Lower Region of the Air the first and uppermost is close adjoyning to the Element of Fire and hath a circular motion with it from East to West carried about by the Primum Mobile this Region of Air is perpetually hot and dry by the reason of its violent motion and proximity to the Fire In this Region there are no clouds because of the heat and remotenesse of the Earth from whence they are extracted their matters being grosse and moist but to this place are lifted up exhalations being by nature hot and dry which do easily ascend to that heighth by reason of their heat and levity these imperfect bodies by the heat of the Sun and influence of the Stars are conceived to be exhaled from the Earth or out of lakes rivers seas and other watery places and this Meteor as it does ascend it leaves the grosser part in the lowest and the middle region and as it rarifies it elevates it self unto the upper region like a subtile and thin fume These exhalations having penetrated the middle region and attained unto the height of the Elements and circumvolved with a slimy matter oylie and apt to be inflamed thus having assumed a body is violently carried about with the Air until with the motion and vicinity of the Fire it is inflamed and then nourished with more exhalations continually drawn unto it that it burns and converts it self into divers forms according to the disposition of the matter as resembling Dragons Lances Torches Comets or Blazing Stars c. And some again that seems to fall and slide through the Air the lightest part being consumed extracted or drawn away by some other means or the levity of it unable to support the grosser part lets it descend which gliding through the Air and enlightned appears like a falling Star some conceives that these ascend not so high being of a grosse body yet hot and striving to ascend is repulsed by the coldnesse of the middle Region or the moistnesse of the clouds and so by the reason of its own weight and opposition of the Element it is thrown down again the substance of them is like a gelly transparent and apt to be illuminated Comets and all fiery Meteors are usually moved with the Region they are in and from East to West according to the raptile motion of the Spheres but Seneca affirms that he did see one which moved parallel to the Horizon from the North by the West into the South and so by the East into the North again and the contrary likewise may be so the exhalations moving as the Air and according to the matter which does nourish it as you may see fire in a stubble and others have been seen to remove suddenly from one place to another casting forth sparkles like fire these by some are called Goats and some have seemed as fixt both in respect of their Latitudes and Longitudes They may be also generated in any part of the Heavens and at all times of the year but in cold Countries rarely but in Autumn for then the heat is sufficient to raise up the matter and the temperature of the Air is apt to suffer the exhalation to draw to it a slimy substance which cannot be in the Spring time the heat being not sufficient to elevate them and in the Sommer season the exhalations are not so grosse by reason of the Sun's heat dissipating those vapours and rarifying the Air and if it could be got together the middle Region is so cold that it cannot ascend to the uppers and the Winter quarter is cold and moist oppugnant to all such exhalations and so consequently quite unapt for those generations or any other of that kind as Philosophers affirm though experience proves the contrary many times The middle Region of Air and what is there generated THis Region or middle part of the Air is generally conceived to be vehemently cold and moist by Antiperistasis and the effects do also prove the same and this we see in all things that are oppugnant inclosed and comprehended by their contraries being of greater force doth cause the contrary inclosed not being able to break forth and withall repulsed by its opposite to contract and fortifie it self as by experience you may see in all living and sensitive Creatures that their inward parts are much hotter in Winter then in Sommer and their stomachs apter and abler to digest and the cause is for that the heat is then repulsive to the inward parts by the opposition and coldnesse of the outward air and besides you may see that the fire and all combustible things will burn more violently in Winter then in Sommer and the colder the weather is the more it scorches the reason is the same in these for the fire grows more violent by how much the more it is opposed with the contrary quality of the subdued cold The case is the same in the middle Region of the Air for the upper part is made hot by the violent motion of it and the neernesse unto the Element of fire and the lower Region is made hot by reflection of the Sun-beams and so the cold included between them is the more violent by how much the lower Region is inflamed with the Suns reflection and so by that means is colder in the heat of Sommer then in Winter But these divisions or portions of the Air have no determined bounds nor hath the Water in respect of quantity for by the motion of the celestial bodies cold and moisture getting together the Element of Water will increase and the Air of necessity must then diminish and with the coniunction of heat and moisture the Sphere of the Water will be diminished and the Air as much increased so by this means the Air does more abound in Sommer then in Winter and the Water more in Winter then in Sommer and thus the middle Region is greater at one time then at another By the heat of the Sun-beams and influence of the Stars Meteors are elevated to the middle Region of the Air those which by nature are temperately hot and moist are extracted from wet and waterish places yet have so much heat as is sufficient to elevate them unto the height of the middle Region where by reason of the coldnesse of that place they are condensed and do generate there several kinds of mixt imperfect bodies the clouds thus incorporated are with the cold turned into Snow congealed many times before it does ingender Water And to prove this assertion you may observe that Snow if compacted or beaten together is not so soon dissolved into water as Ice will be by the Sun or any other means which argues had it been water first it would have been the sooner reduced These vapours or thick exhalations drawn up into the middle Region are often digested and turned into water from thence distilling down like mists or in very small drops for the greatest rain is thought not to fall far through the
and in time it will lose its saltnesse being but accidental As for the ebbing and flowing of the Seas the cause is assigned unto the Moon her influence having power over all waterish bodies and besides the Tides are observed to alter as she does in her course if not hindered or furthered by accidental causes as winds land flouds or the like She coming later every day unto the Meridian by 48. minutes or very neer and those Seas which flows when she is above the Horizon of that place will cause greater Tides then when she is depressed in the opposite Hemisphere and when she hath latitude and declination towards the pole elevated the force of her influence is the greater and the waters will flow the higher and rage the more violently in all indraughts especially at the new Moon or ful which are usually called Spring-Tides but the full Moon and three Tides after are much the greater her power then predominating most over all waterish and phlegmatick bodies and requires time to bring in greater supplies of water into the Land Of Earth-quakes and their causes from whence they do proceed THe causes of these are exhalations hot and dry generated by the vertue of the Sun and Stars inclosed within the concaves and hollow places of the Earth yet they cannot break forth by reason of the vapours grosnesse and the close compactednesse of the Earth which involves them and there increasing till it cannot be contained and not finding a passage out it strives to force one and so violently shakes the Earth that it causes a trembling which often hath swell'd up mountains and overturned others and ruinated many Cities making mens houses their sepulchres and whole Towns involved in a grave overwhelmed with their ruines the continuance of Earth-quakes is uncertain from a minute to a day and a longer time according to the greatnesse of the vapour inclosed and the firmnesse and solidity of the Earth which contained it Here I have shewed you the weak and supposed reasons of men in the wonderful and stupendious frame of Heaven and Earth all which are subjected and do obey the commands of the Immense Creator Eternal God and Author of Nature to whom be all Honour Praise and Glory world without end Amen AN INTRODUCTION TO The Third Part. Predictions of the Weather TO Prognosticate or foretel the alteration of the Weather there hath been in all Ages diligent observers of Nature who have prescribed rules and prenotations of the Airs mutability grounded on judicial signs collected from the Stars and the four Elements the principles of all sublunary bodies Of these Predictions there be several kinds both general and particular established by humane reason some derived meerly from old experience yet many of them true divers observations are ascribed to some particular Place Country Province or lesse proportion of this our habitable world being oftentimes confined within the precincts of a parish as by fogs or mists ascending from some meer or morish grounds or descending from the tops of hills high exalted places and low depressed dales some men do observe domestick and particular beasts as the story of the Herds-man c. But as for all such presages as are not general or warranted by some seeming reason I will quiâ—e reject and leave them at home for to observe the smoak of their own chimneys for it is my real intention