Vox stellarum: or, the voyce of the stars being a brief and easie introduction to the knowledge of the number, names and characters of the planets and signs, aspects and anticions: the division of heaven, and how to erect a figure thereof, either by a table of houses or by a table of right and oblique ascentions: an exact and true description of the planets and signs, with the countries, cities or towns under them. Likewise, how to judge of the affairs of the world, by revolutions, eclipses, great conjunctions and blazing stars. Also, something touching the Popish Plot, and other remarkable affairs of the year, 1678. By William Knight, student in astrology and physick.

CHAP. VI. Of the general and constant Qualities of the four Quarters of the Year.

SECTION I. Of the Spring.

THe most glorious and delightful Sea∣son of the whole Year, is the Spring, which takes its beginning when the Sun enters ♈, then making the Days and Nights equal all over the World, except under the Poles; and he then leaving the Inhabitants of the Southern Hemisphere, doth begin to refresh and revive with his glorious and cherishing influence all those that inhabit the Northern Hemisphere: this Quarter is generally hot and moist, signifying Child-hood; it continues all the time that the Sun is passing thorough ♈, ♉, ♊, And the Rulers hereof are ♂, ♀, ☿, and they Physically denote vigour, de∣light, and mutability. So accordingly while the Sun is in ♈, all Vegetables put forth their Leaves and Blossoms, and Na∣ture is indued with a Spring-like force: while the Sun is in ♉, the Leaves and

Flowers of the Fields expand themselves after a delightful manner; and Dame Ve∣sta opens her Paradice of Pleasures to all her Children: while the Sun is in ♊, Na∣ture's Limners are at work, and out of the force of ♂, and the delights and plea∣sances of ♀, paint to the World a million of pleasant Varieties.

SECTION II. Of Summer.

The next glorious Season begins where the Spring ends, at which time the Sun en∣ters ♋, and he being then mounted his Apogaeon, is removed to his greatest di∣stance from the Earth, and being in his greatest Declination North-ward, maketh longest Days and shortest Nights to all we that inhabit the North side of the Aequa∣tor, this Quarter is generally hot and dry, signifying Youth; it continueth all the time the Sun is perambulating the Signs ♋, ♌, ♍; and the Rulers hereof are ☽, ☉, ☿; the ☽ here precedes the ☉ in Government, and all the Births of the fore-going Spring are now swel'd to a pleasing Dropsie, and so they remain du∣ring the Sun's continuance in ♋; and then

so soon as he enters ♌, he assumes a parti∣cular (so well as a general) power of go∣verning; and by his great heat reduces all Vegetables from their Anasarchal swel∣ling, to a positive hectick Fever: thereby ripening Seeds, Flowers, Fruits, &c. which he fails not to put forwards while he con∣tinues in this his Royal Palace. Lastly, ☿ brings up the rear of this Season, and while the ☉ is in ♍ it being an earthly Sign, he herein reduceth all things from their hectical condition, into a direct Ma∣rasmus: and now all things are ripe for the Sycle, and the honest Countrey-man goes whisling with his Cart loaden to the Barn.

SECTION III. Of Autumn.

This Season begins when the Sun enters ♎, at which time he once more maketh the Days and Nights equal, it is by Na∣ture cold and dry, signifying Manhood, and continueth all the time that the Sun is running through the Signs ♎, ♏, ♐; and the Rulers hereof are ♀, ♂, ♃; first ♀ bestows her tears upon the Hearse of the deceased Summer, and hereby generates a

Phaenix out of the old ones Ashes: and so while the Sun continues in ♎, we are made happy with a second Spring; but of no long continuance: next comes ♂ and he while the Sun is in ♏, endeavours to add heat to the moisture Venus lent, the better to cherish the later Summer: but that too is soon returned by reason of the absence of the Sun, the Fountain of all heat and grand Principle of Generation. Lastly, ♃ by his Balsamick Beams, while the Sun is in ♐, endeavours to perfect what the other two could not alone; and so conserves the mummial virtue of all Plants, Herbs, Fruits, &c. for the good of humane kind, and for the preservation of the Species of all things; to the end of this Quarter, which is as far as his Go∣vernment extends.

SECTION IV. Of the Brumal, or Winter Quarter.

This Season commenceth at the Sun's entrance into ♑, and he being in his Peri∣gaeon or nearest to the Earth, also in his greatest South-Declination; maketh short∣est Days and longest Nights to us that in∣habit the North-side of the Aequator:

this Quarter is by Nature cold and moist, signifying old age, it continues all the time that the ☉ is transiting the Signs ♑, ♒, ♓; and the Rulers hereof are ♄ and ♃, but ♄ hath a double power to that of ♃; and hence it is, that all things, (this Quar∣ter) more especially while the Sun passeth through ♑ and ♒; look with a sad and lowring face, and are seen to wear the Image of Death and Destruction: now Frosts, Snows, Hail, black Clouds, Rain, Isicles, Barrenness, extremity of cold, and all things that are negative to delight and pleasure, have their Regency: but ♃ by his gentler moisture, while the Sun is in ♓, puts us in hopes of an approaching Spring. And thus by this orderly govern∣ment of the Planets through the several Seasons of the Year, are we put in mind of the passage of the several parts of our life, hereunto agreeable; viz. how we pass the Spring of our Infancy and Ado∣lescency; the Summer of our Youth, and strength; the Autumn of our Manhood, and declining years: And lastly, the Winter of our Old-age; where ♄ stands ready with his Sythe to cut us down: And how by passing this vale of misery, this na∣tural death, we go onward to the govern∣ment of ♃ to immortallity, and a blessed

life, where we shall behold God Almighty in glory.