Prae-nuncius sydereus an astrological treatise of the effects of the great conjunction of the two superiour planets, Saturn & Jupiter, October the Xth, 1663, and other configurations concomitant : wherein the fate of Europe for these next twenty years is (from the most rational grounds of art) more than probably conjectured, and the success of the present design of the Turk against Christendome occasionally hinted at / by Richard Edlin.

CHAP. III.

Of the Effects of the New Star, Anno 1604.

ANno 1604. about the beginning of October, this Star was observed first to appear in the Heavens, whose effects co∣operate with the Great Conjunction, because it appeared so near the place and time thereof, and by reason of its stability and long continuance; the greatnesse of which effects are known by its Place, Magnitude, Distance from the Earth, its form, colour, and time of continuance.

For its Place (although there is some small discrepancy among Authors) it was observed and generally concluded to be in the 17 degr. and about 40 minutes from Sagittary, with 1 degree 54 minutes North Latitude, so that (I say) it was not much elongated from the place of the Great Conjunction, which evi∣dently shews the concordancy of its effects therewith.

For its Magnitude, Ricciolus and others say, it was bigger than Jupiter or Venus, as to its apparent Diameter and visible quantity; but Kepler, Spineus, and some ••••ers do say, that it was indeed bigger than Jupiter, but not altogether so big as Venus; For certain its apparent magnitude was more than any of the fixed Stars, whence also the effects are of the greater mo∣ment.

As for its Distance from the Earth, its nullity or insensible

paralax (by the consent of all Astronomers) shews it to be situ∣ate among the fixed Stars far above the planetary Orbs; For (as Spineus hath expressed it) from Jupiter and Mars, it was so much distant every day, as was their Diurnal motion; so that by its equidistance from the fixed Stars, it appears it was fixed also, and had no motion at all in Longitude, as the Planets and other wan∣dering Comets usually have.

In Form it was exactly round, casting no hairs or tail con∣stantly to one place, but more like to the order and apparent cu∣stome of the other fixed Stars, it appeared with a most clear twinkling and shooting of beams on every side, and that with such glistering and sudden brandishing, as hath not been usually seen or observed to be in the Heavens among the Stars.

The Colours (as must also the effects be) were very variable, like (in the simile of Spineus) to a many-angled Diamond, by which turning the Sun-beams upon the eys of the beholders, will reflect with a variable brightnesse, so from a bright Yellow (saith he) anon it became Croceal, and in a moment like a Pur∣ple, and reddish, and many times it did appear white, and with a most pure twinkling light.

Its Continuance was above a year, even till the moneth of Fe∣bruary 1605/6. and constantly in the same part of Heaven, as to its Longitude in the Ecliptick: And notable to our purpose is that observation of Kepler, That all the Planets were in conjunction with this Star, before it was extinguished: to which I may add, that its first appearance was neer the times of the conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter with Mars, as by the following Figure appeareth.

This is the true Historical relation of this rare Phenomenon, or unusual appearance; which though it be brief, yet is it as full as is necessary to our present purpose. But who would be further sa∣tisfied, I refer to Ricciolus his Almagestum Novum, and Kepler, de Stella Nova.

The places of the Planets (ex Ephem. Orig.) at the next Luna∣tion preceding the first appearance of this Star, is as followeth.

[illustration] astrological chart

1604. Septem. 27 d. 14 h. 22. P. ☽ a ☍ ☉ ad ✶ ♃ & ♂. London.

That Aphor. of Anonimus the 253. Post magnas conjunctiones in signis Aereis (why not Igneis) solent apparere Cometa, cum redeunt planetae superiores ad aspectum) is here verified; so also after the ☌ in 1623. and therefore (as some have conjectured) it may be expected we shall have a Comet or New Star ere the year 1665. be expired.

I shall not trouble my self or my Reader with the various controversies of the Learned, about the generation and existent matter of these or such like productions of Nature; I say from its place, being so related to the great Conjunction, and the reputed Ascendent thereof, we may learn the concomitancy of its effects therewith, and the extraordinary events that must en∣sue from this last return of the Superiours into the Fiery Trigon.

