely to be ſcarce and unfruitful, ſee if Saturn be ruler or diſpoſer of the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition by Eſſential dignity or Aſpect, or whether he be Lord of the Aſcendent or Almuten thereof, or afflict it by any malevolent Aſpect, or be in any Angle, and the Lord of the fourth afflicted of the Infortunes, eſpecially of Saturn; for if ſo, ſcarcity is threatned and may aſſuredly be expected, eſpecially if he be in Oppoſition of Mercury, or in any of the Angles of the figures at the time of the Conjunction or prevention; or be in Square or Oppoſition of the Lord of the ſecond, Lord of the Aſcendent, Part of Fortune, or its Diſpoſitor; ſcarciry may alſo be expected when Saturn afflicteth the Moon, or the Moon apply unto him by either Conjunction or Aſpect, having laſt ſeparated from the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun; In like manner, judge penury and want, if either of the Malevolents afflict the year thus, eſpecially if they be in Square or Oppoſition of Mercury, but you muſt note that the evil threatned by Saturn is worſe then that promiſed by Mars, as the good promiſed by Jupiter is much better then that ſignified by Venus; and judge the quality of the good or evil promiſed or threatned by any of theſe, from their proper nature and the nature of the ſign wherein they are; as if Saturn be in an aiëry or watery ſign, he denotes floods, inundations and many ſtorms, tempeſts and deſtruction by high windes; if in a fiëry ſign, drought, &c. Alſo note, that if Mars in that Revolution in which the Lord of that Nation, Kingdom, Law, or Common-wealth is exalted, be then in any of his own Houſes, he ſhall ſignifie much rain; and if he be in any of the Houſes of Saturn, little or no rain is to be expected, and in other Houſes a mean is promiſed.

CHAP. VIII. Teaching how to know the price of any thing in any Year.

A Tabarim amongſt other of the Antients hath been herein moſt large; what is moſt expedient to be known, I ſhall here ſet down, and as neer as I can omit that which may be ſuperfluous

In this manner of judgement, you are to have regard to the ingreſs of the Sun into Aries, from whence you are to require Judgement, as alſo of the Poſition of the Heavens at every Conjunction and Oppoſition of the Luminaries every moneth, and from the Conjunction preceding every Ingreſs, as well quarterly and half-yearly as yearly, for all things happening in this World in a natural way, are occaſioned by the Stars, and may be known by the Poſition of the Heavens, Stars and Planets at the time of the Conjunction and Oppoſition of the Luminaries if rightly underſtood, ſo that by the Conjunction, the Generation and beginning of things are judged, by the Oppoſition, the deſtruction and decay thereof; for the Moon being neereſt of all the Planets to the Globe of the Earth, and the ſwifteſt, doth immediately convey unto it and men thereon the vertue and ſignification of all the other Planets, and therefore we ſee by reaſon of this her great power and influence, all things, as well Vegetatives and Minerals as Animals, increaſe and decreaſe in vigour ſtrength and growth in ſome ſenſe according to her motion, and that the corruption and generation of all things are appropriate unto her and the Sun, and therefore by their Conjunction and Oppoſition theſe things may perfectly be known unto us if we be but ſearchers and contemplators of Nature and its Cauſes.

Now if thou wouldſt know what ſhall happen generally touching the price of any thing in any year, have regard unto the Poſition of the Heavens at the Suns Ingreſs into Aries if there be but one figure to be erected, but if two look to their Poſitions at his Ingreſs into Aries and Libra, if four, or for every quarter, at his Ingreſs into Aries, Cancer, Librae, and Capricorn; and if you would more particularly make monethly obſervations thereon, have regard unto the Conjunction of the Luminaries every moneth; and remember that the Aſcendent thereof, or the ſign aſcending at that inſtant for which you deſire to erect the figure of the Heavens, its Lord and the Planet or Planets therein located are ſignificators of the condition and ſtate of Man and the Ayr, and you may join alſo in ſignification with them the Diſpoſitor of the Lord of the Aſcendent, if the Planets or Planet therein located be peregrine and afflicted, judge miſchief and detriment in theſe according to his nature, ſignification and ſtrength; and ſo judge the contrary if he be then ſtrong and eſſentially dignified.

If there be any Planet in an Angle who hath dignity and power in the Aſcendent, eſpecially Exaltation, he ſhall be the Significator of the price of things, or any Planet in an Angle Eſſentially dignified and ſtrong; and if the Lord of the Aſcendent be remote from this Houſe and the Planet in an Angle Peregrine, yet he ſhall be Significator as long as he is in that Angle; But when the Lord of the Aſcendent is in any of the Angles, or in the eleventh or fifth Houſes, he ſhall more manifeſtly ſhew his ſignifications then any other, eſpecially if he be Oriental and going from under the Sun-beams: ever take this for a general and true rule, that what ever Planet you finde fortunate in any ſign,

Note.

he ſhall ſignifie and denote the dearneſs of ſuch things as are under the ſignification of that Planet, and the ſign wherein he is; ſo alſo on the contrary, if he be weak and impedited, judge they will be of little or no eſteem or value, and may be purchaſed at a ſmall rate; wherefore it is very neceſſary you be throughly verſed in the Nature of every Planet and Sign which you are ſufficiently taught in the ſecond Book; and this rule without any more words may ſuffice for ſufficient inſtruction in theſe matters, yet may we apply it thus

Look if the Lord of your Aſcendent be received or diſpoſed of by any Planet and the receiving or diſpoſing Planet be ſtrong in an Angle, it ſignifieth that Corn and ſuch things as are moſt neceſſary for the uſe of man ſhall be at a high rate all that moneth; And the Diſpoſitor of the Lord of the Aſcendent in Oppoſition of the Luminaries or that of the time promiſeth the ſame; as alſo if the Lord of the Aſcendent be received or diſpoſed of, and he together with the receiving and diſpoſing Planet be aſcending; But if the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Planet in an Angle apply to any Planet Cadent, ſlow in motion, or afflicted, the price ſhall fall; ſo likewiſe if the Lord of the Aſcendent, its Receptor or Diſpoſitor be Cadent, weak and afflicted it ſignifieth the ſame, according to their affliction; if much weakned and afflicted, they will be very cheap, if a little afflicted their price will fall but not altogether ſo much &c. And if the Lord of the Aſcendent, its Diſpoſitor and Receptor do then alſo apply to any Planets weak, cadent and afflicted, this will be the more certain.

See alſo what Planet you finde in the Aſcendent, for he ſhall have ſignification with the Lord of the Aſcendent, and ſhall according to his ſtrength or weakneſs denote the cheapneſs or dearneſs of proviſions; But if the Lord of the Aſcendent be not received by any Planet, he ſhall not have ſignification with him, but the Planet therein placed ſhall be Significator onely: If your Significator, or Lord of the Aſcendent, (if he have participation with him) and the Luminaries be in the Aſcendent, or in any other Angle at the time of their monthly Conjunction, the price of Corn & other neceſſaries for the life of man ſhal-continue and remain as it was in the preceding moneth; but if your Significator and the Luminaries be received and ſtrong, and be in the eleventh, or fifth, the price ſhall be raiſed, and that according to their fortitudes; for if they be eſſentially very ſtrong it will be much raiſed, and ſo on the contrary: Alſo if the Planet in the Aſcendent apply unto the Lord of the Aſcendent, the price ſhall be raiſed that day you finde your ſignificators in Partil Conjunction or Aſpect; but if the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Luminaries be weak and afflicted in the third, or ninth, or twelfth, or eighth Houſes, it ſignifieth their price ſhall be abated and fal'n; But the Angles ſignifie the fixation and durability of what is; If any afflicted Planet alſo apply to the Lord of the Aſcendent, judge the abatement of the price, and that eſpecially if the Lord of the Aſcendent apply to any Planet weak or afflicted.

Moreover if the Lord of the Aſcendent be weak and afflicted, and its Diſpoſitor ſtrong, yet ſhal not he by his ſtrength ſignifie any thing; for the Lord of the Aſcendent ſhall ſtil be Significator of the price of things unleſs he were in a Cadent Houſe, and ſome Planet be then in an Angle (as hath been ſaid) for then that Planet ſhall be Significator: Laſtly, if the Aſcendent be any of the houſes of the Luminaries, have regard unto them, and according to their fortitudes or debilities and places in the figure and Configuration with the Aſcendent, judge.

Some of the Antients have taught that we are to regard the Planet in the tenth Houſe, if any be there at the time of the Sun this ingreſs into Aries, or the Planet applying to the Lord of the tenth, and make him ſignificator of the price of things; As if the Planet located in the tenth or beholding the Lord thereof be ſtrong and direct, ſuch things ſignified by the ſign wherein your Significator is ſhall be deer and of an high price; but if your Significator be weak and retrograde, judge the contrary.

Dorotheus with others ſay to know the price of things, look what Planets you find at the Sun his ingreſs into Aries Oriental, and judge ſuch things ſignified by him, and the ſign wherein he is ſhall be deer; and that thoſe that are under the ſignification of thoſe that are Occidental and the ſigns wherein they are, ſhall be cheap; In like manner have regard to every Planet, and ſee which of them is ſtrong and free from all impediment, and judge ſuch things as are ſignified by him and the ſign wherein he is, ſhall be deer, and on the contrary they ſhall be cheap whoſe Significators are weak, combuſt, cadent, under the Sun-beams and Retrograde, &c. and ſo alſo according to their mean betwixt thoſe two extreams judge of the buſineſs when they are not altogether ſo ſtrong, nor altogether ſo weak; and truly this is very rational and for the generality may paſs current, yet mayeſt thou follow which moſt pleaſeth thy fancy, but I would recommend this unto thee.

Abrahamus Judaeus ſaith, If Saturn in any Revolution or other time be not in any of the angles, ſuch things as are edible and moſt beneficial and uſeful for man ſhall be cheap; but if he be therein, judge the contrary, eſpecially if he be ſtrong and have dignity therein, for then he ſhall denote grievous penury and want, things ſhall be ſo deer.

Meſſehalah ſaith, have reſpect unto the Lord of the Aſcendent and the Moon, and if the ſtrongeſt of them apply to any Planet in the Aſcendent or Mid-heaven, judge the price of proviſions neceſſary for the uſe of man to be high; and if it apply to any Planet in the ſeventh houſe the price ſhall be indifferent; but if to a Planet in the fourth, received or the Lord of the Aſcendent, its Diſpoſitor, or the Moon received by him, it ſhall be high; but if they or either of them apply to a Planet in a cadent houſe not receiving him, proviſion ſhall be ſo bad it will hardly be ſold; but if they do receive him, they ſhall be deer.

Haly ſaith, have regard to the Lord of the Year who if he be going to Retrogradation or be Deſcending in his circle, or be in the lower part of his Epicycle, he ſignifieth things ſhall be cheap and of a low price that are of the nature of the ſign wherein he is; ſo likewiſe if the Moon be either in the Revolution of the year, quarter or moneth decreaſing in light and motion, or applying to a Retrograde or weak Planet, ſhe ſignifieth the ſame.

But as touching the cheapneſs and dearneſs of any thing, have regard to the Ingreſs of the Sun into Aries, or any other quarter (if it be ſo that ſo many figures are to be made) and therein diligently conſider the ſtate and condition of the Planet and Sign ſignifying that concerning which you would require judgement, and according to his ſtrength and debility judge; for if ſtrong, the things will be deer and of an high price or value; and if weak, judge the contrary.

Some of the Antients have alſo taught that for monethly obſervations in this matter we have regard to the Conjunction of the Luminaries, and Haly ſaith that we ought in every year to have regard whither Saturn or Jupiter enter the ſign of the Kingdom, Nation or Countrey for which you erect your Figure, and from their then places, ſtrengths and debilities we are to judge; for that if the Planets are unfortunate in theſe places, it ſignifies things ſhall be cheap; but if they be there fortunated and ſtrong, judge the contrary.

Moreover you are to take notice that every Planet in his Exaltation or elevated in his Epicycle whether he have dignity in the Aſcendent or no, ſignifieth things ſhall be deer that are of the nature of that Planet and the Sign wherein he is; and therefore I ſay again it is moſt requiſite you be throughly acquainted with the ſignifications of the Planets and Signs taught you in the ſecond Book.

CHAP. IX. Containing ſome Inſtructions touching the alteration of the Ayr and change of weather in any Year.

MUch pains and diligent obſervation is required for the delivering rules infallible in this matter, I mean for theſe Regions and parts of the Earth wherein we live being Iſlands; but doubtleſs the Antients did ſufficiently treat hereof; neither is the validity and certainty of their rules which they have left to poſterity to be queſtioned; for ſuch is the reaſon they carry with them, that queſtionleſs they were moſt authentick and ſeldom or never admitted of correction in thoſe parts of the Continent wherein they lived; and perhaps in theſe parts alſo with a little amendment they may be made infallible, wherefore I ſhall here do my utmoſt endevour to deliver them unto thee, and perhaps hereafter according as I ſhall have life, liberty and leiſure afforded me, I may give you them more ſhort, compendious and efficacious: For I muſt confeſs the preſent Philoſophers of this our age are more to ſeek in their judgements of weather then in any one thing whatſoever and do ofteneſt therein deviate from truth.

^[1295]In the judging then of theſe matters have regard unto the figure of the Sun his ingreſs into Aries, for the general judgement thereof for the whole year, if no more Figures are to be erected; but if two, or four, (as you have heard in the 1. Chapter of this Treatiſe) you are to have reſpect unto them, to know the ſtate of the weather quarterly and half-yearly, but you are alſo to remember you join in judgement with them the figures at the time of the Preventional Conjunction and Oppoſition of the Luminaries; and if you would judge of the alteration of the ayr for every moneth, you may have regard to the figure of Heaven at the time of every Conjunction of the Luminaries; as alſo to every Square and Oppoſition if you would predict of every week.

^[1296]When you would judge of any of theſe times, have regard unto the degree aſcending of the figure, whither it be for the year, half year or quarter, and the places of the Conjunction and Oppoſition preceding, and ſee in what manſion of the Moon theſe places fall, viz. whether in a dry, moiſt, cold or temperate manſion (the which you are taught in the 1. Sect. and 3. Chapter of the third Book of this Volume being our Introduction to Elections) and whither the Lord of the Manſion have any Aſpect to the Conjunction, Oppoſition, Aſcendent of the Revolution, or Lords thereof; and of what nature, temper and quality he is, and the manſion he is in. and accordingly judge of the ſtate of the weather, he being the general and chief Significator, eſpecially if he be Almuten of the Aſcendent, for he ſhall (as ſaith Ptolomy) be Significator though he doth not behold their Conjunction or Oppoſition, but if any other doth, you muſt join him in judgement with him.

Have regard alſo to the fixed ſtars of the firſt, ſecond, third and fourth Magnitudes, riſing, culminating and ſetting; and ſee how they are aſpected by the Significator, and ſee whither any of them be in Conjunction with him; conſider their nature and manſion they are in; alſo have regard to the nature and quality of the Lord of the place of any great Conjunction, or Eclipſe of any of the Luminaries; and to what Planets or fixed Stars they apply, as alſo the Moon after her Conjunction and Oppoſition with the Sun, and as you finde it requiſite, having regard to the major teſtimonies, judge of the nature, quality and temper of the weather.

If your Significator be free from impediment, ſtrong, no wiſe beheld by any of the Planets, nor he in Conjunction nor applying by Aſpect to any of them, nor to any notable fixed ſtar, you ſhall judge the quality and nature of the weather from his bare ſignification; but if any Planet be in Configuration with him, or he with any Planet or fixed ſtar, you are to judge according to the nature of your Significator, and the nature of the Planet or fixed ſtar in Conjunction or other Configura[•]ion with him by making a rational and judicious commixture, and this ſhall happen at that time, and on thoſe dayes wherein you finde them in Conjunction or Aſpect.

As if Saturn be chief Significator of weather in an Angle no wiſe impedited nor applying to any other Planet, nor any to him, he ſhews temperate ſhowers and ſeaſons, dark clowds over-ſpreading the sky, eſpecially if he be in a temperate Manſion; but if it be a cold Manſion, the weather will incline to cold; if a moiſt, to moiſture: But if he be impedited or ill aſpected he ſhall ſignifie ſtorms, tempeſts, hail, rain, winde, thunder, and dark clowds, eſpecially if he be then malevolently aſpected of Venus or Mercury out of an Angle and in a moiſt Manſion; of Jupiter, windes, rain and thick clowds; of Mars, yellow clowds, lightning, thunder and rain in places and time convenient; of the Sun, red clowds, winde and great rain, alſo in Summer thunder and lightning; according to the nature of the Signs, Manſions, and Places of the Heavens their Conjunction or Aſpects are: But you muſt know the Sun or Moon are never aſſigned chief Dominion in any Figure concerning weather, becauſe they are general Significators of times and ſeaſons; as the Sun of the Year, and its parts, viz. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, by his Ingreſs into the Equinoctials and Propicks; the Moon of the moneths and weeks by her Conjunction, Square and Oppoſition to the Sun, &c.

Your chief Significator being Oriental, will work his effects chiefly towards the latter end of the Year; if Occidental, towards the beginning.

Moreover you are to have regard that you may be the better enabled to your work, to the nature of of the ſign aſcending at any Lunation, time, or quarter of the year, the Planet Lord thereof, and the nature of thoſe Planets located in the Aſcendent, or in any Configuration thereof, and in what Manſions all theſe are, as alſo the Planets in Conjunction or Aſpect of the Moon; ſee alſo from what houſe ſhe is beheld, or in what houſe corporally joined to any, and according to the major teſtimonies judge, if wet, wet; if dry, dry; &c. and if the teſtimonies be equal, judge an indifferency.

Conſider alſo the Angle the Moon is next to enter into; for if moſt Planets are therein located, or caſt their Aſpects to the Cuſpe thereof, or are therein accompanyed with the moſt notable fixed Stars, it is a ſure teſtimony of rain, and that general throughout the whole Region; eſpecially if the Lord of the Aſcendent be in that Angle and chief Significator; alſo if the ſign aſcending belong to the Dominion of Saturn, Venus or the Moon, or if they be in the Aſcendent, or behold it with any Aſpect, it prenotes alſo rain and a moiſt ayr and weather; Alſo if a Retrograde Planet (eſpecially if it be one of the Superiours) be with the Opener of gates, alſo when Venus is in any Configuration of the Sun, eſpecially Square Oppoſition or Conjunction, in ſeaſons convenient.

See alſo you have an eſpecial regard to Mercury; for as ſoon as he changeth his habitude either in the Zodiack, or in his Orb though never ſo little, the ayr and weather is altered; obſerve alſo to what Planet he is joined either by Body or Aſpect in the opening of gates; for if it be Saturn, he cauſeth fierce blaſts, darkneſs of the ayr and rain; If Venus, clowds and ſhowes in times and places convenient, and ſo of the reſt.

It is alſo an approved rule, that when Saturn goeth out of one ſign of the Zodiack into another, the ayr and weather doth immediately alter, let it be at what time of the year it will, and ſometimes cauſeth thunder and lightning, and very tempeſtuous ſtormy weather: Alſo when the Moon after any Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of the Sun applyeth to the chief Significator, or to the degree aſcending at the time of the ſame Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition, the weather will he diſpoſed according to the nature of the Significator in the Figure.

^[1297]Opening of gates is when a Planet applyeth to another who ruleth the ſign oppoſite to his houſe, or when another Planet ſepareteth from any and applyes immediately to another that hath Dominion by houſe in the ſigns oppoſite to thoſe ruled by the Planet from whom he laſt ſeparated; as for example, If the Sun apply by any Aſpect or Conjunction of Saturn, it is an opening of Gates (or windowes as it is termed by Moſes in the 7. of Gen. 11.) becauſe Aquaries which is a houſe or Sign under the Dominion of Saturn, is oppoſite to Leo, which is the houſe of the Sun; ſo likewiſe if any other Planet ſhould ſeparate from the Sun and immediately apply next to Saturn, or ſeparate from Saturn and apply to the Sun, it is alſo an Opener of Gates; becauſe that Planet transferreth the light and nature of the Planet with whom it was laſt joined either by Body or Aſpect to the Planet it next applies unto, and ſo cauſeth an alteration of the ayr, as rain ever followeth upon Opening of Gates.

Now you may ſoon know the Opening of Gates in all the other Planets, by having regard to the houſes and ſigns appropriated to each Planet, as you have been taught in the 8 Chapter of our Introduction to the judgement of the STARS; But if you pleaſe you may have regard to this following direction.

Any of theſe four applying to a ☌. ⚹. □. △. or ☍.

• ♃
• ♂
• ☉ ☽

Of theſe three oppoſite unto them, or they to theſe, or any Planet, tranſlating the light of each to the other,

• ☿
• ♀
• ♄

Is an opening of Gates, for that their Houſes are oppoſite the one to the other, viz.

♃ rules ♐ and ♓; ☿, ♊ and ♍; ♂, ♈ and ♏ ♀, ♎ and ♉; ☉, ♌; ☽, ♋; ♄, ♒ and ♑ according as you may ſee them places.

So that the Planet from whom any Planet ſeparteth, openeth the Gates of the other to whom he applyes; as if from Jupiter to Mercury, or they be in each others Aſpect, they raiſe fierce North windes; If Mars and Venus, according to the ſeaſon and place and ſigns they are in they ſhall denote rain, hail, ſnow and thunder; If the Sun and Saturn, dark ayr, many clouds and much wet, &c.

CHAP. X. Shewing how to judge of the weather by the Aſpects of the Moon to the other Planets, and by the ſeveral Aſpects of the Planets amongſt themſelves.

^[1298] EVer remember you be wary in pronouncing judgement touching weather and the alteration of the ayr; for in ſome places and Regions rain is more natural and uſual then in others, and again [which is wonderful] rain is never ſeen in Egypt which is watred with the overflowing of the River Nilus onely; and therefore let your judgements be framed according to diſcretion, conſidering the nature and quality of the Climate concerning which thou art to judge.

^[1299]The Moon in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Saturn in moiſt ſigns ſignifies cloudy weather, cold, and moiſt ayr that day, and ſo according to the nature of the ſign judge; and if ſhe ſeparate from Saturn and apply to the Sun by any Aſpect or Conjunction, the weather will be tempeſtuous, and very hard and uncomfortable.

If ſhe be in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Jupiter either in Aries or Scorp ſhe denotes fair weather and white clowds; with Mars in watry ſigns promiſeth rain; in fiëry, divers coloured clowds throughout the whole heaven; In Summer often thunder. With the Sun in moiſt ſigns denotes rain, eſpecially if ſhe immediately after apply to Saturn; In aiëry ſigns and applying to Jupiter afterwards denotes a temperate ayr and moderate weather; In fiëry and applying to Mars, hot and dry weather and much lightning; If the Moon be in like manner in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Venus, rain is threatned, eſpecially if they be in moiſt ſigns; with Mercury if ſhe be ſo beheld, or he ſo aſpected by her, ſignifieth rain alſo and winde, and that the more if ſhe then go to any Aſpect of Jupiter, or from Venus to Mars, becauſe theſe are Openers of Gates as you have heard.

^[1300]Thus much of the Malevolent Aſpects of the Moon with the other ſix Planets; now it reſteth, we ſee alſo what may be predicted touching the alteration of the ayr when the Planets are mutually aſpected the one by the other.

Saturn then in Conjunction of Jupiter, in fiëry ſigns ſignifies a great drought; In watry, floods, continual rain, alſo inundations and overflowings of water; In aiëry ſigns plenty of wind; In earthy, Earth-quakes and the fall of Houſes and eradication of trees; judge alſo the ſame when they are in a malitious Square or Oppoſition, &c.

Saturn in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Mars in watry ſigns,^[1301] denotes rain in Winter, Autumn and Summer, as alſo in Summer oftentimes thunder and lightning, eſpecially if in fiëry ſigns; but in Autumn and Winter windy dry weather, as alſo in the Spring; And in aiëry ſigns both Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, promiſeth great windes and ſometimes rain.

Saturn in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of the Sun, in the Spring denotes cold rain or hail, in Summer much rain, thunder and lightning according to the nature of the ſign; In Autumn tempeſtuous ſtormy weather; and in winter, grievous cold, and ſnowy ſlabby weather.

Saturn in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Venus, promiſeth in the Spring rain and cold, in Summer ſudden cold, in Autumn much rain, and in Winter rain and ſnow, eſpeciall if in theſe times the ſign be watry; but if otherwiſe, judge according to diſcretion and the nature thereof.

Saturn in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Mercury, ſignifieth windes and rain in the Spring, eſpecially in watry and aiery ſigns, as alſo in Summer winde and ſhowres; but if they be in fiery ſigns, thunder, lightning and rain; In Autumn winde and cold, according to the nature of the ſign, and in Winter cold and ſnow.

Jupiter in like manner in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Mars, ^[1302] Spring to be windy and tempeſtuous; a thundering and lightning Summer; rain and ſtorms in Autumn; and in Winter cold ſnows and ſharp windes according to the nature of the ſign.

Jupiter in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of the Sun in the Spring ſignifieth high windes, in Summer thunder and lightning; and in Autumn vehement windes, and very dry, cold, froſty weather in Winter; for the moſt part they ſignifie thus in every ſign.

Jupiter in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Venus, ſhews a temperate ayr according to the nature of the ſeaſon all the year long; yet if they be in watery ſigns they will incline ſomewhat to miſling ſhowers.

Jupiter in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Mercury, denotes great and vehement windes in every quarter they are ſo aſpected if in aiery ſigns; In watry, rain; In fiery, thunder and lightning, but of no great continuance.

♂ in ☌, □ or ☍ of ☉, in fiery ſigns promiſeth drought in Summer, in the Spring a dry ayr, alſo in Autumn and in Winter froſt; in watry ſigns, ſhewers in the Spring; Summer, thunder and rain; and in Autumn, ſhewers; in Winter rain and cold.

♂ in ☌, □ or ☍ of ♀, in the Spring cauſeth ſudden great and violent rains; Tempeſts in Autumn, and in Summer: but if in fiery ſigns or in each others houſe great thunders and lightnings.

♂ in ☌, □ or ☍ with ☿, in fiery ſigns, cauſeth heat and drought in Summer; rain in watry ſigns, and ſometimes thunder and lightnings; in Autumn and Winter ſudden great windes, alſo cold in Winter.

^[1303]☉ in ☌ of ♀, in the Spring cauſeth rain, in Summer thunder, tempeſts and rain; in Autumn, ſhewers and winde; and in Winter, much moiſture in □ or ☍ of ♀, he can never be.

☉ in ☌ of ☿, denotes windes and moiſture, eſpecially in watry and aiery ſigns, but in fiery a ſerene ayr in Summer, and froſt in Winter; in □ or ☍ he can never be neither [•], by reaſon of his proximity, as you have heard in the 2 Book, Chap. 6.

^[1304]♀ in ☌ of ☿, Rain in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn, as alſo ſnow in Winter and ſudden high windes, alſo in Summer they raiſe ſtorms and tempeſts; judge alſo the ſame in every one being in ⚹ or △ as you have heard of theſe Aſpects, but you muſt know they are not altogether ſo bad.

CHAP. XI. Demonſtrating the alteration of the Ayr by the Combuſtion, Orientality and Occidentality of the Planets in every of the 12 Signs.

SAturn in ♈ Combuſt, denotes a dark, obſcure, cloudy, miſty ayr; Orientall, fair weather; Occidental, great and vehement winde.

In ♉ Combuſt, cauſeth thick clouds; Oriental, Thunder; Occidental a turbulent ayr.

In ♊ Combuſt and Occidental, drought; Oriental, fair windy weather.

In ♌ Combuſt and Occidental, dark ayr, fogs, miſts and troubleſome weather; Oriental, ſomewhat calmer.

In ♌ Combuſt, Oriental or Occidental, cauſeth rain and miſling at the beſt, and ſometimes thunder.

In ♍ Combuſt maketh an infectious ayr; and turbulent if Occidental; but Oriental, it will not be ſo bad.

In ♎ Combuſt cauſeth a defect in the ſight of men and women; Oriental, winds; Occidental, whirlewindes and a turbulent ayr.

In ♏ Combuſt, cold ayr; Occidental, froſts; Oriental, cold North windes.

In ♐ Combuſt and Occidental, a cold rainy ayr; Oriental, cold and froſt.

In ♑ Combuſt, denotes a dark obſcure ayr with South windes; Occidental, cold; Oriental, North windes.

In ♒ Combuſt, cold ayr; Occidental, tempeſts; Oriental, rain.

In ♓ Combuſt, clouds; Occidental, rain; Oriental, a more temperate ayr.

♃ in ♈ Combuſt is a token of rain; being Occidental he cauſeth clouds; and Orital, fair weather.

In ♉ Combuſt, indifferent weather; Occidental, pleaſant ſhewers; Oriental, cloſe calm weather.

In ♊ Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, fair temperate weather.

In ♋ Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, brings a calm and pleaſant ayr.

In Leo Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, pleaſant windes.

In Virgo Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, cauſeth weather fit for the production of ſeed and the fruits of the Earth.

In Libra Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, indifferent weather.

In Scorpio Combuſt, rain; Occidental, bitter weather; Oriental, more temperate.

In Sagittary Combuſt, much rain; Occidental, worſe weather; Oriental, better.

In Capricorn Combuſt, moiſt ayr; Occidental, it is worſe; Oriental, better.

In Aquaries Combuſt and Occidental, rain; Oriental, fair.

In Piſces Combuſt, Occidental and Oriental, calm windes.

Mars in Aries Combuſt and Occidental, bad weather; Oriental, the contrary.^[1305]

In Taurus Combuſt, a quiet ayr; Occidental, ſtormy; Oriental, windy.

In Gemini Combuſt and Occidental, heat; Oriental, ſomewhat more temperate.

In Cancer Combuſt and Occidental, great heat; Oriental, not ſo violent.

In Leo Combuſt, and Occidental, drought; Oriental, not altogether ſo dry.

In Virgo Combuſt, Occidental and Oriental, ſignifieth the ſame as you have heard of Saturn.

In Libra Combuſt, cauſeth moiſture; Occidental, high windes; Oriental, more temperate.

In Scorpio Combuſt, moiſture; Occidental, ſtorms; Oriental, gales of winde.

In Sagittary Combuſt, drought; Occidental, the ſame; but Oriental, it will not be ſo very dry.

In Capricorn Combuſt, clowdy; Occidental, ſome heat; Oriental, more temperate.

In Aquaries Combuſt, drought; Occidental and Oriental, plenty of windes.

In Piſces Combuſt and Occidental, drought; Oriental, thunder and lightning.

The Sun now ſhould follow in order,^[1306] but he (as you have heard before) can never be either Combuſt, Oriental or Occidental, the Planets being thus termed in reſpect of him: beſides you have been alſo ſhewn that neither the Sun nor Moon are to be admitted chief Rulers in any Scheme, becauſe they are general ſignificators of times and ſeaſons; therefore let us now have regard unto the ſignifications of Venus, when ſhe is either Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental in any of the ſigns of the Zodiac.

Venus in Aries Combuſt and Occidental, cauſeth moiſture and great windes;^[1307] Oriental, thunders and rains.

In Taurus Combuſt, thunders; Occidental, fair▪ Oriental, pleaſant weather.

In Gemini Combuſt and Occidental, winde; Oriental, a calmer ayr.

In Cancer Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, a quiet calm time.

In Leo Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, drought.

In Virgo Combuſt and Occidental, drought; Oriental, the contrary.

In Libra Combuſt, moiſt ayr; Occidentall, rain; Oriental, fair.

In Scorpio Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, rain.

In Sagittary Combuſt, rain; Occidental, winde and cold; Oriental, not ſo bad.

In Capricorn Combuſt, cold ayr; Occidental and Oriental, rain.

In Aquaries Combuſt, clowdy; Occidental, hot; Oriental, rain.

In Piſces Combuſt; cold; Occidental and Oriental, diſpoſed to ſnow.

Mercury in Aries Combuſt, promiſeth tempeſts; Occidental and Oriental,^[1308] fair windy weather.

In Taurus thunder, and ſtorms being Combuſt; Occidental and Oriental, a clowdy dark muddy ayr.

In Gemini Combuſt and Occidental, winde; Oriental, temperate ayr and ſmall guſts of winde.

In Cancer Combuſt and Occidental, tempeſtuous ſtormy weather; Oriental, calmer.

In Leo combuſt, Occidental and Oriental, winde.

In Virgo Combuſt, drought and often tempeſts; ſo alſo when Occidental; but when Oriental, the contrary.

In Libra Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, windes.

In Scorpro Combuſt and Occidental, raging weather, chiefly Oriental.

In Sagitary Combuſt and Occidental, rain▪ Oriental, clear ayr.

In Capricorn Combuſt, Occidental and Oriental, rain.

In Aquaries Combuſt, ſnow; Occidental, more cold; Oriental, rain.

In Piſces Combuſt, Occidental or Oriental, moiſt ayr.

CHAP. XII. Containing further Inſtructions touching the alteration of the Ayr, from the application of the Moon to the other Planets, having ſeparated from the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun.

ENdeavour thou but to underſtand this Chapter well, and thou ſhalt be ſufficiently furniſhed with ability to judge of the weather for every moneth; In the ninth Chapter of this Book, you have heard that the Planet the Moon next applyes unto after her Conjunction and Oppoſition with the Sun is eſpecially to be regarded for the exact judging of the ſtate of the weather; wherefore I thought good for thy better Inſtruction to inſert this Chapter, which teacheth largely how to judge by her application unto any other Planet (after her aforeſaid Configurations with the Sun) of the mutation or alteration of the ayr.

Becauſe Saturn is the higeſt of all the Planets (as you have heard) and therefore we have ſtill began with him in all the progreſs of this our labour, we ſhall here alſo follow the ſame method, and ſhew what is to be expected when ſhe ſeparates from the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun and applyes next unto Saturn, and then to Jupiter, and ſo in order of the reſt.

Having erected your figure then for the Conjunction, (if that be your time) or for the Oppoſition of the Luminaries if you are to conſider that, have regard to the place of the Conjunction or Oppoſition, the nature of the ſigns and Manſions they are in, and the Square Aſpects of the Malevolents unto theſe places, and accordingly judge; judge the time when the effect will be manifeſted from the number of degrees they want of the Partil Aſpect, and the nature of the ſigns, fixed, common, or moveable, and ſo according to reaſon judge dayes or houres; but if your Significators or the Moon be ſwift of motion, it will be the ſooner; if ſlow, the contrary, &c.

^[1309]If the Moon after her bodily Conjunction or Oppoſite Aſpect with the Sun do immediately next apply unto Saturn in moiſt ſigns and manſions, let it be by what Aſpect it will, rain ſhall follow in ſome meaſure, more abundantly if ſhe apply by Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition; not ſo much if by Sextile; and if by Trine, yet there will be miſlings, and dark clowdy obſcure ayr, &c. Remember according to the nature of the ſigns, aſpects and manſions to pronounce judgement: But if Saturn be then in a fiery ſign and a dry Manſion, and the Moon alſo ſo poſited, there ſhall rather be a turbulent, dark, obſcure ayr then rain.

^[1310]On the contrary, if ſhe then apply next unto Jupiter although ſhe and he both be in moiſt ſignes and manſions yet ſhall they denote onely ſweet ſhowers and moderate dews and the like, but in other ſignes and manſions hardly any rain at all; how ever it will be but very moderate, ſeaſonable and pleaſant if there be any, which ſometimes (as other cauſes may concur) perhaps may be; But if either Venus or Mercury, or both do then caſt their beams unto either the Moon or Jupiter or both, there will happen rain in ſome meaſure; judge the quality from the natu[•]e of the manſions and nature of the ſigns they are in; as if moiſt, then it will be the more wet; if dry, the leſs; if in ſigns aiery, windes and ſhowers by fits; but ſeldome is any rain or weather produced or occaſioned by Jupiter that is deſtructive or unſeaſonable, but it is ſtill moderate, temperate and wholſome.

Again if the Moon apply next unto Mars after her Conjunction or Oppoſition with the Sun, and Saturn be then alſo in any Aſpect with her or Mars, ^[1311] or with the Sun, rain is threatned, and that immoderate if they are in moiſt ſigns and manſions, and if in temperate, and yet the Moon be in a moiſt ſign and manſion, it ſhall denote rain though not ſo much; but if ſhe be in a moiſt ſign and manſion and they in a dry, there ſhall be but very little wet; but if Venus do then. Aſpect Mars alſo, you ſhall judge the contrary, that there ſhall be much rain, and if it be in ſummer, thunder and lightning with all.

^[1312]Alſo if at the time of the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Luminaries you finde them in Aſpect with none of the Planets nor any with them, judge it will be fair weather and little or no rain; but if Saturn or Mars, eſpecially Saturn behold either of them, or any other Planet in a moiſt ſign and manſion, eſpecially from an Angle and the Sun then Peregrine, much rain ſhall follow, and ſo on the contrary judge.

^[1313]To Venus if in aiery or watry ſigns and moiſt manſions, without doubt rain will thereon follow, (but it will not be ſo much, if the ſigns be aiery) eſpecially if they or either of them be beheld of either Saturn or Mars; but it will be infallibly true if then they be beheld of both Saturn and Mars, eſpecially if Saturn behold the Moon, and Mars Venus, becauſe theſe are Openers of Gates as you have heard; but you muſt note the rain will not be ſo great, if but one of them behold the Moon and Venus or either of them: But if Jupiter behold them in like manner, judge there will be no rain, but contrariwiſe fair weather, or at leaſt ſuch moderate, gentle ſhowers as ſhall be very ſeaſonable and acceptable; and if Venus be free from impediment, when ſhe is thus aſpected of the Moon, and fortunate, and not in moiſt ſigns nor manſions, there ſhall not be any rain on their then Configuration, whether it be Conjunction or Aſpect, but clowds and dews.