at least my desire to direct my serene instructions to the benefit of the tender vigilant or distressed travellers whereby they may avoid the danger or inconvenience of foul and tempestious weather by presaging the Airs alteration and the inundation of the lower Regions menacing the Earth with their over-charged exhalations and vapours in tumults ready to descend to avoid these ensuing storms is the scope of my intentions in this Treatise and the better to enable you to do it I have prostrated to your view The Worlds Eprtomy and the several risings settings apparitions and occultations of the Stars with the natures of those celestrial Orbs the four Elements and all Meteors in general the secondary causes under God of heat cold wet and dry weather from whose excesse proceeds want disâ—â—â—d all corporal distempers and from their â—â—â—cord plenty crowned by the blessing of Hâ—â—ven with health and happinesse That the Stars have their influences upon sublunary bodies it is not denied by any learned men and affirmed undoublably by many of the most famous Philosophers Astronomers and Divines as witnesse Aristotle Ptolomaeus and St. Augustine lib. 13. Cap. 4. de Trin. and multitudes more which I have omitted fearing to incumber this volume with testimonies and approbations of that which seems demonstrated unto reason and confirmed by experience and according to Hippocrates with the consent of many others Thunder Lightning Hail Snow Rain Storms and all alterations of the weather may be predicted by the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the aspects of Planets their natures and qualities considered with the climate region and season of the year The Stars being supposed of several natures and each constellation mixt their influencies may cause diversity of effects as heat cold moisture or drought which are the four qualities of the Element and as for the Planets they do alter according to their aspects which many learned Phisitians do diligently observe in administring Physick and in the time of their Patients falling sick calling the 7. day critical the 14. c. Their reasons are the Moon having dominion over all humors and waterish bodies and in her motion swift doth passe in 7. days and a little more from one sign into another of a contrary nature and quality as from ♎ hot and moist into ♑ cold and dry and the like of others from whence the Doctors do judge of the malignity of the disease with the hopes of life or danger of death and of this you may read in Gallen lib. 3. de diebus Criticis rather then in me And in prognostication of the Weather these judicial days would be observed in the beginning of drought Rain Snow Frost or the like and there would be considered the latitude and aspects of the Planets the nature of the signs they are in passing under the fixed Stars especially where they are mixt with the nature of those Planets Consider the season of the year as Hale or Rain in the Spring or Autumn Thunder and Lightning in Sommer Frost and Snow in Winter Ponder also the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the Planets the Eclipses Comets and all fiery Meteors and such as these accompanied by nature are justifiable for God hath given man knowledge and understanding in the course of natural things and signs in the Heavens whereby to avoid inconveniencies not with a certain but a conjectural science by the Asterisms or celestial configurations and the four Elements from whence may be presaged distempers of the Air causing contagious diseases sterility and the like as Aristotle writeth of Thaletes
â—6 degree are turbulent their natures being of ♂ and ☿ the Northern parts are hot the Southern moist â™ The former parts of Sagittarius from the 26. unto the 6. degree of ♑ the Stars are moist and colder then in former ages the middle part of â™ from the 6. degree of ♑ unto the 16 the Stars are of the nature of ♃ and ♂ yet temperate inclining to cold the hinder part of â™ from the 16. of ♑ to the 28. fiery the Northern part of this constellation is windy the South part moist and inconstant ♑ The first part of Capricornus from the 28. degree to the 7. of â™’ the Stars do participate of ♂ and ♀ which are hot and hurtful the middle of ♑ from the 7. degree of â™’ unto the 15 more temperate lastly from the 15. degree to the 21. of â™’ is observed rainy weather for the Northern and Southern part of this asterism is generally held moist and also hurtful â™’ The beginning of Aquarius is from the 21. degree unto the end of the same very moist the middle of it unto the 8. degree of ♓ temperate of the nature of ♄ and ♃ the end of this sign in the 15. degree of ♓ windy the Northern part of this constellation is hot the Southern part snow or cold weather ♓ The former parts of Pisces from the 15. degree unto the 30. more cold then in former ages the middle parts from the beginning of ♈ unto the 15. degree moister then formerly and lastly from the 15. degree of ♈ unto the 28. causing a thick and dark air the Northern part windy and the Southern is held waterish which concludes the 12. Signs and the properties of them in particular Aphorismes or selected places out of Cardanus CArdan 7 Aph. 73. does propound these ♓ and ♈ do cause winds and the half of ♉ the other part of ♉ being more aireal participating of ♊ doth produce suddain and fruitful showres ♊ Author of winds ♋ and ♌ produceth great heat and storms of Hail â™ remisse heat and giveth showres ♎ and â™ inequality of Air â™ Snow and Rain ♑ cold weather does produce and â™’ waters especially in the beginning Stadius and the later observers collects these properties of the 12. Signs of the first mover and 8. Sphere conformable to this Age. ♈ OF the Primum mobile lesse subject to Thunder but apter to hail then in the times of Ptolomy ♉ Hot and moderately moist ♊ Temperate inclining to heat and also to drought ♋ Cloudy and not the parent of fair weather in times past ♌ Hot with a scorching drought and suffocating â™ Thunder with moisture but more temperate then in former ages ♎ Various and mutable inclining something unto drought â™ Flery but more remisse then in the time of Ptolomy â™ Windy but moister then formerly ♑ Temperately cold and a little moist â™’ Cold and watery ♓ More cold then in former ages The natures properties and operations of the 7. Planets upon sublunary bodies in causing Meteors ♄ SAturn by nature is more cold then dry especially being East-ward of the ☉ and in earthly signs producing then both clouds and coldnesse of the Air in time of heat it lessens it and in frosty weather it much increases the cold when he passes from one sign into another for many days together he causeth red clouds and fiery apparitions in the Air inundations earth-quakes snow frosts and much cold according to the season of the year and situation of the Country Card. ♃ Jupiter is of nature hot and moist and is accounted the parent of fair weather being temperate both in heat and moisture mittigating the cold of Winter and the heat of Sommer causing gentle winds and a temperate Air with much serenity being East-ward of the ☉ he increaseth heat and West-ward moisture Card. ♂ Mars is hot and dry in excesse and in fiery Signs in Sommer he causeth much heat and in Winter-time remisse mittigating the coldnesse of the weather he is accounted as Lord paramount of tempests violent and suddain storms of Rain Hail Thunder Lightning excessive heat in fiery Signs and much Rain in passing by the Pleiades as is observed by Stadius ☉ Sol is by nature hot and dry but more or lesse according to the Sign he is in or aspected with the other six Planets or assisted by the fixed Stars in his annual revolution his greatest force is in making Hail moderate in Rain little Frosts and Snow the general motive of vapours and exhalations the destributer of light unto the rest of the Stars Monarch of the skies inabling them with his rays and the earth with fruitfulnesse ♀ Venus is temperately cold and moist yet Argol says moderately warm predominating over humors she warmeth little and moistneth much especially when she is the morning Star in Winter she maketh the Air temperate but moist and in Sommer she lessens the drought and causes great Dews and gentle showres but chiefly when she is in the beginning of ♋ Card. ☿ Mercury is by nature mutable and doubtful according to the Sign or nature of the Star he is withal or the Aspect of any other Planet participating of their natures with whom he is associated he is held the father of winds in earthly and watery Signs and causeth Thunder and Lightning often in fiery or airy Signs ☽ Luna the lowest Planet is of nature cold and moist and but little warm she naturally moveth the waters having much force over all phlegmatick bodies and cold humors and increaseth them according to her place in the Zodiack the Aspect with the ☉ and the other Planets her association with the fixed Stars and her latitude from the Ecliptick Astrologers do allow the Moon these temperatures from the ☌ to the first of â–¡ cold and moist from the first â–¡ unto ☠moist and something warm from ☠to the last â–¡ dry and a little warm from the last â–¡ to the ☌ cold and something dry but in general she is held to increase the humors in all bodies from the new unto the full and decreasing for to dry them up or lessen them yet more or lesse according to her place and season of the year and the full ☽ is conceived cold in Sommer and temperate in the Winter season the new ☽ warm in Sommer and produceth the coldest nights in Winter and in general the conjunctions of the Luminaries bringeth the fairest weather and their oppositions the greatest store of Rain Card. And thus far for the particular observations of the Planets properties and natures Proper and peculiar observations of the weather in every one of the four Seasons or Quarters of the Year Spring IN the conjunction or opposition of the Luminaries immediately or the last before the Vernal Equinox if ♂ were in ☌ with either the ☉ or ☽ expect much Thunder and Lightning for to follow if ♀ in March or April be retrograde expect much wet weather to follow Sommer If the 5. Planets be direct
