Demonstration of astrology, or, A brief discourse, proving the influence of the sun, moon, stars, over this terraqueous globe grounded on the fundamental rules of the Copernican system and philosophy, and verified by practical examples and experience : illustrated by diagrams : whereby the art is rendered almost mathematically demonstrable : to which is added, an astrological and philosophical appendix, or second part, treating of this summer's effects, both in the macrocosm as well as microcosm : wherein we have great cause to fear, that the sword, pestilence, and famine will annoy our European territories this ensuing summer / by William Hunt, a lover of the mathematics and natural philosophy.

CHAP. IV.

A brief Discourse of the five old Planetary Aspects.

BY reason of the different Motion of the Planets in their several Orbs, they become sometimes in Conjunction, and sometimes in Opposition; and sometimes beholding one another with different Angles and Faces, both in respect of the Earth and themselves: Which Angles or Radiations are by Astrologers called Aspects, and were taken notice of by the Antients to be of singular Efficacy and Power in the Mutations of the Air. The Reasons why they embraced only these Positions, are too long and tedious for me to treat of here; but I shall explain them, and say something thereof, and in some other Tract I shall

inlarge further thereupon: In the mean time if you be impati∣ent, I refer you to that learned and incomparable Piece wrote by Sir Christopher Heydon.

And for the Explanation of the aforesaid Aspects, &c. I have drawn the fourth Diagram, which is drawn for the same Time that the third Diagram is drawn for, viz. the 11th day of June 1696, at Sun-set, and is only to shew the Planetary A∣spects that are then in the Heavens, and is the same as the Lunar Orbit in the third Diagram, and is drawn larger on pur∣pose to demonstrate the Aspects.

Which are five in number, viz. Conjunction, Opposition, Sex∣tile, Quartile, and Trine.

A Conjunction is, when two Planets are in one Sign and Degree, or within seven or eight Degrees of one another in distance; for the Planets admit of their Rays, and are said to be in Conjunction or Aspect, though not bodily conjoined, and that Aspect is called a Platick Aspect; but when they are in per∣fect Aspect to a Degree and Minute, then that is called a Par∣tile Aspect. And note, that the nearer they are, the Aspect is the stronger and of more force.

A Conjunction, as I said before, is when two Planets are both in one Sign and Degree, whereby the Earth and they come into a Diametrical Line; and when the two Planets are partilely joined, both in respect of Longitude and Latitude, then is the highest or Superior eclipsed by the lowest or Inferi∣or: Also the two Planets do then rise South, and set both at the same time; and this Aspect or ☌ is shewed by Jupiter and Mars in the fourth Diagram, where you may see how they send their mixed and united Rays to the Earth.

They may also be seen in the Firmament (if the Air be clear) at the same time the Diagrams are drawn for, viz. June the 11th, after Sun-set, to be near the West, within a Span's breadth of one another; a beautiful Sight to behold.

An Opposition is, when two Planets are 180 Degrees, or half the Zodiack in distance, the Earth being in a Diametrical Line between them. And to them who live under the Equi∣noctial Line, always when one riseth the other sets, as is evi∣dent by Saturn and Mercury in the fourth Diagram: Mercury be∣ing at his farthest Elongation almost from the Sun, may at the aforesaid time be seen to set North-West after him, and Saturn at the same time to rise South-East in opposition to him.

A Quartile Aspect is, when two Planets are elongated 90 Degrees, or a fourth part of the Zodiacal Circle, making there∣by a Right Angle at the Earth: This Aspect is demonstrated by the Sun and Moon, she being in her last Quarter; view them in the fourth Diagram. And note, that to them who live un∣der the Line, where the Meridian is their Zenith; always when one Planet is upon the Horizon, either rising or setting, then the Planet in Quartile to him is in the Zenith or Nadir, viz. upon the Meridian. Which Aspect is of great force, for divers Reasons which shall hereafter be made appear, but for brevity must be omitted here; the Influence of a Planet upon the Ho∣rizon or Meridian, is vulgarly known even to the Rustick, who when he meets with a misling or hazy Air in the Morn∣ing, he remains in doubt until the Sun hath mounted the Me∣ridian, and then he tells you, that the Day will either clear up and be fair, or else prove rainy down-right; the Reason (though unknown to him) is this, that the Sun then coming to his Virtical strength, hath more Power to dissolve the Vapours or Clouds, if not beheld by some other Planet which then may rise above the Horizon: As suppose ♄ or ♂, and then that Planet getting above as aforesaid, causeth it to rain down∣right, which before was only misly.

A Sextile Aspect is, when two Planets are a sixth part of the Zodiack, or 60 Degrees elongated, making thereby an Equi∣lateral Triangle at the Earth, which is delineated by the Moon and Saturn in the fourth Diagrams.

A Trine Aspect is the distance of two Planets, a third part of the Zodiack, and is an Angle of 120 Degrees, making an Equi∣lateral Triangle in the Heavens, and is delineated by Saturn in Trine to Jupiter and Mars, who send their Rays to the Seven Stars, as you may see by the aforesaid Diagram.

These two last Aspects are not of such force in the Mutation of the Air as the other, which shall be made appear in my next, together with the Reason of their Influence.

If you have a mind to view these Distances or Aspects in the Heavens, you may see them at the aforesaid Time, viz. near an Hour after Sun-set, when you may see Saturn rising South-East in Opposition to Mercury, setting North-West; and beholding Ju∣piter and Mars with a Benevolent Trine, they being near the West: and if you rise the next Morning before the Sun rises, you may see the Moon in Sextile of Saturn, and in Quartile to the Rising Sun. And so much shall suffice at present concern∣ing the Aspects.