A new light of alchymie

Of the Astrall Signes of Physiognomy in Man.

THe signes of Physiognomy receive their original from the superior stars;* 1.1 this art of Physiognomy was greatly esteemed of by our Ancestors, and especi∣ally by Heathens, Tartars, and Turks, &c. and other people, amongst whom it was the custome to sel men for slaves, and it is not yet altogether laid aside a∣mongst Christians. Yet together with it many errors crept in, not yet taken notice of by any, whilest every blockish ignorant fellow would take upon him with∣out any manner of judgement to judge of any one. Where it is worthy of admiration that those erours should never bee taken notice of from the workes, deeds, and abilities of the men.

Now if any one shall in this place argue against us, saying, that the signes of Physiognomy are from the stars, and that the stars have no power to compell any

one or stir him up; he indeed doth not speake amisse: but yet there is some difference in it which must be taken notice of, because the stars compell some, and others they doe not compell.

For here we must know, who can rule or con∣strain the stars, and who can be governed by them. Therefore for this you must note, that a wise man can rule the stars, and not be subject to them. The stars are subject to a wise man, and are forced to obey him, and not he the stars. But the stars compell an Animall man, that whither they lead him hee must follow, just as a thief doth the gallows, and a high∣way robber the wheel, the fisher the fishes, the fowler the birds, the hunter the wild beasts. And what here is the cause of this, but that such a kind of man doth neither know himself, nor his own strength, never considers, or thinks that he is the lesser world, and that he hath the universall Firmament with the powers thereof hid in him? Wherefore he is called an Animall, an ignorant man, and a slave to any base service, and all earthly matters; yet whereas he received that priviledge from God in Paradise, that hee should rule, and reign over all other creatures of the Universe, and should not bee obedient to them;* 1.2 therefore God created him last of all, all the rest be∣ing made before him. This priviledg man afterwards lost by his fall: but yet the wisdome of man was not made servile, nor did hee let that liberty goe out of his hands. Whence it is requisite that the starres should follow him, and obey him, and not he the stars. And although hee indeed be the son of Saturne, and Saturn his Ascendent; yet hee can remove himselfe from him, and so overcome him, that he can be the

off-spring of the Sun;* 1.3 and bring himself under any other planet, and make himselfe its Son. And it is the same case here as with a Digger, who for a time hath spent his pains with the Master of the Mines, and with the hazard of his life hath performed his ser∣vice fathfully, at length reasons, and discourseth with himselfe thus.

What will become of thee at last, if thou spendest all thy life under the earth, and by thy continuall la∣bours dost also bring thy body, and life into danger? I will get a release from my Master, and I will serve another Master, where my life may be made sweeter, where I may have plenty of meat, and drink, where I may wear better clothes, have little work and much wages, where there shall bee no danger of the moun∣tain hanging over mee, and ready to fall upon me, &c. After this manner hee would bee at liberty, when as otherwise hee must remaine a Mercenary servant, and slave, pining away with much labour, and low feeding, &c.

Now you see how a wise man commands the stars, and can remove himselfe from any malignant planet, and bring himselfe under another better, how he can bring himselfe out of slavery into liberty, and can free himselfe out of the prison of an ill planet.

So also an Animall man, who is the son of the Sun, of Iupiter, Venus, and Mercury, may remove himself from a benigne planet, and subject himself to Saturne, or Mars: such a man is like to a man, who runs from a religious Colledge, and being impatient of an easy life becomes a Souldier, or else a man of no repute, who afterwards spends all his life in sorrow, and mi∣sery.

Such an one also is a rich man, who being given to levity, spends, and wasts all his goods, in Dicing, Feasting, Whoring, &c. which hee gives himselfe to so long untill all bee spent, then hee comes to want, and being miserably afflicted with infamous want, becomes deservedly a laughter and scorn to all men, yea even to the very boyes in the streets, whom you may hear saying: Behold a beggerly man worth nothing, who when hee was a Master disdained his Mastership, and had rather be a slave, a begger, a slave to servants, seeing he can never come to his priviledg again.

