Catastrophe mundi, or, Europe's many mutations until the year 1701 being an astrological treatise of the effects of the triple conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter 1682 and 1683, and of the comets 1680 and 1682, and other configurations concomitant : wherein the fate of Europe for these next 20 years is ... more than probably conjectured ... : also, an ephimeris [sic] of all the comets that have appeared from ... 1603 to the year 1682 ... : whereunto is annexed the hieroglyphicks of Nostrodamus ... / by John Holwell.

CHAP. IV. 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, in or near 17 de∣grees of Sagitarius, having of near 2 degrees of North Latitude, and as to its Magnitude; Ricciolus and others say, it was bigger then Jupiter or Venus, according to its apparent Dia∣meter, and visible quantity; it is agreed by all Astronomers in those days, that the Apparent Magnitude was more than any of the Fixed Stars; and by reason of its having no sensible Paralax (by the con∣sent of all Astronomers) shews it to be situated among the Fixed Stars, far above the Planetary Orbs, and had no motion at all in lon∣gitude and latitude, as the Planets and other wandring Comes usu∣ally have.

In Form it was exactly round, casting no Hair or Tail constant∣ly to one place, but more like to the Order and Apparent Custom 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 Colour was very variable, like to a many Angled Diamond, by which turning the Sun Beams upon the eyes of the Beholders will reflect with a variable brightness; so from a bright yellow, anon it became croceal, and in a moment like a Purple 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 Febru∣ary 1605/6, and constantly in the same part of the Heavens as to its longitude in the Ecliptick, and it had its first Appearance near the time of the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars, as may be seen by the Figure of the Full Moon preceeding.

[illustration]

1604 September 27 day, at 14 h. 22 m. P. M. ☽ a ☍ ☉ ad ✶ ♃ E ♂.

The Places of the Planets (ex Ephem. Orig.) at the Lunation precee∣ding the first Appear∣ance of this Star. This Star appeared visible near five Hendred days, therefore it will be five Hundred years before the full effects of this New Star be fulfilled.

It is here needless to trouble my self or Reader, with the various Opinions of the Learned, about the Matter and Generation of Comets or. New Stars; but as to its place, it being so near the place of the Great Conjunction, and the place of the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars the Year follow that also, being near the great Conjunction, from whence we may learn that there is extraordinary events that must ensue from this last return of the Superiours into the Fiery Trigon, from its magnitude, distance, stability, &c. is the great∣ness, quality and duration of the effects declared, and by its habit to the Sun, and the direction the time thereof in general.

But seeing that this New Star was occidental of the Sun, and so appeared not till after Sun-set, and by the Doctrine of Ptolomy, the effects thereof must not be expected to be manifested so-suddenly to the World, as if it had Rise before the Sun; but as the Sun did ap∣proach 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 re∣tarded for a time, or till excited by subsequent Configurations; yet so as it must operate with the Conjunction, because it was so near the Ascendant thereof, that is near the place thereof the Conjunction. it self was oriental of the Sun, and so might denote some sudden Changes to happen in the World; and after Saturn and Jupiter were

separated one from the other, and were about making their several Conjunctions with Mars, then did this Star appear occidental, near to the place of the great Conjunction, denoting at length, and even before the effects of this Conjunction are compleated, must there be some eminent, and more than ordinary Changes to happen to the World; yet very little hitherto hath been taught by the Ancients, concerning the effects of these, or such like Prodigies of this Nature, so that we cannot attain so exactly to the particular events; only this we may conclude, that extraordinary Causes will have extraordinary Effects, and that from Astrological Principles, and Grounds of Na∣ture.

Spineus saith, that about that part of Heaven in which a Mock-Star appeareth, shall a Man arise which in shew shall resemble Gold. And Cardanus tell us, Segm. 2. Aph. 204. Comets appearing in the East do signifie the Birth of a. Great Man who shall be a Maker or Giver of Laws: and in Segm. 3. Aph. 117. immoveable Comets do signifie Seditions, and being in the Fiery Trigon it excites to Wars; Commotions and Conflagrations to happen in the World, the ra∣ther because this Mock-Star was of a Mars-like colour. Yet seeing at length it appeared of a more bright or jovial colour, Spineus will have it, that after there hath been such Wars, Sedition, burnings of Towns and Citys, and great slaughters of Mankind, then it should signifie the Kingdom of Peace. Any one may conclude with him, that there will be great Changes of Laws and Customs, destruction to divers States and Monarchies, beyond what could be signified from the Great Conjunction, for else why was it visible so near the place and time thereof: That which is worth taking notice of, is that dur∣ing the appearance of this New Star, all the Planets came in Con∣junction with it. Besides, it was not only elevated above the Pla∣nets in the Conjunction, both in respect of its Latitude from the Ec∣cliptick and Situation, or distance from the Earth, but also exceeded all the Planets in Magnitude and Light.

