A bloody Irish almanack, or, Rebellious and bloody Ireland, discovered in some notes extracted out of an almanack, printed at Waterford in Ireland for this yeare 1646. Whereunto are annexed some astrologicall observations upon a conjunction of the two malignant planets Saturne and Mars in the midle of the signe Taurus the horroscope of Ireland, upon Friday the 12. of Juue [sic] this yeare 1646. with memorable prædictions and occurrences therein. By John Booker.

To the Reader

BEing for some yeares late past publikely imployed on be∣halfe of the Common-wealth of this Kingdome, I could not attend my Study of Astrology with that earnestnesse and paines I desired, or with that former industry I for many years had under gon; and indeed I was almost discouraged in prosecuting the Writing of my Annuall Prognostick, when as in Licensing the same, half my Astrology or what was most per∣tinent to the present times was most maliciously expunged, so that I ever appeared a lame & deficient Person, ambiguous, and not easily to be apprehended: the fault not being mine, who de∣sires to benefite my Native Country, but those peevish Episco∣pall Chaplaines who had sole Licence either to permit, or dis∣anull my Writings.

But the errors of that misty Faction being now by divine Providence cleared, and liberty given by the Noble Parliament now resident at Westminster for advance of any humane lear∣ning; I have assumed liberty to appeare againe in the World (not in an Almanack, the least thing I ever intended) but in a notable and eminent way of Prediction upon the famous Con∣junction of the two Malevolent Planets Saturne and Mars; I am herein much incouraged by those Labours of my Friend Mr. Lilly, not onely Printed in these times, but made more me∣morable in the successe I have observed hath followed his Astro∣logicall Predictions: a few of which I will repeate that the mis∣guided in fancy against Astrology may not be destitute of suffi∣cient testimony in his onely Writings of the verity of that Art, by which Art at this time I write the ensuing Discourse. I o∣mit his Anglicus 1644, and shall relate some Observations out of his Propheticall Merlin, Printed 1644. See fol. 43 upon his Judgement of the Comet 1618. In 1645 let those Princes that live neare the Mordway Tartar looke to themselves, &c. Is

not the Kingdome of China bordering thereon almost destroy∣ed by the sudden attempt of the Tartar 1645.

But we will come home to England, See fol. 98, and so it may be hoped towards the later end of 1645 we shall have great likelihoode of being in a better condition then now we are in: we were in a sad condition when he wrote that Booke in 1644. but in Decemb. 1645, the whole Kingdome knowes the words exactly verified, by the continuall successes of our Parliaments Generall, and the inestimable losses of his Majestie and his par∣takers. Againe in the same fol. In 1646 all the Planets except Mercury saluting each other with one benevolent aspect or o∣ther, do most undoubtedly declare, that the misery of the affli∣cted English do draw neere to a period: and this is like to be so. See againe fol. 100. Indeede in 1646 Jupiter in the Figu∣ra Mundi being in the ascendant, &c. Matters are not yet ripe and perfectly setled, yet better then formerly; some Prince ei∣ther fled or captivated, &c. whether things are not farre bet∣ter and yet not rightly setled, and whether of late the Prince missed not of being captivated, but since is fled the Kingdome; we all know: Let who will please examine his whole Discourse upon the conjunction of Saturne and Jupiter, there in that Booke handled, and they shall see Astrology is not either vain or an unnecessary Study.

Let us observe some passages in his Starry Messenger Pub∣lished 12 June 1645 fol. 23 in his Premonition to Princes: Your Generalls shall quake and tremble and prove men of no courage, &c. Hath not Prince Rupert fulfilled this, &c. at the delivery of Bristoll, &c. Againe, Your confederates shall faile in reall performances; Observe the good hand of God, not any man of his Majesties Friends hath supported him with a man or money since that Prediction, no not the beloved Irish Catholicks. In the same fol. Your Children shall wander as banished people all over the world. How like this may be truth, let all wise men judge for Prince Charles is fled, and so may the rest for ought I know.

Againe fol. 43. in answer to that Bifronted Bussard Whar∣ton, he sayth it upon that opposition of Saturne and Mars in Septemb: we knock not our enemies soundly, God is angrie with us. I thinke we bastinadoed them soundly neere that time at Sherburne, and at Rowten more. So that it appeares as Mr. Lilly wrote, God is not or was angry with us. But in his Postscript of his Starry Messenger in answer to lying Whar∣ton, who published the Kings March from Oxford on the last side, published the same the 12 of June there are his words verbatim. But let me tell you, such shall be our victories before the time limited by you be halfe come, viz. Novemb. 1645) that me thinks I heare the many cursed oathes the Dam-boyes spue out both against God & man. Oh what sculking sneaking, running into Corners, mouse-holes, sawpits, Cunny-berries, tos∣sing and tumbling the ungodly out of one Country into another: doe I foresee: face ab••ut Gentlemen sayes one for our honour, as you did at Newberry, that is with a good paire of heeles, or alls lost I say: Oh the way to Bristoll, from thence to Ex∣ceter then into Cornwall, thence into a sase harbour, if any can be found for Malignants. Gods Providence hath made those words true, for d••d we not first take Bristoll, then be∣leaguer Exceter, and now this present March have we not in Cornwall unhorsed these pure Swash-buckling Cavaliers, so that now they may see these words to their shame and Gods glory fulfilled. But I am tedious, although no neede is thereof: let any indifferent man, judge on Mr. Lillies Observations in this present March 1646. He saith: the first weeke, Newes from severall quarters, and some towne or fort surrendred, so we had, the surrender of Ashby, and the town of Torrington Then he proceds: some proposition from our weather beaten e∣nemies Westward. Is not this true in the Lord Hopton his surrender of 2000 horse upon modest propositions. Againe,

his Majesty stands amazed: who thinks lesse then so, when he sees all is like to be lost. Here's strugling saith he; this we in London know to be true. Againe, Three dayes promise our enemies successe, but God may blinde their eyes to make use of none, that is, neither eyes nor time. The poore fellowes were in Abington, 2 March: but were hastily and valiantly thrust out by the valour of the Garrisons; this was one of their promising dayes. In the second weeke of March they attempted it againe, but to no purpose; the same weeke they missed our Convoy of 20000 pound by contrary Intelligence so that its hoped, their three dayes ore out of date, and their eyes quite put out, and they may wander with Rupert and Maurice to Ireland to cry Oh hone: for here's no more plun∣der to be obtained in England. These his predictions in fa∣vour of Astrology I have repeated, because they are excellent and notable expressions in the Art and manifestly visible. They that would be further satisfyed repaire to the books themselves. For what I have performed in the ensuing Tra∣ctate, I leave to the candid censure of the well disposed, and doe hope as Mr. Lilly and my selfe have the same principles in Art, so our judgements in the generall, and my owne parti∣cular notion upon the sollid foundation of Art will have, an∣swerable successe. I hartily wish all happinesse to our present Parliament, and abundant of blessing to the City of London, wherein I now inhabit, pray to God preserve both States in U∣nity and Concord, that so the Affaires of the Publique may more vigorously be prosecuted, Religion established, and Peace universally succeed.

So wisheth a true English man, an Abhor∣rer of the Irish Rebellion: One that pray∣eth for the Peace of Church and State, and the utter extirpation of Popery. JOHN BOOKER