Astro-meteorologica, or, Aphorisms and discourses of the bodies cœlestial, their natures and influences discovered from the variety of the alterations of the air ... and other secrets of nature / collected from the observation at leisure times, of above thirty years, by J. Goad.

CHAP. XVI. △ ☉ ☽

§ 1. 2. The Phasis seems gibbous and deformed. 3. A Triduum requi∣red to its consideration. 4. Semisextiles and Quincunxes inconveni∣ences. 6. The Trine equal, yea, more potent than the Square. 9. De∣monstrated from excesses of Weather. 10. The compendions Summa∣ry of the Table. 11. The greatness of the Aspect made out by Com∣parison with the Aspects precedent. 13. Tusses, or Colds Epidemi∣cal not without Caelestial Influence. 14. Other Singularities in Tides and Ebbs. 16. Winds shift round the Compass. 17. and 18. The first Trine of September and December, and perhaps March never fails. The Second Trine in February, March, September, October alike successful. 19. Trines apt for Tempest. 20. 21. Their Energy founded on a right Angle. 22. A Trine more tempestuous than a Square, the reason of that Paradox, the Antients teach it not.

§ 1. This Aspect though it carryeth not such a Name among the vul∣gar, the Phasis being not of so easy an Ocular designation as the Quadrate, may yet be brought under a Familiar Cognizance by it's Gibbofity when the ☽ is not compleatly Orbicular as at the Full, yet illuminate beyond the halfe Phase; By reason of the dark different Section seems Broken in the back, representing a kind of Tumour in the illuminate part.

§ 2. A Phasis of some Deformity or irregularity which it may be, is easily discerned in the later Trine, to my thinking; the reason may be be∣cause things that are then past Prime, when compared with their lately en∣ioyed Perfection, do abate of their Grace, or Lovelines, by discovery of some defect or ill feature, which before was either not existent, or palliated. As deformed as it is, it must not be disrespected, when we know the Quality and Worth of the Family, which must be put into the balance with all other defects which may be alledged.

§ 3. This Quality of the Aspect should be derived from its proper Table, wherein we had also produced Three days toward the Comprehension of the Influence. For however some one off the Days may enterfere, (as we have said, Cap. praeced.) with the Neighbouring Aspect, yet at no hand do we run foul (as in the case of two Women claiming Marriage to the same Husband) on uncertainties, but we give each Aspect their Right, by divi∣ding that term of time which seems to be common to both. Thus, to give an example, April VII. and Novem. XXX. An. 1671. seem to be claimed by both the Quartile and Trine; yet so, that the Afternoon only shall belong to the Trine, and the Morning to the Quartile, One coming on, while the other goes off. But neither are we driven to this, except only when the ☽ is in the swiftest Course, when she runs grad. 15. in twenty four Hours, at what time she must seem to huddle from one Aspect to another: but ordina∣rily it is not so.

§ 4. Some of the New Aspects, 'tis true, are for the most part suspected, because they are stinted to so narrow a Confine, that if they do but in the least move forward, they must necessarily trespass upon their Neighbours, beyond all possible distinction. So I remember, Kepler being overborn with Semisextiles, Quincunxes mixt with the Antient Aspects, is forc'd to cry out, In tanta turba, quis ovi cuique matri suum seliget agnum? ad Dec. 1627. But in the Antient Aspects we are never at such a loss, we can give account for each day when it is required. Notwithstanding, as it is ridiculous to con∣fine Aspects to an indivisible point, for so they would never have bin disco∣vered to this Hour, seeing Calculation modestly confesseth she hath not bin able to assign the Critical Moment, so it will be as nice and superstitious to determine the measure of their Tenures to such an exactness; which if it could be done, where of no use in Nature, I boldly say: whereupon this consideration helps to acquit our Tables which assign three days to the As∣pect, in case an Aspect holds at some considerable, yet undeterminate time, above one day.

