Astrolabium Vranicum Generale.  
A Necessary and Pleasant solace and recreation for Navigators in their long journeying, Containing the use of an Instrument or general Astrolabe: Newly for them devised by the Author, to bring them skilfully acquainted with all the Planets Stars, and constellations of the Heavens: and their courses, movings, and apparences, called the (uranical Astrolabe.)  
In which, Agreeable to the Hipothesis of Nicolaus Copernicus, the Starry Firmament is appointed perpetually fixed, and the earth and his Orisons continually moving from West towards the East once about every 24 hours.  
Fraught also by new devise with all such necessary supplements for judicial Astrology, as ALKABITIUS & CLAVDIVS DARIOTTUS have delivered by their Tables.  
Whereunto for their further delight he hath annexed another invention, expressing in one face the whole Globe terrestrial; with the two great english voyages lately performed round about the world.  
Compiled by JOHN B●●GRAVE of Reading Gentleman, the sam● well willer to the Mathematics. Anno. 1596.  
Printed by Thomas Purfoot, for William Mats.   

¶ To the Right Honorable-Lord, the Lord Charles Haward, Baron of Effingham, Lord high Admiral of England, etc.  
RIght Honourable, for so much as myself, with the whole progeny of our name, have been always exceedingly bound, Next to the Right Honourable our good Lord the Lord Burleigh, Lord high Treasurer of England, Unto the late right Honourable Sir Frances Knolles the elder Knight, Treasurer of her highness most honourable household, deceased, in regard of their sincere justice, and charitable respect of most injurious and wicked practices heretofore vehemently prosecuted against us, for no less than the living we all possessed. Both whom therefore (under your Lordship's good favour) I can not, but in all my best endeavours, during life remember, Not forgetting as in duty I am bound, the Right Honourable Sir William Knolles Knight, now Controller of her Majesties said most honourable household, and such other his right worshipful and honourable minded offspring, as still remain our good favourers. Amongst whom, the right Worship. M. Robert Knolles more than a year passed of his accustomed kindness advertised me, that your L. I know not by what means, understanding of my endeavours in these Mathematic Sciences, was pleased to take further notice of me by my personal presence. For the which, as the time hath not been fitting by reason of your L. most serious important & honourable employments, aswell to the seas as otherwise this year 1596 well known to the whole world. So have I been willing to catch hold of the opportunity thereof so far: as in the mean time to hammer out (if selfliking deceive me not) a rare piece of Mathematic stuff, to bring unto your L. view, together with myself: tending both to the profit and pleasure of all worthy english Gent. that either addict themselves to contemplation at home, or to Marine travails abroad. Which if it may receive favourable allowance at your good L. hands, I shall think myself suffiiciently defended against all ignorant or malignant detractors, and be the rather hereafter encouraged to go forwards with like matters. Thus praying unto God for the long preservation of your Honour, I cease.  
Your Lordship's most humble, john Blagrave.   

To the courteous Reader.  
GEntle Reader, the ears of my guilty conceit being continually troubled with such a noise and clamour for my (Organum Vranicum,) and the second part of my Mathematical jewel, so long and largely promised, as the greedy Auditors are wont to make at a Stage-play: calling, Come away how, with boys throwing volleys of stones rattling at the gates of my otherwise buisied employments, for staying so long: Maketh me here in haste (God grant to your liking) to come up the Stage, with a little, but rare piece of Mathematic Musickly pleasure, not impertinent to the matter to be acted: to stay your languishing expectations, both worth the acceptation (which I dare boldly avouch against the doggedst detractor that shall contradict) and sufficient to entertain the time until Midsummer or Michaelmas Term at the farthest, when as (if God permit) the stately Comedy of Queen Vranya her Pageants, shall abundantly offer themselves to your pleasant view, Solace yourselves I pray you herewith the while, and be bold with me if in any thing you doubt. You shall have me God willing once every Term in London ready to your wish, at a poor lodging within Master Green's Wharfe near unto Charing Cross: and at Master Ralph jackson's at the sign of the Swan in S. Paul's Churchyard, or at Master William Mats Stationer, at the sign of the Plough, over against S Dunston's Church in Fleetstreet, who hath the Impression of this Book, you shall ever know whether I be at any time in the City: With whom, I have taken order to furnish with these Instruments and their supplements any that shall want them.   

❧ The Contents of the Chapters of this work, of the uranical Astrolabe.  

Cap. 1. OF the parts of this new Astrolabe.  
Cap. 2. Of the Celestial proiectinent in this new Astrolabe, and how the longitudes and latitudes of the Stars are thereby had.  
Cap. 3. Of certain abbreviated terms or phrases of art appertaining to this new Astrolabe.  
Cap. 4. How to place Carects of the Planets in this Astrolabe to serve there the whole week after.  
Cap. 5. How by this new Astrolabe to find the true place of the ☉ perpetually.  
Cap. 6. How to rectify the true place of the Sun to all places of the world.  
Cap. 7. How to rectify the place of the ☽ or of any other Planet, to any other Meridian.  
Cap. 8. How to know the declination and right ascenstion of any Planet, fixed Star, or point of the heavens, and their degree of Culmination.  
Cap. 9 How to find the true Meridian in any Country by help of this Astrolabe.  
Cap. 10. How to attain the latitude or Poles Elevation in any country unknown, and to choose out the Vertical point in the noon-line, the horizontal point in the North line, and the Zenith line serving thereunto.  
Cap. 11. How to take the Meridian altitude of the Sun or any Planet or Star, and thereby to get the latitude in any Country.  
Cap. 12. How to know what day of the year it were if it were forgotten.  
Cap. 13. How to know what it is a clock at any time either night or day, by the Sun, Planets, or Stars.  
Cap. 14. Another more easy way to find the hour by the Stars.  
Cap. 15. Another easy way by the ☽.  
Cap. 16. How to know the Meridian altitude of the ☉, or any other Planet, Star, or point of the heavens in any Country, and what hour of the day or night any of them shall culminate or come to the Meridian of that place.  
Cap. 17. How to know the hour of sun-rising and setting, and the length of the day and night, together with his obliqne ascension, and his difference of ascenstion any day in the year.  
Cap. 18. To know the hour of rising or setting of any other Planet, Star, or point in the heavens, and their diurnal and nocturnal arches, and their obliqne ascenstions and difference of ascenstions in any country.  
Cap. 19 How to set particular degrees on the Almicantiser for any particular latitude.  
Cap. 20. How to know the Amplitude of rising or setting of the Sun or Stars.  
Cap. 21. To know what Stars do never rise or set in any latitude, and which do once a day touch the Zenith point, or horizontal point.  
Cap. 22. To know any day and hour what Stars or points in the heavens are in or near the Meridian, or do rise or set in any latitude.  
Cap. 23. How to know the hour, distance of any Planet, Star, or point of the heavens from the Meridian, any day and year proposed in any latitude.  
Cap. 24 How to know the height of the Sun or of any other Planet or Star for any hour of the day any year in any latitude.  
Cap. 25. How you shall most easily learn to know all the constellations and Stars in the element itself.  
Cap. 26. Of the 4 Cardines, and the sundry rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the Planets.  
Cap. 27. Of the 12 houses, and setting the Figure.  
Cap. 28. Of the aspects of the Planets and Stars, and how to find them.  
Cap. 29. A new devise of the Author to get the Planetary hours most easily in all latitudes, and of their Lords regnant.  
Cap. 30. How you shall know to set forwards and backwards any of the fixed Stars unto their true places for any ages past, or to come.  
Cap. 31. How by help of this Astrolabe to get the longitude and latitude of any Planet, yea, or of any Star or Comet seen.  
Cap. 32. A ready way by help of this Astrolabe hereafter to observe the motions of Comets.    

Astrolabium Vranicum Generale. Hear followeth the book of the use of the uranical Astrolabe, Newly devised by john Blagrave of Reading, Gentleman.  

Cap. 1. ¶ Of the parts of this new Astrolabe.  
THis Astrolabe hath three general parts, that is to say, the Celestial, the Zenitfer with his Cursor, and the Almicantifer with his Pointer.  
I call that part the Celestial here, which in other Astrolabes is called the Mate●, of which I will largely speak in the next Chap.  
The Zenitfer being but as a plain rule of one inch breadth, moveth upon the Celestial in stead of a Reete used in other Astrolabes: and hath a circular Limb thereto annexed near unto the Centre, which I call the Circulus horarius, or hour circle, with the 24. hours, and their parts thereon, as you see. Neither is it material of what quantity that hour circle or limb be of, so it be concentricke to the Astrolabe, and placed so, that it hide fewest Stars in his moving. And for service of this circle, there is written at the upper end of this Zenitfer Meridies, and at the lower end Media nox, and therefore the fiducial line thereof from the Centre upwards to Meridies, is generally called the Noon line, the other part from the Centre downwards unto Media nox the North line. Then hath it 90 Zenith lines standing in ascents one above another like Organ pipes, in stead of the 90 general Orisons before time used, issuing or growing out of the 90 Zenith points: for the lowest points of these 90 lines nearest unto the centre unto which their numbers are set from 0 to 90, do represent the true Zenithes of all places. These 90. Zenith lines, are by certain thwart curved lines parted every one into 90 uneven parts, of which some run out infinitely, and those parts I call the Altitude roots, or the Almicantare roots, and for brevities sake sometimes Roots without any addition. These Roots do help us to general Almicantares, or circles of Altitude for any Latitude by a rare devise by me first found out. They are numbered on the outer side of the Zenitfer from their extreme points inwards towards their said Zenith points, ending at them with 90. Also to the Fiducial line of this Zenitfer is annexed a scale, in which are planted the Radiall degrees of the proiectement on both sides of the Scale, because they require double numbering for sundry purposes. And of those which bound on the Fiducial line, those at the noon line are numbered from the Equinoctial intersection both ways, uz. towards Meridies, as far as the Zenithfer will give leave, which are about 36, and towards the Centre, ending there at 90. which 90 radiall degrees of the noon line towards the Centre do serve (with the other 36) to descry the declinations of the fixed Stars and Planets, but chiefly they serve for the 90 Zenithes which appertain to the 90 general Orisons, and for distinction sake I call them the 90 Vertical points, and they exactly answer unto the 90. lower ends of the 90 Zenith lines, which before I called the 90 Zenith points, in so much that the fiducial line of the Cursor in his moving, cutteth the Zenith point, and the Vertical point of any latitude both at once. The other Radiall degrees in the North line, are numbered from the centre towards Media nox, ending at the Equinoctials' intersexion therewith at 90, and do serve for the 90 intersections of the 90 general Orisons therewith, and therefore I call them the 90 horizontal points. And of those radyall degrees which bound on the other side of the Scale, which indeed serve to the getting of the 12 houses generally, as is showed in the 27 Cap. The Norther 90 towards Media nox are numbered inwards towards the Centre, ending there at 90 contrary to the former. And the Souther of those radiall degrees are numbered from the Centre outwards towards Meridies two to one, as far as they will go, (that is to say) every 10 make but 5, and these do serve but in stead of roots to the other, and therefore I call them the domifying roots. Also there adjoineth unto the Radiall scale of the North line between the centre and the Zenith lines a certain scale of slope lines numbered in the midst, beginning but from 60 and ending at the centre with 90, which I call the domifying Scale, for that the two extremes of every of those slope lines, do help to get 8 of the 12 houses in that latitude, whose number it showeth, as in the 27 Cap. is manifested: and unto the outer edge of this domifying scale, are also annexed part of the former radiall degrees, all having relation to them on the North line. Then hath this Zenitfer a certain runner or Cursor, whose fiducial line always runneth exactly square to the fiducial line of the Zenitfer. And at the common meeting of both those fiducial lines, this Cursor hath jointed unto him a kind of Label or lose scale, which I call the Almicantifer, who to supply the general use of the Almicantares, hath no manner of matter on him but another Cursor, which I call a Pointer.  
But now for any man that desireth to have this Astrolabe more particularly commodious for one latitude, uz. for the country or place of his abode, then shall he have a kind of Reete or mover made, carrying a circle or limb of hours of equal diameter to the Celestial, and within it the Horizon circle of that place particularly described after Stophlerus, and graduated into his 360 prospective degrees, as in the fourth book 4. Cap. of my jewel is taught, together with the arches distinguishing the 12 houses, as in Stoph. lib. 1. propo. 6. is taught, writing to each house his number and significations. And unto the noon-line furnished with the former radiall degrees, numbered from the Horizon circle, into twice 90. both ending at the Vertical point, you shall need to annex but only one of the 90 Zenith lines, uz. that which serveth to your latitude and his roots, with the Cursor: Neither need your Almicantifer have his sliding pointer, but in stead thereof, the particular degrees of altitude serving to that latitude, which are compounded of his 90 Zenith roots, and the 90 radiall degrees in the North line, as in the 19 Cap. is taught, all which shall better appear by such Astrolabes as I mean to set abroad ready furnished.   

