1681. Astrological OBSERVATIONS AND PREDICTIONS, For the Year of our Lord 1681.  
WHEREIN Is briefly shown the Significations of the late COMET, which was seen in December last, 1680. And what is signified by the Eclipses and positions of the Planets, in the Figures of the four Solar Ingresses, etc.  
AND What sorrowful Times are approaching to the World, and what eminent Changes are like to happen in most Countries (from the Influences of the three Conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter in the fiery Trigon, in 1682. and 1683.)  
ALSO MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS.  
For every Month this present Year.  
Briefly containing the most Remarkable Events that are likely to happen in some eminent Cities in ENGLAND, and in our Neighbouring Nations.  
By John Silvester.  
LONDON, Printed for the Author, 1681.   

TO THE READER.  
I desire the Reader to take Notice, that my Astrological Observations were by me, and many Friends of mine, expected to have been Printed, in an Almanac of mine, which being sent to London, I was unkindly dealt with, by some Stationer or Printer, by whom my Expectation was frustrated, and my Friends deceived, and my Almanac hindered from coming to the Press; and not only so, but some part of my Work was picked out, and unkindly Printed and Published, in an Almanac, set forth in the Name of Richard Saunders: I know not why any should be so spiteful to me (in my absence from London) unless any were so, because I laid open the Dangers of the Times, for the good and Preservation of our King and Kingdom: I suppose I have already, and shall, or rather should for the future, shoot as near to the Mark, as most more Eminent Artists: And many of my Friends, and Acquaintance know, that I Wrote of the late great PLOT, and Treacherous Design, almost in plain Terms; and also of many eminent Matters, the next year following, which so happened accordingly: and having been hitherto very unkindly dealt with, and for the sakes of many of my Friends, that expected to have seen my Work Published; I thought it not amiss to accept of this Opportunity to publish my Astrological Observations, alone by itself h●●●ng it will be accepted, not only in the City of Bristol, but also in many other respective places in England.  
Bristol the 22th of December, 1680. John Silvester.   

Astrological OBSERVATIONS For the Year 1681.  

Of the Comet that was seen in December last.  
THIS Comet (when I first saw it) seemed to show itself in the beginning of the second Face of Capricorn, near the Sun and the Planet Mercury, and near the opposite place of Saturn, and in that part of Heaven, called the House of War: but it was reported, That its Tail was seen about a Fortnight before; if so, it may very well be supposed that it had its first beginning or Birth in the fiery sign Sagitarius, because of its swift motion. The Tail of it, when I first saw it, was very long, reaching about sixty Degrees and pointing Eastwardly. The Star or Comet itself was very small, seeming about the bigness of a fixed Star of the fourth Magnitude, or the Planet Mercury. The colour and complexion of it, I could not discern then, because of the Mists or thickness of the Air, but since it seemed to be rather pale than fiery or otherwise, that I rather judge it to be Saturnine, or more of the nature of Saturn, than any other Planet, and so more fit to cause the more evil effects.  
If it first began in Sagitary (as probably it might) a sign of the fiery Triplicity, it signifies terrible Wars, fiery and bloody Actions, and the motion of great Armies will begin those sad times that are approaching, and Denotes the suppression of Great and Noble Men, Wise and Learned Men, and great Students; and this the rather, because it appeared so near the Sun, and the Planet Mercury. And whereas it chief first showed itself to us, in that part of Heaven called the House of War, it denotes the more terrible wars and slaughters of great multitudes, but whereas it first chief showed itself to us in Capricorn, it is not unlikely, but it will not only run through Aquary, but also through Pisces (and Aries; the Ascendant of England and France,) and so through a Sign of every Triplicity, and of the nature of every Element. If it so happen, it increases the Miseries that are coming amongst us: For when a Comet appears in an Earthy Sign, it denotes Barrenness through drought; in watery Signs drought, through abundance of Rain; in airy signs it denotes the Pestilence, Seditions and mighty high Winds; In Fiery Signs, terrible Wars and Slaughters: and it is very likely, that before it be extinguished, it will at least runthrough a Sign of every Trigon, because of its swift motion (which I judge cannot be less than 4 or 5 Degrees in a day) but so far as it hath already run, it certainly informs us of great Wars, Slaughters, the Captivity or Death of Nobles and Great Persons, and Wise men, and great Students, and persecutions about Religion, (thus chief if it began in Sagitary, (as it is very probable it did) and further Scarcity, Robberies, the Pestilence, and great Mortality, and many Calamities, that are approacing to Visit the Nations: all its significations are not as yet fully known. Farther, this being a Comet of a very swift Motion, it denotes foreign Wars, and one Nation invading another: for when a Comet is , it rather signifies Seditions: and wherereas it hath already showed itself in the Houses of War and Death, it the more confirms the aforesaid Judgement, That Wars and a great Slaughter is near and approaching: It may before it be extinguished, yet appear in several other Houses, partly because of its swift motion, and partly because it is likely to continue a great while, because of the strong appearance as yet of its Rays and Beams by which a conjecture may be given, that it may appear as yet to us the space of two Months, or till the latter end of February: For, as the Ancients have Observed, some Comets have appeared almost three Months, which they count is the longest time any Comet can appear. A small Comet, say Authors, will be soon extinguished, because the matter whereof it is made, will be soon burnt, unless it be fed with new exhalations, as we know not but this may.  
Comets chief show their effects to those parts to which they send out their Beams or Rays, and in those Regions where they are seen; but more chief to those places that are subject to the Sign or Signs wherein they appear. By the first Rule, it hath relation to England, and if it Transit the Sign Aries, as its likely to do, than it adds to our Miseries, that it may be said, Woe to England, France, and many other Regions, Cities and places of the Earth, and as it hath already appeared in Capricorn, the Ascendant of the City of Oxford, it may be feared that City will be greatly in danger of the Pestilence, and other Miseries; and the worse, because Saturn is now in the opposite Sign; and if Capricorn belongs to Oxford, may not the Planet Mercury therein posited, represent the great  