§ 5. Not that we would make the ☽ continually engaged all the Month round, for so no day on the ☽'s part will have any thing to it self peculiar above another. We have made distinction of the ☽'s swifter and slower Motion; a continued engagement may appear at sometime under the One, and scarce under the Other: The ☽ swiftly mooving from a Square to a Trine, may, for all I know, be engaged all that while, not confounding the Aspects, but continuing the Influence; as the Celerity of a Boat is continued by a suc∣cessive dip of the Oar, the Motion received at the preceding Immersion being slackned indeed, but not utterly extinct; However it be, 'tis all one to us, who will impute the Celerity to the Impulse immediately pre∣ceding.

§ 6. Verily these Trines, we will not say that they are, but we say that that they seem to be equal to the Quadrates, and that is something of News, it may be, since no less than the Norimberge Diary thinks it will nor quit cost, when it notes the Quartiles constantly, to note the Trines once or twice in a year.

§ 7. But what do we mince it with such moderation, like happy Game∣sters talke awhile of hopes and probabilities, when they are sure of the Game in their Hand; we say, for all we know (the Quartiles name is up, 'tis true) That of the Trine is the more potent Aspect. Let the Board Judge.

§ 8. The Table here might come in, but since we present you with a com∣pendium of it, we may be dispensed with upon the account of brevity, We will only remark some heights and excesses which call for attention here and there.

§ 9. As, first, in the County of Sussex, An. 1671. Sept. III. we meet with Thunder, Rain, and so much Wind as tore up Trees by the Root. Yea, again, Decem. XXX. XXXI. Tempestuous Night and Day, when there was a general concern for those at Sea.

Next year An. 1672. July XXIV and XXV. it blew so hard that the lowness of the Ebb in the River Thames presented the Shelfe before St. Mary Church above 150 paces in length. Decemb. XIX. and XX. News of Flouds in the Countrey by reason of Winds and rain.

Anno 1673. February XVI. and XVII. Turbulent and tempestuous Blasts, such as shatter'd Windows and bent Iron: (an Effect of Tempest which I have not met with more than once.) An. eod. Sept. X. Very high Wind. Sept. XI. Furious Wind all the Night preceding, and day following three Houses blown down in Covent-Garden. Besides, Octob. XI. very high winds again.

An. 1674. April VII. windy, not expressed in our Table; but Storm at L••yn-Regis, with much Shipwrack.

An. 1675. May XXIV. and XXV. Rain and Thunder.

An. 1676. August IX. High Wind, Tide as high, or higher than at the Change and Full. Again, Sept. VII. and VIII. Gusts of Wind here. Very high Winds at Okeham in Rutland, so general was the Constitution.

Ann. 1677. August XI. Turbulent and Windy. So day June I. great Dash of Rain and Hail, with Lightning and Thunder. Again, July XXIX. High Winds, Showrs, Thunder. August XXVII. High Winds and often darkish. What if I should go on, and bring it home to our very doors, to the year 1681? Thus then it accords, An. 1678. March 22. Winds very high. Jan. XIX. Thunder, Lightning. August XVIII. Wind high.

An. 1679. Feb. X. High Wind. XI. High Wind with us, and on the same day, a most violent Storm, as hath bin known in Mediterranean (Ga∣zet. Numb. 1388.) July VIII. Gusts of Wind with Rain and Thunder at Stoken-Church. August VI. Heat, Storms with Rain and Thunder.

An. 1680. Jan. XXX. and XXXI. very Tempestuous. Febr. XXVIII. very high wind and cold whiles on the same day at Cologne, Lightning fell on the Church St. Ursula, not without Damage. Merc. Angl. Numb. 33. June XXV. Soultry with us. At Venice some Persons slain by Lightning, Gazet.—And XXVII. Thunder and Lightning. August XXIV. High winds, great Rain and Thunder. Sept. XXIII. Great Rain, and at Dover, Thunder on the next day at Madrid, Rain and violent Thunder and Wind (as saith the Gazet) not expressible.

