1682 Astrological Observations AND Predictions for the Year of our Lord 1682. Wherein are briefly shown, the significations of the late COMET, (which appeared most manifestly to us in December 1680.) And of the two great Eclipses of the Moon. AND What Eminent Changes, and Sorrowful Events are likely to happen in many (if not most) Countries in the world, from the Influences of the Three Conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter (in the fiery sign Leo) 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 Nations, Kingdoms, and Cities.  
By John Silvester.  
Printed for the Author, 1682,   

For the year 1682.  

Of the late Comet that was seen in December 1680.  
THIS dreadful Comet (the like whereof (I suppose) was never seen by many (if any) generation before us) that appeared most manifestly in England in December 1680. Seemed (when I first saw it) to show itself about the beginning of the second face of Capricorn, between the bodies of the Sun and the Planet Mercury, and near the opposite place of Saturn; but I received advice from a friend of mine, that this Comets first appearance was in the watery sign Scorpio, the house of the fiery Planet Mars; and that it was seen before the sun rising, on the 25th of November, at six of the clock in the morning: But in what sign soever it had its beginning or birth, it was observed to appear in a sign of every Triplicity, which certainly denotes varieties of evils, distinguished sufficiently in my last years little book, to which I referred the Reader; but whereas it appeared most powerfully to us in Capricorn and Aquaries, and more weakly in Pisses; (and Aries the assendant of England and France, where it was supposed to have been extinguished) therefore those places under Capricorn and Aquaries will be subject to the most woeful effects; never the less, I fear those places under Aries will be subject to afflictions, that will be bad enough, for though it appeared very weakly therein, yet it is probable enough, that it appeared very powerful and dreadful in many other Countries under Aries, as well as in England, at that time when we beheld it in Capricorn and Aquaries, for Comets do not only manifest their effects in those Countries, under the signs wherein they appeared, but also in those Countries where they appeared most dreadful and most visible, and therefore it may be feared that the effects of this dreadful Comet, appertains to many foreign Countries, and that God is preparing woes fo● many Nations, if not for most nations in the World. And whereas the Tail of this Comet was very long, and the time of its continuance also long, it denotes the strength and powerfulness of its operation (and by consequence the more dreadfulness of the effects) and the durability thereof, which will shortly be seconded, and the effects thereof continued, by the powerful operations of no less than three conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter in the fiery sign Leo; and as this Comet was swift in motion, and run through many signs, so it may be feared that the influence thereof will seem also by its effects to be swift in motion, from one Country to an other; and whereas the Star itself (or Comets body) seemed to be very small, that it ●…uld not (first espeasily) be easily diserned, and a very dreadful and visible stream or Tail issued from it, from hence it may (not groundlessly) be conjectured that there will be many secret and close conspiraces and contrivances in many Countries, out of which there will go very visible streams of wrathful furious wicked and treaterous actions, (or more plainly such effects from the violent breaking forth of some Plot or Plots) I have heard reports of other Comets that have been seen, but I have not seen them myself, but I received intelligence from a friend of mine that on Thursday the 24 day of March 1681 about eleven of the clock at night, there were seen in their town by divers Persons of good credit two dreadful Meteors, near the Moon, by their declaring the one in Virgo, before the Moon, the other in Scorpio, following the Moon, which Meteors much terrified & affrighted the spectators. Comets and fiery Meteros are tokens of many hot and dry exhalations in the air, which so dry up the humours in men, and increase choler that they are easily stirred up to quarrels, after which follows blows, wars and bloodshed, and consequently alterations of Laws and Customs in many places.  

Comets are dreadful objects to men's eyes,  
Gods angry Warnings, heavenly rarities,  
That still proclaim God's wrath, some Kingdom's w●,  
Plagues, or great Sickness, bloody Wars also.    

