Indago Astrologica: OR, A brief and modest inquiry into some Principal Points OF ASTROLOGY,  
As it was delivered By the FATHERS of it, And is now generally received By the SONS of it.  
By Joshua Childrey of Feversham in Kent.  
LONDON: Printed for Edward Husband, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Golden Dragon in Fleetstreet, near the Inner-Temple Gate. 1652.   

The Preface.  
LEt the Reader first of all favour me so far, as to give me leave to deprecate his severe censure for my laying down that for a Foundation and Principle demonstrable, which to him seems to need proof as much as any thing else I shall say: For though in former times the motion of the Earth hath been exploded as absurd, and in this last Age by Noble Verulam himself (whose profound Philosophy I no less admire, than I do at their unworthy slighting of it, who proud of their own high soaring fantasies, contemn experiment as below them; and though they demolish the airy Castles of the Stagirite, do it, but to make their own more spectable) condemned as vain; yet it is by Galileo, Philolaus in his De Systemate Mundi, and other accurate Observers and Comparers of the phenomena of Heaven, so plainly demonstrated ad oculum, that it must now no longer pass for Opinio, but in the Language of the Schools under the Notion of Scientia. Neither can I attribute the error of the Ancients, and the Lord Verulam touching this point, to any thing so much as this, That they were not sufficiently versed in Astronomy: For the phenomena and reasons whereon this piece of truth hangs, are for the most part such, that besides those who are well acquainted with the theorics of the Planets (absit dicto invidia) few or none, either know, mark, or can understand them, as I might instance in Particulars: but that is no part of my task. For that which follows, the moderate Reader will find it to be Sphaera plumbea, though dully penned, yet of more weight than length: Had some Mercuries had so much News to have told the world, three or four choir of Paper would have been too straight a girdle for their Tympany; which disease is grown so much into fashion, that the smallness of my Book tells me, I must expect no other welcome for it into the world but Tush, and no other name but a Trifle.   

Indago Astrologica.  

Sect. 1.  
THe old Hypothesis of the World according to to Ptolomey is found to be false, and that new one of Copernicus (where the ☉ is the immovable Centre of the Universe, and the Earth moved in the said Orb which Ptolemy gave the ☉) is evinced to be the only true one.   

Sect. 2.  
Notwithstanding this eviction in behalf of Copernicus, the Aspects are by all Astronomers yet calculated according to the old system of Ptolemy, as if the Earth were the centre, which the motions of the Planets, and by consequence the Aspects did respect. So that though Astronomy be corrected, yet Astrology (which judges mostly by Aspects) remains yet uncorrected. Inasmuch as   

Sect. 3.  
The Aspects ought to be calculated (as the Schools speak) as they are, not quoad nos, but quoad naturam (A distinction that suits marvellously well with our present p●●pose, better a great deal then with their priority and notiority.) For  
If a Line drawn from the centre of the Earth through the centre of a Planet (this being supposed and granted that the Earth moves in an Orb above ♀) and so continued do intersect the zodiac (for examples sake) in the 22 degree of ♋; again, if a Line drawn from the centre of the ☉ through the centre of the same Planet, and continued do intersect the zodiac in the 29 degree of ♋; certainly the place of that Planet is rather to be accounted the 29 degree of ♋ than the 22, since this determines but his apparent place and quoad nos, that his true place and quoad naturam: And if so, than his point of ☍ will be not the 22 but 29 of ♍, his △ of ♓ and ♏ his □ of ♈ and ♎, and his ⚹ not the 22 but 29 of ♉ and ♍. And if so too,   

Sect. 5.  
We shall assume the boldness to begin the correction of the Arabian Astrology after this sort. 1. Let the motions of all the Planets and their places be calculated, as they relate to the ☉ (an easier and more expedible piece of arithmetic, then to relate them to the Earth.) And when this is done,   

Sect. 6.  
2. Let their Aspects be collected thence according to the common custom of our Ephemerides that are now in request: After which done, you will perceive this wide difference between this and the old Astrology.   

