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AS in Architecture we do take inspection if the ground upon which we are to build be firm enough to bear up the weight of the house, before we do provide materials, and go to work with the build∣ing: even so in this Discourse, we will first take a view of the Fundamentals, and therein dis∣cover the sandy Foundations upon which the vulgar frame of an Almanack is totteringly e∣rected. Secondly, we will make
choice of better Principles for a surer ground-work of weather-knowledg. And Thirdly, pro∣ceed to the rearing up a more trusty fabrick of Starry learn∣ing, to foreknow the Seasons and their Meteors, by the signs which God hath set in the fir∣mament for that purpose.
For the first of these, viz. the mistakes of our common Astro∣loger, whereof the principal reasons be,
First, Because of many things which our paper-Astrologers are ignorant of, which must of ne∣cessity be known, before the knowledg of Influences can be attained. A great sort of usurp∣ers of this profession; ignorant of Philosophy and Nature, and void of well-grounded experi∣ence, and if they have made ob∣servations upon the influences, they are not able to try their ex∣perience by the touch-stone of
true natural knowledg, in which they are meer strangers, and so no wonder they go wrong. This defect I shall endeavour in the second Chapter of this Treatise to supply.
Secondly, There be other things which they do meet with in the books of the Ancients, which be pure Riddles, as dark as night, which our Astrologasters look upon as literal truths of clear light, and set them down for fundamentals of their skill; as for Example, The erecting of a Figure of the twelve Houses to the obtaining of the fore-know∣ledg of the Weather.
And here, Reader, I will re∣veal one secret unto thee, which in the books of Astrologers thou shalt rarely find, That the erect∣ing of a Figure, is a mistie cloud overcasting the light of starry Literature, and a black masque over Ʋrania's bright face, debar∣ring
thy eyes from seing her true beauties, and from reading the proper meaning of the Stars not only in this, but also in all o∣ther parts of genuine Astrology. It is true, that learned Astrolo∣gers can play the hocus in blind∣ing your eyes with their judg∣ment upon the Figure, whereas they do secretly ponder the es∣sential dignities of the Planets, but to others they speak by a figure, as Rhetoricians do, wrest∣ing the meaning of the Houses, which are only accidental, ac∣cording to their secret knowledg of the essential figure, which is known but to a few. And when at any time an accidental figure speaks truth, it is because some∣times the rules of it are coinci∣dent (as a blindman sometimes, though seldom, hits the mark) with the rules of pure Astrolo∣gy. But in particular for judg∣ment upon the weather, the ab∣surdity
of a figure may clearly be evinced by these arguments. 1. A figure is either for the birth of a body at a certain time en∣tring this worlds theatre, as in∣fants newly coming from the womb, whom the constellations which at that time do arise, make an impression upon, and in some manner do stamp with their essential figure and seal; but the birth of a year, or a quarter of a year, for which they do set up a Figure in Mar••h, or June, &c. is the birth of neither body, spirit, nor substance.
Or a Figure respecteth some actions of mortal and transitory bodies here below, which do sympathize with the motions of their proper and significant Pla∣nets above: and do admit of a direction to the time when these things shall come to pass, it may be, many years after the figure is calculated, as the Doctrine of
Nativities can tell. But there is no such thing in prognosticating the season: for suppose in the Spring quarter, at the ingress of the Sun into the sign of Aries the Lord of the figure be an hot fiery Planet (as Mars or the Sun) and so do portend a warm Spring; yet if the Quadrats, or Oppositions of the two cold Pla∣nets Saturn and Venus do after∣terwards occur in that Spring, it will prove quite contrary to the Figure, that is, it will be a most cold and sharp season.
2. The Houses of a Figure, are for Parents, Brethren, Marriages, Children, Friends, Enemies, Servants, Trades, Pro∣fessions, Wealth, Journeys, &c. I hope you will grant me, that the knowledg of the weather calleth for no such matters.
3. Let there be a Figure cal∣culated for Paris of France, which may fore-token great
rains and storms: at the same time let another Figure be fitted for the north part of Scotland, which sometimes doth appear, which may signifie great droughts; yet aged experience, and clear reason will contradict those Figures: for the Scotch season will prove rainy; but the French aire will be much more dry: and if the year be dry in Scotland, it will not be wet in France.
The third ground of mistakes is, that the yearly Prognostica∣tors do misapprehend the very first Principles of the Art: as instance, they hold that Jupiter raiseth North-winds; when ob∣servation guarded with reason doth tell us, he is altogether for South-winds. And they do charg Saturn and Mars in their Con∣junctions or Opposition with tempestuous storms; whereas I have seen a most clear and calm
air occasioned by their aspect: and they do give out Mercury for a stirrer up of mighty winds. It is not my purpose to fill the paper with their erroneous te∣nets; I am for truths, which, God willing, shall adorn these sheets.