And hither doth a Malignant star, or Ascendent drive him. Unlesse he had been a foole, and disho∣nest, he had not left so certain a Dominion, which hee had over the stars, but had strove against it: And although of himselfe hee knew not how to resist the stars; yet hee might have bent his mind to the exam∣ples of others; thinking thus with himselfe: See how rich that man was, but foolishly, and shamefully hath brought himself to poverty. Also he lived gallantly, without much labour, had so much meat, such wages, that he could not live better. Now he lives sparingly, and sordidly, and in stead of Wine hee must drinke Water, his labours daily increase, his wages de∣crease.

Now how often doth such a kind of Man talke after this manner with himselfe. What have I done? Whither am I running headlong, so basely spending my goods that I got, who will repaire my estate? If ever I shall receive what hath been thus spent, I will take a far other course of life, and will by my harms learne to bee wise, and

will make amends for my evill deeds.

* 1.4But it is convenient to know, that no man can bee wise by his owne harme. For it is a foolish, and senselesse thing to bee wise by ones owne harme. Let him that will be wise, be wise by another mans example, not by his owne. For hee that hath once spent his estate, would spend it againe if hee should have it, and he that once perisheth, perisheth for ever. Hee which once hath cast a Dice, casts it again. Hee which once stole, and escaped the gallowes, will endeavour to steal the second time also. For hee thinkes thus with himselfe. My enterprizes have succee∣ded once, and again, and why not the third, or fourth time? If God should once restore what I have lost, hee would restore it the second, and third time, &c. If hee did not forsake mee in my first misery, hee will not in the second, or third, &c.

All these doth an Animall man doe, the ser∣vant, and slave of the stars, who is turned every where, and moved by the starres, as a Reed in water.

And this is the reason why his life is spent in mi∣sery, and he dies in infamy.

Who therefore will sustain such servitude, and not deliver himselfe from such a nasty prison? For any one may by his owne wisdome, together with the help of his star, deliver, and free himselfe from thence. Consider the matter thus:

A Fowler by his prudence, and help of his star, overcoming another starre, needs not goe after birds, for they will come after him fly∣ing

to unusuall places, contrary to their na∣ture.

So a Fisherman can by making use of the wis∣dome which God hath given him make fishes swim to him of their own accord, so that he may take them up with his hands.

A Hunter improving his wisdome, doth by his star so compell the wild beasts, that hee need not follow them, but they will follow him without any impulse of nature. So also of the rest of living creatures.

* 1.5Now for the better understanding of these things, you must know, that Stars are twofold, terrestriall, and celestiall, these of wisdome, the other of folly.

And as there are two worlds, the greater, and the lesser, and the greater governs the lesser: so also the starres of the Microcosme doe rule, and over∣come the celestiall.

* 1.6Neither did God create the planets, and other stars of the heaven, that they should rule over man, but that they, as all other creatures, should obey, and serve him. And although the superiour stars doe incline men, and signe them as also all other terrestiall bodies, with naturall signes, according to the manner of their generation; yet that is no power, or soveraignty, but only a predestinated com∣mand, and office, whereby nothing may re∣maine hid, or concealed, but the inward force, and power may bee brought forth by exteriour signes.

* 1.7But to return to our purpose of the Physiognomi∣call signes of Men, you must know, that they are two∣fold,

in externall shape indeed alike, but in power, and effect unlike.

Some are from supernaturall stars of the heaven, the other, from the inferiour starres, viz. of the Mi∣crocosme.

Whatsoever the superiour star signes according to generation, even to the midle age, that thing signed is predestinated, not wanting peculiar powers. For it doth testifie of the nature, and condition of Man. Whatsoever therefore the inferiour star of the Microcosme doth sign in generation, hath its originall from the Father, and Mother, viz. as oft as the Mother by her imagination, or appetite, feare, or terror hath by contact affected her infant in her womb with supernaturall signes, which are called the Mothers marks, or the Womb marks, of which since wee have spoke already, wee shall now save the la∣bour of iteration; seeing our purpose is only to treat of Physiognomicall signes, where wee shall speak only of the predestinated signes of the stars,* 1.8 under which wee understand those signes of Men, which neither their Father, or Mother had any likenesse of in their body.

