An appendix to Holwel's Catastrophe mundi being an astrological discourse of the rise, growth and continuation of the Othoman family : with the nativities of the present French king, emperors of Germany and Turky, all truly rectifyed, and astrologically handled : also, what progress this present emperor of Turky shall make upon Europe in this intended war with the House of Austria : where unto is added a supplement of the judgment of comet / by John Holwel ...

To all those that are truly Lovers of Astrology, and other Mathematical Learning through∣out all Europe.

Most Worthy Sirs,

IT being my Fate to bring into the World (a small Piece of the Conjuncti∣on of Saturn and Jupiter, Entituled Ca∣tastrophe Mundi) about six Months ago, wherein was a Method shewed how to lay ••o Foundation of Judging of future Events relating to Mundane Affairs; and finding it hath been kindly received by the Ingenious of this Age, I have attempted to write an Appendix thereto, wherein is laid down a Method how to handle Astrologically the Ori∣ginal of any Family; by which means may be discovered their several Impending Fates, and that from the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. For it is known to all men, that all Families, Cities, and other things that had a Beginning, have been subject to Mu∣tations, and at last to Desolution; but the Antients have been very silent in Matters relating to this very Subject, insomuch

that I was at a stand which way was best to take; but considering the Beginning of Empires, Kingdoms, Cities and Families have their Original from the Conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter; for the better Satisfaction of the young Student, I have thought good to handle (in this small Piece) the Rise of the Empire of Turky, and have traced his Rise and Growth, with a great deal of Labour, quite through the Turkish History; and in the same man∣ner may other Empires be handled, if the Rise of them be but known, and from thence may the many Mutati∣ons of the World be discovered.

All those that go about to Judge the Event of Europe from the Entrance of the Sun into any of the Cardinal Points, build their Judgment from very uncertain grounds, for that very Point is not fully determin∣ed by Astronomers; and I judge it as hard to got a true Figure of any of those Times, as it is to get a Figure of the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter: as for Example: Mr. Richard Kirby, in his Votes Astrologicus, lately Published, tells us. That the Sun enter Aries upon the 10th. day of March, at 3 Hours 41 Min. A. M. And from thence he very

learnedly gives a Judgment of the Spring-Quarter for the year 1683: but according to Mr. Street, the Sun enters Aries but 21 Min. A. M. the same day; no less than 3 Hours 20 Min. difference: and most Astro∣nomers of our Age do agree, That the Sun's greatest Paralax is less than half a Minute, and so consequently Mr. Street to be the near∣est the truth. Now I leave it to the Sons of Art to judge, what sure Ground any Ar∣tist can have to draw his Judgment from any of the Enerances of the Sun into the four Cardinal Points, seeing Astronomers dif∣fer so much: but what Mr. Kirby would have done for Matter to finish his Astrolo∣gical Prophet, had it not been for my Ca∣tastrophe Mundi, I know not, for all the material Matter in my Judgment of Years he hath very fairly transcribed.

There is also Emitted into the World a small Piece, bearing the Title of Catastro∣phe Mundi, performed by a very Learned Pen; wherein the Author was pleased, in his Preface, to tell the World, That I had con∣fused the Hierogliphicks; under pretence of placing of them right. And yet this Learned Pen after all, confesses, That they were not placed right in Mr. Lillie's Time. From

whence I had the Key of placing of them right, is best known to my self. How∣ever I have been so kind to the Sons of Art, as to emit them into the World rightly placed; but the Learned Pen would do well to let the Gentleman have his Book again from whence he had all his Catastrophe Mundi out of, for it is a great piece of In∣gratitude not to restore it.

Worthy Sirs, the Thing it self will speak what pains I have been at to compose it, there being no President in this kind as ever I could light of, which Labour and Pains I present to the World, hoping the Lovers of Art of this Age will judge of it according to its Merits, which if it be kindly accepted by you, will be all the Reward that I shall expect. In the mean time, Farewell.

From my House on the East-side of Spittle-Fields, over against Dorset-Street, next Door to a Glasiers.

May 9th. 1683

John Holwel.