FOr the due consideration of Meteor-Astrology (which is the skill of foretelling by the Stars, hot and cold, clear and dark, calm and stormy, dry and moist, thundring, snowy, rainy times of the year, &c.) we must take notice of these twelve Hy∣potheses, upon which as so many magnificent pillars, we do set this stately Edifice of Starry knowledg. Namely, 1. the Na∣tures
of the Planets. 2. Of the Signs. 3. The dignities of the Planets. 4. The observation of the Aspects. 5. The mixtures of the Planets. 6. The renewing of the Aspects. 7. The transits of the Planets. 8. The Sign which sympathizeth with the Country. 9 General causes and influences. 10. The Nature of eminent fix∣ed Stars. 11. The Season of the year. 12. The Latitude and Scituation of the Countrey.
Now to these in order:
And first for
Which are in number seven; viz.
♂ Mars
As for Saturn, his influence properly stirreth up colds and droughts, except in the first fif∣teen
degrees of Capricorn, his own sign and house, which is opposite to the watery sign Can∣cer (but accidentally many o∣ther ways) he excites abundance of moisture.
Jupiter is moderately humid and warm, and is a very windy Planet, chiefly in aery Signs. He sheweth himself most waterish in the Signs of Pisces and Cancer, and chiefly in his Conjunctions with Saturn, not only in them two waterish Signs, but also in the fiery Sign of Sagittary.
Mars is accounted hot and dry. Hot he is certainly, and may be dry in dry Signs; yet he many times in watry Signs, and in aspects of moist Planets; and when he thunders somtimes also with dry Planets, he can drop and weep as readily as any other Planet: when he raiseth up thunders, he is many times attended with impetuous and
violent showers. As also in the aspects of Venus in summer he rains, and in winter he snows.
The Sun is hot, as every one knows, and temperately dry.
Venus is cold and moist, and gives both hail and snow in Winter, and sometimes in other quarters of the year. And in Summer can rain apace.
Mercury is a little windy, and strengthens every other Planet in their proper significations.
The Moon is a little moist; but mostly reneweth the influences of the aspects, by her manifold applications to the other Pla∣nets; for she gives all and every one of them several visits every moneth.
The main business of the weather lieth most upon the In∣fluences of Saturn and Jupiter; they are not only great Planets, but when the one looketh upon the other, they make a forcible
alteration in the air: and al∣though they do seldom meet one with another, nevertheless other Planets passing between them, do translate and carry the nature of the one to the o∣ther, which is succedaneous, and almost equivalent to the great and proper aspectings of those two mighty Planets.
Be careful to observe this one thing: that Mercury, Mars and the Sun do in some manner en∣force the other Planets to give an accompt of their natures and influences; Mercury after a mo∣derate way, but Mars more strongly; and the Sun is the most active of all the three. As for example, when the moist planet Venus is in Conjunction with Mercury, suppose in the begin∣ing of the sign Gemini (Mercury making Venus appear in her own nature) we have showers and sun-shine interchangeably:
But when Mars is united to Ve∣nus, we have more continued snows or rains; but most of all it powreth down rivers, when the Sun & Venus do meet together. These three Planets, not unlike unto Chymists, do distill and ex∣tract the natures of the other Planets.
Now to draw to a close of this point, you must understand, that the seven Planets which are vi∣sible in the Skies, have their se∣cret correspondents throughout the whole body of the Universe; that is, there be seven Planets occultly in the air, and there be also hidden Stars and Planets in the bowels of the earth. There is a visible Saturn, and a visible Jupiter in the Firmament; there is an hidden Sarurn, and an hid∣den Jupiter, and hidden Stars also within the obscurities of the earth. The matter is thus then; the Planets above do move their
brother-Planets below of this inferior globe of earth and wa∣ter, to move and keep harmony with them; so Saturn below sympathiseth with Saturn above, in sending forth cold exhalati∣ous: for it is the earthly Saturn moved by the celestial Saturn, that bringeth forth the colds out of the bowels of the earth.
Which are Aries, or the sign of the Ram; Taurus, or the sign of the Bull; Gemini, or the sign of the Twins; Cancer, or the sign of the Crab; Leo, or the sign of the Lion; Virgo, or the sign of the Virgin; Libra, or the sign of the Ballance; Scorpio, or the sign of the Scorpion; Sagittarius, or the sign of the Archer; Capricor∣nus, or the sign of the Goat; A∣quarius, or the Sign of the Skink∣er;
Pisces, or the sign of the Fi∣shes. Their Characters be these,
These twelve Constellations are set about the Firmament like a girdle; through which the Sun maketh his way every year; and since the Creation of the world it is the only road in the starry frame which all the Planets do move in.
The Sun enters the Ram in March, and makes his progress through the Bull in April; and he perambulates the Twins in May, and so in order bestoweth a whole months time upon eve∣ry Sign; journeying from one to another, he goeth round thorow all the Signs, until he come to the Ram again, and thence begin his travels for the next year. If you would know the Sign where a Planet hath taken up his quar∣ters any time, you must procure the book of the motions of the
Planets for that year, common∣ly called Ephemerides.
The twelve Signs are divided into four sorts; for some be earthy, others watery, a third sort aery, and the fourth sort is fiery.
There be three of each sort: the earthy, which are so named, because like the earth they are cold and dry; namely, the Bull, the Virgin, the Goat: the watery are apt for rainy aspects, being cold and moist; and they are the Crab, the Scorpion and the Fishes. If any great Eclipse of the Sun or great Conjunction or Aspect of ♄ and ♃ do happen in them, we have store of rains. The three aery are the Twins, the Ballance, and the Skinker, which are tem∣perately warm and moist, and hugely windy, and chiefly for Westerly winds.
