DEMONSTRATION OF ASTROLOGY. OR, A brief Discourse, proving the Influence of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, over this Terraqueous Globe. Grounded on the Fundamental Rules of the Copernican System and Philosophy, and verified by Practical Examples and Experience. Illustrated by Diagrams. Whereby the Art is rendered almost Mathematically Demonstrable. To which is added, An Astrological and Philosophical Appendix, or Second Part, treating of this Summer's Effects, both in the Macrocosm as well as Microcosm. Wherein we have great cause to fear, that the Sword, Pestilence, and Famine, will annoy our European Territories this ensuing Summer. By WILLIAM HUNT, a Lover of the Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. Canst thou refrain the sweet Influences of the Pleyades? or lose the Bands of Orion? Job 38.31. LONDON, Printed for the Author; and are to be sold by George Sawbridge in Little Britain, 1696. To the Right Honourable CHARLES Viscount MANDEVILL, Baron of Kimbolton, Earl of Manchester, Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the County of Huntingdon. My LORD, THE last Favours which I received from you, embolden me to affix on your Lordship this Dedication, and commit these my first Fruits to your Honourable Protection: For which Presumption I humbly beg your Lordship's Pardon. The Style I confess is plain and rustic, and ●anteth that elegancy of Language which a more learned Pen might have dressed it up with. But the Subject (though ill clad) is wholly new and sublime, being a Subject never before treated on in this Nature, viz. the Demonstration of Astrology, founded upon the Copernican Hypothesis: And though but an Embryo, I hope it will live in spite of all its Opposers, especially if it may receive the auspicious Favour of your Lordship's Countenance; then shall I not doubt its Preferment, and therein the Advancement of the Celestial Sciences, and chief this most useful and innocent Part, the Knowledge of the Wether. Wherein I through my diligent Study and Observations, have gained more select Arcana's than ever were known to the late (though Learned) Dr. Goad, who wrote K. James the Second Wether. I confess it unworthiness to stamp the Impression of your Honour's Titles upon such an abortive Embryo; yet could I imagine it would in the future become the least disparagement to the Dignity of the Godfather, I would even now crush it in the Bud, and stop its production, and not suffer it to appear in this wild World, where the Zoilian Sharks stand ready, with their duplicated Teeth, to devour it, if not sheltered under the Shadow of your Honour's Wings, to whose Tuition I only commit it for Protection; humbly imploring your Lordship's favourable Construction of this my Boldness, and it will be an Encouragement to the future Endeavours of, My LORD, Your Lordship's most humble and obedient Servant, WILLIAM HUNT. The Preface to the Reader. I Designed to have wrote a large Volume of the Demonstration of Astrology; but considering that Books of this Nature are chargeable to print, by reason of the Diagrams, which are many: And when printed, there being but few Students or Lovers of this Art, whereby I feared it would not pay the Charge of Printing; therefore I altered my first Intentions, and do now design to appear in this manner quarterly, viz. at every Solar Ingress of the Sun into the four Cardinal Points, or oftener, as Matter and Occasion shall permit, provided this finds a kind Reception. In which intended Essays I shall endeavour towards the Demonstration of Astrology, and the Restauration of the Celestial Sciences, which, like many ancient and ruined Cities, lie buried in their own Rubbish: for Arts and Sciences have their Crisis, their Times of flourishing, and Times of decay, as well as all other sublunary things. We have a common and ignorant saying amongst us, That every Age groweth wiser and more learned than other; but I am of the contrary. Opinion, and do believe, that at this day Astrology is not so well understood as it was in the Days of Solomon and Daniel, who understood it in its Purity: But alas, now it's so sullied over with Innovations and Superstitions, that it's hard to find the Truth from Falsehood. But in our following Discourses, I desire to be believed or credited no further than I can rationally demonstrate the same. The following Work is founded upon the Copernican Hypothesis, wherein I shall make it apparent, that the aforesaid Philosophy is so far from destroying Astrology, (as some ignorant Astrologers pretend) that it's the unum necessarium, the only thing needful in the demonstration thereof. My Method is wholly new, and different from the Modern Astrology, whose Basis is founded upon the Ptolomean Hypothesis and Aphorisms, as mine is upon the Copernican System and Philosophy. My Books will be composed of a First and Second Part: The first Part generally treating of Astronomical, Astrological, and Philosophical Aphorisms and Arcana's, tending to the Propagation of the Celestial Sciences, and Restauration of Astrology, and will be introductory to young Tyroes in this our new Method, to whose consideration I commend it. And the second Part will be composed of my Astrological and Philosophical Judgement for the Quarter I writ of; wherein I chiesly shall treat of the Wether and its Intemperatures, whereby we have sometimes scarcity of one thing, and sometimes of another; as also Sickness and Health, Earthquakes, Thunders and Lightnings, Blasts and Mildews; and at some times pleasant and fruitful Seasons, thereby producing Plenty and Health: all which I shall demonstrate in their several Seasons, as I foresee them to happen. I shall also in some other succeeding Tracts, treat of the Wether day by day, wherein I shall be more large than in this: Which is the larger in the first Part, being it is an Introduction to the rest; Which second Part I chief direct to our Countrymen, wherein they may see (as an Object in a Glass) the Natures of the Seasons before they happen: Wherein they need not much question the Verily thereof, for I shall not deliver any thing, or impose the belief thereof upon any, farther than I can give probable Reasons for my so doing. Therefore these following Essays, being Select Astrological and Philosophical Arcana's, grounded upon Rational and Experimented Athorisms, never before made public, and I believe known to very few besides myself; I commend to all Lovers of Learning, and also to my Countrymen, hoping I have not cast a Pearl before Swine, but set a Glass before the grateful Doves. Will. Hunt. Allconbury, March 10. 1695/ 6. ADVERTISEMENT. THese Medicines mentioned, are prepared and sold, both Wholesale and Retail, by Hen. Martin of St. Ives in Huntingtonshire, Student in Physic and Chemistry; namely, a famous Stomach Pill in the Green-Sickness, and many other Diseases; also Sal Solutivum, or Glauber's admirable purging Salt; the Elixir Salutis, or purging Cordial, called by some Dassie Elixir; Dr. Bosticks Cordial, an Eley Water; also Spir-Mundus, both plain and exalted to an Oleosum Volatile; also Vinum Vitae proprietat. also Arcanum Vniversalis, and Species Vniversalis; also Arca●am Specificatum Catharticum; also several Acid Spirits dulcified and volatilised, as Spir. Vitrioli Volatilae; also a very good Medicine to cure the French Pox, without sluxing or much confinement; also a good Balsamic Pain-easing Pill, exceeding that called Matthews Pill or many more of that kind; also the Golden or Purging Spirit of Scurvygrass, and the Plain; and several other Chemical Preparations, too tedious to mention here, all with printed Directions. To his Ingenious Friend Mr. William Hunt, on his Demonstration of Astrology. ASTROLOGY on the old System grounded Of Ptolemy, like lofty Building founded On a Foundation ruinous, decayed; Sunk in Repute, with Rubbish overlaid: Till, like bold Hercules, adventurous Man, To cleanse the Augean Stable you began, And build it new on Frame Copernican, And Principles Cartesian, whose bright Conjunction adds new Lustre to the Light: Whose Monarch from his Throne, how he dispenses, By Viceroy Planets, various Influences; And by the sevenfold Cord of th' Heavenly Ball, Tuneth each Change by Force Mechanical, Heat, Cold, Fruit, Famine, War, Peace, Life and Death, Whence come enlivening Blasts, whence poisonous Breath: Whence Meteors above, Earthquakes below, Their hidden Causes thou dost clearly show. Go on, till solidly thy Pen has given The Frame and Workings of the Fluid Heavens. Go on with Lucky Planets, till thou be, Within our Vortex the famed Mercury. Go on, these hidden Wonders to explain, Till greater than thyself none doth remain. Ita Precatur Thom. Gery, Sid. S. Col. Alumnus. N. B. The Reader is desired to take