AN astrological JUDGEMENT upon His majesty's present March: Begun from OXFORD May 7. 1645. Ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus. By GEO: WHARTON. OXFORD, Printed by H. Hall for Will. Sheares. 1645. TO THE friendly and judicious Readers. You have here (at the request of some Honourable Personages) An astrological judgement, upon the future success of His majesty's present March begun the 7 of May Instant. It is delivered in general terms, for I neither will nor dare descend to Particulars: That would require the knowledge of many things, besides His majesty's Nativity, which I may not presume to meddle with; It being in itself both unlawful and very dangerous to publish any thing concerning the particular fortunes and Destinies of Princes. For in this Thrasybulus, Ascletarion, and Gauricus, were much to blame; the first whereof foretold the Destruction of Tiberius the Emperor, the second, of Domitian, the third, of Bentivoli in Bononia: So likewise the priest that caused the Rumour of the future murdering of Galeacius Sfortia Duke of Milan, who were all of them worthily rewarded for their folly. And so ought Master Lily and Master Booker to be for their pernicious Pamphlets, wherein their sole endeavour hath hitherto been by most disloyal and ambiguous Phrases to animate and hasten on the Rebels and other conspirators to plot and attempt mischief against His majesty, whereas an honest and discreet Artist ought not to divulge any thing (especially of Princes) that may any way tend to endanger their Persons, but either not to meddle at all, or else to deal privately with the Prince himself; and then also to adhere to Cardanes Rule in his Book De Astrologicis Interrogationibus: Principi ne magnum malum firmiter unquam praedixeris, sed Periculum. Howbeit Cardane himself dealt more plainly, and therefore more dangerously with Edward the Sixth, as appeareth in the judicials of his Nativity given out in the beginning of his Duodecim Illustres Geniturae. But neither Cardane (notwithstanding he was a man of extraordinary credit) nor any other personal example can warrant any other private men to intermeddle with the Nativities of their Princes, otherwise then is before limited, or upon the Prince's special command. And yet if in this respect or any other the Art happen to be abused by some Spurij (non veri filij) Artis, it hath but the same fortune that other Arts and Sciences have: And the lawyer's Rule is, That Abusus non tollit usum. The bounds of which limitation I presume I have not any way exceeded in this Discourse, which be pleased to accept as followeth. A celestial Scheme, or Figure, setting forth exactly the true position, and state of the Heavens at the time His MAJESTY began His March. Anno. Mense. Die. Hor. Min. 1645. Maii. 6. 22. 30. T. M. 42. T. A. Post Meridiem. Positio Coeli ad Latitudinem 51. 46. Dominus Diei ☿ Hor. ♂ Suum cuique integrum esto judicium. A Table of the several Fortitudes and Debilities of the Planets according to their situation in the Figure Saturn's Fortitudes by reason of his Being in his term 2 Situation in 9th House 2 Direct Motion 4 Swift Motion 2 Orientality 2 Freedom from Combust. 5 17 Debilities by reason of his Fall 4 Jupiter's Fortitudes by reason of his Being in in his term 2 Decade 1 Scit in the tenth house 5 Direct Motion 4 Swift Motion 2 Freedom from combust. 5 19 Debilities by reason of his Detriment 5 Being under the Sunbeams 4 9 Mars his Fortitudes by reason of his Direct Motion 4 Swift Motion 2 Freedom's from combust. 2 8 Debilities by reason of his Peregrinity 5 Being in the 12 house 5 Occidentality 2 12 The Sun's Fortitudes by reason of his Being in the 10 house 5 5 Debilities by reason of his Peregrinity 5 Slow motion 2 7 Venus her Fortitudes by reason of her Triplicity 8 Being in the 10 house 5 Direct Motion 4 Swift Motion 2 Freedom from combust. 5 Orientality 2 2● Debilities by reason of his Being in ☌ with Cap. Alg. Being under the Sun beams 9 Mercury his Fortitudes by reason of his Being in his own house 5 Triplicity 3 Being in the 10 house 5 Direct Motion 4 Swift Motion 2 Freedom from Combust. 5 24 Debilities by reason of his Occidentality 2 2 The moon's Fortitudes by reason of her Freedom from Combust. 5 5 Debilities by reason of her Perigrinity 5 Being in the 6 house 4 Slow Motion 2 Decreasing in Light 2 13 AN astrological JUDGEMENT UPON HIS majesty's MARCH. BY this distribution the Fortitudes and Debilities of every Planet in the precedent celestial Scheme are easily gathered: It followeth then that we likewise confer them amongst themselves according to the respective Numbers of their Fortitudes and Debilities; that it may yet more manifestly appear, which of them are most strong and fortunate; which most weak and infortunate, and accordingly how they succeed one another in strength and Power. First then, the Planet Mercury of all the rest is simply most strong and fortunate in the Scheme. For if the number of his Debilities be deducted from the sum of his Fortitudes there still remaineth 22 Testimonies of strength, which no other Planet obtaineth in the Figure. The next in dignity is Saturn who hath 12 Testimonies; Then Venus, and Jupiter, who are both very powerful; the first of them being endued with 17, the latter with 10 Dignities: Mars and the sun are both but weak in respect of their essential Dignities: yet for some Circumstances