Jupiter in the Skinker opposed by Saturn in the Lion, did raise
mighty South-west winds. So Jupiter lately in the Twins, being in a trine-Aspect of Saturn in the Skinker, did bring us mighty winds from the South-West. The three fiery signs, which be most apt to thunder, are the Ram, the Lion, the Archer, moderately dry, but sensibly hot; they stir up heats, and so make the Pla∣nets very active, while they re∣side in them. When Saturn with∣out mixture of other Planets is in them, we have excessive droughts. So then, to judg upon the Signs: Observe when a Pla∣net is in an earthy Sign, he was lately dried up by perambula∣ting a fiery Sign, and after that immediately having made his progress in an earthy Sign, he is quite bound up from moi∣sture. So the Sun in the Bull is dry, and Jupiter having but a temperate moisture of himself, becometh sapless in an earthy
Sign; and Saturn in them is dry and cold, except in the first 15 degrees of Capricorn he is moist. Then if there be an Aspect with Jupiter in an earthy Sign, the season is at least dry. In like manner, when a Planet hath been somewhat moistned in an airy Sign, and after that ha∣ving made a pretty progress in a watery Sign, he is pretty well sap'd. So Jupiter in the watery Signs or Triplicity occasioneth a wet time.
When a Planet is in the be∣ginning of one Sign, and in the end of another, he is indifferent to either of them two Signs: but when he is in the middle of any Sign, he is then well ac∣quainted with the nature of that Sign. Mars in the midle of Leo, is hot; but in the midle of Can∣cer he is moist, and a little aba∣ted of his heat; but in the end of Leo, and the beginning of Virgo
he is neither much heightned, nor much abated in his heat; yet he is purely dry: for both the Lion and the Virgin are dry Signs. So Venus in the begin∣ning of the Ram, differeth not much from Venus in the end of the Fishes; and Venus in the end of the Ram is almost of the same temper with Venus in the begin∣ning of the Bull.
Other parts of Astrology do ad∣mit of 5 dignities of the Planets, viz. House, Exaltation, Triplicity, Tearm, and Face: the Planets are strongest in their Houses, next to that in their Exaltations, where there be some fixed Stars directly of the Planets nature; next to them they are strongest in their Triplicities; they have
some strength also in their Terms, but least of all in their Faces. But Astrology, as it respecteth the weather, hath only reference to three of them; namely, House, Exaltation, and Triplicity. The Houses of Saturn are the Goat, and the Skinker; his Exaltation is in the Balance; his Triplicity, ac∣cording to some, is the three airy Signs; these indeed have relation to Saturn of the Skinker, and in them Saturn is windy: but the earthy Saturn of the Goat, hath his Triplicity in the earthy signs, in all which he is cold; and in the Bull and the Virgin (if by mixtures of other Planets he be not accidentally changed) he is dry.
The Houses of Jupiter are the Archer, and the Fishes; his Exal∣tation the Crab; and his Tripli∣city the three fiery Signs: and I say for wind, in the three aery Signs.
The Houses of Mars are the Ram and the Scorpion; his Ex∣altation they say is in the Goat. But the Triplicity of Mars in the Scorpion is the three watery Signs; and the Triplicity of Mars in the Ram, is the three fie∣ry signs.
The House of the Sun, is the Lion, his Exaltation is in the Ram; his Triplicity in the three fiery signs.
The Houses of Venus are the Bull and the Balance, her Exal∣tation is in the Fishes: they say her Triplicity is in the three earthy signs; but I think her as powerful in the watery signs.
The Houses of Mercury are the Twins and the Virgin; his Exaltation in the Virgin; his Triplicity, because he is a little windy, in the airy signs.
The House of the Moon is the Crab, her exaltation the Bull, her triplicity the three earthy.
Now for judging according to the dignities. Though the Goal be a dry sign, yet when Saturn is there, it raineth much in the first fifteen degrees of it. The Bull is a dry sign, yet Venus joyn∣ed with the Sun, is not a little rainy; she is there in her own house. The Archer is a dry sign, and the house of Jupiter; yet when Jupiter entertaineth Sa∣turn there, he is pretty moist.
Jupiter in the Fishes his own House, and in the Grab his Ex∣altation, playeth Rex for rains. In aery signs he is windy, in fie∣ry signs he is hot, in earthy signs he is very dry. Mars in the Ram his own house, in a Trigon, or Trine of the Sun in the Lion, is very hot, and so in the firy triplicity, though in the watery triplicity he is for rains.
As when one Planet doth be∣hold another Planet at a certain distance, which according to the rules of the worlds harmony, do affect the spirit of the world, and particularly of the earth, water and aire; as musick hath an in∣fluence upon the minds of men.
The principal and most pow∣erful Aspects are a Conjunction, Opposition, Quadrat, Trine, Sextile. The Circle of the Zodi∣ack, in which the Planets move round the Firmament, being divided into 360 degrees; when two or three Planets are in one and the same degree of the Zo∣diack, they are said to be in a Conjunction; as Jupiter and Sa∣turn in the 25 degree of Pisces, both at once in the year 1644, were there in a Conjunction.
