The marrow of astrology in two books : wherein is contained the natures of the signes and planets, with their several governing angels, according to their respective hierarchies : also philosophical reasons for takeing the planets antiscions, and part of fortune, with the method of directions according to the Ægyptians and Chaldeans, with several other useful examples : also a new table of houses, exactly calculated for the latitude of London, with tables of the mundane aspects, and all that is requisite, for the rectifying and directing nativities, according to the true intent and meaning of Ptolomy : wherein is discovered the errors of Argol, Regiomontanus, and most of our modern authors, in several examples, never before done in English / by Richard Kirby and John Bishop ...

SIXTHLY of MERCURY,

THis nimble messenger Mercury, who is the God of Eloquence, belongs to the second Orb, Mansion, or Sphere, of the Coelestial Hierarchy of Angels, in the Order of Arch-Angels, whose principal governing Angels or blessed Intelligences bearing Rule are, Raphael and Cochabiel, he is by Nature Cold and Dry, and is said to be nei∣ther Masculine nor Feminine, because he is convertible, and participates of the Nature of that Planet he is joyn∣ed with; he is the Author of subtile tricks, as thefts, perjuries, cliping, and coyning, also all manner of deceit whatsoever.

Secondly. Mercury of himself represents one of a tall spare body, a long face and nose, high fore-head, the hair dark, or for the most part black, long fingers, feet, arms, and legs;

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and goes swinging one Arm, a witty subtle man, full of talk, a yellowish whitely complexion, little beard, but much hair on his head, one of no great fidelity, except Mercury be fixed, Mercury gennerally makes, or more pro∣perly represents or denotes ingenious Men and Women, given to Arts and Sciences.

When Mercury is ill placed.

Mercury ill placed, gives a troublesome witt, •…•…nd of a fantastick Man, wholly bent to fool his Estate and Time away, in prating and trying of nice conclusions, and maggot pated whimsies, to no purpose; in fine, a great lyar, prater, boaster, given to evil arts, a very Idiot, con∣stant to no place or opinion. Colour Gray mixt with Sky.

Thirdly. When Mercury is well placed, he denotes one of a sub∣tile politick brain, intellect and cogitation; a good des∣putant, arguing with reason and discretion, a searcher in∣to many secreet misteries and learning; a man of an un∣wearied curious fancy, seeking after hidden things, and makes him compleat in his Studdy or Know∣ledg, &c.

Fourthly. If Mercury be Oriental of the Sun, the complexion is hony coloured, or sun burt, the stature of the body not

very high, but well joynted; small eyes, and not much hair.

Fifthly If Mercury be Occidental, the Visage is tauny, the bo∣dy lank, the limbs small and slender, hollow eyes, and sparkling, red, or fiery; the whole frame of the body enclineing to dryness, Mercury's greatest south latitude is 5gr. 35m. his north latitude 5d. 33m. and still remember that south latitude gives most fat, and makes the party nimble and active, north latitude gives most hair, and makes him sluggish and heavy, yet if the north latitude be great, he gives fat also.

Sixthly. It is to be understood, that Mercury is termed amongst the Poets; Hermes, Stilbone, Cyllenius, and Ar∣chas.

Seaventhly. Mercury's greater years are in number 76, his mean years 48, and his least years 20, he rules the North-west.

Eighthly. Qualities and Professions of Men under Mercury are, merchants, schollars, secretaries, clarks, all men of learning, &c. Also embassadors, commissioners, poets, orators, PRINTERS, Stationers. Usurers, cheaters, mercu∣ries, haukers, and ballad-singers, if ill dignified; and all

such as lives by their witts; Mercury likewise denotes foot∣men, shoo-makers, taylors, philosophers, astrologers, ma∣thematicians, all subtle arts depending upon fancy or speech, as geometry, astronomy, gravers, mountebanks, factors, attorneys, scribes, all ingenious tradse-men, be∣sides he denotes clippers and coyners of moneys, dancers of the Ropes.

Ninthly. Mercury denotes out of houses, an exchange where Merchants meet, ware-houses, schools, shops markets, mounte-banks stages, all places of activity.

Tenthly. Mercury denotes in houses, all places where pictures, books, maps, writings, new inventions, or engines for to recreate the mind, wainscot rooms, studdy, closet; toys for children, and the like.

Eleventhly. Kingdoms and Countries under Mercury, according to Ptolomy's attribute, are as followeth, thus, Mercury with Gemmini, rules Hircania, Armenia, Mantiana, Cyrenaica, Marmarica, and the lower Aegypt, but Mercury with Virgo Rules Greece, Achaia, Creta, Babylon, Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Ela, whence they of that Place are in Scripture Call¦ed Elamites.

Twelvethly. Mercury Rules in the Body of man, the brain, the Rati∣onal Part, the imagination, the tongue, hands, and feet, the motional or moving, parts of mans body, and that is the Reason Mercurialists, (if Mercury be strong) are so swift in motion, and so fluent in speech; besides he Gives 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quick apprehension a strong imagination, and stirs up •…•…hat faculty in man, which causeth a thirst after knowledg •…•…e makes a good Pen-man, yet conceited, and is very fickle •…•…n his disposition, and that's that, that makes some men so •…•…ckle, or as we commonly call it maggot-pated and whim∣•…•…cal, but if Saturn should vouchsafe him a friendly look, he •…•…s very Constant, otherwise if you look upon a weather∣•…•…ock, (by the same) you may safely draw his picture, and •…•…o disparagement to his person neither, and I am sure he •…•…hat cannot draw is not fit to be a judg in painting, yet •…•…t is the property of fools, to carp at what they cannot i∣•…•…itate.

Thirteenththly. Mercury causeth all diseases of the brain, as vertigoes, •…•…adness, &c. All diseases of the Lungs, as asthmahs, •…•…tisicks, &c. All imperfections of the tongue, as stam∣•…•…ering, lisping, &c. Horseness, coughs, snuffing in the •…•…ose, stoping of the head, dumbness, folly and simplici∣•…•… (the epidemical diseases of the time) and whatsoever •…•…urts the intellectual faculty; Catharrs, Iliack Passi∣•…•…, &c,

Fourteenthly. Besides all this, this nimble gentleman hath certain Numbers attributed to him, viz. 2, and 5, and the rea∣sons are these, the Number Two is his, as being part male, and part female; and therefore is called the Hermophrodite, the Number Five is attributed to him, as having predo∣minancy over the five Senses; and now I leave the Sphere of Mercury, and drop down to the lowest Sphere of all, which is the Orb of the Moon.

Notes

• Angels.
• Gives of himself.
• Ill placed.
• Well placed
• Oriental.
• Occidental.
• Names.
• Years.
• Qualiti•••• and Pro¦fessions.
• Out of hou∣ses.
• In houses.
• Kingdoms and Coun∣tries.
• Rules parts of the Body
• Diseases.
• Numbers.