The Bloody Almanac: OR, Astrological Predictions, and Monthly Observations, For the Year, 1659. From the Motions and Configurations Of the Celestial Bodies, three great Eclipses, one of the SUN, and two of the MOON: Wherein is foretell, the most eminent Actions in Europe; especially in England, Scotland, France, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Flanders, Germany, And Hungary. Holland, Prussia, Norway, Catalonia, Holstein, Friesland, Bohemia, Tartary, Muscovia, And Portugal. Further denoting, and setting forth, 1 The Victorious proceed of the English against the Spaniards, and the memorable Achievements that shall happen in their Warlike Enterprises, and Engagements. 2 The strange Revolutions and Changes, that will attend the Affairs and Counsels, both of Kings, Princes, States and Commonwealths. 3 The high and magnanimous Transactions, of the most illustrious and serene Prince, Charles Gustavus Adolphus, King of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals. 4 The great and glorious Victories, obtained by His Royal Majesty, against the Poles and Germans; and the routing and dispiersing of His numerous Enemies. Together with a Paraphrase upon His Majesty's Nativity. 5 The great and wonderful things that are incident both to Men, Women, and Children; the several Diseases and Effects, that are most predominant; and sundry Rules and Directions, for the preservation of Health, the increase of Trade, both in City and Country; and the general good of all Trades whatsoever. London, Printed for john Reynor, 1659. To the Reader, Ingenuous Soul, HAving been absent from this Nation for some Years, which hindered my Annual Publication of this Sheet of Astrological Predictions; I hope (as I formerly have) I shall receive thy candid acceptation. I am very brief in my Observations, it being most befitting weak Capacities. The reason why I entitled it at the first the Bloody Almanac, was, Because I writ it in Times, when the Heavens spoke little less to Mortals, but Blood, Trouble, and Commotions: I think the same consideration may excuse Me for the Title now. I have no more to say, but this; That if this find thy favour, I shall be the more encouraged further to serve Thee; Farewell, J. LIVY. Januaries Observations. This Mouth's the gate o'th' rest, but would you know, How it gins, Heaven's dark with Clouds and Snow: The Great ones jar, the Commons pay the score; Whilst grim saced Famine doth afflict the Poor. Were the consultations now on Foot, and the spirits of men as peaceable, as the season unfit for action, we were happy. But most prudent men fear the contrary: and the Heavens seem to incline men to mutiny and rebellion in most parts of Europe: Hence we may expect, preparations not a few for eminent and warlike actions, men's expectations wound up to a great height, what may succeed the late change here in England, viz. the death of the most serene, and valiant Lord Protector, who, without doubt, was set a part for this work by Providence, and the inclination of a propitious Heaven at his birth. Some (misguided in Art) seem to be confident of the restoring of Charles Stuart, to be King of these Nations, because he hath a fortunate Genesis or nativity; and that the conjunction in the fiery Trigon, to happen in the year 1663., may work as eminent a change, as that in 1642. But the most eminent Astrologers are of a contrary judgement; believing that the effects of the last so eminent a conjunction, seconded by the change of the Aphelion of Mars, will scarcely terminate in some Ages. For these and the like causes too tedious, and not fit here to be related, we may conclude no change remarkable in the present Government. Cold Winds threatening Rain to the jast Quarter: much Snow or Rain to the New-Moon, the air so inclinable to the 18 day, then more serene with frost till the 25, after which expect winds driving snow or rain, Februaries Observations. This month gins and ends, in th' former's strain, For want of food and fire the poor complain: Hard times God wots; pray call me not a witch, If store of rain and snow now fill the ditch. GOD be merciful to the poor of the City and hear their cry, and woeful complaint for want of Trade, food and all manner of conveniency. The want of Trade indeed is the complaint of the Citizens in general. Here is great enquiery whether some great person be not found false to his trust: pray God defend our Grandees from broils and divisions, nor is it only the complaint of the poor Ttradesmen, but our Grandees want money as well as we. I wish no plot, nor treacherous contrivement is now in agitation, and let every peaceable man say Amen. The Spring draweth on, and consequently strange and eminent actions: harken for news from the foreign Posts, for I hope no warlike action shakes our habitations: The