From its Magnitude, Distance, Stabillity, Continuance, &c. is the Greatness, Quality and Duration of the effects declared. And by its Habit to the Sun, the time thereof in general; for con∣sidering that it was occidental of the Sun, and so appeared not till after the Sun-set, viz. was vespertine, if we may apply the Do∣ctrine of Ptolomy, then must not the effects thereof be so sudden∣ly manifested to the world; but as the Sun did approach nearer and nearer, and so by degrees, and for some time did obscure the light of the Star, so will the effects be obscured or retarded for some time, or till excited by subsequent Configurations; yet so, as that it must cooperate with the Conjunction, because it was neer the Ascendent thereof; or we may from hence infer, that as the great Conjunction was Oriental and Matutine, and so might denote some sudden changes and alterations to happen in the world, or that the effects thereof should quickly be manifested; and that after Saturn and Jupiter were separated one from ano∣ther, and were about to make their conjunctions with Mars, for the further augmentation of their effects; that then this Star ap∣peared occidental (as hath been already mentioned) neer to the place of the Conjunction, denoting, that at length, and even be∣fore the effects of the Conjunction are compleated, must there be some eminent and more than ordinary accidents to happen to the world.

Very little hath hitherto been taught us by the Astrologers, of the effects of these or such like Prodigies of Nature, so that we cannot attain so exactly to the particular events. We may ge∣nerally conclude from extraordinary Causes, that some extraor∣dinary Events will ensue; and from Astrological principles and grounds of Nature conjecture, from such inordinate signatures as inordinate and prodigious effects must happen.

The judicious do say (saith Spineus) Circa illam partem, in quae pseudostella refulxit ascendere virum aurum visu repraesentantem. That about that part of Heaven in which a Mock-star appear∣eth, shall a man arise, which in shew shall resemble Gold; Come∣tes in oriente maximi exortum significat viri magni legum latoris, saith Cardanus Segm. 2. Aph. 204. Comets appearing in the East, do signifie the birth of a great Man, who shall be a Maker or a giver of Laws.

And by the third Segm. Aph. 117. Cometae immobiles, seditiones, &c. Immovable Comets do signifie Seditions, and being in the Fiery Triplicity it excites Wars, Commotions, Conflagrations, &c. to happen in the world; And this the rather, for that the Star was of a Mars-like colour; yet seeing at length it appear∣ed of a more bright and Mercurial colour (or rather a Jovial) Spineus will have it, after so many misfortunes; as Wars, Sediti∣ons, Burnings, Slaughters, &c. to signifie the Kingdome of Peace; with him we may conclude, that there will be great change of Laws and Customes, Destruction and Detriment to divers States and Monarchies, beyond what is signified from the great Conjunction, for else why was it visible so neer the place and time thereof?

To which we may adde that notable observation of Sir Chri∣stopher Heydon; that as Saturn was elevated above Jupiter, and so might seem to retard or remit the benevolent influence of Jupi∣ter in the Conjunctional effects (who was otherwise better dig∣nified) yet this Star, when Saturn came to passe by him, was ele∣vated above him, which doth also further evidence the greatness of the effects of this New Star; and what Saturn would do by Subtilty, Craft, Hypocrisie, self ends, &c. shall in a great mea∣sure by this New Light be discovered and suppressed, whether it be by new Laws or Decrees, in matters either Civil or Ecclesi∣astical.

And forasmuch as this Star was fixed and situate above the planetary Orbs, even among the fixed Stars, and that the Sun al∣so among the Planets the year following, suffered an Eclipse in the M. C. of the great Conjunction, and in perfect Sextile to the Ascendent thereof, and the place of the Star, which was also then yet visible; from whence it may be (saith he) proportiona∣bly collected, that what was decreed in this notable Synod of the Planets (in this sign, which he calls the Court or Temple of Hea∣ven) was also ratified by the fixed Stars, and by all the spheres of Heaven; neither is it to be neglected, that this New Star was not onely elevated above the Planets in the Conjunction, both in respect of its Latitude from the Ecliptique, and situation or di∣stance from the Earth, but also excelled all the Planets in magni∣tude and light.

So that as the Sun, metaphorically representeth Kings and Ma∣gistrates, and Nobility in Astrology are resembled to the Pla∣nets about the Sun, so the fixed Stars are compared to the peo∣ple and Commons, among whom some excell others in Great∣nesse; and therefore, whether there be a new Democracy or Ari∣stocracy of the Church and Common-wealth, founded while the Sun suffereth his light to be eclipsed, I take not upon me to decide; but he conceived there would be a breach of Leagues and Trea∣ties, and a renovation of the Wars, great detriment to the King of Spain, that he should be beaten out of the Indies, and the Go∣spel should be propagated unto the Southern parts: For to what end is this Star perpendicular to the Indian Seas, and to the best parts of America? if we consider the place of the ••tar, in relation to the Figure of the great Conjunction, it was in the Ascendent thereof, therefore what great Man there is (or to be) born that must come from the East to excite Wars, and change Lawes, we must leave to time to determine.

