Ouranoskopia, or, The contemplation of the heavens, in a perpetual speculum, or general prognostication for ever wherein is succinctly demonstrated the names and natures of the signs, planets and aspects, terms of art, order of the spheres, the colours, magnitudes, motions, solid proportions and distances of the seven planets from the earth ... / by Iames Corss ...

CHAP. XIV. Of the Year what it is, and the quan∣tity thereof.

A Year is the most principal, ordinary, common and usual part of time, whereby not only the ages of men and other accidents of the world are measured, but also the times of (almost) all our actions in the world, their beginnings, progresse, durations and intervals, are squared and reckoned thereby: and albeit the saids space of time, called (years) are variously accounted accord∣ing to the custome of diverse Nations, greater in some, and lesser in others; yet hath it (or at least wise should have) its principal dependance upon the true place and motion of the Sun, by which the years are measured, and therefore they are rightly divided into Astronomical and Political.

The Astronomical years are measured, either according to the Periodical motion of the Sun, or the Conjunction of the Moon with the Sun, and therefore twofold, viz. Solar or Lunar.

The Solar year is that space of time, that the Sun (by his proper motion) is departing from some Radical or fixed Point of the Ecliptique, to his return to the same again, and this may be called either Tropical or Syderial.

The Tropical year, is that space of time in which the

Sun is departing from one of the Tropical, Equinoctial, or Solstitial Points, and (running through the whole Ecliptique) returns to the same Point again. The true length of this year (according to the acurate Observati∣ons of Ancient and Modern Astronomers) is 365 dayes, 5 hours, 49 min. 4 sec.

The Syderal (or Starry year) is that space of time, wherein the Sun is departing from some fixed Star, or determined Point of the 8 Sphere, and returns to the same again: the true Quantity whereof (immutably) is 365 dayes, 6 hours, 9 min. 21 seconds.

The Political or Civil years be such as are every where used for distinction of times, wherein a respect is had to the motions of the Luminaries, Conjunctly or Severally.

The year is usually called either Common or Bisextile, the common year contains (according to the constitu∣tion of Julius Caesar) 365 dayes, 6 hours, which 6 hours make every fourth year Leap-year, which contains 366 dayes: it is called Bisextile of Bis and Sex (twice six) because the sixth Calends of March is twice repeated: it is called Intercalar, because of the day that is put in be∣tween and Leap-year, because that (by the addition of a day) the fixed holy dayes &c. do, as it were, leap one day further into the week, then it was in the year pre∣ceeding.