Germans, Sweads, Poles, Tartars, Muscovites, Dutch, Dane, etc. are now highly concerned, and prepare for action, which we shortly expect to hear of. The quadrate Aspect of the two infortunes, excites the spirits of men to warlike actions. From the beginning to the last quarter, the air inclinable to moisture; from the sixth to the new Moon, rain and snow, from the new Moon to the first quarter, the air obscure with some rain and snow; from thence to the end of the month, the winds high and turbulent. Marches observations. Sometimes a friendly gale, 'mongst fogs appear, Disperse the Clouds, and make the air seem clear: Welcome thou peaceful agent; whilst we pray, That thou art answered, ere thou go away. THis month is the beginning of the year, and the year gins with eminent warlike actions, remarkable Embassies and Treaties; and since I intimated in the last month something of action suddenly to happen among the Sweads, Poles, Danes, etc. It may be expected I should say something of that victorious magnificent Prince of Sweden; who for some years last passed, hath shined all over Europe like a prodigious meteor or blazing star, attended with such effects as his neighbour Nations have been sensible of, and the Danes do now feel, for the Heavens seem to smile on this victorious Prince. Yet some Astrologers now living do affirm (that his ascendant by direction) labours to the malevolent rays of Saturn; if it be so, we fear an eclipsing of his honour and success, which God prevent. Surely after many tempests and furious gusts of division, battles and effusion of blood; we begin to hope for a calm, and a reconciliation of some of our differences. If in this month any agent arrive, or if we have any treaty with the Spaniard, let us pray for success. From the beginning to the last quarter the air windy, clear with some frost: about the last quarter inclinable to moisture: soon clearing and a very pleasant season to the first quarter of the Moon, near which expect a little rain, some storms end the month. April's Observations. The heavens pour moisture from their plenteous stores, The earth consumes it with her empty pores: Both men and beasts rejoice, and every thing Receives refreshment from the fruitful Spring. THough the spring be seasonable, yet diseases proceeding from abundance of blood and choler are rife. Authority somewhat molested by men pretending holiness at home, yet courteously treated from foreigners. The six and twentieth day there happeneth a great Eclipse of the moon, the beginning at thirty four minutes past six in the evening, she riseth eclipsed: the greatest obscuration will appear at eight; the end will be somewhat after nine: the whole duration will be almost three hours: almost nine digits or parts will be darkened. The effects of this Eclipse will show themselves from the latter end of August, to the end of the autumnal quarter: and will spend their influence upon youth, the fruits of the earth, it happening in the East Angle it presageth a rot and consumption among the vulgar sort of people, because it happeneth in the watery triplicity; it signifieth much trouble at sea, sea fights, overflowing of the sea banks, etc. The sign wherein the Eclipse happeneth being fixed, it signifieth the decay and ruin of ancient buildings and families; and so much the greater will the effects appear, because Mars is Lord of it. The places subject to its influence, see in the next month. The month gins with blustering storms: from the last quarter to the new Moon, cold, close and windy weather: from thence to the first quarter sudden storms, soon clearing: the next quarter cloudy, and inclinable to rain, the month ends with clearing gales. Mays Observations. You lively youngsters, who do early wake, And walke'th fields, your pleasure for to take, Be moderate in your sport, for that's the means To hold the longer, nought good in extremes. I shall hear give you the names of the Kingdoms, Cities and Towns, which shall principally feel the effects of the Eclipse the last month, viz. such as are under Scorpio, Taurus, Leo and Aquarius. Countries under Scorpio are the higher, Norway, Bavaria, Comagena, Capadocia, Idumaea, Mauritanaea, the Kingdom of Fez, Gethulia, and Catalonia; Cities and towns Algiers, Valentia in Spain, Trapezant, Urbinum, the South part of Swethland, Westphalia, Hambrough, Breme, etc. These are the principal Cities and Towns under the four Signs. What other places are subject to the influence of this and the two following Eclipses, expect hereafter. The Month gins with seasonable Wether, about the 14th day cooling Winds, about the first quarter. Some Clouds dropping Rain by course, yet soon clearing. Thunder and turbulent Wether ends the Month. June's Observations. After fair Wether, storms of Rain appear, We know 'twere ill, if th'air were always clear: After a