An. 1681. April XVIII. High wind. June XV. great Storm of Hail and Rain. July XIV. and XV. Rain and High Wind. August XIV. Thun∣der and Rain. Sept. XIII. High Wind by gusts. Octob. XII. High Wind at Night, at Yarmouth. Decemb. X. Windy. On the same day the Sea by a Strong S. W. broke up the Banks, &c. Tempest at the Sea for several days: of which number be days X. and XI.

The other △ is so like this, that it is the worse, as we say; let us read therefore with some attention.

An. 1671. Sept. XII. Terrible Tempests of wind and Rain, a 4 m ad 11 p. much Shipwrack. XII. Ships broken in the River; Fourteen Sail cast away on the Coast of France. Inundation at Lyn. The XIII. little better. Novemb. IX. great boisterous Winds worthy it seems of the Ga∣zets Notice.

An. 1672. I. II. High Winds nocte tota. The same day, the East-Indies were tempestuous at Tywan; yea, the next Trine happened to be High Winds with us. Octob. XXIX. Then Decemb. XXVIII. High Tide on the Thames, ready to run into Westminster-Hall.

An. 1673. May XXV. at London Wind and Wet. At Warwick Storms, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning. June XXIII. at Harwich, again, Rain, Thunder spout like a Pyramid, which broke beyond Land-Guard-Fort. Sept. XXI. very wet nocte tota, and High Wind; Whose Fellow Trine, you have seen hath blown down Houses.

An. 1674. Jan. XVI. very high wind with us at London, on the same day a Ship lost on the Goodwin. XXVII. day, vast Flouds by Rain the days pre∣cedent. May XV. Bright, hot, some Thunder, as the Water-Men infor∣med me.

An. 1675. Great Hailstones, high winds and Thunder near Windsor. Jan. I. In the same year, the end of Dec. was stormy when it came to the Trine. What News, day XXVI? Every day say they at Plimouth, brings an Account of great losses at Sea; and all those Coasts are full of wrack. High Wind was noted with us, with a great Storm of Rain. The XXVII. also was noted for breaking of Tiles and Glass-Windows. And on this day al∣so we have noted, Report of Vessels cast away.

An. 1676. Feb. XXIV. Tempest. June XIX. Lightning at 3 M. and 10 M. Harmful at Putney. XX. Rain and Thunder at 3 M. July XX. Lightning and Thunder-claps, no less than thirty three.

An. 1677. March 15. High wind. Ships cast away by Storms, and Thun∣der between Cales and St. Lucas. July 8. High Wind and Thunder.

An. 1678. June XI. High Wind, beat the Tiles off again. May the I. High Winds, nocte tota windy and Rainy, sad Maying. July XXVIII. Thunder, showres. Thundred 7 or 8 times. Aug. XXVI. very hot, Thun∣der heard ante horam 2 P. Sept. XXVI. High winds and Rain, November XXIII. and XXIV. wet, but very Lofty Furious winds &c. So I hope I lye under the Protection of, &c. and go no further. These Instances shew, though there be but One or Two in the year, that a Trine is apt to admit such memorable violences, the Peer whereof is not easily found in the Quadrate, &c.

§ 10. But what of the other Instances, if we with-hold our Table, we cannot be suffered to with-hold its Compendium. Then thus have you

	△	△
	1.	2.
Cold, Frosty, Entire.	26.	16.
Frosty Mornings.	29.	47.
Fog, Gross, and Thick.	17.	26.
Misty Air.	47.	34.
Hail.	0.	3.
Halo.	3.	6.
Hot. Days.	25.	16.
Hot. Nights.	5.	3.
Warm.	37.	31.
Rain.	155.	162.
Rain violent or Durable.	48.	52.
Snow.	12.	13.
Tempestuous.	4.	6.
Thunder.	5.	9.
Winds.	102.	91.
Winds various.	43.	43.
Tempestuous and Stormy.	44.	31.
East.	42.	44.
West.	31.	49.
North.	28.	27.
South.	35.	21.
North-East.	34.	34.
North-West.	21.	27.
South-East.	20.	26.
South-West.	90.	69.