Of the signification of the two great Eclipses of the Moon in February and August in the year 1682.  
THe first great Eclipse of the Moon will be on the Eleventh day of February about Eleven at night: Which denotes crosses, losses, and sickness to happen to Sailors, Merchants, Scribes, Students, and many Noble men, and that many such will be in danger of being oppressed some way by the wrath of Princes: It denotes some kind of hurt to the fruits of the Earth, and to Corn, and I doubt it will cause many discords amongst men, and many distempers of the brain, if not absolute madness: It also denotes turbulent and pernicious winds, and much thunder, and lightning, and some more than ordinary stir about Religion. Its effects will chiefly be manifest in the countries and places under Virgo, Pisses, Sagittarius (and Gemini the ascendant of London) and (according to the opinion of the Ancients) it will manifestly operate in July and so continue for about four months.  
THe second great Eclipse of the Moon will happen on the Eight day of August, about Six in the morning (but invisible to us:) This threatens the Earth's Inhabitants either with the Plague, or some very dangerous and destructive sicknesses, and mortality, and with scarcity or dearness of Corn. It denotes the ruin of Ancient Buildings, Divisions, and hatred amongst Professors of Religion: Imprisonment and Captivity: Great variances and disunity in Councils, high winds and Tempests at sea, dangerous sailing. It denotes destruction to Fishes, and to small Cattle, (it hath a woeful signification, whether people will believe or not:) it may cause madness or some very bad distempers in the brain. It also denotes the overflowing of Rivers: it very much threatens Samaria, Ethiopia, Italy, Sicily, Bohemia and some part of Turkey, Hamborrough, Rome, Prague, Bristol— and in a less measure Ireland, Russia, Persia, Cappadocia, Barbary Frankford upon Other, Valentia in Spain; But (according to Astrological rules) it will not very manifestly operate till about the month of July 1683 and from thence will so continue about four months.  

Sorrows attend the world, when ' clipses great,  
With many rare conjunctions opperate,  
With Comets too whose strange united force,  
May make unsetl'ed times yet worse and worse.  
Let's all lament, repent, and pray that we  
May scape dearth, wars and plague, in eighty three,   
And also in eighty four,  
But in the world there are many unbelieving people, and ignorant enemies of Astrological Predictions, that think I have too much affrighted the nation, by my judgement in my other little book, and perhaps, may think I have done the like now, and so will not believe that God hath given such power to Stars, Planets, Comets, or any Heavenly bodies to cause those effects on earth, but rather (through their ignorance) think that God usualy causeth most effects without them: but let them consider the Moon, and how God is pleased to tumble about the waters thereby, and not without the Moon: and let them consider the Sun, and how God thereby causeth the earth and trees to bring forth there increase and fruit thereof, and not without the Sun; and as it hath pleased God to set the two great lights of Heaven in offices, very manifest to the world; in like manner he was pleased to give all the other Planets, and lesser Lights of Heaven; offices and power, (when the first treated them) according to their natures, to effect his will and purpose on Earth: Moreover God that made all things, can at his pleasure, make use of all other his creatures, so that he will not be confined, to work only by the Stars, or only secretly and internally by his spirit, but what other ways he pleaseth, so that the Maker of all, works, in and by all, and is therefore God over all, and is worthy of all praise, honour, and worship from all. Therefore it is no dishonour to God, to say he causeth effects on Earth by Stars above, but they rather rob their Maker of his Glory, that contend against this Sublime and Heavenly Science; as if it were unlawful for us to lift up our eyes to the Heavens, that declare the Glory of God, and to the Firmament (wherein are fixed so many glittering and glorius Ornaments) that showeth his handy work. But there are diversities of natural gifts, And therefore to one it is given to know those things above another: ●nd further, to convince those unbelievers of the truth, and certainty of the Influences of all Celestial bodies, let them look back to the year 1664 wherein there appeared a Comet, and to the year 1663., where there happened a great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, in the fiery sign Sagittarius, and to the year 1659., when the fourteenth revolution of the great Orb since the Creation was perfected: I say, let them look back and consider if since those years there have not happened very remarkable Terrestrial Changes, and wonderful Events according to the rules of (and conseqently promotive to) the rare, and highly to be esteemed Science of Astrology  

The Loadstone's secret virtue can command,  
And strangely turn the Needle to each hand:  
So every creature, that hath life and sense,  
Is governed by the starry influence.    