Calm, Wrath stirs the minds of men, Were't never so, we should be happy then. BOth this month, and the last, we are pretty peaceable among ourselves, and many pleasing Missives arrive to our Grandees. From beyond the Seas we have eminent Intelligence; the Swedes serve under a Rising Prince, as well as the English; the Protestants Banners are now displaying throughout the Popish Territories with glorious Success; and about this time a Signal Victory is obtained by that Worthy of Worthies, the renowned Swedish King. The English Heroes in Flanders are crowned with the like success against the proud Spaniard, and great is the blow given to Great Britain's Enemies in Catalonia. Many Sea-Fights and Piracies committed upon the straits, and the Coasts of Argier, the Naval Forces of Britain prove successful, and play Rex upon the Neptune, cutting their passage through the Curled Waves, with undaunted Resolutions, and Spirits, to the great astonishment, and exceeding admiration of all Europe. The Month gins fair and pleasant: About the fourth or fifth day Clouds threaten Rain: from the new Moon, to the first Quarter, fair and clear: yet by Coast some Thunder. From the first Quarter to the full Moon, the Air much distempered: Cooling Winds ends the Month. July's Observations. As I went forth to view the azure sky, I saw Mars draw his Sword, but ask him why I durst not, yet his looks made forth to me, He meant to act some direful Tragedy. Weighty consultations on foot here in England, they are kept closer than ordinary, the people much more desirous to hear what the result may produce. Our great ones very jealous of one another's actions. We have much intelligence at home from the consultations of this month, and the month preceding: much more from beyond the Seas. I wish we have no ill news from Ireland: and I pray God deliver that Nation from intestine broils, and some epidemical disease, which I much fear afflicteth the Inhabitants of that Nation. We have eminent intelligence from Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Poland, Bavaria, Tartary, Italy and the adjacent parts. It appears to me from the language of the superior bodies, that the most eminent Prince Carolus Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden is rampant, and a terror to some of his neighbour Nations, without doubt eminent warlike action hath happened, and more suddenly to happen about those parts. Towards the latter end of the month Mars is in opposition to the place of the Moon at her Eclipse in April, the effects begin to show themselves to some purpose. The month gins with seasonable wether, soon after some thunder, ending with cold rain, an obscure air till three or four days after the new Moon, after that fair, about the first quarter high winds and some showers: cooling gales to the full Moon. The month end with a turbulent air. Augusts Observations. What cunning games do politicians play? They study mischief even whilst they pray; If of their actings you would know the sense, Gain is their stake, Religion their pretence. LEt the Farmer use all diligence to house his corn, for I fear this month proves unseasonable harvest-wether, by reason of many turbulent storms of lightning, thunder, and rain. The Farmer complains of his Crops, and that his Grain is not so good as the Spring Quarter promised, which makes the poor fear another hard winter, having not yet recovered the poverty and diseases of the last. I much fear sickness and poverty afflicts the poor Inhabitants of Ireland, God grant my fears may prove groundless. Our Merchants complain, and are in fear of their adventures by reason of their turbulence of the Heavens. The commonalty fear their peace and tranquillity, while the great ones jar. For the quadrate Aspect of Jupiter and Mars, and of Mars and the Sun threatneth divisions and heart-burnings among great persons, the Lawyers and discontented Cleargymen, endeavouring what they can to molest their Superiors. But before the end of the month, the two superior Planners Saturn and Jupiter do aspect each other, with a friendly Sextile Aspect; which puts us in hopes of a reconciliation; and I verily believe that either before this time, or about this time, there is some accommodation, or at least strong endeavours for it, between some eminent States of Europe: Cloudy and wet the first quarter, the next very hot and inclinable to Thunder and Lightning, so continuing till the latter end of the month, at which time expect cold rain. Septembers' Observations. The Planet's King divides the day and night, Like a good Leveller, who doth all right, Our earthly Heroes singeth the same song, They'll do men right, and will not suffer wrong. ON the sixteenth day of August last, the Planet Mars entered the Sign Gemini, and continueth till the 21. day of March, 1660. and, without controversy, is