Cap. 2. ¶ Of the Celestial proiectment in this new Astrolabe, and how the longitudes and latitudes of the Stars are thereby had.  
Needless it is to stand upon the Fabrication, or long particularizing of this Instrument or his parts, since they are but the Copernician representation of the constellations fixed, and the 90 general Orisons moving.  
The Fixed part which in other Astrolabes is called the Mater, I call for brevities sake the Celestial, For that in it I have prospectively projected the Globe Celestial, that is to say, the Globe of the fixed Stars, with the Zodiac, and his North Pole (marked with D) the Images of each constellation, and the Stars appertaining, in such sort as in the Globe they are usual, with each fift circle of Longitude and Latitude of the Zodiac, Every six of those five of the Longitude including a sign in the heavens, being 12 in the whole, which 12 are distinguished with twisted lines somewhat bigger from the rest, and unto them near unto the Limb are written the names of the 12 Signs as they pass in order, Aries, Taurus, etc. together with their natures and qualities. Also, those three Signs of the watery triplicity are filled up with waves, and the three fiery with flames, and the three earthy with big pricks, and the three airy left white. Then are there seven several magnitudes of Stars, each bigger and brighter than other, whose fashions are set down with their numbers in the Sign ♊ before the breast of Orion, by which they are easily herein descried. The excentricke circle Orbs or Limb, lying wholly within it, is the Zodiac divided into his 12 Signs by the foresaid 12 master circles of longitude, and every Sign into his 30 prospective degrees. Also the degrees are made with, divers distinguishments, for the Gradus masculini, feminini, lucidi, tenebrosi, vacui, fumosi, puteales, fortunam augentes, & debilitantes, all which are sufficiently to be descried by the two Directoria Zodiaci there placed. Then is there a little within the Zodiac a row of Carecters of the Planets placed at every 10 circle of longitude, signifying the faces of the Planets, and likewise another row without the Zodiac at the beginning of the terms of the Planets, every face and term continuing unto the carect next him in sequens of the Zodiac, all which will better appear, if you join unto this book Claudius' Dariot his introduction to the judgement of the Stars, which by good hap is now newly imprinted in english together with this, and a second part therewith, which at the first impression was omitted. And specially you must note and remember well, that the very outermost circle of this Zodiac, is the clipticke circle, within which is contained the North-halfe or Hemispheere of all the Stars and Constellations in the heavens, and without it so many of the South Stars and Constellations, as the proiectment would admit. Then is there also lying within this Astrolabe a black concentricke circle, representing the equinoctial circle, and projector of this work, but without any divisions, because they are better supplied by the limb. Also there is a scale of the radiall degrees, whereon this proiectement is made, placed at the master circle of longit. beginning the Sign ♋ numbered from the Equinoctial both ways, which Equinoctial cutteth the said ecliptic circle in the points B and C beginning ♈ and ♎, and those points are called the two equinoctial Intersectiones which do move upon the poles of the Zodiac backwards, or in precedentia, of the Signs every 67 years almost a degree equally: carrying about with them all the foresaid circles of Longitude and Latitude, leaving the Stars stock still in their places, By which means it cometh to pass, that although the fixed Stars have no manner of motion at all, yet they seem from time to time to have gone as is said every 67 years almost a degree forwards, as the ancient Astronomers thought: where as in very deed (as Copernicus showeth) the Zodiac and all his circles do slide so much backwards from them: And by reason this sliding back of the equinoctial points, is as I have said performed on the poles D and his opposite of the clipticke, therefore it cometh to pass that the fixed Stars could thereby never change their Latitudes, but keep the same Latitudes as ever they did. This sliding back, is called Precessio Aequinoctiorum, of which we will entreat more in the 30 Cap. And now will return to this proiectement: In which it is very easy to imagine every square into five equal parts, and so thereby to know the Longitude and Latitude of any Star therein sufficient for any common use. As for example, the great Star in the left foot of Orion, placed in the Sign ♊, if you imagine the spaces between each five circles of Longitude and Latitude divided into five parts, then shall you conceive that the middle prick of this Star is here in longitude about 9 degrees 30 minute. of ♊, and in latitude South from the clipticke circle about some 31 degrees 30 min. and so for any of the rest.   

Cap. 3. ¶ Of certain abbreviated terms or phrases of art, appertaining to this new Astrolabe.  
BEcause this Astrolabe is newly devised and his tackling, much differing from all other heretofore both in fashion, use, and names, I have therefore here thought good to premise certain abbreviated terms thereunto fitly appertaining, lest otherwise such long iteration of divers circumstances as at every time I mention them I should be driven to use, should make my writings irksome, and my book over long. Which tediousness to avoid, I have further not only couched divers precepts and propositions almost into every Chapter, but also incorporated the examples with them, yet in another letter, to the end you may if you list first read over every Chapter, leaving out the example even as though it were not. And if you understand it so, it is well, if not, then read it, and practise the example withal.  

Are all one in signification, but in this practice the one is taken in the noon line, the other in the Zenith line of the place, as in the 1. Cap. is noted. 

The Vertical point,  
The Zenith point,     
The horizontal point, is always that radiall degree of the north line, reckoned from the centre which is equal to the latitude, or poles elevation, explained both in the 1. & 10. Cap.  
The Zenith line, explained in the 1. and 10. Cap.  
The North and South degrees, are the 90. radiall degrees on the noon and north lines, on each side of the Vertical point explained in the 10. Cap.  
The East and West Hemispheres are thus, in every constitution of this Astrolabe, the Fiducial line of the Zenitfer divideth the Celestial, in half of which, that half Eastwards of the noon line towards vi. of the clock in the morning, I call the East Hemisphere, the other half I call the West Hemisphere.  
To play the Almicantifer in the East or West Hemisphere is as much to say, as to keep him moving wholly on the East, or West side of the noon line accordingly.  
To apply the pointer to any Star or Carect, is to lead the Zenitfer, and the Almicantifer about, till you may cause the Apex of the pointer to touch the carect, or the middle prick of the Star.  

To label the Hour to the Sun or Stars, or them to the hour. explained in the 13. Cap.  
To prepare the Zenitfer to any altitude. explained in the 13. Cap.  
To prepare the Zenitfer to the Horizon, is explained in the 17. Cap.  
To prepare the Almicantifer to a particular latitude, explained in the 19 Cap.   
Also when it is said, Place the Zenitfer, or Label to any Planet, Star, or point: it is meant, that you must place the siduciall lines thereunto, and that with relation to the centre. The complement of any degree is so much as it lacketh of 90. degrees.  
Lastly, you shall understand, that in writing of this whole work, my meaning was that every man should have the furniture of this Astrolabe (whether general or particular) made of metal, as commonly the furnitures of Globes are, For which, if any man shall repair or send unto me either by himself, or by Master Mats the bookeseller, dwelling at the sign of the Plough over against S. Dunston's Church in Fleetstreet, who shall easily at all times send any letter or notice weekly unto me by our carriers, I will take such order that he shall have them as reasonably done as may be. And to the end that every man may see how it ought to be made in metal, I have caused a rude pattern of each furniture in metal to remain with the said Master Mats. Notwithstanding, for such as will not go to that little charge, I have upon better advisement caused the Zenitfer and Cursor to be imprinted with the Astrolabe, to be set either on pastboord, or cuttlers' scale to serve the turn: But in stead of the Almicantifer and his pointer, then must they use a thread and pearl, which shall do in a manner as well, for the pearl shall in all actions supply the steed of the pointer. And in steed of the ledge of brass in the beginning of the next Cap. mentioned, he may haply cause a breadth of lantornes horn to be riveted over the Zodiac, under which to place the Carects of the Planets, made of pasteboard, quills, or such like.   

Cap. 4. ¶ How to place Carects of the Planets in this Astrolabe, to serve there the whole week after.  
FOR this purpose you shall take a pair of Compass, and pitch his one foot in the line beginning ♑ at 25 degrees from the-cliptickes pole, and extend the other in the same line unto 7 degrees of latitude, and with that quantity describe a blind circle, on which blind circle so made you shall place a narrow hoop of latin brass, riveted on the Mater with 4 or 8 rivets at the most, with so many thin bovisters under every river, that the hoop press not hard on the Mater, to the end that you may thrust under it some 9 Carrects, 5 of them carrying two Apices or pointers jointed together, made all of thin metal and very narrow, uz. 7 for the 7 Planets, and 2 for the moons cap, and Cau. draconis, there to stick very fast till they be weekly removed, and let one of the Apices of each Carect be less and slighter than the other, which you shall better understand by such as I have, and shall cause to be ready made to your hand then by manifold words.  
These things provided for, then at the beginning of any week of any year proposed (Admit for the beginning of the first Sunday in March, which shall be Anno Domini 1598.) you shall then by my Organum Vranicum, which God willing, long before that day shall be extant, or by your Ephemeris, or other Tables of the Planets motions get the true places of every of the 7 Planets as well in Longitude as Latitude, and of the ☊ and ☋, (which on the said Sunday being the 5 day of March 1598. you shall by Stadius his Ephemerideses, find the ☉ to be 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓, the ☽ 2 degrees 40 minutes in ♋, her Latitude then 4 degrees 30 min. North, ♄ 2. degr. 32 min. in ♎, in Latit. 2 degr. 44 min. North, ♃ 9 degr. 26 min. in ♊, in latit. South 0 38 min. ♐ in ♐, 1 degr. 39 min. in ♋, in lat. 2 degr. 13 min. North, ♀ 10 degr. 51 min. in ♉, in latit. 1 degr. 40 min. North, ☿ 4 degr. 26 min. in ♈, in latit. 2 degr. 58 min. North, ☊ 6. degr. 16 min. in ♓, the ☋ is always opposite, uz. 6 degr. 16 min. in ♍, both which, and likewise the ☉ never have latitude.) Which places you shall reddily find out in this Astrolabe, by means of the circles of Longit. and Latit. thereon described, and unto them set the chief Apex of each Planets Carect accordingly, carefully providing that you set the Apex of the ☉ his Carect justly to theclipticke circle mentioned in the 2 Cap. at his exact degree and minute, because he hath no Latitude, and he is the Chieftain guide in all our work following, and so likewise the ☊ and ☋, as for all the rest, you shall place their apices unto the parallel circle, expressing his Latitude at his degree of Longitude reckoned in the same parallel by help of the circles of longitude: Which done, you shall then again either by your Vranicum or Ephemerideses, get in like sort the places of them all for the beginning of the next Sunday following (which will be the 12 day of March that year 1598. the ☉ then being 1 degr. 57 min. in ♈, the ☽ 27 deg. 8 min. in ♍, her latit. 1 degr. 47 min. North, ♄ 1 degr. 56 min. in ♎, ♃ 10 degr. 24 min. in ♊, ♐ 4 degr. 10 min. in ♋, ♀ 16 degr. 46 min. in ♉, ☿ 28 degr. 32 min. in ♓, ☊ 5 degr. 54 min. in ♓, as for their latitudes they altar little or nothing in 6 or 7 days.) and to those places accordingly sought in this Astrolabe, you shall set the petty Apices of each Carect. There shall they serve you for all that week to singular effects, and presently you may note thus much, that if the petty Apex happen to be thus placed in sequens of the Zodiac from the chief Apex, then be sure the Planet is direct, if in precedens, (as in ☿) then is he Retrograde, if just one upon another, then Stationary. And full easy will it be to imagine the spaces between the two Apices of each Planets carect, into seven equal parts for the seven days of the week included between them, as in the 2. Cap. you imagined the Squares into five parts, and so reddily to conceive where each Planet is any of those seven days, which in none of them can exceed twice 7 Degrees, (the Moon excepted) whose gate in common account is every two hours one whole Degree, and every four and twenty hours twelve Degrees. Wherefore for her, either you must rely upon your Almanac, or have four single Carects at the least to be set two days in sunder apiece, that is to say, the one to be set at the moons place for Sunday noon (for Astronomers always begin their day at noon, because the Meridian is Horizon rectus) the second to be set for Tuesday noon, the third for Thursday noon, and the fourth for Saturday noon, and so by adding or subducting of 12 degrees for a day, and two degrees for an hour, her place shall sufficiently well be had. Her motion is very swift, and her Prosthapheresis, or Aequations, caused by her epicycles, may happily breed error of 7 or 8 degrees in one week, from that common account of two hours to a degree, otherwise two Carects might have sufficed, but in two days her greatest gate being but 12 degrees either before or behind one of the carects, can breed no error to be regarded, if you reckon it from that carect unto which she is nearest.   