very considerable in this case, the sun may be said to be the stronger, which being generally taken is a good and laudable token. The moon of all others is the most debilitated her Detriments exceeding her Fortitudes, by 8 which, will prove very advantageous to His Majesty, as hereafter shallbe noted. And thus much generally touching the constitution of the Planets in the Figure. Now to descend more particularly to the present matter; We are (in this case) principally to consider 4 things. First, the Ascendent of the Scheme, which is the Significator of the City from whence his Majesty began his March: From which house we are to collect the condition and State of this City during his majesty's absence. Secondly; The 10 House, which (according to Haly) is the Significatrix the journey: And from this we are to deduce our judgement of his majesty's success during the time of his March. The Third thing to be considered is the 7 House by which we are to judge how his majesty is likely to be received in those Parts where his Army shall pass, and of his success against the Enemy. And Lastly the fourth House; whereby we are to inform ourselves of his majesty's success in the return. unde si quis istorum locorum melior, & fortunatior fuerit factus, significat bonitatem in illa sua significatione: Et si quis fuerit malè afflatus & nocens, significat damnum in illa sua significatione. Vid. Haly Pag. 328. As concerning the first, we find the 22 degree of the regal sign Leo at that instant ascending our Horizon, Cor Leonis in the Ascendent. And the dragon's Head in the very cusp thereof: And the Sun (Lord of the First House) not unfortunately posited in the South Angle of the Heavens: Which is the house of Empire, Rule, Dignities, Offices, and Arts, &c. And he environed with the two benign Planets Jupiter and Venus, who likewise behold the Ascendent and are free from any configuration with the Malevolents. These are evident and undeniable Testimonies of the Honour and safety of this famous university and City of Oxford; And of the care and vigilancy of those that are entrusted by his Majesty with the government thereof: Of the Fidelity, Courage, Industry, and necessary expense of her Inhabitants for the Defence of it: And of their conformity to such wholesome Orders, as either are or shall hereafter be made by the wisdom of the councillors for the good and Benefit of the City. In a word, All the good our hearts can wish for is promised us by the Scheme. I hope the seasonable care taken, and the Directions already given for prevention of the sickness will add much to our happiness: Some strange kind of Mortality must be expected this year in most Cities and great towns, throughout the South, southeast, and South-West parts of this kingdom: But especially let London be forewarned of her misery: She is much (and that deservedly) threatened. You may hear more of her after the 23 of May instant, for from thence doth the Influence of Saturn's Transite out of Aries into Taurus' begin to operate. As touching the second thing here considerable, which is the Tenth House; we may observe the ninth Degree and 31 min. of Taurus Culminating, which is the House and Triplicity of Venus; wherein also she is most fortunately seated within 3 Degrees of the cusp thereof, beholding the Ascendent, free from Combustion, or any configuration with the Malevolent Planets; being Direct and Swift of Motion, and Oriental of the Sun: To her (therefore) may we justly attribute the signification of his Majesties March: Who being (by nature) Benevolent, by her essential and accidental Position so fortunate: We cannot pronounce less to his majesty, and his whole Army, than a wonderful happy, prosperous, and successful March, And contrarily exceeding much fear and terror, dissipation, and utter ruin to his Enemies: The dragon's Head in the cusp of the Ascendent tells us, Quod habebit bonum antequam se inde moveat, & in principio Itineris, Haly Par. 3. Pag. 108. This was verified in part by that Gallant Encounter with the Enemy performed (with so good success) by the Right Honourable the Lord Goring near Newbridge the same seventh day; occasioned upon his majesty's Motion hence. The Generality of this good to his Majesty and his Army, is further confirmed by the powerful presence of Jupiter, the Sun; and Mercury in the South-Angle; And the unfortunate Positure of the moon in the Figure &c. Artabari dixit: Si quando Rex, vel alias voluerit capere inimicum qui sit valoris minoris eo; statuat ☽ in ☌, aut ☍; vel in via combust. aut come ☊, vel ☋, &c. Et sol sit salvus & purus ab infortuniis & in medio coeli sint fortunae; Etiam si quando magis infortunata fuerit ☽ erit pejus & majus damnum pro illo inimico, quia ☽ est significatrix Populi, &c. ac servorum. Haly Pag. 340. We have here (as before we noted) the Sun, both the Fortunes, and Mercury safely seated in the Mid-heaven; And the moon (who naturally, (and in this case especially) signifieth the many-headed-monster Multitude, (such persons as in January 1641. tumultuously assembled themselves (to the hazard of his majesty's royal Person) to cry for Blood in the terms of justice; those who through their pretended zeal to I know not what, have brought the curse of God upon themselves and the whole kingdom, first by slaying the Innocent in cold Blood, and ever since by Engageing their Persons and estates