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.

Of Eclipses.

CHAP. I. What an Eclipse is, the cause thereof, what time a Figure should be erected for judging the effect of it? what things or places it concerns either good or evil, the time when its effects shall begin? how long continue? Of all these in order we shall treat.

IN omni revolutione Annorum Mundi, E∣clipsin Solis & Lunae non postpones, In e∣very Revolution of the World, we must be sure to remember the Eclipses of the Luminaries.

SECTION I.

An Eclipse of either of the Luminaries, is only a privation or obscurity of their light for a season.

SECTION II.

That of the Sun is occasioned at the ☌ or Change of the Moon, by the interposi∣tion of the Moon between the Body of the Sun and the Earth, averting or turning his Beams from us, whereby he becomes dark∣ned for that time.

That of the Moon is by the Diametri∣cal Interposition of the Earth betwixt the Sun and the Moon, so depriving her of the light that she receiveth from the Sun, and this is always at the ☍ or Full-Moon: the Sun ever moveth in the Ecliptick-Line, and therefore were it not so that the Moon at her Conjunction and Opposition with him, had Latitude, whereby she deviates from the Ecliptick, sometimes North-ward, and at other times South-ward, that she cannot exactly meet with him there, this defect would be every Change and Full.

SECTION III.

The time for which we should erect a Figure concerning this business Guido Bo∣natus that Learned Italian Astrologer tells us in these Words, Si autem in anno fuerit Eclipsis, vide in quo signo sit adventa, &

aequabis tunc Planetas & Domos ad horam me∣diae Eclipsis: if in any year there be an E∣clipse, see in what Sign it is and reduce the Planets and Houses to the Time of the middle of the Eclipse.

SECTION IV.

The Places concerned in the effects of an Eclipse, Ptolomy informs us, Muxime e∣venient in ea quae eidem Signo Eclipsis assimi∣latur, & in qua super terram videtur Eclipsis: the effects will chiefly happen to those Parts subject to the Sign wherein the E∣clipse is, and in those Places where the Eclipse is visible: Now on what the effects will be manifested, Ptolomy also tells us, ex Qualitatibus & Figuris, quae proprie sunt Signorum, in quibus est Eclipsis locus indica∣tur, & Signorum etiam, in quibus erraticae & non erraticae consistent Stellae, quae Signo Eclip∣sis, & Signo Anguli praecedentis Eclipsi donan∣do disponunt: the meaning of these words run to this purpose, That we may know from the Qualities and Forms of those Signs wherein the Light is Eclipsed, and from those Places in which the Planets or other Stars having chief dominion in the place of the Eclipse, and the Angle prece∣ding the Eclipse shall be located: the Angle

preceding is the Ascendent if the Eclipse be in the Forenoon, but if it be Afternoon then 'tis the Mid-heaven or tenth house: from hence we learn that if an Eclipse be in humane Signs it will manifest its effects on men, if in a Bestial Sign on Cattle, in the Ascendent on the Common People, in the second on their Substance, &c. if it be on the ninth house on Church-men, in the tenth on Kings, Princes, &c. an Eclipse on the fiery Triplicity, denotes the moti∣on of Armies, Wars, effusion of Blood, de∣triment to Kings, Princes, or Noble-men, Murthers, Thefts, Robbers on the high∣ways, Depopulations, Abortions to Wo∣men with Child, malignant Fevers, destru∣ction to Sheep, Coneys and Horses: strange Apparitions in the Ayr: in the earthy Triplicity, scarcity of Corn, and other Fruits, death of Bulls, Oxen, Cows, Goats and Hogs, Earth-quakes, &c. in the airy Triplicity, Hurricanes, stormy Winds, pestilential Diseases, a scarcity of Food, death of Birds or the Fowls of the Ayr: in the watery Triplicity, Wars, rumors of Wars, eruptions or over-flowing of the Sea-banks, Floods of water, death of Vul∣gar People, damage to Fish, &c.

SECTION V.

The effects of an Eclipse doth without doubt begin to operate from the first ap∣pearance thereof though not much to be descerned, and when the ☉ or ♂ cuts or oppose the place thereof they rouse it up to action, but Authors teach us other Les∣sons, which I shall not trouble my self with here, nor shall I say any thing against it.

SECTION VI.

For to know how long the effects of an Eclipse will continue let enquiry be made of Ptolomy, whom you shall hear speak thus, sciemus quod futura Solaris Eclipsis tot annis durabit, quot ejus horae aequales fue∣rint; Lunaris vero totidem mensibus: the sence of these words is, we must know that in an Eclipse of the Sun the effects shall continue so many years as he is eclip∣sed equal hours, and of the Moon so ma∣ny months.

CHAP. II. Shewing the signification of each of the five Planets, when they are Lord of an Eclipse, here you must know the ☉ and ☽ are excluded.

IN the fourth Section of the last Chapter aforegoing you may perceive or under∣stand, that the Lord of the Eclipse is that Planet which hath the most essential Digni∣ties in the Sign of the Eclipse and Angle preceding.