^[1314]And if ſhe immediately apply to Mercury and they be in moiſt ſigns and manſions, there ſhall be continual rain and that dayly, eſpecially if Saturn and Mars doe then behold them; alſo if Venus have then any dignity in the place of the Conjunction or Aſpect of the Moon and Mercury, there ſhall be unuſual wet weather; ſo likewiſe if (when the Sun and the Moon are in Conjunction) Mercury be alſo in the ſame degree with them in a moiſt ſign and and manſion and apply to Venus; And if you finde theſe Configurations in other manſions and ſigns, you ſhall alſo judge wet weather is threatned, but not ſo abundantly: And if Mercury and the Moon be alone in Conjunction or Aſpect, dews and gentle ſhowers are moſt commonly produced; but if Jupiter behold them when they are in Conjunction, or Mercury at any time, he ſhall cauſe much rain and windes according to the nature of the ſigns and manſions; and thus much ſhall ſuffice to be ſaid of the Moon her application of the other Planets, having been immediately before in Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun; I know the Antients have been more large, but I queſtion whither all their rules will be agreeable to the nature of the Climate wherein we live; wherefore if what hath been already delivered unto thee, and what is beneath on this particular further ſaid, be not infallible rules for the judgeing of weather as I ſaid before, being very intricate, eſpecially in Iſlands, I ſhall deſire thee lovingly to accept of my weak indeavours and well wiſhes to the propagation of this Divine Science, and alſo to ſtudy (by a diligent obſervation and trial of theſe rules and others thou ſhalt in thy practiſe find out) to perfect ſome rules which may exactly and infallibly point out unto us the true ſtate of the weather in any quarter of the year, or day in any quarter.

CHAP. XIII. Teaching by other Rules how to judge of the alteration of the Ayr, and to know when Rain is to be expected.

YOu muſt ſtill remember to erect your Figure for the exact time for which you require judgement, and place the Planets therein being (reduced to the time of the day) and ſee what Planets are then in Conjunction or Aſpect with the Sun and Moon, eſpecially if the figure be made at any Lunation, for if it be Jupiter or Venus and they corporally joined to the Sun and Moon, or Jupiter in a Sextile or Trine of them, and they be then free from the Conjunction and Aſpect of all the Malevolents, neither apply unto them after their ſeparation from Jupiter, it is an aſſured teſtimony of fair weather; but if Jupiter behold them by a Square or Oppoſition; and they free alſo from the Malevolent Configurations of the Infortunes (as hath been ſaid) he ſhall denote gentle pleaſant ſhewers. But if any of the Malevolent Planets, eſpecially Saturn be in Aſpect with them, or Conjunction, although by Sextile or Trine, or they apply unto him after their Conjunction, eſpecially if by Square or Oppoſition, rain ſhall inevitably follow, for it is the natural property of the Malevolents to diſturb and thicken the Ayr with offenſive groſs vapours, as it is the diſpoſition of the fortunes to diſperſe them and clear the ayr thereof, reſiſting the quality of the Malevolents.

Now you muſt know, that although Venus be one of the fortunes, yet doth ſhe by reaſon of her moiſt nature diſpoſe the ayr and weather to moiſture, eſpecially if ſhe be in any Configuration with the Sun in moiſt ſigns and manſions, or have any commixture or participation with the malevolents, but yet ſhe ſeldome ſends noiſome or unſeaſonable wet weather, unleſs, when ſhe participates with the infortunes ſhe be then alſo very weak and afflicted, for then ſhe is not able to leſſen their malicious influence.

If the Sun be in the South part of heaven and Venus under his beams, and the Moon be then in Conjunction with either of them, eſpecially with Venus, or applying unto her by any Aſpect, you ſhall aſſuredly judge when that Configuration is, viz. that very day and hour there ſhall be rain and ſhewers, and if then Mercury alſo be in the ſame part of Heaven applying to the Moon by Conjunction or Aſpect, it ſhall prenote rain, eſpecially if the Moon be in Scorpio: ſo alſo if Mars and Venus be in Conjunction, eſpecially alſo in Scorpio; and when the Sun is in Aquaries and the Moon applying by Oppoſition unto him, and Venus be alſo placed as aforeſaid, you ſhall judge rain at that very hour, ſo alſo when Mars applyes at that time to either the Sun or Venus, and the Moon in Square or Oppoſition of the Sun, and when Venus applyes unto the Sun, and Mercury then alſo in Conjunction with her or ſhe with him, rain is to he expected at that very inſtant; again, if the Sun be in Libra, and Venus in Sagittarius in the ſame number of degrees, and the Moon applying, eſpecially to Venus, that very day and hour you may predict rain; alſo when the Sun is either in Aries or Aquaries and the Moon in Oppoſition unto him many ſhewers follow in that day from the hour of their Oppoſition; judge the ſame if the Moon be in Sagitary, yet Leo is a cauſe of more ſhewers a great deal; alſo if the aforeſaid Configurations be out of the houſes of Mars and Venus, judge the ſame, viz. wet-weather, alſo thunder, lightning, rain in great drops, and ſometimes hail: Again, if the Sun be in Aries or Piſces, and the Moon in Libra or Virgo, or Sagittary, there ſhall be ſhewers in that hour wherein they come to a Partil Oppoſition or Square; In like manner if Venus and Mercury in any of the aforeſaid places behold the Sun out of Leo, and the Moon apply alſo then unto him, eſpecially if ſhe be in Leo, it ſignifies many flaſhes of lightning and thunder, yet little or no rain, eſpecially if they are in Partil Conjunction or Aſpect; alſo if the Sun be in Aries, Leo, Libra, Scorpio or Aquaries, and the Moon in a right diameter joined unto him by Conjunction or Aſpect, or to Venus by Oppoſition from either Aries or Libra, it denotes after rain many flaſhes of lightning and thunder: Laſtly, if the Sun or the Moon be in Piſces no wiſe upheld or aſpected of the fortunes, and Mars do then behold them with a Square or Oppoſition, it ſhews there will follow much rain, thunder and flaſhes of lightning.

But you are here to note that there are ſome places of the Zodiack called Places of rain, and again others which are not altogether ſo effectual; thoſe which moſt conduce and incline to rain, are Cancer, Leo, Capricorn and Aquaries, for if the Moon be in any of them and corporally joined to Venus, or by any Aſpect doth participate of her nature, and their beams touch each other within one degree either before or after the Partil Conjunction, or Aſpect, eſpecially if the Aſpect be a Square or Oppoſition, there ſhall follow many ſhewers, but you are to take notice that the firſt 15 degrees of Capricorn is leſs effectual, or conduceth leaſt to rain of any of the other, and the laſt fifteen degrees inclines rather to cold, ſo that you are warily to judge according to diſcretion; thoſe places that are leſs effectual are the laſt term of Aries, and the ſigns Gemini, Virgo and Libra.

And here for the manifeſtation of the ſecret and admirable power and influence of the Heavens, Stars and Planets, I may juſtly reprehend ſuch as deny their influences on Sublunaries by theſe ordinary and common ſigns of rain; As,

^[1315]The unuſual crowing of the Cock, viz. at times unaccuſtomed, denotes rain: Alſo inordinate ſwelling of the Seas, Rivers, and other waters, in calm and moderate weather: The ſtraightneſs of doores and windows: The noyſe and trumpeting ſound of Peacocks: The crying of Fowles about waters: The crying and whining of Swine: The abſence of Sea and Water-fowl from the Sea, and frequenting the Land: And Land-fowle frequenting the water: The chirping of Sparrows in a morning, viz. about Sun-riſing or a little after: The ſudden motion of Beaſts out of one place into another, and their making then a noyſe: The frequent licking of their feet and hoofs; and this is very remarkable in the Cat, who ſtill before rain and tempeſtuous weather, will run up and down the houſe, turning over and over, and playing with her tail, and aſcend up by hangings, beds, or ſuch like to the roof of the room; and this ſhe will do very often together, although each time ſhe endangereth her ſelf by deſcending: Even as though (and as I indeed conceive it) ſhe were by the influence of the Heavens conſtrained to ſuch mad freakiſh actions: You may alſo obſerve that theſe creatures make a great ſtir at ſuch times in licking their feet, and rubbing their feet about their viſage and head, whence the vulgar uſually ſay at ſuch times, The Cat waſheth her face, &c. The greedy feeding of Beaſts alſo denotes rain: and their ſnuffing up the ayr with their head held up againſt the wind: The reſorting of Poultry to their rooſt being covered with duſt: The egreſſion of Worms out of the Earth: The tumbling and rubbing o[•] Dogs in the duſt: The buſie heaving of Moules: The quick pratling of the Crow: The high flight of Birds: The cloſe flying of the Swallow to the water, and the flapping of her wings therein: The buſie working of the Spider in her web: Alſo the buſineſs of the Ant with her Egges: The ſound of Bels when they are heard further then uſually: The inordinate ſweating of Stones in dry weather: The hankering of Bees about home in fair weather: The exceſſive pain of Corns and old ſores and wounds in men and women which are either very great, or not well cured: The buſineſs of Fowls in pruning themſelves, eſpecially if it be in winter. And here I would have the Reader to take notice, that unleſs they be ſeen to ſqueeſe the ſmall Puſtule (as it were) that groweth on their rump, and then anoint their feathers by ſlightly ſtroaking their bils thereon, it is no certain ſign of rain, for in their time of moultring they will prune and peck their feathers all day long; but in this Puſtule (as I may call it for the reſemblance it hath therewith) there is a certain unctious matter or oily ſubſtance wherewith they ſmooth their feathers and anoint them, be better to keep out the wet, and this thou mayeſt eaſily perceive to be true by taking a feather and pulling it aſunder with your fingers gently, and you will ſoon ſee how the beards on the edges thereof will ſtick together.

I might here inſtance many more ſuch like ordinary ſigns of the mutations of the Ayr; but ſince I deſire not to be tedious, and to the judicious and ſearchers of Nature, many ſuch like teſtimonies will be frequently offered to their conſiderations, I ſhall here deſiſt, deriding ſuch as ſhall deny by their ignorance the admirable and powerful vertues of the Heavens, Stars and Celeſtial Planets, being convinced even by theſe bruit creatures, Fowls, creeping things, and the very ſtones; wherefore ſuch muſt needs be concluded worſe, or at beſt no better then Stocks, Dolts or Aſſes.

CHAP. XIV. Shewing Haly his judgement on Weather and the alteration of the Ayr.

^[1316] WE are to judge and know the alteration and Mutation of the Ayr and Weather from the various Configurations and Poſitions of the Planets at certain times, eſpecially at the Con[•]unction and prevention of the Luminaries before the Sun his entrance into Aries, whoſe Aſcendents are chiefly to be regarded, and the places of the Conjunction and Oppoſition, alſo the places of the Luminaries in the figure at the Ingreſs of the Sun into Aries, and the places of the Planets in theſe aforeſaid Scheams.

So that if Saturn be in any of the Angles from the Aſcendent or in any of the Angles from the Lord of the Aſcendent, ſtrong and eſſentially dignified, eſpecially in the mid Heaven, he ſignifies a various and divers temper of Ayr, thick and dark clowds; and in hot weather he leſſeneth the heat, and in winter or cold weather the cold is by him augmented and increaſed; but if he be not in an Angle, the times ſhall be more ſtable and natural; alſo if Saturn be in any of the Angles from the Lord of the Aſcendent, he ſhall not work ſo forcibly his effects as when he is in any Angle from the Aſcendent it ſelf.

And if Mars be located as you have heard of Saturn, eſpecially in the mid-Heavens, the heat in Summer ſhall be increaſed and augmented, and the cold in Winter diminiſhed and abated, and the Spring and Autumn alſo ſhall incline rather to heat then cold.

If Jupiter, Venus or the Moon be ſo placed, they cauſe a temperate, good and wholeſome ayr, and cauſe every thing to grow, increaſe and fructifie well and kindely that is ſown or planted in the Earth.

Again, If Mercury be found as aforeſaid, viz. in the mid-Heaven in the figure of the Preventional Conjunction or Oppoſition, in an aiery ſign and any of the Infortunes in any of his Angles, it denotes much change of Ayr, great and high winds and very hurtful; in like manner judge the contrary if you find any of the Fortunes in any of his Angles, or he in any Angle from them, for this ſignifies the ſame as if they were in Conjunction.

Wherefore if any Planet be in an Angle or ſuccedent Houſe from the Aſcendent of the Preventional Conjunction, make him your Significator, & then ſee what commixture he hath with Saturn and Mars or either of them; for if he be in a Square of Mars or Oppoſition, or Conjunction, and Mars be in a fiery ſign, heat in Summer ſhall be augmented, and in Winter cold abated; alſo if the commixture with him be by a Sextile or Trine and Mars be in any fiery ſign, he denotes the ſame but not ſo effectually.

Alſo if its commixture be with Saturn by Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition, and Saturn be in cold, watry or earthy ſigns, the cold in Winter ſhall be increaſed and the heart in Summer diminiſhed; alſo if it be by Sextile or Trine, and Saturn be in any of the aforeſaid Signs, he ſhall alſo ſignifie the ſame, but not ſo powerfully; and if Saturn be in aiery Signs which are hot and moiſt, and the commixture with the Significator be by Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition, it ſignifieth the ayr ſhall be temperate and good, and if it be by Sextile or Trine it ſhall be the better.

Alſo if Mars have commixture with the Significator, and he be in Earthy Signs which are cold and dry, or in watery which are cold and moiſt, and it be by Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition, the ayr will be good and temperate, but if it be by Sextile or Trine, it will be much the betrer, and will more effectually produce the fruits and ſeeds of the Earth.

See alſo in the aforeſaid figure of the Conjunction you have chief regard to the Part of Air or Weather, and make it participate in judgment with your Significator; And if you finde Saturn or Mars after the ſame manner placed, and in Aſpect therewith, judge according as you have heard of the Significator.^[1317] You are to take this part from the place and degree wherein Mercury is, (if he be not in his own Houſe,) to the degree of the Lord of the Houſe wherein he is, to which you muſt yet adde the degree aſcending, and ſo project it from the Aſcendent, and there ſhall be your part where the number ends; But if Mercury be in his own Houſe, take only the Sign, [••]egree and Minute wherein he is, and by adding the Aſcendent and projecting it [•••]u ſhall finde it where your number ends: But if God ſpare me life and opportunity, I ſhall for thy benefit and the good of poſterity take ſome pains to deliver thee the manner and way of taking any Part either by night or day belonging to any of the Planets, or the Signification of any of the 12 Houſes, in a treatiſe by it ſelf, as alſo the uſes of them, &c.

To be ſhort, if you would judge of the alteration of the ayr for any quarter of the Year, erect your figures for the Sun, his ingreſs into Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn and according to the ſame method judge; if for any or every moneth, ſee when he enters the firſt Punctum of every Sign; if for any day, have regard to Pars dierum or Part of dayes which is taken from the place of the Sun to the place of Saturn, ^[1318] (or more plainly ſubſtract the place of Saturn from the place of the Sun) and adde the place of the Moon, and ſee where your number of Signs, Degrees and Minutes ends, and there ſhall be your Pars dierum, and this muſt he taken at the punctuall appearance of the Sun his ariſing above our Horizon.

Wherefore if Mercury behold this part or be corporally joined thereunto, in that day there ſhall be much winde, eſpecially if the Moon be then alſo with him, and Venus have alſo any Aſpect thereunto; for then the more aſſured will this judgement be.

There is alſo another way to judge of the Diurnal mutation of the ayr, which is to obſerve exactly the time of the Moon her entring inro the firſt point of any ſign; and having erected the figure of the Heavens for that moment ſee what Planet Aſpecteth or is located within five degrees of the Cuſpe thereof, and make him Significator of the ſtate of the weather during the time the Moon is in that ſign, and according to his ſtrength and Configurations with the other Planets judge as you have heard according to diſcretion.

^[1319]Thus have you been taught the alteration of the Ayr for any time of the Year, Moneth, Day, &c. It reſteth now you alſo know how to judge of Thunder, Lightning and Winds; And this we are to require from the Sun his ingreſs into the twenty degree and one minute of Scorpio, for the which time having erected the figure of the Heavens, and placed all the Planets therein being exactly reduced to the time of the day or night, have regard to Jupiter, Venus and Mercury, and if you finde them all Occidental or Retrograde, judge there ſhall be much rain and wet weather that year.

Look then if Mars be in any of the Angles, eſpecially in the tenth Houſe in an aiery ſign, and in any Configuration of Mercury, he ſignifies thunder, flaſhes of lightning, and tempeſtuous ſtorms of rain that year, yet ſometimes without rain, they ſignifie alſo an unwholſome ayr; but if Mars be in the fourth Houſe in an earthy ſign, and the Fortunes ſtrong and in Configuration with Mercury, it ſignifies Earth-quakes, fiery apparitions in the ayr and ſtrange ſights; alſo damage to the Mines of the Earth; but if Mars be in the fourth in a fiery ſign, it denotes an obnoxious hurtful ayr to the Earth, and feeds thereof, and the corn and fruits ſhall be ſcorched and burnt up; alſo if he be in a watry ſign in the fourth, he denotes a diminution and ſcarcity of waters and detriment to Fiſhes and ſuch as Navigate; but if the Fortunes be in Configuration with him, damage and miſchief by Thunder ſhall be leſſened but if they do no wiſe behold him, that year there will be miſchief by Thunder and Lightning.

Moreover if Saturn be there, in the ſtead of Mars, and in the tenth Houſe in an aiery ſign, and in any Aſpect of Mercury, and no wiſe aſſiſted by the Fortunes, it ſignifieth detriment in the ayr, and much hurtful rain, and that for ſome continuance; but if he be in the fourth Houſe, as hath been ſaid in an earthy ſign, and in any Configuration with Mercury, and no wiſe beheld by the Fortunes, there ſhall happen Earth-quakes, and there ſhall be much black water upon the Earth and the like; but if he be in a watry ſign in the fourth poſited as aforeſaid, and not at all helped by the Fortunes, there ſhall be a ſcarcity of waters, and all things abiding therein, whither living creatures or other things, ſhall ſuffer detriment; alſo if he be in [〈◊〉] earthy ſign placed in the ſame manner, he ſignifies damage to the Earth, and the things thereon and growing out of it: But if Mercury do not behold him by any Configuration, neither be joined bodily to him, the aforeſaid Significations ſhall not be ſo grievous, but more tolerable; and if he be beheld of the Fortunes, the miſchief will be yet leſs and leſs; and if by a Sextile or Trine, and they ſtrong eſſentially, it will be totally taken away.

Note that every Planet hath its own peculiar property;

Note.

for the ſuperiour are as Spirits, the inferiour as bodies, of which all the corruption and generation in the World hath participation, by their Configurations and Commixtions one with another according to the preordination and will of God.

Moreover the radix from which you are to judge of the alteration of the ayr, is the Aſcendent of the Conjunction or prevention of the Luminaries before the Ingreſs of the Sun into every ſign; and have regard to the Lord alſo of the Aſcendent and the Lord of the place of the Conjunction or Prevention; for if theſe places and their Lords be in moiſt ſigns and manſions, it ſignifieth wet weather ſhall follow; alſo if the Significator in chief be Occidental, Retrograde or ſlow in motion, it ſignifies rain, and ſo alſo if he be Combuſt, unleſs Mars hinder it; for he being Combuſt hindereth and prohibiteth rain; Alſo note that if the chief Significator be deſcending in Latitude or in his Epicycle, he ſignifieth rain, and ſo on the contrary if he be aſcending; Moreover note, that when rain is occaſioned by the Signification of the Infortunes, it is ſtill hurtful; if it be Saturn, he cauſeth eruptions and over-flowings of water; if Mars, he cauſeth for the moſt part extraordinary heat.

^[1320]Now if thou wouldſt know when it is moſt probable and likely to rain, according to Haly have regard unto the chief Significator of rain; for if he be in an Angle from the Aſcendent, or entring therein, judge rain at that time; as alſo to the Ingreſs of the Sun into the twentieth degree and one minute of Scorpio, and ſee what Planets ſignifying rain that year are received of him, and eſpecially of the Moon, and which he is in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition with; for upon thoſe days wherein theſe Configurations happen, rain is to be expected; but if theſe Aſpects be without reception, the rain will not be of long continuance nor very much.

Moreover if the Significator be in an Angle as hath been ſaid, and in Conjunction with the Moon, it ſignifies Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Earth-quakes, and ſuch like; but if you would know what rain is to be expected for all the year,^[1321] have regard unto Venus, Mercury and the Moon, and if you finde them all in Conjunction in Piſces at the time of the Revolution of the year, it ſignifieth rain, moiſture and many clouds that year; but if they be ſo joined in Aries or Taurus, the year ſhall be dry, and ſhall want rain.

Alſo if Venus apply to Mercury in any of his Houſes, it ſignifieth much rain, and that of continuance that year; ſo likewiſe if the Moon be in Oppoſition to either the Sun, Saturn or Venus, it ſignifieth much rain and dark clouds that year; alſo when Mercury and Venus are in one and the ſame term, there ſhall be great rain; and if it be in a moiſt ſign, and the Moon in a Sextile or Trine of them, there will be tempeſtuous ſtorms and rain, until one of them go out of the aforeſaid term: alſo at the time of the Sun his Ingreſs into Aries, if Saturn be in Square or Oppoſition of him or of the Moon, or Jupiter and Mercury, or Venus and Mars ſo poſited, much rain is to be expected in that year, eſpecially if the Aſpect be by Oppoſition, and they be in Reception by Houſe; for this is Opening of Gates or Windows, as you have heard: Alſo if Venus be before the Sun, it ſignifieth there will be many clouds that year, dews and moiſture of ayr, but little rain.

And if Venus be retrograde whileſt the Sun is in Aries or Taurus, there ſhall be much rain that year, eſpecially in the Spring; but if ſhe be Retrograde in Capricorn, Aquaries or Piſces, there ſhall not be ſo much rain in the Spring, but very much in the Winter.

Moreover when Mercury is ſtationary, in what ever ſign it be, he denotes a moiſt ayr, rain and clouds according to the ſeaſon; alſo many ſtorms and tempeſtuous ſhowers follow when Openers of Gates and the Significators of rain are placed in moiſt and watry ſigns; alſo if Venus be ſo poſited judge the ſame; alſo if Mercury be in a fiery dry ſign, and the Moon and Venus in watry and moiſt ſigns, there ſhall be temperate and moderate rain; and if Saturn behold them and he being in a cold ſign, there will be rain and ſnow and much cold with an obſcure and dark ayr.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice to be ſaid touching the judgement of the weather and alteration of the ayr by the Poſitions and Configurations of the Planets and Stars the ſecondary cauſes of all ſublunary accidents; if theſe rules in every particular hold not, endeavour thou the more to finde out the truth, and let my failings be rather an incouragement to thee to ſearch further into the ſecrets of Nature; wherefore I ſhall ſay no more on this point in this Nature, but conclude our laſt Chapter touching the alteration of the ayr with ſome particular obſervations from the aforeſaid cauſes, wh[•]ch are common and may be obſerved even by the moſt illiterate and rural Peſant that is.

CHAP. XV. Shewing how to judge of Weather from common Obſervation of the riſing and ſetting of the Sun, colour of the Moon, appearance of the Rain-bow, Comets, Clowds, Brightneſs of the fixed Stars, alſo by the prime day, and from the time of the day wherein Thunder happeneth.

IT doth no wiſe ſeem unto me unneceſſary to deliver this Chapter unto the world; although it be not altogether ſo Aſtrological as the preceding Chapters are, yet by reaſon it containeth Obſervations deduced from the Stars and other Superiour things, it cannot be abſolutely rejected as not agreeing with our diſcourſe and ſubject; beſides ſince it may very well be an help both for the plainneſs and certainty thereof, to ſuch as perhaps are not of ſufficient capacity to attain to the perfection of what we have ſet down before, I have adventured to give them to underſtand thus much.

^[1322]That when the Sun riſeth clear and bright in our Horizon, it denotes a pleaſant day; but fowl weather, if then he be overcaſt with a thin cloud; if he ſet being free from clouds, a fair night followeth; alſo being then divers coloured, his beams long and red, denotes windes the next day from that part or quarter of heaven; his beams ſpotted, green, black or pale, promiſeth rain that night; if at his ſetting there be one or more circles about him, you are to obſerve whether they are red, and here and there broken; for then he denotes vehement windes that night: if obſcured thick and black circles, it ſignifies cold windes and ſnow in Winter; many circles denote winde of what colour ſoever they are, but the more if they be red; if but one circle be about him and, and that clear and of no continuance, fair weather is to be expected; underſtand the ſame of the Moon which you have heard of the Sun, when there is circles about her; blackneſs in the Sun and Moon denotes rain; redneſs, winde; The element red in the morning, ſhews winde and rain to enſue that day; the ſame in the Evening declares the contrary; for the day following is for the moſt part then fair; and in this manner of Prognoſtication we finde the Phariſees very expert, as appears in the 16. of Matthew.

^[1323]Alſo if the Moon in the third day after the change, and the third day before the full, or in the midſt of the quarter be found of a red colour, cauſeth windes; pale and inclining to blackneſs and a muddy obſcurity, brings rain; but being bright and clear the end direct upright and free from circles promiſeth fair weather.

^[1324]Look alſo to the the time when a Rain-bow appears, and by it judge of weather thus; if it appear in fair weather, judge fowl will follow; if in fowl, fair will follow, this is the opinion of ſome, and it ſtands with very much reaſon to be true, if we look to the firſt Ordination thereof in the 9 of Gen. again if it appear in the morning rain and moiſture is thereby portended; if in the evening, fair weather.

^[1325]From Comets if we require judgment touching theſe matters, we are to know that they never appear but they bring as well great and terrible alteration in the ayr as on the earth; but of this we ſhall have more occaſion to treat anon in the next Section; wherefore here only note that they cauſe dry weather and ayr, great and high windes, eſpecially if they appear obſcure and cloudy. And their power and efficacy judge by their greatneſs, ſmalneſs, length and ſhortneſs; they cauſe alſo ſickneſs by corruption of ayr if they appear in Aiery or Earthy ſigns.

^[1326]When you ſee thick clouds and reſembling flocks gathered together in many places, they denote rain; and ſo do dark, obſcure thick clouds over the North part of Heaven declining to the Weſt; if they appear like hils and ſomewhat above the Earth, it ſhews weather over-paſſed; black clouds, promiſe rain; white clouds appearing in Winter two or three days together in the Eaſt part of Heaven, ſhews cold and ſnow.

^[1327]When the Stars ſeem to fall which we vulgarly term ſhooting of the Stars, it prenotes winde in that part; but if they ſhoot in many places, or perhaps all over the Heavens, Inordinate windes, thunder, lightnings, and very tempeſtuous weather; and when they ſeem to run along out of one place into another, it denotes winde; and that the weather ſhall alter from the temper wherein it is, if but few appear, and thoſe obſcure and cloudy; alſo if they at any time ſeem greater and brighter then uſual, it denotes winde and rain in theſe parts where you ſee ſuch Stars appear; and in Winter they preſage froſts, ſnow and cold weather; but herein unleſs thou art well acquainted with their Natural magnitudes thou mayeſt be deceived and canſt never be perfect.

^[1328]Again, you may judge of the weather by the prime day thus; if it be Monday, judge moiſt weather; Tueſday, windy and cold; Wedneſday, very cold; Thurſday, fair and clear; Friday, mixt weather; Saturday, moiſt; and Sunday, dry.

^[1329]Thunder in the Morning alſo denotes winde about Noon; in the Evening, rain and tempeſt; Thunder alſo in the Winter ſhews terrible accidents and alterations the Summer following; whence the old Proverb, A Winters Thunder is a Summers wonder; alſo when in any Summer you finde no Thunder, the Winter following will be very unhealthful and obnoxious to all creatures.

And thus much of the alteration of the ayr and change of weather; Come we now to ſhew ſome natural reaſons for ſuch things as are commonly incident amongſt us, and yet their cauſe by many unknown, and ſo haſten to conclude this Section.

CHAP. XVI. Demonſtrating the Natural cauſe of many Suns, of the Rain-bow, Rain, Hail, Froſt, Snow, Dew, Winde, Earth-quakes, Comets, Thunders, Lightnings and the cauſe of the Sun and the Moons Eclipſe.

LEaving now our Aſtrological Diſcourſe, I ſhall here a little ſtep out of the way and ſhew my Reader, who hath not waded far into the Ocean of Nature, what Hail, Snow, Dew, Winde and the Rain-bow is, and how it comes to paſs we have many Suns ſometimes viſible, and Moons; alſo what Thunder and Lightning is, and how we come to haue ſuch ſtrange and new Stars as are Comets and the like, and how the Sun and the Moon become ſometimes eclipſed or darkned, that ſo he may not be to ſeek in theſe ordinary and ſmall matters, which I believe may ſtumble ſome more then greater and higher things.

^[1330]We ſhall then in order handle each of theſe as they are ſet down in the contents, and firſt then we are to take this for an approved rule, that there never appeareth any Parelii or mock-Suns nor mock-Moons above or beneath the Sun or Moon, but on each ſide, and that neither, but at the Sun-riſing or ſetting; and they are thus occaſioned, when a thick cloud is gathered together toward the ſide of the Sun or the Moon in which the broken beams of the Sun or Moon being gathered, the very form or faſhion of the Sun or Moon, is repreſented unto us therein.

^[1331]As touching the Rain-bow, it is no more then the reflection of the Sun-beams in a cloud that turns to the contrary vapour.

^[1332]Rain is a cold vapour drawn up or exhaled by the attractive faculty of the Sun to the nether part of the middle Region of the Ayr, where being thickened through cold it falleth again to the Earth.

^[1333]Hail and Snow are the ſame, only are drawn up higher; Snow into the middle Region, and Hail into the upper, and there condenſed and congealed into the body of a cloud, and being diſpoſed by the Configurations of fit Significators deſcendeth.

^[1334]In like manner hoar froſt and dew is alſo the ſame vapour, and of the ſame nature as is rain and the reſt, only not drawn ſo high by the Sun as to keep up, but when he with draws himſelf from our Hemiſphere falleth down again, and is by the coldneſs of the Earth congealed or reſolved into water which we call dew in Summer, but in Winter by the ſharpneſs of the ayr it is congealed into froſt, and by reaſon of the hoaryneſs of it, is called Hoare froſt.

^[1335]Winde alſo is but a dry exhalation drawn up from the Earth by the heat of the Sun alſo, and diſperſed here and there; and this is the reaſon of Earth-quakes; for through the gathering together of abundance of theſe vapours in the Concaves of the Earth, and from thence violently breaking out, and the Earth cloſing again, is the Earth cauſed to ſhake or as it were tremble; and this is the fore-runner of wars for the moſt part in thoſe parts of the Earth.

^[1336]Moreover a Comet is a flame cauſed of a dry, hot, ſlimy exhalation, drawn up by the Sun to the uppermoſt part of the ayr, the which being diſperſed and broken cauſeth high windes; but more of this in the laſt Section.

^[1337]Again, Thunder is a quenching of fire in a cloud, or an exhalation hot and dry mixt with moiſture, carryed up to the middle Region, and there thickened and wraped into a cloud, where meeting with moiſture being of a contrary quality, it breaketh out the ſides of the cloud, and by this its eruption cauſeth a thundering noyſe in the ayr; and this flying out of the fire the vulgar call Lightning; the which Ariſtotle ſaith comes after Thunder; but I am of opinion they come both together, though the ſenſe of ſeeing is more ſuddenly apprehenſive of the light then the hearing is of the ſound; becauſe what is conveyed to the Eye is by a direct line, but to the Ear by an oblique; for at a diſtance we may diſcern a blow before we hear it, yet being hard by we ſhall hear it as ſoon as it is given or can be ſeen, &c.

Lightning as ſay ſome Authours, is of marvailous efficacy, and they have made mention of three ſorts, Dry, Moiſt, and Clear; the Dry doth not burn but cleaveth trees through and alſo houſes and the like; the Moiſt doth not burn neither, but altereth colour; the Clear both burneth and deſtroyeth, and is indeed the moſt dangerous of all; for it breaketh the bones, and ſword, and bruiſeth not theskin nor breaketh the ſcabbard; and melteth moneyin the purſe, and yet melteth not wax, &c.

^[1338]We are now to give the reaſon of the Eclipſing of both the Luminaries; but firſt I think it very requiſite to ſet down ſome tokens of Earth-quakes to come, which are briefly ſix; the firſt is when the Sun is obſcured and darkened without the preſence of clouds or the body of the Moon; the ſecond token that an Earth-quake is at hand, is when the Sun is as it were bloudy and coloured in ſuch a ſtrange manner; the third is when a fiery Pillar, or cloud like a pillar of fire, appears in the Heavens; the fourth is when the ayr is very quiet both at Land and Sea for a long continuance and winde abſent; the fifth when waters are ſalt and troubled, and of another taſte then uſually and naturally they are; the ſixth and laſt is when ſtrange unaccuſtomed and unuſual noiſes of exclamations of men, howlings, lamentations, and clatterings of armour are heard, and ſuch ſights ſeen in the Ayr.

^[1339]And now as touching the Eclipſe of either of the Luminaries, you are to know it is only a privation of their light; that of the Sun is occaſioned at the conjunction of the Luminaries (or more plainly at the change of the Moon) by the interpoſition of the body of the Moon betwixt the Sun and the Earth averting or turning his beams from us, and ſo the Sun becomes obſcured or darkened for that time.

^[1340]That of the Moon by the Diametrical interpoſition of the body of the Earth between the Sun and the Moon, thereby depriving her of the borrowed light ſhe receiveth of the Sun, and this is ever upon the Oppoſition of the Luminaries, or vulgarly at the Full Moon; and truly this deſect of the Luminaries would happen every change and full,^[1341] did not the Moon ſometime deviate from the Ecliptick line five degrees Northward, as alſo ſometimes again as far South-ward, and therefore cannot ſo directly meet with the Conjunction and Oppoſition of the Sun who ever moveth in the Ecliptick line or juſt under it.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Signification of the moſt notable fixed Stars both fortunate and unfortunate in any of the twelve Houſes in Revolutions of the Years of the World.

LOok into the ſecond Book of this Volume and there you ſhall have the Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of the moſt notable fixed Stars; what are leſs and more obſcure, are not ſo needful and requiſite to be recorded, ſince they are of the ſame nature as are the reſt in their conſtellation; wherefore what are there expreſſed may ſufficiently ſerve as touching thy judgment in the Stars.

I ſhall not therefore here at all rehearſe either the names or natures of any Star there expreſſed; onely I ſhall deſire thee to be very expert in the ſeveral Natures thereof, and ſo according to their ſeveral Poſitions, Conjunctions and Configurations with the Planets judge either good or bad according to the nature of thoſe Stars, Planets and Houſes of Heaven they are in.

^[1342]As if malevolent, miſchievous and unfortunate Stars, viz. ſuch as are of the nature of Saturn or Mars, or both, be upon the Cuſpe of the Aſcendent, or within five degrees thereof or with the Lord of the Aſcendent in Conjunction Partil, or within five degrees thereof, judge miſchief and damage to the people of that Nation for which your Revolution is ſet in one kinde or other; compare and weigh exactly the nature of your Significators, viz. the Stars afflicting your Aſcendent or its Lord, and you will ſoon diſcover the nature of the evill threatned; and this your own Genius muſt teach you; for all the writings in the World without it will be of little or no effect; it ſignifies alſo diſeaſes in the head, eſpecially if the ſign aſcending be Aries.

^[1343]If they be in the ſecond Houſe afflicting the Cuſpe thereof or the Lord thereof or both (as aboveſaid of the Aſcendent) judge the evill to fall in and to mens eſtates and riches, eſpecially to the common people who ſhall many of them be expoſed to poverty and want, and in ſome meaſure even the Nobles alſo and beſt of them ſhall have loſſes and croſſes in ſuch matters; it ſignifies alſo that there ſhall many maladies and infirmities in the Ears, Throat and Neck, afflict men▪ ſuch as are Impoſtumes, Catarrs and Rheumes, &c. eſpecially if the ſign of the ſecond be Taurus.

^[1344]If in the third, the evill ſhall happen to thoſe that go ſhort journies, and they ſhall be unprofitable; ſtrife, contentions and diſcords amongſt brethren, neighbors and kindred without cauſe or any occaſion given; many grievous infirmities and thoſe cheifly in the Arms, Hands, and Shoulders or Shoulder-blades, eſpecially if the ſign of the third be Gemini.

^[1345]In the fourth, (as you have heard of the Aſcendent) or in Conjunction with the Lord thereof, evill and miſchief is threatned to the Earth and its Fruits; it ſignifies alſo wars and contentions amongſt men, and one City and Place with another; alſo diſſentions and quarrels between Fathers and Children, and the end of mens actions ſhall be evill; alſo if any ſhall purchaſe Land, Houſes, or Heritages, they ſhall not finde that profit and good therein which they expected; and there ſhall be many Infirmities and diſeaſes in the Breaſts and Lungs and parts adjacent, eſpecially if the ſign be Cancer.

^[1346]Alſo in the fifth, if they or any of them be found afflicting the Cuſp thereof, or its Lord, much evill ſhall happen to Children, Parents ſhall not be ſo affectionate and careful as they ought, Women conceaved ſhall miſcarry, ſuch as are not conceaved ſhall continue unfruitful, friends alſo and loving acquaintance ſhall diſagree and claſh, and Men ſhall ſuffer detriment in and by ſuch things as they moſt delight in, and many infirmities will be incident to man alſo, eſpecially in the Back, Reins and Parts or Veſſels of Generation, and in the Stomach, cheifly if the ſign of the fifth be Leo.