Sect. 7.  
First, In the 3 superior Planets ♄ ♃ and ♂, that which in the Ephemerides is now called ☌ ☉, will be found to be ☍ of the Earth (whose Character for brevity and distinctions sake may be this [●]) and their ☍ ☉ will be found to be ☌ ●, their ⚹ ☉ to be a △ ●, their △ ☉ a ⚹, and their □ ☉ and □ ●, dexter for sinister, and sinister for dexter.   

Sect. 8.  
Further, not only the species of the Aspect will be altered, but the time too: For only the ☌ ● and ☍ ● will exactly agree with the times of ☍ ☉ and ☌ ☉; The ⚹ and △ of ☉ will differ somewhat from the times of the △ and ⚹ of ●, and the □ ☉ will differ most from the time of □ ●.   

Sect. 9  
More than this, all their Aspects that they have each to other, will be found different from the old ones (now received) quoad tempus, non quoad speciem, proportionably to their distance from the seeming place of the ☉.   

Sect. 10.  
Secondly, The place of the ● in the Zodiaque will be found in the point opposite to the place of the ☉ in our now Ephemerides.   

Sect. 11.  
Thirdly, the ☽ only (seeing the Earth is the centre of her Orb, and to it therefore her motion and place must be referred) must keep her old place in the Zodiaque according to our Ephemerides, without any alteration at all. And yet this something improperly too, seeing the Zodiaque and her Orb have not a common centre: for the ☉ is the centre of the one, and the ● of the other.   

Sect. 12.  
Fourthly, for ♀ and ☿ the two Inferiors, their seeming ☌ ☉ in the middle of their direction will be found to be a real ☍ ●▪ and their ☌ ☉ in the middle of their Retrogradation a real ☌ ●, yet without any difference in the time.   

Sect. 13.  
More than this, they will be found to have a ⚹ □ and △ to the Earth, even as the three Superiors have, besides a □ △ and ☍ each to other, all which Aspects our Ephemerides would make them incapable of. Many other particular deductions and differences I might name; which because these will light you to the corner where they are, and I have circumscribed myself into a narrow room, I shall omit. So that hence it will plainly appear in all reason, That   

Sect. 14.  
This which we here propound to be calculated and collected, although hitherto it hath not (I may say through negligence) been put in practice, is the only true doctrine of Aspects, and the only sound foundation of Astrology.   

Sect. 15.  
I am the more inclined to believe this, that so much reason doth already dictate and confirm, when I consider the weakness and shifts of the old Astrology.   

Sect. 16.  
Weakness, in that all the Predictions (or at least 99 in a hundred) of the old Astrology, which notwithstanding is so cried up in this Age, deduced from the Ptolemaick Aspects, are so consciously doubtful, so obscurely delivered, and many of them so fallible, that it hath notoriously proved the scandal of Astrology, and possessed the grave and sober breasts of the world with a conceit, That Astrology is but a higher degree of Lieger de main, and Astrologers but liberal jugglers. Nay so purblind it is (I mean the old Astrology) that in the very matter of the weather itself, it is fain to confess itself unable to do any more than give a probable conjecture of it; and not without good cause, since it is oftentimes far enough from doing that too.   

Sect. 17.  
Shifts; in that, when it hath found the weather fall out different or contrary to the promises or threats of their Aspects (which is no wonder, for many times there is above a month's difference between the apparent and true Aspects; as for example, the ☌ ♄ ♀, which our almanacs this year all say happens about the latter end of May, really falls about the Tenth day of April, and was no doubt the cause of that cold, rainy weather that then happened; to say nothing of the □ ● ♄, that happened two or three days before, as they shall find who will take the pains to calculate this easier way) and not only the weather, but other accidents too; it hath been forced to introduce a number of whimsical Aspects (as Semisextiles, Tredeciles, Quintiles, Biquintiles, Octiles, Vigintiles, Quincunces, Quindreiles, Deciles, Semiquadrates, Sesquiquadrates, and the like) not so much to keep the other five old ones company, as to furnish it ready with a good and bad Aspect, that so it may make either (as occasion serves) the Father of fair or foul weather.   