Of the Three Conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter in the fiery sign Leo now near at hand; whereof one will happen on the 9th day of October 1682. and one, on the 30th of January following, & the last, on the 2d day of May following.  
It is both rare and wonderful that those Two superior Planets should be no less than three times conjoined (in somewhat less than seven Months) in the fiery sign Leo; there having been but only one Conjunction there above these 700 years. And therefore those Three Conjunctions proclaim a threefold woe to the Inhabitants of the Earth, (though many may not believe it;) but chiefly to the Countries, Cities, Towns, Villages, and Persons, under the sign Leo: Therefore woe, woe, and a third woe, to Italy, Sicily, Bohemia and some part of Turkey, to the City of Damascus, and chief to the City of Rome, the fountain of Popery, folly and wickedness, for those Conjunctions that happen in the fiery ●rigon, do chief respect Men, Matters, and Places of the highest account; (the Pope, Popery, and Rome have too long been so) that I conclude this Triple, or Threefold Conjunction in Leo (the ascendant of Rome and all Italy) will in a few years either strike of his Triple Crown, or give him three terrible strokes, whereby he will lose the greatest part of his Honour, Power, and Majesty on earth, for the strokes will be the more dreadful, because of the Two other Conjunctions, viz. of Jupiter and Mars: and Saturn and Mars, in the same sign Leo, near the degree of the first Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter: Jupiter is too virtuous a Planet to own the Pope, or his Orders, but it being more natural to him to own good Christians, he hath assigned the Pope up to Saturn, the Author of Plots and mischief: and Saturn being weaker than Jupiter in the conflict (for they'll have a Combat when they are in Conjunction because of the contrariety of their natures, Saturn being cold and dry, and the greatest infortune, and Jupiter being hot and moist, and the greatest fortne) therefore the Pope and his Orders, in a few years, must needs have a great Downfall; for Jupiter is not only stronger than Saturn, but is resolved to fight with his adversary, three times, in somewhat less than seven Months, with the undaunted courage of a Lyon. Oh Rome thy abominations have been Great, and thy Great sins remaihst which thy Great head (the Pope;) hath to the Great dishonour ofned Great God undertook to pardon; But now the Great year is at hand, and thy Great sorrows are approaching, and thy foundation will Greatly be shaken, because it is not the Rock of Ages, the sure foundation; Great Judgements are preparing for thee: Never yet (I suppose) received thou such terrible strokes (Since thou wast first called Rome) as those (in few years) are like to be. Quamobrem gaudeamus & maxim laetemur:  

God hath not made Celestial works in vain,  
But in them power and virtue great remain:  
They cause effects on earth, by them we know  
That God is working changes here below.    

Of the Lord of the year  
Saturn lays claim to be Lord of the year, because he hath the greatest Dignities in the Hylegiacal places of the three Vernal figures, and he and the Moon are both in the Lion, in an Angle of strife (the house of war) and his Lord is with the body of Mars, partly through which, and partly through the great Dignities that Mars hath in the Hylegiacal places of the Vernal figure, we may join him as a Copartner with Saturn: the Angles being also more fixed than Movable, that strong steadfast (and not much whiffling) will the resolutions of many discontented Martial minded persons be, to carry on weighty (but wicked) designs; that this is likely enough to be a year of evil conspiracies and of great disunity, and rather of Martial activity than of dronishnesse, and the better to satisfy all friendly Readers I refer them to my Monthly Observations following   

Monthly Observations, briefly containing the most remarkable events and accidents that are likely to happen in every particular Month this present year 1682.  