^[1347]Again, if in the ſixth, &c. miſchief ſhall happen to ſmall Cattel, ſervants of both ſex; it ſignifieth alſo there ſhall be no gain or profit in Merchandizing and Trading in ſmall Cattel, and many infirmities in the Belly and Intrals, if the ſign of the ſixth be Virgo eſpecially.

^[1348]In the ſeventh or any of them in Conjunction with the Lord thereof (as you have heard, &c.) denotes wars, diſſentions amongſt great ones, alſo quarrels and diſſentions amongſt Aſſociates and Lovers, and between Man and Wife, Kings and their Subjects and Aſſociates, and they with their King or Superiours, mens hearts ſhall be hardned, neither ſhall there be any mercy or pity amongſt them, nor faith nor truth; and promiſes, tyes and proteſtations ſhall be violated and lightly eſteemed, and men ſhall not care for the uſe of their Trade. Profeſſion or Calling, but ſhall be given to looſeneſs; and it ſignifieth alſo there ſhall be many Infirmities in the Bladder, Ureters and Reins, eſpecially if the ſign of the ſeventh be Libra.

^[1349]In the eighth, it denotes the evill condition and trouble of Theeves and Robbers, alſo that men ſhall quarrel and diſagree that have inherited the Goods and Legacies of the late deceaſed; and to be ſhort impediment, loſs and damage in, to and by all things appertaining to the ſignification of the eight Houſe, which you have been abundantly ſhewn in the 41. Chapter of the ſecond Book; it ſignifies alſo many Infirmities in the Secrets, if the ſign be Scorpio eſpecially, alſo Plagues, Mortalities, and Malevolent infectious and poyſonous Diſeaſes.

^[1350]Alſo if in the ninth, judge miſchief to happen to the Religious ſort of men, and ſuch as bear Office in the Church and Eccleſiaſtick affairs; Sects, Schiſms, and new Tenets ſhall be allayed, perhaps extirpated and totally beaten down and quaſht, &c. Much damage it alſo ſignifies to ſuch as travel and go long journeys, and no ſucceſs or profit therein: It ſignifies alſo that men ſhall be corrupt, Heatheniſh, and of ill converſations; there ſhall be little or no war, and men ſhall be perplexed with many accidents and Infirmities in the Thighs, eſpecially if the ſign of the ninth be Sagittary.

^[1351]Again, if any of the Malevolent fixed Stars be in the tenth afflicting the Cuſpe thereof, or the Lord thereof, it denotes much damage and detriment, ſorrow and trouble to thoſe in Authority, alſo diſſention quarrel and diſcord amongſt them, and they ſhall be ſo put to it for mony, that they will de induced to tax the people, neither indeed will they contribute to their neceſſities as formerly, nor have ſo venerable an eſteem of them, but ſhall ſlight, deride, and ſcoffe at them and ſet up themſelves if poſſible in their room, Nobles will be dejected, and Ruſticks erected and elevated, and there ſhall be many infirmities in the Knees, eſpecially if the ſign be Capricorn.

^[1352]Alſo if in the eleventh, ſtrife, diſſention and diſcord ſhall happen among friends and acquaintance, and one ſhall abuſe and ſlander the other, and ſtudy to injure and prejudice each other; hopes ſhall be fruſtrated, and the Treaſure of the King or chief Rulers ſhall be exhauſted, and thoſe in whom they moſt confide ſhall deceive them, and leave them helpleſs at their greateſt extreamity, and men ſhall be perplexed with many Infirmities in the Legs, eſpecially if the ſign be in Aquaries.

^[1353]Laſtly, if in the twelfth. It denotes many theeves, and much theeving and robbing by the High-way, alſo deceit and falſehood of ſervants towards their Maſters, and much detriment by them, a diminution of indigent and poore people, the Commons ſhall be kept under by their Superiours, damage ſhall be to great Cattel, and there ſhall be many infirmities incident to man in the feet, eſpecially if the ſign be Piſces.

In like manner judge the contrary if you finde the benevolent Stars ſo poſited; they are benevolents that you find are of the nature of Jupiter or Venus, or both, or of the nature of Jupiter and Saturn, Jupier and Mars, or Venus and Saturn, Venus and Mars, and of the nature of Jupiter and Mercury, Venus and Mercury, and of the nature of Mercury only, eſpecially if aſſiſted by the benevolent Aſpects of the Fortunes.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice for Inſtruction in the judging of the Annual Revolutions of the world; let us now deſcend to Eclipſes, and ſo haſten to a concluſion of theſe our labours.

SECTION IV. Teaching how to judge of the Natural Mutations and Accidents of this Elementary World by the appearance of Eclipſes, Comets, great Conjunctions and Blazing Stars.

IN the Sixteenth Chapter of this very Fourth Book I have already declared what an Eclipſe of either of the Luminaries is, and the cauſe of that defect in each of them; wherefore it would be both needleſs and ſuperfluous here again to touch thereon. I ſhall therefore give you now the whole Method whereby to judge of any Mutation or Accident in this World portended by Eclipſes, and that in brief according to the Rules of our Predeceſſor Ptolomy, whom I prefer for his ſhortneſs and plainneſs before any or all other Writings that I have mett with; it is true, Leovitius hath been very large on this ſubject, and others; but ſince what Ptolomy hath delivered us, is ſufficient for inſtruction to any that are to ſeek in theſe matters, I ſhall paſs them by as more myſterious and intricate, and yet tending no more to edification.

In the firſt Section and firſt Chapter of this Fourth Book you have been taught that in your judgement of Revolutions you are to conſider the place of the Eclipſes of either Luminaries or both, if any ſuch happen, and joyn them in judgement; for if there be any Eclipſe or Eclipſes, you are to ſee if there be any agreement betwixt them and the Lord of the Year and Aſcendent of the Revolutions; for there is nothing more certain then that there followeth many inconveniencies and alterations in the World after any of the great Lights are Eclipſed; for by them all things have their ſubſiſtence and nutriment in a natural way; and therefore it muſt needs follow ſublunary things muſt ſuffer detriment in one kinde or other when either of them are deprived of their lights and influences, eſpecially if both in one Moneth; whence Hermes ſaith,

Note.

There ſhall much inconveniency and trouble happen in the World when both the Luminaries ſhall be Eclipſed in one Moneth, and chiefly in thoſe places in which their Effects ſhall be manifeſted.

Wherefore in any Year if either or both the Luminaries are Eclipſed, or in any quarterly Revolution, ſee if the Lord of the Sign wherein the Eclipſe is to fall, be ſtrong or weak, or in Conjunction or any Configuration with the Lord of the Aſcendent at the time of the middle of the Eclipſe (which you are to know is the time wherein you are to erect your Scheme or Figure of the Heavens for the judging of the Effects of any Eclipſe) or with the Lord of the Year or Quarter,^[1354] or whether the Fortunes behold theſe or the Infortunes: for if the Fortunes, you are to judge good; if the Infortunes, the contrary. The nature and quality thereof judge from good; if the Infortunes, the contrary. The nature and quality thereof judge from the nature of the Significators, as you have heard before: likewiſe whether much evill or good is to be expected by conſidering the ſtrength of your Significators and their Receptions and nature of their Aſpects.

^[1355]And judge this evill or good to thoſe ſignified by the Planet in Configuration with theſe Lords or the Fortunes or Infortunes, whether men or things: as if the Aſcendent or its Lord be beheld by the Fortunes, then you may ſafely ſay the People of that Nation or Kingdom wherein the Revoluton is, ſhall be ſafe, of good health and proſperous, &c. and ſo judge of all the reſt of the Houſes according to their ſeveral ſignifications, as you have been taught before: and ſo on the contrary evill, if by the Infortunes: And this ſhall be the more encreaſed if the Lord of the Aſcendent or Lord of the Year be the Lord of the Sign wherein the Eclipſe is to happen. In like manner pronounce evill and dammage to the perſons and things ſignified by any other Houſe of whom you find the Lord of the Sign of the Eclipſe Ruler, &c. Judge the time when it ſhall be moſt grievous unto them, to be when the Sun comes to the ſame Houſe in the Eclipſe (I mean the very degree and minute of the Cuſp) whereby they are ſignified, or to the degree and minute of the Zodiack their chief Sgnificator was then in: as if it be the Common People, when the Sun comes to the degree and minute of the Aſcendent at the time of the middle of the Eclipſe: if it be the Rulers or King, it will be moſt grievous when the Sun comes to the degree and minute of the Tenth Houſe at that time; and ſo of the reſt.

Detriment and miſchief alſo is to be expected to all things ſignified by the Houſe wherein any Eclipſe is: as if in the Tenth, to Kings, Grandees and chief Rulers: if in the Ninth, to Church-men: in the Eighth, the death of Old men, &c. and it ſhall be chiefly incident unto men, if any Eclipſe be in Humane Signs: if in Aiery, to Birds: if in Earthy, to the Fruits of the Earth and Seeds: (yet Junctinus aſſureth us, that if an Eclipſe be in Libra, it ſignifies the rottenneſs of Herbs, and that there ſhall be Sects and Schiſms amongſt Church-men) in watery, to the Fiſh and Creatures living in the Watery Element: in Beſtial Signs, to Beaſts, according to the nature of the Sign: as if Aries, to Sheep: if Capricorn, to Goats: if Taurus, to Bulls, Cows and Oxen: if Sagittary, the laſt 15 degrees, to Horſes, &c. and if feral ſigns, to wild Beaſts.

^[1356]See alſo in what Triplicity the Luminaries are Eclipſed; for Junctinus ſaith, An Eclipſe either of the Sun or Moon in the Fiery Triplicity, denotes the motion of Armies, the death and deſtruction of Cattell, Kings and Great men; impriſonments, enmity between the Vulgar and Nobler ſort of People, diſſemblings, fewd and diſcords, wars, and grievous ſlaughter and deſtruction of men, murthers, thefts, depopulations, abortions to women, ſharp Feavers and Epidemical diſeaſes through exceſs of heat, apparitions in the Air, ſcarcity of Rain, eſpecially in thoſe Regions and places ſubject to the ſign wherein the Eclipſe is, admirable and ſtrange mutations.

In the Earthy Triplicity when any of the Luminaries are Eclipſed, it occaſions ſcarcity of the Fruits of the Earth, and chiefly of Corn, and ſuch things as are uſually ſown every Year.

In the Aiery, ſhews Famine, fierce and violent Maladies and Peſtilential Diſeaſes, tempeſtuous ſtormy winds, and thoſe very pernicious.

In the Watry Triplicity it promiſeth the death of the Vulgar and ignobler ſort of People, ſeditions and rumors of wars, and eruptions and overflowings of the Sea-banks.

^[1357]Moreover he further teſtifieth, that if an Eclipſe happen in Aries, it cauſeth alteration in Fruits: Vines and Fig-trees ſhall be corrupted.

If in Libra, in Seeds and Herbs; and Schiſms amongſt Eccleſiaſtical men (as you have already heard.)

In Cancer, a rot tenneſs or corruption of the fruit when it is gathered, cauſing ſickneſs to thoſe that eat them, perhaps ſurfeits.

In Capricorn, it denotes Olives to be devoured by Locuſts or Caterpillers and ſuch like Worms, many ſhipwracks and ſubmerſions of ſhips, change in mens diſpoſitions and manners, eſpecially in thoſe Regions and Places ſubject unto Capricorn.

^[1358]In Gemini and Sagittary an Eclipſe threatens deſtruction to flying Fowls, eſpecially ſuch as men eat, whereby many men come to ſudden death.

In Virgo and Piſces harm and deſtruction to Vegetables and Creatures living in the Waters, cheifly in Fountains, corruption of Rivers.

^[1359]In Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquaries, ruine of houſes and ancient buildings, diviſions and hatred amongſt the Clergy, and they ſhall excite Tumults.

Let us now come to Ptolomyes Method in judging of Eclipſes, which he begins in Chap. 4. of his 2. Book of his Quadripartite, after this manner.

CHAP. I. Containing Ptolomies method in judging Eclipſes, and how to know the Regions to which the Effects belong.

AFter he had in the preceding Chapters declared the conditions and conſtitutions of ſeverall Nations of the World, and the occaſion thereof from the nature of the Signs and Planets, he comes in the 4 Chapter to a more facil way of appropriating them unto the ſeveral ſigns of the Zodiack, the better to predict the moſt eminent accidents and caſualties in all Nations, Kingdoms, and Regions, &c.

^[1360]Wherefore herein there will be four things moſt worthy our conſideration.

The firſt, The Places or Regions, Countreys, Kingdoms or Cities where the effects of any Eclipſe will be manifeſt.

The ſecond, The time when the Effects ſhall begin and how long continue.

The third, The kinds of the events.

The fourth, The quality of the events whither good or evill.

Touching the firſt you have no more to do but thus; ſee what place of the Zodiack your Eclipſe fals in, whither it be of the Sun or Moon, and what Cities, Countries, Kingdoms or Regions are ſubject to the ſign wherein the Eclipſe is, and ſuch Cities that had the ſign wherein the defect is, in the Horoſcope or firſt Houſe at the time of its firſt ſtructure, or the place then of the Sun or Moon, and the places ſubject to the ſigns in Oppoſition and Square thereunto, you may ſay ſhall aſſuredly taſte of its effects, as alſo ſuch Regions wherein the Eclipſe ſhall be viſible; Kingdoms, Cities and Places ſubject to every ſign of the Zodiack you have in the ſecond Book.

CHAP. II. Shewing the time when the Effects of any Eclipſe ſhall begin and how long continue.

MAny men I know wonder why Aſtrologers have taught that Eclipſes operate not till ſuch a time after their appearance; but they have but ſmall reaſon to move them to this their admiration; for the effects of an Eclipſe opperate from the firſt appearance thereof, though not ſo apparently; as a child from its very firſt Conceptions is in Beeing, yet cannot properly be termed ought other then ſome living creature till it be produced to light.

And therefore I conceive the Antients without any reſpect at all to the former, have ſtill give Rules for judging of the latter, or the time when their Effects will be in force or begin to be apparent.

^[1361]Wherefore Ptolomy teacheth us, that if an Eclipſe fall in the Eaſt part of the Horizon, (or more plainly in the Aſcendent or Eaſt Angle) the Events thereof ſhall firſt manifeſt themſelves from the fourth Moneth after, but it will more ſtrongly operate in the firſt third part of its whole duration.

If in the mid-Heaven, the Effects thereof will firſt begin to appear after the ſecond four Moneths (or more plainly about eight Moneths after the defect of the Luminary) but more apparent will it be in the ſecond or middlemoſt third part of the whole time it continues.

But if it be in the Weſt-part of the Horizon, (viz. in the Seventh Houſe of Heaven, or the Weſt Angle) in the third or laſt fourth Moneth ſhall the Effects be manifeſted, but more forcibly in the third and laſt part of the whole time of its continuance.

But the particular Remiſſions and Intentions we muſt judge from the Conjunctions and Preventions which in the mean time ſhall happen in that place, or in any other places of the figure that hath relation thereunto, from the places of the motion of the Planets by which future events are fore-known, viz. ſuch as are Oriental, Occidental, Stationary or aſcending in the cloſe of the Evening, viz. veſpertine and are occaſion of any future events by their Aſpects or any other manner; when they are Oriental you muſt know their effects are augmented, and when they are Stationary; but Occidental and under the Sun-beams, or veſpertine and Retrograde, deminiſhed and leſſened; underſtand this as to the time, not Nature.

^[1362]As touching the time of their continuance viz. how long the Effects of any Eclipſe ſhall laſt or be in force, it is in this manner to be known, for as much as an Eclipſe is not ſeen in all Regions and Places in the ſame houre or inſtant of time, neither for the beginning, continuation or end thereof; you ought therefore in every Region to take according to proportion the Ecliptical houre, the Elevation of the Pole and the Angles of the figure according thereunto.

And then you are to ſee how many equal houres (viz. Natural Equinoctial houres conſiſting of 60 Minutes a peece) the Eclipſe continues in every Region, for when you have this, you are to know that the Events of a Solar Eclipſe ſhall continue ſo many years as he is Eclipſed houres, reckoning from the firſt moment of his Obſcuration to the very laſt; of a Lunar, ſo many moneths; wherefore the beginning of them you ſhall know from the place where the Eclipſe fals, and the Angles of the figure at that time.

CHAP. III. Of the kindes of the Events of any Eclipſe.

IN the third place you know the kindes of the Events of any Eclipſe are to be conſidered, which is known from the qualities and ſigns belonging to the ſigns in which either of the Luminaries are eclipſed, and from the places or ſigns in which the Planets and moſt notable fixed Stars are, the which with the ſign of the Eclipſe (or the Sign wherein the Eclipſe is) and the ſign of the Angle preceding the Eclipſe is to be conſidered.

^[1363]To know the Planet that ſhall bear chief rule of theſe two places, it is not more then thus; ſee which of the Planets hath moſt power and ſtrength in the place of the Eclipſe and Angle preceding the Eclipſe, by Houſe, Exaltation, Triplicity, face or term, and give it to him; but if one Planet be not both Lord of the ſign wherein the Eclipſe is, and the Angle preceding the Eclipſe, but there be two Planets bearing rule in theſe places, then are you to prefer that Planet which is Lord of the place of the Eclipſe to the rule or Dominion before the other, yet ſhalt thou joyn him in judgement therewith; but if there be ſeveral Planets that have Dominion in theſe places you ſhall prefer that which is neareſt an Angle and moſt ſtrong in the degree of the Eclipſe, and make him Lord of the Eclipſe.

^[1364]And you are alſo to obſerve thoſe fixed Stars which are of moſt note, and placed nere the place of the Eclipſe and the Cuſpe of the Angle preceding the Eclipſe, as alſo the Cuſps of the Aſcendent and mid-Heaven at the time of the Eclipſe.

^[1365]Having thus ſeriouſly conſidered the fixed Stars as you ought, the forms and figures of the ſigns are to be conſidered in which an Eclipſe fals, and in which the predominant Planets are; for the quality of the Events cannot be well known but by the nature thereof.

For humane ſigns of ſuch as are of that form have ſignification unto mankinde; and if they be ferall ſigns, or ſuch as bear the form of wild Beaſts, or four-footed Creatures, it ſhall be to ſuch Beaſts and Creatures which are found in ſhape and Nature agreeable thereunto; whether the ſign ſignifie Snakes, Beaſts of the field, domeſtick, tame Creatures, &c.

Northern ſigns,

Nota.

ſignifie ſudden Earth-quakes, which have the figure of Beaſts of the field when an Eclipſe is therein; in Southern, alteration of the ayr, in ſuch Signs and Conſtellations as have wings, ſuch as are Virgo, Sagittary, the Hen, the Vulture, &c. it denotes detriment to birds and flying fowl, chiefly ſuch as are uſually eaten by man; If in Cancer, Piſces, or the Dolphin, to Creatures living in the water; if in the Conſtellation of the Ship, to Ships and ſuch as Navigate; in Aquaries, to Rivers and the like, &c.

^[1366]Alſo if an Eclipſe of either I uminary be in any of the Tropical or Equinoctial ſigns, it denotes change of ayr in every of theſe times; if in the vernal Equinox, dammage to Trees when they begin to bud and ſhout forth, as the Vine, Fig-tree and others then ſpringing; if in the Summer Solſtice, the events will be on fruits when they are gathered, but in Egypt it ſignifies the over-flowing of Nilus; If in the Autumnall Equinox, they will be manifeſt on Hearbs and the Seeds of the Earth when they are ſown, and detriment in harveſt; in the Winter Solſtice, on Pot-Hearbs, Birds of the ſeaſon and Fiſh.

Alſo if an Eclipſe be in Equinoctial ſigns, it ſhews its Effects in Religious things and Church affairs; in the Tropicks, in the ayr, laws and manners of men; In fixed ſigns, in foundations and edifices; in common ſigns, in mankinde and Kings.

^[1367]Moreover Eclipſes nere the Eaſt, ſignifie their Effects will be apparent in fruits, youth and foundations; in the mid-Heaven, in the Church, State, great ones and ſuch as are of middle age; but if in the Weſt, in the Laws and Cuſtoms of the People, the alteration thereof, and in thoſe of elder years; it hath ſignification alſo of Murthers.

^[1368]The quantity or the greatneſs of their Effects are known from the greatneſs of the Eclipſe, and from thoſe Stars which in the place of the Eclipſe are cauſed of the future events.

For when an Eclipſe of the Sun is veſpertine, the evill portended thereby is leſſened; but when Matutine, increaſed; ſo likewiſe on the contrary, an Eclipſe of the Moon Veſpertine increaſeth the evill, Matutine impareth it the one half.

The reaſon thereof is, becauſe the Sun is the proper Governour of the Day, and the Moon Governeſs of the Night, Gen. 1.16. and therefore when they are thus afflicted in their own ſeaſon, the Effects muſt needs be much more effectual then when on the contrary.

CHAP. IV. Of the quality of the Events of any Eclipſe, whether Good or Evill.

^[1369]UNder the verge of this Chapter will the quality of the events, whether good or evill fall, and the nature of them both, the which is known from the nature of the Planets, having moſt fortitudes in the place of the Eclipſe and the Communication and commixtion of one with another, and the places in which they are in the Figure of Heaven.

For the Sun and Moon bear rule over the other Planets, and are main cauſes of future accidents, as alſo the power and efficacy of the other Stars are by them augmented or diminiſhed; but the commixture of thoſe Stars who are of moſt power, ſhew the quality of the events.

But let us declare the works and properties of each Planet and their natures; but that our relation thereof may be the more effectual, you are to take notice that when I nominate or declare the nature generally of the five Planets, you are to underſtand their temper, power and force, whether that Planet doth of himſelf in his own nature predominate or no, or whether any other Star which is not errant, or other place of the Zodiack of the ſame nature and temper or influence of that Star; wherefore if poſſible we are to know the nature and quality of every fixed Star worthy the noting for the making a right commixtion when they are joined in Configuration with the Errant Stars or Planets, becauſe this is as conſiderable as their commixtion one with another, according to their familiarity before mentioned.

^[1370]So that if Saturn be only chief Lord or Ruler, he ſhall be generally the occaſion of deſtruction and miſchief cauſed by cold; and particularly when his influence relateth unto men, he cauſeth long and tedious Infirmities, Tiſſicks and obnoxious Diſeaſes, occaſioned from Humors, Flegm and Defluxions, quartane Feavers, Baniſhment, Want, Tribulation, Anxiety, Fears, ſadneſs and Death; and theſe chiefly to thoſe that are ſtricken in years.

But when it relateth to Beaſts and Creatures belonging to the uſe of Man, he bringeth deſtruction and cauſeth a ſcarcity of them, and ſickneſs and rottenneſs to thoſe that remain; death alſo and infirmity in the ſame nature to thoſe men that uſe or eat them.

In the ayr he ſhall cauſe froſt and ſnow, and ſuch as ſhall produce bitter cold weather, cloudy and obſcure, alſo pernicious, peſtiferous and tempeſtuous, Snow and inconvenient wind and moiſture, producing by corruption pernicious and offenſive creatures to mankinde.

But in the Sea and Rivers, tempeſts and ſhipwracks, alſo difficult and dangerous Navigating, a deſtruction and ſcarcity of fiſhes; increaſe and decreaſe of waters in the Sea by fits, the over-flowing of Rivers, and eruptions of the Sea-banks and miſchief by water.

In the Earth, a diminution and deſtruction of fruits, and chiefly to ſuch as are more particularly for the uſe of Man; they ſhall ſuffer by Worms very much detriment and Caterpillars, Locuſts, and ſuch like, or by inundations, over-flowings of Water, or too much abundance of Rain, cold Froſt or the like, ſo that thereby there ſhall be ſuch a ſcarcity and deerneſs of ſuch things, that many men ſhall dye for want of bread.

^[1371]If Jupiter be chief Ruler, he cauſeth generally an increaſe and plenty of all things, and particularly to man, he elevateth their condition to honour, renown and plenty, giveth health, tranquillity, peace and an increaſe of riches and goods, and all things appertaining to the life of man in a natural way; Increaſeth the benefits and goods received from Princes, or ſuch as are in Authority, and cauſeth alſo even theſe Grandees to be more Illuſtrious, inlargeth their Territories and Dominions, and abundantly augmenteth their Grandure; generally Jupiter denotes ſucceſs and happineſs in every thing.

To Beaſts belonging chiefly to the uſe of Man, he ſignifieth an increaſe, but ſuch as are deſtructive and not profitable, he deſtroyeth.

The ayr alſo he tempereth and maketh wholſome, and ſendeth convenient moiſture in ſeaſons requiſite for the Production of the fruits of the Earth, the which he multiplyeth and increaſeth by his ſweet influence.

The Sea alſo for Navigation ſhall be ſafe, the floods of Rivers temperate, &c.

^[1372]If Mars be chief Lord of any Eclipſe, he generally threatneth miſchief to all ſorts and kinds of men which ſhall happen through extremity of drought; and particularly he cauſeth much war, inteſtine hatreds, fewds, quarrels and diſcords amongſt men, eſpecially of that kinde of life, viz ſouldiers; he excites men alſo to many robberies, ſpoilings, ſacking, tyranny and rebellion; he alſo cauſeth the wrath of Kings and Great men, and troubles in general, ſudden death, ſickneſſes and thoſe chiefly tertian Agues or Feavers, and thoſe principally, or more particularly to thoſe of younger years or in their ſtrength of youth, much choler and anger amongſt men of ſmall repute; they ſhall commit unlawful things and violate the Law; many Combuſtions, ſlaughters, rapines, thefts, and robberies.

In the ayr he cauſeth extremity of heat and very warm windes, alſo ligthning and little rain.

In the Sea deſtruction to ſhips, and ſubmerſions ſuddenly by mixt winds, lightning and ſuch like.

In Rivers a ſcarcity of waters, a drought of Fountains and detriment by drinking of waters, which for the moſt part will be corrupted.

And in things appertaining to the life of Man, viz. Beaſts and Vegetables, he ſhall cauſe a ſcarcity, and deſtruction of the fruits of the Earth, by reaſon they ſhall be ſcorched with extremity of heat or eaten with Locuſts and Caterpillers, or deſtroyed by winds, or nipt in the bud.

^[1373]But if Venus be chief Significatrix, ſhe denotes the ſame as doth Jupiter generally, but together with it ſome Venereal ſports; and particularly to men ſhe cauſeht honour, fame, joy, fortunate ſucceſs in every thing, happy marriages, abundance of children and felicity in all things belonging to Matrimony, and an increaſe of riches, and an unuſual familiarity and correſpondency between Princes and their Subjects and Familiars.

In the ayr, winds, but temperate, bringing abundance of ſhowers, yet they very ſeaſonable and convenient for the fructifying of the Earth, a ſeaſonable time according to the nature of the ſeaſon.

In the Sea ſuch Ships as Navigate ſhall be ſafe and proſperous.

In Rivers abundance of waters by reaſon of many ſhowers.

Beaſts, Vegetables and ſuch things as are for the uſe of man, ſhall be plentiful.

^[1374]If Mercury be chief Ruler, he ſignifieth ſuch events generally as are of the nature of the Planet he is in Conjunction with and in Configuration; for you have been taught in our ſecond Book of this Volume, that he participateth in Nature with the Planet in Conjunction or Configuration with him; but properly in his own nature he furthers the natural ſignification of the other.

Particularly in men he excites expedition, induſtry, cunning and ingenuity in every thing.

In the Sea he cauſeth unfortunate Navigation when he is joined in judgement with the Infortunes as being in Configuration or Conjunction with them; but if with the Fortunes, judge the contrary; with the Malevolents alſo he denotes many diſeaſes and infirmities, Quotidian Feavers, Impoſthumes, Conſumptions and Coughs, Phthiſis and dry diſeaſes; as touching matters of State, Laws, Cuſtoms and Priviledges, he orders all according to the Planets and Stars in Configuration with him; wherefore we ſee he being dry of conſtitution being ſo nere the Sun, and of a ſwift motion, and becauſe he is often Retrograde, he ſtirs up frequent turbulent and pernicious winds, alſo thunder and lightning, openings of the Earth and Earth-quakes, and perhaps much damage thereby to Vegetables and Creatures for the uſe of Man (I conceive Ptolomy might very well have left out perhaps) alſo in the houres of his ſetting he cauſeth a diminution of Waters and Rivers; in the houres of his riſing an augmentation; and thus much of the innate ſignifications of the Planets.

Now when according to the variety of the Aſpects and Signs they are mingled by being mutually behold of each other and their Poſition in reſpect of the Sun, they thereby vary their effects or actions according to the variety of ſignifications and judgements ariſing from their ſeveral Conjunctions and Configurations.

Wherefore ſince it is impoſſible to relate exactly unto thee all their Configurations and their commixtures, or at leaſt for that it would be ſo intricate a thing, we ſhall refer it to the ſtudy and conſideration of the Student; for as I have ſaid before, unleſs thy Genius leadeth thee to the exact knowledge thereof, the reading of all the Books in the World will no wiſe avail thee.

But we ought diligently to obſerve the nature of thoſe Stars by which the events are ſignified, and their affinity with thoſe Regions where the effects are to be manifeſted thus.

If they be fortunes and have relation to the evil places where the events ſhall happen, and no wiſe contradicted by other Stars, they more effectually perform what events were afore promiſed; but if they have no relation to thoſe places, or if they be gainſayed by malevolent Stars, their good influence is by ſo much leſſened, and ſo thou mayeſt judge on the contrary. And thus much of Eclipſes according to Ptolomy.

Some lines towards the latter end of the eighth chapter of his aforeſaid ſecond Booke I have willingly omitted, for that I do not in every word agree with him, and therfore herein I ſhall deſire to be excuſed, as alſo if I have in any other places varied ſomewhat from him; I know no reaſon why any man that ſtandeth on his ſhoulders may not ſee farther then he; truly I muſt really confeſs he hath merited much honour from his ſucceſſors, wherefore I ſhall eſteem him as for his ſhortneſs, ſo for his accurate and ſufficient largeneſs and method before any or all other Aſtrological Philoſophers whatſoever; and therefore (as I have already ſaid) with him I ſhall conclude as touching this matter, adding only this Chapter which I have collected out of of Junctinus, that we may haſten to a concluſion of this Treatiſe.

CHAP. V. Of the Sun and Moon Eclipſed in any Decanate or Face of the twelve Celeſtial Signs.

DIvers rules have I before delivered unto thee which I collectedout of Junctinus; wherefore now for concluſion of this point; I thought good to give thee this Chapter out of him alſo, the which he gathered from the writings of Proclus.

When there happens any Eclipſe either of the Sun or Moon in Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn, it denotes a ſcarcity of the fruits of the Earth and Corn; in Gemini, Libra or Aquaries, a Famin and outragious diſeaſes, Peſtilencies and Mortalities; in Cancer, Scorpio or Piſces, the death and ſlaughter of obſcure, common Plebean kinde of people, continual quarrels and ſeditions, and great damage to Navigators and ſuch as converſe in the Sea, or Sea-affairs; in Aries, Leo or Sagittary, I need ſay no more then this, thas it is ſufficiently declared in the handling the ſeveral Decanates of theſe Signs; wherefore it will not be amiſs if we alſo go through every ſign of the whole Zodiack, beginning at Aries, that ſo thou mayeſt not be to ſeek upon any Eclipſe of the Luminaries, and firſt then of the Sun.

When the Sun is Eclipſed in any of the firſt ten degrees of Aries (which you have heard is the firſt Decanate or Face thereof) it portends the ſudden and frequent motion of Armies, continual expeditions, aſſaults and batteries with many tumults, ſeditions and controverſies, and an inclination of the ayr to intemperate heat and drought.

In the following Decanat or Face, (viz. from the tenth to the twentieth degree of Aries) it denotes the Impriſonment, trouble and ſadneſs of ſome King, and danger of death unto him, a corruption of trees that are fruitful or of ſuch fruits as are produced of Trees, as alſo of the Earth.

In the laſt Decanate or Face, (viz. from the twentieth to the thirtieth, or laſt degree of Aries) he bringeth grief and ſadneſs to mortals, and the death of great women, and a ſcarcity or diminution of Cattel (viz. thoſe of the leſſer ſort, becauſe it is ſignified by Aries.)

An Eclipſe of the Sun happening in the firſt Face of Taurus, afflicteth Negotiators, Agents and Solicitors, deſtroyeth buſineſſes, and the Corn upon the Earth.

In the ſecond Decanate or Face of Taurus, incommodities to ſuch as bear children, and alſo to Travellers.

In the third, Peſtilence and Famine, from whence we may collect the deſtruction of greater Cattel, viz. Buls, Oxen and Cows.

An Eclipſe in the firſt Face of Gemini (of the Sun) cauſeth diſſention amongſt Prieſts, of what Order ſoever they are, inveterate hatred and ſeditions, and a contempt of both the Law of God and Man is to be feared.

In the ſecond, thefts and robberies, piracies and ſlaughters.

In the third, the death of ſome King, and various miſcheifs to ſuch Commonwealths as are under Gemini, and the fruſtration of ſuch Cities affairs and Negotiations.

Again, an Eclipſe of the Sun in the firſt Face of Cancer, troubleth the ayr, and cauſeth var[•]ous winds and alterations of weather.

In the ſecond, dryeth up Rivers and Fountains, and cauſeth petulent and greivous mortalities.

In the third, through Armenia and Africa, and the reſt of the Regions and Places ſubject to Cancer, Hidropical diſeaſes, ſeditions, and the diſeaſe of France, Naples, Spain, England, and indeed of all the World; yet commonly called the French and Neopolitan diſeaſe, or more plainly the French Pox.

Alſo an Eclipſe of the Sun in the firſt Decanate of Leo denotes the death of ſome eminent Prince, and the ſcarcity of Bread-corn.

In the ſecond, troubles and anxieties to Kings, Princes and Great men or Magiſtrates.

In the third, captivities, ſlaughters, rapines and profanation of holy and ſacred Houſes (I conceive he hereby meant Churches, Monaſteries, and ſuch like.)

Moreover an Eclipſe of the Sun in Virgo, argues the grievous calamity and death of ſome certain King in the confines of Virgo.

In the ſecond, Famine, Peſtilence and deadly Seditions.

In the third, to Pictures, Poets and Merchants, and ſuch as live by their Ingenuity and wit ſlaughters, deſtruction, baniſhment, and the like.

If an Eclipſe of the Sun be in the firſt Face of Libra; it corrupteth the Ayr, cauſeth the Peſtilence: and a ſcarcity and dearneſs of Corn

In the ſecond, portendeth the death of ſome Great King; under the Dominion of Libra, Seditions and Famine.

In the third, diſcords amongſt Great ones, and detriment in their eſtates.

Alſo if an Eclipſe be in the firſt Face of Scorpio, it moveth and ſtirreth up Wars and tumults, ſlaughter, hatred, captivities, plots and treacheries.

In the ſecond, miſchief to ſome King whoſe minde is averſe to war.

In the third, the riſe of ſome tyrant, the ſlothfulneſs and idleneſs of the former King hateful to every one.

In the firſt Face or Decanate of Sagittary, if an Eclipſe of the Sun be, it ſhews grievous diſſentions and deadly fewds amongſt men.

In the ſecond, the death of Camels and ſuch Cattel as chew the cud (eſpecially the greater ſort) and ſuch like.

In the third, prejudice to Horſes and Armies.

Again, an Eclipſe of the Sun in the firſt Decanate of Capricorn, it denotes unhappineſs and chances to Great men, the tranſmigration of ſome King, and the Rebellion of the Nobles and ruſticks.

In the ſecond, hired ſouldiers are excited and animated againſt their Commanders and Superiours, and fruſtrateth all their devices.

In the third, it induceth the tumultuary motion of the King, and cauſeth Famine.

Moreover an Eclipſe of the Sun in the firſt Face of Aquaries, cauſeth publique ſorrow and ſadneſs.

In the ſecond, publique thefts, rapines and roberies, Earth-quakes and Famine.

In the third, the death and ſlaughter of ſheep and beaſts of the field.

Laſtly, an Eclipſe of the Sun in the firſt Face of Piſces, drieth up Rivers, and unfortunateth the Sea and the affairs thereof.

In the ſecond, the death of famous and excellent men, deſtruction of Fiſh, Earth-quakes, &c.

In the third, ſedition, cruelty, furiouſneſs and inhumanity of ſouldiers.

^[1375]An Eclipſe of the Moon now in every Decanate is to be conſidered, ſince we have done with the Sun, wherefore when the Moon is Eclipſed in the firſt Decanate of Aries, ſhe denotes Feavers, deſtruction of Woods by fire, and a ſiccity and dryneſs of the ayr.

In the ſecond, Peſtilence.

In the third, Abortive births, incommodities and ſuch like dangers to women.

An Eclipſe of the Moon in the firſt decanate of Taurus, denotes deſtruction and death to great Cattel.

In the ſecond, the death of the Queen of ſome Region under Taurus; and a ſcarcity of ſeeds and barrenneſs of the Earth.

In the third, ſhe ſhews cruelty on Serpents and ſuch like.

Alſo an Eclipſe of the Moon in the firſt Face of Gemini, threatneth incurſions and rapins of enemies.

In the ſecond, the frequent motion of Armies, and the ſolicitations of private and publique things.

In the third, the death of ſome illuſtrious and famous man.

Again, an Eclipſe of the Moon in the firſt Face of Cancer, excites and ſtirs up Wars.

In the ſecond, grievous exactions, intolerable Tributes, Taxations and ſuch like burthens.