this season will be beautiful and pleasant but if these 5. be retrograde then will the Sommer be vehemently hot for the Planets do heat the Air when retrograde in their courses and when direct they cool and this is general except when ♃ is in ☠to the Sun Planets in their swift motion do increase the heat but when Stationary if they be hot they do inflame the Air if cold they cool it if moist they do beget Rain and those by nature dry do cause at that time much drought and Planets combust in this Sommer quarter do cause much Thunder and Lightning Leupold Tract 6. cap. 2. Autumn Fiery Planets in this season and in our Northern Countries do cause both cold and moisture if in this quarter the 5. Planets be retrograde there will be much drought in every Country and climate and when the ☉ enters into the 18. degree of ♠if ♀ be in a watery Sign expect excessive rains with inundations Leupold 3. Winter Fiery Planets in the beginning of this quarter do produce clouds and Southern winds if that ♀ in his season be direct and the morning Star in the beginning of Winter she will produce some rain and in the latter end much wet unlesse it be hindred by some other Planet of neer affinity to the Sun and the contrary when ♀ is retrograde and Lucifer expect then very much rain in the beginning of this quarter and in the end of Winter but little or none at all This general conclusion Haly doth propound thus Cap. 4. part 1. If ♀ be retrograde in this quarter it doth presage a moist and rainy Winter one Planet retrograde when in ☌ with ☉ argues drought especially at the end of this season going out of ♒ into ♓ if there be two Planets retrograde it prognosticates temperate but moist weather but if three an abundant deal of wet and if four Planets be in their motions retrograde it will presage a deluge And here ends the observations upon the four Seasons or quarters of the year the Sun entering any of the four Cardinal points as ♈ ♋ ♎ and ♑ Leupold The names of the most tempestuous and remarkable Asterismes and Stars observed in former Ages as at this present THe most tempestuous Constellations are these Orion Arcturus and the Northern Crown the most windy are the Goat and Kids in Erichtonius the most watery are the Hyades and the 7. Stars called the Pleiades the causers of violent heat are Regulus or the Lions heart and both the Dog-stars as Sirius and Procyon These are the chief and principal Asterismes observed in presaging the Airs mutability yet there be many more Constellations of note in this kind although not so general in their effects being of much more doubtfull and promiscuous qualities but being part of the Astrologers Calender they shall be inserted and according to their Cosmical ascentions for this latitude of 52. degrees beginning at the feast of Christ-mass and so in order with the Suns revolution in his proper course through the 12. Signs as in this manner following The head of Capricornus Andromeda Canda ♑ Pisces ♓ the Rams head the Bulls eye the heads of Gemini Aselli the Asses Praesepe or the Cribbe both in ♋ the Lions head the Hydras heart Vindemiator and Spica Virginis or the ear of Corn both in ♠the Vulture with the Harp the Serpent with Aeschylapius Lucida Lancis or the bright Star in ♎ the Eagle the Scorpion heart or Antares the Dolphin c. There are many other Stars observed but not so remarkable which you shall see in the following Predictions of the Weather There are divers other Constellations towards the antartick pole not vifible in our Hemisphere as the Stern of Argonavis with multitudes more whose natures and effects are not known and howsoever not for our observations in prognoflicating the weather and so they are purposely omitted The Cosmical and Acronycal rising and setting of the Stars observed in presaging the Airs Vicissitude as in former Ages by Pliny and at this present time FIrst you are to note that the nature of the fixed Stars and their influences are increased or diminished by the association of the Planets or wandring Stars either by oppugnant or united qualities as ♀ approaching any Stars of her own nature causeth cloudy and fickle weather rain or much moisture ☿ uniting his rays with Stars of his unconstant and subtile nature causeth winds and a great mutability of the weather ♂ joyned or commixing his rays with Stars of his fiery nature increaseth them much more and inflames the Air being prone unto all combustions as ♂ with Sirius and the rage of the Dog-star is mittigated by the approach of ♃ and ♀ the Planet ♄ also lesseneth the heat and causeth dark weather and cold showres when his rayes are united with fixed Stars of his own cold and melancholy disposition and thus judge of the rest The influences of the fixed Stars to be more or lesse effectual according to the Planets united with them or ascending the Horizon of any place together the time of year and sign considered and the nature of Meteors pondered in your judgement with what hath been already specified and so to proceed 1. The Star Arcturus when he sets Acronycally denotes cold winds and with the rays of ♂ tempests and conjoyned with ♄ hail snow winds or cold rain according to the season 2. Aselli and Praesepe if conjoyned with the rays of ♀ or ☽ it presages rain or moist and misty weather 3 The Cosmical rising and Acrouycal setting of the Hyades d notes rain and if instigated by the approach of ♂ expect winds both by Land and Sea 4 Virgiliae or the Pleiades setting Cosmically produceth rain and storms if joyned with ♂ and the Sky at the same time be cloudy it argues a wet Winter especially if ♀ be with it and if the Heavens be clear it foreshews a sharp and cold Winter 5. Sirius with his Cosmycall rising maketh the Seas rough and stupifie the Fishes in this I have partly followed Pliny Observations of the weather by Ptolomy collected from the ascentions of the fixed Stars with the Sun 6. ORions Girdle setting Cosmically causeth a turbulent Air and if Sourtherly winds then rain will immediately follow after 7. The Dolphine setting Acronycally causeth both Winds and Snow 8. The Rams head rising Cosmically Presigeth hail or cold rain 9. The Hyades rising Cosmically prenoteth wet and showry weather and setting Cosmically frost snow or cold rain 10. The Eagle setting Cosmically produceth violent hot weather 11. Arcturus rising Cosmically doth predict some showres to follow quickly after within a few days from hence the Swallows take their leaves and repairs to their Winter-quarters The observations of Maginus selected from the Ascentions of the Sun and fixed Stars 12. THe Asses and Praesepe rising Cosmically often presageth a suddain alteration of the Air with thunder lightning and rain 13. The Eagle the tail of ♑ or
greatest power in altering the Airs temperature viz. ☌ hath the most force and the effects of longest continuance the next is ☠and then the â–¡ the â–³ and âš¹ much weaker and seldome observed in prognostication of the weather except in ♄ and ♃ or when the others are stationary or else ♀ ☿ ☽ any one of these parting with ♃ to joyn with ♄ or ♂ portends a turbulent air and stormy weather neer at hand also in ☠or ill aspected will effect the same or worse Prognostications of the weather by the mutual Conjunctions and Aspects of the Planets according to Maginus Argoll c. Saturn conjoyned or aspected with Jupiter SAturn and ♃ in ☌ âš¹ â–¡ â–³ or ☠are according to the nature of the Signs as in fiery Signs they generally cause drought in moist Signs rain hail with winds and great mutations of the Air both before and after if other causes do not interpose Particularly causing in the Spring a troubled or moist Air in Sommer hail and thunder in Autumn winds or rain in Winter frost or snow a turbulent Air and durable storms Saturn conjoyned or aspected with Mars SAturn and ♂ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do produce these effects for some days both before and after especially if ♂ be in his slow motion and properly hail in his â–¡ or ☠rain with lightning and tempests in moist Signs cloudy and dark weather corrupteth the Air and is generally hurtful but more or lesse as aspected with the fixed Stars Particularly in the Spring rain or thunder in Sommer time hail or thunder in Autumn wind or rain and in Winter remisse cold yet sometimes snow Saturn conjoyned or aspected with the Sun SAturn and ☉ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do cause generally rain hail and cold weather both before and after especially in watry Signs or in â™ and ♑ and is called Apertio portarum or opening the Cataracts of Heaven Particularly their effects in the Spring are cold showres in Sommer producing much thunder and storms of hail in Autumn rain and cold in Winter snow or moist dark and cloudy weather and oftentimes frost Saturn conjoyned or aspected with Venus SAturn and ♀ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠begetteth cold showres especially in watery Signs with sometimes hail but not much yet unconstant weather generally Particularly producing in the Spring cold rains in the Sommer season suddain showres in Autumn cold storms and in Winter it portends snow sleet or rain Saturn conjoyned or aspected with Mercury SAturn and ☿ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do generally produce cold winds in moist Signs rainy and cloudy weather in dry Signs drought in aiery Signs great winds in earthly Signs cold and drought hurtful to all vegetables Particularly in the Spring season these aspects do cause winds with some rain in Sommer lesse wet but some wind in Autumn it begetteth clouds and in Winter snow and often violent storms Saturn conjoyned or aspected with the Moon SAturn and ☽ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠in moist Signs do cause cold and cloudy weather in aiery Signs and in â™ or in ♑ it increases the cold and often causeth hail especially at the full and at the new Moon drought in dry times she causeth frosts or dark and obscure clouds yet sometimes pleasant quiet and gentle showres but with some cold and withal she does much at these times increase the Tides Particularly in the Spring these conjunctions or aspects do cause a troubled and moist Air and likewise in the Sommer with remisse heat and sometimes hail in Autumn cloudy weather with some frosts in Winter cloudy and venemently cold weather especially if either of them be aspected with ☿ Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with Mars JVpiter and ♂ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do properly foreshew thunder lightning flashes of fire and rain in moist Signs thunder corruscations and rain in fiery Signs scorching heat and if rising with any of the tempestuous Stars it may cause hail in Winter and if otherwise storms and snow Particularly in the Spring and Autumn whirlewinds in Sommer thunder tempests and combust heat in Winter remisse cold and a temperate Air. Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with the Sun JVpiter and ☉ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do generally produce wholesome winds or gales fair clear warm and temperate weather especially in aiery Signs in watery or moist Signs it begetteth fertile showres in fiery Signs it increaseth heat and assures us constant fair weather but in earthly Signs lesse Particularly in the Spring and in Autumn winds in the Sommer season thunder and lightning and in Winter remisse cold and a temperate Air. Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with Venus JVpiter and ♀ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do beget a wonderful pleasing tranquile calm and temperate Air with grateful fair weather in watery Signs gentle and wholesome showres and in other Signs generally pleasing gales and clear weather much fertility plenty of fruits wholesome weather in any quarter of the year according to the season Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with Mercury JVpiter and ☿ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do generally generate winds and often great tempests without rain in fiery Signs drought and warm winds in airy Signs fair weather and pleasant gales winds are usually his effects in every quarter or season of the year Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with the Moon JVpiter and ☽ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠doth generally groduce serene weather propitious and favourable winds in ♄ and â™ white clouds spreadeth over the Skyes but in all quarters of the year it affordeth usually fair and temperate weather and very calm Mars in conjunction or aspected with the Sun MArs and ☉ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do usually cause thunder lightning rain hail with vehemency and hurt especially in Sommer in fiery Signs it begetteth heat and drought in airy Signs a dark Sky and spissious clouds and many diseases it produces especially in the Spring Particularly in the Spring and Sommer they cause whirlewinds and drought especially if the Signs did participate of both their natures the effects will be diseases and cause cloudy weather in Sommer time vehement heat with thunder and lightning and in the winter it lessens the cold Mars in conjunction or aspected with Venus MArs and ♀ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠in watery Signs causeth much rain opening the floud-gates of Heaven in other Signs lesse rain generally Particularly in the Spring and Autumn they generate rain in Sommer often showres and makes the winter season not very cold but alters the present state of the weather Mars in conjunction or aspected with Mercury MArs and ☿ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠in fiery Signs do declare heat and excessive drought in watery Signs rain and often showres in airy Signs warm winds and those usually violent Particularly do generate hail and cloudy winds in Autumn in the Spring and Winter snow in the Sommer tempests of thunder lightning and hail and often violent storms Mars in conjunction or aspected with the Moon MArs and ☽ in ☌ â–¡ or â˜
Meteors seldome seen little observed in prognostication of the weather and so I shall lead you no further until a better discovery of their natures be made and their effects better known which are generally held unwholesome and so let them pasle as Ignes fatui By terrestial fires 49. WHen our common fires do burn with a pale flame they presage foul weather 50 If the fire do make a huzzing noise it is a sign of tempests neer at hand 51. If the flame of a candle lamp or any other fire does wave or wind it self where there is no sensible or visible cause expect some windy weather 52. When candles or lamps will not so readily kindle as at other times it is a sign of wet weather neer at hand 53. When the fire sparkleth very much it is a sign of rain 54. If the ashes on the herth do clodder together of themselves it is a sign of rain 55. When candles or lamps do sparkle and rise up with little fumes or their wicks swell with things on them like mushrums are all signs of ensuing wet weather 56 When pots are newly taken off from the fire if they sparkle the soot upon them being incensed it presages rain 57. When the fire scorcheth and burneth more vehemently then it useth to do it is a sign of frosty weather but if the living coals do shine brighter then commonly at other times expect then rain 58. If wood or any other fuel do crackle and break forth wind more then ordinary it is an evident sign of some tempestuous weather neer at hand the much and suddain falling of soot presages rain A Paraphrase THe natural cause of these as I suppose is this the Air in the lower Region being apt for either heat or cold does alter according to the inclination of the weather whether it be disposed to heat cold rain or wind the Air thus altering when it becomes waterish makes the flaming fire appear pale candles nor lamps apt to light their cotten-wicks to swell with tumors upon them like horse-shooes or mushrums the moist air being got into them which by opposition makes the fire to sparkle or being cold inclining to frost it causes it to scorch the Air which does infuse it self into the pores of the fewel being moist and rarified by the fire turns into wind and so wanting room breaks a passage forth which makes the wood to crackle the flame to wave and sparkles to fly and this in brief is the cause of them so far as I conceive our fewel being commixed of the four Elements and so by opposition or participation these effects are caused and this makes the soot in chimneys for to fall being by nature dry and loosned by the moistnesse of the Air. By Air Winds Clouds and Mists THe Air in which we breath being commixt and no pure Element doth generate several Meteors as was said already in the second part and the presages these if the Air seem dusky hotter then ordinary and unapt to breath in expect then thunder and lightning 60. When the ringing of Bells or other sounds are heard more plain then at other times and if by intervals it shews the Air to be dilated and disturbed which presages either wind or rain if not both 61. A sharp and cold wind after rain foresheweth more to come the exhalation or vapour not being spent in the former showre 62. Winds that do continue long in any one point will cause the weather for to be generally the same whether it be fair or soul but if it shifts often in changing the place it presages rain quickly after to ensue but in times of frost it is a sign that the weather will break 63. Whirlwinds do predict approaching storms usually of rain or hail these you may foresee by raising the dust or any such light materials and and oftentimes these whirlwinds are forerunners of great tempests for it is a windy exhalation driven obliquely upon the horizontal plain and forced down by the coldnesse or moisture of the present Air in the lower Region this repercursion of the Air causeth chimneys to smoak more then usually they do at other times presaging rain or great winds 64. Sometimes these whirlwinds are caused by the meeting of one another and so raising light things as in contention hurling them to and fro at the pleasure of the prevailing party and such as these do usually presage tempests as you see when the clouds are moved several ways at once and from the same cause above as it is below 65. It is probable that there is also many exhalations which do suddenly break out of the Earth and do produce these whirlwinds which are by nature held hot and dry the cause how these do predict storms and tempests is conceived this against rain or any wet weather the pores of the Earth does naturally open and so gives a passage to them they being hot and dry do strive for to ascend and so much the more then the exhalation being opposed by the moistnesse and the coldness of the Air infused into the Earth which changes as the Element does 66. These whirlwinds are precursors of tempests when the Air inclosed in the Earth is apt for to convert it self into these windy exhalations and there increasing so as it cannot be contained yet not so restrained as to cause an Earth-quake but finds an easie passage through the pores of the Earth whereby to evaporate and free it self from restraint into the open Air. 67. These exhalations when they happen for to be frozen in with extream cold weather in winter and venting themselves in waterish places as in the bottome of great ponds meers or rivers where by Antiperistafis or opposition of the cold waters it does congeal the bottome when the outward air cannot freeze the top or superficies of the water by reason of the motion but in the deeps where it is still and quiet these are called anchor or subterranean frosts they are not usual neither will they endure long but when they do happen it is most commonly extream cold weather and little or no snow these are generally held very hurtful unto plants and destructive to the fishes and by freezing up the channels make the rivers overflow 68. When the Air is dilated or rarified it is a sign of much heat or against rain which by your smelling you may know when shoars nasty places or things corrupted are more offensive then at other times 69. When the clouds be dark deep and very spissious it is a sign of rain and sometimes tempestuous weather 70. Many scattering clouds wandering in the Air and moving swiftly argues wind or rain and from the North or South it is the worse but if the racke rides both wayes it foreshews a tempest 71. If the racke in the forenoon rides in the Air from the East westward it argues rain at night but if from the West it does foreshew a cloudy morning if not rain and at any
