Astrologia restaurata, or, Astrologie restored being an introduction to the general and chief part of the language of the stars : in four books ... / by VVilliam Ramesey, Gent. ...

CHAP. VI. Of Comets and Blazing-Stars, what they are, the many sorts thereof, their Portences, and how long they appear at any time.

* 1.1ELsewhere you may remember you have been shewn what a Comet is, viz. in the 16. Chpater of the 3. Section of this Book, it being no other then a dry exhalation, viscuous and slimy, exhaled by the Sun and power of the Stars by degrees into the upper Region of the Ayr; for by how much the dryer or moister are the vapours whereof they are compounded, the higher or lower are they placed and drawn up.

* 1.2This word Comet we borrow from the Greeks, who call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Cometes quasi comata stella, an hairy Star, as the word signifies in English, whence the Latines call it Crinita, because many times they appear like hair made of fire, or fire in the manner and form of a mans head, or an horses main, and we in England do vulgarly call them Comets or Blazing-Stars, of which there are divers sorts, as mentioneth Pliny, Lib. 2. cap. 25. de Nat. and others.

* 1.3The first by the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, à barba, resembling a beard, because it hath a circle about it of that form or shape, I mean about the nether part thereof.

The second they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, id est, a jaculo, because it is shapen in form of a dart or spear.

The third 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is the same as is the former, save only they are shorter and sharper-pointed at the top then the other, and pale like a sword and without raies.

The fourth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, discus, id est, a dish or platter; this Comet is so called for that it is round resembling a dish, yet now and then it putteth forth one of the brims thereof.

The fifth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Pitheus, and this is in form like a Tun, invironed in a smoaky light.

The sixth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ceratias, thus called for that it resembleth an horn, and such an one Pliny testifieth appeared when the whole manhood of Greece fought the battel of Salamis.

The seventh 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 lampas à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, splendeo, to shine like a lamp, and there∣fore hath it this name.

The eighth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Hippeus; this emitteth streams like unto an Horse main, and therefore it is thus called; this is swift in motion and often turneth round, as saith Pliny.

A ninth he recordeth to be white and bright like silver hair, and of that splen∣dor

that a man is hardly able to behold it, and others become shaggy and com∣passed as it were with hair or frindge round about.

* 1.4They are in a manner all seen under the Great Bear, or that constellation which we vulgarly call Charlimains Wain, or Charles his Wain, yet some have been dis∣cerned to appear in that white part of the Heaven called commonly the Milky way from the fictions of the Poet; they denote many boisterous winds and exces∣sive heat; seldome are any seen in the West part of Heaven, but about the South or Antartick Pole some have been seen, as Pliny in the same aforesaid Chapter te∣stifieth, to whom I here refer thee where thou shalt finde what Prodigies they were the fore-runners of in the time of Claud••us Caesar, Pompey, and Octavius the Consul.

* 1.5It hath been observed and noted by the diligent care, industry and pains of the An∣tients, that they never appear a shorter time then a seven-night, nor longer then 80 dayes; some have said 40; others 75, from Plutarch, who noted so much from the Comet which appeared before the Peloponsian wars in Greece; but their continu∣ance is according to their magnitude; for if they be but small, they will be soon burnt out, unless they be daily fed with new exhalations: I shall not here trouble my self to recite what Seneca, Aristotle, and others write in Histories concerning such horrid accidents which have followed in many places on the appearance of Comets, since all the learned in the works of Nature do unanimously conclude they are the fore-runners of much tribulation, alteration, anxiety, and trouble, which I shall by and by more amply deliver unto thee.

* 1.6You are to take notice that some Comets do move, as the Planets; and again, others, stir not but are fixed as are the other Stars.

To judge of the accidents portended by Comets, the place of their appearance in the Heavens is to be observed, and what Stars are in Configuration therewith; al∣so in what similitude they appear, and where they appear and shine.

If they appear like swords, wars are threatned, and destruction of mankinde; like Flutes or Hout-boys, it portends mischief to Musitians; if in the middle of a sign, to whore-masters, and women gamesters; in form of a triangle or quadrange, viz. a Trine or Square Aspect to any of the fixed Stars, to wits and learned men; if a Comet appear in either of the Nodes, or those places which we commonly call the Head and Tail of the Dragon, it proves infectious and pestiferous.

* 1.7We come now to shew the events of Comets, or such things as they are the fore∣runners of; yet I cannot but first let my Reader know the strange foreknowledge Sybilla Tiburtina had in this Science, who from the apparition of that great and fa∣mous Comets which was seen in Caesar Augustus his time (in whose dayes and reign was our Saviour Christ born) told the Emperour that it pointed out a child born of a Virgin, which should be great then he; and therefore she exhorted him to worship and adore him, &c.

* 1.8Histories, antient Writers, and common experience in former ages testifieth unto us that these signs in the Heaven, or appearance of Comets, are the assured fore∣runners of the sterility of the Earth, Pestilence, Famin, War, alterations of Kingdoms, States and Empires, Laws and Customs, Winds, Earth-quakes, Iuundations, extream heat and drought, greiveous diseases and infirmities, and such like horrid evils.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What a Comet is.
• * 1.2

  The name thereof.
• * 1.3

  Divers sorts of Comets, or Bl••zing stars.
• * 1.4

  Where or in what part of Heaven usual∣ly seen.
• * 1.5

  Their conti∣nuance in the Heavens.
• * 1.6

  Some Comets move, others again are fixed. How to judge of their Por∣tences.
• * 1.7

  The birth of our Saviour fore-known by the Comet in Augustus his time.
• * 1.8

  The Porten∣cies of Co∣mets and Bla∣zing-Stars.