notice, that the third Diagram; (in Pag. 27.) is, by Mistake, turned to one side. DEMONSTRATION OF ASTROLOGY. CHAP. I. FOR the Instruction of the unskilled in the Art, and that they may the better understand our following Discourse, it's necessary that I explain the Characters of the 12 Signs, and the Planets and Aspects, as followeth. The Characters of the Six Northern Signs. Six Southern Signs. Planets. Aspects. ♈ Aries, ♎ Libra, ♄ Saturn, ☌ Conjunction, ♃ Jupiter; ♉ Taurus, ♏ Scorpio, ♂ Mars, ⚹ Sextile, ♊ Gemini, ♐ Sagittary, ☉ Sun, ♋ Cancer, ♑ Capricorn. ♁ Earth, △ Trine, ♀ Venus, □ Quartile, ♌ Leo, ♒ Aquary, ☿ Mercury, ♍ Virgo, ♓ Pisces, ☽ Luna. ☍ Opposition. And for the sake of young Artists, which are not furnished with the Globes, and do not understand these following Circles, etc. of the Heavens. I say, for their Instruction, I have drawn two Projections or Diagrams, which I shall explain, as followeth, that they may be the more capable to understand my following Essays; the Circles are these which follow. The Horizon, Meridian, the Zenith and Nadir, which are Poles to the Horizon; These altar according to the Place in which you live. The Equinoctial, Ecliptic, two Tropics, and the North and South Poles; These are always supposed fixed in the Heaven, live where you will. The Horizon is a great Circle, dividing the uppermost or visible part of the Heaven from the Invisible: As suppose yourself at Sea, or upon an high Hill; and looking round you, you imagine that the Sky touched the Earth or Water. Now that Line of Separation of the Sky and Earth, or Water, is the visible Horizon, and such a Circle is supposed to be in the Heavens. And when the Sun, Moon and Stars, either rise or set, they are then said to be upon the Horizon. And note, that this Circle is movable, because that it altereth according to the Place of your abode. To this Circle there are assigned Poles, which are also movable as the Circle itself is; these Poles are called the Zenith and Nadir. The Zenith is that Point just perpendicular over your Head in the Heavens, and is every way equidistant from the Horizon 90 Degrees. The Nadir is that Point in the Heaven's opposite to it, being also 90 Degrees in distance from the Horizon on the nether side thereof. The Meridian is a great Circle passing through the Poles of the World, and Zenith and Nadir, and crosseth the Horizon at Right Angles in the North and South Points. The Sun, Moon and Stars, when they are full South, as the Sun is every Day at Noon, then are they said to be upon the Meridian. The Circle altereth according to the place of Longitude in which you live. The Equinoctial is a great Circle, and crosseth the Meridian at Right-Angles, and crosseth the Horizon in the East and West Points thereof; thereby, with the Meridian, dividing the Horizon into four equal Parts, each Part containing 90 Degrees. So that the whole Circle contains four times 90, or 360 Degrees; as all other Celestial Circles are supposed to contain the same Number. This Circle is drawn through the midst of the Heavens exactly, between the two Poles of the World, being equidistant from each Pole 90 Degrees, and is known by the Way or Course of the Sun every Year, about the 10th day of March and 12th of September. The Ecliptic is a great Circle, and crosseth the Equinoctial it Obliqne Angels, in the East and West Points thereof. This Circle is the Way of the Sun or Earth, in the Zodiac, and is divided into twelve Signs, viz. ♈, ♉, ♊, etc. Each Sign is also again subdivided into Degrees, containing each 30 Degrees, making thereby the whole Circle to contain 360 Degrees. And by reason of the Obliquity of this Circle, it constitutes Breadth to the Zodiac, extending to 23½ Degrees on each side the Equinoctial; the boundary Limits whereof are the North and South Tropics. The North Tropic being the greatest Northern Declination of the Sun, who chalks out this Circle by his apparent Diurnal Course every Year about the 11th day of June. The South is the greatest Southern Declination of the Sun, and is chalked out by his apparent Diurnal Circuit each Year, about December the 12th day. But for the better understanding of these Circles, I have drawn two Projections of the Sphere, one upon the Plane of the Horizon of those who live under the Equinoctial Line; and the other being the second, is projected upon the Horizon of 52 Degrees 21 minutes, (the Latitude of Allconbury) North. Now by the first Projection or Diagram, you may see by the Ecliptic crossing the Equinoctial Line obliquely, that there are these six Signs ♈, ♉, ♊, ♋, ♌, ♍, on the North Side the Equinoctial-Line; and also the other six Signs, ♎, ♏, ♐, ♑, ♒, ♓, on the South side of the Equinoctial-Line. So that the Sun always to appearance moving in this Circle, he thereby becomes sometimes near to us who live in that Point where the Latitude of Allconbury, being 52 deg. 21 min. North, crosses the Meridian: for when in ♈ upon the Equinoctial-Line, he marches through ♉ and ♊, and comes to our North Tropic, and then is our Summer; and then he passeth back through ♋, ♌, and ♍, and comes to the Equinox again ♎, and then marches southward through ♎, ♏, and ♐, to the Southern Tropic, in which place he is farthest from us, and then is our Winter and the Southern Spring; and then as he comes back through ♑, ♒ and ♓, he comes again to the Equinoctial-Line: By which we see that they who live under this Line, have two Summers and two Winters. See the Diagram. Projection of the Sphere upon the Horizon of those that live under the Equinoctial Line. I. Diagram. Arctic Circle Latitude 52.21 the lat. Allconbury North Tropic South Tropic Antarctic Circle The outmost Circle is the Horizon. The Centre is the Zenith and Place of abode of those that live under the Line. The Line N. ♋, ♑, S. is their Meridian. And the Line A B crossing it at Right-Angles, is the Equinoctial-Line; A is the East side, and B the West side. And that Line divided by the 12 Signs, and crossing the Meridian and Equinoctial at Obliqne Angles, is the Ecliptic. And the broad Space on both sides, full of Parallel-lines, is the Zodiac. The Line R ♋ Q, is the North Tropic ♋. And the Line T ♑ W, is the South Tropic ♑. The two Poles lie upon the Horizon, at N the North, and S the South Pole. CHAP. II. Treateth of the Solar Influence; how by his apparent Motion, or the real Motion of the Earth, our Seasons are constituted, viz. Day, Night, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter: Which is delineated to the Eye by the second Diagram; which shows the Circles of the Sphere as they are projected upon the Plane of our Horizon. THESE Variations or Seasons are caused by the Motion of the Earth: which is twofold, viz. Diurnal and Annual, (of which I shall treat more particularly in the next Chapter): for as the Earth turns round upon her own Axis, she maketh our Days and Nights; and as she moves in the Obliquity of the Zodiac, she constitutes our Seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. And note, that in our following Discourse, where I writ of the Sun's Motion in the Zodiac, etc. understand that I mean his apparent Motion, and do express myself according to the common way of speaking. About the 10th day of March every Year, the Sun is in the beginning of ♈, and upon the Equinoctial Line, and then he riseth at ♈ full East, and is South upon the Meridian at A, and sets full West at ♎, at which time the Days and Nights are of equal length throughout the World; and from thence he advanceth through ♈, ♉, ♊, in the Months March, April, May, to the 11th of June, whereby our Days lengthen, and Night's decrease, as the Sun advances nearer and nearer towards us; for when in ♉, then he riseth at C, culminates at the Meridian, and sets at D; whereby he riseth more towards the North, and sets also more North, making a greater Circle above our Horizon. The Projection of the Sphere upon the Plane of our Horizon. II. Diagram. The outmost Circle is our Horizon. The Centre Z is our Zenith, or place where we be. ☉ is the North Pole. The Line N ☉ Z ♋ A ♑ S is our Meridian. The Line ♈ A ♎ is our Equinoctial-Line. The Lines upon which you see the 12 Signs, viz. ♈ ♉ ♊ ♋ ♌ ♍ ♎ ♏ ♐ ♑ ♒ ♓, is the Ecliptic Line. The Line R ♋ Q, is the North Tropic ♋; and the Line T ♑ W, is the South Tropic ♑. S is the South part of the Horizon or Meridian; and N is the North. And the Parallel dotted Lines is the Way of the Sun, when in each respective Sign thereunto belonging. And when that the Sun is advanced to his Northern Tropic s, than he is at his nearest approach to us under the North Pole who live at Z: Now our Days are longest, and Night's shortest, the Sun riseth North-East at R, and is South at ♋, and sets North-West at Q; whereby he goeth almost round us, and