Of this sort are black, gray, little, or great eyes, long, crooked, sharp, nose, pits in their cheeks, the cheek bone being raised up, a flat, or broad nose, small, or great ears, long neck, long face, wide, or little mouth, thick or small, many or few, black, yel∣low, and red haires, &c.

If one, or more of these signes appear in Man, you must know, that they doe not want their sig∣nification.

But it is necessary that you consider them accor∣ding to the Physiognomicall art, and that you have certain knowledge of the Art of Signatures, where∣by you may know through the externall signes the internall man.

* 1.9But to proceed to the practise of what we inten∣ded, and to reckon up some of the signes of Men, and their signification in part.

You must know, that black eyes besides a healthful constitution, also many times signifie a constant mind, not wavering, or fearfull, but lusty, hearty, true and loving vertue.

* 1.10Gray eyes are a signe of a deceitfull, and change∣able man.

* 1.11Weak eyes signifie good judgement, witty, and profound deliberation.

Purblind eyes, and such as turne upward,* 1.12 and downward, and to both sides, signifie a false man, and crafty, that cannot easily be deceived, treache∣rous, hating labour, slothfull, getting his living slothfully, by Dice, Usury, Whoring, Robbe∣ry, &c.

* 1.13Small and deep eyes doe for the most part signi∣fie weak, and feeble eyes, and blindnesse ensuing in old age, as also strong men, warlike, bold, de∣ceitfull, nimble, factious, patiently undergoing their condition, yet the end of whose life is for the most part tragicall, &c.

Great eyes, a covetous, ravenous man,* 1.14 especially if they hang out of the head.

* 1.15Eyes that are alwaies winking, declare a weak sight, and a man to be fearefull, and solicitous.

Rolling Eyes shew an amorous affection,* 1.16 and a prudent man, and a man of quicke inten∣tion.

Eyes continually dejected shew a bashfull, modest man,* 1.17 &c.

Eyes that are red, signifie a bold, and strong man,* 1.18 &c.

Clear eyes, and not easily moveable, shew an hero∣ick,* 1.19 magnanimous, strong, chearfull, and a man for∣midable to his enemies, &c.

Great eares shew a good hearing, a good memory,* 1.20 attention, diligence, a sound brain, and head, &c.

Low eares are an ill omen. For, for the most part they signifie a man to be malitious, fraudulent, unjust, and a bad hearing, a bad memory, a bold man, and easily exposing himselfe to dangers.

A long nose, and crooked downwards is a good sign,* 1.21 it signifies a man to bee valiant, prudent, close, rigorous, and yet just, &c.

A flat nose signifies a man to be malicious, lustfull, given to lying,* 1.22 inconstant, &c.

A sharp nose, a man to bee a turne-coate, a mocker,* 1.23 &c.

A long nose a man to be slow in all his actions, and to be of a very quick smell.* 1.24

The checkes with pits in them signifie a man to bee talkative,* 1.25 a Scorner, contenti∣ous, &c.

A long chin, with a long face, signifie a man to be given to anger,* 1.26 and slow to labour, &c.

* 1.27A divided chin signifies a man to bee faithfull, officious, subtile, and various in his words, speaking one thing, and meaning another, angry, yet sorry for his anger, ingenious, and given to inven∣tions.

* 1.28A great and large mouth signifies a man to bee a great devourer, silly, foolish, imprudent, dare∣ing, &c. A little mouth signifies the con∣trary.

* 1.29Lips drawne to, where the upper is greater then the lower, signifie a man to bee angry, warlike, couragious, yet for the most part of rude, and uncivill behaviour, and manners like to a swine.

* 1.30Lips great beneath, signifie a man to be dull, foo∣lish, and blockish, &c.