Cap. 5. ¶ How by this new Astrolabe to find the true place of the Sun perpetually.  
IN my Organum Vranicum shortly like to come forth, you shall have the Calendar of the year, the Cycle of the Sun, and all such necessary supplements. And therefore in this Astrolabe, which I do appoint to be always annexed thereunto, and to be but the back side, or Dorsum Vranici, I have framed no Calendar at all or Theoric of the ☉ as commonly all other Astrolabes have. Yet to serve the turn until the Vranicum come forth, or for them that would content themselves without the other, as happily some will in regard of the charge of the other, which can not well be framed but of metal, I have in the 12 Signs of the Zodiacs Orbs placed the 12 letters of the 12 Months, uz. I for january, F for February, etc. at such degree and minute of theclipticke as they do make their entrance the Radical year of my said Vranicum, being the year after Christ 1600. by help of which you shall for ever it you will, find the true place of the Sun within 3 or 4 minutes, so you regard but three observances which I shall here deliver you. The first is, concerning the Leap year, and is remedied by rebating some quarter of a degree for every year following the Leap year till it be Leap year again. The second is, concerning the five odd days in the year above 360. and is remedied by rebating for every day of the month, proposed but one minute. The third is, concerning ages past or to come, the remedy whereof, I will show in the end of this Cap. Now therefore for the time present, uz. for some 20 years if need be before or behind the year 1600. it serveth fitly as it is upon every Leap year, (because his root 1600 is a Leap year) without any observation more than for the five odd days which is general in every year: and for any common year with very little trouble, as I shall show in this manner: Wherefore if you will know what degree and minute the Sun is in upon any day and year assigned. First, seek by the Zodiac for the letter of the month in which your day is (uz. For the letter I serving for june, which is placed at the 20 degree and somewhat more in ♊, and the number 6 ascribed thereto, signifieth 6 minutes more than the 20 degrees, the exact place of that letter I.) And from that letter (uz. I) number forwards so many degrees of the Clipticke as your day (the 8 of june) proposed is within your month (june) proposed, rebating so many minutes, according to the second observance before mentioned (uz. for your 8 days, reckon 8 degrees in sequens of that 20 deg. 6 min. of ♊ lacking 8 min.) and where that account falleth out (which you shall find upon that reckoning and rebating of 8 minutes, to be 27 degrees 58 minutes of ♊.) there shall be the true place of the ☉ if it be a Leap year (as this year 1596 is) and there (uz. at the said 27 degrees 58 minutes of ♊) you may place the Carect of the Sun for that day, as in the last Chapter is taught. But if it shall be the first year after the Leap year, then shall you rebate a quarter of a degree, or 14 ⅓ min. (if you will be precise) if the second year, then rebate half a degree, if the third, rebate ¾ of a degree, and then every Leap year it returneth to his own place again. And this for almost twenty years either before or behind the Radical year 1600 shall serve passing well and ready within some four or five minutes, but for any time after the year 1600 you shall need but add, and for any time before subtract some half quarter of a Degree (or 8 ¾ minutes if you will be precise) for every 20 years. (As for Example for the place of the ☉ the 8 day of March in the year 1700. because between the year 1600 and 1700, there are five times 20 years, therefore I add five diquarters of a degree (or to be precise five times 8 ¾ minutes which maketh 44 ¾ minutes) unto the foresaid 27 degr. 58 min. in ♊, and it maketh 28 degrees, 42 ¾ minutes, which is the true place of the ☉ on the 8 day of june, Anno. 1700.) And because you shall work the more certain, I have to every of the 12 letters of the months, set the number of the minutes of that degree where his right place should be, which place is also descried by a little stroke or string cutting the true place of the same Degree, and leading thence to the letter, if it be not placed directly therewith.  
Also you must not forget for ages past or to come, to add or subtract the Aequation of the 8 Speere, as in the 30 Cap. shall be showed according to the words adjective or Ablative there mentioned, for that will from time to time alter this true place of the Sun, even unto 1 ⅙ Degrees, about 800 years to come, or passed. Although some others have overslipped in their Theoricks of the ☉ both this, and the third observation before. (For example you shall by the 30 Cap. find the 8 Spears Aequation 12 ¼ minutes ablative for the year 1700, and so will the true place then be but 28 degrees 30 ½ minutes for the 8 of june.)  
After many words thus spent, the precept is briefly thus: Suppose every degree of theclipticke to be a day of the year, rebating for every day a minute, and for every of the three common years 14 ⅓ minutes, and thus far it serveth for all times. But now i● your time be after 1600, you must for the motus equalis compositus add 8 ¾ degrees for every 20 years, and for every 20 year before 1650 add 5 min. for the 8 spheres equation: and contrariwise, if being before 1600 and after 1650 you must subduct as much. Note, that I have been sithence informed that our honourable Lords departed the 3 of june, but let the 8 of june now stand for the example, nothing hurtful.   

Cap. 6. ¶ How to rectify the true place of the Sun to all places of the world.  
MY good meaning determining this Astrolabe as a fit recreation or play-game for travelers by Sea, to drive away the tediousness of their journeying, may soon of all deceive them in getting the true place of the ☉, whether by the Ephemeris, or by the last Cap. or by my Organum Vranicum, if they have not a special regard to the changing of their Meridian's as they travail: for which cause, I have caused a new description of the terrestrial Globe to be made after my fashion in one face, where others make them still in two faces: and both that terrestrial and this celestial, are principally meant by me to serve unto my Vranicum, and to be placed in the inner sides of his case as necessary appendices, though of itself it be an Instrument sufficient without these. Of this terrestrial I do at this time (although having many extraordinary conceits to apply him for Navigation, and other necessities to write of) determine to deliver but this Chapter, therein to let you understand, that in the limb circle about it which representeth the equinoctial circle at the Meridian cutting upon London, I have placed a rundle with a cross, and at the opposite Meridian the number of 12. signifying 12 hours, and between these on both sides are 11 other rundles for hours, so is that whole circle divided into twice 12 hours, and numbered both ways from the cross rundle, signifying how many hours the Sun or any Planet or Star hath to go from our Meridian at London (when any of them come unto it) before it can come to the Meridian of another place, or being in another place, how many hours it must go ere it come to ours. And in regard that the gate of the ☉ is every 24 hours a degree of theclipticke, therefore you must add or subtract from his place found either in the last Cap. or the Ephemerideses, or my Vranicum, according to the rate thereof, uz. for every 12 hours, about 30 minutes of a degree, and for 6 hours 15 minutes, etc.  
As for example, admit you being a travailer should be the fift day of March 1598. in the 4. Cap. mentioned in the great City of Quinsay in the country of China, and there seeking for the true place of the Sun at noon, had found it 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓ as in the 4. Cap. it was. Now because the Meridian of Quinsay appeareth in this Terrestrial by the said hour rundles almost 9 hours distant from the Meridian of London or rather of Anwerp if you work by Stadius Ephemerideses, or the last Cap. and that towards the East: Therefore the ☉ cometh so much sooner to the meridian or noon at Quinsay, for which cause you must in this case rebate so much of the suns diurnal gate of 60 minutes, as 9 hours cometh to, uz. 22 minutes, so will the Sun that day at noon in that country be but 24 degrees 41 min. in ♓, which in the 4 Cap. was found to be 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓. And if your place had been so much Westwards, than should you have added 22 minutes unto 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓. You may also perform the same reddily by the next Cap. applying the Label unto 30 minute. of the sextans, for so much is the semidiurnal gate of the Sun commonly.   

Cap. 7. ¶ How to rectify the place of the ☽ or of any other Planet to any other Meridian.  
THere is more need to have regard of this matter for the ☽, because her motion is very swift even every two hours about a degree, then in any other of the Planets: and for reddyer performance hereof, the Horarium Planetarium in the 29 Cap. mentioned, shall yield you special help, if you imagine the 10 hours of the Arch of the sextans to be 10 degrees, and cause the planetary Index to be numbered for this purpose into 12 hours from the Centre outwards.  
Now when you will rectify the true place of any Planet (admit of the ☽) at noon any day proposed (admit the 5. day of March 1598.) to another Meridian (admit to the Meridian of Quinsay.) First you shall get the semidiurnal gate of the Planet by taking the motion of the day proposed (uz. 2 degr. 40 min. in ♋) out of the motion of the day following (being the 6 day of March, and the moons place or motion then 15 degr. 1. min. in ♋) and take half the remain (uz. 6 degr. 10 min.) which you shall seek in the arch of the sextans (as though they were 6 hours 10 min.) and thereto set the Index, there let him stay. Then as in the last Cap. is taught, seek the hour distance of the Meridian of the other place (uz. of Quinsay) from yours, uz. from that of Antwerp (for Stadius) but for my Vranicum from London, (admit the hour distance 8 hours and an half) and that distance seek in the Index planted as before by the numbers reckoned from the Centre outwards unto 12, and mark what parallel cutteth the Index there (uz. at the said 8 ½ hour thereof) and follow it to the arch of the Sextans, which shall there show you (4 degrees 30 minutes) the motion of the Planet answerable to that hour distance of their Meridian's, which if it be Westwards from your Meridian, you shall add to, if Eastwards (as here it is) then subtract out of the place of the Planet found (uz. out of 2 degrees 40 minutes of ♋) and so shall you have (28 degrees 10 minutes in ♊) the true rectified place of the Planet to that Meridian proposed.  
Note, that for ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, ☿, and the ☉, whose semidurnall gates seldom exceed minutes, you may take 3 or 4 hours of the Sextans for one degree, and work as before most exact.   