When one Planet is directly distant from another the half of the Firmament, that is, the half of the Circle, viz. 180 degrees, they be them in an Op∣position, as Saturn in the sixth degree of the Lion. When Jupiter is in the sixth degree of the Skinker (remember that every sign containeth just 30 degrees) at the distance of 180 degrees from the sixth degree of the Li∣on, Saturn and Jupiter are then opposite. When one Planet is distant from another 90 degrees, as Mars in the first degree of the Ram, when Jupiter is in the first degree of the Crab, they are said then to be in a Square, or Qua∣drat aspect. So when one Pla∣net is distant from another the space of 120 degrees, as Sa∣turn in the fifth degree of the Crab, when Jupiter is in the fifth degree of the Scorpion; they be then in a Trigon or a Trine A∣spect.
And when one Planet is removed from another the di∣stance of 60. degrees; as when the Sun is in the twentieth de∣gree of the Balance, and Jupiter in the twentieth of the Archer, they be then in a Sextile. So an Opposition taketh up the half, a Trine the third part, a Square the fourth part, a Sextile the sixth part of the whole Circle: the which Aspects are profoundly demonstrated by the famous Kepler in his Harmonice Mundi, to the which he addeth some new Aspects upon the same grounds, as a Semisextile of 30 deg. a Quintile of 72 deg. a Decile of 36, a Semiquadrat of 45. deg. The Characters of the Aspects are,
Quincunx is of 150 d. distance Vc.
To pass your judgment upon the weather, have a regard to the strength of the Aspects: for one Aspect is more powerful than another, and one and the same Aspect is more potent at one time than another. Fir•• therefore a Conjunction is the most powerful of all others, nex•• to it is the Opposition, then th•• Quadrat, then the Trine, then the Sextile, then the Quincunx, then the Semisextile.
The Conjunction of Saturn and Mars, if the mixture of othe•• planets hinder nor, is clear and frosty, so is the Conjunction o•• the Sun and Saturn; but of Mer∣cury and Saturn a little cold, louring and misty; that of Saturn and Vinus snow and hail in win∣ter.
The Conjunction of Jupiter and the Sun, if the Sun come from the Aspect of Saturn, and if Mercury hath seen Jupiter a little before
is warm and windy; but if they be tinged and mixed with Mars, chiefly in fiery signs is thund••••••∣ing. The Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, is warm and thunder∣ing, if they be not hindered with cold mixtures, for then they be a little showry, without the noise of Thunder; yet these showers are like unto thunder∣dashes. The Conjunction of Iu∣piter and Venus, if they be not impedited with strong mixtures of other Planets, is clear and pleasant. Otherways if Jupiter be strongly mixed with Mars or the Sun, some rains do follow; but if Jupiter be strongly mix∣ed with Saturn, it is cold and a little moist. Conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury is misty. Conjunction of Mars and the Sun, if they be not dulled with cold mixtures, or in earthy, signs, is thundering, In dry signs, there may be lightning
without thunder. Mars and Venus is showry or snowy, ac∣cording to the season. Mars and Mercury warm and misty, if there be any wet mixtures. The Sun and Venus is showry, or snowy. The Sun and Mercury clear and fair, if strong watery mixtures do not intervene. What is here said of Conjunctions, the same, though not in so high a degree, may be said of the other Aspects. Venus and Mercury, is sometimes shining, sometimes showring.
Secondly, The Aspects which do more seldom come to pass, do make a deeper impression upon the earths interior Lamp, than those which are obvious every moneth, quarter, or year. So the Conjunction of Mars and the Sun, which falleth out but once every two years, is much more valid than that of the Sun and Mercury, which cometh to
pass several times in one year: or of the Sun and the Moon once in a moneth. Thus an Eclipse of the Sun is of more force than an Eclipse of the Moon; and either of the Eclipses, is more effectu∣al than other Conjunctions or Op∣positions of the Sun and Moon be. The Conjunction or Opposition of Jupiter and Saturn, is more than the Conjunction of the Sun and Saturn; because it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth occur; although the Sun be a great Planet, yet beca••se, once every year he accosteth Sa∣turn, whereas Jupiter comes to him but once in fifteen years or more, and therefore the Con∣junction of Jupiter and Saturn is called the great Conjunction, which is ever cold; and chiefly; if, it be mixed with Venus, is snowy or rainy.
Thirdly, The Aspects of the
greater Planets be of greater ef∣ficacy than those of the lesser Planets; so the Conjunction of the Sun and Saturn, and of the Sun & Jupiter, is more effectual than the Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury, or the Sun and Ve∣nus, or the Sun and the Moon.
Fourthly, A potent mixture gives potent Aspects, as the Con∣junction of the Sun and Mercury is warm; but if both of them have lately been in a forcible A∣spect of Mars, and so are mixed with his nature, they do thun∣der.
Fifthly, The Aspects in lofty or firy signs, are strong Aspects. So a Sextile of the Sun in Sagit∣tary or the Archer, and Saturn in the Balance, or the Skinker, is stronger than a Trine of Sa∣turn and the Sun in the Bull and the Virgin, two earthy Signs, although a Trine in it self be
a greater Aspect than a Sextile.