Ianuary's Observations  
THe hearts of the commonalty now entertain much hatred and enmity against some persons in Authority: some of whom act very politicly, & secretly against them, as if they aimed at some further treacherous actions: that it is yet improper to call this a month of complete unity: Rulers and Magistrates of many Countries and Cities can hardly keep in any sound unity amongst themselves: some great controversies now happen in Rome and in many other places under the fiery sign Leo, amongst persons both of mean and great account: many are now imprisoned: Scotland and Holland will now be more at peace than many other places; and pretty good unity is likely to be in their Councils; yet I fear some imperfection through some religious disputes (not very contentious) amongst some of different religions: dangerous distempers amongst Cattle great and small: some alteration of weather about the 12, or 13 day.  

When stars descent in heaven, on earth they sow,  
Contentious seeds in humane hearts below:  
That God by them our comforts would increase!  
Banish our woes, proclaim Celestial peace!    

Febuary's Observations  
MUch hatred, trouble, and discontent, remains in people's minds concerning some late difference, and one domineers over another especially in those Country's Cities and Places under the fiery sign Leo: Let us beware of The●veries, and breaking open of shops, and houses, and all private mischievous actions; I confess many benevolent Aspects happen this month, but all is not Gold that glisters: Magistrates are now angry with some religious Professors: Seamen now much perplexed with high winds and tossing weaves: Diseases of Melancholy now chief take possession of men's bodies at the beginning of this month, and diseases of Choler at the latter end: a probability of rain or snow, on, or about, the 9, 22, or 23 day.  

The smiling looks of wandering stars above,  
Incline our hearts the more to peace and love;  
But there's a seed that will arise I doubt  
And turn unstable love to falling out.    

March's Observations  
THe hearts of the Comonalty are none pretty much linked to Superiors, but I doubt the hearts of Superiors will not be so well linked to each other: The Comonalty of many places will be verl apt to be contentious amongst themselves that this is likely to be a month of remarkable debate and variances, not only in En. and France, but in man other Countries and places, that it is very improper to call this a month of peace; though I could wish it were established throughout all the Earth: The London Apprentices are now very Courageous and high spirited, and will be very apt to give affronts: this month or the next Magistrates will have inclinations to oppress some sort of Metres: many suffer by imprisonment, if not by Iron chains also; especially at London: danger of some robberies and theeveries. This month ends; or the next gins with come remarkable consultations: much sickness: much rain and wind, about the 23 day, and at the month's end.  

What hurly burly's this in heaven, that I,  
No less than Planets Five in Aries spy.  
Lucina changes in that high degree,  
Where Kingly Sol will still exalted be.    

April's Observations.  
GReat consultations, variances in Counsels: tumultuous contriversies in many places: much policy in men's brains, and great conrage in many hearts: Rulers or Magistrates some way displeased by some sort of religious Professors, whence ensue hot and angry disputes and sharp words: a little danger, of some disturbance in Ireland: some common persons promoted, or raised unto some higher degree, or pretty high offices, others dejected: Cattle (especially the smaller sort) now very subject to diseases and distempers: Close, secret, and very private stealing: people will now either be subject to madness or some kind of frantic fits: many suffer punishment by the French disease (ergo cavete & abstinete qui amatis valitudines) a sickly season: much rain during the first half of this month, or till the 20 day.  

When Sol and Luna both together move,  
And are conjoined in heavenly Orbs above,  
'Tis rare to see Five Planets of the Seven  
Parling and jarring in the midst of heaven.    

May's Observations  
THe thoughts of some late quarrel yet remain in many hearts, who being but subjects are now so high and lofty spirited and courageous, that they even scorn to be trodden by those of higher degree: I am afraid this will prove ahmonth of very great controversies in many places especially in Br— and ce places under Leo: all is not well in Ireland: let us beware of all close ●ontrivances and treacherous actions which are now much to feared: let Br— beware of fire and all evil events: very great contentions arise in bargaining and between men and their wives: very dangerous sicknesses, hard and very difficult to be cured now sceiz on the bodies of men, and it will strike hard ta the heart and head: much rain on or about the 16 day, and the 29 or 30.  