Cap. 8. ¶ How to know the declination and right ascension of any Planet, fixed Star, or point of the heavens, and their degree of Culmination.  
THere are in the Mater, or Celestial of this Astrolabe, to avoid confusion, only two sorts of circles delineated, & those are the circles of the-clipticks longitude and latitude in the 2. Cap. mentioned, issuing from his Pole D to his opposite. And the very like unto those aught to have been delineated, issuing from the Poles of the world, limiting the right assentions and declinations of the Stars, in regard of the Equinoctial, and are commonly called Meridian's and Parallels, which because the nature of this proiectement doth cast the Meridian's into straight lines issuing from the Poles, both lodged in the Centre unto every of the 360 degrees of the Equinoctial, or rather of the limb and the parallels into concentricke circles, they are therefore supplied by playing about the radiall degrees of the noonelines on the Centre, by the degrees of the limb, and might as well be done by a thread & pearl applied to the radyall degrees of the Scale planted at the beginning of ♋.  
Further you shall understand that country is said to have a right Horizon, unto which some one of the Meridian's is Horizon, that is to say, where the equinoctial passeth by the Zenith or point directly over head, called the Vertical point, and both the poles of the world even with the Horizon, and neither of them elevated, all other Orisons where either Pole is elevated, are called obliqne Orisons.  
Now therefore when you are to get the right ascension of any Planet-Starre, or point of the heavens assigned, you are but to learn what Meridian and Parallel cutteth the same, and if you do but lay the noon-line thereon, it showeth you in the limb the right ascension, and in the scale of the Radiall degrees on the noon-line the declination. For example, the suns Apex placed at the 26 degree 3 minute. of ♓ by the 2 cap. lay the noon-line thereto, and it shall show you in the limb 356 degrees 25 minutes his right ascension, and among the radiall degrees of the noon-line 1 degr. 30 min. his declination, and that Southwards of the Equinoctial. For the 5 day of March 1598. likewise apply the noon-line unto the chief Carect of ♄ there placed at 2 degr. 27 min. in ♎, and in latitude 2 degr 44 min. North, and it shall show you in the limb 182 degrees his right ascension, and among the radiall degrees, 1 degr. 10 min. his declination South from the equinoctial the same 5 of March 1598. Again, if for any Star, as admit the great Star of the first light in or near the eye of the Bull, called Oculus tauri, the noon-line laid thereon, showeth in the limb 63 degrees 30 min. his right ascension, and 16 degrees his declination North from the equinoctial, though he be in latitude South from theclipticke, and it cutteth in the Zodiac the 5 degree 35 min. of ♊ his degree of culmination: for always the degree of theclipticke which coascendeth or cutteth any Meridian or right Horizon with any Star, or other point of the heavens, is called the degree of his Culmination, because the Meridian of any place is called Culmen Celi.   

Cap. 9 ¶ How to find the true Meridian in any country by help of this Astrolabe.  
THE Meridian circle of any latitude, is that great circle of the Sphere which passeth by the Zenith or vertical point of that place, and a line drawn by his two intersections with the Horizon there, is called the Meridian line. Also, that Star which in this Astrolabe you see in the outermost tip of the tail of Vrsa Minor, is commonly called the Pole star, in Latin Stella polaris, or Cinosura, which in this age is some 3 ½ degree distant from the true North point or pole of the world, although the ordinary sort take it to be the Pole itself, yet in every age to come by reason of the foresaid sliding back of the equinoctial points, he shall draw nearer and nearer to the Pole until the year 2220 after Christ, and then shall he be but 30 minutes from the Pole, and his longitude shall be then 0 in ♋, from whence he will then begin to elongate again from the Pole till he come to 0 in ♑ about the year 15120, at which time his distance from the Pole shall be 47 degrees 30 minutes. And whereas Petrus Nonius saith, that in times past he hath been 12 degrees 24 minutes from the Pole, and is now 3 degrees 30 minutes, happily he meaneth from the creation of the world.  
This pole-star in our age is found to culminate with the 6 degr. 20 min. of ♈, and to be 88 degr. 24 min. declining North from the equinoctial: on which 6 degr. 20 min. of ♈ if you lay the Nooneline, you shall first thereby see what Stars do continually culminate or come unto the Meridian with it, and you shall find it to cut on the fair Star of the third light, in the pummel of the chair of Cassiopeia, and another of the same light the northermost of the girdle of Andromeda, and in the opposite part, uz. by the North line, you shall see the 60 degr. 20 min of ♎ to culminate almost with the innermost of the three in the tail tail of Vrsa maior called Alioth, and two of the Stars of ♍, But that of Cassiopeia, and that of Vrsa maior are best for this purpose. Having thus by your Astrolabe found out a Star or two which have the same degree of culminating any Meridian as the pole-star hath, now shall you need but in any starry night to hang up some line, or erect some round pole or staff perpendicular to your Horizon, and then watch the going about of the Stars, until some one of those two Stars come with the said pole-star very even and directly with your perpendicular, for then be sure that those two are both directly in the Meridian: Wherefore you shall then speedily plant another perpendicular just between your first and the said two Stars, and there let them remain continually, for they shall serve you for many good purposes at any time after both day and night, in stead of a Meridian, I could set you down many ways more, but this is most pertinent to this Instrument, and is of all other the readiest, especially when as by the 22 Cap. following you shall beforehand know what hour these Stars will come to the Meridian, that you need not watch long for them.   

Cap. 10. ¶ How to attain the latitude or Poles elevation in any Country unknown, and to choose out the Vertical point in the noon-line, the horizontal point in the North line, with the Zenith line serving thereunto.  
THe Latitude of any place, is the distance of his Vertical point from the equinoctial, counted by the degrees of his Meridian circle on the South part, and is always equal to the elevation of the Pole of the world above the Horizon counted in the same Meridian on the North part, either of which can never exceed 90 degrees: for which cause, there are in the Zenitfer 90 Zenith lines described, to serve every turn. And the reddiest and most sure way to get the latitude in any strange place, having by the last Cap. settled your Meridian, is to take the Meridian altitudes of some one North Star that never cometh South of the Zenith there, both above and under the Pole, then take the greater Altitude out of the lesser, and of the remain add the one half to the lesser, so have you the latitude or Poles elevation sought, whose complement is the Equinoctials elevation above the South point of the Horizon.  
For example, admit the first Star of the tail of Vrsa maior called Alioth, if you observe his coming to the Meridian above the pole-star, and there find his altitude to be 84 degrees high, and afterwards finding him again in the Meridian under the Pole (which will be some 12 hours between) and there but 19 ⅓ degrees high, then take 19 ⅓ out of 84 there resteth 64 ⅔, half that being 32 ⅓ added to 19 ⅓ maketh 51 ⅔ our elevation here at Reading, and so much is our Zenith, or Vertical point, all is one, distant from the Equinoctial, and that 51 ⅔ taken out of 90, leaveth the complement 38 ⅓ the Equinoctials height above the Horizon in our Meridian.  
Now, if you will choose out in the noon-line of the Zenitfer the Vertical point fitting thereunto, reckon thereon from the equinoctials' intersection, with the noon-line by the radiall degrees and numbers thereon set between the Centre and Meridies, your latitude found, for there shall be your Vertical point desired (uz. for our Elevation here at Reading, the Pole being 51 ⅔ degrees high, I reckon that by the numbers in the noon-line, and there I conclude is our Vertical point, or of any Country having like latitude.) Likewise reckon on the North line from the Centre towards Media nox, your said latitude found (uz. the said 51 degrees 40 minutes,) and there shall be the place or point of your Orisons intersection, with the North part of your Meridian (51 degrees 40 minutes under the Pole) which I call the horizontal point. And between the Vertical and horizontal points thus found, you shall always find 90 Radiall degrees complete and no more, which 90 degrees are the true intersections or cross of the 90 Almicantares of that latitude with the North part of the Meridian, which for brevities sake I will hereafter call the North degrees, and those 90 degrees of the noon-line from the Vertical point towards Meridies, I will call the South degrees, both which in a particular would be numbered from the two horizontal points, unto the Zenith or Vertical point, there ending at 90 accordingly.  
Now for the Zenith line in the Zenitfer appertaining to your latitude found, it is easily chosen by the numbers ascribed to the inner ends of those 90 Zenith lines, as in the 1 cap. is showed, which 90 inner ends are the 90 Zenith points, and do answer by the fiducial line of the Cursor, unto the 90 Vertical points of the noon-line, (uz. the 51 ⅔ Zenith line must be chosen for our latitude here at Reading,) every of them carrying his 90 Almicantare roots distinguished by the curved lines, and numbered from their outermost end inwards towards their Zenith points, as in the 1. Cap. is showed.  
Your Vertical point, Horizon●●● po●●●, and your Zenith line appertaining thus found, you must in any wise mark them specially from the rest except your memory be good, the readier to find them in all your actions.   

Cap. 11. ¶ How to take the Meridian Altitude of the Sun, or any Planet or Star, and thereby to get the latitude in any Country.  
IT is a matter very easy and common, either by a Quadrant with a line and plummet, or by the circle or this Astrolabe hanged perpendicular, furnished with a rule and two sights to take an altitude: for the Sun, by suffering the Sunbeams to pierce the sight-holes, and for Stars by applying the sights to your eye, which altitude of the Sun or any Star being taken in the direct South or North by help of your Meridian set by the 9 cap. is called the Meridian altitude. But if you have no Meridian set, place your Quadrant or Astrolabe towards the South or North, and thereby observe the several altitudes of the Sun or Stars as they rise higher and higher, and the highest shall be the Meridian altitude. Where note, that such Stars whose declinations exceed the latitudes complement, do come twice unto the Meridian at 12 hours between, yet never come South of the Zenith, or Vertical point.  
The Meridian altitude thus had (As for example here at Reading the 2 of October 1596 about 3 of the clock in the morning, I observed the coming of the Star oculus Tauri to the Meridian, and there took his Meridian Altitude by a Quadrant 54 ⅓ degrees) take it out of 90 degrees (uz. 54 ⅓ out of 90) so have 〈◊〉 (35 ⅔) the complement or vertical distance of the Planet or Star (oculus ♉) proposed, from the Zenith of your being. Now if this Meridian Altitude happen on the North from your Zenith, then must you place the North line of your Zenitfer on the centre of your Planet or Star found out in this Astrolabe: but if it happen South of your Zenith, (As here this Meridian altitude of ocul. ♉ did from our Zenith at Reading) then bring the noon-line thereto. And from that touching of the Stars centre therewith, (which you shall find to touch at 16 degrees, as they are on the noon-line there numbered) you shall reckon inwards towards the centre of the Celestial so many degrees as the said vertical distance amounteth unto, (uz. the said 35 ⅔ degrees) and the end of that reckoning shall assuredly show you (51 ⅔) in the noon-line the Zenith point of your being, whose number ascribed (uz. the said 51 ⅔) is your latitude desired, (thereby I might conclude, that the latitude here at Reading was 51 ⅔ degrees) whose horizontal point and Zenith line you may easily find out by the last Cap.   

Cap. 12. ¶ How to know what day of the year it were if it were forgotten.  
GEt the Latitude by the 10 or 11 cap. (admit our latitude 51 ⅔ degrees) and the meridian altitude of the ☉ by the last cap. (admit 25 degrees) reckon the complement thereof (uz. 65 degrees) in the noon-line from the Vertical point towards Meridies, and look what radiall degrees it falleth at (you shall find it at 13 ½ degrees Southwards from the equinoctials' intersection) and apply that degree by moving about the Zenitfer unto the clipticke circle, according as you guess the time of the year to be, uz. If you think it to be between Midsummer and Christmas, then apply the same 13 ⅓ degr.) unto the autumnal hemicicle, where ♋ ☊ ♍ ♎ ♏ & ♐ are, (where it must needs touch upon the 24 degree of ♒) if between Christmas and Midsummer then unto the vernal hemicircle of the others Signs (where it must needs our the 6 of ♏) and there shall most assu●edly be th● tru● 〈…〉 the Sun for that day. Which bring had: than you may easily by the 5. Cap. eversed as well find the day answerable thereto, as there you found the suns place answerable to the day vice versa. Provided that the suns place be rectified as in the 6. Cap. if need be.   