Lord and chief Ruler, both of the last and the two succeeding Eclipses, which according to the rules of Astrology speaks thus much, that those people who are under the Sign Gemini must expect to be sharers not only in the effects of the first Eclipse now operating, but also of the two other, of which expect an account in their proper places. So that besides the towns mentioned in May, let Flanders, Brabant, the Dukedom of Wittenberg, the West of England and many places more, which for brevity sake I omit expect to suffer. Gemini being the ascendant of London, without doubt participates of the direful effects of Mars, viz. sickness, dearth, and want of trade, afflicting all sorts, especially the poor, fire and such like, which God preserve her from. Some great persons act honourably, for which they receive a popular applause about this time. This month far more seasonable for the country man then the former. Probably some showers about the eleventh or twelfth day, or else the whole month seasonable and good for the harvost man. October's observation. When men pretending zeal can cheat each other, Relations not regard, each cheat his Brother; When pride and covetousness hath the command, You may be sure, destruction is at hand. ON the twentieth day of this month, their happeneth another Eclipse of the Moon: the beginning at forty minutes after one in the morning, the greatest obscuration about eight minutes after three, the end at thirty five minutes after four, the whole duration two hours and fifty five minutes: The Digits or parts eclipsed are seven. The sign wherein this Eclipse happeneth is Taurus an earthly and bestial one, as the sign is earthly, it signifieth a scarceity of Corn and Grain, also much sickness and mortality both to great and small cattle, and so much the more because Mars is retrogade and almost stationary upon the Angle succeeding, and Lord of the eighth house, and the Moon in the eighth. The effects of this Eclipse are much mitigated, because Venus, Lady of the house wherein the Eclipse happeneth is well posted with Stars of a benevolent influence. Let the Hollander expect about this time losses by their maritine enterprises as well as our Merchants; and let them look to their Dams, lest they meet with such a deluge as happened to them in the year 1651. the heavens seem not only to threaten them, but other parts lying near the sea side. About the fifth day expect showers: about the ninth day cloudy, after the 15th. day cold rain for many days, 25 day clearing again and some frost. The month ends with cold wind rain or snow. November's Observations. Sol's splendid Beams are hid from us, who can Think 'tis in vain, unless some Heathen man: He who dreads not th'effects, is a known Foe To God and Scripture, the Prophets did so. THe 4th day of this Month, there happeneth an eminent Eclipse of the Sun, near 9 digits or parts darkened: the beginning at 52 min. past one; the greatest obscuration at 4 min. past 3. the end at 13 min. past 4. the whole duration 2 hours, and 21 min. This Eclipse happeneth in the house of Mars, and the two Infortune's Saturn and Mars are Lords thereof; therefore more violently will the Effects operate. It is the forerunner of dangerous and mortal Diseases. It stirs up Wars, Seditions, Tumults, Imprisonments, beheading of great persons, acute Diseases, violent and untimely deaths. From which, Good Lord deliver us all. From the beginning of the month to the 11th day, the Wind dispierseth some moisture: about the 12th day the Winds rise higher, and some moisture followeth, and a troubled Sky: near the last quarter clear and Frost, which soon turns to drissing Wether. December's Observations. This Month the Planets pretty well agree, With all my heart I wish that so may we: To end the year, I wish you all good diet, And Grace to eat it, and to live in quiet. HAving little of Monthly Observations for this month, I shall go on here with the Effects of the Solar Eclipse: Saturn being in Scorpio, which is the Sign wherein the Eclipse happeneth and Augular: He afflicteth men with cold Diseases, Poverty and misery, scarcity of corn, and such cattle as men feed on, and afflicts them with Diseases, making them unfit for man's food. Great Tempests and shipwrecks at Sea, Inundations and overflowing of the Sea and Rivers, the death of ancient people, and many Controversies, and Lawsuits. The places subject to this and the former Eclipse, I have inserted in May. The time when they shall happen, I shall not here insist upon, because they will not begin to operate till 1660. The Month gins serene, temperate, and frosty mornings: about the 9 day the cold Winds drive moisture: 13. day rain or snow: more temperate about the full Moon: cloudy snow or rain about the 23. From the 25. to the end of the month serene and wholesome frost. FINIS.