In the third, death to the Female ſex, and ſudden deſtruction and miſeries.

Alſo an Eclipſe of the Moon in the firſt Face of Leo, denotes the death of either ſome Illuſtrious King or famous Man.

In the ſecond, the journey of the King and mutation of things.

In the third, ſhe excites the People and Armies to new actions and attempts.

An Eclipſe of the Moon in the firſt Face of Virgo, cauſeth diſeaſes and Infirmities to the King, and various ſeditions and diſcords amongſt men.

In the ſecond, cauſeth miſchief to Councellors, Scribes, or ſuch like men.

In the third, brings deadly diſeaſes.

A Lunary Eclipſe in the firſt Face of Libra, provoketh furious and tempeſtuous hail ſtorms.

In the ſecond, miſchief and trouble to every one.

In the third, death to ſome famous and illuſtrious men.

If an Eclipſe of the Moon be in the firſt Face of Scorpio, it cauſeth horrible Thunder and Lightning, and ſometimes Earth-quakes.

In the ſecond, dryeth Olives; and cauſeth a dry ayr, and Burning Feavers.

In the third, the ſame is threatned, and death; many ſeditions, quarrels, and troubles over and above.

Alſo an Eclipſe of the Moon in the firſt Face of Sagittary, ſendeth thefts and rapines.

In the ſecond, deſtruction to Horſes and Mules.

In the third, the Peſtilence and many evils.

Again, the Moon eclipſed in the firſt face of Capricorn, ſhews ſuggeſtions amongſt men, and untimely death: or miſchief to ſome illuſtrious and Noble man.

In the ſecond, frequent incurſions and aſſaults of ſouldiers, thefts, roberies and Captivities.

In the third, the death of ſome King under the Dominion of Capricorn, alſo ſedition.

Moreover the Moon eclipſed in the firſt face of Aquaries, denotes the misfortune of ſome King under Aquaries.

In the ſecond, univerſally hurteth the ſeed of the Earth.

In the third, a change in all things.

Laſtly, the Moon eclipſed in the firſt face of Piſces, bringeth ſadneſs and anxiety to thoſe we call Prieſts, and Religious Houſes.

In the ſecond, the death of ſome great and Illuſtrious Perſon.

In the third thefts, rapines, robberies by Land, and piracies and troubles by Sea.

And thus much ſhall ſuffice to be ſaid of Eclipſes at this time; hereafter God ſparing me life and leiſure from my other ſtudies, perhaps I may make ſome addition thereunto if I finde the preſent age worthy thereof; Let us now proceed.

CHAP. VI. Of Comets and Blazing-Stars, what they are, the many ſorts thereof, their Portences, and how long they appear at any time.

^[1376]ELſewhere you may remember you have been ſhewn what a Comet is, viz. in the 16. Chpater of the 3. Section of this Book, it being no other then a dry exhalation, viſcuous and ſlimy, exhaled by the Sun and power of the Stars by degrees into the upper Region of the Ayr; for by how much the dryer or moiſter are the vapours whereof they are compounded, the higher or lower are they placed and drawn up.

^[1377]This word Comet we borrow from the Greeks, who call it [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Cometes quaſi comata ſtella, an hairy Star, as the word ſignifies in Engliſh, whence the Latines call it Crinita, becauſe many times they appear like hair made of fire, or fire in the manner and form of a mans head, or an horſes main, and we in England do vulgarly call them Comets or Blazing-Stars, of which there are divers ſorts, as mentioneth Pliny, Lib. 2. cap. 25. de Nat. and others.

^[1378]The firſt by the Greeks called [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], à barba, reſembling a beard, becauſe it hath a circle about it of that form or ſhape, I mean about the nether part thereof.

The ſecond they call [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], id eſt, a jaculo, becauſe it is ſhapen in form of a dart or ſpear.

The third [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], which is the ſame as is the former, ſave only they are ſhorter and ſharper-pointed at the top then the other, and pale like a ſword and without raies.

The fourth [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], diſcus, id eſt, a diſh or platter; this Comet is ſo called for that it is round reſembling a diſh, yet now and then it putteth forth one of the brims thereof.

The fifth [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Pitheus, and this is in form like a Tun, invironed in a ſmoaky light.

The ſixth [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Ceratias, thus called for that it reſembleth an horn, and ſuch an one Pliny teſtifieth appeared when the whole manhood of Greece fought the battel of Salamis.

The ſeventh [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] lampas à [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], ſplendeo, to ſhine like a lamp, and therefore hath it this name.

The eighth [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Hippeus; this emitteth ſtreams like unto an Horſe main, and therefore it is thus called; this is ſwift in motion and often turneth round, as ſaith Pliny.

A ninth he recordeth to be white and bright like ſilver hair, and of that ſplendor that a man is hardly able to behold it, and others become ſhaggy and compaſſed as it were with hair or frindge round about.

^[1379]They are in a manner all ſeen under the Great Bear, or that conſtellation which we vulgarly call Charlimains Wain, or Charles his Wain, yet ſome have been diſcerned to appear in that white part of the Heaven called commonly the Milky way from the fictions of the Poet; they denote many boiſterous winds and exceſſive heat; ſeldome are any ſeen in the Weſt part of Heaven, but about the South or Antartick Pole ſome have been ſeen, as Pliny in the ſame aforeſaid Chapter teſtifieth, to whom I here refer thee where thou ſhalt finde what Prodigies they were the fore-runners of in the time of Claud[•]us Caeſar, Pompey, and Octavius the Conſul.

^[1380]It hath been obſerved and noted by the diligent care, induſtry and pains of the Antients, that they never appear a ſhorter time then a ſeven-night, nor longer then 80 dayes; ſome have ſaid 40; others 75, from Plutarch, who noted ſo much from the Comet which appeared before the Peloponſian wars in Greece; but their continuance is according to their magnitude; for if they be but ſmall, they will be ſoon burnt out, unleſs they be daily fed with new exhalations: I ſhall not here trouble my ſelf to recite what Seneca, Ariſtotle, and others write in Hiſtories concerning ſuch horrid accidents which have followed in many places on the appearance of Comets, ſince all the learned in the works of Nature do unanimouſly conclude they are the fore-runners of much tribulation, alteration, anxiety, and trouble, which I ſhall by and by more amply deliver unto thee.

^[1381]You are to take notice that ſome Comets do move, as the Planets; and again, others, ſtir not but are fixed as are the other Stars.

To judge of the accidents portended by Comets, the place of their appearance in the Heavens is to be obſerved, and what Stars are in Configuration therewith; alſo in what ſimilitude they appear, and where they appear and ſhine.

If they appear like ſwords, wars are threatned, and deſtruction of mankinde; like Flutes or Hout-boys, it portends miſchief to Muſitians; if in the middle of a ſign, to whore-maſters, and women gameſters; in form of a triangle or quadrange, viz. a Trine or Square Aſpect to any of the fixed Stars, to wits and learned men; if a Comet appear in either of the Nodes, or thoſe places which we commonly call the Head and Tail of the Dragon, it proves infectious and peſtiferous.

^[1382]We come now to ſhew the events of Comets, or ſuch things as they are the forerunners of; yet I cannot but firſt let my Reader know the ſtrange foreknowledge Sybilla Tiburtina had in this Science, who from the apparition of that great and famous Comets which was ſeen in Caeſar Auguſtus his time (in whoſe dayes and reign was our Saviour Chriſt born) told the Emperour that it pointed out a child born of a Virgin, which ſhould be great then he; and therefore ſhe exhorted him to worſhip and adore him, &c.

^[1383]Hiſtories, antient Writers, and common experience in former ages teſtifieth unto us that theſe ſigns in the Heaven, or appearance of Comets, are the aſſured forerunners of the ſterility of the Earth, Peſtilence, Famin, War, alterations of Kingdoms, States and Empires, Laws and Cuſtoms, Winds, Earth-quakes, Iuundations, extream heat and drought, greiveous diſeaſes and infirmities, and ſuch like horrid evils.

CHAP. VII. Shewing the Phyſical reaſons of the horrid and terrible portences of Conmets and Blazing-Stars.

THat they are the cauſe of inordinate heat, is apparent by their ardent burning in the ayr, and their matter of which they are made.

Of ſterility, by reaſon the fatneſs of the Earth is (together with the exhaled matter whereof they are compoſed) drawn out, and the Earth left dry, and lean, and ſo the moiſture and convenient humidity, whereby it fructified all things growing therein, is dried up by exceſſive heat, and conſequently rendred barren, whence there muſt needs follow famine or ſterility in thoſe Regions as places where they are ſeen, or from whence their matter or ſubſtance was drawn.

Of Peſtilence and Diſeaſes, in that they ayr is by them infected through hot, thick cloudy exhalations, the which being drawn in at the mouth of living creatures, infecteth and killeth them; alſo by exceſſive and inordinate heat the radical himidity and moiſture of living creatures whereby they ſubſiſt, is dryed up, whereby they become no other then dead carkaſſes: wherefore it is neceſſary in ſuch times to uſe colling and moiſtning preparatives which are of that nature as to reſtore and conſerve radicall moiſture.

Of war and alterations in Kingdoms, States, Laws and Cuſtoms, in that when a Comet or Blazing-Star appears, there are many exhalations in the Ayr, and thoſe of nature hot and dry, the which do ſo dry up the humors in men, and increaſe choler, that they are eaſily excited to quarrels, after which follow blows, wars and blood-ſhed; and ſo conſequently alterations in States, Governments, Laws, Cuſtoms, and Empires.

Of Winds, for that they are of the ſame matter whereof Comets are, as you have heard in the 16 Chapter and 2 Section of this fourth Book; and when any Comet or Blazing-Star appears, many ſuch dry vapours are exhaled; beſides, when they vaniſh, they become windy vapours.

Of Earth-quakes, for the ſame aforeſaid reaſon; for they are the occaſion of winds, and winds of Earth-quakes, as in the ſame aforeſaid 16 Chapter you have been taught.

Of Inundations, for the ſame reaſon alſo; for Comets cauſe winds, winds cauſe the Sea to roar and rage, whence follows inundations.

Thus have I delivered you the reaſons of their portences the which I would not have thee nor any to fear, though never ſo horrid and terrible, but rather take courage thereby to call earneſtly to God for mercy, that he might evert his judgments whereof he doth ſo fairly warn us by theſe his meſſengers.

CHAP. VIII. Shewing ſome other names of Comets or Blazing-Stars, and their Portences.

^[1384]HEre it will not be amiſs, if I ſet down ſomething which I had almoſt forgot, viz. that Comets and Blazing-Stars ſeldom are ſeen, for that it is not an eaſie matter for the Sun and Planets, (neither is it ſoon done) to draw up ſo much dry vapour as is requiſite for the compoſition of ſuch an apparition; and therefore is it alſo that there doth but one appear at a time, th[•]ugh Ariſtotle affirmeth there hath been many ſeen together, and this I muſt confeſs is as likely to be true as many other of his ſtories and tales.

^[1385]They are ſeldom never ſeen in Winter by reaſon of the abundance of cold and moiſt weather that then aboundeth, ſo that there can be no ſuch dry vapour exhaled by the Sun or Stars, nor in that quantity as is requiſite to the compoſition of ſuch apparitions; neither in Summer, by reaſon of the exceſs of heat, or the heat of the Sun which conſumes and diſperſeth the matter whereof they are made, ſo that it cannot aſcend unto that part of the Region of the Ayr wherein they are uſually placed; neither in the Spring time, by reaſon of the abundance of moiſture that then reigns, and the want of ſufficient heat to elevate ſo much matter; but in Autumn, eſpecially when Saturn and Mars are in Conjunction, becauſe then the heat that exhales the matter, is more ſtrong.

^[1386]Father note, that ſome Comets are white, ſome again red, which ariſeth from the divers nature and qualit of the matter whereof they are; for pure thin exhalations produce a white, clear and bright Comet; when it is more groſs and impure, red, and theſe appear like burning coals; but when the matter whereof they are is very groſs, they appear as red as Scarlet or blood; wherefore the Antients have aſſigned them unto the ſeveral Planets according to their complexions; for ſuch as are Saturnian, are pale, wan and of a leaden colour like unto Saturn; Jovial, bright; Martial, red; Solar, golden or yellow; Venereal, obſcure; Mercurial, blews, &c.

^[1387]Such as are like the hairs of a mans head (as you have heard) are more condenſed and thick in the middle, but about the edges more rare; thoſe reſembling beards, have their extreams more rare and diſperſed; and thoſe that are much extended in length, are more rare and ſubtil.

^[1388]The Antients have delivered moreover theſe nine following ſeveral Comets or Blazing-Stars, and their virtues or Portences which I could no wiſe omit being ſo neceſſary to Inſtruction.

The firſt then is call[••] Veru, for that it reſembleth a ſpit, or dart, and appeareth in the day time very terrible to the beholders: It denotes a ſcarcity of fruit both of the Earth and trees; mutations in Church and State, grievous ſlaughters and the death of Kings, Nobles and ſuch as are of their adherence.

The ſecond, Tenaculum, of the colour of Mars, and hath raies under it like the flames of burning coals: it ſignifieth there ſhall not be ſuch plenty as formerly, yet not famine; wars alſo are thereby ſtirred up to the great prejudice of the godlier ſort of people who ſhall be very forward therein.

The third, Pertica, which ſometimes emitts obſcure raies, and again at other times bright; this denotes a drought both of the Earth and Waters; and a ſcarcity of Proviſions; the which if corporally joined to any Planet ſignifyeth events according to the nature of that Planet (the nature of every Planet you have been taught before) as if it be joined to Saturn, there ſhall be mortalities, troubles to old men, and thoſe of the religious Orders: to Jupiter it extends its effects to Kings and Grandees whether good or bad according to their fortitudes; to Mars, many wars, tumults, ſlaughters and effuſion of bloud; to the Sun it will not appear by reaſon of the Suns ſplendour, yet it portends the death of Kings and many tribulations, plagues, and ſickneſſes; to Venus, it ſignifies drought, and a diminution of great waters; to Mercury, it denotes the death of young men, wits and ingenuous ſouls; to the Moon, it ſignifies death and grievous mortality to men, eſpecially common people.

The fourth Miles, conſecrated to Venus, and hath an hairy tail or main, emitting Moon-like beams or rayes; it ſignifieth miſchief to Kings, Nobles and Great men, and that men ſhall riſe that will endeavour to alter the Laws and antient Cuſtoms, and ſet up new; but the greateſt evil portended thereby will be incident to thoſe places towards which it extends its tail or rayes; it denotes alſo wars.

The fifth Ceruleus, of a blew or azure colour, appropriated to Mercury, it denotes the death of Kings and Grandees, Nobles ſuch as are chief Rulers, and chiefly towards the part towards which it extends its rayes; alſo wars.

The ſixth Aurora five Matutina, aſſigned to Mars, it hath a tale, and is of a fiery complexion; when it appeareth towards the Eaſt, bending its head downwards, it ſignifies war, combuſtions, fire and ſword, peſtilence and famine in Arabia and Egypt, drought and a ſcarcity of waters, and this ſhall extend alſo to the Weſtern Regions

The ſeventh Argentum ſive Argenteus, and this is the brighteſt and cleareſt of all Comets; it hath pure bright beams; when it appears, Jupiter being then in Cancer or Piſces, it promiſeth abundance of corn and fruit in thoſe parts where it appeared; but if Jupiter be then in Scorpio, it will not be altogether ſo good.

The eighth Roſa, this is a great round Comet, and is of the form and ſimilitude of of a man, it cauſeth the death of Kings, Great, Noble and Rich men, and the alteration of things.

The ninth and laſt Niger, appropriated to Saturn, being in colour like unto him; it denotes mortality both natural and alſo by the ſword, beheadings and the like.

If a Comet appear in the Aſcendent of any Town,

Note.

Kingdom, City, Family, or in the Aſcendent of the Revolution of the World, it ſignifieth deſtruction of the things ſignified by the Aſcendent and the ſign thereof; and if it appear in the ſign of the mid-Heaven at the time of any of theſe, it bringeth danger to ſuch as are promoted to honour.

^[1389]Comets appearing in earthy ſigns, denote ſterility through drought; in watry, through abundance of rain and floods, and cauſeth alſo Peſtilence; in aiery, they promiſe Winds, Seditions and Peſtilence, yet not alwayes Plagues; in fiery, Wars, ſlaughters and commotions.

CHAP. IX. Of the ſignification of Comets and Blazing-Stars appropriated to the ſeven Planets.

REceive theſe Rule following, as from the Chaldeans, Arabians, and ſuch as were very expert in theſe matters in former Ages.

^[1390]Wherefore know, that if any Comet of the nature and complexion of Saturn appear in the Aſcendent of the Revolution of the World, it denotes many evils, Famine, Peſtilence, Baniſhment, Want, Anxiety, terrour and trouble, Chronick diſeaſes, and Melancholy diſtempers, Catarrs, Quartane Agues, Falling Sickneſs, Leproſies, Palſies, Cancers, and thoſe diſeaſes which are of continuance, lingring Conſumptions, and the like; deſtruction to Beaſts appertaining to the uſe of man; exceſſive cold weather in winter;

Note.

(but you are ſtill to remember the Nature of the Climate; for this inordinate cold in Aethiopia will cauſe but a temperate Ayr, &c. and therefore this is to be underſtood of theſe Northern parts,) clouds, froſt and ſnow, ſtrong and high winds, tempeſts, ſhipwracks, deſtruction of Fiſh, as alſo of Fruit by Caterpillers, Locuſts, and ſuch like Vermine; great Inundations and ſtorms, to the anoyance of Cattel, and all things, Men and Kingdoms under the Dominion of Saturn ſhall ſuffer detriment, and be in danger of deſtruction.

^[1391]Such as are of a ſilver colour, bright and of great ſplendor, and of the nature of Jupiter, cauſe a plentiful year when they appear in the Aſcendent (as you have heard) wholſome blaſts of Ayr with many ſeaſonable ſhowers eſpecially if it be a watry ſign; it denotes alſo ſuch infirmities as are of the nature of Jupiter (which you have heard in the ſecond Book of this Volume) and many alterations and changes in ſuch Kingdoms, Regions and Places ſubject unto him, the which I have there alſo at large ſet down.

^[1392]Thoſe Comets which you have heard we have underſtood by the names of Veru and Pertica are of the nature of Mars, wherefore they denote horrible winds, ſtorms, and tempeſts, a drought of Fountains, and a deſtruction of Fruit by corruption, and all the diſeaſes portended by Mars; &c. frequent Thundering and Lightnings to the deſtruction of many Ship at Sea, wrath, quarrels, heart-burnings, ſlaughters and blood-ſhed amongſt men; tumults, ſeditions and wars, alterations of Kingdoms, Laws, Government and Cuſtoms, and ſuch like evils appropriated to the nature of Mars, and the ſhall chiefly be incident to ſuch men as are under his Dominion, Towns, Cities, Kingdoms and Places, as alſo to thoſe parts towards which the Comet extendeth its tayl as you have heard.

^[1393]Comets and Blazing-Stars of the nature and complexion of the Sun, denote the death of Kings, Great men and Nobles in thoſe parts they appear, and in that Kingdom or Nation under the Aſcendent of that ſign where in they appear, and for which the Revolution is made (when they are ſeen in the Aſcendent thereof;) alſo alterations in Government to the better; continall and dayly tumults alſo war, drought, and ſuch infirmities and are ſolar, and thoſe chiefly to ſolar men, and to ſuch places as are under his Dominion.

^[1394]Such as are appropriated unto Venus, ſhew their Effects on Fruits and in Waters, and cauſe change and mutations in the World, alterations of the Laws, Cuſtoms and Priviledges of Men; damage and detriment to Women, Nuns, and Matrons, chiefly in their Stomach, Secrets and Reins, &c. All infirmities ſignified by Venus are threatned, to thoſe eſpecially that are under her rule, and alſo to thoſe places ſubject unto her.

^[1395]Mercurial Comets occaſion the death of ſome Great man (ſtill remember this is where they have Dominion) grievous calamities, War, Peſtilence and Famine, Deſtruction, Tribulation, Anxiety, trouble and ſadneſs to Mercurialiſts, and Ingenuous and wiſe men, and ſuch as are ruled by Mercury, and grievous trouble and ſorrow to ſuch places as are ſubject unto him, and the ſign wherein the Comet appears, and places to which it extends it ſelf, and where it is viſible it ſends Mercuriall diſeaſes.

^[1396]Lunar Comets chiefly manifeſt their ſignifications on women and common people; as alſo to all ſuch as are under her rule, whether Towns, Cities, Kingdoms or Nations; they particularly denote troubles, alteration of the Laws, Cuſtoms and Rites Sterility and Wars, all infirmities ſignified by the Moon, and thoſe chiefly to ſuch as are by her governed, &c.

Note alſo, that if a Comet extends its ſelf towards Saturn, (viz. its raies or tail) it portends the deſtruction of the fruits of the Earth, and a ſcarcity or Famine; towards Jupiter, wrath and deſtruction to Kings, and the Grandees of the Earth; towards Mars, grievous and terrible ſickneſſes, wars, ſlaughters and blood-ſhed, and the alteration of Kingdoms; towards the Sun, the death and deſtructions of Kings and Government; towards Venus, the death of Great and Noble women, and damage to ſuch things as appertain unto them; towards Mercury, much conſumption of wealth, with ſhame and infamy; towards the Moon, troubles and ſhame to the People in general.

CHAP. X. Shewing the Significations of Comets, when they appear in any of the twelve Signs of Heaven.

^[1397] ALbumaſer and Junctinus with many others ſay, that if any of the aforeſaid Comets or Blazing-Stars appear in Aries, it ſignifies evill and detriment to Noble men, and the Grandees of the Earth in the Eaſtern parts, and abundance of ſadneſs to the commoner ſort, (and truly I conceive all Nations, Kingdoms and People, Cities, Towns, Villages and Families under the ſign Aries will ſuffer the ſame) alſo a noiſe of the claſhing of Arms, blood-ſhed, and the death of ſome eminent Prince, or ſlaughter of ſome great Lady, (you muſt remember to confine your judgment herein to the places wherein the Blazing-Star or Comet hath power, ſo alſo in the ſubſequent rules in the like caſe) with fear and trouble of ſlaughter amongſt men; alſo great drought, common diſeaſes in the Head, Eyes and Brain, a rot amongſt ſmall Cattel, eſpecially Sheep, and a dejection of Great and Noble men, or an un-throning of ſome King, and a riſe or promotion of vile and ignoble mean people.

If its apparition be in the Eaſtern part of Heaven, it will operate ſooner, and there ſhall be enmity amongſt men; but if in the Weſtern, more ſlow, and much evill and detriment from Kings or Superiours, and many ſhowers, inundations and frequent ſnows in Winter.

^[1398]If any Blazing-Star or Comet appear in Taurus, it ſignifieth miſchief to men, and diminution of their goods, alſo injuries and wrongs put upon them; it uſes alſo to ſignifie (as ſay the Antients) the death of ſome Great man, Captivities, injuries, and a toleration of evils; detriment to the greater ſort of Cattel, eſpecially Buls, Cows and Oxen, great winds, a corruption of Fruit, and deſtruction of Corn, and in Winter much cold, alſo grievous Earth-quakes, vehement ſickneſſes, and dry ſcurfie diſeaſes, proceeding of putrefication, as ſcabs, &c.

If it appear toward the Eaſt, it will ſooner operate, and the King ſhall fear his Enemies, and men ſhall be moleſted with boils and ſwellings about the Groins, and theſe ſhall continue for ſome years; alſo ſickneſſes in the Summer-quarter; and if it appear in the Weſtern part, it will work more ſlowly, and ſignifies much rain.

^[1399]In Gemini, if any Comet appear, it ſignifies men ſhall be laſcivious and inceſtuous,^[1400] looſe livers and neglecters of goodneſs; alſo it denotes quarrels, wars, and diſſentions amongſt men, ſickneſſes and the death of children, and yong men eſpecially; alſo Abortive births, the ſlaughter of Birds, Famine, Thunder and Lightning, with very high winds to the eradication and ſubverſion of trees and houſes.

And if it appear towards the Eaſt part of Heaven, the Effects thereof will ſoon be ſeen, and many Grandees of the World ſhall be abaſed, and brought down from their High Places and Honours; and if it appear in the Weſt, not ſo ſoon, and it ſignifies much captivity, and abundance of rain and inundations.

^[1401]Alſo if a Comet appear in Cancer, it ſignifies abundance of Locuſts (in the parts where they are naturally produced, in our Climate it produces Caterpillars, and ſuch like pernitious worms) which ſhall eat up and deſtroy the Fruits of the Earth, alſo ſmall worms in Corn and Trees, a ſcarcity of Fruit and plenty of Worms; it denotes alſo wars, diſcords and much evill, the death of ſome Great Perſon, ſubmerſions, Rapes and Robberies, Famine and Peſtilence.

And if it appear in the Eaſtern part of Heaven, its Effects will be quickly manifeſt, and there ſhall be ſcarcity of Proviſions for the uſe of man towards the latter end of the year; if in the Weſtern, not ſo ſoon; it denotes the kindneſs of Kings and Great men to the Commons.

Again, if any appear in Leo, men ſhall be damnified by wild Beaſts,^[1402] Lyons and Woolfs, (this is to be underſtood in thoſe Regions where ſuch feral creatures are) Worms and Vermin ſhall be deſtructive to the Corn, an men ſhall be damnified in their eſtates; the Gentry and Nobility ſhall ſuffer detriment, and many of them death, and War amongſt Kings towards the end of the year, and much effuſion of bloud in the Eaſtern parts [note the Parentheſis in Aries] and pains in the Eyes.

And if it appear in the Eaſtern part, the Effects are ſoon manifeſted, and it ſignifies great Winds, Lightning, and a ſcarcity of Waters; in the Weſtern, not ſo ſoon, and it ſignifies many ſickneſſes, and that Wolves and mad Dogs will rage.

And if in Virgo, ^[1403] it denotes the extirpation of Domeſticks belonging to ſome King or Prince, or their removall out of one place into another, or out of one Kingdom into another, or their baniſhment, or their being carried away captive, and their goods and offices ſhall be taken away without any hope of reſtauration, neither ſhall they ever recover them; it denotes alſo damage to Merchants and mutual injuries and injuſtice amongſt men; alſo vexations and captivities, and much labour, pain, trouble, tribulations and ſadneſs, Feavers, Abortions in women, a noiſe of Arms, &c.

If it appear Eaſtward, the ſooner are its Effects manifeſt, and portends war; if Weſtward, the later, and denotes quarrels and a rankeneſs of Corn.

In Libra it denotes theft and robberies, alſo cutters on the High-way,^[1404] and men ſhall fear poverty and want, and ſhall ſuffer through cold; it denotes alſo the death of ſome eminent man, ſlaughters, and ſecret plots and treacheries, a ſcarcity of Rain, impetuous Winds, a drought of Fountains and other waters, a want of the Fruits of the Earth, and Proviſions for the uſe of man, Earth quakes, &c.

And if it be Eaſtern, theſe Effects will the ſooner appear, and the Kings of Babylon (and ſuch as are under the ſign Libra) ſhall be unfortunate; and Horſes and Mules ſhall be dear, and Wars amongſt the Romans; but if Weſtern, the contrary, and ſervants ſhall contemn and reject their Maſters, and the fruits of the Earth ſhall not be altogether ſo ſcarce.

In Scorpio any Comet ſignifieth abundance of war and rebellion to Kings,^[1405] changes and alterations, detriment and damage to ſouldiers, labour and travel to all kings of men, contentions amongſt Great men, great perils and dangers, the death of ſome eminent man, and a ſcarcity of waters at ſome certain times, miſchief to ſuch as are with child, a ſcarcity of Corn and the fruits of the Earth, and pains in the Teſticles and Bladder.

And if it be ſeen in the Eaſt or Eaſtward, theſe do ſoon appear, and it denotes a ſcarcity of rain, and that Wolves sand Dogs will ravin; but if it be Weſtward, not ſo ſoon, and there ſhall be Locuſts and ſuch like creatures.

Alſo a Comet in Sagittary denotes a decay of Nobility,^[1406] and a ſuppreſſion of Great and Noble men, wiſe, prudent and learned, and much evill and tribulation will fall upon them, and eſpecially to Scribes or Lawyers, moreover captivity of Princes, war and ſuch like.

But if it be ſeen towards the Eaſt, ſooner will theſe be effected, and it ſignifieth the death of Kings, fightings robberies and a ſcarcity of Proviſions for the life of man; if towards the Weſt, later, and it denotes many fantaſtical dreams, and that women ſhall have many Abortions.

Again,^[1407] in Capricorn any Comet ſignifies fornications amongſt men, war amongſt King and Nobles, many calamities and misfortunes, quarrels, poiſoning of Kings, the death of Princes cutting by the High-way, contempt of Religion, men and things; and it alſo ſhews perſecution of or to Religion, hail, ſnow, and a ſharp winter to the great anoyance of the ſeeds of the Earth; alſo it threatneth Famine, Peſtilence, and the like.

If it be firſt ſeen in the Eaſtern part of Heaven, its Effects will ſuddenly appear, and it denotes that Kings ſhall be damnified by their enemies, and they ſhall be the occaſion of their death and alterations in Government, ſnow alſo and abundance of rain, to the deſtruction of Vines and other the fruits of the Earth; but if in the Weſtern, not ſo ſoon, and it denotes a Year of abundance of graſs and water.

Moreover if in Aquaries, ^[1408] it denotes many wars and ſlaughters, and the death of ſome honorable and eminent Prince or Lady in the Eaſtern parts, ſay ſome of the Antients; (but I ſhould have judged it in the Weſtern parts, Aquaries being a Weſtern ſign, &c.) war for a long time, Epidemical diſeaſes, an obſcuration of the Ayr, with thundring and lightning, Peſtilence alſo, and the death of both Illuſtrious men, and alſo the common ſort of people.

If it appear in the Eaſtern parts, their Portences will ſooner operate, and it denotes abundance of graſs; if in the Weſtern, later, and it ſignifies various rumors, and chiefly of war, and that many men ſhall be impriſoned and captivated.

Laſtly,^[1409] a Comet in Piſces ſignifies war amongſt kindred and to another, and there ſhall be much ſlaughter, contentions alſo touching matters of Faith, and priviledges and cuſtoms in Religion and antient Traditions; there ſhall be alſo many apparitions in the Ayr, fiſhes ſhall many of them ſuffer deſtruction, and it ſhall be dangerous Navigating; Kings ſhall War one againſt another the father againſt the ſon, and the ſon againſt the father, and brother againſt brother, &c.

And if it appear in the Eaſt part of Heaven, the ſooner will theſe be manifeſted, and it ſignifies enmities between Kings, Nobles, and Plebeans, tumults, bickerings, &c. if in the Weſt part, the later, and there ſhall be many anxieties and deaths amongſt men in the Weſtern parts (I ſhould judge it in the North-weſt parts,) and this ſhall continue three years, and and there ſhall be many birds, fiſhes, and inundations and overflowings of Rivers.

^[1410]You have heard that they chiefly ſhew their Effects to thoſe parts to which they emitt their beams or rayes, to the which I may adde the Regions where they are ſeen, and the Kingdoms, Countreys, Provinces and Cities ſubject to the ſign wherein they appear; but the time when it ſhall be chiefly moſt manifeſt is when the Sun comes to the place of their firſt appearance, or to that Planet of whoſe nature and complexion it is, &c.

And thus much of Comets and Blazing-Stars; come we now to great Conjunctions, and ſo conclude theſe our labours.

CHAP. XI. Of great Conjunctions, their Number, and how to judge of their Effects.

MOſt of the Antients have been ſhort in their judgments on this ſubject, yet ſome more copious then others, but none ſo effectual as I could wiſh for thy inſtruction, ſince by the Conjunction of the Planets all the accidents and mutations of this Elementary World are known, eſpecially by the Conjunction of the Superiours; how ever ſuch as they are I ſhall here deliver unto the with my beſt aſſiſtance; time and opportunity may happily produce more hereafter; in the Interim underſtand thus much,

That there are ſeven ſorts of Conjunctions conſiderable.

The firſt and greateſt of all the reſt, is the Conjunction of the two ſuperiour Planets Saturn and Jupiter in the firſt term or degree of Aries, which happens but once in nine hundred and threeſcore yearr.

The ſecond is the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in the firſt term or degree of every triplicity, and this is accompliſhed once in two hundred and forty years, yet once in twenty years, they come in Conjunction in one part or other of the Zodiack.

The third is the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in the firſt term or degree of Cancer, and this is once in thirty years.

The fourth is the Conjunction of the three ſuperiours, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in one term or face of any ſign.

The fifth is the Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, which is a mean and the leaſt Conjunction of the ſuperiours, and therefore is not the fore-runner of ſuch great n foreefs as the other, as you ſhall by and by underſtand.

[••]m[•]re ſixth is the Conjunction of the Sun with any of the reſt of the Planets at the time of his entrance into the firſt point of Aries.

The ſeventh and laſt is the Conjunction of the Sun and Moon, which happeneth once every moneth.

^[1411]Of which we are now in order to treat; but firſt you muſt know that the time for the erecting of your figure is when the Planets are in Partil Conjunction, viz. in the very ſame ſigne, degree and minute of the Zodiack. You may ſee what a Partial Aſpect is the 27 Chapter of the ſecond Book of this Volume.

Having then erected the Figure of the Heavens at your punctual time, and placed the Planets therein being reduced to the time of the day, have regard unto the fortitudes and debilities of the Planets, eſpecially thoſe in Conjunction, for if they be ſtrong and fortunate, they preſage good; if weak and impedited, the contrary.

And this good or evill ſhall be according to the nature of the Planets in Conjunction, and the nature of the ſign in which they are; as if the Sign be aiery and the Planets evill, impediment in the Ayr, corruption and much damage thereby both to men and the fruits of the Earth is denoted; and ſo judge of the reſt of the ſigns; in like manner judge the contrary if the Planets in Conjunction be Fortunes and well dignified.

Again, if the Malevolents be in Conjunction in feminine Signs, they denote Peſtilence and evill infirmities to women; and the Female ſex of things in general chiefly. in like manner to the Maſculine ſex if the Sign be Maſculine; and health, proſperity and good ſucceſs, if they are benevolent Planets.

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Moreover in fixed ſigns, what they portend (whether they are Benevolents or Malevolents) is of continuance; in moveable, of little or no continuance: in common ſigns, a mean between theſe, viz. they are neither of long or ſhort continuance.

CHAP. XII. Of the Conjunctions of the Superiours.

EVery Planet in ſome meaſure or other contributeth to the Government of this World [for the which they were ordained] but ſome more forcibly then others, as being fore-runners of greater and ſtranger accidents and mutations.

^[1412]For, the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in the firſt point of Aries, or the firſt term thereof, is the greateſt and moſt notable Conjunction of all the other, for that they are the higheſt, and ſo conſequently (as to us) the ſloweſt of the Planets, and therefore have more power to act what they denote then any of the other h[•••], and for that Aries is the firſt of the ſigns of the Zodiack, and the firſt ſign of the Triplicities, alſo the firſt of the fiery Trygon.

And therefore it is that when theſe two higheſt Planets are in Conjunction in the fiery Trygon, (eſpecially in the firſt term or degree of Aries the Aſcendent of the world, and the place wherein the chief Luminary (viz. the Sun) was at the Creation) many commotions, wars, ſeditions, troubles, ſubverſion of Monarchies, Kingdoms, States, alteration of Laws, Cuſtoms, Priviledges and Rights, Plagues, Famine, Deſolation, Anxiety and trouble, Treaſons, Treacheries, and the death of Kings, Nobles, Princes, Emperours and Powers, follow.

^[1413]So likewiſe when they are in Conjunction in the firſt term of any Trygon, whether it be fiery, earthy, aiery or watry, but not ſo forcible is their then E[••••], nor ſo terrible as the former, yet (though in a leſs degree) the fore-runners an [••]caſioners of grievous mutations and accidents, according to the nature of that Planet which hath moſt power of the two in the Sign wherein they are joined; for if Saturn be ſtronger then Jupiter, it will be very terrible; but if Jupiter be ſtronger then him, ſomewhat will be abated; in fiery, earthy and aiery Signs they cauſe drought and a ſcarcity of Proviſions and barrenneſs of the ground, Peſtilence and Famine; in watry, detriment by the too much abundance thereof.

Alſo when theſe two firſt Conjunctions are in any of the Angles, eſpecially the tenth, it denotes the ariſe of ſome new King or Prophet from the quarter ſignified by the ſign wherein they are joined, and if the Sign and Lord thereof be fortunate, it denotes their continuance, eſtabliſhment and glory; but if it be weak or afflicted, and its Lord, they ſhall be ſlain and put down; for the whole world is governed by theſe Trygons, as Ptolomy teacheth in his ſecond Book, and the whole Macrocoſm compounded of the four Elements which anſwereth to the four Triplicities, and therefore it is that the Conjunction of the Superiours in them are occaſioners of ſuch great mutations.

^[1414]In like manner the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in the firſt degree or term of Cancer, is the forerunner of much evill▪ (yet are the two former preferred before it) viz. terrible wars, ſlaughters, depopulations and alterations of Government, and deſtruction of Kingdoms, fire and ſword, famine and peſtilence, &c. and if it be Oriental, its Effects will ſoon operate; if Occidentall, not ſo ſoon, the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in any other ſign and place is not ſo terrible.