Sect. 18.  
To the foregoing reasons we shall add another, although but a weaker, That the truth of this doctrine of Aspects is wonderfully confirmed by observation, which should have been more particular and exact, had not my profession so strictly engaged engaged me to a daily and conscientious attention upon it: For, having calculated the places of the Planets (Minerva aliquanto crassiore, I confess for want of time to altar my Tables) in relation to the ☉ as centre for some months past; I found the events all the way very audibly to answer my expectations, even at such time when they were dumb, or gainsaid the Aspects in the almanacs. Let him that lists, make trial to satisfy his mind by his own observation; and he will (I dare confidently warrant him) find that this is truth which I tell him, besides an additional recompense for his pains.   

Sect. 19  
If any one ask how it should come to pass that Haly, Guido, and many Astrologers both before and since, never lighted on this way. His answer must be, That they all received and were sincerely persuaded of the old System, and upon this persuasion sat down and sought no further; whereas this is a Consectary of the new. And   

Sect. 20.  
If he ask again how the Ancients thus erring both in the kind and time of the true Aspects, could come to know so well, not only the nature of the Planets, that some are benevolent, as ♃ and ♀; some malevolent, as ♄ and ♂; and some of a middle nature, as the other three, but also of the Aspects, that some are frowns, as □ and ☍; some smiles, as ⚹ and △, &c. His answer is ready for him, That it is most probable they came to this knowledge by those Aspects which they had each to other, when they were at or near ☌ or ☍ of the ☉, as also by their ☌ or ☍ to the ☉ himself; which Aspects (as I told you) differ, some very little, and some nothing at all in time from the true Aspects. As for example, it might so fortune that ♄ and ♀ might be in ☌, near about the time (that is, within a day or two) of ♄ his conjunction with the ☉, and at that conjunction they might observe cold, missing, rainy weather to happen. Hence they gathered, that ☌ ♄ ♀ (consideratis considerandis) was the cause of a cold mis●ing rain. And so in others, not that I think this uncertain guide (Blind on one eye, and purblind on the other) could lead them into a perfect and infallible knowledge of their influence; for I am persuaded, that in some matters they will be found very wide: And what those matters are, this that I here propose is the most likely way to discover.   

Sect. 21.  
This that I speak touching the places and Aspects of the Planets to be altered, I would have to be understood not only to be altered in almanacs for the weather's sake, but likewise in all figures, whether Horary, Revolutional, or Genethliaque, and all other Judgements whatsoever depending upon Aspect or Direction. For it is not to be doubted, but that it will at length appear, That the greatest part of that batch of essential and accidental Dignities and Debilities, as House, Exaltation, Triplicity, Term, Face, Detriment, Fall, Peregrinity, Reception, Conformity of Hain and Quarter, combustion, in centro ☉, and the like; together with part of Fortune, life and death, and the divisions severally of the Houses and Signs, deserve no other place but to be ranked among those Shifts which I spoke of before, being invented for the same end, as is probable enough.   

Sect. 22.  
And since I have been hitherto so to bold to correct that Astrology which hath been received by all Mathematicians till now: I shall venture a little further in the prosecution of it, seeing there are other things fit to be considered in Astrology which are not, because men generally hold Authority to be reason.   

Sect. 23.  
First then let the Aspects of those Planets whose Orbs are immediately contignate, be ranked in a degree of more powerful, because Vis unitior fortius agit: such are the Aspects of ♄ and ♃, ♃ and ♂, ♂ and ❍, ♂ and ☽, when she is opposite to the ☉, ● and ♀, ♀ and the ☽, when she is about the change; and ♀ and ☿. And as the Orbs of the configurated Planets are farther asunder or nearer together, so let their Aspects be accounted less or more forcible.   

Sect. 24.  
Secondly, Let the Aspects of the ☽ with the other Planets be little reckoned upon (unless in the cases abovenamed) since they move about divers centres, and their Aspects therefore are properly not Aspects, but seeming so: The most considerable thing in the motion of the ☽ is her age, or relation to the ☉.   

Sect. 25.  
Thirdly, Let no ginger henceforward disparage the fortune of his Native, because his Almuten is stationary or retrograde, nor flatter it any thing the more because he is direct; seeing these passions are not real, but (as they are fitly called) phenomena: But let him rather judge by the planet's Apogaeosis, Perigaeosis, Hypergaeosis, and Hypogaeosis his culmination, his rising and setting, his Northern or Southern Declination and Latitude, things not hitherto much regarded.   

Sect. 26.  
Fourthly, (but herein I give but my judgement) whereas our now-Astrology begins the year at the ☉ his entrance into ♈ on this side of the Equator, and erects its figure of Revolution for that time; it seems more congruous to begin it in December, when the ☉ enters ♍; and for this reason, because at that point of time the ☉ hath just finished his furthest Southern progress, and begins to come towards us again, from that time (to use the common Argument) instilling life by degrees into the Plants of the Earth by his approach; which, though it be most palpable in March, when he enters ♈, yet hath it a being and measure while he is in ♍, and though ♈ be the birth of vegetables, yet is ♍ their conception.   

Sect. 27.  
Fifthly, for the very same reason whereas Astrologers accommodate always their Scheme to the time of exclusion, and by that judge of the future lot of the Native; it would better agree with reason (Methinks) to apply it to the time of the conception (if it may be known) because that is most properly the first instant of being: for such is in many things our stupidity, that we think a thing is not, because we cannot see it be. And   

Sect. 28.  
Lastly, for the more full assurance and attaining to perfection in Judgement of the weather, I could wish that a course might be contrived (if it were possible) for observing the weather in some place under or near the Equator, and in the same Longitude with London, where there are the same noons, nights, mornings and evenings (such as are Axum, Mina or Biamba in Guinea, in 5 or 6 degrees of North Latitude) and that for half a year or more (places near the Equator I choose, because ob propinquitatem astrorum vim citius purius & evidentius sentiunt) while the like observations are made at London at the same time and for by the same space; that by the collation of these Observations (together with the Principles here delivered) that dark Riddle of Nature may be solved. And   

Sect. 29.  
Here, by being so near, I shall take occasion to presume little farther, and tell some Astrologers who account it their glory to have their hearers tremble at their Oracles, that they betray both their own credit, and (as in them lies) the truth of God's Word, by telling the world that this Eclipse past in March, and that other to come in 1654. are certain Signs of the day of Judgement: For (though it be true that Eclipses of the ☉ (as we call them) are more dreadful and effectual to us, than those of the ☽; for this reason, because the one sort are a privation of original Light, the of other a derivative only, yet) seeing that every year there happen sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes more, but never fewer Eclipses, visible in one Horizon or other, though our own be no witness of them; the World by their logic would have been by this time dissolved a hundred times over and over. And by this means too we can expect no less, than that credulous and cavilling heads, when they shall have survived that other Eclipse as well as this, and shall see the Universe in statu quo, notwithstanding these outrageous fantasies had turned all into ashes, will be apt enough to think, That sacred Prophecies are us empty Terrors, as those bold Sooth-saying; and, That doomsday is but a dream. A help which in these days we need least, since too many already have leapt into Hell without this staff. That the end shall be, is an Article of the Catholic Faith; but when it shall be (since the Ephemerides of Heaven speaks nothing of it; and not only the Stars of the Caelum Empiraeum know nothing of it, but the Son of Righteousness himself confesses as much for them and himself too) is more than curiosity to ask, more than madness to determine, and more than folly to believe.   

Sect. 30.  
Astrologers in general take it upon trust from the Ancients, that Eclipses operate not presently, but after a time, and content themselves with their Authority: But the thing is so adverse to reason, that it might justly be suspected to have been brought into Astrology upon the same score, and for the same reason that those other ceits were mentioned before in the 17 and 21 Sections. Indeed (let me not wrong any man) some of the Science are doubtful, that this Maxim is not so sound as ancient.   

Sect. 31.  
Many particular things I have omitted, which might have pertinently been summoned in, but dismissed they are, because (being consequents of that which hath been generally laid down) they are hard at hand, and will quickly hear whensoever discourse shall call to them to answer: And prolixity is vain, but then most of all, when it is not certain that the thing itself simply is accepted.  
FINIS.