in this most unnatural and Bloody war against his majesty) The moon (I say) who is the natural significatrix of such meane-Capacities is in the 6 House very sick (Master Lily) and nigh to the dragon's tail. These Positions will puzzle and stupefy the misguided-Commonalty, and make them know there's such a thing as Allegiance. More particularly; the Sun thus posited, and also Mercury being free from Combustion and the Infortunes; And the dragon's head so near the cusp Ascending; Salvationem corporis, agilitatem, & gaudium in Itinere significant, bonamque fiduciam, & applicari ad id quod vult. Haly Pag. 324. Jupiter's Position in the 10 house confirms the same. Haly Pag. 328. The moon Lady of the 12, and moving betwixt the 8 degr. 34 min. and 21 degr. 26 min. of Aquarius, gives us to understand that His majesty shall receive much contentment by certain Messages brought him from foreign Parts; And that he shall receive some sudden and unexpected supply of— by the means of some that assimilate the condition of his Enemies: And withal this comfort; That His majesty shall be exceeding successful in beseiging of towns, Castles, or Forts, and in pursuing the Enemy. See Haly Pag. 346. Mars his Sextile to the sun Lord of the Ascendent, (which happeneth the 18 day of May) will encourage our soldiers to advance with much Alacrity and cheerfulness of spirit; and to show themselves gallant in the most dangerous attempts. The Ascendent and Tenth House being both Fixed signs tell us, That the March shall not be so speedy as is expected; but with great deliberation and care of settling the affairs of the distracted Counties through which His Majesty passeth. Yet the great dominion of Mercury doth intimate quick Action about the latter end of June, and the most part of July. O! what snaffling there will be amongst the zealots before the middle of November? How many days of Humiliation? what fears? what Jealousies? what Discontents and wranglings? what Murmurings? how many Lies and Forgeries raised and dispersed to quicken a Dull and Dying Faction? The next thing (in Order) which we are to consider is the sign and Degr. of the 7 house, which in this Scheme is the 22 degr. and 21 min. of Aquarius, the house of Saturn, but term of Jupiter: Saturn being in the 9 house of the Heavens in the end of Aries, and in a Sextile with the cusp of the 7 house, and in a Quartile with Mars. Si gradus 7 domus fuerit dignitas ♃ timebitur & honorabitur & credetur eius verbu a gente illius Terrae ad quam vadit, & erit dilectus, & receptus a Gente Terrae ad quam vadit cum gaudio, et latitiâ. Here by the word Gente we must understand the County or Counties principally aimed at by His majesty. And this happy Reception is further attested by the propinquity of Venus to the sun as he is Lord of the Ascendent, and in the House of Kings, &c. Aquarius being a fixed sign tells us that he shall not quickly remove thence, but remain there some convenient time for the settling of some important affairs, and a full reducing of those Counties to their obedience. If any man would be satisfied to what Quarter of the Heavens the design is intended, although he may guess something by the Motion which the Army hath already made, yet he may inform his judgement best by considering the signs of the 4 Angles, viz. Leo, Taurus, Aquarius, and Scorpio, (which he shall find to be the one half Northern, the other Southern; and also the signs wherein the Planets are, viz. Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, and Aquarius, which are all of them (except the last wherein the moon is) Sententrionall. Which will assuredly determine that the progress and principal Actions of this Army or the greatest part thereof are like to be Northerly, inclining sometimes to the East, otherwhiles to the West, as the Occasions of war requires. The 4 and last thing to be examined is the 4 house: The cusp whereof is the 9 degr. and 31 min. of Scorpio, the most viperous sign of the Zodioque; where Mars hath the Dignities of Triplicity and Decade; But is unfortunately collocated in the 12 house of the Figure. This position of his ought to forewarn our Commanders to take heed of some Disaster immediately before His majesty betake him to his Winter Quarters: It seems to be the beating up of an Outquarter, and the surprisal of some few of our Men, who value their ease more than their safety: I'll say no more: But I hope the Diligence and vigilancy of our Commanders may prevent the danger. And now to sum up all; It is most apparent to every impartial and ingenuous Judgement; That (although His majesty cannot expect to be secured from every trivial disaster that may befall his Army, either by the too much presumption, ignorance, or negligence of some particular persons, which is frequently incident and unavoidable in the best of Armies) yet the several Positions of the Heavens duly considered and compared amongst themselves as well in the prefixed Scheme as the Quarterly Ingresses, do generally render His majesty and his whole Army unexpectedly victorious and successful in all his designs: believe it (London) thy miseries approach, they are like to be many, great and grievous, and not to be diverted, unless thou seasonably crave pardon of God for being Nurse to this present Rebellion, and speedily submit to thy Prince's mercy: Which shall be the daily prayer of, Geo: Wharton. FINIS.