And truly this is a terrible Conjunction if rightly conſidered, and dictateth unto us upon the firſt conſideration, no leſs then horrible troubles and alterations in the World; if we but conſider it, it is a Conjunction of the Malevolents, two enemies muſt needs be ſtronger then one, and here they are both together, and in a ſign wherein Jupiter our beſt friend is exalted, and the Moon the mother of moiſture pitcheth her Tent, ſo that by their Conjunction therein both the aſſiſtance of the one and the nature of the other is much damnified and afflicted; again, Saturn is therein in detriment, it being the ſign oppoſite to his Houſe Capricorn, and Mars is therein in his fall, Capricorn being the Houſe of his exaltation, and therefore it is (theſe things being conſidered) that they are ſo miſchievous, when joined in this ſign, the which of all their Conjunctions is the worſt, &c.

^[1415]Alſo the Conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in any term or face, and beheld by the Sun, they being the three ſuperiour Planets and moſt effectual for ſtrength and height, ſignifieth the deſtruction of Kingdoms, Sects and Schiſms, and great things according to their ſtrength and the nature of that Planet which is ſtrongeſt in the ſign, &c. Note that when theſe Planets are joined in their exaltations, they denote good, to their power; yet there ſhall be much war, and many Miracles; if they be joined in their fals, they denote miſchief, Famine and Peſtilence, &c.

CHAP. XIII. Of the mean and leſſer Conjunctions, and their Effects.

SOme of the Antients have termed the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars (I mean their Conjunction in any other ſign or place of the Heavens ſave that in Cancer) a mean Conjunction, that of Jupiter and Mars, a leſſer, and that of the Sun with any Planet in his ingreſs into Aries, and his Conjunction with the Moon every moneth, leaſt of all.

Their reaſons will ſoon appear, if we but warily conſider why they term the foregoing Conjunctions greateſt or greater, for Saturn and Mars muſt needs do more miſchief then Jupiter and Mars, Saturn being of a Malevolent nature, and higheſt of all the Planets, and ſo conſequently ſloweſt, (as to us, yet his motion doth equal if not exceed the Moons, only the largeneſs of his ſphear cauſeth that it is not ſo apparently obvious to our ſenſe) and Jupiter of a Benevolent and ſweet Influence, and lower, &c. and therefore as touching the reſt, your own ſenſe will give you (having conſidered what hath been ſaid) that the Inferiour are not of ſuch power and efficacy as are the Superiour.

^[1416]The Conjunction of Saturn and Mars (I mean this mean Conjunction) denotes war and blood-ſhed; but if you would know in what degree this will be executed, you are to ſee what Planet is Almuten of the figure, and whether he be fortunate or no, for if he be ſtrong, eſſentially and free from impediment and affliction, and be of a Benevolent nature, judge the evil will be leſſened in one kinde or other, and if this Almuten have any good Aſpect to the place of the Conjunction, ſee to the nature of your Almuten and the quarter of Heaven he is in, and the nature of the ſign he doth poſſeſs, and judge that by ſuch things, occaſions, or men ſignified thereby, ſhall the war threatned be mitigated, and perhaps diſſolved, eſpecially if there be any reception between him and the ſtrongeſt of thoſe Planets in Conjunction, &c. underſtand this in all the reſt mutatis mutandis;

Note.

likewiſe if your Almuten be evil, weak and unfortunate, judge the contrary, and that rather by ſuch as are by him ſignified the war will be fomented or increaſed.

Note alſo, that if they are joined in humane ſigns, many infirmities ſhall be incident to men, and thoſe according to the nature of the ſtrongeſt of the two in Conjunction; in earthy ſigns, froſt, ſnow and cold ſhall moleſt and prove offenſive and deſtructive to the fruits and ſeeds of the Earth; in fiery the Earth ſhall be barren through extremity of heat and drought; in aiery there ſhall be many high and tempeſtuous winds; in watry, abundance of waters and many inundations; ſo likewiſe if it happen in beaſtial ſigns, the evil chiefly will be incident to Beaſts, and thoſe eſpecially that are of the nature and form of the ſign, &c. (as you have often heard before in delivering rules for the judging of the Revolutions of the Years of the World) in this manner alſo mayeſt thou enlarge upon all the preceding and ſubſequent Conjunctions;

Note.

if they be joined in an Angle, they declare war amongſt great ones, and many tribulations and diſſentions, which ſhall continue till they are otherwiſe joined, &c.

^[1417]The chiefeſt of the leſſer Conjunctions is the Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, and this denotes many accidents and evils by rain, ſnow, corruption of the ayr, war [•]nd blood-ſhed; if Jupiter be ſtrongeſt in the Conjunction it will not be ſo bad; if Mars, do not expect better; and if they be joined in the Aſcendent of the Revolution of the Year, miſchief and misfortune will happen aſſuredly unto the people in general; the nature of the evil judge from the nature of the ſign they are in, and the Planet moſt fortified, &c.

In the ſame manner judge of the reſt of the preceding and ſubſequent Conjuntions, if they be in the Aſcendent of the Revolution, and ſo alſo according to the ſignification and nature of every Houſe wherein you find them in the Figure or Revolution, as you have heard in other caſes ſufficiently before; underſtand this and thou haſt attained a great ſecret.

^[1418]The Conjunction of the Sun with any other Planet when he in his annual Revolution enters the firſt point of Aries, you are to judge according to the nature of the Planet whether good or bad, of which, as alſo his Conjunction with the Moon every Moneth, I need ſay no more in this place ſince what hath been delivered where we treat of the Revolutions of the World, of weather and alteration of the Ayr, and of Eclipſes before in this ſame fourth Book may ſuffice; wherefore let us now draw to a concluſion of this work.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Conjunction of the Planets in the twelve Signs according to Hermes.

ENdeavour thou but to underſtand what hath been ſaid touching Conjunctions and this one Chapter more, and thou wilt ſoon be able to give a rationall and ſufficient judgement upon any Cinjunction whatſoever.

^[1419]When Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and the Moon are joined in Aries, they promiſe good ſucceſs to Mankinde, and much gain and profit every where, fertil ſhewers, and honour to women and Secretaries of State; alſo if the Moon and Jupiter alone be joined in Aries, they denote juſtice and honeſty amongſt men.

^[1420]When Venus and Mars are joined in Taurus, it ſignifies women ſhall brawl and quarrel with their husbands, and there ſhall be many Epidemical diſeaſes amongſt men and Beaſts, deſtruction and ſlaughter, ſtrong and Malevolent winds, and detriment to trees and fruits;^[1421] alſo if Jupiter, and Venus and Mars and the Moon be joyned in Taurus, there ſhall be much lying and diſſembling amongſt men, as alſo treacheries, deſtruction of Kings and Nobles, vile and ignoble men ſhall rebel and raiſe war againſt their Prince; alſo it denotes Earth-quakes: And if Saturn and Jupiter and Mars be joined in Taurus, they ſignifie the death and mortality of beaſts,^[1422] and that Kings ſhall go out of their own Kingdoms into others; and there ſhall happen many infirmities to men through choler, and grievous mortalities both to Man and Beaſt.

^[1423]Alſo when the Sun and Venus and Mercury are joined in Gemini, Scribes and Secretaries ſhall ſuffer detriment, and ſuch as keep Books of Accompts, Stewards and Secretaries of State, Truſtees, &c. ſouldiers ſhall be obedient to their Commanders, and many thefts and robberies by the High-way ſhall be committed, ſo that paſſengers are threatned miſchief.

^[1424]So likewiſe Saturn and Jupiter and Mars and the Sun, and Venus and Mercury, and the Moon in Conjunction in Cancer ſignifieth detriment in every thing and fear ſhall fall on men, and the King ſhall perplex men, and one man another, there ſhall alſo be Earth-quakes and detriment both at Sea and Land.

^[1425]And when Saturn and Jupiter, and Mars and the Moon are joined in Leo, Kings ſhall war and kill one another, and there ſhall happen many great terrors and evils to men.

^[1426]When Saturn and Mars and Mercury are joined in Virgo, it ſignifieth damage and detriment to women, and Kings ſhall be deceived; alſo if the Sun be eclipſed in Virgo and Mars joined unto him, there ſhall be ſlaughter between the Nobles and Plebeans, and great diſſentions; Alſo when Saturn and Venus are joined in this ſign, it denotes an increaſe of waters.

^[1427]When Mars and Iupiter are joined in Libra, it ſignifies the evill ſtate of Noble men and their Aſſociates; Alſo when Iupiter and the Sun and the Moon are therein joined, there ſhall happen mortalities to women and juſt men, and there ſhall be much rain, clouds and malignant ayr.

^[1428]Again, when Saturn and Mars and Venus are joined in Scorpio, it ſignifieth the King ſhall be wounded, or bitten by ſome Beaſt, or ſtung by ſome Adder, or obnoxious creature; and that Kings ſhall go out of their own Lands into others; one King ſhall diſagree and claſh with another, and they ſhall break the league and promiſe which they have made to each other; Alſo when the Moon is alſo joined with them, it ſignifies much rain and increaſe of waters.

Moreover if Scorpio be the Aſcendent of the Revolution of the World, and Saturn be there, and Mars alſo joined unto him, or have any participation with him in the Aſcendent, and Venus be then Combuſt, and Iupiter retrograde, judge evill in every thing, wars and quarrels, ſackings and ſpoilings of Cities and Towns, Earth-quakes, terrours and blood-ſhed, mortalities and many deſtructive infirmities, becauſe Scorpio is the moſt unfortunate of all the ſigns; judge alſo that Kings ſhall diſagree and fight one with another, and Noble and Great men ſhall die, and there ſhall happen many anxieties, tribulations and trouble in the world:^[1429] alſo if both the Fortunes be joined in this ſign there ſhall many ſeducers be diſcovered, and ſuch as ſtudy to with-draw men from the true Worſhip of God.

^[1430]Alſo when Saturn and Iupiter and Mercury and the Moon are joined in Sagittary, it ſignifieth there ſhall be many waters upon the face of the Earth, and that Kings ſhall exalt themſelves; alſo Noblemen, Scribes, Aſtrologers and Ingenuous men ſhall be in great eſteem.

^[1431]Again, when the Sun and Mars and Mercury are joined in Capricorn, it ſignifieth deſtruction to Kings, cauſeth hot and dry diſeaſes, many Combuſtions and fiery, apparitions in the ayr; many windes and a ſcarcity of all ſorts of Vegetables; and that there ſhall be many thefts and robberies.

^[1432]Moreover when Mars and Saturn and the Moon are joined in Aquaries, it ſignifieth a ſcarcity of water and rain; damage to travellers; and that there ſhall be many Snakes and Serpents.

^[1433]Laſtly, when Saturn and Iupiter and Mars are joined in Piſces, it ſignifieth the death, and great damage of Kings, Noblemen and Grandees; alſo if the Sun and Mars and Saturn be there joined, the King ſhall be ſlain, there ſhall be little or no rain, and many Fiſhes ſhall be taken in the Sea; Note, that when Dragons Head and Saturn are joined in any Sign,^[1434] it ſignifieth evill and damage according to the nature of the Sign; as if they be joined in any fiery Sign, drought and damage to Beaſts; if in Aries, to Sheep and ſmall Cattel; if in Leo, to Lyons or feral Beaſts and creatures of prey; if in Sagittary, to Horſes, eſpecially in the laſt 15 degrees thereof; if in Earthy, viz. Taurus, to Buls, Cows and Oxen; in Capricorn, to Goats, and ſuch like, and damage to the Earth and fruits, but eſpecially if in Virgo; if in watry, damage in and by water, ſhipwracks, and the death of Fiſh and creatures living in the water; if in Aiery, there ſhall be many tempeſtuous, pernicious winds and ſtorms, corruption of the Ayr, the death of many Kings and many infirmities. &c.

And thus have I (by the bleſſing of God) delivered unto thee the Natural rules and reaſons of fertility,

Note.

ſterility, health, ſickneſs, wars, peace alterations and accidents of this life, and how to judge of them by the Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipſes of the two great lights and lamps of Heaven the Sun and Moon, Comets and Blazing-Stars, the fore-runners of great mutations, which we have found in all Ages God hath uſed to ſend for the reclaiming of his people from their evill wayes, before his wrath be poured on them; and laſtly, by the great, mean and leſſer Conjunctions of the Coeleſtial Planets, who next under the Great Creator, Governour and Cauſer of all cauſes, are the Governours of the World, and cauſes of all things therein, in a general and natural way.

Wherefore to him alone that ordereth and diſpoſeth all things according to his Divine will, and that Created the Heavens, Earth, Coeleſtial Planets and Stars, and that calleth them all by their names, and that maketh them differ from each other in glory, and that giveth of his free will and pleaſure the knowledge of Divine and Natural things to the ſons of men, he aſcribed all poſſible Praiſe, Glory, Power, Dominion, and Thanksgiving both now and for evermore, Amen.

With this Chapter I thought to have concluded, but ſince we have treated already of the Natural cauſes of the general accidents of the World, and that ſome of the Antients have judged of all theſe things by the Falling of New-Years-Day, and for that I have for ſome few years found them experimentally true, I ſhall adde this own Chapter more, for my Readers recreation and ſport when he is ſo diſpoſed; yet if he diligently obſerve the Effects, he will finde them for the moſt part come very near truth, though many times on the otherſide they may deviate therefrom.

CHAP. XV. Shewing how to judge of the General Accidents of the World by the Falling of New-Years Day.

YOu are herein to obſerve on what day of the week New-Years-Day falleth; for if it fall on Sunday, ^[1435] a pleaſant Winter enſueth, and a natural and kindly Summer and ſufficient fruit; the Harveſt will be indifferent for weather, yet ſome wind and rain it will produce, a temperate Spring and it ſeaſonable; it denotes alſo many Marriages, plenty of Wine and Honey, the death of young Men and Cattel, robberies in moſt places, news of Prelates and Kings, and cruel wars towards the end of the Year, or at leſt much diſſention and diſcord amongh men.

If it fall on a Monday, ^[1436] the Winter will be ſomewhat uncomfortable; the Summer temperate; No great plenty of fruit, many fanſies and fables diſperſed abroad, many Agues, the death of Kings, Nobles and Great men, in moſt places marriages, and a downfal of the Gentry.

If on Tueſday there followeth a ſtormy Winter, and a wet Summer,^[1437] a various harveſt, and moiſt Spring, Corn and fruit indifferent, yet Garden Herbs ſhall not flouriſh, great ſickneſs amongſt men, women and young children, and a mortality of Cattel, many men ſhall die of the Bloody-Flux, and every thing ſave corn ſhall be dear.

On Wodenſday, a warm Winter in the beginning,^[1438] but towards the end ſnow and froſt, a cloudy Summer, plenty of fruit, alſo of corn, wine, hay, honey and other things, damage and hard labour to women with child, death to many children, plenty of ſheep, news of Kings and great wars and blood-ſhed towards the midſt.

On Thurſday both Winter and Summer windy, a rainy Harveſt and a moiſt Spring,^[1439] many Innundations towards the latter end of the Year, much fruit, and plenty of the fruits of the Earth and honey, but fleſh ſhall be dear, a death of Cattel, in general, great trouble, wars and commotions, and women ſhall be looſe and licentious.

On Fryday a ſtormy Winter, and no pleaſant Summer, a moderate Spring,^[1440] ſave only it will be windy, and an indifferent Harveſt, and ſmall ſtore of fruit, wine and honey, corn dear, many blear Eyes, Youth ſhall dye many of them, Earth quakes in many places, much Thunder and Lightning, alſo Tempeſt, and the ſudden death of Cattel.

Laſtly on Saturday, a mean Winter, a very hot Summer, a late harveſt,^[1441] and a dry windy Spring, Garden Herbs ſhall be cheap, much burning, plenty of honey▪ flax and hemp, the death of antient people in moſt places, many Feavers, but chiefly Tertians, great rumours of wars, and ſudden murthers in many places for or upon little or no occaſion, &c.

Thus much from the falling of New-Years-day, the which although the Illiterate and Vulgar may make uſe of, for the frequent verity thereof, yet would I not have them depend thereon, for I cannot (I muſt confeſs) finde any ſure ground why the Antients ſhould thus conclude; wherefore here I deſiſt with this Concluſion.

To God alone be the Praiſe.

FINIS.

The Poſt-Script.

To the Iudicious and Impartial Reader.

UPon the cloſure of theſe my Labours, and when ſo much of the Epiſtles was printed, that I could not conveniently bring in this which I am here to deliver unto thee, appears an invective, flaſhy, weak, ridiculous, inconſiderate, cholerick, raving and rayling Pamphlet, againſt one which it ſeems he is diſpleaſed with for not concluding with him on the Annotations which he publiſhed on Jer. 10.2. The which as indeed ridiculous, ſo ſhould I have ſmilingly paſſed it over in ſilence, and not rendered my ſelf thus worthy of laughter in recording his folly, but that he was ſo abſurd and childiſh as to bring me upon the Stage whom he knoweth not, and who is altogether a ſtranger unto him ſave for what the Mendax Rufus Rolandus, or [his Brother] Orlando furioſo hath maliciouſly and contrary to his own knowledge delivered unto him.

Ʋpon the firſt ſight thereof I perceived it to be a ſcurrulous Pamphlet, no more worthy the heeding then Politicus, Phreneticus, or Walkers diſſembling and lying Occurences; as it was compoſed of ſuch like paper and variety of letter (being (I beleive) by the Printer publiſhed gratis, and therefore by him not thought worthy of better paper, letter or work, being ſuch mean ſtuffe) ſo doth it contain the like phrenſies, invectives and whimſical inventions and evaſions; I ſhall not ſpend time or paper to mention any part thereof ſave only where he is pleaſed now and then (thinking he hath ſufficient ground from the malicious aſperſions of the unworthy before mentioned, for his imprudent and impudent taunts and language) to vent his waſhipneſs and froward craſineſs againſt me; his reaſon I know not, unleſs it were for anſwering a^[1442] turn-coat of his own Livery, who had vainly and ignorantly attempted to beat down that which he is altogether ignorant of; or for that none could ever yet give me a Reply, though it hath been attempted with all the vigour and rigour that might be, but to no purpoſe, as appears by the firſt Book of this Volume.

In his 92 page he boldly tels his Reader, Sir Chriſtopher Heydons large diſcourſe, and Wil. Rameſeys reply to Dr. Homes it ſufficiently confuted. But he doth not in the leaſt tell us how nor make it plain; it is enough for this old man to ſit at home, and hear people talk or read the title of Books, but ſearch no further either for want of time or judgement; for if that patch up pretended Reply to my Book, were ever peruſed by him, he cannot be ignorant that there is not any one Argument of Sir Chriſtopher Heydons ſo much as mentioned, much leſs diſcuſſed or confuted; and as touching mine which this old Tom — (if I might anſwer him in his own language, and ſhew him his plain ſtiling of me without being guilty of the ſame abſurdity with him; or if I might vindicate my ſelf from his aſperſions by caſting the ſame dirt in his face that he hath boldly done in mine) learnedly tearmeth a Reply, as his learned Confutor did before him; but ſober men know it is prepoſterous to call that a Reply which is an Anſwer; but it will quickly appear (as I have ſaid) to the Judicious; by the firſt Book of this Volumne; that the main and chief arguments therein remain at yet both by him and others unſhaken, nay by Mr. Gataker himſelf they are unrefelled, though much carped at as is plain by his ſubſequent words, where he affirmeth the alligation of both Sir Chriſtopher and my ſelf, that Aſtrology was revealed by God to Adam, Seth, Enoch and there poſterity to be frivolous and groundleſs, as alſo at the lower end of his 4 page, and at the beginning of his 168 page, he doth not only hint at the ſame, but paſſeth it over with a peremptory atteſtation of the contrary, without either argument, proof, rime or reaſon againſt it; me things he ſhould not ſo frequently have taken me up, unleſs he could have proved by ſufficient grounds my Allegations to be frivolous, as he is pleaſed to term them, and not thus frivolouſl[•] to paſs them over with a bare ſaying it is falſe, without any contrary demonſtration, and ſo deceive hoth himſelf and Reader; for I ſhall appeal to his own conſcience, whether he have ever peruſed by Book, or that pretended Reply and mine together; or if ſo, whether he is not convinced not only that half my diſcourſe is wholly omitted by the rurall Replyer; but alſo that there is no ſolid and ſubſtantiall reply to any particular thereof, (laying aſide his ridiculous whimſeys and weak quibbles and evaſions wherewith that Pamphlet ſo copiouſly abounds) and this my appeal is not only to Mr. Gataker, but all Ingenuous ſouls who impartially will judge of the matter, and warily obſerve how my words are by him ſet down contrary to my intent and purpoſe in many places, the better to make for his turn and idle conceits, by comparing mine with his.

This I thought good to acquaint the world with, that they be not led away with error and tradition, having at this time ſo opportunely the opportunity of the Preſs, and not only ſo, but to demonſtrate alſo to the World, that notwithſtanding what Dr. Homes, the above named Rufus, or this Mr. Gataker, can or have ſaid is altogether inſufficient to refel the Arguments contained in that Diſcourſe of mine; it is not his ſaying Adam, Seth, Enoch, Abraham, Solomon, and the Patriarchs were not Aſtrological Philoſophers, (which of all Philoſophers are the chief) that will prove them not to be ſo; but ſince I have Joſephus teſtimony^[1443] that they were ſo, and Euſebius his teſtimony, that he was a man worthy of credit, Eccleſ. Hiſt. lib. 1. cap. 7. Certainly I ſhould forefeit my faith credit reaſon and underſt[•]nding, if I ſhould beleive his teſtimony before the teſtimony of Joſephus, who was by ſo learned and holy a Father of the Church as Euſebius deemed ſo worthy and an Authentick witneſs; or if I ſhould beleive that he hath any ground for his other weak evaſions wherewith his Book is fraught, that dares thus (contrary to his own conſcience and knowledge) aſperſe ſo worthy a man as Joſephus by queſtioning his credit, to whom the World is ſo abundantly engaged for his authentick and unparalled works, the which neither Mr. Gataker▪ Wiſaker, Rufus, or a thouſand ſuch animals are worthy to carry after him; But by this one thing is it plain to every Intelligent Reader, that his tongue is no ſlander (as we ſay) and therefore the rather to be excuſed▪ if in any place of his rahling patcht peece, he be found guilty of reproaching his betters that dares thus (when he knows not otherwiſe how to anſwer ad rem) not only lightly eſteem the teſtimonies of the Antient Hiſtoriographers▪ but alſo of the Fathers, which but for brevities ſake, I could ſhew him how in innumerable places of their Works they acknowledge themſelves beholding to this learned Joſephus; but eſpecially Euſebius in almoſt every Chapter throughout his whole ten Books of his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, and in ſeveral places therein plainly expreſſes in the aforenamed words, that He was a man worthy of Credit: the which he cannot he ignorant of (certainly) being a profeſſed Divine. Judge thou then Reader, whether is more worthy of credit, Joſephus, that (as I have ſufficiently ſhewed) teſtifieth Adam, Seth, Enoch, and the reſt of the Patriarchs were Aſtrologers and moſt exquiſite therein, and Euſebius that was a learned Father of the Church that teſtifieth Joſephus to be a man moſt worthy of credit, or learned Rufus Rolandus, and wiſe Mr. Gataker, who ſay they are not, and revile thoſe who have maintained the contrary, but not able otherwiſe to give any reply thereunto; but if one ſay, here is two to two, and ſo imagine we ſtand upon equal terms, I muſt needs tell him he will finde as much difference, as is between men and aſſes; yet to put the matter out of doubt, I ſhall give you one more, which is Gerſon, one ſufficient to countervail a thouſand ſuch Rolands or Gatakers that are oppoſite thereunto, who in his Preface to his. Trilogium Aſtrologiae Theologizatae, teſtifieth alſo that Aſtrology was firſt revealed by God himſelf to Adam. Nay farther Joſephus doth not only teſtifieth that this Science was ſtudied by theſe Patriarchs, and that alſo God firſt revealed it unto our firſt Father Adam, but that Seth was ſo well skilled therein, that he foreknew thereby that the World ſhould be deſtroyed by the flood, and therefore ingraved it (with other Arts and Sciences) on two Pillar, the one of ſtone and the other of brik, and that he ſaw that of ſtone to remain in Syria in his dayes; Moreover he farther teſtifieth^[1444] that Abraham being exquiſite therein, and having learned it in Chaldea, the place of hit birth, when he went into Egypt was the firſt that taught them Aſtrology and Arithmetick, the which teſtimonies (eſpecially carrying ſuch ſtrength of probability with them) I cannot beleeve ever were or ever will be queſtiened by the judicious and the more rational ſort of men.

And as touching Mr. Gataker his raſh and inconſiderate aſperſion in reckoning me with the Impoſtors and Jugling knaves which abuſe this Noble Science, by their illegall practiſes, (the which I have in the^[1445] firſt Epiſtle, and^[1446] firſt Book ſufficiently declared againſt) in terming me^[1447] a bird of the ſame feather; I might juſtly tell him he is no better then a Thom-as Wiſaker, thus raſhly to conclude what he is ignorant off, but that I fear I ſhould be guilty of the like abſurd language with him, and be too plain with the old man, whom I muſt confeſs hath by this his raſh and inconſiderate affirmation, moſt extreamly over-ſhot himſelf; and were he not a Divine, I ſhould ſay he were doting or mad, thus highly to dare to affront one who he is altogether a ſtranger to; and this let me tell you Mr. Gataker, and excuſe your ſelf when and as well as you can, That it is neither the part of a Scholar, a Rational man, a Divine, a Presbyterian, or a Chriſtian, to aſſume liberty to aſperſe, vilifie and wrongfully accuſe your brother upon the bare hearſay of another, eſpecially one of ſo mean credit as is the pretended Author of the Reply to my Book in anſwer to Doctor Homes, (for I ſcorn to name him) who hath been of ſuch variety of Profeſſions, and is well known to be a time-ſerving fellow, Ergo not worthy the noting; for deny it if you can that it was not that pretended Reply that lead you thus to aſſume the boldneſs as to term me ſo confidently a bird of the ſame feather with Impoſtors; for as I have before declared in the^[1448] firſt Book, I never practiſed or ſtudyed it otherwiſe then for the ſatisfaction of my minde, and for my own pleaſure, and therefore good Mr. Gataker, take notice, that I ſcorn to be guilty of any ſuch mercenary practiſes; as much as you ſcorn to be termed or accounted ſchiſmatical or Jeſuitical; and that I am as free and innocent from thoſe abuſes of the Art, as you are guilty of abuſing me by this wrong accuſation, being blinded with errour, and deluded by the aſperſions and lying abuſes of that unworthy^[1449] fellow, and ſo in danger to ſhipwrack your diſcretion and judgement on the rock of Tradition, which if guided by Reaſon would have been ſafe, which I would have all men ſtudy to obtain, and then I queſtion not but that they will ſoon finde, that I abhor longer to live then I ſhould degenerate from my ſelf.

Wherfore with this argument I ſhall conclude; Who ſo imputeth folly or madneſs to any man for his tenets, which he cannot refute that doth gainſay them, doth thereby abundantly prove himſelf to be a malignant cavilling fool, and his arguings frivolous: But Thomas Gataker imputes folly to William Rameſey for the allegation aforeſad with his brother Rufus, yet can not refute what they gainſay, Ergo—

Die ♄. 11o. Junii, 1653.

William Rameſey.

FINIS.

The Contents of every Section and Chapter contained in this fourth Treatiſe, intituled ASTROLOGIA MUNDA.

• SECTION I. COntaining the ground work of Revolutions of the Years of the World, conſiderations before judgement, and the true ſignificators of ſuch things as are neceſſary to be judged of in this manner of work. Fol 213
  • CHAP. I. Shewing the ground-work on which Aſtrological Judgements for the judging of Revolutions are to be built, and how many Scheams or Figures of Heaven ought to be erected for this work. Fol 214
  • Chap. 2. Containing ſome neceſſary conſiderations before judgement. Fol 216
  • Chap. 3. Shewing which are the ſignificators of the King, People, their enemies and aſſiſtants in any Revolution of the Years of the World. Fol 218
  • Chap. 4. Shewing according to the ſignification of the Planets, the Significators in general, of rich and Noble men, the Kings Standard-bearer, Armor-bearer, or General of the Armies, Clergy men, Students, Merchants, Lawyers, Women, Fryers and Monks. Fol 220
• SECT. II. Shewing the ſtate and condition of the King or Rulers, and their continuation, and their durability in any Revolution, alſo the condition of the people from the Poſitions and Fortitudes of their Significators; Alſo how to know the Lord of the Year, and what is portended thereby in any Revolution, whether in Aſpect of the Planets, located in the Houſes or Signs; alſo of the ſignifications of the Head and Tayl of the Dragon, in the 12 Houſes of Heaven in any Revolution in the 12 ſigns alſo. Fol. 221
  • CHAP. I. Of the State and condition of the King or chief Rulers, and People in any Annual Revolution. Idem.
  • Chap. 2. Teaching how to judge of the permanency or durability of Kings or ſuch as are in authority by any Revolution. Fol 225
  • Chap. 3. Shewing the ſtate and condition of the common people in any Region, by any Annual Revolution. Fol 226
  • Chap. 4 How to know that Planet which is Lord of the Year in any Annual revolution of the Years of the World. Fol 231
  • Chap. 5. Of the ſignifications of the ſeven Celeſtial Planets, when any of them is Lord of the Year, whether fortunated or impedited, and of the Aſpects of the Planets with them. Fol 234
  • Chap. 6. Containing the true Significations of the Planet Saturn, as he is in any Annual Revolution accidentally placed in any of the twelve Houſes of Heaven, whether he be Lord of the Year or no. Fol 237
  • Chap. 7. Of the ſignifications of Jupiter as he is accidentally placed in any of the twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no. Fol 239
  • Chap. 8. Containing the ſignifications of Mars in the twelve Houſes of Heaven, in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no. Fol 240
  • Chap. 9. Shewing the ſignifications of the Sun in the twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no. Fol 241
  • Chap. 10. Shewing the Signification of Venus in the twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether ſhe Lady of the Year or no. Fol 242
  • Chap. 11. Of the ſignifications of Mercury in the twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether he be Lord of the Year or no. Fol 244
  • Chap. 12. Of the ſignfications of the Moon in the twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution, whether ſhe be Lady of the Year or no. 245
  • Chap. 13. Containing the ſignifications of the head and tayl of the Dragon, in the twelve Houſes of Heaven in any Annual Revolution of the years of the World. 246
  • Chap. 14. Shewing the ſignifications of the Planets in any of the Triplicities when any of them is Lord of the Year in any Annual Revolution of the Years of the World. 248
  • Chap. 15. Demonſtrating the ſignifications of Saturn when he is Lord of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 249
  • Chap. 16. Shewing the ſignifications of Jupiter when he is Lord of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 253.
  • Chap. 17. Shewing the ſignifications of Mars when he is Lord of the Lord of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 256
  • Chap. 18. Containing the accidents ſignified by the Sun when he is Lord of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 259
  • Chap. 19. Of the things ſignified by Venus when ſhe is Lady of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 261
  • Chap. 20. Of the ſignifications of Mercury when he is Lord of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 263
  • Chap. 21. Containing the ſignifications of the Moon when ſhe is Lady of the Year in any of the twelve ſigns. 266
  • Chap. 22. Shewing what is ſign[•]fied by the Head and Tayl of the Dragon, as they are placed in any of the twelve ſigns in any Revolution. 267
• SECT. III. Containing ſome other neceſſary Inſtructions for the judging of Events portended by any Revolution of the Years of the World, alſo ſhewing how to judge of ſuch Years as ſignifie fertility, ſterility, wars, peace, health or ſickneſs, alterations of, and in the Ayr, and of all other things foreknown by the Poſition of the Heavens at the Ingreſs of the Sun into the firſt point of Aries. 269
• CHAP. I. Shewing the ſignifications of the Planets in their exaltations, and alſo in Conjunction, Square or Oppoſition of Saturn or Mars at that time in any Revolution. Idem.
• Chap. 2. Of the ſignifications of the Planets and Dragons Head and Tail, as alſo Blazing-Stars, when they are (in any Revolution) exalted one above the other. 271
• Chap. 3. Containing conſiderations from the Sun and the Moon, when the Revolution is either Diurnal or Nocturnal, alſo when the Revolution happens at Sun-ſetting or break of Day, and from the Lord of the Hour, Part of Fortune, the Indiſpoſition of Saturn and Mars, and from the Conjunction with Dragons Head and Tayl in any of the twelve ſigns, in any Annual Revolution. 274
• Chap. 4. Teaching how to iudge of the evill of any year, the nature thereof, and when the year is moſt likely to be turbulent, obnoxious and unfortunate; alſo what is portended by any Revolution when one Planet transfers his light and nature to another. 278
• Chap. 5. Shewing how to judge of health or ſickneſs in any year. 280
• Chap. 6. How of wars or peace. Idem.
• Chap. 7. Of fertility and ſterility. 284
• Chap. 8. Teaching how to know the price of any thing in any year. 285
• Chap. 9. Containing ſome Inſtructions touching the alteration of the Ayr, and change of weather in any year. 288
• Chap. 10. Shewing how to judge of the weather by the Aſpects of the Moon to the other Planets, and by the ſeveral Aſpects of the Planets amongst themſelves. 290
• Chap. 11. Demonſtrating the alteration of the Ayr by the Combuſtion, Orientality and Occidentality of the Planets in every of the twelve ſigns of Heaven. 292
• Chap. 12. Containing further inſtructions touching the alteration of the Ayr from the application of the Moon to the other Planets, having ſeparated from the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun. 294
• Chap. 13. Teaching by other rules how to judge of the alteration of the ayr, and to know when rain is to be expected. 296
• Chap. 14. Shewing Haly his judgement on weather, and the alteration of the Ayr, 298
• Chap. 15. Shewing how to judge of weather from common Obſervation of the riſing and ſetting of the [•]un, colour of the Moon, appearance of the Rain-bow, Comets, Clouds, brightneſs of the fixed Stars, alſo by the prime day, and from the time of the day wherein thunder happeneth. 302
• Chap. 16. Demonſtrating the natural cauſes of many Suns, of the Rain-bow, Rain, Hail, Froſt, Snow, Dew, Winde, Earth-quakes, Comets, Thunders, Lightnings, and the cauſe of the Sun and Moons Eclipſe. 303
• Chap. 17 Of the ſignification of the moſt notable fixed Stars both fortunate and unfortunate in any of the twelve Houſes in Revolutions of the Years of the World. 305
• SECT. IV. Teaching how to judge of the natural mutations and accidents of this Elementary World, by the appearance of Eclipſes, Comes, great Conjunctions and Blazing-ſtars.
  • CHAP. I. Containing Ptolomies method in judging Eclipſes, and how to know the Regions to which the Effects belong. 310
  • Chap. 2. Shewing the time when the Effects of any Eclipſe ſhall begin, and how long continue. Idem
  • Chap. 3. Of the kindes of Events of any Eclipſe. 311
  • Chap. 4. Of the quality of the Events of any Eclipſe whether good or evil. 312
  • Chap. 5. Of the Sun and Moon eclipſed in any Decanate or Face of the twelve Coeleſtial ſigns. 315
  • Chap. 6. Of Comets and Blazing-Stars, what they are, the many ſorts thereof, their Portences, and how long they appear at any time. 318
  • Chap. 7. Shewing the Phyſical reaſons of the horrid and terrible portencies of Comets and Blazing Stars. 320
  • Chap. 8. Shewing ſome other names of Comets or Blazing-Stars, and their Portencies. 321
  • Chap. 9. Of the ſignification of Comets and Blazing-Stars appropriated to the ſeven Planets 323
  • Chap. 10. Shewing the ſignifications of Comets when they appear in any of the twelve ſigns of Heaven. 324
  • Chap. 11. Of great Conjunctions, their Number, and how to judge of their Effects. 327
  • Chap. 12. Of the Conjunctions of the ſuperiours. 328
  • Chap. 13. Of the mean and leſſer Conjunctions and their effects. 329
  • Chap. 14. Of the Conjunction of the Planets in the twelve ſigns according to Hermes. 330
  • Chap. 15. Shewing how to iudge of the general accidents of the World by the falling of New-Years Day. 332

FINIS.

An INDEX, pointing to the chief matters contained in this Volume. This mark * before any figure, points you to the folio in the firſt EPISTLE to the READER.