Brooks and those united making Rivers running along in fruitful Valleys cooling the superficies of the Earth and supplying what the fervour of the Sun exhales this office being performed and living creatures in it nourished by the streams the rest falls into the Ocean and from thence returns into the veins of the Earth again one water still following of another and this is confirmed by the undeniable authority of the sacred Scriptures Eccles cap. 1. Yet many exhalations and vapours are by the Sun extracted from the waters and those converted by the vertue of his rays into several Meteors as moist and windy exhalations which the Air gratefully does repay again unto the waters as in a continual course of amity and inseparable league between them the Air which is included within the pores of the Earth is by nature subtile and gets into all the corners and hollow places whereby to avoid a vacuum which Nature does abhor the Air here with cold that in the Earth does abound is easily condensed and turned into drops of water which falls from their heads into little channels and so discends into the valleys for these sometimes are observed at the bottoms or sides of hills to bubble forth and the bigger mountains do afford the greater Springs and the more plenty of water especially such as are pregnant with Minerals The higher and greater that the mountains be the vaster are their caverns and hollow places in them to receive the Air and as it turns into water it is supplied with more And besides hills being more exposed to the Sun beams must of necessity be fuller of pores then the lower grounds and plain places and yet it does not follow that all high places must have Springs because the soyl may differ and the Earth not pory there will want receptacles for the Air whereby the water should be generated For a demonstration of this you may see in the Winter time or against wet weather the stones do become moist with a Dew hanging upon them and in close and cold rooms drops of water will hang upon the walls observe then but the alterations and fluxibility of the Air the condensed coldnesse of the Earth and this will easily be credited which makes Springs generally lowest in Autumn as from hence and being exhausted with the Sommers heat The wonderful vertues and effects of Waters FOuntains there be which naturally have marvelous qualities of which I will briefly relate some of their strange operations As a Fountain in Baeotia which being drunk of does stupifie the senses and causeth forgetfulnesse And one in Cilicia which quickens the wits as M. Varro writes Ovid. Metam lib. 15. writeth the River Lyncestus will inebriate and the water of the Stygian Lake in Arcadia will cat through any mettal and is held deadly poyson In Dedons the Fountain of Jupiter will extinguish a torch that is lighted and being immediately put in again it will illuminate it So writes S. Augustine of a Well in Aegypt in some waters nothing will easily sinck as Mare mortuum in Judaea Here be waters in England that will turn wood into stone but one of the most remarkable stories is recorded by Albertus Magnus neer Lubeck in Saxony where birds in a nest being touched with a stick taken out of the Sea metamorphosed the young ones into stone There is a River in Hungary that will give Iron a tincture of Copper Theophrastus writeth of waters that will change the colour of birds or beasts if they do drink of it as from black to white The waters of Peutasium as Solinus writes is good and wholesome for men to drink of but deadly poyson to venomous serpents In Libiu there is a Spring that at the Sun rising and setting is temperately warm at noon-day exceeding cold and at midnight excessive hot Some Springs do rise and fall every six hours as the Seas do ebbe and flow As for the taste colour and temperature of waters they are according to the veins and minerals through which they pass whereof some are hot and drying as the Bathes having a taste of Brimstone coming through some sulphurious minerals famous they are for curing of aches in the bones and all cold diseases Those that turn wood into stone or other materials into mettal do participate much of their natures and the mines from whence they run some being hot others cold some salt others fresh some wholesome to drink others hurtful and unpleasant with divers other strange operations retaining more or lesse of the nature and qualities from whence they are derived Yet as we said before all waters are not conceived for to run through the hollow veins of the Earth but some are generated there in the caverns of hills and all hollow subterranian places by the condensed Air and this is not oppugnant to the sacred Scriptures Eccle. cap. 1. ver 7. for that is the general course of all rivers and the other but particular which is demonstrable in man the little world for by learned Physitians it is observed that such bodies as are inclined to a Dropsie or any phlegmatick disease their Urine will be more in quantity and weight then all that they do eat and drink and this observed not only for a few days but many months together and the reason which they give is that not only their meat and drink converts to water by reason of the coldnesse of those phlegmatick stomachs but the very Air in those bodies does turn to water and those parts supplied with more Air as it converts to the other element and such cold causes and waterish effects may be in the Earth and likewise in discolouring of water as by making it black pale green high-coloured or the like but howsoever these are but peculiar and from accidental causes for the general course of waters is from the Springs unto the Sea and so to those heads again Thus wonderful are the works of the Omnipotent God every thing magnifying His Greatnesse Daniel 3. Benedicite fontes Domino Conjectures of the Seas saltnesse with the Ebbs and Flouds THe Seas are conceived to be made salt and brackish by the fervour of the Sun's rays with the permixion of burnt exhalations and chafed with the violent and perpetual motion of the flux and reflux of the waters for by experience we find that liquid things if hot and burnt their tafte will be bitter and with commotion will prove brackish but it is very likely that the Seas were brackish from the creation and by this means continued so but some does object that if the rain-water were exhaled from the Seas and that the Springs did flow from thence the waters would retain a saltnesse in their taste but as for that it appears evidently that the Rain is refined by vertue of the Sun and the Spring-waters by their Meanders in passing through the Earth and this you may try by distilling of Salt-water or putting it into Earth so as it may drain forth
same account If Saint Paul 's day be fair and clear It does betide a happy year But if it chance to snow or rain Then will be dear all kind of grain If clouds or mists do dark the Skie Great store of birds and beasts shall die And if the winds do fly aloft Then wars shall vex that Kingdome oft A Conclusion with a Paraphrase upon the presages by sensitive Creatures in general SIgns both of the weather and the seasons I have hewn you yet have omitted many but such as are best known to those who are sensible of them and of these there be some who supprest with the heavy burden of many years are forced to stoop and strike sail to time their bodies almost worn out with old decrepit age scarcely tenentable to the vital parts which Nature can hardly inable for to keep possession being dayly in danger to be ejected by rigid Death who admits no bail such as these are sensible of the Airs alteration like an old ruined tenement that lies open unto the assaults of every little storm and may unhappily know the weather and seasons of the year Others there be in the glory and prime of their youth that do know all this and more certainly then can the dictates of old age deliver it having in every joynt a Calender that shews them the weather with the Spring and Fall as a Memorandum of their fond and licentious youth wherein they have incurred the displeasure of just Heaven and rewarded with the fruits of sin Yet in this I do not censure all for some knows it through the crimes of others and many by casualties fractures of bones bruises old sores aches cramps gouts corns of their feet agues and almost innumerable diseases and imperfections of Nature incident to frail man for excepting such like accidents or signs derived from experience or grounded upon some reason to be held weather-wise is an argument of folly The cause why Ideots can so well fore-know the weathers alteration is partly they being defective in their understandings as wanting the use of reason Nature does the more assist them or they being cold and phlegmatick as appears by their slavering they are the more sensible of the Airs change as it is agreeable or oppugnant to the temperature and constitution of their bodies whereas Man endowed with the use of reason and discourse contemplates of the cause and nature of things which so