§ 11. So if I have adventur'd to call it a great Aspect, I have not done amiss, for though I have said as much of All the rest hitherto, yet I may properly enough term This so too. For the Other, I asserted against those who deny such Realities; and now I assert this among those who confess the Rest, and take no great notice of this. Why? What is the matter? Experiment of Nature is not at my beck, nor is our Table, though it hides the Head, a For∣gery.

See here some Strictures of comparison. Sum 109. sath the New under the Stile of Rain; while 103. saith the Full. Sum 143. and 132. say the Quadrates. Now our Trines, you see, say 155. and 162. I should sus∣pect this Surmount if I did not find a Singularity of Influence in the Figure: It equals the Best of the Aspects as for Hot Days, both in Number and Vigor: For the Vigor we remember with a Heat complain'd of universally.

§ 12. Another time I remember suffocating Gleans of the Sun, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Ancients call it, such as I never met with elsewhere but Once, and that was in the sad Pestilent year, at the ☌ ☉ ☽. Jan. 3. 1665. In another place I found the first hot Day of the year shews it self on the same Aspect, June 22. An. 1675. On the contrary, to point out the Singularity, I note, that the Frosty Days are not so frequent as under the Quadrates, and yet they are as ve∣hement notwithstanding, as under any other Configuration, as if (which seems I know impossible) that the same Spirit agitated Heat and Cold; For in Cold, sometimes there is a smartness and keenness of Edge, which we call bitter Cold: such we found under one of the First of these Aspects Jan. 29. 1672. So in Feb. yea March, 1674. in Octob. as well as Nov, 1677. The like in April, begining An. 1671. yea, and the end, An. 1675. Give me leave to add, for it may be of some concern, the like occurrents in the Later of these Trines, which though it seem the warmer of the two, yet once I found it made me chill in my Bed, well fenced and guarded against the injuries of the Air, though in the Month of March, An. 1671. ten days after the Equinox, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 March XX.) And the year following on the very day of the Equinox, we had Ice even Bearing, brought to that consistence in 3 days, which we say belong, or border on the Trine. Just as in Octob. Anno 1677. we had Three Winter days, absolute Winter within the same confine.

§ 13. Consonant to this, we may have occasion to speak of a notable indis∣position, of which in our seven years we met with Two Instances; we call them Tusses Epidemicae, of which the first is noted in our Fugitive Ta∣ble. Jan. 16. 1673. the other was noted all Europe over, Octob. 27. An. 1675. Concerning which, being interrogated by a GREAT Person, what might be the Cause? I answered Him with all Respect, but with all Assurance also, that it depended on the Heavens, an Universal Cause in this sense; but little thought I then, I confess, that this Lunar Radiation might have any Finger in it, which now appears probable from a redoubled instance; yea, and from the Mysterious Change of a Pungent Heat, to a Stupefactive Cold, observa∣ble here in this Radiation, and others also, which our Bodies, or rather our Spirits may be sensible of, when our unwary attendance on our selves can give no Minute Account of it. Some Physitians did impute it, I remember to the Change of the Wind over night toward the North, which was ve∣ry true; but they will give me leave to advert that there may be more in it so; several more hidden Celestial Causes (for every Change of the Wind to a cold part brings not an Universal indisposition over all Europe.) of which we can assign no more (as proper to this place) but the Lunar △ Radiation among the Rest.

§ 14. We have a double instance which may be glanced upon; we shall speak of the store of Rain presently, but this is the Singularity, expressed by a Great Drop more than ordinary, more than once, Great Hailstones, which in Tables of observation of a wider Latitude do occur a 3d. a 4th. a 5th. time &c. arguing in my judgement a different degree of Heat struck up at that time, as in the generation of Hail commonly is seen, though encoun∣tred, 'tis true, with a contrary Activity.

