5. Of VENƲS.

Venus is a Planet Feminine, and No∣cturnal, temperately cold and moist; she is called the lesser Fortune,* Author of mirth and jollity: She is a Star of a bright shining colour; when she is seen after the Sun is set, she is called the Evening∣star; when she is seen before the Sun rise Page  26in a morning, she is then called the Mor∣ning-star. She is near? year a finishing her revolution through the Twelve signes.

She is sometimes called Cytherea, Aphro∣dite, Vesperugo,* Ericana.

Venus describes one of a comely mid∣dle Stature, with a round Visage, of a white brown Complexion,* fair lovely Eyes, fair smooth Hair, often of a light brown; red Lips, and cherry Cheeks, with little dimples in them; the Face pretty fleshy; the person every way handsomely composed, very delightful, and exceeding well shaped, desirous to go neatly in every part, both in clothes and person.

When she is well dignified, the per∣sons signified thereby are of a pleasant disposition, of an honest and good be∣haviour, delighting in neat Apparel, often entangled in Love-matters, zealous in their Affections; they are quiet, not gi∣ven to quarrels or wrangling, but lovers of all vertuous actions.

But when she is ill dignified, she sig∣nifies a person nothing regarding his Re∣putation; he is riotous, expensive, a lo∣ver of lewd Women, a haunter of Ta∣verns and Ale-houses, carelesly wasting Page  27his estate therein: he is a mere Atheist, using neither Faith nor Conscience in his Conversation.

She represents Linnen-drapers, Mer∣cers, Silkmen, Painters, Jewellers,* Play∣ers, Musicians, Gamesters, Embroiderers, Perfumers: She hath signification of wo∣men in general, as Virgins, Wives, and Widows, and such persons as make or sell those commodities which adorn or beau∣tifie women.