implies the senses that the Air infused into the poars of such bodies cannot have any powerful operation and besides their constitutions are composed with a better concord of the 4 Elements so that the Airs alteration cannot so soon and sensibly work those effects in such bodies being perfectly in health and reason of their counsel For 't is Natures care to provide best for those things which are in most danger of shortest life or can least help or shift for themselves as to some she gives strength in arms to others swiftnesse of feet or wings agility of body and the like some little creatures are made a prey by others or their lives but short to these she gives a fruitful offspring as for example what multitudes of little Birds more then Eagles or fowls of prey Herrings in number exceeding Whales with comparison behold also the providence of the immense Creator that all these several kinds do subsist and in such Springs or Sommers whose temperatures of heat shall produce cold Winters there Nature does commonly provide plenty before hand as Akorns Hipps Hawes and divers other sorts of Berries for the subsistance of sundry sorts of little birds animals that otherwise would have perished with cold and for want of meat which is armour of proof against the weather By Natures instinct from these Man as in a Calender may read the weather and the seasons of the year every body having small poars into which the Air does continually infuse it self and as it is rarified or condensed it alters the disposition of the body but more or lesse according to the constitution and as it is agreeable or oppugnant to the natural temperature thereof as for an instance Bees and Emmots being of a fiery nature as appears by their choler and industry the Air infused into their little members towards rain being moist and opposite to their natures stupifies their senses and makes them heavy and not apt to labour or go abroad This is the cause that Bees keep in their hives or will not go far from thence when the Air grows moist and the weather inclining to rain from hence is the motive that the laborious Emmots desire rest and withdraw themselves into the caverns of the earth carrying their eggs with them as by a natural instinct whereby to preserve their progeny for by the fervour of the Sun they must be disclosed and by a storm of rain they would be chill and perish the reason is generally the same in other sensitive creatures whose corps are sensible of the Airs change that alters them according to the natural temperature and disposition of their bodies some creatures requiring heat others moisture what pleases one distasts some other and so of all living things Salamanders love Fire Birds Air Fishes Water and Beasts Earth So these Elements as they are mixt and predominating do offend or please the natural disposition of the creature This Monarchy and Common-wealth I choose as for an explanation of the rest they being the most industrious the most sensible and most subject for to be prejudiced by the incursions or suddain assaults of the weather and so here I will conclude with Virgil Geor. lib. 1. Haud equidem credo quia sit divinitus illis Jngenium aut rerum fato prudentia major Verum ubi tempestas coeli mobilis humor Mutavere vias Jupiter humidas austris Densat erant quae rara modo quae densa relaxant Vertuntur species animorum pectora motus Nunc alios alios dum nubila ventus agebat Concipiunt Hinc ille avium concentus in agris Et laetae pecudes ovantes gutture corvi The Weather Glass or perpetual Kalender Bâ— this artificial means you may at any time â—ither in the day or night discover certainly the Airs alteration as it does condense or rarifie and â—o from thence presage the future weather which the better and the more sensible to effect I will prescribe a proportion for the Glass the manner how to devide it and make a water that will not freez much more beautiful and conspicuous then ordinary water First provide a Bolts head of a cleer transparent Glasse in form as you see the figure the end at A like a Globe in content to the whole ¾ or â…˜ let the shanke be in circumference ¼ or â…• of the head at A then 1 ½ or 1 ¾ of the Globes circle the length unto B where must be a Glasse in content about half of the bolts head as for a cestern to
being a Mother 316. Maxentius in the Eastern Countries raised a terrible Persecution putting all Christians to death that he could find and with severall kinds of tortures to force them from their allegiance and service to the Son of God This persecution constrained many to fly their Countries and divers for fear of Maxentius and his unhumane competitours obscured themselves in Caves of beasts in the Desarts where from savage Creatures they found more mercy then from Man But this Christ reveng'd persecuting the Tyrants with Plague and Famine which so consumed many Countrys that they were destitute almost of Men Women or Children until the Emperour had nothing but beasts to rule over and not many of them neither From the Birth of our Lord and Saviour 1346. there happned in that year three great conjunctions of the higher Planets viz. ♄ ♃ and ♂ and these three all in ☌ in ♒ this year produced one of the most universal and destructive Plagues that ever was inflicted upon wretched mortals this pestiferous infection took the original in the East Indies and past over the world no people safe either by Land or Sea the Air being generally contaminated as with a deadly poyson many that year went to Sea hoping by that means to avoid it but in vain for there they were surprised with their whole families this Epidemical disease was so dreadful that it banished all humanity and perverted man from being a sociable creature Friends forsaking their Friends and Alies Parents unnaturally forsook their Children and ungrateful Children their Parents This general disease continued 9. years in several Countreys and was as mortiferous and raging as ever was Plague in any Countrey Some writers affirm how that this Plague began from fiery Exhalations risen out of the Earth whose malignancy infected the Air and from those distempers begot raging Feavers in Men untill the sword made incision of their inflamed veins a remedy worse then the disease Others say this Plague took its sad Exordium from fire that fell from Heaven the most authentick Chronologers record it thus Lamech a City of Arabia now known by the name of Mecha the Metropolitan of the Antichristian Mahumetans superstition in this City it rained Bloud and Snakes the space of three days and nights together the Serpents soon after perished in such multitudes that the stench of their corrupted bodies contaminated the Air in all the adjacent Regions this stupendious storm raz'd Mahumets Temple to the ground and sever'd into many pieces the Sepulchre of that infernal Impostor The next year the Earth denyed her accustomed fruits introducing a Famine more mortiferous then the former these direful calamities not moving man to repentance O incredulous and obdurate hearts but contemning those dreadful judgements were pleased with their enemies fall until they fell themselves Piety expulsed fled into exile while envy and confusion in Arms put the world in an uproar the sword licensed in the hands of Furies making a rude decimation of those who had espaced both Plague and Famine These three last deplorable afflictions were the most universal and destructive that the world ever felt or the Inhabitants groaned under since the general Deluge when in 40. days all living souls were destroyed from off the face of the Earth but what the Ark was fraighted withal whereby to replant the world again and those for many months were wafted over the angry waves that lav'd the Earth polluted with enormous crimes and transgressions of unbelieving licentious men only under the Law of Nature to which brute Beasts subject themselves This Ark represented the figure of Baptism 1 Pet. 3.20 21. And moreover St. Hierome calls it a Type of the Catholike Church the raging storms and tumultuous billows in opposition to one another resemble Herefies and Persecutions the Ark out-lived the fury of the Deluge and so shall the other to the worlds consummation all perished that were not in the first so I need say no more of the last Historiographers conjecture that more Men Women and Children perished in one of these Epidemical diseases then in the universal Flood the World being conceived more populous then in the days of Noah and the continuance much longer many will not believe these being but humane traditions and 't is not strange since they want faith in divine Records whereof some object that if the Deluge were 15. cubits above the highest Hills the superficies of the Waters on which the Ark floated was swell'd up to the middle Region of the Air in which no living creature can subsist besides they make queries from whence should these magazins of Waters be extracted the Fountains of the Earth they conceive not sufficient the Clouds are but thin dilated vapours the Waters mentioned above the Firmament could not descend so low in 100. years without a miracle To their objections I might answer 't was the providence of God which preserved them to whom nothing is impossible being sole Creator and Moderator of the Universe but since an Omnipotent and divine power condescended to make Mans preservation by a humane means humane reasons may be expected for which I refer the over curious unto the learned Expositors of Genesis yet not to leave them in a Sea at last something I will say not positively affirmed but conjecturally intimated only As for their Suppositions the whole Element of Air is held naturally hot and moist and the middle Region cold but by accident which frigid and restringent cause being chang'd the quality must cease and so the Air in general might convert to vapours innumerable and the waters in the Earth peradventure were dilated and so made more fluxible whose Fountains were opened for 40. continued days the Catarracts descending from their overburthned clouds which time to humane apprehension might encrease the inundation to submerge the terrestrial Globe 15. Cubits above the highest hills whereof 't is probable the Armenian mountains were most exalted above the Earths center and as the clouds were exonerated by the waters that fell 't is like this inferiour Air did ascend and assume the middle Regions Sphere and so made apt for all living creatures to breath in The Deluge ebbing Mount Ararat appear'd on whose firm foundation the Ark rested the Waters by an orderly summons retreated some to replenish the Earths entrails and exhausted veins others confin'd to channels of spacious Rivers ample Lakes and Oceans almost unterminated a great part by the influence of Stars might be sublim'd and reconverted to vapours thence rarifying to Air ascend their proper Orbs again the grosser parts sink to their seats of gravity and so will I this being above my Sphere yet pleased in recollecting my preservation past the hope of one in future transports my mind beyond a Deluge the landing Eternity A Compendium of Meteors and Signs observed in former Ages as at this present most prodigious in Nature stupendious to Mortals and portentious in their dismal events THe Symptomes of Natures distempers I have