Sixthly, The Aspects of the Planets in their Houses, are mighty, yea and in their exalta∣tions also: as a Trine of Mars in the Ram, and of the Sun in the Lion, is hot and thundering.
Lastly, When there is no A∣spect, or when the Aspects be weak, the season is quiet. If forcible Aspects in dry Signs rain not, yet the air may be lowring and cloudy.
That is to say, a Planet not only acteth according to his own nature, when he is in an Aspect; but also carries along with him the nature of the Planet which did behold ••im in the Aspect: which adven∣titious
nature got by the Aspect, is called a mixture: as for Ex∣ample, the Sun a hot Planet, in the Sign of the Ram, his exalta∣tion, a fiery hot sign, lately be∣ing in Conjunction of Jupiter, a warm Planet, in the sign of the Fishes, becometh very hot and active coming to a Quadrat, (which is a strong Aspect of Sa∣turn, a cold and dry Planet) yet being moist in the first fifteen degrees of the Goat, as also lately joined with Venus, a cold and moist Planet, the Sun potently stirreth up the nature of Saturn, which is tinged or mixed with the moisture of Vinus, and oc∣casioneth a cold and moist sea∣son: nevertheless after the cold is over-past, Saturn retaineth a little warm tincture of the Sun.
By these mixtures or tinctures also, I have observed Jupiter lightly tinged with Saturn, but lately united to the Sun, in the
sign of the Lion: so Jupiter be∣coming active through the mixture of the Sun, coming to the Conjunction of Venus, who was lately aspected of Saturn, did procure abundance of ruins; whereas our common Prognosti∣cators would have predicted a fair season, because of the Con∣junction of Jupiter and Venus, which doth many times make a clear sky, if mixtures do not contradict it.
Though Mercury, Mars, and the Sun do stir up cold Planets to shed forth their natures, and Jupiter, fortified by hot mixtures doth the same; yet if any of them be over-heated, they do then burn away the influences of the cold Planets, and do on∣ly exercise the hot influence. So Jupiter in the cold winter, be∣ing twice immediately warmed with the Sun, and once by Mars, free from the intervening of all
cold aspects, is hotter than ei∣ther the Sun or Mars are in themselves: for at that time, Jupiter being opposed to Venus, who was lately in Quadrat or Square with Saturn, after a little cold beginning, because of the nature of Venus, and mixture of Saturn, did at length thaw the ice, and banish the cold.
After the like manner there is a cold mixture of an high de∣gree: for I have observed Mars damped with some cold Aspects, without intermission, when he came to the Aspect of Jove, a warm Planet, (the vulgar Astro∣loger would then have fore told a hot and thundering time) did then emit a cold influence.
Mars also in the cold winter, in an aspect of cold Saturn, yet Mars being heated by the Sun, who was lately warmed with Jupiter, and Saturn also sepa∣rating from a good Aspect of the
Sun, lately fortified by the fire of Mars; this Aspect, even in the winter-season, did redouble the great Ordnance of thunder and lightning.
When a Planet is but lightly, or singly tinged, and immediatly applieth to another Planet, he first manifesteth the adventiti∣ous mixture; and when that is past, he acteth according to his own nature: as the Sun coming from the Trine of Saturn, and so a little colded, and going to the Trine of Jupiter, separating from the Trine of Venus; at first meet∣ing, chiefly in the watery or aery Triplicity, they are a little cold, moist and windy; but after that is gone, they are warm.
If a Planet be tempered with two contrary mixtures, the last is first manifested, then the first mixture doth appear.
Though the Moon it self be but weak; yet when it passeth be∣tween two other Planets, that are coming to a strong Aspect, it maketh their influence operate before their proper time of a∣specting, which may be called the anticipation of the Aspect. Or when two Planets do break up their Aspect, and so separate the one from the other, the Moon coming between them, doth re∣new the bargain of the Aspect, and worketh the influence over again, which may be called the Renovation of the Aspect. And I advise thee to peruse all the Moons Aspects every day to this purpose.
An example of anticipation is, when the Sun strongly applieth himself to Mars, for the letting off the great guns of the clouds according to the course of na∣ture. The Moon then coming from the Conjunction or strong Aspect of the Sun, she ushers the way to the Sun, and gives Mars the first salutation; and anon it thundereth, before the Sun come to act his part: or if the Moon apply from the Opposition of Mars, to the immediate Oppo∣sition of the Sun, the same effect doth follow.
An Example of Renovation: At the time when Jupiter and Ve∣nus in the Lion did give a drop∣ping season, the Moon was then in Cancer, in her own house, in a watery sign, and shortly after presented her self to Jupiter, Venus, the Sun and Saturn, one after another, renewing the business by her progress among
the Planets; and all that while for the most part, it rained a∣pace: which work of the Moon is not vulgarly taken notice of; the neglect of which, I doubt, hath brought forth one, if not more false principles in Astrolo∣gy. Yea, and as Physitians do observe her influence upon the sick of the fever, when she com∣eth to the Quadrat of her own place, she worketh then also: even so it is in the weather, if she be not impedited.