* 1.31Judgement by the haires either of the head, or beard, is not very certain, because use teacheth that they can be divers wayes varyed, as to bee made black, or yellow, or red, or white, and hoary, or curled, soft, or hard, as any one desires to have them.

Hence it will come to passe, that many who are otherwise skilfull enough in the Art of Physi∣ogmony, would be most shamefully deceived, whilst they should rashly judge by the hairs, imputing that to the stars, which should rather be ascribed to men themselves.

Yet it cannot bee denyed, but that haires firm∣ly fastened on the head, doe signifie a good health of the head, as also of the whole body.

And this is the reason, why they that buy Horses

pull their tails, that by this means they may judge of their soundnesse.

So Hogges are tryed by their bristles, Fish by their shells, and scales, a Bird by his fea∣thers, &c.

The necke, if it be too long, signifies a man to bee sollicitous,* 1.32 prudent, and attent, &c.

* 1.33Broad shoulders, and backe, signifie a man to bee strong, and able for carrying or remo∣ving, &c.

* 1.34Armes that are musculous, signifie a man to be strong and able for any exercise, as beating, pounding, shooting, &c.

Hands that bee hard signifie a man to bee laborious,* 1.35 and a hireling, &c. Soft hands, the con∣trary.

* 1.36A short body, and long legs signifie a man to be a good runner, to bee easily satisfied with meat, and drinke, and for the most part to bee of a short life.

Great and clear veines under the middle age of man signifie a man to be full of bloud and juice, but above the midle of his age to be commonly sick, yet long lived.

* 1.37As much as concerns the manners, gestures of men, nothing can be so easily known, and judged by them.

For experience teacheth that these can every mo∣ment bee changed, as to deceive the Signator, and make him erroneous in his judgement: And because it hath not been observed hitherto so accurately by all Astronomers; It is therefore the Signators part not alwayes to look to the manners and actions of

men, but rather to other signs of the body, which are fixed, and can by no Art be counterfeited or chan∣ged.

For if red hairs, moving the forehead, and eye∣lids, a cheerfull, raised, and unmoveahle countenance, a frequent agitation of the mouth, a stout mused walking, and a light mind, should necessarily declare a man to be a gallant souldier and stout, every one could by his industry and art make himselfe seem to be such an one; that hee might by his lookes bee the better approved of, and obtaine greater pay.

The like also may be judged of other kinds of be∣haviour, which pretend to wisdom, folly, truth, lying, fortune, victory, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Originall of Physiogno∣mie.
• * 1.2

  Man is the Lord of all o∣ther Creatures,
• * 1.3

  How a man may withdrawe him selfe from one star, and bring him selfe under another.
• * 1.4

  No man is wise by his own harmes, but by anothers.
• * 1.5

  Stars are two∣fold.
• * 1.6

  The end of the Starrs is to serve, not command man.
• * 1.7

  Signes are two∣fold.
• * 1.8

  What are Phy∣signomicall signes.
• * 1.9

  What Black Eyes signifie.
• * 1.10

  What Gray.
• * 1.11

  Weake Eyes.
• * 1.12

  Purblind.
• * 1.13

  Small and deep.
• * 1.14

  Great.
• * 1.15

  Allwayes Winking.
• * 1.16

  Roling.
• * 1.17

  Continually dejected.
• * 1.18

  Red.
• * 1.19

  Cleare.
• * 1.20

  Eares great.
• * 1.21

  A long Nose.
• * 1.22

  A flat Nose.
• * 1.23

  Sharp.
• * 1.24

  Long.
• * 1.25

  Hollow checks
• * 1.26

  A long Chin.
• * 1.27

  A divided Chin.
• * 1.28

  A great Mouth.
• * 1.29

  Lips drawn to
• * 1.30

  Lips great beneath.
• * 1.31

  Haire signifies nothing by Art.
• * 1.32

  Long Necks.
• * 1.33

  Broad Sholders and backs.
• * 1.34

  Musculous Armes.
• * 1.35

  Hard hands.
• * 1.36

  A short Body.
• * 1.37

  Nothing can be judged by by the man∣ners, and be∣haviour of Men.