Cap. 13. ¶ How to know what it is a clock at any time either night or day, by the S●nne, Planets, or Stars.  
YOu must always intend that the Planets are weekly placed, as in the 3. Cap. is taught. Also observe this rule general, to keep the noon-line of the Zenitfer still upwards, by turning about your Astrolabe, imagining your face turned still to the South, except when you are specially to deal with the North line, then keep him upwards, and then imagine your face turned towards the North. Now when you desire to know the hour of the day or night, you shall as in the last Cap. is mentioned, either by a Quadrant, or this Astrolabe, take the Altitude of the Sun at any time in the day or in the night of any Star. (For Example this year 1596 the 2 of October in the morning at my poor house at Swallowfeyld by Reading, to see how the time passed, I took the altitude of the Sun 15 degrees high, And the same evening I took the altitude of the great Star Arcturus 10 degrees high towards the West) Which had, then shall you prepare your Almicantifer unto that altitude, thus: In the Zenith line chosen by the 7. Cap. for your place (uz. in the 51 ⅔ Zenith line for us here about Reading) seek out among his Almicantare roots the number of that Altitude taken, (uz. in the morning I sought 15 for the ☉, and at night 10 for Arcturus) & there plant the Cursor, then reckon on the North line from your horizontal point found by the 7 inwards towards the centre the same altitude again (uz. from the horizontal point of our latitude, being the 51 ⅔ deg. of the Northline counted from the centre, I reckoned inwards for the ☉ 15 degrees, and for Arcturus 10 degrees, the one fell out at 36 ⅔ degrees from the centre, the other at 41 ⅔) and thereto, set the pointer of the Almicantifer, which pointer and Cursor so set, I call the Almicantifer prepared: Then lead about the Almicantifer, which must also lead after him the noon-line, until the pointer come to touch exactly either the Apex of the Suns Carect, or the very centre of the Star by which soever you deal, and this I call the applying of the pointer to any Planet or Star: There hold the Zenitfer fast, and slide down the Cursor to the centre, applying there his Fiducial line labell-wise to the Sun, which shall show you in the hour circled the hour desired, and this I call labelling of the Sun to the hour circle: Yet upon these conditions, that if you deal for the East Hemisphere, that is to say, if your altitude taken were on the East part of the Meridian, uz. between the North and South Eastwards (as for the ☉ it was) then in this leading about shall the Almicantifer play leftwards of the noon-line towards 6 of clock in the morning of the hour circle which I call the East Hemisphere, and so to lead the noon-line after it leftwards, but if your altitude taken were on the West part (as for Arcturus it was) then shall the Almicantifer play and keep on the right side of the noon-line towards 6 of clock at night, and lead him about rightwards after him (According to which precept, the said 2 of October in the morning, I applied the Almicantifer his pointer prepared as is said unto 15 deg. to the Apex of the ☉ (placed as is said at 20 ⅓ of ♎) in the East Hemispheere, and there did I label to the Sun, which showed me half an hour past 8 in the morning, the hour desired. Likewise at night I applied the pointer prepared, and planted for 10 degrees unto Arcturus in the West Hemisphere, because Arcturus was in the West, and then again I labeled to the ☉ which showed me in the Hour circled half an hour past 7 of the clock at night, the hour desired: For always (Locus Solis ostendit horam.) And I dare boldly say, that never was seen before this more facility to know the hour by the Stars, by any other Astrolabe, or Instrument whatsoever.   

Cap. 14. ¶ Another more easy way to find the hour by the Stars.  
Having your Meridian planted about your dwelling place, as in the 6 Cap. is taught, see into the element if any Star you know well (as by the 25 Cap. you shall easily know 'em all) be even therewith either on the South or North part. And upon that Star sought in the Celestial, place accordingly the North line or noon line (either of them now esteemed from the Zenith point) and there label to the ☉, so shall the hour sought show itself in the hour circle under the fiducial line of the Label or Almicantifer now used Labell-wise after the wonted manner, this needeth no example.  
If you have no Meridian perpendiculers set, you may at any time presently set them with two sticks by the pole-star itself sufficient for this purpose. I myself always kept a standing mark ready set in such sort, that some tree, chimney top, or gable end, should be directly South from the same. If no Star be in the South or North, it is not hard to guess the distance of the nearest you see, and place your noon or North line accordingly, especially by two Stars, on either side one, to mark what part of their distance your Meridian cutteth, and accordingly to place the noon or North line between them.   

Cap. 15. ¶ Another easy way by the ☽.  
TAke the hour which the shade of the ☽ giveth on any Sunne-dyall, seek the same hour in the hour circle, and label it to the Moons Carect planted by the 3. Cap. and then holding fast the Zenitfer, label to the Suns Carect, which shall show in the hour circled the hour desired.   

Cap. 16. ¶ How to know the meridian Altitude of the Sun, or any other Planet, Star, or point of the heavens in any country, and what hour of the day or night any of them shall culminate, or come to the Meridian of that place.  
THE Carects being planted by the 3 Cap. you shall but apply the noon-line to the Apex or Centre of the Planet, Star, or point desired, and the degrees thereon found between the Vertical point and it taken out of 90, leaveth the Meridian altitude desired, whether it be North or South, and there also if you label to the Sun, it shall show you in the hour circled the time when that Planet, Star, or point, cometh to the Meridian. (For example, the noon-line brought to the suns chief Apex, being planted by the 3 cap. at 263 min. in ♓, his place for the 5 of March 1598. you shall find him by the degrees of the noon-line 53 degrees distant from our Vertical point here at Reading therein, uz. from the 51 ⅔ degr. thereof, which 53 taken out of 90, leaveth 37 the Meridian altitude. In like manner for any Star, Admit oculus tauri the noon-line applied to his middle prick, you shall find it distant from our Vertical point 35 ⅔ degr. that taken out of 90, leaveth 54 ⅓ his Meridian altitude, As if you make trial by observation, as in the 8 Cap. is taught, you shall find it so. And if you there label to the ☉, you shall find it to cut in the houre-circle 4 of clock in the after noon, and almost half an hour past, which is the time that oculus tauri shall come unto the Meridian the said 6 of March 1598. But when you work for the Sun as before, he only is himself the pointer of hours, and therefore must needs be in the Meridian at Noon, or 12 of clock. But if it be for any North Star that never setteth, and that you would know his meridian altitude under the Pole, apply the North line thereto, and the degrees thereof between it and the horizontal point is your desire, and there also label to the Sun, and it shall show you the hour.   

Cap. 17. ¶ How to know the hour of sun-rising and setting, and the length of the day and night, together with his obliqne ascension, and his difference of ascension any day in the year.  
YOur day and year proposed (Admit the said 8 day of june this year 1596 in the 3 Cap. mentioned, when our most noble Lords launched from Plymouth towards Spain) and the suns Apex placed by the 3 cap. (unto 27 degrees 58 min. of ♊) Then shall you set the Cursor unto the outer end of the Zenith line of your country, (uz. unto the 0 almicantare root of the 51 Zenith line being for the latitude of Plymouth,) and there fastening the Cursor apply the pointer unto the horizontal point (of Plymouth, being the 51 degree of the North line) and this I call preparing of the Zenitfer to the Horizon. Now, first to begin for the sun-rising, being thus prepared, you shall according to the precept in the 9 Cap. let the Almicantifer play on the East hemicycle, and there apply his pointer to the suns Apex (at 27 degr. 58 min. in ♊) there hold fast 〈◊〉 Zenitfer and Label to the Sun, so shall appear in 〈◊〉 ●oure circle (4 of clock in the morning, and somewhat less) the time of the sun-rising for your (8 of june 1596 at Plymouth) day and year proposed. And if there also you label to the East point or 6 of clock in the morning of the hour circle, it shall show you in the limb of the Celestial (56 degr. 20 min.) the obliqne ascension of the Sun for that time and place he is in, which taken out of the right ascension of his place (of 27 degr. 58 min. of ♊, being 87 ½ degr.) had by the 8 Cap. there shall remain (31 deg. 10 min.) the difference of ascension. In the very like manner work for the Sunne-se●ting, by letting the Almicantifer to play on the West hemicycle, and there apply the pointer again to the suns Apex (uz. to the foresaid 27 degr. 58 min. of ♊) and there label to the ☉, so shall you see in the hour circle (some 10 min. after 8 of clock at night) the hour of Sunset: and the space of hours numbered between sun-rising and setting (being 16 hours ⅓) is the length of the day, and those (16 ⅓ hours) taken out of 24 hours, leaveth (7 ⅔ hours) the length of the night. Also the hour of Sun set (vz 8 ⅙ doubled any day, maketh (16 ⅓ hours) the just length of the day as before. And here also if you label to the West point of the hour circle, it shall show you in the celestial's limb (118 deg. 30 mi.) the obliqne descension (in the said 51 latitude) As for the difference of descension, it is all one with the difference of ascension.  
This Chapter is most easily to be performed by the particular mover in the 1 Cap. mentioned: For if you move it about leftwards (uz. from West towards East, according to Copernicus' Hipothesis, and contrary to all other Astrolabes) till the East part of the particular Horizon come to the Sun, the Label laid thereon, showeth the hour of rising, and continuing that moving till the Wester part of the Horizon come to the Sun, the Label there applied, showeth the Sun setting: yea, and more than that, the Label there at both places showeth the amplitude of the Sun rising and setting, by the prospective degrees of the Horizon. Note, that if you would be curious, you should at Sun rising apply the Label a quarter of a degree short, and for the Sun setting a quarter of a degree further on in theclipticke, than the suns Apex is planted in regard of the suns diurnal motion, being every 24 hours almost a degree, for that the Apex is set but just for noon, the reason whereof is showed in the 6. Cap. Note also, that for the rising and setting of Stars, and the other Planets, they are to be done by the particular in all respects as for the Sun, saving that you must remember semper locus solis ostendit horam: Also, the getting of the assentions and descensions have all one working with the general.   

Cap. 18. ¶ To know the hour of rising or setting of any other Star, Planet, or point in the Heavens, and their diurnal and nocturnal arches, and their obliqne assentions and difference of ascension in any Country.  
IN all these cases where we entreat of the hour, it is intended that the suns place is set by the 3. Cap. (admit at 26 degr. 3 min. in Pisces, for the 5 day of March 1598.) Now to know the time of rising or setting of any Planet, Star, or point proposed (admit the great Star Arcturus) for any time and place proposed, you shall prepare the Almicantifer to the Horizon proposed in all respects as in the last Cap. you did (uz. the Cursor planted unto the outermost end of the 51 ⅔ Zenith line, and the pointer unto the 51 ⅔ horizontal point serving with us here at Reading.) And then for the time of rising, you must let the Almicantifer play on the East hemicycle, and there apply the pointer to the centre of (Arcturus) the Star or point proposed, and there holding fast the Zenitfer, label to the Sun, so shall you find cut in the hour circle (about 20 min. past 6 of clock in the afternoon) the hour and time of his rising. And there also if you label to the East point of the houre-circle, it showeth in the limb of the Celestial (280 ⅓ degrees) the obliqne ascension of the same Star or point (Arcturus) in the (51 ⅔) latitude proposed, which taken out of the right ascension (209 ⅓) had by the 8 Cap. leaveth (19 degrees) the difference. Note, that if happily you think your hour circle with the smallest to direct you to the obliqne ascension exactly when you lay the Label on the East or West points, know that he must cut the like part of the Degree where he lighteth as the noon-line or Northline do in the degrees where they are. Note also, that to know the obliqne ascension, is as much to say, as to know what degree of the equinoctial doth rise with any Star or Planet on any obliqne Horizon. As for the hour of setting, let the Almicantifer prepared as before, play on the West hemicycle, and apply the pointer there again on the said Star (Arcturus) or point proposed, where if you label to the Sun (at 26 degrees 3 min. in ♓,) it shall show you in the houre-circle (20 min. past 10 the next morning) the time of his setting: and the hours reckoned on the houre-circle between his time of rising and setting (being 16) is his diurnal arch, which taken out of 24, leaveth (8 hours) his nocturnal arch.   