Augusts Observations.  
GREAT Melancholy, trouble and discontent possesseth many Hearts; its probable some religious Controversy may happen in the City of Oxford, more than many other places: Magistrates there, and in other places resolute to disturb some meeting or religious professors: variances among Rulers and Men of Power, and among Magistrates, and probably in Bristol: abundance of people die this Month, Note on the 5th. day the Planet Saturn goes out of Cancer, into the fiery sign Leo, about which time we may expect to see some unusual sights and Apparitions in the Air, which usually happen when he goes from one sign to another.   

Septembers' Observations.  
LET Bristol beware of Fire and all other mischiefs, and sly do: The Magistrates thereof I doubt will some way be slily affronted, and vexed by some sly Enemies there, that probably may cause Divisions and Controversies amongst them. The second day of this Month, at three in the morning, the Sun will suffer an Eclipse, which denotes the Death of some great and very wise person or persons is approaching, and in a few Months will end this Life: Let London also beware, for some Plot or mischievous Designs, may now be feared: Rulers of Nations affronted by some slily, causing much Variance and Divisions amongst them. Many are now Imprisoned, a very sickly Season, abundance die.   

October's Observations.  
SLY Actions and sly Enemies are still to be feared, causing much trouble and vexations: variances amongst high and low: preparations for War against the next year: abundance die.   

Novembers' Observations.  
MAgistrates Oppress some meetings or persons professing Religion: beware of your Servants, for they will be very much inclined to cheat their Masters, now more than at other times: often variances between them: and Servants will be in danger of the Cudgel.   

December's Observations.  
VEry notable Contentions and Controversies amongst Kings, Princes, Nobles and Rulers of Nations and Kingdoms, some more than ordinary stir; I wish there may not happen any Rebellion this Month against National Supreme Powers; God preserve the Magistrates of the City of Bristol in Peace and Unity this Month: great robberies on the Land and at Sea: take Notice of the variances and evil events that happen, about the 19 day of this Month; we cannot be too wary of the bloody-minded Papists. Thus the year for the most part is tending to great contentions or Wars, or preparations against the next year; for without doubt woeful times are approaching to the Earth's Inhabitants, with Plagues, Calamities, and great and remarkable Changes, in many or most Nations and Kingdoms in the World.    
FINIS.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
SInce my Observations were sent to the Press, before they were Published, I thought it the more satisfactory to inform the Reader, that the Comet is now (to our sorrow) weakly appearing in ♈ the Ascendant of England, (and France), therefore it may the more be feared that England's trouble and affliction is approaching; ♈ is a fiery Sign, and a Comet in a fiery Sign is the more apt to cause the Nations (subject to it) to be concerned with Wars: it is now appearing very weakly, but if it continue about a month longer (or till about the 10th. day of February, of which now there is some doubt) it is probable by that time it will Transite ♉, ♊, ♋, and ♌, (viz. the Ascendants of Ireland, London, Scotland (Holland and Bristol,) but it will signify the less evil to those places, because it grows weaker and weaker, but it woefully threatens those Nations, Cities, Towns, Villages, Places and Persons that are under the Signs ♑ and ♓ because it not only appeared powerful therein, but the Infortune's afflicted those Signs then by Opposition: many places in England may be under ♑ and ♓, though we have not the knowledge thereof from the experiences of ancient Astrologers: Lastly, whereas this Comet hath been already in a Sign of every Triplicity, by reason of its swift motion it denotes the more varieties of evils, for a Comet in a Fiery Sign hath more power to cause Wars than in another Sign, and in an Earthy Sign, most power to cause Barrenness and Unfruitfulness than in another Sign. In short, I fear a bosom of Destruction will shortly follow in many Nations, partly by the Pestilence, and partly by War, if not also by a Famine or great scarcity, if humility of heart and speedy Repentance do not either divert it, or preserve us from it, Libera nos Domine si sancta sit tua voluntas.  

Swift Comets and Saturnine signify  
Wars, Plague, Destruction, Woes and Scarcity:  
Th' infected Air oft kills the Fowls that fly,  
The Earth's and Water's, Animals will die.  
Tho' man knows part, th' Omniscient God knows all  
Those sad Contingents, that will man befall:   

Oh God, thou giv'st us some foresight, that we.  
With speed repent, and turn from Sin to Thee.  
Effects below, proceed from Cause above,  
From Stars that by thy Blessed Order move,  
From Comets and strange Visions in the Air,  
Which we Spectators on the Earth admire.   
Bristol the 8th. of January, 1680. John Silvester.