is but little depressed under the North side of the Horizon, as you may see by the Diagram by the Circle R ♋ Q: And while, the Sun transits these Signs, ♈, ♉, ♊, he constitutes our Spring by his near approach, who (under our great Creator) is the Life and Cherisher of all Sublunary Bodies. The Birds of the Air chant out their melodious Harmony as a Welcome to his Approach, the Flowers of the Field open for his Entertainment; every thing rejoices and is active in its Sphere; all things vegetate and are pregnant, endeavouring towards a continuation of their Species, while the Sun advances to our Northern Tropic, who enters ♋ June the 11th: And being then at his nearest Approach, as I said before, he returns back through ♋, ♌ and ♍, in the Months June, July, August, to the 12th of September, at which time he comes to the Equinoctial again, (which aforesaid time is our Summer Quarter.) Now are our Days and Nights of equal length, and the Sun riseth and sets in the same place as he did on the 10th of March. And from this Line he takes his Journey Southward through ♎, ♏ and ♐, in the Months September, October, November, to the 11th of December, thereby constituting our Autumnal Quarter, and the Southern Spring. Now do their Vegetables spring and flourish, and ours tend to Corruption; the Sun by his cherishing and enlivening Rays, revives their drooping Spirits, who in his absence lay locked up in Frost and Snow; now do their Days lengthen, and ours shorten, their Spring increasing while the Sun cometh to their Southern Tropic, making their longest and our shortest Day. Now are we generally locked up with Frosts and Snow, and they contrarily are scorched with the Sun's perpendicular Rays; and having arrived to his Southern Tropic ♑, which he always doth about the 11th of December, he than recedes back through ♑, ♒ and ♓, in the Months December, January, February, to the 10th of March; and cometh to the Sign ♈ again where he began. By which we see that the Sun is (apparently) always in Motion, nor can he be persuaded to stop or stay at all in his Journey, except by the Almighty Hand, he being of himself an impartial Dispenser of his Heat or Influence. For without him (the great Minister of Light, Motion, Heat and Life, under God, especially of our Vortex) Darkness would usurp her old Dominions again, we should have neither Day nor Night, Winter nor Summer; all things would be in Confusion, the Sea would be Ice, and the Land Flint; Motion would cease, and our Vortex would turn to a Chaos or confused Lump again, as they were before the World was made. This Solar Influence is so obvious, that none can deny it. But methinks I hear some Critics make this Objection, viz. If (saith he) the Sun be the Ruler of the Seasons, and he coming to the Equinoctial Line always at the same time of the Year, What makes our Spring to be sometimes late, and sometimes early, coming or putting forward sooner by five or six Weeks some Years, than at other some? What makes our Dary, Primrose, Violet, etc. to put forth at Candlemass some Years, and at other some they are not to be found at Lady-Day? What's the Cause of Winter's Heat and Summer's Frosts? Can a Winter's Night be warmer than a Summer's Day? Can the Sun in his lowest Degree and Absence be more potent, than in his Presence and almost Verticity? Sure if the Sun were the only Cause of the Seasons, they would be (like him) more constant, our Heat and Cold would increase and decrease gradually, according to his Accesses and Recesses to and from us. I believe, saith our Antagonist, that the Sun rules and constitutes the Seasons, viz. Day and Night, Winter and Summer: But what makes our Winters and Summers to be sometimes colder, and sometimes warmer? Why some Winters pass away without Frosts almost, and some again are very severe and frosty? How shall we believe in Astrology, when none of our Astrologers can foretell, or truly demonstrate, or show a Reason for these Variations? Which of them foretold the last cold Summer, or this warm Winter? Or which of them can show me why they were so? Are they not all of them mistaken in the Wether of this present Winter, which makes us think and say, (with Marcianus) Si vis divinare, totum contrarium ad unguem dicito ejus quod Astrologi pollicentur; that is, if we should say Rain, when the ginger writes fair and dry Wether, or Warm, when he writes of Cold, we should guests right as soon as the ginger, who doth only banter his Reader, and pretended Art. Who can be such Fools as to believe them? Or who can pretend to vindicate Astrology, which ought to be credited no farther than it can be demonstrated? To which I agree, and believe that to be no Art, or at least vain and frivolous, and not to be trusted, which doth not carry Reason and Demonstration along with it. Therefore in our following Essays, I shall endeavour thereat, and desire to be credited or believed, no further than I can give a rational Demonstration thereof. CHAP. III. Demonstrateth the Copernican Hypothesis, and with it my Method, viz. how the Planets are moved round the Sun in their respective Orbs in several spaces of Time, whereby they become sometimes near to the Earth, and sometimes at a greater distance from her, and sometimes making several Angles or Aspects to the Earth, as shall be made appear by the third and fourth Diagrams. IN the third Diagram you may see, that I, according to Copernicus, have put the Sun in the Centre of his Vortex, he being the Fountain of Light, and Heat, and Prince of the Planets; who, like a great Monarch, having large Dominions, maketh use of Deputy-Princes and Magistrates to distribute his Majestic Rays throughout his Dominions. Which Deputies I represent to be Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Earth, Venus and Mercury, with their several Satellites which respect their several Orbs, as the Moon doth our Earth. The Motion of the Sun round his own Axis, is the Spring or first Mover of the Planets, who are carried round him in their several Orbits, as you may see by the third Diagram, which I shall demonstrate as followeth. You see the Sun is in the Centre, and each Planet is put in his respective Place and Orbit for the 10th day of June 1696, at Sunset, being marked with their respective Characters. Now the Sun moving round his own Axis from West to East, carrieth the Planets round him the same way as followeth. Mercury is the nearest, and is carried round the Sun in 88 days. Venus is the next in order, and is carried round the Sun and Mercury's Orbit in 225 Days. The Earth is the next in order, (about whom moves the Moon in 27 days and odd Hours) who together with the Moon is carried round the Sun, and the two Inferiors in her Orbit in 365 days and 6 hours ferè. Mars is next, and is carried round the Sun in his Orbit in 682 days. Jupiter is next, and is carried round the Sun in his Orbit in 12 Solar Years. Saturn is the last in order, and is carried round the Sun and all the Planets in his Orbit, in almost 30 Solar Years. Beyond whom is the large and unaccountable Space, or Heavens of the fixed Stars. And these aforesaid Planets are moved round the Sun by a twofold Motion, viz. round their own Axis, and also round their respective Orbits, through the Zodaical Signs about the Sun. Like as a Bowl is trundled to a certain Mark or Jack, it moves round its Axis, and also from the place of your Station where you delivered it; for by its often turning round its Axis, it at last arrives at or near the aforesaid Jack, only with this difference, that as the Bowl moves in a straight Line, the Planets are moved circularly in their Orbits about the Sun. But I shall explain their Motions more plain by the Motion of the Earth, as followeth. But before I begin, a word or two to explain some Requisits belonging to the third Diagram. 1. Understand that the Earth is placed on the East side of the Sun, who appears to set in the West, to the Inhabitants who live at the Point B. 2. The Point ♑ (Saturn being therein) is the East side of the Diagram. 3. The Line perpendicular from ♎ down to B, is the Meridian, or South, and its opposite the North Point. 4. The Centre of the Earth is its Axis, about which it moves, and the outward Circle of the Earth A, B, C, D, is that Line or Surface of the Earth, which lieth parallel under the Equinoctial Line, and represents the Equator. 