SECTION I. ♄.

When this Planet is Ruler of an Eclipse, he causeth Want, Tribulation, Sadness, Fears, obnoxious Diseases and Death a∣mong the People; destruction to Cattle, mischief to Birds, cold pinching weather, Frost and Snows; in Summer pestiferous unwholesome Ayr: Tempests, Ship∣wracks, scarcity of Fish, eruptions of the Sea banks, over-flowing of Rivers, Inun∣dations, Floods of Rain, Worms and Ca∣terpillars

abound, destroying the Fruits.

SECTION II. ♃,

Signifies an increase or plenty of all use∣ful things, Health, Renown, Tranquillity and Peace among the People; Grandees are now made illustrious, inlargeth their Territories or Dominions, and in general success to most Persons; wholesome Ayr and quiet Sea.

SECTION III. ♂,

Denotes much Mischief, Wars, Quar∣rels, Duels, Massacrees, suddain Violence, Fewds, malignant Diseases, Discords, and Troubles among all sorts of People, Rob∣bery, Tyranny, Rebellion, Combustions and Uproars; Tumults and Seditions; hot Ayr, Thunder and Lightning, little Rain, Rivers lessened, Fountains dry, Beasts and Vegetables suffer by Drought, a scarcity of the Fruits of the Earth, Ship-wracks or losses by Pyrates at Sea.

SECTION IV. ♀,

Declares prosperity, health and happi∣ness to the People in general, Joy, Success, Delight and Pleasure, increase of all world∣ly Fame or Felicity; temperate Winds, plenty of seasonable growing Showers, the Earth fruitful, Beasts and Vegetables prosper, a superfluity of Fish and safe na∣vigating.

SECTION V. ☿,

Signifies quick and crafty actions on the Stage of the World, excites men to much subtility or policy in all their under∣takings; but he denotes a scarcity of the Fruits of the Earth, tempestuous Winds, Ship-wracks, Pyrates at Sea, Thieves or Robbers at Land, Schisms or Heresies in Religion.

Observe the Positions and Configurati∣ons of all the Planets with each other in the Figure of an Eclipse, and what Houses they rule, so odering your Judgment ac∣cordingly.

CHAP. III. Of the Eclipses of the Sun in each Face of the twelve Signs, as also the Moon with very little variation.

First Face of ♈,

IN this Face it signifies bold, resolute, confident and violent actions on the Stage of the World; quick and suddain Controversies, the motion of Armies: Tumults, Seditions, Duels, Assaults and Batteries against Forts or Castles: hot and dry Ayr, Thunder, Lightning, a scarcity of Waters, Drought of Rivers and Foun∣tains, malignant Fevers.

Second Face of ♈,

Detriment unto Princes, Nobles and Great-men, Barren-earth and scarcity of the Fruits thereof, Pestilence.

Third Face of ♈,

The Death of Women, vexation and sadness to many People, destruction of Sheep and Rabbets.

First Face of ♉,

Dammage to witty and learned Men, Merchants, Scribes, &c. dull Trading, scar∣city of Corn and Fruits of the Earth, Death of great Cattle.

Second Face of ♉,

Signifies much Mischief to the Vulgar or Common People, married Women and Travellers, &c.

Third Face of ♉,

Poverty, Cruelty and many Crosses will surround the People, pernicious lingring Diseases, death of Oxen and Cows, the Earth will be barren and consequently a scarcity of Corn and Fruits.

First Face of ♊,

Denotes Troubles, Controversies and Debates about Religion, Seditions, Con∣spiracies and Contempt of Laws, Incursi∣ons of Enemies.

Second Face of ♊,

Wars, Duels, much Blood-shed, Rob∣bers and Pyrates abound, laborious Trou∣bles among men.

Third Face of ♊,

The Death of some King or Prince, men disdain and scoff at each other, evils of sundry kinds afflict most People.

First Face of ♋,

Vexations and troubles to young Wo∣men and Maids, plenty of Showers, and over-swellings of Rivers, with many sud∣dain alterations of the Ayr.

Second Face of ♋,

The Sea will be infested with Picka∣roons, Merchants shall sustain much loss and dammage in their Adventures, many Infirmities afflict the People, a drying up of Rivers and Fountains.

Third Face of ♋,

Much evil will be incident to great La∣dies; and Women of mature years, the Commonallity afflicted with dropsical and other fluggish Diseases, over-swelling of the Sea, and Rivers by fits.

First Face of ♌,

The Death of a Mighty Prince, violent Mischiefs, Cruelty and toyl; a scarcity of Corn and Fruits.

Second Face of ♌,

Troubles to Kings, Princes and Magi∣strates, Wars, Quarrels and Contention about Religion.

Third Face of ♌,

Wars, Slaughters, Commotions, Capti∣vities and other evils.

First Face of ♍,

The misery or death of some King or great Prince, detriment and mischief to

the Fruits of the Earth: Seditions and Discords among men.

Second Face of ♍,

Famine, Pestilence, Seditions, and much evil to Women, as also dammage to Fruit.