Next Month (I deem) will shows the reason why,  
Five Planets now consult in Gemini.  
They parley, and with great fury are possessed,  
And if some past debate's yet in the breast    

Iune's Observations.  
I Confess the two fortunes are now both in Cancer, which may well be supposed to be a good preservative to Scotland and Holland: but about the beginning, and latter end, great variances in many places may be feared: I doubt the latter end of this month, or some part of the next, will prove a season of some evil activity; that some Plot and treacherous disign may very secretly and politicly be carried on in the City of London, against the Rulers and Supreme Power of the Nation; let the places under Gemini and Leo chief beware of all evil events. Let none be offended at my good counsel; forewarned, half armed: many theeveries and robberies happen this month and dangerous sicknesses seize on the bodies of people: rain about the 12 or 13 day, and about the 26, or 27, day: a probabilty of thunder about the 8, and 23 day.  

Great secrets are in heavenly sheets enroled,  
And I the secrets of the heavens unfold;  
Those heavenly words of Starry letters made,  
I now Translate, that every one may read.    

july's Observations.  
MIschieveous intents possess the hearts of many: great envy reigns and rules with great subitlty, policy and secrey in the hearts of some pretended subjects, whose aims are to effect their evil designs, against the Powers and Rulers, which they ought to be submissive unto: very great variances amongst high and low: great wrath and fury, and great disturbances in many places, especially in those Countries, Cities, and Places, under the signs Gemini, Sagittarius, Leo, and Aquarius: Let London beware of some Plot: Holland and Scotland are some what disquieted. I do not positively conclude that this great wrath will produce wars or battles this month, though it may be feared yet I rather believe the matter is not yet ripe enough but however the ripening time is at hand, and the next year draws nigh, without doubt wars and great disturbances amongst many Nations are near: The great Eclipse of the Moon in February gins now manifestly to operate: The month is like to prove extreme sickly, abundance die: a probability of Rain on or about the 10 day, and the 23, and 24, and the likeliest days for thunder and lightning are the 7, 14, and 22 day, if not rain withal.  

When Kingly Sol to Saturn comes; the Moon  
Comes quickly to him too; but then to soon  
She hastens to the discontented Sun  
And from him with Saturnine light doth run    

August's Observations  
THe Comonalty now sigh for quiet times and mightily desire peace but at the latter end of the month (and I doubt in the next month also) very terrible actions and tumultuous controversies and great wrath (if not worse) are likely to be the sad events thereof, which I greatly fear will be carried on with very great subtlety and with close and secret conspiracies: what Plots and mischievous designs are now in our days in the hearts of men! it is no Joy to me that I cannot bring tidings of peace: great variances, divisions and distractions in some part of ●urky, in Bohemia, in Italy, especially at Rome, many quarrels in the Cities of Br— and O— many leagues and friendships broken: so that the latter end of this month, and I doubt the next month to, (chief in the places aforesaid) will prove time of much action and consultation, and great controversies amongst high and low: differences in Councils and amongst Superiors in Scotland and Holland: this month man great robberies: terrible strife betwixt men and their wives: dangerous sea voyage: an extreme sickly season, abundance die, I mean at the letter end of the month schiefly, and at the beginning of the next: likel hood of some thunder and lightning with rain about the 5, 6, or 7, day, also rain on, or about, the 21 day, and the 27, and 28 da.  