That is, when either of the two Planets, that did aspect one another, comes first to that point of the Zodiack where the other Planet was, whom he did
aspect in Sextile, or Trine, or Qua∣drat; or when he passeth along the point himself was in. But in Conjunctions or Oppositions, when he also cometh to the Square of that degree wherein the Con∣junction or Opposition was.
It may be admitted for a tran∣sit also, when an aspect falleth upon the place of another Planet which he had in the time of a great Conjunction, or at the first appearance of a Comet, or in the time of a great Eclipse: or when an aspect falleth upon the same degree, where other Planets did not long ago aspect each other.
For an example of the first sort of Transits, Saturn in the Lion did oppose Jupiter in the Skinker, and did first raise up a South-west wind, and then a mighty cold aire: afterwards in the year 1669, Saturn transi∣ting the place of Jupiter in the Skinker, in that threefold Opposi∣tion,
did raise up the same sort of winds, which did continue all that year for the most part; yea and did stir up the same sort of diseases that he had formerly occasioned at the threefold Op∣position.
It is therefore fitting to re∣view the Aspects of preceding years, if we would truly know the state of succeeding times; and to this purpose an old E∣phemerides is useful for some years after they be expired.
Jupiter in the Twins aspected by Mars in the Ram, not only in the time of the aspect did they shew their natures, but also when Mars came to the place which Jupiter had in the aspect, it thundered. The like in the Trine of Mars in the Ram, and the Sun in the Lion; it thundereth (if not damped by cold mixtures) when Mars first comes to that degree where the
Sun was in the Lion: the thun∣der is re-excited, though more faintly; and the same effect fol∣loweth, when the Sun first come¦eth to the degree Mars was po∣sited in at that Trigon; the which is little minded by our raw A∣strologers.
An Example of the Second sort: The Sun and Mars united in the same degree of the Crab, which was Saturns place, at the eclipsing of the Sun in the Ram, in the year 1652. which did occasion a thundering, and showery season.
Which of necessity must be looked into: For an Aspect will operate in the Country which is
subject to the Sign wherein it is celebrated, many times more powerfully, than in Countries agreeable to other Signs. Some Countries are subject to the firy Triplicity: England to the Ram, Italy to the Lion, Spain to the Archer. Some to the watery Tri∣plicity; as Scotland and Holland to the Crab, Norway to the Scorpion. Some to the Airy; as Austria to the Balance, Tartary to the Skinker. Some to the earthy, as Ireland to the Bull. Thus the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, or of the Sun and Venus in the Crab, giveth abun∣dance of rain in Scotland, where∣as in the South of England they are but few, if some Aspect in the fiery Triplicity do not in∣crease them. The Aspects may shed forth their influence in all Countries after some measure, but they work most potently in Countries subject to the signes
wherein the Aspect is made. And to go no further for the proof of this than the year 1669, when the Conjunctions of Mars and Venus and of the Sun and Venus came to pass in the Crab, the which did abundantly moisten North-Britain; though they were not so operative in En∣glands South parts: and when Jupiter the same year came to the Crab, these Aspects were again irritated by Sextiles with Jupiter, and the effects did fol∣low in the North, though the South was wonderfully dry. Af∣ter the like manner drought proceeding from an Eclipse of the Sun in the Ram, is much more felt in Countries subject to the fiery Triplicity, than in Countries related to the Crab, or the watery Triplicity.
Comets cause dry times for the most part, and more particular∣ly in dry Signs, and their Coun∣tries, as our days can witness by experience of the Comets in the year 1664. There was a great Eclipse of the Sun in the Ram, and about that time a Comet; to which also may be added Sa∣turn in the Lion, the which did occasion a dry Spring and Sum∣mer in England. It hath been wondered at by many, at the dry Summer and Harvest of the year 1669. But if they do consi∣der the Eclipse of the Sun in the dry and earthy Sign of the Bull, and although it was not
visible in our Horizon, yet in matters of the weather, it work∣eth all over; for the fabrick of this world is like a Musical in∣strument well tuned, of the which if a string be touched at one end, it will quiver all along to the farther end: And in the Bull and the Twins, the Comet of the year 1664 did move, and Saturn in the Skinker looking on the Bull with a Square, and on the Twins with a Trine Aspect, and in Opposition to the Lion, where he was in the time of drought, in the years 1652 and 1653. And likewise the Sign wherein Mars was in the time of the great Conjunction, in the year 1663. he may then wonder the less. However it is most true, that God sendeth extraordinary droughts, to punish sinners, as in the days of Elijah, for the space of three years and an half it did not rain upon the land of
Israel. And God causeth it to rain upon one City, and not upon another.
As when the Sun is joyned to Sirius or the Dog-star, of a fiery nature, the air is hotter than at other seasons of the year, if dou∣bled or redoubled mixtures of o∣ther Planets do not contradict.
So the Pleiades, or the cluster of Seven-stars, are accounted moist, if Venus be aspected when she cometh to them: so Hyades, and so of others.
For the influence of a cold rain in Summer, is snow in Win∣ter, and snow or sleet in the Spring. Warm Configurations, if they be moist, are for rain, both Summer and Winter. An∣niversary winds or rains which do come once a year, as in the moneth of March it raineth a∣bout Rome: the winds, called the Etesii, do usually blow.