Cap. 19 ¶ How to set particular degrees on the Almicantifer, for any particular latitude.  
I Do not stand making special Chapters of the use of the particular mover in the 1 Cap. mentioned, because it consisteth but of the very same Horizon circle and 12 houses of one particular latitude, which old 1 Stophlerus, and our old english Laureate G. Chaucer, have so largely and plainly written of: withal, being a thing most commonly in use, and differing in nothing, but that they according to the ancient Astronomers, appointed the Starry Heavens to move rightwards from East towards West, upon the earth or fixed Horizon of the place. And I according to Copernicus' cause the earth or Horizon to move leftwards from West towards East, upon the Starry Firmament fixed: In so much, that if in this my Astrolabe you hold still that particular mover with one hand, and with your under hand turn about the Celestial, then is it jump Stophler again. In which motion (a pretty thing to note) one that standeth by shall hardly perceive any other but that the Reete moveth, although in deed you turn about the Mater, strongly confirming Copernicus' Argument, who saith, that the weakness of our senses do imagine the Heavens to move about every 24 hours from East to West by a Primum mobile, where as in deed they have been always fixed, and it is the earth that whirleth about every 24 hours from West to East, of his own proper nature allotted unto him, as most fit for the receptacle of all transitory things, being appointed in a place where nothing is to stay him from his continual moving: but of those things I have more just occasion to entreat of in my Organum Vranicum very shortly to come forth. But now if the said particular mover should also have his particular Almicantares like the Reete of my jewel tediously cut out, they would much obscure this fair face of the Celestial, very needless: because the particular Zenith-line of the place, with his 90 roots annexed to the noon-line for the Cursor to play upon, and the particular degrees by this Cap. prepared on the Almicantifer, shall serve in all respects as well or rather better. And the manner of preparing them is in a manner already set down in the 13 Cap. Yet is it more easily to be done by a particular, whose radyall degrees on the North line, which before I have termed North degrees, are or should be ready numbered from the horizontal point, towards the Vertical point, ending there at 90 degrees, which in the general can not be suffered. Wherefore keeping the fiducial line of the Almicantifer even with the North line, then sliding the Cursor from root to root of the 90 roots of your particular Zenith line, set nicks in the Almicantifer at every degree, from degree to degree of the 90 North degrees, numbered from the horizontal point, towards the Vertical point, correspondent to each root as they pass in order, till the whole 90 particular degrees be in manner as in the 13 Cap. is showed by those nicks placed on the Almicantifer, and then distinguish them by tens, and set numbers unto them accordingly, so are they very ready for divers special purposes in one latitude, and if need were, a man may by the two edges on both faces set the like in for four latitudes, and those will near be sufficient for any one region or province, or else he might have it made with some channel to receive a slip of velome or paste-boorde, whereon with pen and ink speedily to prepare it for any latitude.   

Cap. 20. ¶ How to know the amplitude of the rising or setting of the Sun or Stars.  
THE true East and West points of any Horizon are the Intersections of the Equinoctial therewith: and that is the cause why in describing the general Orisons, they make them all to meet at two points which are those, and for that cause it is manifest, that there can no Planet, Star, or point of the heavens, rise or set directly in the true East or West points of any Horizon, but only such as are situate for the time being in the Equinoctial circle. Wherefore those that are North from the Equinoctial, must needs rise and set Northwards from the true East and West points, and those that are Southwards▪ rise and set Southwards, and that more or less, according to their distance, and the obliquity of the Horizon proposed. And the degrees of the Horizon circle between the true East and West points, and their rising and setting, are called the amplitude of rising and setting, which in the particular mover are immediately seen by the degrees of the Horizon circle, as in the 17 Cap is said: but by the general it asketh a little pains in this manner. Get the obliqne ascension of the Sun, Star, or point proposed for the time and place▪ by the 17 or 18 Cap. (which for the Sun was in the Horizon of Plymouth the day of the prosperous setting forth of our said noble Lords, found in the 17 Cap. 56 degrees 20 minutes of the celestial's limb,) and thereto apply the noon-line, and there hold the Zenithfer fixed: where it you have the Almicantif●r by the last Cap prepared for the first latitude, uz. unto the Zenith line, nearest unto the noon-line, whose horizontal point is in the centre of the Astrolabe, and then running the Cursor down by the roots of the same first Zenith line, keeping the fiducial line of the Almicantifer still on the Sun, Star, or point proposed, until the Cursor among the roots, and the ☉ or Star among the prepared degrees do cut like number, for than is the complement thereof, the degrees of the amplitude sought. But if your Almicantifer be not prepared, th●n must you prepare him and his pointer as in the 13 Cap. is taught, first to one degree of altitude, then to another, making still proffers to the ☉ or Star, till the pointer touch upon it, (which will fall out at 41 degrees of that first Zenith line and latitude) and the degrees so found, taken out of 90, leaveth (49 degrees) the amplitude (of the ☉) sought.   

Cap. 21. ¶ To know what Stars do never rise or set in any latitude, and which do once a day touch the Zenith point, or the horizontal point.  
THis matter is most easy, (your Vertical point and horizontal point chosen by the 10 Cap.) to be done by the bare moving about of the Zenitfer, for in that motion, such Stars (as the tail of Vrsa maior, and the head of Perseus, and such like) as touch the Vertical point be sure (in our 51 ⅔ latit. here at Reading) do come once in 24 hours to the Zenith of that place: And such as do not reach unto the (51 ⅔) horizontal point, (as all Vrsa maior but 2 Stars Vrsa minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus etc.) do n●uer et▪ And such as touch upon the horizontal point, (as Caput Me●●●se lucida lyre, the ring of andromeda's chain etc.) do once in 24 hours touch upon the Horizon of the (51 ⅔) latitude proposed, yet do not set under it. By the particular mover, these things are most plainly perceived, and reddily done by the moving of the Horizon circled about.   

Cap. 22. ¶ To know any day and hour what Stars or points in the Heavens are in or near the Meridian, or do rise or set in any Latitude.  
THis matter is as easy as the last. Label the Sun (admit placed at 20 degrees 10 min. in ♎ for the 2. of October 1596) to any hour in the hour circle (admit to 8 of clock at night) and so shall the noon-line of the Zenitfer show (the two Stars, called Caude Capricorni, and Lucida Hidri, but a little past, etc.) such Stars as are the same instant in the South, and the 12 degree of Aquarius in the medium Celi under the noon-line. And there holding fast the Zenitfer, being prepared unto the Horizon (51 ⅔ here at Reading) proposed, lead the Almicantifer about the East Hemisphere, and look what Stars (as part of Perseus, one of the heads of ♊, the Bulls head, the sin of the Whale, etc.) you shall find the pointer to touch upon: the same assuredly, do even that moment emerge and rise on the Horizon. That done, the Zenitfer still remaining and prepared to the Horizon as before, lead the Almicantifer about the West Hemisphere, and you shall find the pointer to touch upon such Stars (uz. one in the arm pit, another in the bow of ♐, etc.) as are even then ready to set and go down under the Horizon. This is also most easy by the Horizon circle of the particular, which being but set to the hour, the Stars rising appear in the East Hemisphere, and those setting: in the West and those in the Meridian: under the noon-line.   

Cap. 23. ¶ How to know the hour distance of any Planet, Star, or point of the Heavens from the Meridian, any day and year proposed, and in any latitude.  
THat is to say, how many hours any Planet, Star, or point (admit oculus Tauri) not being in the South at any time assigned, (admit at 10 of clock at night the 5 of March 1598.) will be before he come to the Meridian of any place (admit our Meridian here at Reading in the 51 ⅔ latitude) proposed, or if he be past, how many hours he is past: You shall label the hour given in the houre-circle (uz. 10 of clock at night) to the ☉ planted as in the 3 Cap. (at 26 degr. 3 min. of ♓) there hold fast the Zenitfer, and label to your Star (oculus Tauri) or point proposed, so doth the label show in the houre-circle (five hours ⅔ almost Westwards, and therefore past the Meridian) the hour and part that the Star or point is distant, which if it be on the East part, then is not that Star or point come to the Meridian, if Westwards (as here it was) then is he passed the Meridian (5 ⅔ hours) so many hours.   

Cap. 24. ¶ How to know the height of the Sun, or of any other Planet or Star, for any hour of the day any year in any latitude.  
Seek your hour proposed (admit 10 of clock in the morning the 2 of Octob. 1596 in our 51 ⅔ lati.) in the houre-circle, & label it to the Suns carect (at 20 d. 10 mi. in ♎) there hold the Zenitfer fast. Now if the particular degrees be planted on the Almicantifer, as in the 19 Cap. is taught, you shall, (keeping the fiducial line of the Almicantifer on the Star or sons Apex,) need but to slide the Cursor too and fro on the Zenith line of the (51 ⅔) latitude proposed, until the Cursor among the roots of that (51 ⅔) Z●nith-line, and the suns Apex or centre of the Star (admit of oculus ♉) among the particular degrees of the Almicantifer, do cut like number, (which you shall find for the ☉ to be at the 25 root, and 25 particular degrees, and for oculus tauri at the 3 ½ root, and 3 ½ particular degrees,) for those shall be the degrees of the Sun or Stars altitude sought. But if your Almicantifer have not the particular degrees, then must you as in the 13 Cap. is taught, prepare it to some degree at a venture, and make a proffer to the Sun or Star, to see if the pointer will touch it: if it do not, prepare it again and again if need be, further off, or nearer, as the cause requireth, till it do hit, as in the 20 Cap. you did, which with a very little practice will be as easy as the particular. This and the 20 are the only two hardest in the book, and therefore spare not so little pains as they require.   

Cap. 25. ¶ How you shall most easily learn to know all the Constellations and Stars in the element itself.  
EVen as a loaf of dow or paste, after it is new moulden round and copped, if you then put it into a press, will become a flat cake: Even such a cake made of the round Sphere or Globe pressed, is the Celestial of our new Astrolabe, which I would have you now for this purpose imagine to be a loaf or round Globe again: and that every of his circles had their due convexities in such sort, that a little pretty fellow like Tom Thumb might easily seat himself under them as under a canopy in the very centre of the concavity, with this conceit, if at any hour of any night given (admit at 10 of clock at night the said 5 of March 1598.) you having first placed that hour of the houre-circle unto the Suns Carect placed by the 3 Cap. (unto 26 degr. 3 min. of ♓,) there fastening the Zenithfer: And then going abroad, by help of your Meridian set, as in the 9 Cap. do place your Astrolabe flat on some stool, plain level with the Horizon, with his noon-line directed towards the South, even with the said Meridian line, and the North line towards the North. Then with a privy sconce and candle, one while viewing your Astrolabe, another while hiding the light, and viewing the element, you shall soon perceive all the Stars of any constellation in the heavens which are then above your Horizon, in the like proportion one from another, and differing in their magnitudes, as in the Celestial they are described: in so much, that your little pretty fellow sitting in the centre under this conceited canopy of Stars and images, if it were transparent as glass or crystal, should there plainly see the Stars in the element, each answering his match in this canopy, by the visual lines from his eye, especially if the noon-line be elevated according to the equinoctials' height, or latitudes complement, because the proiectment is polare.  
But if this do not satisfy you sufficiently, then is best for you having placed your Zenitfer as before by the hour proposed, to see by the 22 Cap. what Stars are under or near the noon-line, and of which magnitude they are, (you shall find at 10 of clock the 5 of March 1598. the great Star of the first magnit. in the breast of the Lion, called Cor Leonis, directly under it, and the bright Star of Hydra of the 2 magnitude not much past) and by the 16 Cap. learn their meridian altitude (which for Cor Leonis, you shall by the 16 Cap. find 52 degrees, and for lucida hidri 33 degrees,) which had, go forth with an Astrolabe or Quadrant with his fights set to that altitude directly towards the South, and you shall well-near find your Stars desired even with your sight holes, and you be not too long about it. Also at any time you may lay the noon-line to any Star (admit Arcturus) you desire to know, and then label to any hour of the night proposed, (admit 10 of clock) then mark what degree of the clipticke the label there cutteth, (you shall find 1 degr. 30 min. in ♊) and seek by the 5 Cap. what month and day thereof that the Sun cometh to that degree, (you shall find on the 12 day of May anno 1598.) for on that day be sure to find that Star in the South at 10 of clock at night, where you may make trial of his Meridian altitude as before. And having thus or any other way attained the perfect knowledge of some few, you shall easily by them descry the rest by their situation unto them, and imagined distances to others, some being in straight lines from two other, some making a triangular, some a quadrangular form of sundry shapes: And this shall suffice an ingenious conceit in a few nights to learn to know most of the constellations and their Stars, who shall the whiles find the time spent in heavenly pleasure and delights.   