5. Those Lines drawn through the twelve equal Divisions of the Lunar Orbit, are the Right Ascensions of the twelve Zodiacal Signs. Now suppose that you lived at the Point B upon the Equator, then would the Sun seem to set to you in the West, and Saturn presently after appear to rise near the East; for the Earth turning or trundling round its Orbit and Axis from West to East, the Zodiacal Signs do each severally appear to rise, culminate and set, as also the fixed Stars, the Sun and Planets. Now the Earth turning from B to C, which it performs in six hours, from the aforesaid time of Sunset, then would it be Midnight, the Earth's Body interposing between the Sun and you at C; and in six hours more you would, by the Earth's Motion, be carried to D, then would the Sun appear to rise; and in six hours more you would be moved to A, and then would the Sun be upon your Meridian, viz. just over your Heads, making thereby Noon with you; and in six hours more, (making in all 24 hours the length of the Day and Night) you would be brought to the same Place again, and the Sun setting as before; and by that time that the Earth had moved round her Axis 365 times, thereby constituting as many Days, she would in the said space of time be carried round the Sun in her Orbit, through the Obliquity of the Ecliptic, and the 12 Zodiacal Signs thereby constituting our Year, as was before treated on in the last Chapter. And as the Earth is carried round the Sun, from East to West, both in respect of her Axis as well as Orbit, so likewise are rest of the Planets, though with different Spaces of Time, both in respect of their Diurnal as well as their Annual Revolutions, who (as the Earth) are carried round in the Obliquity of the Ecliptic, through the 12 Zodiacal Signs in their several Orbits; whereby they appear to us as the Sun doth, viz. sometimes in Summer, and sometimes in Winter Signs; so that we have a Saturnine Year, a Jovial Year, a Martial Year as well as a Solar Year, and also a Lunar Year. Venus and Mercury being within the Perimeter of the Earth's Orb, seem to us to be the Sun's particular Attendants or Lackeys, Venus never being above 48 Degrees, and Mercury never above 27 Degrees from him, either before or after him. However they have their several Revolutions or Years in respect of themselves. Authors pretend to tell us their Diurnal Motions about their own Axis: Among whom Rheita affirms, that Mercury's Day or Motion about himself is about six hours; that the Motion of Venus about her Axis is 14 hours: Mars his Day or Motion about his Axis is in 45 hours: The Diurnal Motion of Jupiter is performed in 11 of our Days and 20 Hours. The Diurnal Motion of Saturn is performed in 29 of our Days and ten Hours: But these are uncertain, and not pertinent to our Purpose, therefore I shall not impose the belief thereof upon you; but for their Annual Revolutions we are certain of, and find it very material to our Purpose, and necessary to be known. CHAP. IU. A brief Discourse of the five old Planetary Aspects. BY reason of the different Motion of the Planets in their several Orbs, they become sometimes in Conjunction, and sometimes in Opposition; and sometimes beholding one another with different Angles and Faces, both in respect of the Earth and themselves: Which Angles or Radiations are by Astrologers called Aspects, and were taken notice of by the Ancients to be of singular Efficacy and Power in the Mutations of the Air. The Reasons why they embraced only these Positions, are too long and tedious for me to treat of here; but I shall explain them, and say something thereof, and in some other Tract I shall enlarge further thereupon: In the mean time if you be impatient, I refer you to that learned and incomparable Piece wrote by Sir Christopher Heydon. And for the Explanation of the aforesaid Aspects, etc. I have drawn the fourth Diagram, which is drawn for the same Time that the third Diagram is drawn for, viz. the 11th day of June 1696, at Sunset, and is only to show the Planetary Aspects that are then in the Heavens, and is the same as the Lunar Orbit in the third Diagram, and is drawn larger on purpose to demonstrate the Aspects. Which are five in number, viz. Conjunction, Opposition, Sextile, Quartile, and Trine. A Conjunction is, when two Planets are in one Sign and Degree, or within seven or eight Degrees of one another in distance; for the Planets admit of their Rays, and are said to be in Conjunction or Aspect, though not bodily conjoined, and that Aspect is called a Platick Aspect; but when they are in perfect Aspect to a Degree and Minute, then that is called a Partile Aspect. And note, that the nearer they are, the Aspect is the stronger and of more force. A Conjunction, as I said before, is when two Planets are both in one Sign and Degree, whereby the Earth and they come into a Diametrical Line; and when the two Planets are partilely joined, both in respect of Longitude and Latitude, then is the highest or Superior eclipsed by the lowest or Inferior: Also the two Planets do then rise South, and set both at the same time; and this Aspect or ☌ is showed by Jupiter and Mars in the fourth Diagram, where you may see how they send their mixed and united Rays to the Earth. They may also be seen in the Firmament (if the Air be clear) at the same time the Diagrams are drawn for, viz. June the 11th, after Sunset, to be near the West, within a Span's breadth of one another; a beautiful Sight to behold. An Opposition is, when two Planets are 180 Degrees, or half the Zodiac in distance, the Earth being in a Diametrical Line between them. And to them who live under the Equinoctial Line, always when one riseth the other sets, as is evident by Saturn and Mercury in the fourth Diagram: Mercury being at his farthest Elongation almost from the Sun, may at the aforesaid time be seen to set North-West after him, and Saturn at the same time to rise Southeast in opposition to him. A Quartile Aspect is, when two Planets are elongated 90 Degrees, or a fourth part of the Zodiacal Circle, making thereby a Right Angle at the Earth: This Aspect is demonstrated by the Sun and Moon, she being in her last Quarter; view them in the fourth Diagram. And note, that to them who live under the Line, where the Meridian is their Zenith; always when one Planet is upon the Horizon, either rising or setting, than the Planet in Quartile to him is in the Zenith or Nadir, viz. upon the Meridian. Which Aspect is of great force, for divers Reasons which shall hereafter be made appear, but for brevity must be omitted here; the Influence of a Planet upon the Horizon or Meridian, is vulgarly known even to the Rustic, who when he meets with a misling or hazy Air in the Morning, he remains in doubt until the Sun hath mounted the Meridian, and then he tells you, that the Day will either clear up and be fair, or else prove rainy downright; the Reason (though unknown to him) is this, that the Sun then coming to his Virtical strength, hath more Power to dissolve the Vapours or Clouds, if not beheld by some other Planet which then may rise above the Horizon: As suppose ♄ or ♂, and then that Planet getting above as aforesaid, causeth it to rain downright, which before was only misly. A Sextile Aspect is, when two Planets are a sixth part of the Zodiac, or 60 Degrees elongated, making thereby an Equilateral Triangle at the Earth, which is delineated by the Moon and Saturn in the fourth Diagrams. A Trine Aspect is the distance of two Planets, a third part of the Zodiac, and is an Angle of 120 Degrees, making an Equilateral Triangle in the Heavens, and is delineated by Saturn in Trine to Jupiter and Mars, who send their Rays to the Seven Stars, as you may see by the aforesaid Diagram. These two last Aspects are not of such force in the Mutation of the Air as the other, which shall be made appear in my next, together with the Reason of their Influence. If you have a mind to view these Distances or Aspects in the Heavens, you may see them at the aforesaid Time, viz. near an Hour after Sunset, when you may see Saturn rising Southeast in Opposition to Mercury, setting North-West; and beholding Jupiter and Mars with a Benevolent Trine, they being near the West: and if you rise the next Morning before the Sun rises, you may see the Moon in Sextile of Saturn, and in Quartile to the Rising Sun. And so much shall suffice at present concerning the Aspects. CHAP. V. Treateth of the Nature of the Planets. THE Natures of the Planets were first found out by the diligent Observation and Experience of the Ancients; amongst whom Ptolemy was the chief, who left us their Natures and Affections, and wrote the whole Body of Astrology, and left it to Postority, he being called the Prince of Astrologers. It's pity his Foundation was laid upon the Sands, for if he had built it upon the Philolaian or Copernican Hypothesis, which was invented by Philolaus before Ptolomy's Time, he would by his Observations and Industry have done Wonders, and Astrology by this time might have been much approved. But Learning as well as other things is subject to Changes and Vicissitudes, according as it doth please God to reveal himself to Man; for though some Men in