Moreover, take especial no∣tice of this, that prediction for every days weather in an Alma∣nack, is absurd: for an Aspect of rain, except it be very potent, is not at one and the same time generally all the Countrey o∣ver. For suppose it may rain at London to day, tomorrow it may rain at Bristol, and be fair
and day at London; it may rain at Norwich the third day, and that day the other two places may be without rain; and so it may move from place to place, while that rainy influence lasts. The common people do call this a falling out by Planets.
The Latitude is, how far North or South it lieth.
The Scituation is, whether it be an Island, or Firm-land; whether it be hilly, or a plain champaign ground, a low vale. Now an Island is more windy than the Continent or Firm land; because the Sea is seldom without winds: and it is more warm in winter (except it be seituate in the Frozen-zone, as
Island) than the main-land: therefore Britain hath milder Winters, than France.
In the low Vales and level grounds, which are not exalted with hills, the rainy clouds make but a short aboad, but swiftly move away through those aires, without stop; where∣as among high tops of moun∣tains, the clouds are hampered and arrested, and have not so free passage; but crouding to∣gether, at length do discharge themselves by millions of drops into the lower bottoms.
The Scituation also doth tell us, what Winds are most fre∣quent and familiar in any Countrey, if we do look how the Sea bears to the Land: The Western Ocean looketh broad upon Britain; from whence Westerly-winds do often blow upon this Island: The Mediter∣ranean-Sea upon the East of Por∣tugal
giveth that Country moist Easterly-winds. These same great waters flowing from the South Regions upon the shoars of Italy, do furnish that Country with moist South-winds: but the land of Canaan, lying at the bot∣tom of the Streights, to the East of the Mediterranean, doth meet with Westerly wet winds; but the winds that blow upon it from the South, coming from Sun-burnt Egypt, are hot. Thus our Saviour reasoneth with the Jews, Luke 12. 54, 55. We do use to say in Britain, that when it cleareth up in the West in time of raines, that it will be fair anon; because no more Clouds at that time do come from the Western Ocean. Under the Equi∣nectial, in the middle of the World, there is a Trade-wind (so called, by reason of the great trading of Merchants in those Seas) one half of the
year blowing from the East, and the other half year from the West, according as the Sun is on this or that side the Equi∣noctial. And in the East-Indies, when the Sun, in or near the Aequinoctial, is Vertical, or di∣rect over their heads, it raineth almost constantly; because of the great Indian Ocean, from whence the Sun with his mighty heat draweth great store of moi∣sture.
The winds upon mighty high mountains, which are not adja∣cent to the Sea, do vary accord∣ing to the point of the Compass the Sun is in, any hour of the day.
The Sun in the Meridian, and upon the direct South of the airy Alpes, the wind at that hour upon Mount Viso, one of the highest among the Alpes, is quite contrary to the Sun, blowing directly from the North.
As for the Latitude of the Country; the farther North, as being more remote from the Sun, the colder it is; but the farther South, the warmer: it may snow in the High-lands of Scotland, when it but raineth at London: it may rain in a North mountainons Countrey, when it is dry weather in great Champains and Southern plaines.
The Northern Countries of Denmark, Norway, Swedeland, Russia, and the North of Germa∣ny, are for the most part frozen all Winter, and then the exha∣lations and mists are close im∣prisoned, therefore the aire is calm and clear, and the star∣ry lights glistering most beauti∣fully. They can walk upon the narrow Sound, between Sweden and Danemark, as upon dry land, it is so strongly bridged with Ice. In the Spring-time,
when the ice is chawed, and Winter must go lodg among the Antipodes, and the pleasant Spring and flowery Summer do enter the stage, then the impri∣soned exhalations do break out, and fill the aire with warm fogs, bringing a warmer Summer than islands have, which lie farther South. In the South-parts Egypt is dried up, and hath little or no rain. Judea seldom is rained upon in June and Ju∣ly: the East-Indies hath great rains, when the Sun is vertical, through the Suns vehement heat upon the Indian Ocea.
THere may be foreseen 1. The temper of the Air, cold or
hot, infallibly. 2. Calm and dry seasons. 3. Wet weather, as rains, sleets, mists, snow, hail. 4. Thunders and Lightning. 5. Winds. 6. Cloudy dark aires. 7. Comets and other fiery Mete∣ors.
For the First, of Heat and Colds. The Conjunctions and Oppositions, and other powerful Aspects of Saturn, if he be not over-heated by mixture, are cold. The Conjunction and Oppo∣sition of Jupiter and Saturn are vehemently cold, yet not always frosty. Saturn and Venus bring Colds, Snows, Rains, Hails, con∣sideratis considerandis. The Sun and Saturn, Mars and Saturn are clear and frosty; and Mercury and Saturn are not warm: re∣membring alwayes, according to the fore-going Rules, to con∣sider the Latitude, Scituation and Sign and Planet sympa∣thizing
with the Country. The strength of the Aspect, the Sign, the Dignities of the Planets aspecting, their Mixtures, Tran∣sits, the Seasons, and general Causes. A Planet proceeding from the Aspect of Jupiter to the Aspect of Saturn, or Venus Saturnized, is cold.