Cap. 26. ¶ Of the 4 Cardines, and the sundry rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the Planets.  
THE Meridian and Horizon of every place do always cross each other in half on the North and South points of the same Horizon: which crossing, maketh of those two circles 4 semicircles, which are called the 4 Cardines. Unto either of which when any Planet cometh, especially if he be accompanied or strongly aspected with some other forcible Planet, Star, or constellation, he worketh special effects, whether it be in nativities or other causes, especially at any such time, look assuredly for some present alteration of the weather in that Horizon, because there they do strongly affect and aspect the ascendent Horizon and Climate, either by conjunction, opposition, or quartile, which are the strongest: the other, as the △ and ⚹, are counted of less force. And whosoever will take upon him to judge of Aspects or Eclipses, if he have not an eye whether they aspect the Climate, or to judge of the weather, and not specially regard the effects of the fixed Stars with the Planets, shall find it to prove but lost labour, and happily be counted a common liar, as some of our unskilful Prognosticators are, and the rest little better thought of, because of their negligence or ignorance. But to come to my purpose again, you shall understand, that when any Star riseth together with any Planet on the Horizon (if with the ☉, then is it called the Cosmical rising and if setting at Sun rising the Cosmical setting, if rising the Sun setting, the Acronical rising, if setting with the ☉, the Acronical setting.) The Cosmical rising is easily known by applying the Almicantifer prepared to the Horizon unto any Planet in the East hemicycle: there hold fast the Zenitfer, and play about the Almicantifer, and look what Stars the pointer toucheth on in the East hemicycle, be sure those do rise at the same time Cosmically with that Planet, and those he toucheth on in the West hemicycle, do then Cosmically set with the same Planet, then rising. Likewise, if you put over the Almicantifer so prepared, causing the Planet to lie in the East hemicycle, applying the pointer thereto, and there holding fast the Zenitfer, do lead the Almicantifer about, then be sure that such Stars as the pointer lighteth on in the East hemicycle, shall rise acronically with that Planet setting, and those in the West hemicycle, shall set acronically together with the Planet setting: and what time of the year any of these shall happen, is easily conceived by that hath been said in the last Cap. and elsewhere: For unto the Star proposed, if you apply the pointer prepared to the Horizon, & there holding the Zenithfer, do remove the Almicantifer till the pointer touch or cut the Clipticke either in the East or West hemicycle. Then by the Ephemer. or my Vranicum you may easily know when & what day any Planet shall come unto those points of thecliptick so cut, and the degree of the ☉ for that day also labeled, showeth there in the houre-circle the hour of the day (the Zenitfer being never stirred all the while) when any such rising or setting shall happen.  
For example, this year 1596 some 5 or 6 days together before the end of September, after long sitting all day writing this present book, I was in the evenings hindered of my recreating walks by sudden rising of the wind with showers of rain, though the days were reasonable fair, I therefore sought this my new Astrolabe, and found the Pleyades or 7 Stars to rise in the evenings cosmically with jupiter, being retrograde all the while, ♀ also being then retrograde, for retrogradation causeth rain, especially in ☿ without all fail more or less as he shall be affected or aspected. Also the 2 of October 1596 I was suddenly overtaken riding from Reading to my poor house at Swallowfeild at even, with a most stormy rain that continued an hour or two after very extreme, it made me look my Astrolabe again, where I found spica virguis the Sun ♂ and ☿ had set all together acronically within one half hour or less that this storm began, and then an hour after that jupiter was to rise as before cosmically with the Pleyades. Now I leave it to our sufficient Prognosticators to judge whether these might be efficient causes sufficient or no, and do commend this my Astrolabe unto them as a most needful thing for them, wishing them to have a special regard of the rising, setting, and culminating of the fixed Stars. The common countryman seeing any day inclined to moisture, can say, that it will surely rain when the Sun and the wind come together, neither will it indeed rain till then for the most part, how likely so ever. And wherefore then should not we believe the learned, that affirm the rising of Orion, Arcturus, Corona, etc. to provoke tempestuous weather, the Kid and Goat winds, the Hiades, Pleyades and Succule rain, and especially happening with any forcible Planet or strong aspect, the more violent. Were it not for consuming the time, I could recite examples of all these and divers other that I have upon like occasions noted to myself, but dare presume no further, lest I should be billed amongst the common liars, as others are happily causeless: for no doubt the Almighty hath the reign in his hand, to alter all at his pleasure when they have all done their best. Yet that which is most to be condemned in them is, that they agree seldom in one conjecture, which must needs bewray shameful ignorance in some of them at the least.   

Cap. 27. ¶ Of the 12 houses, and setting the Figure.  
LEarned men considering the Sun not only at his coming unto the 4 chief points of theclipticke, uz. the two Equinoctial and the two Solstitial points, to cause the Spring, Autumn, Summer and Winter, but also that in every other of the 12 Signs he maketh some alteration of the year and seasons. Even so, finding such special effects to happen by the coming of the Planets unto the 4 Cardines, either with the fixed Stars or without, as in the last Cap. is touched, they did imagine that the Planets and Stars might have also some forces and effects in other mean places between: and therefore took upon them to add 8 semicircles more unto the 4 Cardines, crossing with them at the two meridian horizontal points, making up the number of 12, which they call the 12 houses. Those on the particular mover are ready drawn, so that applying but the hour in the movers limb to the Sun, your Figure is set immediately and most excellently by this Astrolabe, fully fraught with all his needful tackling, his Lords, terms, faces, triplicities, aspects, Planets and Stars in their places, natures of the 12 houses, and of the 12 Signs, the gradus masculini, feminini, lucidi, tenebrofis, vacui, fumosi, etc. and what not? appertaining to the judiciary art, as if you read Alkabitius, Claud. Dariotus which is englished, Gwydo Bonatus, and others their introductions to that art, comparing the 2 Cap. therewithal, you will easily conceive.  
But to find these 12 houses in any country (admit here at Reading) by the general for any day and year proposed, (admit at 10 of clock the 5 day of March 1598.) you shall label the hour proposed (uz. 10 of the clock) sought in the hour circle unto the Sun, placed by the 4. Cap. (at 25 degrees 3. min. in ♓) there doth the noon-line show you (22 degr. 30 min. of ♒) the degree of theclipticke, beginning the 10 house and the North line (22 degr. 30 min. in ♌) the degree beginning the 4 house, where also (holding fast the Zenitfer) play the Almicantifer prepared to the (51 ⅔) Horizon, on both sides of the noon-line, so shall the pointer cut the clipticke in the East hemicycle at (28 degr. 30 min. in ♊) his degree beginning the first house commonly called the ascendent or Horoscope, and in the West hemicycle at (28 degr. 30 min. in ♐) the descendent or degree beginning the 7 house, so have you the 4 Cardines, Angles, or principal houses of any figure in a manner as ready, as by the particular mover, which (having as the common manner is, drawn your Scheame or Figure for the 12 houses) you shall plant therein accordingly.   astrological diagram 
Fig: Celi 5: Martij Hor: 10 1598.  
Note, that if in playing about the Almicantifer you chance to meet with any notable fixed Star any thing near, it shall not do amiss to set him also in your figure. Also I am to note unto you, that there are two things that fall out unluckily in this practice, which you shall thus salve. The first is, that the breadth of the Zenitfer hideth from the pointer the Horizon point set at the Apex in the East hemicycle. This is salved two ways: the one is, when the Almicantifer is prepared to set the Cursor at so many degrees of the North line. as he is at in the Noon line, and so will the East and West points of the houre-circle change their places for the time: The other way general to all four removes of the Zenithfer. For so soon as you had gotten the 4 Cardines, if you had made in the celestial's limb on each side of the noon-line two marks, the one 30 the other 60 degrees distant from it, that shall serve as well and in stead of the four times, applying of the pointer to the Horizon point before used, as if you try both ways you shall find, and produce one truth.  
And whereas for divers latitudes, some of the domifying roots do go out of the Zenitfer, those may easily be supplied with help of a thread and pearl added to the pointer, or with help of a pair of compasses thus: First, cast away 45 out of your radiall number showed by the slope line (uz. out of the 57 ⅔ casting 45, there remaineth 12 ⅔) and set the Cursor unto twice so many of the domifying roots of the noonelines scale as the remain cometh unto, (uz. unto the 25 ⅔ domifying root) and there apply the pointer unto the like number of the domifying radiall degrees of the North line (uz. unto 25 ⅓ degr. reckoned on the North line from the equinoctials intersection towards the centre) and then the Cursor remaining, do apply the fiducial line of the Almicantifer even with the fiducial noon-line of the Zenitfer outwards, there doth the pointers Apex show the true place of the root wanting, where if you pitch one foot of your compass, or fasten a thread, and with the other or with the pearl extended to the domifying radyall degree of the slope line, (uz. unto the 57 ⅔ radiall domifying degree,) offer to describe a circle, it shall cut theclipticke as before the pointer did at 22 degrees of ♓ and of ♍, so the noon-line stand at his due place as before, uz. at 30 or 60 degrees of the celestial's limb from the first constitution.   

Cap. 28. ¶ Of the aspects of the Planets, and how to find them.  
THere are in Astronomy three chief cardinal aspects (as I may term them) uz. the Conjunction marked thus ☌, and is, when as two Planets meet in one degree and minute of longitude. The Opposition marked thus ☍, when as they are just six signs in sunder. The Quartile marked thus □, when as they are three signs distant. Also, there are two other of less force, uz. the Trine marked thus △, and is at four signs distance. And the Sextile marked thus ⚹, at two signs distance. Which aspects are easily descried even by the very view on this Astrolabe, when as the Planets are thereon planted by the 4 Cap. for who can not espy quickly when any Planet is conjunct, or 2, 3, 4, or 6 signs off from any other, or from any notable fixed Star. And yet for your better understanding, I have from the beginning of ♑ drawn the radiall lines of each aspect, and set the Carecters on them: But now Alkabitius Bonatus, and Dariottus will tell you, that the Trine and Sextile are good, the □ and ☍ bad, the conjunction of good Planets good, of evil Planets bad, and that the conjunction and ☍ may be allowed so long as they are within one degree of another, and the △ □ and ⚹ when they come one within danger of another's beams, which for ♄ or ♃ is at 9 degrees before and behind for ♂ at 8 degrees, ♀ and ☿ at seven, the ☽ at 12, the ☉ 15 degrees, and so far off their application and separation begnneth and endeth, etc. Also Io. Stophlerus noteth in this place, propos. 55. that though a Planet might have 10 degr. of latitude, yet could it not make 30 min. difference in the aspect, and that only in the ⚹ or △ and not to be regarded. Also aspects are said to be dexter aspects, when the beams project in sequens of theclipticke, and Sinister when in precedens.   