A

• ABraham an Aſtrologer, Epiſt. Ded. 1 Poſtſcript, folio 4. The firſt that taught the Egyptians the knowledge of the Stars. Ibid.
• Abuſe of any thing, taketh not away the uſe thereof among the Learned. * 3
• Abuſes caſt upon the Author by the penners of the pretended Reply to his Lux Veritatis, and he vindicated from them all, from folio 26 to 29. their juglings and evaſions diſcovered. 29
• Acute diſeaſes how ruled. 11
• Adam an Aſtrologer, notwithſtanding Mr. Gatakers evaſions in his Annotations on Jer. 10. ver. 2. put forth by the Synod. Epiſt. Ded. 1 Poſtſcript: and for the clearing of the Text, to that aforeſaid Lux Veritatis, Chap. 3. Sect. 5
• Ayrs alteration, how to judge thereof, from 288 to 303 by general ſignificators 288, 289 by opening of Gates 290 by the aſpects of the Moon to the other Planets 291 by the Planets mutual aſpects 291, 292 Orientallity, Occidentallity, and combuſtion in the 12 ſigns 292, 293 by the application of the Moon to the other Planets, having ſeparated from the conjunction of the Sun 294, 295 Aphoriſms 296 Ordinary ſigns and tokens 297 by Haly his judgement, from 298 to 302 by the riſing and ſetting of the Sun, the colour of the Moon, the Rainbow, and by the appearance of Comets 302 by Clouds, Stars, Prime day, &c. 303
• Aeties, a ſtone ſo called, its vertue. 57
• Afflictions portended by revolutions, the nature thereof, and from whence it ſhall ariſe. 275
• Age decrepit prohibited phyſick. 166
• Age of thoſe that are not to uſe Phebotomie 170 What time of the Moon it availeth. 171
• A time for making of Agreements. 178
• A time for any work in the art of Alchimy. 179
• A time for All things under the Sun. 145
• Almuten what. 111
• Alterations in the world occaſioned by Ecclipſes of either Luminary, and why, 308 by Comets 319 and why. 320
• A time for Anointing to remove ſuperfluous hair. 169
• Antiſcience of the Planets, their force, how to know them▪ 76
• Aphoriſms conducing to the judging of Elections, from 122 to 128 ſhewing how to judge of the condition of Kings, People, or any other; what accidents are to happen them, and at what time in any year, from 221 to 224 more particularly of the People, from 226 to 230
• Apiſhneſs in men reprehended. * 18
• Exceſs of Apparel in the vulgar condemned. * 19
• A time for putting on of Apparrel. 137. 156
• Appearance of many Suns and Moons, the reaſon thereof. 303
• Application what. 110
• A time for Applying Medicines to all the parts of the body. 163
• Aquaries, its nature and quality 90 Corporature, Diſeaſes, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and part in man under its rule 91 why ruled by Saturn 68 the number, names, nature, magnitude, latitude and longitude of its moſt notable fixed ſtars. 294
• Aries, its nature and quality, Corporature, Diſeaſes, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and part in man under its rule 86 why governed by Mars 68 why the exaltation of the Sun, and fall of Saturn 69 the number, names, nature, magnitude, latitude and longitude of its moſt notable fixed ſtars 94
• Armour-bearers, their ſignificators general in annual judgments. 220
• A time for buying Arms. 184
• Aſcendant, why ſo called. 107
• Aſia its inhabitants, the reaſon of their ſeveral inclinations. 16
• Aſpects, names, nature, characters, why ſo named and charactered, partile and platick, 92 dexter and ſiniſter. 93
• Aſpects of the Planets to the Lord of the year. 235
• Aſſiſtance from whence to be expected, and from what kind of men 282 to obtain it of great men. 197
• Aſtrologie, the definition of the word *1 its ſcope or definition *3 agreeth with Divinity *5.4, &c. one of the Liberal Sciences, together with Aſtronomy and Phyſicks 2 how they became ſeparated, or ſo accounted ibid. how brought into contempt *1, *3 the beſt of ſtudies and lawful 4, 18, 23 revealed firſt to Adam by God, not diabolical (as ſome weakly have endeavoured to perſwade the world) but a great mean [rather] to acquaint us with a Diety 4, 38 medleth not with the ſecrets of God 21 moſt uſeful for Phyſicians 23, 28 its definition 29 Legality 38 Excellency 4 warranted by Councels 37 not impugned by Divine Scripture from 30 to 36 uſeful for all the parts of Phyſick. 153
• Athazer what. 111
• Atlas fained to be the ſupporter of the Heavens and why. 4
• The Author divided by the Author *20 his exhortation to this mad world *22 how far he holdeth of caſual Events 22 his practice or way of living 28 denieth a fatality in the Stars Influencies ibid. yet proveth they have admirable Influence in all ſublunaries 4 and that they are cauſe of fertility and ſterility 5 how far he vindicateth it 37, 38 alloweth not of the reſolution of Queſtions, whereby many now-adays enrich themſelves, and cheat the world, and bring a ſcandal on the purity of Aſtrologie; but condemneth it, with the ſetting of Nativities, as toys, trifles, vanities, cheats and abuſes of the purity of the Science of the Stars *3, *36, 38 the cauſe of his putting pen to paper in any of his works *4, *6 what books he hath hitherto wrote 4 his manner of writing in theſe his Labours *25, &c. the occaſion thereof and his end therein *6 his birth, breeding and life hitherto, declared. *28, *29
• Author of the pretended Reply to my Lux veritatis diſcovered, and that it is not his under whoſe name the Epiſtle thereof paſſeth. 24

B

• Barreneſs a curſe. *13
• A time for Bathing. 169
• Beaſts a time to purchaſe. 173
• Beauty real defined, as vulgarly received, rejected. *9
• A time for Begetting Boys and Girls. 152
• Benevolents not alwayes Jupiter and Venus. 124
• Beſieging what. 111
• Birds a time to buy. 174
• Blackmores why black. 14
• Blood-letting when convenient. 170
• Book the firſt, ſecond, third of this Volumn, their ſcope *2 the fourth. *3
• Books publiſhed by the Author. *4
• A time for Borrowing of money. 135
• A time to purge the Brain. 168
• A Bridle for Youth. *9
• Of buying and ſelling 137 to profit thereby. 136

C

• Cancer, its nature and quality, corporature, diſeaſes, Angel, colours, places 87 Regions Cities, part in man under its Rule 88 why ruled by the Moon 68 why the exaltation of Jupiter and fall of Mars 69 the number, names, nature, magnitude, latitude, and longitude of its moſt notable fixed Stars. 97
• Capricorn, its nature and quality, Corporature, Diſeaſes, Angel, Colours, Places Regions, Cities and Part in man under its rule 90 why ruled by Saturn 68 why the fall of Jupiter, and exaltation of Mars 69 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude, and Longitude of its moſt notable fixed Stars. 103
• Captives a time for freeing of them. 201
• Carbunkle its nature. 57
• Caſtles a time to build them. 143
• Caſualties of Cities how to judge of them. 144
• Cattel ſmall and great a time to buy them 173 to tame them. 174
• Cautions in adminiſtring Phyſick laxative. 166, 168
• Cazimi what. 111
• Characters uſed in Aſtrological books, explained. 49, 77, 81, 91
• Charactery Aſtrologie queſtioned. *3
• Childhood the vanity thereof *7, *8 Child dead to bring forth. 153
• Children born at the time of an Eclipſe, or at the Partile Conjunction of the Luminaries, live not long, and why. 12
• A time to purge Choler. 168
• A time to draw cholerick blood. 171
• Of Chriſtening. 154
• Chronick diſeaſes how ruled. 11
• Chryſolite its vertue. 57
• Churches a time to build. 145
• Chyrurgery a time to uſe. 169
• Circles of Heaven, their number, order and motion. 79
• Of Circumciſion. 154
• A time to bathe for cleanlineſs. 169
• Clergymen their ſignificators general in Annual judgments 220 more particularly. 141
• Cauſe of Climacterical years. 12
• Cloathing a time to buy. 137
• Clyſters, a time for adminiſtring them. 164
• Why it is Colder in January when the days increaſe in length, then in December when they are at the ſhorteſt. 13
• Combuſtion what. 111
• Comet, why ſo called, the many ſorts thereof 318 the definition thereof 304 318 the appearance thereof an evident token of Aſtrologies Legality, and that it is allowed of by GOD 36 in what part of the Heaven they appear; Continuance, Portencies, how to judge thereof, the birth of our Saviour foretold thereby 319 Phyſical reaſons of their portencies 320 why ſeldom ſeen, and but in one part of heaven, at what time of the year, the reaſons of their various ſhapes and colours, diſtinct ſignifications 321 Saturnian, Jovial, Martial, Solar and Venerial, their portencies 323 Mercurial, Lunar 324 ſignifications and portencies in any of the 12 Signs, from 324 to 327 when chiefly they manifeſt their effects. 326
• Conception when hindred 152 when farthered. 153
• Ʋt mulier Conciplat; ut non Concipiat. 178
• Great Conjunctions, their Number; Conſiderations before judgement 327 of the ſuperiours and their effects 328 Leſſer, & their portencies 329 Hermes of Conjunctions, from 330 to 333
• Conjunction its nature. 92
• How to order the matter of Conqueſt in any war. 179
• Conſiderations to be had in Phlebotomie. 170
• Conſtellations hindering and farthering Phlebotomie. Ibid.
• To know the the Contents of any writing unſeen. 185
• Contrantiſcians of the Planets how to know them; their force. 77
• Corns, a time for the cutting of them. 134
• Coronations, a time for them. 197
• Covetouſneſs moſt deteſtable. *12
• What ſign the Sun was in at the firſt Creation. 214
• Critical-days whence cauſed 11 the true knowledge of them 162 may often be hindered by Saturn. 13
• Cuſtome reproved* 16 a ſecond nature 170 cannot wholly alter the Natural Conſtitution of any Place or People. 15
• The Cuſtoms and Laws of all Nations different, and why. 16

D.

• Dead childe to deliver. 153
• Debility of any Planet in any Sign to know. 66
• Decrepit age prohibited Phyſick. 166
• Degrees, how many in a ſign of Heaven. 79
• Delectatione cum muliere jacere. 178
• Devil ignorant of the iſſue of future accidents. 21
• Dexter aspect, what its nature. 93
• Direction what. 110
• A time for any work in the Art of Diſtillation. 139
• Dog-days why not a like contagious every year. 9
• A time for buying of Dogs 173 of bringing them up. 174
• Dragons Head and Tayl what they are; their nature 76 ſignifications in the twelve Houſes in the Revolutions of the years of the world 247 in the twelve ſigns of Heaven. 267, 268
• A time for Dwelling. 179

E.

• A time for husbanding the Earth. 148
• Earthquakes how occaſioned, ſignes thereof. 304
• Earths Semidiamiter. 50
• Cauſe of the Ebbing and flowing of the ſea. 11
• Eclipſe of the Sun the cauſe thereof 304 of the Moon; why they happen not twice every Moneth 305 how to judge of the mutations and accidents in this Elementary world thereby, from 308 to 318 that alterations do follow in the world upon the Eclipſe of either Luminary, and wherefore 308 an Introduction from 308 to 310 what is to be conſidered 310 when their effects manifeſt themſelves, Ibid. how long continue 311 to know the Lord of any Eclipſe, ibid. the kinds of the Events 312 quality, whether good or evil from 313 to 315 of the Sun in any decanate of the 12 Signs 316 of the Moon. 317
• Ecliptick Circle what it is, why ſo called 79
• Education not of force ſufficient to alter the natural conſtitution of a People or Nation. 15
• Egypt how watred. 290
• A time for Electing Kings and Governours. 196
• Elections ordinary, ſlighted. *3
• Elections by the Aſpects of the Moon to the other Planets. 129
• Electuaries a time to adminiſter. 168
• A time for ſending Embaſſadors. 159
• Enemies a time to ſuppreſs. 182
• Enoch an Aſtrologer, vid. Poſtſcript.
• A time for Enſtaulings. 197
• Equator or the Equinoctial circle what it is, why ſo called. 79
• To know when a Planet is Eſſentially dignified. 65
• To know the event of any war. 181
• Events portended by the Lord of the year 231, &c. where they ſhall be manifeſted 232 of Comets 319 of Eclipſes from 308 to 318
• To know the Evil threatned in any year to any place 278 the cauſe of any evil to happen. 223
• Europians why of magnaminous ſpirits and given to wars and exploits. 16
• To Expel a dead child. 153
• Eye of the Sun, a Stone ſo called its vertue. 57
• A time for adminiſtring remedies to the Eyes. 163

F.

• Faces of the Planets their uſe, why ſo called 73 their ſignifications. 74
• A time for Feaſting. 156
• To know if any Land be fertile. 147
• Fertility and ſterility on what they depend. 10
• How to judge of the fertility of any year. 284
• Figure of Heaven what it is 20 how to frame it. 112
• Firmament why ſo called. 78
• Firſt Book its Subject. *2
• Firſt-mover why ſo called. 78
• A time to fiſh. 187
• Fixed Stars no cauſe of plenty or ſcarcity 10 Tables demonſtrating the Names, Nature, Number, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of the chiefeſt of them, in every of the 12 ſigns, from 94 to 106 why called fixed 94 their ſignifications in any of the 12 houſes of Heaven in Revolutions of the years of the World, from 305 to 308
• Flegm a time to purge it. 168
• Flegmatick-blood a time to extract it. 171
• A time for flitting or removing 138
• Fluxes, a time to ſtop them. 164
• Fourth Book its ſubject. *3
• Fortunate Planets. 127
• A time to fowl. 187
• Freſh-waters why not ſo ſubject to ebb and flow. 11
• Friendſhip between Brethren a time to make 140 between any two 141 a time to obtain it of any. 199
• Friends how to chooſe them *22 prove them and keep them. *24
• Froſt what it is. 304
• Fruſtration what. 111
• Fryers their ſignificators general in Annual judgements. 220
• Fugitives a time to ſeek. 184
• Furlongs, how many in a ſign of Heaven. 79
• Future accidents to know. 223

G.

• Galen his admonition to the Vulgar. 161
• Gall a time to purge. 168
• How to win at any game. 186
• A time for adminiſtring Gargariſms. 165
• Opening of Gates what it is 299 a cauſe of the change of weather. 290
• Gemini, its nature and quality, Corporature, Diſeaſes, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and part in man under its Rule 87 why ruled by Mercury 68 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude & Longitude of its moſt notable fixed Stars. 96
• General accidents how to judge of them by the falling of Newyears day. 333
• General Rules will not hold in particular affairs. 128
• Gentlemen their vanity in general. *20
• A time for getting of Girls. 152
• A time for giving of Gifts. 155
• God worketh by cauſes *4 is the God of order ibid. clearly to be ſeen in the order of Nature *5, 10 ſeldom or never perverteth its order. *5
• A time for the beginning of Governments. 197
• A time for Graffing, 150
• A time for buying of great Cattel. 173
• Groundwork of Elections. 122

H.

• Hail what it is, how condenſed. 304
• Hair a time for cutting of it 133 a time for applying medicines to remove what is ſuperfluous 163 when to bathe for the ſame purpoſe. 169
• Haiz what. 111
• An Harmony between the Coeleſtial and Terreſtrial bodies. 122 bodies. 122
• A time for adminiſtring remedies to the Head. 163
• A time to bathe for Health. 169
• How to judge of the Health of any year. 280
• A time to purge the Heart. 168
• Heavens power and vertue admirable 5 Gods book in which all things from the beginning to the ſubverſion of the world is written 18 order, number and motions 78 diviſion into 12 Signs. 79
• Heliotropion its vertue. 57
• A time for buying of Heritages. 146
• Hermophrodites when begotten. 152
• A time for Hiring any thing 149 ſervants. 172
• A time for obtaining the thing Hoped for. 199
• Horizon what it is, its diverſity. 80
• A time for buying Horſes. 201
• Houſes of Heaven what, the reaſons of their ſignifications 107, 108 diviſion into 12 parts 109 how to judge of any thing ſignified by them. 275
• Houſes a time for buying of them 146 for building 142 letting or hiring 149 for ridding of evil ſpirits. 151
• A time for buying of Hounds. 173
• A time to Hunt 187
• A time for buying of Land for Husbandry. 147
• Hyacinth its vertue. 57
• Hypocrites reproved. *15

I.

• Jacob an Aſtrologer. 18
• Impeditions of the Moon. 127
• Infants prohibited Phyſick. 166
• Inferiour what. 111
• Inferiours ruled by Superiours 123
• Influence of the Stars may be found our, notwiſtanding the ſlowneſs of the ſtarry ſphear in leſs then thirty years time 7, &c. may certainly be predicted, notwithſtanding the Revolution of the ſtarry ſphear ſince Ptolomies time, or ſince the firſt Creation 8, &c. takes not away Gods government 22 may be altered by him *4 yet it is ſeldom or never ſeen. *5
• A time for acting any thing of Ingenuity. 158
• Inns of Court deſcribed. *21
• A ſhort Journey what it is 140 a time for going. ibid.
• A time of Iourneying and returning, and to judge of the ſucceſs therein. 191
• Iris, a ſtone ſo called, its vertue. 57
• Iſſue a bleſſing *13 ſuch as deſire none, reprehended. ibid.
• Judicial days whence cauſed 11 the true knowledge of them. 162
• Jupiter, his Nature and Complexion, Magnitude, mean and diurnal Motion, Revolution, Diſtance from the Earth, Humours, Quality of men ſignified by him, Corporature, greateſt North-Latitude, South, Colours, Savours, Spice, Hearbs and Drugs ruled by him, and part of Man 52 Trees, Birds, mineral, Stones, Fiſhes, Beaſts, Places, Weather, Winds, Signs, Triplicity, Diſeaſes, Regions, Day of the week ruled by him; his Exaltation, Fall, Detriment, Age, Angel, Friends, Enemies, Orb, Years, Moneth after Conception 53 his Joy 75 why ſo called and charactered 77 is not always a fortune 124, 216 ſignifications when Lord of the year 234 in any of the 12 houſes of Heaven in any revolution of the years of the world 239 &c. in any of the 12 Signs from 253 to 256 when Lord of an Eclipſe. 313
• A time to obtain Juſtice of Rulers. 197

K.

• Kings significators in Annual Judgements, not exempt from the power of the Stars 219 Condition in any year 221, 222 How to judge of their permanency 225 A time to obtain their favour 197 and their Pardon. 198

L.

• A time for Lanching of Ships. 195
• A time for buying of Land 146 for Letting 149 if it be fertile. 147
• A time to prevail in Law-suits. 181
• Lawyers their significator general 220 reprehended. * 21
• A time to Learn Sciences 195 Arts or Occupations. 198
• A time for Lending of money. 135
• Leo, its Nature, Quality, Corporature, Diseases, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its Rule 88 why ruled by the Sun 68 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude, and Longitude of its most notable fixed Stars. 98
• A time for composing of Letters. 158
• Lightning what it is. 304
• Liver a time to purge it. 168
• Lord of the Year how to know him according to the Antients 231 according to the Author 233 of the Aspects of the Planets to him. 235
• Loss how to judge of it. 282
• To know the Love between two married, or any other 177
• Low-countreymen why they shoke off the Spaniards Government. 16
• Lewdness described, its portencies * 10 its remedy. * 11
• A time to purge the Lungs. 168
• Lybra, its Nature, Quality, Corporature, Diseases, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its Rule 89 why ruled by Venus 88 why the fall of the Sun and exaltation of Saturn 69 the Number, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of its most notable fixed Stars. 100

M.

• Malefactor a time to make him confess Truth. 185
• Malevolents are not always Saturn and Mars. 124
• Man his vanity in general * 11, * 12, * 13 subject to Gods Government, and Angels rule, as well as to the power of the stars, and how 22 wherein he differeth from a brute Creature. 23
• Mansions of the Moon, their several qualities and Elections. 130
• A time for Manuring the Earth. 148
• A time for Marriage according to the Antients 176 according to the Author 177 the end thereof *13 forced, censured. * 17
• Markets described. * 21
• Mars, his Nature, Complexion, Magnitude, Distance from the Earth, mean and diurnal Motion, Revolution, Humours, Quality of men, Corporature, North Latitude, South, what Savours, Colours, Part in man, Hearbs, Trees and Spice ruled by him 54 what Winds, Weather, Signs, Diseases or Triplicity, Places, Birds, Stones, Fish, Beasts, Mineral Day of the week, Enemies, Friends, Angel, Age, Exaltation, Fall Detriment, Orb, Regions, Places, Years 55 Joy 75 why so called and charactered 77 may sometimes be a benovolent and adjuvant Planet 124, 216 significations when Lord of the Year 235 in any of the twelve Houses 241 in any of the twelve signs from 256 to 259 when Lord of an Eclipse. 314
• The vertue of Medicinal things how found out. 161
• A time for applying Medicines to all parts of the body. 163
• A time to purge Melancholy. 168
• A time to extract Melancholy blood. 171
• A time to purge any Member of the body. 168
• A time to purge the Members of Generation. ibid.
• Merchants their significators general. 220
• Mercury, his Nature, Complexion, Magnitude, Distance from the Earth, mean and diurnal Motion, Revolution, Quality of Men, Corporature, greatest North Latitude, South, Savours, Colours, and Part of man ruled by him 6[•] Hearbs, Drugs, Trees, Birds, Serpents, Stones, Minerals, Fishes, Beasts, Weather, Winds, Signs, Triplicity, Places, Day of the week, Regions, Moneth after Conception, Years, Diseases, &c. under his Dominion; Exaltation, Fall, Detriment, Age, Angel, Friends, Enemies 62 Joy 75 why so called and charactered 77 significations when Lord of the Year 235 in any of the twelve Houses 244 in any of the twelve signs, from 263 to 265 when Lord of an Eclipse. 314
• Meridian what it is, wherefore so called. 80
• A time for sending of Messengers. 159
• Method of the fourth Book. 214
• Miles how many in a sign of Heaven. 79.
• A time for building of Mills. 145
• Minutes in a degree how many. 79
• Monarchial Government cast off by the English, and why. 17
• Monks their significators general. 220
• A time for receiving Money. 135
• Moons Influence proved 11, 12 mock-moons the cause of them 303 her Nature, Complexion, Magnitude, mean and diurnal Motion, Revolution, Distance from the Earth, Humours, Quality of men, Corporature, North-Latitude, South, Colours, Savours, Hearbs, Trees and Plants 63 Birds, Stones, Mineral, Fishes, Beasts, Places, Weather, Winds, Sign, Triplicity, Exaltation, Fall, Detriment, Age, Angel, Enemies, Friends, Day of the week, Regions, Orb, Years, Moneth after conception, Journies, Diseases, &c. ruled by her 64 Joy 75 why so called and charactered 77, 78 significations when Lady of the Year 235 in any of the twelve Houses of Heaven 245 in any of the twelve signs. 266
• A time to Learn Musick. 195

N.

• Nails of the hands or feet a time to cut them. 134
• No Nation but hath good and bad in it. * 23
• Nativities Legality questioned and condemned as vain * 3. * 6 how far maintained by the Author. 38
• The study of Nature and help to the Knowledge of God * 22, 38 its course may be altered and how * 5 how often since the Creation. ibid.
• No New thing under the Sun. * 25, * 26
• Noblemen their significator general. 220
• A time for applying Remedies to the Nose. 164
• A time for sending Children to Nurse. 132
• Northern Inhabitants why strong bodyed, rude and fair complexioned. 15

O.

• Objections against Astrology answered, from 18 to 23
• Occidental what. 111
• A time for making odoriferous smels. 158
• Opposite Aspect, or an Opposition why so called and charactered 93 wherefore malevolent. 92, 93
• Oriental what. 111

P.

• Palaces of Kings defined, with their vanity. * 21
• Pantaura its vertue. 58
• A time for obtaining pardon of King. 198
• Parents Carelesness reprehended * 13 their folly in bringing up Children. * 8
• Partile, Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine and Opposition what. 92
• Of Partnership. 178
• The Patient his danger by being in the hands of an unskilful Physitian. 161
• Patriarchs Astrologers, vid. Postscript.
• A time of peace. 182
• How to judge of peace in any year. 282
• A wonderfull thing of Pease. 11, 12
• People, their significators in Annual Judgements 215 their State and Condition 222 and from 226 to 230
• Peregrination what. 111
• How to know the permanency of Kings, States, Governments, or any in Authority. 225
• Philosophers-stone what 27 studied by the most refined spirits in all ages, and why so many miss of obtaining it. 139
• A time for administring Physick to all the parts of the body. 163
• Physick denyed to Children and decrepit age. 166
• Physitians ought to be well versed in Astrologie 153 the errour of most of them 136, 160 the Ignorant therein, accounted by the rational rather fools then Physitians 23, 160, 280 what is requisite to perfect them in their Art, being ignorant in Astrology, can never safely administer Physick, nor accounted by the judicious fit to be trusted with the lives of men 161 a time for going to his Patient. 171
• Phlebotomy, what Constellations hinder it, what farther; Considerations, when best to refrain, when to use it 170 what time of the Moon is to be observed in all Ages and Humours of men. 171
• A time for administring Pils. 168
• Pisces its Nature, Quality, Corporature, Diseases, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its rule 91 why ruled by Jupiter 68 why the exaltation of Venus and fall of Mercury 69 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of its most notable fixed stars. 150
• Planets Influence proved 10, 13 Number, Names, Characters. 49
• What time is best to plant or sow. 12
• A time for planting of Trees. 150
• Platick Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine and Opposition what. 92
• Plenty and scarcity depend on the motions and configurations of the Planets. 10
• How to judge of Plenty in any Year. 284
• A remarkable thing of the Pomegranate. 12
• When Preparatives ought to be administred 164
• A time for Preparing Medicines. 168
• A time to give Presents. 155
• To know the Price of any thing to be bought or sold. 146
• To know the Price of any thing in any Year, from 285 to 288
• Pride, its Cause removed. * 14
• A time for freeing of Prisoners. 201
• A time for going of Progress. 198
• Prohibition what. 110
• A time for obtaining Promises. 200
• When to prune and cut Vines. 12
• Ptolomies method in judging of Eclipses, from 310 to 315
• A time for pulling down what hath been built. 145
• A time for taking of Purges. 166
• A time for putting on of Apparrel. 137, 156
• Pyrophilus, its vertue. 57

Q.

• A time for Quarrels. 179
• Quartile Aspect, its nature, why so called and charactered, why unfortunate. 92
• Questions if radical agree with the Nativity, yet both rejected as not sufficient ground-works for Elections 322 the resolution thereof as practised among us by Impostors, condemned. * 3, *6, 38

R.

• Race-horses, a time for buying them. 173
• Rain what it is, how procreated. 304 never seen in Egypt. 290
• Rainbow the cause thereof 304 how to judge of the weather thereby 302
• Four Reasons why the pretended Reply to my Lux Veritatis is not taken notice of by me 24 another reason 26 another. 30
• A time to receive gifts. 155
• Reception what. 111
• Regrenation what. ibid.
• Regions under Saturn 51 subject to Jupiter 53 Ruled by Mars 55 by the Sun 59 by Ʋenus 60 by Mercury 62 by the Moon 64 by Aries 86 by Taurus and Gemini 87 by Cancer, Leo and Virgo 88 by Libra and Scorpio 89 by Sagittary and Capricorn 90 by Aquarius and Pisces. 91
• A time for applying Remedies to all the parts of the Body. 163
• A time for removing. 138
• A time for renting of Houses, Land, Fruit, or ought else. 149
• A time for obtaining Requests. 200
• Retrogradation what. 110
• That Birds may return that are let fly. 173
• A time for stopping of Rheumes. 164
• Revolution of the Starry-sphere, of Saturn, Sol, Ʋenus, Mercury and the Moon 7 of Jupiter and Mars. 8
• Revolutions of the Years of the world, their portencies, the Radix or ground-work from which they are to be judged 214 how many Scheams ought to be set for the judging thereof 215 Considerations before judgement 216, 217 Considerations from the Sun and Moon when the Revolution is either diurnal or nocturnal 274 at Suns set, or at break of day; Considerations from the Lord of the hour, part of fortune, its Dispositor, the Position of Saturn and Mars, the Conjunction of Dragons head with Saturn in Aries, in Taurus, in Gemini 276 in Cancer, in Leo, in Ʋirgo, in Libra, in Scorpio, in Sagittary, in Capricorn, in Aquarius, in Pisces or of Dragons tail in any of these Signs; And of Mars in Conjunction with Dragons head or Dragons tail in any of the twelve signs 277 from the fixed Stars in the twelve Houses, from 305 to 308
• Rich-men, their Significators general in Annual judgements. 200
• Riches wherein they consist. *12
• A time for riding of Horses. 202

S.

• Sagittary, its Nature and Quality, Corporature, Diseases, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its rule 90 why ruled by Jupiter 68 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude Latitude and Longitude of its most notable fixed Stars. 102
• Saturn, his Influence proved 12, &c. removal out of one Sign into another, cause of change of Air 9 Colour, Nature, Magnitude, diurnal Motion, Distance from the Earth 49 Humours, Profession, Coporature, Quality of men ruled by him, Savours, what part in man, Hearbs, Trees, Plants and Birds 58 Stones, Minerals, Fishes, Beasts, Places, Weather, Winds, Signs, Triplicity, Angel, Age, Friend, Enemies, Regions, Orb 59 is sometimes a benovolent and adjuvant Planet 124, 216 his Significations when Lord of the Year 234 in any of the twelve Houses of Heaven 237, 238 in any of the twelve Signs, from 249 to 253 when Lord of an Eclipse. 313
• Scarcity of any year how to judge of it. 284
• A time for setting of Children to School. 132
• Scorpio, its Nature and Quality, Corporature, Diseases, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its rule 89 why ruled by Mars 68 why the fall of the Moon 69 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude Latitude and Longitude of its most notable fixed Stars. 011
• Second Book, its subject. * 2
• Seconds how many in a minute. 79
• A time for sowing of Seeds 151
• Self-endedness reprehended * 14
• A time for selling to gain thereby. 137
• Of selling and buying. ibid.
• Separation what. 110
• A time for hiring Servants. 172
• Seth an Astrologer, Epist. Dedic. 1. vid. Postscript.
• Sextile Aspect its nature, why so called and charactered, benevolent. 92
• A time for building of Ships. 194
• When the Sick is not likely to recover. 198
• How to judge of Sickness in any year. 280
• Significations of Saturn and Jupiter when Lords of the Year in any Annual Revolution 234 when rulers of an Eclipse 313 of Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon, when Lords or Ladies of the Year 235 Mars, Venus and Mercury when rulers of an Eclipse 314 in any of the twelve Houses or Signs, from 237 to 268 in their exaltations or mutual aspects 269, 270 exalted one above another, from 271 to 273 of Dragons head and tail 247 of the Planets in any Triplicity. 248
• Significators of the King, People and their Enemies in any Annual Revolution 219 of all sorts of People. 220
• Signs what they are, why called Signs, how many degrees in a Sign, how many Minutes in a degree, how many Seconds in a Minute, how many Miles or Furlongs a Sign consisteth of 79 their Names and Characters, Divisions 81 why so called and charactered 83, &c. why reckoned from Aries, and not placed in the Heavens according to the order of the four Elements. 85
• A time to learn to Sing. 196
• Sinister Aspect what it is, its nature. 93
• A time for buying of small Cattel 173 of taming of them. 174
• A time for making sweet Smels. 150
• A time for administring Sneezings. 165
• Snow what it is. 304
• Southern Inhabitants, why quickwitted. 15
• A time for ridding houses of Spirits. 151
• A time to purge the Spleen. 168
• Spring-time the cause thereof. 9, 11
• Square Aspect, its Nature, why so called and charactered, why malevolent. 92
• Standard-bearers their significators. 220
• Stars portencies what * 4 cause of sterility and fertility, proved by the Word of GOD 5 most effectual and never perverted but by miracle * 4 both Signs and Causes warranted by the word of GOD 35 influence proved 3, 6, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 maintained by sacred writ in spite of its Antagonists 23, 31, and 33
• The Annual motion of the Starry-sphere. 7, 10
• Stationary what. 110
• Sterility and fertility on what they depend 10 how to judge thereof in any Year. 284
• A time for Storming Castles and Towns. 182
• To know the Strength of any Planet in any Sign. 66
• A time for Studying divine matters, or ought else. 141
• Summer the cause thereof 9, 11 why not alike hot every Year 9 what Physick is therein most safe to be taken. 166
• Sun his Influence proved 10, 18 his nature, complexion, magnitude, distance from the Earth mean and diurnal Motion, Revolution, Quality of men, 56 Corporature, Savours, Colours, Part in man, Hearbs, Spice, Trees, Birds, Stones 57 Minerals, Fishes, Beasts, Weather, Places, Winds, Sign, Triplicity, Exaltation, Fall, Detriment, Age, Angel, Friends, Enemies, 58 Day of the week, Regions, Orb, Moneth after conception, Years, Diseases 59 Significations when Lord of the Year 235 in any of the twelve Houses 241 his Presence or Absence not alone the cause of heat or cold 9 Mock-Suns the reason thereof 303 under the Sunbeams what. 111
• Superiour what. ibid.

T.

• Tables of the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of the most notable fixed Stars in every Sign, from 94 to 105 of the Essential dignities of the Planets according to Ptolomy, or [rather] an unknown Author 95 of their fortitude and debilities 66, &c. of the Aspects of the Moon to the other Planets and Elections thereby 129 of the mansions of the Moon. 130
• A time for Taming small Cattel. 174
• Taurus, its Nature, Quality, Corporature, 86 Diseases, Angel, Colours, Places, Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its rule 87 why ruled by Venus 68 why the Exaltation of the Moon 69 the Number, Names, Nature, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of its most notable fixed Stars. 95
• Term what it is, wherefore so called, and why so attributed to the Planets 71 their use. 72
• Terms of Art explained. 110, &c.
• A time for apprehending Thieves 184 to make them confess truth. 185
• Third book its subject. * 2
• Thirds how many in a second. 79
• Thunder what it is. 304
• A time for Tilling the ground. 148
• A time to cut Timber to keep long. 12
• What Time is best to use Physick 166 Phlebotomie. 170
• A Time for all things under the Sun. 145
• A convenient time to set Children to a Trade. 132
• Tradition in some kind censured. * 3, *6
• Translation what. 111
• Translation of light among the Planets, and what is thereby portended in Revolutions. 279
• A time for planting of Trees. 150
• Trine aspect, its Nature, why so called and charactered 93 why good and benevolent. 92, 93
• Triplicity what it is, how many, how nominated, by what Planet ruled, and wherefore. 70
• Tydes not so apparent in the Atlantick Sea as in others, and why in some places they are hindred. 11

V.

• Venereal sports a time for them. 178
• A time for applying Ventosies. 170
• Venus, her Nature, Complexion, Magnitude, Distance from the Earth, mean and diurnal Motion, Revolution, Quality of men 58 Coporature, Part of man, Beaſts, Hearbs, Spice, Trees, Perfumes, Birds, Stones, Mineral, Fiſhes, Weather, Winds, Places, Signs, Triplicity, Day of the week, Regions, Years, Diſeaſes ruled by her, her Age, Angel, Exaltation, Fall, Detriment, Enemy, Friends 60 her joy 75 why ſo called and charactered 77 is ſometimes a malevolent and interficient Planet. 124, 216 Significations when Lady of the Year 235 in the twelve Houſes 243 in the twelve Signs from 261 to 263 when Lady of an Eclipſe. 314
• How to order the matter for Victory. 179
• How to judge of Victory in any year. 282
• When to prune and cut Vines. 12
• Virgo, its Nature, Quality, Corporature, Diſeaſes, Angel, Colours, Places Regions, Cities, and Part of man under its rule 88 why ruled by Me[•]cury 68 why his exaltation and fall of Ʋenus 69 the Number, Names, Magnitude, Latitude and Longitude of its moſt notable fixed Stars. 99
• Vertue of Hearbs, Stones, Minerals, Drugs, and other Medicinal things how found out. 280
• Ʋnfortunate Planets. 127
• A time for making of Ʋnguents. 158
• A time for Voyaging. 195
• Void of Courſe what. 111

W.

• A time for War 179 to judge of the event 181 how to judge of it in any year; where and when it ſhall happe 281 who ſhall be the beginner thereof. 283
• A time to bring Water to an Houſe by pipe or otherwaies. 148
• A time for Weaning of Children. 133
• Weather how to judge of it, from 288 to 303
• A time for digging of Wells, 148
• How to know the Whiſperings of any two. 185
• Will of any one if to be altered or ſtand in force, and how to judge of the ſtate thereof. 189
• How to Win at any game. 186
• Wind what it is. 304
• Winter the cauſe thereof 9, 11 why not all alike cold 9 what phyſick is therein beſt to be taken. 166
• Women their ſignificators general 220 their Darling toys deſcribed. * 19
• Word of God the chiefeſt Good. *22
• World how governed by GOD ſince he finiſhed his ſix days work * 5.4. ruled by Planets 328 the vanity thereof in general * 7 its deſcription and vanity more particularly from * 14 to * 19 turned topfie turvy. * 17
• Writing of Letters a time therefore. 158

Y.

• Year whether likely to be turbulent or obnoxious 278 plentiful or ſcarce. 284
• Greater Years of the Planets how known. 71
• Youth and its vanity and folly deſcribed. * 9, *10

From my Study at my Fathers Houſe in Holborn, within two doors of the wounded Heart, near the Kings Gate, this 17 of January 1652.

FINIS.

Reader,

AS in all Volumes you ſhall finde the Printers faults, ſo in this; by reaſon it is a work wherewith they are unacquainted, mayeſt thou abundantly finde their failings, which I would intreat thee candidly to paſs by, and amend with thy pen, before thou adventureſt to read the ſame; eſpecially or that ſome are ſo groſs and abſurd, they may otherwiſe lead thee into an errour, unleſs thou art well acquainted with this manner of learning. I have put the fault all along according as it ſhould be amended in a different letter, that thou mayeſt thereby the more readily apprehend where the defect lyeth; if there be any other, as alſo literal faults or defects by me committed in the ſubject it ſelf, if thou ſhalt ſhew thy ſelf ſo charitable as lovingly to correct, and acquaint me therewith, I ſhall be for ever engaged to acknowledge my ſelf

Thy aſſured Friend and Humble Servant William Rameſey.

Where in ſome Copies there are theſe faults let ſlip.

In the firſt Book.

FOlio 3. line 13. read Chap. 1. f. 4. l. 24. r. this art. l. 26. r. the Heavens. f. 14. l. 25. r. lately publiſhed, and l. 50. r. of all things. f. 22. l. 23. r. Lucius Bellantius. f. 26. l. 45. r. or crediting. f. 27. l. 52. r. this a more, &c. f. 28. l. 13. r. his art. f. 30. in the contents of the 14 Chap. r. fifth reaſon. f. 31. l. 57. r. and conceitedneſs. f. 33. l. 16. after ſuperfluous, r. ſhall be ſatisfied, and in the ſame l. after matter r. therefore. f. 35. l. 3. r. facing it. f. 38. l. 7. r. Dearth. and l. 18. r. I mean. alſo l. 23. r. for ſince.