descension is said of any Star that sets with the ☉ as the little Dog-star the 5. day of June but this is also said of any Star that sets in the night time The Heliacal rising of any Star is to be understood of those that have been obscured with the Sun-beams and the Sun moving according to the succession of the signs the Star begins again to appear at his rising a little before the Sun as you may see in the Latitude of 52. g 0. And on the seventh of August the Lions heart quite obscured and a few days after will be seen to rise before the Sun and the Heliacal setting is any Star that is seen presently after the Sun setting and a few days after will be quite obscured with the glory of his beams as the 28. of August you may behold Spica Virginis in the West and in a few days after offuscated with the resplendent radius of the Sun his proper motion being East-ward This I do desire may satisfie most courteous Reader as an abstract of the world and if further satisfaction be desired vouchsafe to look over my books of Astronomy and for the better recording in your memory the apparition and occultation of the Stars accept of these verses though from a rude Minerva Ascention Cosmicall as Poets say Are Stars that rise with Sol or in the day Those asterismes Acronycall they call That in the night do either rise or fall And those Heliacall Astraea says Whom Phoebus does offuscate with his rays AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Second Part of Meteors AS for the word Meteors it signifies an apparition in the Air as taken in the common or usual sense or high and lifted up but in general there are two sorts one risen from Vapours and Exhalations termed by the Philosophers imperfect mixt bodies by reason they are easily reduced into their first nature or proper Element as Hail or Snow quickly resolving into Water and all those which are accounted perfectly mixt are thunder bolts c. and the reason they do give is because that such as these will not so soon be converted into their first Elements from whence they were extracted or derived the material cause of all are hot and moist vapours or hot and dry exhalations from Water and Earth the efficient cause under God is from the fixed and wandering Stars by vertue of whose beams a light rarifi'd substance is extracted from gross and heavy bodies as vapours from water and exhalations from Earth their qualities are heat and moisture which causeth diversity of effects especially in those lesse perfectly mixt which are the subjects now intended Vapours do consist of the four Elements but the substance water as the steam of a boyling Pot which hangs like a dew upon the lid or cover over it And Exhalations are commonly like smoak of nature hot and dry as you may behold in a Summers day to offuscate the Air or make it seem dusky with the ascending of thin sumes and after this comes usually thunder which shews from whence these exhalations were extracted for out of Fire and Air only no Meteor can consist as wanting matter the Fire of it self as being an Element is so subtile that it cannot be purified whereas all exhalations and vapours must be refined and consequently extracted from some grosser body for the Air if much rarified would turn to Fire as you may see in violent and circular motions of wheels or such like things that are set on fire by rarification of the Air where the matter is dry and combustible and when the Air becomes grosse it turns to Water as you may see by your breath in the winter time or the Air inclosed in vaults or other hollow places will quickly be condensed by opposition of the outward Air or coldnesse of the place especially against rainy weather but lot us now ascend to unmask some other doubtful quaeries The places where Meteors are generated is generally held for to be in all or any Region of the Air which are three viz. the upper from the Element of Fire to the clouds the middle Region containing the clouds the lowest from the clouds unto the Earth but Tycho Brahe with some others do conceive the Element of Air for to be delated up into the Firmament or fixed Stars but that above the Element of Fire to be of a Celestial nature differing from the inferiour Air and their reasons are derived from the height of Comets observed not only above the Element of Fire but with the Planets and some higher then the Sphere of Saturn even with the fixed Stars as the new Star in Cassiopaeia which was seen and the height taken by Ticho himself in the year of the World's Redeemer 1572 without parallax The proof of the altitude of Comets is deduced from their Parallaxes that is the difference between the true and apparant height of any blazing Star being observed from the superficies of the terrestrial Globe and not from the center of the Heavens and this difference is discovered several ways First as by observing some noted and fixed Stars ascending the Horizon with it or presently before or after and if they do keep the same distance or neer unto it that Comet must needs be very high or by several observations made in other Countries for if neer the Firmament those fixed Stars will appear with it in all Hemispheres alike But if the distance between them varies and in a small distance of place or time it argues those blazing Stars are very low And thus the Parallaxis of any thing visible under the Firmament will be found greater or lesser according to the height of it As the Star in Cassiopaeia appearing in the year of Grace 1972. differing but little or nothing in the Parallax or the observations made by divers Astronomers in several Countries in the year of the Virgin 's being a 1585 there was a Comes appeared in the Sphere betwixt Saturn and Jupiter and an other in the year of the Incarnation of the Son of God 1618. between Jupiter and Mars Aristotle with Regiomontanus and many others of his followers do affirm all Comets to be sublunary and this their Schollars do alledge that if the Astronomical hypotheses be true the Star in Cossiopaeia was greater then the fixed Stars of the first magnitude and consequently by their own demonstrations bigger then the whole Globe of Earth and Water above 100. times and a greater body cannot be extracted from a lesse from whence then say they could the matter be drawn or exhaled to feed so great a light for the space of a year and four months but to this Galilaeus answers that the highest Sky under the Firmament hath matter in it for the generation of these blazing Stars Licetus to defend the height of Comets doth argue that the Sky hath hard condensed knots in it made and enlightned by the rays both of the fixed and wandring Stars Gemma Phrysius did diligently observe in
which argues by their sweetnesse that they are extracted from thence These Honey-Dews do afford plenty unto the ware-houses of the industrious Bees with quick returns their purveyers are going for to seek provant nor their labourers much trouble to get their loading These Honey-Dews as they are good for Bees so they are as destructive to divers kind of beasts as Sheep Goats c. and in general to all fruits and blooming flowers especially to Hops and Grapes they are also obnoxious to Corn and often blasts it in the blooming For diverting these sad effects Numa one of the Roman Kings superstitiously instituted a Feast called Rubigalia and Floralia in the year from the building of Rome 516. Pliny lib. 18. cap. 29. which Feast was observed upon the 28. day of April 3. Kalend. Moy He was advised so to do by the Oracles of Sybilla This Heathenish Feast the Catholique Church did alter into Ascention Week calling it Rogation from asking a blessing upon the fruits of the Earth The nature of Rain water RAin Water is much more insipide at one time then at another and hath very often a brackish and unpleasant taste yet comfortable to vigetables and by reason of the warmth it does nourish them much better and more natural for them then spring-water or out of wells being cold and too earthly whereas the other participates of the Air which is hot and moist but by reason of this commixture of the Elements it is apt to form divers bodies especially in calm times the Air wanting motion may corrupt and so consequently generates many things according to the undigested matter exhaled from the earth as Frogs falling upon the tops of houses and Churches immediately after a storm and there they will perish in a short time for want of sustenance which argues they were not there produced Corn I have seen that was after a showre found upon the leads of Churches and on the ground in divers places it had the form