Cap. 29. ¶ A new devise of the Author to get the Planetary hours in all latitudes, and of their Lords regnant.  
THose hours which in these days we call Planetary hours, for that Astronomers have held opinion the Planets to have their several dominions in every of them, have been sometime called Horae inequales, and Horae temporariae. Their nature is to divide every natural day between sun-rising and setting into 12 equal parts, and every natural night into other 12. But because in all obliqne Orisons the days and nights lengthen and shorten with the Summer and Winter, therefore these hours growing great and less according to the time and latitude, are called Inequales and Temporariae, they are numbered in the day time from sun-rising, ending at Sunset with 12, and there the hours of the night beginning, do end the next morrow at sun-rising with 12.  
Th●se hours are most easily had by a special Instrument called Horarium Planetarium, which I myself have newly devised, general to all Orisons, which was never done before me that I have seen, and placed it at the top of the Celestial, comprehended in the Sextans of a circle, whose arch containeth the hours of sun-rising and setting, and within, it is filled with a number of straight lines, all parallel to the base of the Sextans, representing the common, equal, and usual hours either of day or night, which are numbered on the Sextans side downwards to 12, for the hours going before the sixth Planetary hour, and thence back again outwards for the hours after. And it must have riding on his Centre a Label or Scale of the Planetary hours of equal length to the side or base, divided into six equal parts, numbered from the outer end inwards, ending at the Centre with 6, and thence back again, ending at 12 where it began. This Label or Index is also numbered from the Centre outwards unto 12 for the use of the 7 Cap. Now when the common hour of any day or night is given, (admit 10 of clock 40 minutes afternoon the 12 of December 1583, being the hour of the nativity of my near kinsman Master Walter Seint-Iohn, son and heir to Sir john Seint-Iohn Knight of Lyddiard in the County of Willshire deceased) and that you would know the Planetary hour, you shall by the 17 Cap. first get the hour and minute of the Sun setting that day, if the hour given be of the day or of the Sun rising, if the question (as that nativity was) be of the night (uz. you shall find it about 8 ¼ of clock in the morning) and unto that hour (uz. 8 ¼) sought in the Sextans arch, set the fiducial line of the Planetary Scale, where immediately you shall see the hour-line equal to your hour given (uz. the 10 ⅔ hour-line reckoned in the Sextans side inwards for that midnight will be the 6 Planetary hour) to cut off in the Planetary Scale the Planetary hour desired. (uz. it shall cut ⅔ parts of the 9 Planetary hour.) And if now you desire to know what Planet beareth dominion that hour, resort unto the domineering Table which I have placed at the lower corner of the Celestial, and therein seek the day or night of the week proposed, accounting Sunday for the first, Monday the second, etc. wherein your hour was given, (uz. Thursday night being the 5 night I seek the figure 5 by the title (Noctes) and follow that range of Carects until you come under your Planetary hour found, (uz. under the hour figure of 9) and there shall you find ♄ the Planet domineering that hour.  
Note, that if you had no domineering Table, you might easily make it by heart, beginning the first hour on Sunday with the ☉, and then reckoning the Planets on your finger's ends thus, ☉, ♀, ☿, ☽, ♄, ♃, ♂. ☉, ♀, ☿, ☽, ♄, etc. till you have done 24, so shall you find the 25 in this account to be ☽, and thereof Monday is called dies Lune, and on Tuesday will fall out ♂ if you reckon on, and thereof called dies Martis, even so Wednesday, dies Mercurij, of ☿, Thursday dies iovis, of ♃, Friday dies Veneris, of ♀, Saturday, dies Saturni, of ♄, and all by reason of this account of the 7 Planets.   

Cap. 30. ¶ How you shall know to set forwards and backwards any of the fixed Stars unto their true places for any age past, or to come.  
I Have in the 2 Cap. sufficiently showed by what means the fixed Stars are in appearance from age to age, forced out of one sign and degree into another, through the sliding back of the Equinoctial intersections with theclipticke: preceding orderly and equally almost every 67 years a degree, which is called the Medius, or Aequalis motus precessionis seu fixarum. The gate whereof, how much it is in one day, in one year, in 4, in 20, in an 100, and in a 1000 years, is set down in the first column of the Tabula Radicalis, in the left corner of the Celestial. Wherefore if you would know where the equal place of any Star (admit of Arcturus) shall be any time to come, (admit for the year after Christ 2000 complete) take 1650 (for that all the North Stars are in this Celestial placed and rectified for that year) out of the year proposed, and by that first column gather the equal motion answerable to that remain. (uz. 1650 taken out of 2000 leaveth 350, for which 350 years, I take in the said column the motion of one 100 years three times, and of 20 years twice, and of 4 years twice, and of one year twice, for that three times 100, and twice 20, and twice 4, and twice one, do make 350, and of that collection there amounteth 4 deg. 53 min. almost.) And so much can I say that those North Stars will then be gone forwards from their places, where now in the Celestial they are set in regard of their equal motion. But now there is found out by skilful artes-men a certain librament or ballaicing of the Equinoctial and the Poles of the world, as the studied in the Theoricks well know, which at one time helpeth forwards this equal motion, and at another time pulleth it back again, even unto 71 min. or 1 degr. 11 min. all is one, making by that means the true motion unequal. Therefore I have within the Radical table placed an instrument of my devise to equate the same, which consisteth (as the Radical table doth) of two parts, the one for the ablative Aequations, the other for the adjective, each part having two limbs joining together, the outermost carrying the said 71 minutes two ways for the ballaicing too and fro: the innermost being double, in which are written the years from Christ's birth for 3440 years after, numbered from the ✿ twice about, for that in so many years the Anomalye of this ballaicing compleateth twice, & therefore that inner limb is double. Wherefore if now you would know this Aequation for any year (admit the year 2000) seek the same year 2000 in that double limb, & you shall find in the outer limb the minutes of equation that answer thereunto (uz. almost 70 min. ablative) to be added or subducted too or from the equal motion before gotten according as the words Adiectivae or Ablativae do admonish. (uz. whereas the equal motion of the fixed Stars was before found for the year after Christ 2000 complete to be gone forwards 4 deg. 53 mi. you must now pull out 70 minutes, so will there be left 3 deg. 43 min. their true motion in that 530 years, according to which, the true place of Arcturus, which for the year 1650 is placed in this Celestial 18 degr. 55 min. in ♎, shall then be 22 degr. 38 min in ♎. And so for any other North Star, for they all remove alike.) And likewise for any of the South Stars, but that you must for them work upon the year 1570, as before you did by 1650. Also for any age past (as if it had been for 350 years before 1650. uz. the year after Christ 1300 complete) you should have found the Equation as much adjective, and by that means the true motion of 350 years backwards 6 degr. 3 min. to be pulled back from their now place, (so that Arcturus was then but 12 degrees 52 min. in ♎.   

Cap. 31. ¶ How by help of this Astrolabe to get the longitude and latitude of any Planet, yea, or of any Star or Comet seen.  
Having a Meridian exactly set as in the 9 Cap. is taught, you shall observe the coming of any Planet, Star, or Comet to the Meridian either in the South or North parts, (as for example the 2 of October 1596 I observed the coming of ♃ to our Meridian here at Reading) and there take his meridian altitude (which I found 50 ½ deg.) as is taught in the 11 Cap. and presently (except you have some clock or watch truly set) get the hour and minute if you can by taking the altitude of some known Star, as in the 13 Cap. is taught, (I found it a quarter of an hour past one and better after midnight) which done, seek that hour and minute in the hour circle, and label it to the ☉ planted by the 4 Cap. (at 20 de. 10 min. of ♎) & there hold fast the Zenitfer, & number the vertical distance or complement of the Merid. alti. before-taken (uz. 39 ½ de.) on the nooneline from the Zenith point towards Meridies, if your Merid. alti. taken were South, or towards Media nox, if North, (which here being South, will fall out at the 12 ¼ radiall degree numbered from the equinoctial) where make a prick on the Celestial, for there shall be the true point or place of the (♃) Star, Planet, or Comet, observed for that instant, and the circles of the-clipticks longitude and latitude cutting that point, shall show you his longitude and latitude sought (uz. the circle of longitude passing by that vertical distance or prick made, showed me in the clipticke 8 degrees 30 minutes almost of ♉, the longitude of ♃, and the circle of latitude cutting that prick, showed me almost 2 degrees Southwards from theclipticke his latitude.) And this serveth for the ☽, or any Planet, Star, or Comet seen. And now by help of this latitude thus gotten, you may as easily get the true places of the Stars seen in any other place as well as in the Meridian perpetually, for that their latitudes never alter, and of ♄, ♃, or ♂, 20 or 30 days after: for that theirs altereth little in that time, and of ♀ for a day or two after, but not for the ☽, because her latitude changeth swiftly, neither for ☿, because in our Climate we never see him: In this manner.  
Take the altitude of any Star, Planet, or Comet, whose latitude is foreknown either by this Cap. or otherwise at any hour and minute known, taking good heed whether he be in the East or West Hemisphere. Then prepare the Zenitfer to that altitude taken, than label the hour and minute to the ☉, and there hold fast the Zenitfer. Which done, apply the pointer to the circle of latitude of the Star or Planet either in the East or West hemicycle, according as the Star or Planet was at taking his altitude, so shall the circle of longitude passing by the pointer so applied, show the longitude of the Star or Planet in theclipticke.  
Note, that Io. Stophlerus lib. 2. prop. 38. reciteth 7 propositions which some lying Astronomers (as he termeth them) have taken upon them to teach on the Astrolabe, which he there condemneth to be most false, and not possible, and therefore spendeth a Chapter to forewarn every man to take heed and not to meddle with them. And these are the 7, the first, to know the longitude of the ☽, the second, the longitude of ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, or ☿, the third, to get their latitudes, the fourth, to know whether a Planet be direct or retrograde, the fift, to know the longitude of any Star in the Reete, the sixth, the latitude of fixed Stars, the seventh, the longitude of Stars not in the Reete. And now I am to rewarne all men, that they are all possible by this Astrolabe, and by my jewel also, and the whole 7 saving the 4, are performed by this one Chapter: because I would not have them now daunted with that 38 propos. of Stophler who meant it no doubt only, by that Astrolabe whereof himself wrote.   

Cap. 32. ¶ A ready way by help of this Astrolabe, hereafter to observe the motions of Comets.  
BEcause I have seen some 4 or five years past a book entitled Nova theoria Cometarum as I remember, set forth by one Reslyn, who taking occasion upon that great Comet or Blazing-Starre, which Anno 1570 was seen so long in the Constellation of Cassiopeia, in a manner fixed without motion, to imagining therefore that Comet to happen in the very Pole of the Theoric, and that to be the cause why he moved not, thereupon runneth on a course, with recital of divers Comets and their motions, but concluded no certainty to my remembrance, ending his book with this saying, Est quodam prodire tenus si non datur ultra. But our late learned countryman, Master Digges, in his Scala Mathematica found, because he had no Parallax, that he must needs be beyond the Speere of the ☽. Well no doubt there can not any weighty thing come to perfection at the first, second, or third assay, and therefore to the end it may be a general care to observe the motions of Comets when they happen, I have thought good to advertise every man in this Cap. that either on this Astrolabe or on the Globe, it is a most easy matter when any Planet appeareth, to prick down his place even by the very view of his situation among the fixed Stars, seeing by the 25 Cap. before you may so easily learn to know them all.  
As for example in july this year 1596 there appeared a Comet with a streaming tail upwards in the Northwest, which upon Tuesday the 20 of july aforesaid, about 9 of the clock at night, I first took heed of between the two hinder legs of Vrsa maior almost in a straight line, (but somewhat lower, and two parts of the way) between the Star of the fourth light in the near hocke of the near hinder leg, and the two Stars of the third light in the further foot behind, according whereunto I made a prick in the Celestial of this Astrolabe. The 21 of july the same hour, I saw him directly in the straight line aforesaid, and distant from the said two Stars twice their distance. The 22 day the same hour I saw him a little above the straight line, and but their distance off. The 23 of july the night was dark. The 24 of july I saw him above those two Stars of the third light, and to make an equilater triangle with them: all which, I noted down every night with pricks, than followed a few cloudy and dark nights, and after that 24 day he was no more seen. This Comet was seen of many others some fortnight before I saw him, as near as I could guess by their relation even about the brisket of Vrsa maior, a little behind the hocke of the near leg afore, which also I pricked down: and have caused those pricks and the trail of his gate to be graven in the Celestial, in the Constellation of Vrsa maior if you mark it, (though not done fully to my purpose) to the end to incite others hereafter to do the like, that posterity at the last may find out whether there be any regularity in their motions. If the Comet chance to come to the Meridian either in the North or South (as this did not in sight) then by the last Cap. you may get his longitude & latitude every night, and so prick down every days motion the more exactly.   
FINIS.