For Heats; the applications of firy or warm Planets, if they be not double damped with cold mixtures. Thus the Conjuncti∣ons of Mercury with the Sun, Mars or Jupiter, are hot. So the powerful Aspects of Mars and Jupiter, or Mars and the Sun. So the Aspects of the Sun and Jupiter. Or when cold Planets are deeply dyed with hot and firy mixtures. Or the applica∣tions of Planets separating from Saturn, or Venus mixed with Sa∣turn or Jupiter. Hence you may know whether proves mild or rigid. If the Planets go from
Saturn immediately to Jupiter, the Winter is mild; if they go from Jupiter immediatly to Sa∣turn, it proves a cold Winter.
In this particular of Heat and Cold, the new Aspects of Kepler do take place, and do bring a sensible alteration of the air.
For the Second, calm and temperate weather. When there is no Aspect, or no power∣ful Transit for some season: or when the Aspect is weak and mean; or when the Aspect is in Earthy Signs, chiefly the Aspects of Jupiter and Venus: or when the Planets are well mixed with a dry Jupiter. Look also is Sa∣turn be in an earthy or fiery Sign (except the Goat.) Cold and dry Aspects in Summer do give frosty nights; but clear and pleasant days. Total Eclipses of the Sun in the Ram, Lion, or Earthy Signs, and also Comets, do prenote a dry season.
For the Third thing, namely wet weather, may be fore-seen, by strong Aspects of the Planets with Venus, or with any Planet well tinged with Venus. Saturn and Venus Snows, Rain, Hail: the Sun and Venus, Rains or Snow, considering the mixtures and the Seasons: Mercury and Venus many showers, intermixed with Sun-shines. Mercury and Saturn, or Mars, a little tinged with Venus, do give us fogs; Mars or the Sun looking upon Saturu, well tinged with Venus, are moist. Jupiter also well heated with mixtures, strongly aspecting Venus, doth give us rains in Sum∣mer, and Snows in Winter. Ju∣piter also in a watery Sign aspect∣ed of Saturn, or coming to the Transit of Saturn, in a watery Sign, is moist. So Mars in the Crab, aspecting Venus in the Ram. Likewise fiery Planets, when they thunder, do give us
rains; but if they have a dry tincture, we have thunder with∣out rains, or lightning without thunder. If they have a tin∣cture of Saturn and Venus, and do thunder, they do also hail: which also is the Fourth thing here considerable.
For the Fifth thing, namely Winds, it is a little difficult, but much more difficult to foretel from whence they shall blow. Yet observe the Airy Triplicity to be windy and Westerly. So Saturn in the Skinker, an airy Sign, transiting the place of Ju∣piter, when Saturn in the Lion did oppose him; as also in a Trine of Jupiter in the Twins, another aery Sign, as in the year 1660. can testifie, in which the wind did blow almost constantly from the West. The winds are com∣monly laid upon Mercury; it is true, Mercury coming from Ju∣piter to Saturn, or a Planet well
tinged with Saturn, maketh way for winds. Jupiter and Saturn are two great Planets, of con∣trary natures, and so do many times meet with a tumult. Sa∣turn, in the Lion, opposing Jupi∣ter in the Skinker, do at first stir up South-West winds, and after∣wards a cold quiet aire. But im∣mediatly after that Opposition, the Sun also came to be opposed by Saturn, and presently after united to Jupiter, yet did raise no winds; because there was small contrariety at that meet∣ing, two warm Planets both be∣ing alike Saturnized.
For the place from whence the winds do blow; Aery Signs are Westerly, as is said already. They say commonly, that Jupi∣ter is for North winds, which is false, except it be upon cold mixtures: for North winds are cold: Jupiter is warm in this Iland of Britain: though Wester∣ly
winds do not always, and in a dry year do scarce rain at all; yet they have a moi∣sture in them, because they come from the Western O∣cean. Easterly winds, of their own nature, are more dry; be∣cause they come from the dry land, whose great Continent ly∣eth to the East of Britain. South winds, for the most part, are warm; because they blow from the warm parts of the World. North-winds are cold, blowing from the perpetual Snows of Greenland and Moscovia. Hence Jupiter, being hot and moist, is for South-west winds, according to reason and experience too. Venus is cold and moist, there∣fore of her own nature she is for North-west: great mixtures may alter their natures. The Sun is hot and dry, therefore South. East, so is Mars. Saturn is cold and dry, therefore North-
In Fiery Signs he is Easter∣ly. Mercury and the Moon are for all quarters. Remember the winds proper to the Country, and Anniversary winds.
For the Sixth, viz. cloudy and dark airs; Every day when there is a great Aspect formed, is commonly cloudy; and the ra∣ther, if it do encline to rain. When there be many great A∣spects, one immediately after an∣other; though they be dry, yet is it a cloudy time.
For the Seventh: Oftentimes about the great Conjunctions or Oppositions, there is some such thing as Comets; as the years 1652, 1664, 1665, can witness: after the great Conjunction in the Archer, we had three Comets. And when Saturn transits the place of Jupiter, which he had in the great Opposition, if the Op∣position be lofty. When Saturn came to Jupiters place in the
Skinker, then did appear a Co∣met in Virginia, in the Fishes, in the which Sign the next great Opposition is to be celebrated.