Third Face of ♍,

Great mischief to Merchants, and all such as study Arts and Sciences, destructi∣on of People and cold Ayr.

First Face of ♎,

A sickly Ayr, Bread-corn will be dear and scarce, tempestuous storms of Hail.

Second Face of ♎,

The death of some great Prince, Sedi∣tions, Famine, corruption of Seeds and Herbs.

Third Face of ♎,

Schisms amongst Ecclesiastical men, Controversies about Religion and breach of Laws.

First Face of ♏,

Wars, Duels, Slaughters, Tumults, Se∣ditions, Captivities, treacherous Plots and Devices.

Second Face of ♏,

Detriment to some Prince, Contenti∣ons among men, Strife and Debate, evil Fevers.

Third Face of ♏,

The starting up of some Tyrant, drun∣kenness and lewdness of People, foggy and sickly Ayr.

First Face of ♐,

Dissentions and Fewds among men, Schisms and Heresies in Religion, Thefts and Rapins.

Second Face of ♐,

Trouble and Crosses to the Commo∣nality, death of great Cattle.

Third Face of ♐,

Vilde, obstinate, wilful and whimsical actions among men, detriment to Horses and Mules.

First Face of ♑,

Denotes the unhappiness of Eminent men, weak estate of some King, Rebelli∣on of Nobles and Rusticks, People will be addicted to Ramble and Sports.

Second Face of ♑,

Wars, Tumults, Rebellion of Souldiers against their Commanders, Thefts and Captivities.

Third Face of ♑,

The suddain motion of Kings to Wars, desiring to enlarge their Territories or Dominions, to Augment their Rule and Power; and in so doing perhaps may lose some of what they have instead of gaining more to it, if not life and honour to boot.

First Face of ♒,

Trouble, Sorrow, Sadness, Labour and

Toyl for little profit, the death of some Eminent Person.

Second Face of ♒,

Robberies, Earth-quakes, Famine and pernicious Diseases, hurt to the Seeds of the Earth.

Third Face of ♒,

Contentions, Repinings, Strife and Vexations among People, slaughter of Sheep and other Cattle; I do not well understand why an Eclipse here, should have any relation to Cattle.

First Face of ♓,

Causeth Ship-wracks, unfortunate Na∣vigating, drought of Rivers, and destru∣ction of Fish.

Second Face of ♓,

Denotes such Persons signified by ♃, will be of high Minds, lofty Dispositions, aiming at things out of their reach: it signifies the death of many of them; Earth-quakes, and mischief to Fish.

Third Face of ♓,

Signifies Seditions, cruel and inhumane Actions of Souldiers, Sea fights, and death of Fish.

Observe according to Cardan Aphor. 45. Seg. 5. tells us, Eclipses Luminarium super C••vitates, Provincias & Regna, magis quam super privatae conditionis homines, aut etiam super Reges; respiciunt enim multitudinem: The Eclipses of the Sun and Moon pour down their Influences upon Cities, King∣doms and Provinces, more notable and re∣markable, than upon men of mean condi∣tion, or yet upon Kings themselves; for they principally respect the Multitude.

Here I shall conclude this Subject with the 53 Aphorism of Hermes Centiloquim, fiunt in mundo multa incommoda, quando erit in uno mense utrinsque Luminaris Eclipsis, & praecipue in his locis quibus est significatio eo∣rum specialis: Much Troubles shall be in the World, when both the Luminaries shall be eclipsed in one Month, and chief∣ly in those places in which their effects shall be manifested.

Here followeth a brief Account of the admirable and strange mutations which happen in this Elementary World, upon

the meeting of either two of the three Superiour Planets, in any of the four Tri∣plicities. Note their Oppositions pro∣duce near the same Accidents as do their Conjunctions: You are likewise to take notice that either the Conjunction or Op∣position of Saturn and Jupiter is the most powerful, yet none to be praised.

Of great Conjunctions.

We intend only the ☌ of ♄ ♃ and ♂ with each other.

Now when as either of these are conjoyned in the fiery Triplicity, they denote high difference between Christi∣an Kings and Princes, their Kingdoms and Monarchies much afflicted, Com∣motions, Wars, Seditions, Treasons, alteration of Laws and Customs, strange Apparitions, prodigious Meteors, Plagues, Scarcity and Desolation, the death of Great men, &c.

In the earthy Triplicity, barrenness of the Ground, scarcity of the Fruits thereof, mortality of four-footed Beasts, Earth∣quakes, eruptions of Banks.

In the aiery Triplicity, pernicious and pestilent Diseases among men, corrupted Ayr, uncouth Sights therein, tempestuous

Storms, destruction to those delightful aiery Inhabitants the Birds, Murders, Treasons and unruly Actions, &c.

Lastly, when in the watery Triplicity, they are the fore runners of Wars, terri∣ble Slaughters, Depopulations, Fire and Sword, Famine and Pestilence; over-swellings of the Sea and Rivers, floods of Rain, and cruelty used by the Turks or Mahometans against Christians.