Considering that all the Planets, except the Moon, are subter∣ranean, that Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, and the New Star, are in∣tercepted in the fourth House, without doubt it will be long be∣fore the effects will manifest themselves fully to the world, which at length will be the more effectual, because the first ap∣pearance thereof was so neer the conjunctions of Saturn and Jupi∣ter with Mars, and all nigh the place of the Great Conjunction and the Ascendent thereof; and therefore I may add, that be∣cause our present Conjunction is so neer these former Configu∣rations, therefore the effects thereof shall in abundant measure shew themselves these next twenty years, and likewise during the effects of every of those Conjunctions that shall happen in this sign Sagittarius, so long as the influence of the Fiery Triplicity shall continue.

But what those effects yet further are, give me leave also to add the judgement of Spineus in his Catastrophe mundi, where (treating of the Mock-stars of the years 1572. and 1604. he saith, That the appearance of this Star in the Fiery Triplicity, and (as he terms it) in the direct of Sagittary, signifies the vehemen∣cy of some King over his people; his coveting of moneys, de∣pressing of many of his subjects by violence and injustice; the

death or deposition of such Nobles as had their honour under the Fiery Trigon (I suppose it should have been the Watry) and consequently it foreshews a Drought, and great Mortality among the Inhabitants of the Earth, a decay of Fruits by the vehemency of Heat, a dearth of Cattel, the death of Kings and Citizens, and that there will be much lewdnesse in many parts.

And further, without doubt in the latter years there will be almost a destruction of Monarchies especially, because of the most powerful influence of the Stars that then will happen; we conceive (saith he) not onely the final destruction of the Turks, but also that there will be a great decay among Christians, and that not onely all the Kings and Potentates of the Earth shall be hurt by the several evil Constellations of Heaven, But take heed all you KINGS of SPAIN and FRANCE; * 1.1 you Princes and Potentates of ITALY, behold and dread the Sign sent from GOD, viz. the Mock-star of the year 1604. let down in the Fiery Triplicity to provoke Wars and Conflicts (by Seg. 7. Aph. 34) Rebellions, Treasons, Desolations, sudden and utter Ruine and Mischiefs of all kinds; so that all men living, of what degree soever, shall be naturally inclined to the shedding of Blood. For every inordinate constitution of the Stars brings Death among old and infirm people, but in others sudden and utter ruine: And at length he thus concludes, Oh! quot mutatio∣nes Regnorum; Oh! quot lugubres & flebiles infortuniorum Casus! &c. Oh! how many changes of Kingdomes! Oh! how much lamenting the condition of Disgrace! Oh! how many sorts and differences of dangers are to be feared, what great and grievous Villanies! what turbulent and damnable Seditions! Oh! what sudden and unlook'd for mischievous kinds of Deaths! Oh! what exalting of wicked and reprobate men do the Stars of Heaven belch out! what wretched and indigent persons are every where extoll'd, and the rich oppressed and impoverished! how many subjects and servants will rule, while Kings and Ma∣sters obey! Oh! what Princes shall be thrown down out of their Dominions! what insolent, drunken, and luxurious men, who shall have the habit of Whoredom! what inventors of new and unheard of Lusts, Buggerers, Gluttons, Murtherers, cruel

Deceivers, Traitors, and Thieves (without cause) such as shall deride, torment, tear in pieces, and kill with very vexation, all men that be endowed with Prudence, Knowledge and Wisdome, who will neverthelesse be of a firm and constant mind.

And if you would also know when in general these things * 1.2 shall be, he adds, Although they shall be fierce after the year 1630. yea more fierce after the year 1650. yet shall they be most terrible and rigorous after the year 1660.

God divert the Evil that is yet further portended from the ef∣fects of this Star, from the Kingdom of England; for seeing the Star did first appear so neer the body of Mars, and that Sa∣turn was also applying, whose influence Mars translates first to the New Star, afterwards to Jupiter; it may probably be conjectured, that many violent and turbulent accidents must ensue in the world, which as they do proceed from such natu∣ral causes, whose influences are universal, so that all places more or lesse shall be sensible of the effects; therefore England cannot be excluded, and the rather, because we are under a sign of the same Triangularity: But if we consider the dominion of the Sign it self, or their situation in Heaven, the effects are for certain extended to the more Southern parts of the World, and such as are both South-East and South-West from England; and in Europe, more particularly Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, &c. But let this suffice for the effects of the New Star also, onely if we consider the time of the Sun's coming to the place of the Star, Mars and Jupiter, it informs us of some superlative transactions to fall out in the years 1664, 65, and 66.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ☞
• * 1.2

  Nota benè.