Tour Planets in the Lion fierce conspire:  
Why they'll associate in the western angle,  
The house of strife where Planets best can wrangle    

September's Observations  
I Cannot yet find the tokens of a peaceable season, but rather of great desunity and controversies amongst high and low this month (and I doubt the next to) and they are both likely to prove months of remark able actions and events, and turbulent do: this month there happens one Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, and another conjunction of the two unfortunate Planets Saturn and Mars, and therefore I cannot but believe that tumultuous controversies (if not worse effects) will attend many Nations, Cities, and places: I doubt the L— Apprentices will be resolute for some Martial activity this month or the next also it will not be amiss for London chief to be some what wary of fire this month or the next: we may expect abundance of rain, wind, and blustering weather this month, and it chief happens on or about 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, days so that we are like to have turbulent weather most part of this month.  

Just as bright Sol the spring of glorious light,  
Doth equalise and balance day and night.  
The three Superious in the heavens contend,  
And darts of fury to great powers do send.    

October's Observations.  
THis is the month wherein the two superior Planets Saturn and Jupiter make their first conjunction in the fiery sign Leo; that this is not like to prove a month of great variance and disunity but also we may expect henceforth Martial preparations in many Nations, and they will more certainly assure us of those earthly troubles, b● their two other Conjunctions, in next January and May, that I must needs conclude that the year 1683, and 1684, will make many men sensible of a great part of the sad effects of those three Conjunctions: a likelihood of rain or hail, on or about, the 8, 9, 10, 15, 28 day.  

This month the two Superiors are conjoined,  
And in the fiery Trigon are combined,  
Their meeting still great changes doth foreshow  
To happen in the Regious here below.    

November's Observations  
THis month is likely to be more peaceable than the former, but I doubt their will happen disunity and differences in Councils: the Commonalty are very apt now to deride some persons in Authority: Women with Child now very apt to receive hurt, therefore they ought to have the greater care to prevent miscarriages: high winds at Sea, and tossing waves obstructing the Seamen Cattle great and small pretty subject to distempers & sickness: Magistrates oppose Professors of Religion with very high words: dark, cloudy, if not rain, hail, or snow, on or about 2, the 10, 11, 24, 25, da●…  

False cow'rdly Saturn backward slinks from Jove,  
Jove spies him, and soon backward to doth move;  
He runs with Lion's strength; be seems not weary,  
He over takes his foe in January.    

December's Observations.  
THe hearts of most Professors are now full of zeal, and are apt to be disquiated by some inferior persons: Magistrates now apt to deride Professors for their ways and practices, and withal to use some kind of violence to disturb some sort of meetings this month or the next: many suffer imprisonment: many theeveries happen or losses: sea voages will be dangerous this month and the next: some shipwrecks and skirmages on the waters: the Planet Mars is now entered into Libra the opposite sign to Aries (the ascendent of England and France) and staes there in no less time than about seven months and a half; I wish this quarrelsome Planet cause not than: which is worse than common variences and disturbances in, or against England the next spring or summer France will be in the same danger: yet I do not conclude that Mars alone so posited is a sufficient ground for us to fear any such thing, but he will then be more to be feared than in any other years, because he will he assisted no less than with three conjuuctions of Saturn and Jupiter in the fiery sign Leo, after one of which alone usual follows Wars, in or amongst Nations and Kingdoms; let us consider then what great Wars and terrible bloodsheding are likely to follow Three: I fear sad times are near at hand, with divers great changes and alterations, though divers ignorant selfconseited persons may now be apt to deride me, but they may become a derision themselves when my Predictions are fulfilled: we may expect some change of weather on or about the 21, 22, 23, and 29th day.  

When Phoebus bright his downward course hath ended,  
And to the winter Trophick hath descended,  
Mars claims high rule, stands at the door of bliss,  
As if he would jov' real friend oppress,   
this month or the next.    
IT is known to myself, and some others, that most things that I Predicted in my last years monthly observations, have hitherto been fulfilled, and where I failed, there I hit very near, but bitter envy and doting ignorance have ever been apt to despise and trample upon the works of prudence and experience, though ever so ponderous and consideraete. However to all the real lovers of Celestial Sciences I benevolently commit my Annual and Monthly Observations for the year 1682.  
FINIS.