any Age be never so wise, and do leave their Aphorisms and Arcana's to Posterity, yet by several Accidents they may be lost, for either the Genius of that Age may not be fit or capable to receive them; or they may be lost by Fires, or the Subversion and Alteration of Governments, etc. Is it not great pity that the Works of that most wise Man Solomon should be lost, who wrote of all things under the Sun, from the Cedar of Lebanon to the Hyssop that grows upon the Wall? Wisdom of Solomon, Chap. 7. But to our purpose. Ptolemy, and all Astrologers after him, (Dr. Goad excepted) define the Nature of the Planets as followeth. Saturn cold and dry; Jupiter hot and moist; Mars hot, dry, and burning; the Sun hot and dry, more temperate than Mars; Venus cold and moist; Mercury cold and dry; the Moon cold and moist. This is their brief Account of the Natures of them. They tell you also why they retain those Natures, too tedious here to insert, because I think it not material, being their Opinion is grounded upon a false Supposition. Dr. Goad, a late Author, denies the Account, and makes Jupiter to be a cold Planet, yea colder than Saturn. How shall we agree these Opinions? Truly I think they are both mistaken, being both upon a wrong and false Foundation; for Dr. Goad treads in Ptolomy's steps in all things, except in this, viz. about the Nature of the Planets. Now I shall lay down my Judgement of their Natures, which I presume will hold the Test of Experience, which is the only Refiner of Truth. Saturn I believe to be (as well as the rest) an Opake Body, and (as saith Ptolemy) of a cold and dry Nature, especially by Accident, for we are always sensible of his i'll Influence, when he is in Perigaeon, or in Heliocentrick ☌ with the Earth: and for Demonstration view the fifth Diagram, where you'll see Saturn in Perigaeon, or in conjunction with the Earth, which was the principal Cause of the last cold Summer. I could bring several Examples and Reasons to prove my Assertion; two or three Instances we have had in our late cold Summers, which were always cold when Saturn was in Perigaeon. Mars all agree to be hot, dry, and burning, yea, hotter than the Sun himself: Which seems a Contradiction, that a reflected Light should be hotter than the Fountain from whence it proceeds. To which I answer, that it may be by Accident: As for Instance. The reflex burning Glass, which receiving the Sun's Rays, and contracting and uniting them, they become hotter than the Sun's Rays; and being darted upon any combustible Matter, it sets it on fire. And such is the Nature of Mars, who when in Perigaeon, or near the Earth, doth make us sensible of his Heat. View the sixth Diagram, where Mars is in conjunction with the Earth, which at the same time caused a very warm Season. And now I come to Jupiter, concerning whom there hath been much Controversy: Ptolemy making him warm, and Dr. Goad contrarily making him a cold Planet, and gives very probable Arguments to prove his Assertions. How shall I reconcile these two Opinions, for they both plead Reason and Experience for their so doing? Ptolemy thinks him warm, because when simply in opposition with the Sun, he produceth a warm Season, and when joined with Mars, he often produces great Heat and Thunder. And Dr. Goad maketh him a cold Planet, because that when joined with Saturn, he augments Cold; yea and in Winter, when joined with Mars, he hath a hand in many hard Frosts, he being the Parent of the North Wind, and Serenity, both great Friends to a cold Constitution; with many more Reasons of the like Nature. Now my Opinion of Jupiter is, that he is a Planet composed of Nitrous Particles, which like Gunpowder or Nitre, when it meets with Cold, it actuates it: And when it meets with Fire or Heat, it actuates that, and breaketh forth into Combustions. Jupiter being a Planet full of Nitre, doth (as the Cartesians say) six the Particles of the Atmosphere, thereby stopping or hindering Motion, and then Cold followeth of course, which is an Essential Quality, and was in being before the World was created; for in the beginning this Vortex was a Chaos or confused Lump, the Air, Earth, and Water, being congealed or mixed together. But when God created the Sun, Moon, and Planets, by putting them in Motion, this Motion was the Original of Heat, as may be proved by the violent Motion of any thing, as suppose a Mill, which will cause Heat to that Degree, that she will fire if not prevented. Now when this Motion is hindered by the Nitrous Particles of Jupiter, then Cold the prime Quality takes place. As is proved by mixing of Salt or Nitre with Snow, it will freeze and cause Ice by the Fireside. But if this Nitre or Gunpowder be joined with hot and sulphurous Planets, than it causeth Combustions in the Atmosphere, as Heat with Thunder and Coruscations, etc. So that I define Jupiter to be of a Nitrosulphurious Nature, like to Gunpowder, and is either Hot or Cold by Accident, but rather a favourer of Cold if simply considered: Which aforesaid Definition I shall prove by Examples. The Nature of the Sun needs no Definition, it being vulgarly known to every Plowboy, all the World being sensible of his Warmth, nothing being hid from the Heat thereof. But as for the Natures of the Inferiors, viz. Venus, Mercury, and the Moon, I shall at present rest with the Opinion of the Ancients, for brevity-sake, they not having so great Influence in the general Constitution of the Seasons: But it may be expected in some succeeding Book, where I treat of the daily Vicissitudes of the Air, and shall say no more here, having cleared the great Point between Ptolemy and Dr. Goad. CHAP. VI IN this Chapter I shall explain my Method; and as I have in the foregoing Chapters explained the most material Circles, etc. of the Sphere; and also how, by the Motion of the Sun or Earth, our Seasons are constituted, viz. Day, Night, Winter and Summer; together with the Natures and Aspects of the Planets: So now in this, and the following Chapter, I shall demonstrate why some Winters are warmer than others, and some Summers are colder than othersome; and the reason why our Spring sometimes is late, and at other times early, coming sooner by five or six Weeks some Years than other. First, Know that the general Constitutions of the Seasons are caused by the Diurnal and Annual Motion of the Earth, as before treated of. But the Reason of their Variations must be examined by the Annual and Revolutional Motion of the rest of the Planets, especially the Superiors, the Inferiors having most to do in the daily Mutations of the Air. Now the Motion of the Planets is to be considered in a threefold manner. 1. According to their Revolution in respect of the Ecliptic, whereby they sometimes, as the Sun, (though with some difference of Latitude) are in Estival Signs, and sometimes in Winter Signs. 2. They are to be considered according to their Motion in this Copernican Projection, whereby they are sometimes near to the Earth, and sometimes at remoter distance, having great Influence at some times, and at other times in abject Places, and almost void of Influence in respect of us. 3. They are to be considered as to their Aphelia and Perihelia, they moving in Eliptick Circles, as also their Diurnal Revolutions; passing by the Motion of their Satellites, which as yet have no known Influence. 4. Their Natures are chief to be noted, both Simple and Complicated: These are the chief relating to the several Constitutions of the Seasons. But in the Diurnal and Horary Vicissitudes, we consider the Motion of Venus and Mercury, and chief the Lunar Motion, as also their Aspects and Transits: And the Diurnal Motion of the Earth, whereby the Sun, Moon, and Stars, become sometimes upon the Meridian or Zenith, and sometimes under the Earth or Nadir, and sometimes upon the Horizon, either rising or setting. And note, that those Planets are of greatest Force which are nearest to us, both in respect of their Perigaeons', as well as being Vertical, and having North Declination and Latitude; as also that Planet which is above the Horizon: and the more vertical he is, the stronger he is; which also is augmented or diminished, according as he is beheld by the Sun, or the rest of the Planets. These and many more Phenomena's are to be considered, and well poised in Judgement, of which I shall treat in some following Tracts: This Tract only treats of the general Nature and Constitution of the Seasons. And I shall farther explain the Copernican Projection, or Diagrams, which ought well to be understood by every one that would be a Proficient in the Knowledge of the Wether. Which Diagrams are a new Projection, and never before made public: They showing the true Motions of the Earth, and other Planets about the Sun; and represent