And considering that all the Planets, except the Moon, are under the Earth, and Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, and the New-star are in the Fourth House, without doubt it will be long before the effects will shew themselves fully to the World, and because the first Appea∣rance thereof was so near the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter with Mars, and all nigh the place of the great Conjunction, and the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter 1663. Therefore the effects thereof have in abundant measure shewed themselves this last 20

Years, and shall shew themselves more and more during the Con∣junction of Saturn and Jupiter in the Fiery Trigon; and for the better understanding when the effects will be most manifest, I have directed the New Star and all the Planets in the Figure of the Full Moon preceeding the Appearance thereof (which may give satisfacti∣on to any one that please to consider them) to the Year 1702; as for Example, In the year 1666 the Sun came to the New-Star, and the Moon to the Opposition of the said Star, and then was London bur∣ned. London is under Gemini, and the Opposition fell in Gemini also

Anno Domini.	Ascenda. Directed.	M C Directed.	New Star.	☉ Directed.	☽ Directed.
1618	ad □ ♃	ad ☍ ☿	□ ♀ & ♂
1620		1603	1603
1622		□ ♀ & ♂ 1603
1624				ad ☿	ad ☍ ☿
1625		ad ☍ ♄
1628	ad □ ♂	ad △ ♃
1629	ad □ ♃
1632		ad ☍ ♂ & New Star
1633		ad ☍ ♃
1640	ad □ ☉ 1603
1649		ad □ ♂
1650		ad △ ☿
1651	ad ☌ ♀		ad □ ☿
1654	ad ☌ ♂ 1603
1656				ad ☌ ☿ 1603	ad ☍ ☿ 1603
1660				ad ♄ ♃	ad ☍ ♄ ♃ 1603
1662	ad ✶ ♄	ad ☉ □ & □ ☽
1666				ad ♂ & New Star	ad ☍ ♂ & new star.
1667	ad ☉ & ☍ ☽			ad ♃	ad ☍ ♃
1671	ad ✶ ♂
1672	ad ✶ ♃
1673				ad ☉ & ♀ 1603	☍ ☽
1675					ad ☽ & ☍ ☉. 1603.

Anno Dom.	Ascendant.	M C	New Star.	☉	☽
1981	ad ☿		ad □ ☿	ad □ ♀ &	ad □ ♂
1683		□ ☿	1603	□ ♂ 1603	1603
1684		△ ♀ 1603	ad □ ♄ ♃ 1603
1686		△ ♄ ♃ 1603	ad □ ♄
1691		△ ♄
1692				ad □ ☉ & □ ☽	ad □ ☉ & □ ☽
1694			□ ♂ & New Star.
1696		ad △ ♂ & △ New Star.	ad □ ♃
1697		ad △ ♃
	♄	♃	♂	♀	☿
1619		ad □ ♀ ad □ ♂			1640 ad ♄
1620			ad □ ♀ & □ ♂		1648
1627	ad □ ♀ & □ ♂ 1603				ad new star and ♂.
1630		ad □ ☉ it □ ☽
1631			ad □ ☉ & □ ☽	1635 ad ☿
1638	ad □ ☉ it □ ☽				1649 ad ♃.
1650	1658 ad □ ☿	ad □ ☿
1651			ad □ ☿
16		ad □ ☿	ad □ ☿	1666 ad ☿ 1603.	1664
1682		1603	1603		ad □ ♂ 1603
1683		ad ♄ ♃ 1603		1671 ad ♄
1684			ad ♄ ♃ 1603
1686		ad □ ♄		1678 ad new star.	1674 ad □ ☉ & □ ☽.
1687			ad □ ♄
1689	ad □ ☿ 1603
1691	ad □ ♄ ♃ 1603			1679 ad ♃.
1693		ad □ ♂ & New star.	ad □ ♂ New star.	1686 ad ☉ 1603
1694		ad □ ♃	ad □ ♃
1695				ad □ ♂ 1603

I shall conclude with the words of Spineus in his Catastrophe mun∣di, where he saith, Take heed all you Kings of Spain and France, you Princes and Potentates of Italy, behold and dread the Sign that is sent down from God. (viz.) the Mock-Star of the Year 1604. let down in the Fiery Triplicity to provoke Wars and Conflicts, (by 7 Aph. 34.) Rebellions, Treasons, Desolations, so that all Men living shall be naturally inclin'd to shedding of bloud, for every immoderate Co••stitution of the Stars, brings Death amongst old and infirm Peo∣ple, but in others violent events, and cruel destruction of young men, or their utter ruine.

Oh! how many Changes of Kingdoms. Oh! how much la∣menting and bewailing the condition of disgrace! Oh! what sorts and difference of dangers and troubles are to be feared? what un∣speakable great and grievous Villanies? Oh! what turbulent and damnable Seditions? Oh! what unlooked and unhoped for mischie∣vous kinds of death? Oh! what exalting of wicked and reprobate Men, the troubled Stars of Heaven do belch out? Oh! what wretch∣ed and indigent Persons are every where extolled, and the rich op∣pressed and impoverished? How many Subjects and Servants shall rule whilst Kings and Masters shall obey. What Princes shall be thrown out of their Dominions? Oh! what insolent, Drunken and Luxuri∣ous Men, who shall have the Habit of Whoredom? What inventers of new and unheard of Lusts, Buggeries, Gluttons, Murtherers, Cru∣el, Deceivers, and Traitors, and Thieves (without cause) such as shall deride, torment, and tear in pieces, and kill with very vexati∣on, all Men that be endued with Prudence, Knowledge and Wisdom, but they shall be of a constant mind; and although these things shall be fierce after the year 1630, yea more fierce after 1650; yet shall they be most terrible and rigorous after the year 1660: God divert the evil that is yet further portended from the effects of this New Star from the Kingdom of England, for since the Year 1660 there hath been a great deal of this production come to pass, and a great deal more there is behind, which not only England, but France and Spain, and Italy, and Germany, Holland, Scotland, and almost all the whole World, in one measure or other, within this 20 years will be sensible of, (viz.) Wars, Plagues, Famine and cruel destruction of Man∣kind, with the burning of Towns and Citys. And so much may serve or the Judgment of the New Star,