In the ſecond Book.

Folio 50. in the margin. r. Saturn when well fortified, ibid. l. 39. r. Meridional. and l. 40. r. fleſhy. f. 51. l▪ 34. r. Chap. 27. f. 54. l. 19. r. in two years. f. 62. l. 43. r. he is placed. f. 63. l. 15. r. her nearneſs. f. 65. in the table over againſt ♉ and after ♃. r ♄ 24. and over againſt ♊ and after ♀. r. ♄. 25. and ♂ 30. and after ♀ 25. over againſt ♌. r. ♃ 30. & over againſt ♎ after ♀ 11. r. ☿ 16. & over againſt ♏, after ♂. 6. t. ♀ 13. f. 69. in the contents of the 11 Chap. r. falls, & l. 25. wherein ſhe is in her full. f. 71. in the table over againſt ♊ and under ♃. r. for 6.7. and in the ſame l. under ♂. r. for 6.5. and over againſt ♌ and under ♃. for 6. r. 5. and in the ſame line under ♂. for 5. r 6. and l. 41. r. him laſt, & l. 42. r. alſo him. f. 76. l. 49. r. 25. degrees of ♌. and l. 53. dele and. f. 79. l. 56. r. is becauſe f 85. l. 21. r. ſecond treatiſe. f. 86. in the contents of the 26 Chap. r. quality. f. 92. l. 35. r. lighter Planer, and l 53 r. the worſt &c. f. 106. l. 50. r. 21. Chap. f. 109. l. 7. r. ſecond Treatiſe.

In the third Book.

Folio 122 l. 24 r. Omniſcient Creator, and l. 37. r. of the party f. 125. l 15 for foreſhewed. r. furthered. f. 127. l. 16. r. ſeparating. f. 128. l. 11. r. affairs for demands. f. 135. l. 19. dele and. f. 137. l. 43. r. ſhe next. f. 141. l. 24. r. ſecond book. f. 148. l. 50. r. in an angle. f. 161. l. 12. dele be, and l. 32 dele then. f. 162. l. 20. r. interficient. l. 36. r. by her ſwiftneſs. and l. 37. r. by her ſlowneſs. f. 163. l. 19 r. malevolent aſpects. f. 173. l. 14. r. aſpect of. f. 179. l. 44. r. and of his houſes. f. 183. l. 24. r. unto him. f. 185 l. 53. dele and before aſpect. f. 201. l. 51. r. you have been taught.

In the fourth Book.

Folio 214. l. 46. r 25. Chap. f. 215 l. 33 r. Chap. 22. and l. 50. r. Chap. 26. f. 224. l 27. r. or ſixth. f. 229. l. 32. r. to thoſe places. f. 241. l. 12. r. he is. f. 250. l. 4. r. his poſition. f. 251. l. 31. r. living in the Sea. f. 258. l. 33. r. Jupiter prevent. f. 259. in the laſt note dele Lord. f. 261. l. 13. dele in. f. 265. l. 1. dele either. f. 282. l. 28. r. if it be Venus. f. 284. l. 26. dele at. f. 286. l. 1. r. amplifie it thus. f. 294. l. 5. for this book. r. this Section. f. 295. l. 39. dele and. f. 298. l. 1. r▪ the better and l. 10. r. theſe brute and l. 11. r. or at beſt. f. 300. l. 11. r. ſeeds therefore. f. 308. l. 17. r. in the ſixteenth Chap. and third Section. f. 320. l. 33. r. 16. Chap. and 3. Sect.