to you the true Geocentrick Places of the Planets, as well as Aspects; but in the Heliocentrick Places and Aspects of the Planets, they vary a little from Truth, because of their apparent Eliptical Motions. And note, that what I say concerning the Demonstration of the third Diagram, understand the same of the rest. In the said Diagram the Sun is the Centre, the other Planets move about him in their several Orbits, as I have demonstrated in the third Chapter of this Book. In this Diagram you may see, that the Lunar Orbit is divided into 12 equal Parts, being the Right Ascensions of the 12 Zodiacal Signs, viz. ♈, ♉, ♊, ♋, ♌, ♍, ♎, ♏, ♐ ♑, ♒, ♓, to those who live under the Zodiac. Now when a Planet is in the Point ♑, then I say that Planet 〈◊〉 in Heliocentrick Conjunction with the Earth; and in Perigaei●, or at his nearest approach to the Earth, when in the foresaid Position. But note, that I call a Planet in Perigaeon, when that he is elongated, from the Point ♑, as far on either side as the two next Signs, viz. ♐ and ♒, that is 30 Degrees on each side. And a Planet posited within a few Degrees of the Lines ♏ or ♓ on either side, than I say that Planet is in △ with the Sun. And a Planet upon or near the Lines ♎ or ♈, then is that Planet in Square to the Sun. And when upon the Lines ♍ or ♉, then in Sextile of the Sun. And when in or near the Line A ♋, then he is in ☌ with the Sun. But when in the Space between the Points ♍ and ♋, or ♉ and ♋, then, I say, that Planet is in an Abject place, or place void of Influence, or at least having very weak Influence. And note, when two Planets are in both in Abject places, as suppose ♄ in 15 Degrees of ♌, in Quartile of ♃ in 15 Deg. of ♉, then is that Aspect of much less Force than if they were in Aspect, in other places posited nearer the Earth; which Aphorism ought well to be heeded. And note farther, that what I have here said, relates chief to the Superiors, the Phenomena of the Inferiors being something different to them; for the Demonstration whereof I shall say nothing until my next appears. And what I have said of this Diagram, I would have you understand the same of the 5th and 6th Diagrams, and in all others of the same Projection. Mars is called by me the Sun's Deputy, who if near or at a fit distance, he becomes hotter than the Sun himself, who by reflecting the united Rays of the Sun upon us, like a Burning-glass doth make them the more strong and forcible to us; but if he be in an Abject place, than he hath little or no Force; for place a Burning-glass in an Abject place, or so far off that the reflected Rays do not reach the Matter or Object to be calcined, it cannot fire it. Saturn is famed on the other hand for Cold, who being composed of Nitrous Particles, doth, when near the Earth, (and not opposed or hindered by ♂ his Rays) by his Nitrous Particles, stop or slacken the Motion of the Atmosphere, and thereby (as I have said before) cause Cold. But Jupiter simply considered, viz. when powerful or near the Earth in Perigaeon, and in Estival Signs, causeth Serenity, and wholesome North Winds in Winter, seasonable Frosts; and in Summer a serene, sweet, temperate, and prolific Air, being rather a favourer of Cold than Heat. CHAP. VII. IN this Chapter I shall demonstrate my former Method by Examples, which shall be done by the cold Summer in the Year 1695, and the succeeding warm January and February. And first, for the reason of the cold Summer 1695, view the fifth Diagram, which is drawn for the Sun's Ingress into the Tropical Sign ♋, viz. June the 11th at Sunset; in which Diagram you see that Saturn is in Perigaeon, or near the Earth, and Mars in an abject Place, as also ♃, which is the Cause of our cold Summer; for Saturn's nearness fills our Atmosphere with Nitre; and Mars not being able to oppose his i'll Influence, we therefore had a very cold Summer, notwithstanding the Sun was then in his greatest Northern Vertical Strength. And in the next place, let us see the Reason for our warm and favourable Winter, especially in January and February following the said cold Summer, which two Months are as much famed for Cold, as June and July are for Heat. In the sixth Diagram, which is drawn for the Sun's entrance into ♓, viz. the 8th of February at Sunset, wherein we find the cold Planet Saturn in an abject place, being thereby far remote from the Earth; and Mars and Jupiter are in Perigaeon, and also in an Estival Sign, viz. on this side the Equator, and Mars in a Southern and Winter Sign: for depressed Mars in this place becomes our Deputy- Sun, who, like a Burning-Glass, warms our Atmosphere by reflecting back the Sun's Rays upon us, thereby warming our Air very much; whose Heat is augmented by the Proximity of Jupiter, they both being in Opposition of the Sun. In Places about ten degrees North and South Declination, viz. on each side the Equinoctial, yea all that part of the Torrid Zone, they felt Mars his Influence with a Vengeance; for Mars being in ☍ of the Sun, and in Conjunction with Jupiter a Nitrosulphurious Planet, would, like Gunpowder, cause violent Combustions in the Atmosphere, great and violent Thunders and Lightnings, burning up the very Vegetables with their great Heat. But we in the more Northern Climates, by reason of the Sun's Absence and great Depression, only enjoyed a more warm Season than usual at the Season; nay it was oft and many a day in January and February, warmer than several days in June and July preceding. We had Thunder and Lightning even at Christmas this Year in our Climate, caused by the aforesaid Position. But before I conclude this Chapter, I shall say something concerning the unparallelled and never to be forgotten Frost, which happened in the Year 1683, which most Astrologers judged to be a Badge of the Effects of the grand ♂ of Saturn and Jupiter trebly repeated the Winter and Spring preceding; but though that was the Cause, as I believe it was, why had we not the Cold the Winter before, when they were partilely conjoined? I doubt not but it will puzzle most of our Modern Astrologers to show the Reason. But by our Copernican Method it's plain, why the Cold did not commence the Year before; for though ♄ and ♃ were both in Perigaeon, which by our Method is a strong Augment of cold and severe Frost, yet we had then Mars our Deputy- Sun in square to the Sun, who being upon the Meridian or Zenith, while Saturn and Jupiter were upon the Horizon, who hath great Force and Power by that Position, and did by his great Power overcome the i'll Influence of ♄ and ♃, and caused a temperate Season. But after that Mars had got into an abject place, which was the succeeding Winter; and Saturn and ♃ still continuing near together, and becoming in Perigaeon again the next Winter, who then played their parts to purpose; for Mars was also in a Winter Sign, as well as in an abject place, who being thereby weakened, and not able to overpower the Influence of ♄ and ♃, who then play their parts to purpose, than began the time for Severity. They that will or can may draw the respective Diagrams for the said Winters, wherein they may find Satisfaction. And so I shall conclude this Chapter, and with it the first Part. June the 11th 1696. at Sunset. Diagram III. This Diagram I call a Copernican Projection, upon the Plane of the Equinoctial. In which the Sun is the Centre, about whom move all the Planets in their respective Orbs; as also the Earth, about whom moves the Moon as her Centre. But for the Explanation thereof, see the 3d Chapter of the first Part; and also the 6th Chapter. Diagram IU. This Diagram is drawn for the sake of demonstrating the Aspects of the Planets, and is only a Projection of the Lunar Circle of the 3d Diagram, in a larger Figure, whereby the planetary Aspects are more plain to the Eye, they being the same in the Lunar Orb in the 3d Diagram, but not so easy to be understood. June the 11th 1695. at Sunset. Diagram V. February the 8th 1696, at Sunset. Diagram VI The Second Part. Being a brief Astrological Judgement, or Appendix, treating of this ensuing Spring, and Summer's Effects, both in the Macrocosm as well as Microcosm: wherein there are many Causes to fear that Pestilence and Famine will be added to the Plague of the devouring Sword in our European Territories. CHAP. I. I Shall begin with the Month of March, wherein about the 10th day the Sun enters into the Vernal and Equinoctial Sign Aries, at which time I consider the Position and Affection of the Planets according to our former Method. At which time Saturn is in great Southern Declination, viz. in ♑ a Winter Sign, but yet the Earth gins to apply to him, he being separating from a Geocentrick ⚹ of the Sun, and applieth to a □ of him: Mars separates from Jupiter by Retrogradation, and is gotten out