§ 15. Of the same stamp is the next considerable in the Water-Floods of our River the Thames, where a High Tide is noted, not only in the ☌ or ☍, but sometimes under our Trine also. August 1676. and Decemb. 1672.

That of the First, this of the Later Trine. That of Dec. being as High a Tide as ever was known in the Memory of Man, being ready to run into West∣minster Hall, as I my self can attest; It had bin a time of Frost and Snow, and therefore we shall allow the consideration, but withall shall sue out our Title for the Aspect, seeing upon review of Tide-Observations for some years I find, to my surprize, the Tides start as frequently in each Trine, to a new degree of Height, sometime to equal the Change and Full. But I will not press this too much, because it may occasion a Brangle, upon consideration of the Tides great variety, upon Droughts, Rains, sudden Thaws, and stiff Winds intervening; so that even the Sextile and Quadrate, the Neaptide Aspect, is found at times to usher in exuberant Flouds: always provided that we may renew our Plea when time serves, and, that I may not think it fortuitous, I found an extraordinary low Ebb with us at London, noted on the same Aspect, where so great a shelf appeared at so many places, that the River look't not like it self, when some curious Persons were invited thereupon to waft thither, and to pace the Dimensions of the Terra Firma, August 25. 1672. Now the use that I make of this, is this, the moderate low Ebb in one part, doth argue a proportionable height in another, Rye, suppose, or Winchestea; 'Tis true the Ferrimen imputed this low Ebb to the Western Wind, which I reckoned was a careless Answer, from such as are not inquisi∣tive Persons, because I could not observe any such briskness at that time from the Western Quarter. Nor do many Winds from that Quarter leave the River so naked.

§ 16. Come we now to the Wind; the Singularity here in my Judge∣ment is very entertaining, the Wind not only changing (for so it may under all Aspects, and less here, than elsewhere,) but want only playing; so that as I have often with Pleasure observed, the Index hath whiffed round all the points of the Compass, from whence I observed by virtue of a Sic parvis—the Tornados and Whirlwinds may well depend on the Heavens, when an ordinary Linar Aspect shall shew us that variety. So May XXIV. and Oct. XXVIII. 1675.—April VIII. 1672. Septem. VII. Octob. VI. 1677. June XII. An. 1674. This take along with you, that when the Wind so shifts and plays about, 'tis a sign of Weather approaching in the Horizon, or actu∣ally existent at the same time, somewhere else.

§ 17. Now, if the Reader please to like our former Representation of the frequency of the Effect, Rain I mean in the Quartile Aspect, as it is plain and not unprofitable, the like we are ready to present him here.

	☉	☽	Revol.	Success.
Jan.	♒	♊	VIII.	7.
Feb.	♓	♋	VII.	5.
March.	♈	♌	VII.	7.
April.	♉	♍	VIII.	4.
May.	♊	♎	VII.	5.
June.	♋	♏	VIII.	6.
July.	♌	♐	VII.	5.
Aug.	♑	♑	VIII.	7.
Sept.	♎	♒	VII.	7.
Oct.	♏	♓	VII.	4.
Novemb.	♐	♈	VII.	6.
Decemb.	♑	♉	VII.	7.
Jan.	♒	♎	VII.	6.
Febr.	♓	♏	VII.	7.
March.	♈	♐	VII.	7.
April.	♉	♑	VII.	4.
May.	♊	♒	VIII.	8.
June.	♋	♓	VII.	4.
July.	♌	♈	VII.	5.
Aug.	♍	♉	VIII.	6.
Sept.	♎	♊	VIII.	8.
Oct.	♏	♋	VII.	7.
Novemb.	♐	♌	VII.	6.
Decemb.	♑	♍	VI.	6.

