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. V. Shewing that observation may be made of the Stars motions, in answer to those that hold it impossible for any man in his days to observe the par∣ticular configurations of every Planet, with the fixed Stars, and with one another; as also that thereby we may discern their influence if we have any capacity.

* 1.1I Shall here therefore now shew, that observation will clearly evince us that the Stars have admirable influence on these inferiour and elementary things; for though it be most certain that the Heavens make not their Revolution under 36000. years, yet is its variation so slow, as that it dependeth upon the motion of the fixed Stars; so that before there can be any great difference worth speaking of, the same constellations may be often observed in particular, though not in the whole; for the fixed Stars according to the neerest account of our late Writers, or the sphear in which they are, move not above one degree, which is 60. minutes in 72. years, in which time there is none, but who are altogether ignorant, that cannot make sufficient obser∣vation of every constellation worth noting for the confirmation of their influence; for though they move from East to West once in 24. hours, so making this Diurne Revolu∣tion 366. times in a year, yet since in respect of the motion of this Sphear from West to East these 366. Revolutions causeth not a minutes difference; it must needs follow that the very same fixed stars do rise, culminate, set,* 1.2 and lie in the same Circle of position, and also may be in configuration of the Sun, and any of the other Planets, and that so exactly in one and the same place or part of Heaven, that it is impossible with any instru∣ment to discern any variation either in the longitude, latitude, declination, right or ob∣lique ascention thereof; so that hereby it is clear the nature of any star may be found out, and be exactly known.

* 1.3But now as touching the Planets; first, we attribute, as is clear to every vulgar no∣tion most power and efficacy to the Sun, next to the Moon, then to Venus, and so to Mercury, and next to Jupiter and Saturn, and lastly to Mars; this (I mean) in relation to their motion with the Sun; for by how much the light of the Planets to us is greater and their motion swifter, by so much are their operations necessarily the more apparent and manifest to us or our sense: we prefer Venus before Mercury, for that though he be swifter, yet is she the greater, and so consequently of more efficacy: and the reason why Mars is of least note, or most obscure unto us is, for that he is lesse then Saturn and Jupiter, who are preferred before him, and moveth in so large and great an Epicycle, that he seldomest rancounters with the Sun.

* 1.4And we know that the Moon (as I have said in chap 4. of my Lux Veritatis, sect. 2.) finisheth her course through the Zodiack every 28. days and some odd hours, viz. twelve times in a year; by which we may, and do plainly perceive her configurations, viz. Con∣junction, Sextile, Trine, Square and Opposition with every Star in the whole Heavens, both fixed and errant, and thereby their nature and mixture often to be known and discerned, and that very certainly.

The Sun, Venus and Mercury also, do every year once finish their course, so that also hereby every year we may, and do plainly see and finde out their own specifical nature, and the properties of the other Stars, viz. fixed, as also their mixtures, and that before any sensible errour can be made by the motion of the Starry Sphear.

Again, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, although they are (by reason of their superiority) of flower motion, yet doth it neither any ways hinder, but that their effects may easily and soon (as also their mixtures among themselves and the fixed stars) be known; for though Saturn be 29. years, some odd moneths and days, making his revolution, or run∣ning

his course through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack, Jupiter twelve years, Mars three years; yet by reason of their long continuance in every sign, as also by their re∣trogradations, stations and directions coming often to the conjunction of the Stars in the Sign wherein they are, and to the Aspects of others in other Signs, we cannot but often and plainly be taught to perceive the several influence of every star in the whole Zodiack without the least sense of errour, especially since the Luminaries also, the Sun and Moon in the mean time come to them, and so make commixture of their influence, yearly and monethly.

* 1.5Of all which the Student in Astrologie cannot be ignorant, if he but warily observe his Authors, who have sufficiently and largely declared them all unto him, as they by obser∣vation, and frequent practice have both been found out and approved by them to be most effectually true from Age to Age; yet if thou beest so curious (as I could wish thou wert, and all other ingenious souls) as that thou wilt make particular observation there∣of thy self, [Nota.] thou mayest see that before the Starry Heaven moveth a degree, Saturn, who is the very slowest of the Planets, finisheth his course, and cometh to Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine or Opposition of every particular Star, of every particular mag∣nitude, in every particular of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack twice; and Jupiter six times, Mars 24. times; the Sun, Venus, and Mercury 72. times, and the Moon 864. times or thereabouts; but oftner and more frequently they meet with one another (I mean the Planets) as the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter happeneth once in twenty years; of Saturn and Mars once in two years, &c. So that particular observation of their effects may easily, and that in a mans life be both observed and known distinctly, I say, if any be thus curious.

Thus far chiefly, to clear the point I intend here next to insist upon, viz. That the Stars and their influence have power over all sublunary things; least some should (as of late they have) render themselves ridiculous to posterity, in denying both their effects and power, or at least, in affirming man (if they have any) is not able to comprehend the depth thereof, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Observation teacheth us the stars influence.
• * 1.2

  That the true nature of the Stars may be known and how.
• * 1.3

  The power of the Planets.
• * 1.4

  The significati∣ons of the in∣fluence of the Stars are soon found out in relation to their configu∣rations with the Moon, with the Sun, Venus and Mercury. In relation to the configura∣tions of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars with them.
• * 1.5

  The Influence of the Stars taught at large by former A∣strologers.