of his Perigaeon, and left Jupiter therein; Mars is also in Opposition with Venus, which is a general Aphorism amongst all Astrologers, viz. when ♂ and ♀ are conjoined by Body or Aspect, and especially in ☍, then they produce at this season Rain or Snow to excess, it being called an Apertio Portarum, or an opening of the Floodgates of Heaven: But at this Season, for the abovesaid Reasons, we shall have rather Frosts and Snow with Hail; for Jupiter in Perigaeon, and so far elongated from Mars, who is out of his Perigaeon in ☍ with ♀, will undoubtedly cause much Frosts and Snow, to the Detriment of our too forward Spring and early Vegetables, as Apricocks, etc. And these frosty Mornings are like to continue throughout the Month, because about the end ♃ is in ☍ with ♀, and ♄ becomes in □ to the Sun, a Position wherein he is very powerful; yet ♂ in △ with the Sun will mitigate a little, and give us a glimpse of his warm Influence about the two or three last days of this Month, and beginning of April, and may cause a Remission of Cold, especially in the Afternoons, but the Cold prevails afterwards again. And now being come to April, in the beginning whereof, as I said before, there is an ☍ ♃ ♀, and □ ☉ ♄, which notwithstanding the aforesaid △ ☉ ♂, will cause a glum cold Season for the most part of the Month, because ♄ and ♃ are in more powerful Positions than ♂ our Deputy Sun; for ♄ is every Morning at Sun-rise upon the Meridian, by which Position he becomes vertical to them who live on the Southside of the Equator; therefore this Position will certainly produce us cold Mornings and frosty most part of April, very prejudicial to our too forward Spring. Mercury is at his greatest Elongation from the Sun, and may be seen to rise before him about the tenth day for several Mornings. May comes next in order, in which Month on the 6th day the Moon suffers a total Eclipse, and happens just at Midnight upon the Meridian, and in their Zenith who live upon the Equator in the same Longitude with us. At which time ♄ is in △ with ☉, and ♃ is separated from a △ of the Sun. Mars is gotten in □ with ☉, and is upon the Meridian every Evening about Sunset, to them who live under the Equinox, in which Position (he being upon their Zenith) he hath great force: also ♃ applies to a ☌ of ♂, and also to a □ of Sol. I fear by this Eclipse, and other Positions attending it, that we shall have but little Fruit; it also threatens a Rot of Sheep, and a sickly Season, for the Atmosphere is full of Pestilential Vapours: A violent and active Season both in the Macroeosm as well as Microcosm. The Wether at the beginning of the Month will be wet, and I doubt holds longer than it's welcome: About the middle we shall have great Heat by sits, and tempestuous high Winds. This or the next Month should produce plenty of Earthquakes, and violent Eruptions of the burning Mountains, with divers strange Phenomena's in the Heavens, sure no Comet: There will be very violent Thunders and harmful Lightning in this and the next Month, firing many Houses in more Southern Countries, if not here in England. And now I come to treat of the Tropical Month of June, about the 11th day whereof the Sun enters into our Northern Tropic ♋, for which time I have drawn the Copernican Projection, viz. the third Figure or Diagram, which is a violent Position, which I shall explain as followeth. Saturn in the said Diagram is in Perigaeon, and in ☍ with ♀, both being in Tropical Signs. Jupiter and Mars are in ☌ near the end of ♍, an Equinoctial Position, and will be seen South-west in the eighth House (the House of Death) within a Span's breadth of one another: A beautiful Sight to behold, but (as saith the Learned Dr. Goad) they will be like the Cannon in the Camp, though beautiful, yet terrible. All the rest of the Planets are in Cardinal Signs, the Moon being at the said time in ☍ of ♃ and ♂; these are active and violent Positions, and will as certainly be attended with as violent Effects. The Wether will be variable, Saturn's nearness to the Earth makes a cold Air; but ☌ ♃ ♂ in ♍, an Estival Sign, and near a □ of ☉, will cause very hot Wether by fits, violent Thunders and harmful Lightnings, and great Hail caused by the Chemistry of the Heavens; for Saturn fills the Atmosphere with Nitre, and the nitrous and sulphurous Particles being fired by the ☌ ♃ ♂, will undoubtedly cause violent Combustions, etc. By whose poisonous and sulphurous Fumes our Air will be infected, producing thereby contagious and infectious Diseases, with prejudicial and unkind Blasts and Mildews, damnifying the Corn; this Month being the principal Season for the flowering and blossoming of all manner of European Corn, as Wheat, Barley, Beans, Rye, etc. It being a certain and true Maxim in Philosophy, that all manner of Vegetables are most tender and subject to be hurt when in blossom or flowering; which may be compared to teeming Animals, who are in more danger of Abortion presently after Conception, than when long gone with young. So that this ☌ ♃ ♂ falling at the time of the blossoming and flowering of our Corn, will by its poisonous Quality much damnify it by Mildews and Blites; and I fear that this will be generally throughout Europe, and especially in the more Southern Countries, and particularly in France. As far as I can see, it threatens Scarcity and Famine, of which I shall treat more particularly in the next Chapter. And shall now treat of the Nature of July, about the middle whereof Saturn is in ☌ with the Earth, or in Perigaeon, and Jupiter and Mars are in abject places; this Position denotes another cold July, and slow and dull Hay-weather, cold, cloudy and moist Season, with Southwind often, but more often the North East: our Harvest ripens slowly. But I shall say the less of this and the next Month, because I design in my next Book to treat more particularly thereof, they being our Harvest Months. August will be cold and dull Wether for the Reason's aforesaid, with much South-Winds, and cloudy, and moist too, (I fear) especially the latter half thereof: But for the Particulars I beg your Patience until my next appears; certainly it will be a sickly Season, and so shall conclude this Chapter. But I shall forestall my next Book so much, as to let you know, that we shall certainly have a very early and sharp Winter, forewarned, forearmed. CHAP. II. I Having in the last Chapter hinted of a turbulent and violent Summer, both in the Macrocosm as well as Microcosm, wherein I fear a general Sickness and blasting Season; as also that the Sword will be more mortal and deadly this Summer than it hath been since the War began; therefore I shall say something thereof in this Chapter more particularly, and consider what Countries will be most passive, and how it will terminate. We are still under the malevolent Effects of the grand ☌ ♄ ♃, and of the dire Effects those Comets presaged, which appeared in the Years 1680, and 1682, which was the Prodromus of these European Wars. And in the Years 1692, and 1693, the said Superiors ♄ and ♃ were in Opposition, which produced several Earthquakes: These Earthquakes by their Nitrosulphurious and mineral Vapours, and Arsenitical and Mercurial Fumes have poisoned our Air, and rendered our Vegetables, etc. corruptive and unwholesome; for the Air was first infected by those aforesaid Fumes and Vapours, which overpowered and poisoned the true saline and nitrous Particles conducing to Vegetation and Health; so that our Vegetables did not come to their Maturity: for wanting that saline Vigour which should conduce to their Perfection, they remained crude and not fit for Aliment; so that we feeding on these Vegetables, and Animals, whose Flesh (not being fed with healthful Aliment) wanting its true Balsamic Virtue and Nourishment; and also by breathing and sucking in the aforesaid poisonous Vapours, we do become unhealthy, and our Bodies for want of the aforesaid saline Vigour, and true Balsamic Temper, do become infectious and corruptive. Also it's a general Rule amongst Physicians and Philosophers; that when we have our Seasons irregular and out of order, viz. Winterly Summers, and Summerly Winters, and when instead of a wholesome North Wind, we have an unwholesome South Wind most part of the Winter, then do they foresee a Sickness generally to ensue. Astrologically we have had Saturn annoying us by his Presence all last Summer, and Mars this Winter, and just at the Solar Ingress into our Northern Tropic, ♃ and ♂ are in ☌ in ♍, a Sign and Position, by Observation and Experience noted for Sickness. Where was Saturn when the last devouring Plague raged in London? Was he not in Capricorn, the same place wherein he now is? which Distemper was agitated and stirred up by the ☍ ♃ ♂. To be brief; I have too many