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Marginal notes

1. The Tenure of the firſt Book. ↩
2. The ſubject and ſcope of the ſecond Treatiſe. ↩
3. Of the third. ↩
4. Of the fourth. ↩
5. The Body of Aſtrology in its Purity. ↩
6. The Reaſon why ſo many Books are Printed againſt Aſtrology. ↩
7. The Authors firſt inducement to vindicate Aſtrologie. ↩
8. The firſt occaſion of his writeing. ↩
9. The ſecond occaſion. ↩
10. The third occaſion. ↩
11. That Theologie and Aſtrologie agree together. ↩
12. The Authors chief drift in theſe his Labors. ↩
13. The Authors opinion touching Nativities and Horary Queſtions. ↩
14. Nativities and Queſtions. ↩
15. Of the vanity of our childhood. ↩
16. The Vanity of our Youth. ↩
17. The vanity of man in general, from the 21. year of his age, to the end thereof. ↩
18. A ſhort deſcription of the world, and the vanity thereof. ↩
19. A ſhort deſcription of Markets. ↩
20. Of the Inns of Court, or the Practiſes of Lawyers. ↩
21. Of the Palaces of Kings. ↩
22. The Authors exhortation to this mad world. ↩
23. Inſtructions how to chooſe a friend. ↩
24. Caveats in chooſing of friends. ↩
25. How to know a true friend. ↩
26. How to keep a true friend. ↩
27. See Bonatus de Revolutionibus, cap. 95. ↩
28. The Authors l[•]fe. ↩
29. The time and place of his birth, and his parentage and family. ↩
30. The original of my Name and ſtock. ↩
31. Viz. So [•]e of that Trade to countenance and credit themſelvs in the Kings time, affirming him to be their Maſter; and now ſince by others, through envy, think[•]ng thereby to upbraid and reproach both him and me. ↩
32. Where the Author had his education, and how he hath ſince ſpent his days. ↩
33. Anſw. ↩
34. Ariſtotle maketh no difference between Aſtrology and Aſtronomy, but together wi[•]h Phyſicks acknowledgeth them all one and the ſame Art, though diſtinct parts. ↩
35. Aſtrology one of the Liberal Sciences. ↩
36. Of the legality, great eſteem and antiquity of Aſtrology ſtanding firm and unſhaken for ought all the envious carpers and Ignoramuſes can ſay. How Aſtrology and Aſtronomy came ſeparated. Aſtrology and Aſtronomy one and the ſame Science. ↩
37. Ptolomy maketh no difference between Aſtrologie and Aſtronomie. ↩
38. The apparent folly of theſe men that produce Ptolomy againſt Aſtrology. ↩
39. What the Antients deſerve at our hands for their care & pains of us; for ingratitude is abominable. ↩
40. Hermes. ↩
41. Tully. ↩
42. And Plinie. ↩
43. The Septuagints alſo. ↩
44. Likewiſe Galen ↩
45. And the ſame doth Caſsiodorus, Plato, and Philo. ↩
46. Bonatus conſenteth to the ſame. ↩
47. See alſo his 14 chap. where under the word Aſtronomy, as you may ſee in the Contents of the chapter he proveth Aſtrology to be one of the Liberal Sciences. ↩
48. Aſtronomy of no great uſe or validity without Aſtrology. ↩
49. Aſtrology firſt revealed to the firſt man Adam by God himſelf; Not Diabolical or illegal, but moſt lawful and moſt to be deſired of all other natural Sciences. A great means to draw us to God and acquaint us with his Divine incomprehenſible ſelf. Nota. ↩
50. Noahs flood, Sects, Schiſms, and other accidents foreknown and ſignified by the Heavens. The Heavens is Gods inſtrument, by which he governeth and ruleth this Elementary world. The Heavens have many and divers vertues and obey the Commandment of God. ↩
51. The Heavens or influence of the ſtars cauſe of Fertility and Sterility. Of Sterility. ↩
52. Of Fertility. ↩
53. God is to be ſeen in the order of nature, and in his works. Nota. ↩
54. Further that the ſtars have influence. ↩
55. Anſw. ↩
56. The influence of the ſtars extends to the temperature of men, as we ſee in Lunatick. To the ſucceſs of mens affairs alſo, though denyed by ſome. The influence of the ſtars acknowledged by Philoſophers. ↩
57. Obſervation teacheth us the ſtars influence. ↩
58. That the true nature of the Stars may be known and how. ↩
59. The power of the Planets. ↩
60. The ſignifications of the influence of the Stars are ſoon found out in relation to their configurations with the Moon, with the Sun, Venus and Mercury. In relation to the configurations of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars with them. ↩
61. The Influence of the Stars taught at large by former Aſtrologers. ↩
62. Anſw. ↩
63. The motion of the Heavens ſince Ptolomies time, nor indeed ſince the firſt Creatlon, is any cauſe of errour in Aſtrologers judgements in this our Age. ↩
64. The aforeſaid objection cleared by example. ↩
65. Manifeſted by common experience. ↩
66. Farther yet manifeſt. ↩
67. Why the Dog-Days are not all years alike contagious. ↩
68. A third manifeſtation thereof. ↩
69. The Stars cauſes next under God the firſt moving cauſe. By the ſtudy of the Stars we ſee God in his works. ↩
70. The fixed ſtars no cauſe of plenty, or ſcarcity of themſelves: but the Planets by reaſon of their various motions are. Dearth, plenty, drought, plagues, alterations of the ayr; the courſe of Navigation and Husbandry, alſo the rule and ſole government of the earth, as all accidents therein, aſcribed to the influence of the Planets. ↩
71. That the Sun hath influence. ↩
72. The Moon. Object. Anſw. Why there is no Tides, or ſuch as can hardly be diſcerned in the Atlantick ſeas. Why there is no Tides in freſh waters, and why in ſome places there are no Tides. ↩
73. If a Horſe cover a Mare the third day before the Full Moon, a male Foal will be conceived. ↩
74. The third day after the Full Moon a female. ↩
75. Thoſe born at the time of an Eclipſe, or Change of the Moon, live not long, and why. ↩
76. A remarkable thing of the Pomegranate. ↩
77. The influence of Saturn proved. ↩
78. The cauſe of Climacterical yeers. ↩
79. The power of Saturn in diſeaſes. ↩
80. The inclination of any one who hath in their Nativity Saturn Signifitor. ↩
81. The Authors appeal to what he himſelf hath delivered in his Vox Stellarum, for the juſtification of the validity and certainty of Aſtrology, and for the proving the Stars and Planets to have influence over ſublunary bodies. ↩
82. All general accidents whatſoever, are and may be known by revolutions of the World, Eclipſes, Comets, great Conjunctions, and Blazing-Stars, in a natural way. ↩
83. Of thoſe that live in the Torrid Zone. ↩
84. Of the inhabitants of the South. ↩
85. Of the Inhabitants of the North. ↩
86. Object. Anſw. ↩
87. An example in the Germa[•]s. ↩
88. Of the Inhabitants of Europe, or thoſe under the fiery Trigon. ↩
89. Of the inhabitants of Aſia the greater, and the reaſon of their ſeveral inclinations. ↩
90. Anſw. ↩
91. The Engliſh have ſhaken off the Monarchical government by reaſon of the natural antipathy between their inclinations and the Scots, and the reaſon of their contrariety in Nature. ↩
92. That laws are ordered and conſtituted according to the inclinations of the people that makes them, is hereby furtherd proved. ↩
93. The ſtars have influence over all things in the world. The Heavens compared to a Book. ↩
94. Aſtrology lawful and the beſt of ſtudies. ↩
95. Anſw. ↩
96. I would have no man be ſo ridiculous as to miſtake me in this matter, in catching before they read to a full ſtop, as of late the ignorant hath done, and ſo rendred himſelf a dolt to poſterity. Queſt. Anſw. The Objection touching the various ends of Chickings, Dogs, and the like; unfitly brought to gain ſay the validity of Aſtrology. ↩
97. Anſw. ↩
98. The quality of the Native, conſtitution of the Climate, Laws, Cuſtoms, and other cauſes neceſſary to be obſerved in every mans Nativity. ↩
99. Nota. The inſtance of a Kings ſon and a Beggars both born at one very minute (if ſuch were known) of no validity againſt Aſtrologie. ↩
100. What a figure of heaven is. ↩
101. That there is no harm in ſetting of a Figure of heaven, is manifeſt. ↩
102. Anſwer in part. It is confeſſed by all but Atheiſts, that God the firſt and chief cauſe of all cauſes can alter and fruſtrate the power of the ſtars. ↩
103. Anſw. ↩
104. Though God can alter and annihilate the effects of the Stars, it followeth not that he doth, or that therefore the Art is uncertain. ↩
105. Anſw. to the full. ↩
106. The vanity of this objection. ↩
107. That the Devil knoweth not future events, is clear. ↩
108. The Devil a fool in compariſon of what ſome would make him. ↩
109. Anſw. ↩
110. That the ſtudy of the ſtars or Aſtrologie, medleth not with the ſecrets of God. ↩
111. The influences of the heavens take not away Gods government. ↩
112. How far the Author holdeth of caſual events. ↩
113. Ignorance the only cauſe of mens ill conceit of this moſt lawful & heavenly Art. ↩
114. Aſtrology as lawfull, as the uſe of herbs, or any other thing. ↩
115. More to be deſired by Phyſitians then any other ſtudy. ↩
116. Look my Iux Veritatis, ch. 1. Sect. 6. p. 32. ↩
117. The wretched eſtate of an ignorant man. ↩
118. What diſtinguiſheth us from bruit beaſts. ↩
119. For I am informed he is an Hay-maker, Plaſter maker, Chyrurgion, Quack-ſalver, and Tub Preacher, or at leaſt after he hath been all theſe, he ayms at the Preaching of the Goſpel; but I will adviſe him firſt to get a good and true tongue in in his head. ↩
120. The ſecond reaſon. The third reaſon. ↩
121. That he is moſt diabolically wicked, and inventer of untruths. ↩
122. That he is not godly or religious. ↩
123. Upon the cleering of his words, the Author promiſeth him that honor, as to anſwer him, which otherwiſe he holds him not wo[•]thy of. ↩
124. A good jeſt, were it not too tedious to relate. ↩
125. The Religious, and ſuch as are throughly regenerate and born again by water and fire: on ſuch muſt confeſs, none but the Son of righteteouſneſs, and the leſſer ſtars of his graces and bleſſings have influence or power; but ſo long as they continue to be born only according to the fleſh, and the natural courſe and order of the world, Aſtra regunt homines, &c. ↩
126. Both the Dr. and his man by their own words convinced of the badneſs of their cauſe, and therefore other teſtimonies are needleſs, &c. ↩
127. The definition of Aſtrologie. ↩
128. That the ſtars have influence, is here proved by the Divine Scripture. ↩
129. But ſome of his other old Trades do better become him: for neither his humour, nor natural inclination do anywiſe ſuit with it. ↩
130. That the ſtars have influence, is clear from their own Arguments and words. ↩
131. Their reply to Pſal. 19.3. proved inſufficient and weak for their purpoſe. ↩
132. Their Reply to Iob. 38.31. ↩
133. Lib. 5. cap. 4. and lib. 20. cap. 6. contra Fauſtum Manicheum. ↩
134. That the ſtars are both ſigns and cauſes, proved and cleared. ↩
135. Neither the Doctor nor Ruſus underſtand Engliſh or Senſe. ↩
136. How the Author ſets down the power and ſubject of Aſtrology. ↩
137. How far the Author maintaineth or juſtifieth Aſtrology. ↩
138. The Authors opinion touchiug Nativities. ↩
139. Touching Horary queſtions, and Elections. ↩
140. Needs muſt he be moſt impious and ignorant that traduceth Aſtrology. ↩
141. Ergo, far from making men Athieſts (as ſome have affirmed) except they believe a fatality, which in this ſtudy is to be wholly denyed, and by me ever was. ↩
142. And not only Ariſtotle, but alſo all other Ancient and Authentick Writers, as doth more appear in the firſt Book of this Volume. ↩
143. The Number of the Planets. Their names and Characters ↩
144. The nature of Saturn. ↩
145. The Globe of Saturn. ↩
146. Colour. Revolution. Diurnal motion. Diſtance from the earth. ↩
147. A ſemidiameter of the earth. ♃ when well fortified. ↩
148. When weak. ↩
149. Humours. ↩
150. Profeſsion or maſtery when well fortified. ↩
151. Profeſſion when weak. Nature. ↩
152. Corporature or ſhape of body. ↩
153. Oriental. ↩
154. Occidental. Without latit. Meridional. North latitude. ↩
155. South latitude. ↩
156. 1. Station. ↩
157. 2. Station. ↩
158. Qual. of men. ↩
159. Savours. ↩
160. In man. ↩
161. Herbs, plants and trees. ↩
162. Birds. ↩
163. Stones. ↩
164. Minerals. ↩
165. Fiſhes. ↩
166. Beaſts. ↩
167. Places. ↩
168. Weather. ↩
169. Winds. ↩
170. Gathering of Herbs. ↩
171. Signs Triplicity. ↩
172. Age. ↩
173. Angel. ↩
174. Friends. ↩
175. Enemies. ↩
176. Day of the week. ↩
177. Regions. ↩
178. Orbe. ↩
179. Conception. Years. ↩
180. Journeys. ↩
181. Diſeaſes. ↩
182. Stationary. ↩
183. Retrograde. ↩
184. The nature and complexion of ♃. The globe of ♃. ↩
185. Mean and diurnal motion. ↩
186. Revolution. Diſtant from the earth. ↩
187. ♃ when well fortified, and Lord of the year. ↩
188. When weak. ↩
189. Humours. ↩
190. Quality of men when well placed ↩
191. Quality of men when weak. ↩
192. Nature. ↩
193. Corporature or ſhape of body. ↩
194. Oriental. ↩
195. Occidental. ↩
196. North latitude. ↩
197. South latitude. ↩
198. Qual. of men. ↩
199. Savours. ↩
200. Colours. ↩
201. In man. ↩
202. Spice, herbs, and drugs. ↩
203. Trees. ↩
204. Birds. ↩
205. Stones. ↩
206. Minerals. ↩
207. Fiſnes. ↩
208. Beaſts. ↩
209. Places. ↩
210. Weather. ↩
211. Winds. ↩
212. Signs. ↩
213. Triplicity. ↩
214. Exaltation. Detriment. ↩
215. [•]all. ↩
216. Age. ↩
217. Angel. ↩
218. Friends. ↩
219. Enemies. ↩
220. Day of the week. ↩
221. Regions. ↩
222. Orbe. ↩
223. Generation. Years. ↩
224. Iourneys. ↩
225. Diſeaſes. ↩
226. Stationary. ↩
227. Retrograde. ↩
228. The nature and complection of ♂. Globe of ♂. ↩
229. Diſtant from the earth. ↩
230. Mean and Diurnal motion. Revolution. ↩
231. ♂ when well fortified. ↩
232. When ill placed ↩
233. Humours. ↩
234. Qualities of men when well placed. ↩
235. When ill placed. Nature. Corporature or ſhape of body. ↩
236. When oriental. ↩
237. When occidental. ↩
238. North latitude. ↩
239. South latitude. ↩
240. Savours. ↩
241. Colours. ↩
242. In man. ↩
243. Herbs and ſpice. ↩
244. Trees. ↩
245. Birds. ↩
246. Stones. ↩
247. Minerals. ↩
248. Fiſhes. ↩
249. Beaſts. ↩
250. Weather. ↩
251. Places. ↩
252. Winds. ↩
253. Signs. ↩
254. Triplicity. ↩
255. Exaltation. ↩
256. Detriment. ↩
257. Fall. ↩
258. Age. ↩
259. Angel. ↩
260. Enemies. ↩
261. Friends. ↩
262. Day of the week. ↩
263. Regions. ↩
264. Orbe. ↩
265. Years. ↩
266. Journeys. ↩
267. Diſeaſes. ↩
268. Stationary. ↩
269. Retrograde. ↩
270. The order of the Planets. ↩
271. The nature and complexion of ☉. ↩
272. Globe of ☉. ↩
273. Diſtant from the earth. ↩
274. Mean motion. ↩
275. Diurnal. ↩
276. Revolution. ↩
277. When well placed and ſtrong. ↩
278. Quality of men when well placed. ↩
279. When ill placed or weak. ↩
280. Nature. ↩
281. Corporature or ſhape of body. ↩
282. Oriental, and Occidental. ↩
283. Latitude. ↩
284. Savours. ↩
285. Colours. ↩
286. In man. ↩
287. Herbs and ſpice. ↩
288. Trees. ↩
289. Birds. ↩
290. Stones. ↩
291. The vertue of Aetites. ↩
292. Of the Eye of the Sun. ↩
293. Of the Carbuncle. ↩
294. Of the Chryſolite. ↩
295. Of the Iris. ↩
296. Of the Heliotropion. ↩
297. Of the Hyacinth. ↩
298. Of the Pyrophilus. ↩
299. Of the Pant[•••]a. ↩
300. Look my Lux Verita[••]s. ↩
301. Minerals. ↩
302. Fiſhes. ↩
303. Beaſts. ↩
304. Weather. ↩
305. Places. ↩
306. Winds. ↩
307. Signs. ↩
308. Triplicity. ↩
309. Exaltation. ↩
310. Detriment. ↩
311. Fall. ↩
312. Age. ↩
313. Angel. ↩
314. Friends. ↩
315. Enemies. ↩
316. Day of the week. ↩
317. Regions. ↩
318. Orbe. ↩
319. Conception. ↩
320. Years. ↩
321. Iourneys. ↩
322. Diſeaſes. ↩
323. Stationary. ↩
324. Retrograde. ↩
325. The nature and complexion of ♀. ↩
326. The globe of ♀. ↩
327. Diſtant from the earth. ↩
328. Mean and diurnal motion. ↩
329. Revolution. ↩
330. When well fortified. ↩
331. When ill placed. ↩
332. Qualitie of men when well placed. ↩
333. When ill placed or weak. ↩
334. Corporature or ſhape of body. ↩
335. When oriental. ↩
336. Occidental. ↩
337. North latitude. ↩
338. South latitude. ↩
339. Savours. ↩
340. Colours. ↩
341. In man. ↩
342. Herbs and ſpice. ↩
343. Trees and perfumes. ↩
344. Birds. ↩
345. Stones. ↩
346. Minerals. ↩
347. Fiſhes. ↩
348. Beaſts. ↩
349. Weather. ↩
350. Wind. ↩
351. Places ↩
352. Signs. ↩
353. Triplicity. ↩
354. Exaltation. ↩
355. Detriment. ↩
356. Fall. ↩
357. Age. ↩
358. Angel. ↩
359. Enemie. ↩
360. Friends. ↩
361. Day of the week. ↩
362. Regions. ↩
363. Orbe. ↩
364. Years. ↩
365. Journeys. ↩
366. Diſeaſes. ↩
367. Stationary. ↩
368. Retrograde. ↩
369. Complexion of ☿, his place. Bigneſs to the eye. ↩
370. Globe of ☿. ↩
371. Diſtant from the earth. ↩
372. Nature of ☿. ↩
373. Motion mean. ↩
374. Diurnal. ↩
375. Annual motion. ↩
376. ☿ when well fortified. ↩
377. Quality of men when well dignified. ↩
378. When ill placed and wear. ↩
379. Nature. ↩
380. Corporature. ↩
381. Oriental. ↩
382. Occidental. ↩
383. North latitude. ↩
384. South latitude. ↩
385. Savours. ↩
386. Colours. ↩
387. In man. ↩
388. Herbs, and Drugs. ↩
389. Trees. ↩
390. Birds. ↩
391. Serpents. ↩
392. Stones. ↩
393. Minerals. ↩
394. Fiſhes. ↩
395. Beaſts. ↩
396. Weather. ↩
397. Winds. ↩
398. Places. ↩
399. Signs. ↩
400. Triplicity. ↩
401. Exaltation. ↩
402. Detriment. ↩
403. Fall. ↩
404. Age. ↩
405. Angel. ↩
406. Enemies. ↩
407. Friends. ↩
408. Day of the week ↩
409. Regions. ↩
410. Orbe. ↩
411. In conception. ↩
412. Years. ↩
413. Journeys. ↩
414. Diſeaſes. ↩
415. Stationary. ↩
416. Retrograde. ↩
417. The nature and complexion of ☽. ↩
418. Globe of ☽ ↩
419. Compariſon of ☉. ↩
420. Diſtant from the earth. ↩
421. Nature of ☽ ↩
422. Mean motion. ↩
423. Diurnal. ↩
424. Revolution. ↩
425. ☽ When well placed. ↩
426. When ill placed. ↩
427. Oriental. ↩
428. Occidental. ↩
429. North latitude. ↩
430. Quality of men ↩
431. Savours. ↩
432. Colours. ↩
433. In man. ↩
434. Herbs. ↩
435. Trees and Plants. ↩
436. Birds. ↩
437. Stones. ↩
438. Minerals. ↩
439. Fiſhes. ↩
440. Beaſts. ↩
441. Places. ↩
442. Weather. ↩
443. Wind. ↩
444. Signs. ↩
445. Triplicity. ↩
446. Exaltation. ↩
447. Detriment. ↩
448. Fall. ↩
449. Age. ↩
450. Angel. ↩
451. Enemies. ↩
452. Friends. ↩
453. Day of the week ↩
454. Regions. ↩
455. Orb. ↩
456. Years. ↩
457. In conception. ↩
458. Journeys. ↩
459. Diſeaſes. ↩
460. Stationary. ↩
461. Retrograde. ↩
462. When a Planet is eſſentially dignified or fortified. ↩
463. To know the ſtrengths and debilities of the Planets in any figure. ↩
464. What a Planet in his own houſe ſignifieth. ↩
465. What a Planet ſignifieth in his Exaltation. ↩
466. In Triplicity. ↩
467. In Term. ↩
468. In Face. ↩
469. Of the Luminaries and their houſes. ↩
470. Oh ♄ and his houſes. ↩
471. Of ♃. ↩
472. Of ♂. ↩
473. Of. ♀. ↩
474. Of ☿. ↩
475. Of the exaltation of ♀. ↩
476. Of the ☽ ↩
477. Of ♄. ↩
478. Of ♃. ↩
479. Of ♂. ↩
480. Of ♀. ↩
481. Of ☿. ↩
482. What a Triplicity is. How many. How nominated. Of what ſigns they conſiſt. ↩
483. ☉ and ♃ Rule the Fiery-Triplicity. ↩
484. ♄ and ☿ the Aery. ↩
485. ♂ only the watry. ↩
486. ♀ and ☽ the Earthy. ↩
487. What a term is ↩
488. Wherefore ſo called. ↩
489. To know the greater years of the Planets by the Terms. ↩
490. The reaſon why the terms are ſo attributed to the Planets. ↩
491. Wherefore the Faces are called Faces. ↩
492. The ſignifications of the firſt face of ♈. Of the ſecond. ↩
493. Of the third. ↩
494. Of the 1. face of ♉. ↩
495. Of the ſecond. ↩
496. Of the third. ↩
497. Of the 1. face of ♊. ↩
498. Of the ſecond. ↩
499. Of the third. ↩
500. Of the 1. face of ♋. ↩
501. Of the ſecond. ↩
502. Of the third. ↩
503. Of the 1. face of ♌. ↩
504. Of the ſecond. ↩
505. Of the third. ↩
506. Of the 1. face of ♍. ↩
507. Of the ſecond. ↩
508. Of the third. ↩
509. Of the 1. face of ♎. ↩
510. Of the ſecond. ↩
511. Of the third. ↩
512. Of the 1. face of ♏. ↩
513. Of the ſecond. ↩
514. Of the third. ↩
515. Of the 1. face of ♐. ↩
516. Of the ſecond. ↩
517. Of the third. ↩
518. Of the 1. face of ♑. ↩
519. Of the ſecond. ↩
520. Of the third. ↩
521. Of the 1. face of ♒. ↩
522. Of the ſecond. ↩
523. Of the third. ↩
524. Of the firſt face of ♓. ↩
525. Of the ſecond. ↩
526. Of the third. ↩
527. The force of an Antiſcion. ↩
528. How to know the Antiſcions of the Planets. ↩
529. To know the Contrantiſcion of the Planets. ↩
530. Why ♄ is called Saturn. ↩
531. Why ♃. ↩
532. Why ♂. ↩
533. Why ☉. ↩
534. Why ♀. ↩
535. Why ☿. ↩
536. Why ☽. ↩
537. Why the Planets are ſo charactered. ↩
538. The number of the Heavens. ↩
539. The order of the heavens. ↩
540. Being firm and fixed. ↩
541. Wherefore it is called the firſt mover. ↩
542. The motions of the Heavens. ↩
543. The Revolution of the eighth Heaven or ſtarry firmament. ↩
544. Matth. 24 36. ↩
545. Of the Equator, and wherefore ſo called. ↩
546. Of the Ecliptick or Oblique Circle; and wherefore ſo called. ↩
547. The heavens divided into twelve parts. The diviſion of the Zodiack. ↩
548. Every ſign conſiſteth of 20 miles, and 40. furlongs, or 642. furlongs. ↩
549. Of the Horizon. ↩
550. Of the Meridian. ↩
551. Wherefore ſo called. ↩
552. The names and characters of the ſigns. ↩
553. What fiery, earthy, aery, and watry. ↩
554. What maſculine, what feminine ↩
555. Equinoctial & Tropick ſigns. ↩
556. What are moveable, and why called moveable. What fixed, and why termed fixed. ↩
557. Signs anſwering to the ſeaſons of the year. ↩
558. What ſigns are northern, and ſouthern, and why ſo called. ↩
559. Bicorporeal ſigns. ↩
560. What ſigns are fruitful, barren, humane, feral and mute. ↩
561. What are commanding, obeying, of long and ſhort aſcention. ↩
562. The reaſon why Aries is called by that name. ↩
563. Why ♉. ↩
564. Why ♊. ↩
565. Why ♋. ↩
566. Why ♌. ↩
567. Why ♍. ↩
568. Why ♎. ↩
569. Why ♏. ↩
570. Why ♐. ↩
571. Why ♑. ↩
572. Why ♒. ↩
573. Why ♓. ↩
574. Why we reckon from ♈, and not from any other ſign. ↩
575. Other reaſons. ↩
576. Why the ſigns are not placed according to the order of the four Elements. ↩
577. The quality and property of ♈. Deſcription ſignified by ♈. ↩
578. Diſeaſes. ↩
579. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
580. Regions. ↩
581. Cities. ↩
582. In man. ↩
583. The quality and property of ♉. Deſcription ſignified by ♉. ↩
584. Diſeaſes. ↩
585. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
586. Regions. ↩
587. Cities. ↩
588. In man. ↩
589. The quality and property of ♊. Deſcription ſignified by ♊. ↩
590. Diſeaſes. ↩
591. Angel. Colour. Places. ↩
592. Regions. ↩
593. Cities. ↩
594. In man. ↩
595. The quality and property of ♋. Deſcription ſignified by ♋. ↩
596. Diſeaſes. ↩
597. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
598. Regions and Cities. ↩
599. In man. ↩
600. The quality and property of ♌. Deſcription ſignified by ♌. ↩
601. Diſeaſes. ↩
602. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
603. Regions. ↩
604. Cities. ↩
605. In man. ↩
606. The quality and property of ♍. Deſcription ſignifie by ♍. ↩
607. Diſeaſes. ↩
608. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
609. Regions. ↩
610. Cities. ↩
611. In man. ↩
612. The quality and property of ♎. Deſcription ſignified by ♎. ↩
613. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
614. Regions. ↩
615. Cities. ↩
616. In man. ↩
617. The quality and property of ♏. Deſcription ſignified by ♏. ↩
618. Diſeaſes. ↩
619. Angel. Colours. Places. ↩
620. Regions. ↩
621. Cities. ↩
622. The quality and property of ♐ Deſcription ſignified by ♐. ↩
623. Diſeaſes. ↩
624. Angel. Colour. Places. ↩
625. Regions. ↩
626. Cities. ↩
627. In man. ↩
628. The quality and property of ♏ Deſcription ſignified by ♏. ↩
629. Diſeaſes. ↩
630. Angel. ↩
631. Colour. ↩
632. Places. ↩
633. Regions. ↩
634. Cities. ↩
635. In man. ↩
636. The quality and property of ♒ ↩
637. Deſcription ſignified by ♒. ↩
638. Diſeaſes. ↩
639. Angel. Colour. Places. ↩
640. Regions. ↩
641. Cities. In man. ↩
642. The quality and property of ♓. Deſcription ſignified by ♓. ↩
643. Diſeaſes. ↩
644. Angel. Colour. Places. ↩
645. Regions. ↩
646. Cities. ↩
647. In man. ↩
648. Of a ☌. ↩
649. Its nature. ↩
650. Of a ⚹. ↩
651. Of a Platick aſpect. ↩
652. Of a Partil aſpect. ↩
653. The reaſon why ⚹ and △ are good, □ and ☍ bad. ↩
654. Of a □. ↩
655. Of a △. ↩
656. Of an ☍. ↩
657. Of Dexter and ſiniſter aſpects. ↩
658. Other reaſons for the goodneſs and badneſs of the aſpects. ↩
659. Of the firſt houſe, why it is ſo, and wherefore of ſuch and ſuch ſignifications. ↩
660. And ſo of any thing or Enterprize, &c. ↩
661. Why the Aſcendant hath ſignification of the Life and diſpoſition of the Native, or any thing or work began. ↩
662. Of the ſecond houſe. ↩
663. Of the third houſe. ↩
664. Of the fourth houſe. ↩
665. Of the fifth houſe. ↩
666. Of the ninth houſe. ↩
667. Of the ſeventh houſe. ↩
668. Of the eighth houſe. ↩
669. Of the ninth houſe. ↩
670. Of the tenth houſe. ↩
671. Of the eleventh h[•]uſe. ↩
672. Of the twelfth houſe. ↩
673. Note this well. ↩
674. Direction. ↩
675. Retrogradation. ↩
676. Stationary ↩
677. Application. ↩
678. Separation. ↩
679. Prohibition. ↩
680. Refrenation. ↩
681. Tranſlation. ↩
682. Reception. ↩
683. Fruſtration. ↩
684. Peregrination. ↩
685. Conbuſtion. ↩
686. Ʋnder the Sun beams. ↩
687. Cazimi. ↩
688. Void of courſe. ↩
689. Beſieging. ↩
690. Oriental. ↩
691. Occidental. ↩
692. Superiour. ↩
693. Inferiour. ↩
694. Athazer. ↩
695. Almuten. ↩
696. Haiz. ↩
697. How to erect a Figure of Heaven. ↩
698. The Authors admonition to the Students in Elections. ↩
699. The groundwork of Elections according to ſome of the Ancients. ↩
700. The Reaſons. ↩
701. A harmony and concordancy between the ſuperior and inferiour bodies. ↩
702. Divers events happen to men on the election of one and the ſame hour and minute. ↩
703. The reaſon thereof. ↩
704. Coeleſtial influences are not effectual but to ſuch as are of their own nature. ↩
705. For the continuance or diſpatch of buſineſs. ↩
706. Chief Significators to be fortifyed. The Moon, The Sun. ↩
707. The Sign agreeing generally with the buſineſs to be fortifyed. ↩
708. The ſign and houſe ſignifying your buſineſ[•] in your radix, is alſo to be obſerved in Elections. A general rule worth the noting. ↩
709. Jupiter and Venus may ſometimes be malevolent Planets and not fortunes. Saturn and Mars may alſo ſometimes be fortunes & not infortunes. ↩
710. Rules general for the electing the beginning of any work. ↩
711. Other Rules for electing the beginning of any work. ↩
712. Per quick diſpatch or long continuance of your buſineſs. ↩
713. A ſhort rule in electing the beginning of any work. ↩
714. Caveats general in Elections. ↩
715. Of the ſignifications of Saturn with the Sun or Moon in the aſcendent in Elections. ↩
716. Of Jupiter, ↩
717. Of M[•••]. ↩
718. Of Venus. ↩
719. Of Mercury. ↩
720. Of the Moon. ↩
721. Of the ſignification of the moveable ſigns in elections. ↩
722. Of the ſignification of the fixed ſigns in Elections. ↩
723. Of the ſignification of the common ſigns in Elections. ↩
724. But note the Moon doth never good in the aſcendent unleſs when well fortified, and in good aſpec[•] or upheld by the fortunes. ↩
725. The ten imp[•]ditions of the Moon. ↩
726. Note ſtill that your infortunes are the impediting [•]an[•]rs as in relation to your buſineſs, not Saturn and Mars, as you have heard in the firſt chapter. ↩
727. Underſtand not the fortunes to be only Jupiter and Venus, and infortunes Saturn and Mars, as in the ſuſt chapter. ↩
728. This is in caſe of neceſſity, and when you cannot defer time for a better election. ↩
729. Rules more for the beginning of works. ↩
730. The method of the ſubſe quent diſcourſe. ↩
731. An election for ſending children to nurſe. ↩
732. To School. ↩
733. To a Trade. ↩
734. Of weaning or taking children from Nurſe. ↩
735. That hair may not ſoon grow. ↩
736. That hair ma grow ſpeedily. ↩
737. That it grow thick. ↩
738. Rules in cutting of the nails of the hands. ↩
739. Of the feet. ↩
740. In cutting of Corns that they may not grow ſpeedily. ↩
741. To borrow or receive money. ↩
742. Neither borrow nor lend. ↩
743. That none may know of thy borrowing of money▪ ↩
744. The money to be borrowed ſhall be had. ↩
745. That the borrowed money may long laſt. ↩
746. Of laying out money to advantage. ↩
747. A great error in the generality of our Phyſitians. ↩
748. Ignorance the author of miſchief. ↩
749. Of buying to profit again by the ſale thereof. ↩
750. Of ſelling to advantage. ↩
751. Advantage to the buyer. ↩
752. To know the ſignificators of buyer and ſeller the thing to be bought and the price. ↩
753. Note. ↩
754. Why ſo many miſs of their hopes in this ſtudy of the Bleſſed Elixer. ↩
755. If thy brother or Kinſman be thy better. Thy equal. Thy Inferior. ↩
756. The ſignification of the ninth houſe. ↩
757. Of the third. ↩
758. The Landlord shall not inhabit the house built. ↩
759. The ſignificators of the fortune and good in any City. ↩
760. To know the ſignification of any thing or caſualty, incident to, or in any City and how to judge thereof. ↩
761. The ſignificators of the Buyer. ↩
762. Of the Seller. ↩
763. The price of the land or houſe. ↩
764. That the Land may be purchaſed by the Buyer, and that at a good rate, or to his advantage. ↩
765. The Land is good and pleaſant. ↩
766. The Plants are good and fruitfull. ↩
767. The Timber is good and high or tall. ↩
768. Many labourers in the land; it ſhall be fruitfull, &c. ↩
769. Fixed ſigns are to be choſen, and chiefly Taurus. ↩
770. That Seeds ſown may proſper and come to good. ↩
771. To ingender a Boy or manchilde. ↩
772. A Boy is conceived. A Girl. ↩
773. An Hermophrodite. Twins. ↩
774. To get boys. ↩
775. Conception is hindred. ↩
776. To cauſe conception. ↩
777. Aſtrology uſeful for all the parts of Phyſick. ↩
778. Look Chap. 1. Sect. 6. of my Lux Veritatis. ↩
779. To expel the dead childe. ↩
780. Of Circumciſion. ↩
781. The Arabians and Ancient Authors, not uſing chriſtenings, were deficient in thoſe elections. ↩
782. Of Chriſtenings. ↩
783. That the gift may prove advantageous. ↩
784. For confirmation hereof. ↩
785. Of ſending of preſents. ↩
786. Nota benè. ↩
787. Look Chap. 6. Sect. 3. of this Treatiſe. ↩
788. Putting on of Apparel. ↩
789. Of putting on new Apparel. ↩
790. Of feaſting or eating of ſuperfluities. ↩
791. A receipt to make good wine. ↩
792. That one be not offenſive or quarrelſom in drink. ↩
793. Of writing of letters, or any other thing. ↩
794. Of making odoriferous ſmels or unguents. ↩
795. Rules for ſending Meſſengers or Embaſſadors. ↩
796. For ſending to Kings or great men. ↩
797. To Churchmen. ↩
798. To Souldiers. ↩
799. To ancient men and huſbandmen. To Women. To Scholars, Secretaries, Scriveners or young men. ↩
800. The errour of moſt Phyſicians. ↩
801. The cauſe of a diſeaſe is to be firſt known before a cure be undertaken ↩
802. The nature and temper of the patient is to be regarded, or known alſo. ↩
803. The ſimplicity of the vulgar. ↩
804. The nature of the Medicine ought to be known, before phyſick is to be adminiſtred. The nature of medicinal things found out & known by the ſtars. ↩
805. A Phyſician ignorant in- Aſtrologic can not ſafely adminiſter phyſick. ↩
806. The cunning of the ignorant phyſicians to colour their ignorance ↩
807. The danger a patient is in by being in the hands of unskilful Phyſicians. ↩
808. Galens admonition to the vulgar. The ignorance of Chyrurgions in letting of blood. ↩
809. Aſtrologie, and it onely ſheweth the cauſe of Critical days, and the danger coming by the not knowing thereof. ↩
810. How to know the true Criſis. ↩
811. To know the judicial days. ↩
812. Note, that the operation of the Moon, in cauſing of a Criſis, is enough to convince any that deny the influence of the ſtars to have power over our bodies. None can perfectly know the true Criſis that is ignorant in Aſtrologie. ↩
813. As our vulgar Phyſicians do. ↩
814. Of adminiſtring Phyſick to any part of the body ſingly. ↩
815. Of giving phyſick, when the infirmity is over all the body. When the medicine or remedy is to be adminiſtred. ↩
816. When remedies for diſeaſes of the head are to be preſcribed. ↩
817. To take away hair. ↩
818. When medicines for the eyes are to be applyed. ↩
819. When to give Preparatives. ↩
820. Of applying remedies for infirmities of the noſe. ↩
821. Of injecting Clyſters. ↩
822. Of ſtopping Rheums or Fluxes. ↩
823. Of adminiſtring gargariſms and ſneezing powders. ↩
824. Of giving of vomits. ↩
825. Winter rather fit for Purges then Summer. ↩
826. Vomits fitter for Summer then Purges. ↩
827. A Caution diligently to be noted. ↩
828. Neta benè. ↩
829. Of adminiſtring Purges. ↩
830. The Authors practice in his adminiſtring of Purges. ↩
831. The ground of the Authors method in adminiſtring Purges. Hermes of adminiſtring Purges. ↩
832. Ptolomy of giving of Purges. ↩
833. Other rules in adminiſtring Purges. ↩
834. For purging any particular member of the body. For ordering your Potion for all manner of tempers. To purge Melancholy. ↩
835. Choler. ↩
836. Flegm. ↩
837. Of adminiſtring Potions. ↩
838. Of Electuaties. Of Pils. Cautions. ↩
839. To purge the Spleen. ↩
840. To purge the Liver. The Heart, and of adminiſtring Cordial. The Lungs. The Gall. The members of generation. The Brain. Of preparing Medicines. ↩
841. Of Bathing for health. ↩
842. For cleanlineſs. ↩
843. Of Bathing or anointing to remove ſuperfluous hair. ↩
844. Of uſing Chirurgery. ↩
845. Four things to be conſidered in Phlebotomy. ↩
846. Time of the yeer for Phlebotomie. ↩
847. The age of thoſe that are to uſe Phlebotomie. ↩
848. Phlebotomy is hindred. ↩
849. Good blood, letting. ↩
850. To extract melancholy blood. Cholerick. ↩
851. Flegmatick. ↩
852. At what time of the ☽ Phlebotomy is to be uſed for any humou[•]. ↩
853. For any age. ↩
854. That the Phyſitian may gain credit by the Patient. ↩
855. Of buying Hawks or Birds of Prey. ↩
856. Of houſhold or domeſtick Birds. ↩
857. Of Cocks of the Game. ↩
858. Of Pigeons. ↩
859. Of letting them abroad to return again. ↩
860. Of Water fowl. ↩
861. Of buying fourfooted beaſts. ↩
862. Great cattel. ↩
863. Small Cattel. ↩
864. Dogs or hounds. ↩
865. Race horſes. ↩
866. Note well ↩
867. Of taming of Cattel. ↩
868. Signs of ſtrife and diſcord between them. ↩
869. This is to be underſtood of ſuch as live according to the courſe of Nature, not of grace. Venus a principal Planet to be fortified. ↩
870. What ſigns or parts thereof are to be avoided or choſen. ↩
871. This will not hold true on ſuch as live in the feat of God, and are guided by reaſon, &c. ↩
872. The Radix of the parties nativities are to be conſidered. To know the love between two married, or any other couple. ↩
873. Who ſhall be Maſter of the two. ↩
874. A fit time for marriage. ↩
875. The joy not of long continuance. ↩
876. Quando voluer is cum muliere delectatione ſacere. ↩
877. Ʋt non concipiat. ↩
878. Ʋt concipiat. ↩
879. The ſignificators are chiefly to be regarded. To know the true ſignificators. ↩
880. How to judge thereof. ↩
881. Rules for diſpoſing the face of Heaven, &c. ↩
882. To know the true Signifitators. ↩
883. Rules in diſpoſing the Aſcendent and its Lord, being ſignificators, or all the ſignificators, either for duels, open wars, or lawſuits, or any other controverſie. ↩
884. Other rule in diſpoſing the Lord of the Aſcendent, or chief Significator. ↩
885. Of the Lord of the ſeventh. ↩
886. Of placing Mars. ↩
887. Of the ſignification of the ſecond houſe. ↩
888. Rules touching the ſecond houſe and its Lord. ↩
889. Of Mercury, the Moon, and its Diſpoſitor. ↩
890. This may I very well put in for few godly men wil uſe ſtrife or debate. ↩
891. The Authors judgement of war between two Kings or Nations. ↩
892. Of part of War, and part of Victory. ↩
893. Of the Moon in Taurus. ↩
894. Of Gemini or Cancer. ↩
895. Of beginning of quarrels, law-ſuits, wars or controverſies. ↩
896. Of Part of Fortune in wars or quarrels, lawſuits or controverſies. ↩
897. Of the diſpoſer of Part of Fortune. ↩
898. Of moveable ſigns. ↩
899. Of making of peace oragreement. ↩
900. Of ſuppreſſing or invading Rebels. ↩
901. A good time to ſet out againſt an Enemy. ↩
902. To ſtorm or demoliſh Caſtles and ſtrong holds. ↩
903. Other rules for ſuppreſſing of Enemies, or for ſetting out againſt them. ↩
904. What hours are fortunate, and what infortunate and combuſt. ↩
905. Of buying of Arms defenſive or offenſive. ↩
906. Of preparing Arms. ↩
907. To apprehend a Fugitive. ↩
908. To cauſe a Thief or any other Malefactor confeſs the truth. ↩
909. Of Gaming. ↩
910. Of hunting of Beaſts, either wilde or tame. ↩
911. Of Fowling or taking of Birds on the land. ↩
912. In the Ayr. ↩
913. In the Water. ↩
914. Of fiſhing in Sea, Rivers or Pools. ↩
915. Of teaching of Dogs to hunt. ↩
916. To teach Hawks and Faulcons. ↩
917. Of returning from any journey. ↩
918. Of going of j[•]urneys or Voyages. ↩
919. Of making quick returns. ↩
920. Of going ſecretly to any place. ↩
921. Of walking. ↩
922. Of entring into any place. ↩
923. To ſtay therein. ↩
924. To return quickly. ↩
925. To make his Election ſutable to his buſineſs. ↩
926. Of building of Fleet-ſhips, or Men of War. ↩
927. Of building of Merchants Ships. ↩
928. Of building of ordinary Ships and Gallies. ↩
929. Other rules in buying or making of Ships. ↩
930. Of lanching of Ships, and ſetting out to Sea. ↩
931. Of Navigating or Voyaging by Sea. ↩
932. Of Muſick. ↩
933. Of Singing. ↩
934. Of electing Kings and Governors. ↩
935. Of Coronations and Enſtallings. ↩
936. Of beginning of Government. ↩
937. Of obtaining favour of Kings and Grandees. ↩
938. Of obtaining Juſtice or Aſſiſtance from the King. ↩
939. Of obtaining of pardon. ↩
940. Of going of progreſs with the King or any other Grandee. ↩
941. Of learning of Trades or other Occupations. ↩
942. Note well. ↩
943. To gain credit and the thing hoped for. ↩
944. Of gaining the love and friendſhip of any. ↩
945. The method the Author follow in this Book. ↩
946. What accidents are portended by Revolutions of the years of the World. ↩
947. The Groundworks from whence Aſtrologers raiſe or derive their judgements of future accidents, and events in the elementary world. ↩
948. See more of this in the firſt Book. ↩
949. How to erect the Scheme. ↩
950. How to place the Planets therein. ↩
951. If it be a common ſign, two are neceſſary to be framed. ↩
952. If it be fixed, that alone is ſufficient. ↩
953. ſaturn; and ♂ not always evil, neither ♃ and ♀ ever good. ↩
954. The vanity of the opinion that ♄ and ♂ are always bad, and ♃ and ♀ good. ↩
955. Note that thoſe in Authority are underſtood by the tenth houſe, when there is no King. ↩
956. The Rules of the Ancients in this particular are not to be grounded on. ↩
957. The greateſt Potentate in the World is not free from the influence of the Heavens and ſtars. ↩
958. The true ſignificators of Kings and Rulers, after the opinion of the Author. ↩
959. The true ſignificators of the People of any Nation, in any Revolution of the years of the World. ↩
960. Of the enemies of King and people in any Revolution. ↩
961. Of their aſſiſtance, &c. ↩
962. How to judge of the condition of the King in annual Revolutions. ↩
963. To know the nature of the good or evil threatned. ↩
964. The Condition and ſtate of the Common People in any Revolution of the years of the World, or any other. ↩
965. Rules touching the Significator of the King. ↩
966. How to know the ſeveral accidents to happen to any. ↩
967. To know the cauſe of any evil threatned. ↩
968. When it ſhall come to paſs. ↩
969. How to judge by the nature of the aſpects of the nature of the perſons ſignified by the Planet afflicting your ſignificator. ↩
970. What is ſignified by the retrogadation of any Planet in Revolution. ↩
971. What Kings and Rulers may expect when their ſignificator or Lord of the tenth Houſe of Heaven in any Revolution is impedited. ↩
972. From whence Judgement is to be required for the predicting the durability of any Kingdom or Government. ↩
973. The Moon applying to the Fortunes weak and out of their effential dignities. ↩
974. Of the ſignification of thē Planets in Revolutions, when either ſtrong or weak. ↩
975. What events are known by the Lord of the year. ↩
976. The Rules of the Antients for finding the Lord of the year. ↩
977. The Rules of the Ancients for finding out the Lord of the year, very Inconſiſtent with reaſon. ↩
978. What is portended by the Lord of the year when well or ill diſpoſed. ↩
979. Where the effects of the Lord of the year ſhall be manifeſted. ↩
980. The true way of fiding the Lord of the year, according to the judgement of the Author. ↩
981. Of ♄ when Lord of the year and fortified. ↩
982. ♄ Lord of the year and weak ↩
983. ♃ when Lord of the year other ſtrong or weak. ↩
984. ♂ When Lord of the year either ſtrong or weak. ↩
985. The Sun when Lord of the year either ſtrong or weak. ↩
986. Venus when Lady of the year, either ſtrong or weak ↩
987. Mercury when Lord of the year either ſtrong or weak, ↩
988. The Moon Lady of the year, either ſtrong or weak. ↩
989. Of the aſpects of any Planet to the Lord of the year in any Revolution. ↩
990. Of Saturn in the Aſcendent in any Annual Revolution, and what he ſignifies, whether he be Lord of the Year or no. ↩
991. Saturn in the ſecond. ↩
992. Saturn in the third. ↩
993. Saturn in the fourth. ↩
994. Saturn in the fifth. ↩
995. Saturn in the ſixth. ↩
996. Saturn in the ſeventh. ↩
997. Saturn in the eighth. ↩
998. Saturn in the ninth. ↩
999. Saturn in the tenth. ↩
1000. Saturn in the eleventh. ↩
1001. Saturn in the twelfth. ↩
1002. Jupiter in the Aſcendent or firſt Houſe of Heaven in any Annual Revolution of the years of the world, and what he thereby ſignifies. ↩
1003. Jupiter in the ſecond. ↩
1004. Jupiter in the third. ↩
1005. Jupiter in the fourth. ↩
1006. Jupiter in the fifth. ↩
1007. Jupiter in the ſixth. ↩
1008. Jupiter in the ſeventh. ↩
1009. Jupiter in the eighth. ↩
1010. Jupiter in the ninth. ↩
1011. Jupiter in the tenth. ↩
1012. Jupiter in the eleventh. ↩
1013. Jupiter in the twelfth. ↩
1014. Mars in the firſt. ↩
1015. Mars in the ſecond. ↩
1016. Mars in the third. ↩
1017. Mars in the fourth. ↩
1018. Mars in the fifth. ↩
1019. Mars in the ſixth. ↩
1020. Mars in the ſeventh. ↩
1021. Mars in the eighth. ↩
1022. Mars in the ninth. ↩
1023. Mars in the tenth. ↩
1024. Mars in the eleventh. ↩
1025. Mars in the twelfth. ↩
1026. The Sun in the firſt. ↩
1027. The Sun in the ſecond. ↩
1028. The Sun in the third. ↩
1029. The Sun in the fourth. ↩
1030. The Sun in the fifth. ↩
1031. The Sun in the ſixth. ↩
1032. The Sun in the ſeventh. ↩
1033. The Sun in the eighth. ↩
1034. The Sun in the ninth. ↩
1035. The Sun in the tenth. ↩
1036. The Sun in the eleventh. ↩
1037. The Sun in the twelfth. ↩
1038. Venus in the firſt. ↩
1039. Venus in the ſecond. ↩
1040. Venus in the third. ↩
1041. Venus in the fourth. ↩
1042. Venus in the fifth. ↩
1043. Venus in the ſixth. ↩
1044. Venus in the ſeventh. ↩
1045. Venus in the eighth. ↩
1046. Venus in the ninth. ↩
1047. Venus in the tenth. ↩
1048. Venus in the eleventh. ↩
1049. Venus in the twelfth. ↩
1050. Mercury in the firſt. ↩
1051. Mercury in the ſecond. ↩
1052. Mercury in the third. ↩
1053. Mercury in the fourth. ↩
1054. Mercury in the fifth. ↩
1055. Mercury in the ſixth. ↩
1056. Mercury in the ſeventh. ↩
1057. Mercury in the eighth. ↩
1058. Mercury in the ninth. ↩
1059. Mercury in the tenth. ↩
1060. ☿ in the 11th. ↩
1061. ☿ in the 12th. ↩
1062. ☽ in the firſt. ↩
1063. ☽ in the 2d. ↩
1064. ☽ in the 3d. ↩
1065. ☽ in the 4th. ↩
1066. ☽ in the 5th. ↩
1067. ☽ in the 6th. ↩
1068. ☽ in the 7th. ↩
1069. ☽ in the 8th. ↩
1070. ☽ in the 9th. ↩
1071. ☽ in the 10th. ↩
1072. ☽ in the 11th. ↩
1073. ☽ in the 12th. ↩
1074. ☊ in the firſt. ↩
1075. ☋ in the firſt. ↩
1076. ☊ in the 2d. ↩
1077. ☋ in the 2d. ↩
1078. ☊ in the 3d. ↩
1079. ☋ in the 3d. ↩
1080. ☊ in the 4th. ↩
1081. ☋ in the 4th. ↩
1082. ☊ in the 5th. ↩
1083. ☋ in the 5th ↩
1084. ☊ in the 6th. ↩
1085. ☋ in the 6th. ↩
1086. ☊ in the 7th. ↩
1087. ☋ in the 7th. ↩
1088. ☊ in the 8th. ↩
1089. ☋ in the 8th. ↩
1090. ☊ in the 9th. ↩
1091. ☋ in the 9th. ↩
1092. ☊ in the 10th. ↩
1093. ☋ in the 10th. ↩
1094. ☊ in the 11th. ↩
1095. ☋ in the 11th. ↩
1096. ☊ in the 12th ↩
1097. Of the ſignifications of Saturn when Lord of the Year, and in Aries. In Aries and impedited. ↩
1098. Saturn Lord of the year, and in fixed ſigns. ↩
1099. Saturn when Lord of the year, and hath North latit. When South latitude. ↩
1100. Saturn Lord of the year, and Oriental. ↩
1101. Saturn Lord of the year and Occidental. ↩
1102. Saturn in Taurus, and Lord of the year. ↩
1103. Saturn Lord of the year, and in Gemini. ↩
1104. Saturn Lord of the year, & having Septentrional lat. in ♊ ↩
1105. If he be Meridional. Oriental. ↩
1106. Occidental. ↩
1107. Saturn Lord of the year, and in Cancer. ↩
1108. Saturn in Cancer, and having Septentrional latitude. Meridional. Oriental. Occidental. ↩
1109. Saturn Lord of the year, and in Leo. ↩
1110. Saturn Lord of the year in Virgo. ↩
1111. Saturn Lord of the year in Libra. ↩
1112. Saturn Lord of the year in Scorpio. ↩
1113. Saturn Lord of the year in Sagittary. ↩
1114. Saturn Lord of the year in Capricorn. ↩
1115. Saturn Lord of the year in Aquaries. ↩
1116. Saturn Lord of the year in Piſces. ↩
1117. Jupiter Lord of the year in Aries. ↩
1118. Jupiter Lord of the year in Taurus. ↩
1119. Nora bene. ↩
1120. Jupiter Lord of the year in Gemini. ↩
1121. Jupiter Lord of the year in Cancer. ↩
1122. Jupiter Lord of the year in Leo. ↩
1123. Jupiter Lord of the year in Virgo. ↩
1124. Jupiter Lord of the year in Libra. ↩
1125. Jupiter [〈◊〉] of the year in Scorpio. ↩
1126. Jupiter Lord of the year in Sagittary. ↩
1127. Jupiter Lord of the year in Capricorn. ↩
1128. Jupiter Lord of the year in Aquaries. ↩
1129. Jupiter Lord of the year in Piſces. ↩
1130. Mars Lord of the year in Aries, and afflicted. ↩
1131. Free from affliction. ↩
1132. Septentrional. ↩
1133. Meridional. ↩
1134. Oriental. ↩
1135. Occidental. ↩
1136. Retrograde. ↩
1137. Direct. ↩
1138. Mars Lord of the year in Taurus. ↩
1139. If he have north latitude. South latitude. ↩
1140. Oriental. Occidental. Direct. ↩
1141. Retrograde. ↩
1142. Mars Lord of the year in Gemini. ↩
1143. If he have north, ſouth latitude. Oriental. Occidental. ↩
1144. Direct. Retrograde. ↩
1145. Mars Lord of the year in Cancer. ↩
1146. Septentrional. Meridional. ↩
1147. Oriental. Occidental. ↩
1148. Direct. ↩
1149. Mars Lord of the year in Leo. If he have north latitude. If ſouth. Oriental. Retrograde. ↩
1150. Direct. ↩
1151. Mars Lord of the year in Virgo. If Septentrional. Meridional. Oriental. Occidental. Direct. Retrograde. Mars Lord of the year in Libra. ↩
1152. Septentrional. [•]eridional. Oriental. ↩
1153. Occidental, Retrograde. Direct. ↩
1154. Mars Lord of the year in Scorpio. ↩
1155. Septentrional. Meridional. Oriental. Occidental. Retrograde. Direct. ↩
1156. Mars Lord of the year in Sagittary. ↩
1157. If ſtrong. ↩
1158. If weak. ↩
1159. Septentrional. Meridional. Oriental. ↩
1160. Occidental. Retrograde. Direct. ↩
1161. Mars Lord of the year in Capricorn. ↩
1162. North latit. Meridional. Oriental. ↩
1163. Occidental. Direct. Retrograde. ↩
1164. Mars Lord of the year in Aquaries. ↩
1165. Septentrional. ↩
1166. Meridional. Oriental. Occidental. Retrograde. ↩
1167. Direct. ↩
1168. Mars Lord of the year in Piſces. ↩
1169. Septentrional. Meridional. ↩
1170. Oriental. ↩
1171. Occidental. Direct. ↩
1172. Retrograde. ↩
1173. The Sun Lord Lord of the year in Aries, free from affliction. ↩
1174. The Sun Lord of the year in Aries, weak or afflicted. ↩
1175. The Sun Lord of the year in Taurus. ↩
1176. The Sun Lord of the year in Gemini. ↩
1177. The Sun Lord of the year in Cancer. ↩
1178. The Sun Lord of the year in Leo. ↩
1179. Venus Lady of the year in Aries. ↩
1180. Notes. ↩
1181. Venus Lady of the year in Taurus. ↩
1182. Venus Lady of the year in Gemini. ↩
1183. Venus Lady of t[•]e year in Cancer. ↩
1184. Venus Lady of the year in Leo. ↩
1185. Venus Lady of the year in Virgo. ↩
1186. Venus Lady of the year in Libra. ↩
1187. Venus Lady of the year in Scorpio. ↩
1188. Venus Lady of the year in Sagittary. ↩
1189. Venus Lady of the year in Capricorn. ↩
1190. Venus Lady of the year in Aquaries. ↩
1191. Venus Lady of [••]e year in Piſces. ↩
1192. Mercury Lord of the year, in Aries. ↩
1193. Mercury Lord of the year in Taurus. ↩
1194. Mercury Lord of the year in Gemini. ↩
1195. Mercury Lord of the year in Cancer. ↩
1196. Mercury Lord of the year in Leo. ↩
1197. Mercury Lord of the year in Virgo. ↩
1198. Mercury Lord of the year in Libra. ↩
1199. Mercury Lord of the year in Scorpio. ↩
1200. Mercury Lord of the year in Sagittary. ↩
1201. Mercury Lord of the year, in Capricorn. ↩
1202. Mercury Lord of the year in Aquaries. ↩
1203. Mercury Lord of the year in Piſces. ↩
1204. ☊ in ♈. ↩
1205. ☋ in ♈. ↩
1206. ☊ in ♉ ↩
1207. ☋ in ♉. ↩
1208. ☊ in ♊. ↩
1209. ☋ in ♊. ↩
1210. ☊ in ♋. ↩
1211. ☋ in ♋. ↩
1212. ☊ in ♌. ↩
1213. ☋ in ♌. ↩
1214. ☊ in ♍. ↩
1215. ☋ in ♍. ↩
1216. ☊ in ♎. ↩
1217. ☋ in ♎. ↩
1218. ☊ in ♏. ↩
1219. ☋ in ♏. ↩
1220. ☊ in ♐. ↩
1221. ☋ in ♐. ↩
1222. ☊ in ♑. ↩
1223. ☋ in ♑. ↩
1224. ☊ in ♒. ↩
1225. ☋ in ♒. ↩
1226. ☊ in ♓. ↩
1227. ☋ in ♓. ↩
1228. The ſignification of Saturn when in any Revolution he is in the point of his exaltation. ↩
1229. Of Jupiter when in his exaltation. ↩
1230. Of Mars when in his exaltation. ↩
1231. Of the Sun. ↩
1232. Of the Conjunction or Aſpect of Saturn with any Planet in exaltation, in any Revolution. ↩
1233. Of Mars in aſpect or Conjunction with any Planet in exaltation. ↩
1234. Saturn exalted above any of the Planets, Dragons Head, Dragons Tayl, or Bl[•]z. Star. Jupiter. ↩
1235. Mars. The Sun. ↩
1236. Venus. ↩
1237. Mercury. ↩
1238. Luna. ↩
1239. Dragons Head. Dragons Tayl. Blazing Star. ↩
1240. Jupiter exalted above Saturn. Mars. Sol. Venus. Mercury. ↩
1241. Luna. Dragons Head ↩
1242. Dragons Tayl. Blazing Star. ↩
1243. Mars exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. Sol. Venus. Mercury. ↩
1244. Luna. Dragons Head. ↩
1245. Dragons Tayl. ↩
1246. Blazing Star. ↩
1247. The Sun above any of the [•]lanets, Drag. H &c. Venus exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. Mars. ↩
1248. Sol. Mercury. ↩
1249. Luna. Dragons Head ↩
1250. Dragons Tayl blazing Star. ↩
1251. Merc exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. Mars. So[•]. Venus. Luna. Dragons Head. Dragons Tayl. Blazing Star. ↩
1252. Lana exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. Mars. Sol. ↩
1253. Venus. Mercury. Dragons Head. Dragons Tayl. Blazing Star. ↩
1254. Dra. H. exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. ↩
1255. Mars. ↩
1256. Sol. Venus. Mercury. ↩
1257. Luna. ↩
1258. Dragons Tayl. ↩
1259. Blazing Star. ↩
1260. Dra. T. exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. Mars, Sol. Venus. Mercury. Luna. ↩
1261. Blaz. S. exalted above Saturn. Jupiter. ↩
1262. Mars. Sol. Venus. Mercury. Luna. Dragons Head Dragons Tayl. ↩
1263. If any Revolution be Diurnal. ↩
1264. If the Revolution be Nocturnal. ↩
1265. The nature of any affliction, and from whence it ſhall ariſe. ↩
1266. How to judge of any thing ſignified by the 12 houſes of Heaven. ↩
1267. If the Revolution be at Sun ſetting or day breaking. ↩
1268. Conſiderations from the Lord of the hour, Part of Fortune, and its Diſpoſitor. ↩
1269. Conſiderations from the Poſition of Saturn and Mars. ↩
1270. From the Conjunction of Dragons Head with Saturn. Dragons Head in Conjunction of Saturn in Aries. ↩
1271. Dragons Head, Saturn, Conjunction in Taurus. ↩
1272. Dragons Head, Saturn, Conjunction in Gemini. ↩
1273. ☊, ♄ in ♂ in ♋. ↩
1274. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♌. ↩
1275. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♍. ↩
1276. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♎. ↩
1277. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♏. ↩
1278. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♐ ↩
1279. ☊ ♄, ♂ in ♑. ↩
1280. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♒. ↩
1281. ☊, ♄, ♂ in ♓. ↩
1282. ☊, ♂, ♂ in any of the 12 ſigns. ↩
1283. ☋, ♂, ♂ in any of the 12 ſigns. ↩
1284. ☋, ♄, ♂ in any of the 12 ſigns. ↩
1285. How to judge whether there ſhall [•]e war in any year. ↩
1286. In what place war ſhall happen. ↩
1287. When the was or quartel will happen. ↩
1288. Other rules for the predicting war, and how it wild be occaſioned. ↩
1289. When we may predict peace, victory, loſs, dammage, aſſiſtance; and from whence the aſſiſtance is to [•]e expected, and from w[•]at kinde of men. ↩
1290. By what Nation or People the war ſhall be begun. ↩
1291. What may be expected when the Lord of the year, half year, quarter, moneth or day are in good aſpect, and reception of the Planet ſignifying war. ↩
1292. Whether the Enemies General be young or old. ↩
1293. How to judge of plenty in any year. ↩
1294. Of ſcarcity or dearth. ↩
1295. How to judge of the alteration of the ayr and change of the weather. ↩
1296. Of the chief and general ſignicator of the weather. ↩
1297. What opening of Gates is. ↩
1298. Nota benè ↩
1299. How to judge of the alteration of the ayr by the Conjunction or Malevolent aſpects of the Moon to the other ſix Planets. ↩
1300. How [•]o know the ſtate of the weather by the mutual Aſpects of the Planets. ↩
1301. Of Saturn. ↩
1302. Of Jupiter. ↩
1303. Of the Sun. ↩
1304. Of Venus. ↩
1305. Mars. ↩
1306. The Sun. ↩
1307. Venus. ↩
1308. Mercury. ↩
1309. The Moon ſeparating from the Conjunction or Oppoſition of the Sun, and applying to Saturn. ↩
1310. To Jupiter. ↩
1311. To Mars. ↩
1312. To the Sun. ↩
1313. To Venus. ↩
1314. To Mercury. ↩
1315. Ordinary ſigns of the mutation of weather, or tokens of rain. ↩
1316. How to judge of the alteration of the ayr at any time of the year. ↩
1317. How to take part of ayr or weather, according to Haly. ↩
1318. How to take pars dierum, or part of days. ↩
1319. How to judge of I hunder, Lightning, and Winds. ↩
1320. When rain is to be expected. ↩
1321. Of the ſtate of the weather for the whole year. ↩
1322. How to judge of weather by the riſing and ſetting of the Sun. ↩
1323. By the colour of the Moon. ↩
1324. By the Rain-bow. ↩
1325. By Comets. ↩
1326. By clouds. ↩
1327. By Stars. ↩
1328. By the Prime day. ↩
1329. By Thunder. ↩
1330. The reaſon of many Suns and Moon. ↩
1331. The cauſe of the Rain bow. ↩
1332. What rain is. ↩
1333. What hail and ſnow. ↩
1334. What froſt and dew. ↩
1335. What winde and the occaſion of Earth-quakes. ↩
1336. What a Comet. ↩
1337. What thunder and lightning. ↩
1338. Signs of Earth-quakes to come. ↩
1339. The cauſe of the Sun his Eclipſe. ↩
1340. The cauſe of the Moons Eclipſe. ↩
1341. Why there are not 2 Eclipſes every moneth. ↩
1342. The ſignification of the Malevolent fixed Stars in the firſt Houſe. ↩
1343. In the ſecond ↩
1344. In the third ↩
1345. In the fourth. ↩
1346. In the fifth. ↩
1347. In the ſixth. ↩
1348. In the ſeventh. ↩
1349. In the eighth. ↩
1350. In the ninth. ↩
1351. In the tenth. ↩
1352. In the eleventh. ↩
1353. In the twelfth. ↩
1354. What time the figure of Heaven is to be erected for the judging of Eclipſes. ↩
1355. What things or places are ſignified good or evill in any Eclipſe. ↩
1356. The Portence of an Eclipſe in any Triplicity. ↩
1357. In the Cardinal points. ↩
1358. In common ſigns. ↩
1359. In fixed. ↩
1360. Four things to be conſidered in judging of Eclipſes. ↩
1361. When an Eclipſe firſt manifeſts its Effects, and when more forcibly. ↩
1362. How long the Effects of any Eclipſe ſhall continue. ↩
1363. How to know the Lord of Eclipſe. ↩
1364. Fixed Stars to be conſidered ↩
1365. The forms and figures of the ſigns. ↩
1366. The portence of an Eclipſe in Tropical or Equinoctial ſigns. ↩
1367. In the quarters of Heaven. ↩
1368. To know the greatneſs of the Events of any Eclipſe. ↩
1369. How to know the nature and quality of the Events of any Eclipſe, whether good or evill. ↩
1370. Of Saturn when he is chief Ruler, and his ſignifications in general. ↩
1371. Of Jupiter when he is chief Ruler, what he ſignifieth in general. ↩
1372. Of the ſignifications of Mars, if he be chief Ruler. ↩
1373. Of Venus and her ſignifications general. ↩
1374. Of Mercury and his ſignifications when he is chief Ruler ↩
1375. The Moon eclipſed in the firſt Face of Aries. ↩
1376. What a Comet is. ↩
1377. The name thereof. ↩
1378. Divers ſorts of Comets, or Bl[•]zing ſtars. ↩
1379. Where or in what part of Heaven uſually ſeen. ↩
1380. Their continuance in the Heavens. ↩
1381. Some Comets move, others again are fixed. How to judge of their Portences. ↩
1382. The birth of our Saviour fore-known by the Comet in Auguſtus his time. ↩
1383. The Portencies of Comets and Blazing-Stars. ↩
1384. Why Comets are ſeen but ſeldom, and but one at a time. ↩
1385. At what time of the year Comets and Blazing-Stars uſually appear. ↩
1386. Comets white and red; and the reaſon thereof. ↩
1387. The reaſon of their ſhape and form. ↩
1388. The diſtinct ſignifications of every Comet or Blazing Star. ↩
1389. The ſignification of Comets in Earthy ſigns, watry, aiery and fiery. ↩
1390. The Portences of ſuch Comets as belong to Saturn. ↩
1391. Comets of the nature of Jupiter and their portences. ↩
1392. Comets of the nature of Mars, and their ſignifications. ↩
1393. The ſignification of the Sun his Coments. ↩
1394. Comets of the nature of Venus, and their portences. ↩
1395. What is ſignified by Mercurial Comets. ↩
1396. What by Lunar. ↩
1397. Of the ſignification of Comets when they appeat in Aries. ↩
1398. In Taurus. ↩
1399. In Gemini. ↩
1400. In Gemini. ↩
1401. In Cancer. ↩
1402. In Leo. ↩
1403. In Virgo. ↩
1404. In Libra. ↩
1405. In Scorpio. ↩
1406. In Sagittary. ↩
1407. In Capricorn. ↩
1408. In Aquaries. ↩
1409. In Piſces. ↩
1410. When Comets chiefly manifeſt their Effects. ↩
1411. Conſiderations before iudgement. ↩
1412. Of the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in Aries. ↩
1413. Of the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in any Trygon. ↩
1414. Of the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in Cancer. ↩
1415. Of the Conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. ↩
1416. Of the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars. ↩
1417. Of the ☌ of ♃ and ♂. ↩
1418. The ☌ of the ☉ with the other Planets. Of the ☌ of the ☉ and ☽. ↩
1419. Of the ☌ of ♃, ♀, ☿ and ☽ in ♈. ↩
1420. ☌ ♀ and ♂ in ♉ ↩
1421. ☌ ♃ ♀ ♂ and ☽ in ♉. ↩
1422. ☌ ♄ ♃ and ♂ in ♉. ↩
1423. ☌ ☉ ♀ and ♂ in ♊. ↩
1424. ☌ ♄ ♂ ☉ ♀ ☿ and the ☽ in ♋. ↩
1425. ☌ ♄ ♃ ♂ and ♀ & ☽ in ♌. ↩
1426. ☌ ♄ ♂ and ☿ in ♍. ☉ Eclipſed, and ♂ in ☌. ☌ ♄ and ♀. ↩
1427. ☌ ♂ and ♃ in ♎. ☌ ♃ ☉ and ☽ in ♎. ↩
1428. ☌ ♄ ♂ and ♀ in ♏ ↩
1429. ☌ ♃ and ♀ in ♏. ↩
1430. ☌ ♄ ♃ ☿ and ☽ in ♐. ↩
1431. ☌ ☉ ♂ and ☿ in ♑. ↩
1432. ☌ ♂ ♄ and ☽ in ♒. ↩
1433. ☌ ♄ ♃ and ♂ in ♓. ☌ ☉ ♂ and ♄ ♓. ↩
1434. The Conjunction of Dragons Head and Saturn in any ſign. ↩
1435. Sunday. ↩
1436. Monday. ↩
1437. Tueſday. ↩
1438. Wodenſday. ↩
1439. Thurſday. ↩
1440. Friday. ↩
1441. Saturday. ↩
1442. Dr. Homes, who was when he commenced Doctor, a ſtrong man for the Biſhops, then he became a Presbyterian, and now a moſt deteſtable Independent. ↩
1443. Joſeph. Ant. Jud. lib. 1. c. 2. ↩
1444. Joſeph. Ant. Jud. lib. 1. cap. 8. ↩
1445. Fol. 6.3. ↩
1446. Page 58. ↩
1447. Pag. 168. ↩
1448. Cap. 13. fol. 28. ↩
1449. Rufus Rolandu[•]. ↩