§ 18. Not unprofitable, whereas before, you see all Aspects are not alike responsible in every Month, no, nor in the same Month. Some speed but 4 or 5 times, some 6. the Happyest compleat their Number be it VII. or VIII. Hence it follows that there are different properties of the Zodiacal

Signs. A Lunar Trine in ♈ ♌ and ♈ ♐ you see keeps touch, so far I can speak for the Fiery Triplicity, and pray overlook not the other. A Trine in ♉ ♑ will deceive a blunt Astrologer, which speeds but four Times in VII. so the rest, yet this is somewhat out of place.

§ 19. Yea, but the main Singularity to come to that at last, is concerning Stress of Weather, hinted at already, if that be true which we have asserted, or rather commended to observation, that the shifting of Winds argues Commotions somewhere. We have said that the Phasis of the Trine looks with some deformity, and the Character (△) seems to be Mysterious and Ma∣gical, if there be such Power to raise Tempests. Without fooling, it hath an unexpected, undreamt of Influence towards Tempests, whether of Lightning in the capable Months, or of Winds, Furious Ragings, Hurricanes, which sometimes are felt without the Tropiques, even in our Septentrional parts: This being somewhat Novel, or near Paradox, must, yea, hath been demonstrated.

§ 20. But then what should be the Latent Spring of this Energy, can any Man tell? If the Musical Fancy doth not please, we have assigned a Right Angle in the Quadrate Aspect, for the Seat of its strength, if a Man may say it, before ever we Read the more Learned Ofhusius. Verily, if we rightly consider it, the same Angle may be found under the Trine, in as much as by reason of the Obliquity of the Ecliptique, we see it fall out that one of the two Planets so Aspected may lie just under the Meridian, when the other is on the Limb of the Horizon.

§ 21. Thus: Bring me ♋ and ♑, Solstitial Signs to the Meridian, and there you shall find but 3 Signs appearing, which make an absolute Qua∣drate: But reduce ♍ ♓ ♈, either of them to the Meridian, and in the Ori∣ental part of Heaven you shall observe IV. Signs a perfect Trine emers'd above the Horizon. The Equator is uniform, shews it 90 grades constantly on the Eastern and Western side; the Ecliptique is not tyed to that constant Equality; it is unequally divided sometimes with 4 Signs of one side of the Meridian, and only 2 Signs on the other. And this is not all. Let us consi∣der the Occidental Mediety of Heaven, let us depress ♊ ♋ ♌ ♍ to the Horizon, and we shall find neer IV. Signs compriz'd in the Arch from the Horizon to the Meridian, as before you found it from the Meridian to the Horizon. So then, if in all these Cases a right Angle is discerned, the Effi∣cacy of the Aspect may be founded thereon.

§ 22. Now, whether these Trines, as it seems according to this Do∣ctrine, owe all their Influence to these Critical Coincidences, with Meri∣dian Circle or Horizontal, may be referred to its proper Chapter, or may be solved by what proposed in the □. It remains only to enquire why a Trine is more Turbulent than a Quadrate Aspect. And that will be assoiled by considering the measure of the Angle, by the length of the Subtensa rea∣ching 4 Signs, or 120 grades; for upon this account is the Quadrate more strong than the Sextile, in the same manner as the Trine is more Operative than the Quadrate, With a barr notwithstanding, put in against the Quin∣cunx, because of its vicinity to its principal, viz. the ☍, And perhaps be∣cause a Quincunx, as Semisextile also, are never found of so large an Ex∣pansion as to possess the two Circles of Horizon and Meridian at the same Moment, which yet we shall see a Sextile doth. But first let us admit the Trine Interest, and view its Books; the rather because I seem to advance a Paradox. For though the Antiens hold the △ to be very perfect, above the Square or Opposition, so that I had thought they had favoured our Plea. Escuid. Tract. 2. dist. 12. Cap. 1. Yet I dare not alledge them, least they speak in relation to Genitures, rather than the Change of the Air: So that we must wholly appeal to the experience of our Table, though not extant

here: But if the Antient Arabs mean the Change of the Air also, well and good; then I am free from the guilt of a Paradox.