Reasons, both Astrological and Philosophical, to fear a blasting and pestilential Season, which will (if not prevented by the Almighty) produce a Pestilence and Scarcity in most of our European Countries, who are already under one of God's Scourges, viz. the devouring Sword. But in the day of God's Anger, when that he resolves to pour forth his Vengeance, and join to the Sword Pestilence and Famine, who can stand before him? He hath been pleased, like a kind Father, to correct us at first gently, to see and try if we would repent and amend our Ways; but when he finds that will not do, he than corrects us with more Severity. I pray God I be not a true Prophet, but that we may, with the Ninevites, avert his Judgements which hover over our Heads, with true Repentance and Prayer. And now, though contrary to my intended Method, I shall consider what Countries will be most passive this next Summer. Jupiter is the Planet Passive, who is afflicted by ♂ in ♍: and Saturn strong in ♑, being the Significator of the Turks, shows their Strength; ♃ being afflicted, shows the Weakness of the Christians, viz. of the Emperor and K. Lewis; for Jupiter in ♍, conjoined to ♂, is the Significator of the French Government. Mars is our England's Defender, viz. the Heroic and unparallelled in Valour, K. William, who afflicts Jupiter in the very Bowels of France: for France is generally known to be under the Sign Virgo; who, like a dying Cock, is resolved to strike the sparring Blow if possible; and in order to it, musters up all her Force and Strength; but missing her Aim, she falls flat down and expires. Certainly France is driven to her last Shifts, when that she hath no other way to rid herself of her Mortal Enemy, than to invent and contrive so horrid and devilish a Design, contrary to the Law of God, Nature, or War, viz. the Assassination of his Majesty K. William; certainly every honest Man can't but hate the thing. Surely it's enough to make the Jacobites themselves, which have any spark of Honesty in them, to hate and abhor the Contrivers of so black and detestable Practices, and come over to K. William. But be it as it will, his Sword will decide the Controversy, and make him more Friends this Summer than ever; who will be forced to sneak to him for shelter, for he is born to be a Shield to the Reformed Religion. What can any Protestant Jacobites propose to themselves, or expect to gain by a French Power, but Popery and Slavery, if they should have attained their Ends? but before that could have been effected, the Nation must have been ruined by a Civil War. For let me reason with them thus; Suppose they had made an Insurrection and Invasion, and that Hellish Project of theirs, and the French King's, had taken effect, viz. the Assassination of our King, (which God out of his Mercy hath, and I hope will prevent) I say, suppose they had brought in a French Army, yet we see that the Confederates had Eyes over them, and in kindness to us and our King, was resolved to land an Army to assist us; the Duke of Wirtemberg having twenty thousand Men ready to land, and assist our King, or Us, if he had been so unfortunate as to have lost his Life by those barbarous and wicked Men: I say, we should not have been left to be devoured by the French; but before the Disorders had been settled, and that we could have crowned the next Successor, the Nation might have been ruined; no body considering the Miseries of a Civil War, but those that groan under it: Have we already forgot the Civil War in Oliver's Days? We have now a King who ventures his All to make us happy, who stands himself between Danger and Us, who crosses the Seas to defend our Lives, Liberties and Religion: And yet we are so ungrateful to him, and unkind to ourselves, as not to assist him to our Powers. Had we a King who minded nothing but Luxury and Ease, and cared not what became of his Subjects, we might well grumble; or had we a King, who like the Stork in the Fable, devoured us and our Liberties, we might then justly complain, and Self-preservation would be a great Temptation to make us rebel: But contrarily we have an Hero, who undergoes all Perils to make us easy and happy. Therefore be so kind to yourselves and Native Country, as to stand by and defend your King against his Enemies; and instead of bringing in the Sword amongst us, let us unanimously join and carry it into the Bowels of France: I say, let us share in the Honour thereof, for, if I bened mistaken, she will be afflicted with War, Pestilence and Famine, this Year 1696. Scarcity and Sickness will be our Visitants in England, I hope no Civil War; but if it be, it will be to the Cost of the Jacobites, let them begin as soon as they will. King William is born to bring down the Power of the French King; and I believe this Campagn will end the Controversy, and we shall not be long we enjoy the long-wished for Honourable Peace. But yet I fear the Emperor loseth Ground with the Turks. Many will be the Calamities which will afflict Europe this Year, which undergoes several Catastrophes, let Time demonstrate: Howsoever I am certain the French War is almost at an End, and the fatal Blow will be struck this Summer; and so shall end this Chapter. CHAP. III. IN this Chapter I shall consider of the Causes, Symptoms, and Cure of this Sickness or Pestilence, so often hinted at in the foregoing Chapters; which if it should happen in England, (which God divert) our Physicians, especially the Astrologians, may prepare Antidotes and preventative Remedies, as being the fittest Men to cure, as well as prevent all Distempers, especially those which have their dependence upon the Season and Stars, who by their Nitrosulphurious and poisonous Rays, infect our Air, whereby our Bodies, by breathing and sucking in that Air, etc. (whereof I said something in the last Chapter) do become corruptive, and tending to Putrefaction. For how many Souls have perished for Want of the Physicians Knowledge of the true Nature of the Disease, which altars according to the Nature of the Afflicting Planets? etc. for every Year brings with it a new Distemper, not known to the Drug-Doctor, until he hath found it out by Experience, which costs the Lives of perhaps half a hundred of his languishing Patients: While the Astrologian sees the true Cause and Nature of the Distemper before it comes, and can, if desired, prevent the Malady, if not destined by the Almighty to Destruction. The Places chief menaced by the Stars, are France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, England, and Flanders; and especially in the French Camp in Flanders. The Symptoms and Nature of the Distemper 'tis hard to define, but may be guest at by the afflicting Planets, etc. Which are both Saturn in Capricorn, and Mars afflicting Jupiter in Virgo; Saturn in Capricorn afflicts the Head with Diseases, proceeding from Melancholy, which will produce Madness, Rave, Frenzies, beginning with great Pain and Heaviness; also Pains and Weariness in the Joints, Knees, and Sinews, etc. Secondly, Jupiter afflicting Mars in Virgo and Luna, at the Solar Ingress in Opposition to them, denotes Melancholy to have Dominion, causing stoppages of the Liver, Cardiaca Passio, great pain in the Sinews and Joints; and all over the Body; and the Bowels are afflicted from a cold Cause, Colic, Gripe of the Guts, with tough and thick Phlegm falling upon the Throat and Lungs, causing troublesome Coughs. And if we be so happy to escape in England from a Pestilence, yet I am certain that we shall have a new malignant Distemper, and the Symptoms will be partly as I have before described. The Method to prevent or cure this hover Malady, is as followeth, viz. we must have respect to the afflicting Planets, and see how they are dignified. Mars being the chief afflicting Planet, and not very strong▪ we may oppose him by Antipathy with Herbs of Venus; but Saturn being strong, and beholding Jupiter and Mars with a friendly Trine, we must sympathise with him, and make use of his Herbs in the Cure. Also we must in all Pestilential Distempers, make use of a certain number of Solar Herbs, which have a principal Virtue to strengthen the Heart and Vital Spirit. So that you must have recourse to the Herbs of Saturn, the Sun, and Venus, being gathered according to their Planetary Strength and Virtue, respect being had to their Number and Proportion in the Composition. Verbum sat. ☞ It's also requisite to open the Obstructions of the Liver and Breast, and to clear the Body of Melancholy this Spring, by purging Medicines composed of the aforesaid Herbs, etc. And so shall I conclude this Embryo of Astrological Influence, designing to be more large and particular in my next; in the mean time farewel. FINIS. Errat. Pag. 14. lin. 24. for Faces, read Phases.