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IN this Chapter I shall demonstrate my former Method by Examples, which shall be done by the cold Summer in the Year 1695, and the succeeding warm January and February.
And first, for the reason of the cold Summer 1695, view the fifth Diagram, which is drawn for the Sun's Ingress into the
Tropical Sign ♋, viz. June the 11th at Sun-set; in which Dia∣gram you see that Saturn is in Perigaeon, or near the Earth, and Mars in an abject Place, as also ♃, which is the Cause of our cold Summer; for Saturn's nearness fills our Atmosphere with Nitre; and Mars not being able to oppose his chill Influence, we therefore had a very cold Summer, notwithstanding the Sun was then in his greatest Northern Vertical Strength.
And in the next place, let us see the Reason for our warm and favourable Winter, especially in January and February fol∣lowing the said cold Summer, which two Months are as much fam'd for Cold, as June and July are for Heat.
In the sixth Diagram, which is drawn for the Sun's entrance into ♓, viz. the 8th of February at Sun-set, wherein we find the cold Planet Saturn in an abject place, being thereby far re∣mote from the Earth; and Mars and Jupiter are in Perigaeon, and also in an Estival Sign, viz. on this side the Equator, and Mars in a Southern and Winter Sign: for depressed Mars in this place becomes our Deputy-Sun, who, like a Burning-Glass, warms our Atmosphere by reflecting back the Sun's Rays upon us, thereby warming our Air very much; whose Heat is aug∣mented by the Proximity of Jupiter, they both being in Oppo∣sition of the Sun.
In Places about ten degrees North and South Declination, viz. on each side the Equinoctial, yea all that part of the Torrid Zone, they felt Mars his Influence with a Vengeance; for Mars being in ☍ of the Sun, and in Conjunction with Jupiter a Ni∣trosulphurious Planet, would, like Gun-powder, cause violent Combustions in the Atmosphere, great and violent Thunders and Lightnings, burning up the very Vegetables with their great Heat.
But we in the more Northern Climates, by reason of the Sun's Absence and great Depression, only enjoy'd a more warm Sea∣son than usual at the Season; nay it was oft and many a day in January and February, warmer than several days in June and July preceding.
We had Thunder and Lightning even at Christmas this Year in our Climate, caused by the aforesaid Position.
But before I conclude this Chapter, I shall say something concerning the unparallell'd and never to be forgotten Frost, which happen'd in the Year 1683, which most Astrologers judged to be a Badg of the Effects of the grand ♂ of Saturn and Jupiter trebly repeated the Winter and Spring preceding; but tho that was the Cause, as I believe it was, why had we not the Cold the Winter before, when they were partilely con∣join'd? I doubt not but it will puzzle most of our Modern Astrologers to shew the Reason.
But by our Copernican Method it's plain, why the Cold did not commence the Year before; for tho ♄ and ♃ were both in Perigaeon, which by our Method is a strong Augment of cold and severe Frost, yet we had then Mars our Deputy-Sun in square to the Sun, who being upon the Meridian or Zenith, while Saturn and Jupiter were upon the Horizon, who hath great Force and Power by that Position, and did by his great Power overcome the chill Influence of ♄ and ♃, and caused a temperate Season.
But after that Mars had got into an abject place, which was the succeeding Winter; and Saturn and ♃ still continuing near together, and becoming in Perigaeon again the next Winter, who then play'd their parts to purpose; for Mars was also in a Winter Sign, as well as in an abject place, who being thereby weakned, and not able to over-power the Influence of ♄ and ♃, who then play their parts to purpose, then began the time for Severity.
They that will or can may draw the respective Diagrams for the said Winters, wherein they may find Satisfaction. And so I shall conclude this Chapter, and with it the first Part.
This Diagram I call a Copernican Projection, upon the Plane of the Equinoctial. In which the Sun is the Centre, about whom move all the Planets in their respective Orbs; as also the Earth, about whom moves the Moon as her Centre. But for the Expla∣nation thereof, see the 3d Chapter of the first Part; and also the 6th Chapter.
This Diagram is drawn for the sake of demonstrating the Aspects of the Planets, and is only a Projection of the Lunar Circle of the 3d Diagram, in a larger Figure, whereby the pla∣netary Aspects are more plain to the Eye, they being the same in the Lunar Orb in the 3d Diagram, but not so easy to be un∣derstood.