of Wheat but small and without taste the colour of it pure white both within and without The lowest Meteor in the Air is the burning candle or as some call it Ignis Fatuus This is a hot and moist vapour which striving to ascend is repulsed by the cold and fiered by Antiperistasis movâ—s close by the earth caried along with the vapours that feed it keeping in low or moist places the light is of an exceeding pale colour very unwholsome to meet withal by reason of the evil vapours it attracts unto it which nourishes the pallide flame and will often ascend as those exhalations do and as suddainly fall again from whence the name is derived Thunder and Lightning and the causes from whence they proceed THese are conceived to be vapours hot and moist commixed with exhalations that be hot and dry involved thus within one another they do ascend by vertue of their heat unto the middle region of the Air where the exhalation by Antiperistasis grows inflam'd and strives to get forth of the cloud in which is involved and the upper part of the cloud where the heat would passe by opposition grows the strongest and the exhalation grown over-hot by being constrained with violence breaks forth of the weakest place against the weather that is in the lowest part and by reason of the cold above it the heat and subtilenesse of the exhalation with its own violence in breaking forth it glances down upon the earth without doing any harm if unresisted as consuming a Sword without hurting the Scabbard and many other things of this kind unnecessary and too long for to relate The clap of Thunder is first but the Lightning soonest appears by reason our sense of seeing is much quicker then our hearing As you may perceive at a distance a Man driving a Stake or felling of Timber you may behold him ready to strike again before you hear the former blow and in shooting or discharging of a Gun you may see the fire before the report With the conjunction of these compound vapours and exhalations stones are generated in the Air as other Minerals are in the Earth but more fiery by nature and these are called thunder-bolts in their formes perfect cones like the flame of fire which did generate them out of the terrene exhalation it strikes not above five feet into the earth as some do affirm The remedies against Thunder and Lightning all hard things will preserve whas is soft and liquid as Iron laid upon Vessels will keep the Liquor from sowring by the former alledged reasons besides this it is naturally resisted by a cover made of Seals skins and preserving that on which 't is pâ—aced upon any creature and the like does the Laurell tree which caused many of the Roman Emperors in time of Thunder and Lightning to wear a garment made of Laurel boughs The pale lightning is most unwholsome but the red aptest to burn the best and most assured remedy against these tempests is the protection of Heaven A fulgure tempestate libera nos Domine But note there may be Thunder without Lightning and Lightning without Thunder for when these hot and dry exhalations are inflam'd and the cloud weak in which they are involv'd the incensed exhalation breaks forth without violence in not being restrained but the coldnesse of the middle Region strikes the falshes downwards upon us but not always upon the earth but glittering and reflecting on the watry clouds makes it seem close by as you may see by the Sun beams or any other suddain light falling upon the water will reverberate the lustre and dazle your eyes especially if the water be moved with any wind these coruscations are usual in hot Countries or in the heat of Sommer Thunder without Lightning does happen when these hot and dry exhalations break violently through the clouds in which they are circumvolved but not inflamed yet making a roaring noise in the burst of the cloud which restrained it as you may see little bladders filled with wind will give a crack or report at the suddain and violent breaking of them sometimes Thunder will happen and yet no Lightning appear by reciprocal winds the clouds violently breaking themselves in meeting with one another and this may often happen with insurrections of several mutinous exhalations disturbing the Air with several commotions these usually proceed after much calm weather but are very wholsome to purge the Air lest with too much quietnesse it should corrupt Apparitions in the Air made by reflections of the Sun Moon fixed Stars or Planets upon condensed Clouds Of Circles about the Sun Moon or Stars SUndry apparitions in the Air are made by the Stars reflecting upon waterish exhalations for when they happen uniform in all the parts equally rarified and supposited under the Sun Moon or Stars that their beams cannot penetrate the cloud in any part by which means the rayes are refracted and the cloud being uniform and round the extreams or outward part
who foretold the scarcity of Oyl that would be in the 〈◊〉 year and so writes Pliny lib. 18. cap. 35. of Democritus But whether the Stars are of these mixt natures or their temperatures be known it remains as yet in dispute and not for me to argue but only follow the tracts of other men and their observations of the weather delived from experience but not presume to search into the decrees of Heaven or predict the actions of men with the event of future things which many pretend to do for although that God hath made figns in the Heavens and hath enabled us to know the times and seasons of the year with all things necessary for us to understand yet not to be inquisitive in those sacred Ordinances which the omnipotent Creator hath decreed and concealed from us as unnecessary to be known and prohibited by the commands of the Doctors and Councels of the holy Catholike and Apostolike Church to which sacred Authority I do humbly submit my self And here I will conclude this Introduction remembring the saying of our blessed Saviour unto His Apostles Acts cap. 1. ver 7. Non est vestrum nesse tempera vel momenta quae Pater posuit in sua potestate The Third Part. Of the Weathers Prediction The affinity of the 12. Zodiacall Signs with the 7. Planets in their naturall qualities with their operations on sublunary bodies according to the collections and observations of the Wise and Learned THe signs of the Zodiack in the eighth Sphere are removed almost 28 degrees from their places according to the motion of the primuns Mobile so that the first Star in the horn of Aries is in the 28. degree of ♈ and is continued to the 18 degree of Taurus the first mover and in like manner are the rest of the 12 signs ♈ The first parts of Aries beginning on the 28 of ♈ and ending in the 4. degree of ♉ do cause winds and rain those Stars being of the nature of ♄ and ♂ commixed and assisted with ☿ the middle part of Aries from the 4. degree unto the 10. of ♉ temperate inclining to heat and drought by reason of the Stars in his hinder foot in his loins and ham being of the nature with ♂ from the 10. degree of Aries to his hinder parts being in the 17. degree of ♉ almost is very hot his horns and his neck of the nature of ♂ and ☿ but cool by the southern Stars in the Whale being very cold of the nature of ♄ ♉ The former parts of Taurus from the 17. degree to the 27. of ♉ the Stars are something windy turbulent and cloudy by reason of the Pleiades contained within those degrees and are of the nature of ♂ and ☽ the middle parts of ♉ from the 27. degree to the first of ♊ are temperately hot and something moist by reason of some Stars in Perseus of the nature of ♄ and ♃ from the beginning of ♊ to the Hyades and the horns of Taurus of the nature of ♂ and by the approach of Orion causeth Thunder and Lightning the North part made temperate by Perseus the South variable and uncertain by reason of some Stars participating of ♂ commixed with others of the nature of ♄ ☿ and ☽ ♊ The former part of Gemini from the 26. of ♊ unto the 6. degree of ♋ are something moist and hurtful the middle parts from the 6. degree of ♋ unto the 14. the Stars do incline to the nature of ♄ as in the arms and knees of ♊ yet temperate and observed drier then formerly they have been the hinder parts of ♊ from the 14. degree unto the 24. of ♋ are of a mixt and uncertain nature inclining to drought by reason of some Stars of the nature of ♂ and ☿ the heads of ♊ of ♂ the North part moveth winds the South part causeth heat and drought ♋ The former parts of Cancer from the 24. of ♋ to the first degree of ♌ are Stars of mixt and doubtful natures of ♂ ☿ and ☽ as those nigh the feet of ♋ Praesepe c. causing earth-quakes or tempests the middle parts of ♋ from the 1. degree of ♌ unto the 7 in which are the little Asses of nature ♂ and ☉ more hot and dry then formerly from the 7. degree of ♌ to the 13. the Stars in ♋ are of nature ♄ ♂ very dry but not so windy a formerly both the Northern and Southern Stars of ♋ are generally hot suffocating ♌ The former parts of Leo from the 13. degree to the 24. of ♌ where Regulus is the Stars are of various natures part of them commixed with ♄ and ♂ others with ♄ and ♀ and part replenished with ♃ and ♂ pestilent and stifling the middle parts of ♌ from the 24. degree to the 4. of ♠temperate and inclining to moisture but a little the Stars of the nature of ♄ and ♀ and others with ♀ and ☿ the hinder parts of ♌ to the 17. degree of ♠temperately hot and moist the Star in the ♌ tail of the nature of ♄ and ♀ the North part of this asterism is fiery and unstable by reason of Vrsa major the South part moist because of the Hydra whose nature is ♄ and ♀ ♠The first part of Virgo from the 17. degree unto the end the Stars being of the nature of ♂ and ☿ are something hot and offensive but lesse then formerly from the beginning of ♎ to the 18. degree is temperate containing in her left wing and thigh Stars of the nature of ♀ and ☿ the end of this constellation is from the 18. degree of ♎ unto the 8. degree of ♠in which is contained Spica ♠of the nature of ♂ and ