An ephemeris for the year 1654, being the second after leap-year by Nich. Culpeper.

A general Iudgment of the Year 1654.

[illustration]

'TIs confes∣sed, the figure of this Revolution is generally ill, yet worse by far it would be, were not Iupiter & Ve∣nus better dig∣nified then the rest of the Pla∣nets, and ther∣fore are doser∣vedly to be accounted the Lords of the year. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a temperate ayr, and North winds, yet sud 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are very temperate, by which both living 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and seeds are strenthened and preserved. 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

although she be much impedited by her neerness to Mars, yet we may conceive some hopes that she will something moisten his heat and dryness, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may not want water in that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which it hath done the two former years: this hope may have a further ground, from Iupiter, being in a watry sign; and from the Pleiades, being stars of a tempe∣stuous watring quality, so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the cusp of the As∣cendant; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from Venus her 〈◊〉〈◊〉, being a moist and Sea Star, placed upon the very cusp of the As∣cendant.

But let us see a little particularly what the signifi∣cations of the Planets are, as they are constituted in this Scheam; and let none be angry if I begin with the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, I my self being a Commoner.

The Significators of the Commonalty are twosold, general and particular; generally the Moon signifies the Commonalty, particularly the Ascendant and its Lord: If you look to their particular Significatrix, which is Venus, you shall find her very strong angu∣lar, and in her own house occidental, but slow in motion, neer Retrogradation, very neer the body of Mars; and the Ascendant it self is something 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ted by the Pleiades in it: Truly if I would write what I think to be truth, I cannot but guess a safe, though troublesom condition to the Commonalty; it is a year wherein they will much stand upon their priviledges, by doing which they will incur much displeasure, many troubles and many adversaries: I desire my Brethren of the Commonalty that they would make no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this year, they will exceed∣ingly be subject so to do, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet experience tells

them, that tumults are usually bitterness at the latter end to them that make 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

I am straitened for want of paper exceedingly; I must speak a word or two of the Moon, who is the general Significatrix of the people, and therefore the more to be heeded.

If the Moon be weak and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as she is here, and apply to an infortune, and that infortune be fix∣ed, as here she doth, she signifies an evil state to the people, and detriment in their businesses, want 〈◊〉〈◊〉 food, but little gain, many infirmities in their bodies, and no fewer hinderances in their occasions: indeed I am afraid their rash attempts will go near to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many of them in prison this year, and then they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be very stayed men; if they suffer for well doing they will have the more comfort. If that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to which the ☽ applies be Lord of the eighth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the ☽, as here he is, it signifies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mortality amongst the people; and if it be Mars, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is now, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall come of heat, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of blood, although ♀, who properly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diseases incident to the year, seem to speak otherwise.

As for Kings and Magistrates, Sol their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is in the twelfth house, which is the house of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enemies, calamity and imprisonment; let them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to themselves in time, und tell them I gave 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warning of it. If the Sun be weak, and in an evil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at his entrance into ♈, the power and state of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Magistrates will decrease, and they will do many and evil mischiefs to the people under them; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men wil be regarded never the more for their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nor noble men for their Nobility, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉

common people will rise up against their Lords and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thus saith Haly, let them verifie the truth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. I confess here are few receptions to mitigate these evils, here is none at all to help Kings and Ma∣gistrates, there is one which may give some succor to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Commonalty, which is between the ☽ and ♂; happily the Souldier may take part with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, if they do, I cannot help 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Let us now come to a particular scanning of the rest of the Planets, and so conclude. Saturn in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house infortunate, as here he is, tumbles down Kings and Magistrates from the top of hope to the bottom of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; he consumes the fruits of the Earth by blasting and mildew; he sows Darnel a∣mongst the Corn, and makes the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coally; he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away the lives of many children, and makes such as do live stubborn.

If ♃ be in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house fortunate, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he is, the Nations of that climate shall get profit by their enemies, and much gain, freedom and propriety, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and imprisonment; Kings and Magistrates 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have time enough to think on what is past, and occasion enough to repent of their op∣pressions at leasure.

Before I proceed any further, take notice of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 general rule which is to be observed in all annual Iudgments, none excepted.

• 1. The estate of the common people is always to be enquired after from the Moon.
• 2. The estate of Kings, Princes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Noble men, from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 3. The estate of Scribes, Merchants, education of

• children, and such as study Arts and Sciences, from ☿.
• 4. The estate of Iudges, Priests and Lawyers, from ♃
• 5. The estate of all Souldiers, and such as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kings and Kingdoms, Magistrates and Nations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 danger, is to be enquired after from Mars.
• 6. The estate of old men, Husbandmen, and such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 till the Earth, is to be enquired after from Saturn.
• 7. As for all womens matters, and such as belong to delights, joy and feasting, we must have an eye to ♀.

If then Priests and Lawyers be signified by Iupiter, you shall find Iupiter just reformed, and coming out of prison; mock not, you may happen to sind the Iudg∣ment true enough.

Mars in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifies much fear and dam∣age to the Nation by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their Enemies; but truly my own opinion is, the fear will be more then the harm, Mars is so near Venus: 〈◊〉〈◊〉, much con∣tention and quarrelling will be amongst men, but the best is, as good words will butter no parsnips, so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 words will not break a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 head.

Venus in the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 health to mens bo∣dies, and joy to their minds: but seeing Venus is so neu Retrogradation, falling retrograte before she touches the degree ascending, I suppose she may well be taken to be in the twelfth House, which if so, she signifies almost all the evil to women that can be imagined; many whoredoms, contentions and quarrellings, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of liberty and good name, besides other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for loving the under-sheet better then the distaff.

Mercury in the Twelfth signifies much quarrelling between men and their children, and their servants.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Moon in the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, the Nations 〈◊〉〈◊〉

that sign in which she is (of which England is one) shall be continually brawling and quarrelling, nothing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 falling out one with another, as though that were the only way left to thrive.

Sol in the Twelfth 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that the Kings and Ma∣gistrates of that Climate, of which England is one, shall be exceedingly hated by the people, because they do them much evil, and lay such grievous Taxes upon them.

Lastly, Consider, that so many Planets being in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the Lords both of the Sixth and Eighth there, as also the Lady of the Fourth, many 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 like to be committed this year: It will be very dif∣ficult to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out the causes of diseases which happen in this Revolution; only my hope is, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sun in the Twelfth will bring to light such as deal either in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or invocation of evil Spirits.

〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Number	2	☉ in ♈ March 9. 19. 21 p. m.
Cycle of the Sun	11	☉ in ♋ Iune 10. 22. 30. p. m.
Dominical Letter	〈◊〉〈◊〉	☉ in ♎ Sept 12. 13. 14. p. m.
〈◊〉〈◊〉	22	☉ in ♑ Decem. 11. 1. 0. p. m.

An Explanation of the three 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tables.

The use of the Tables is very easie; For when you know the day of the Month under the Month, over against the day you find the age of the Moon, which being sound, look it in the Residue of the Tyde Table on the top, and underneath it over against the place you have the hour and minute when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is full Sea. For example: The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 day of Ianuary the Moon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 23 days old, which if you search in the Residue of the Tyde Table, you shall find that the Moon when she is 8 days old, and when she is 23, maketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sea at London, 24 min. past 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the clock; and this she doth always, if neither Winds nor Land Floods, &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for take notice, that it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so exactly to shew the time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 high water in Rivers of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 indrouth, as one may in Sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉.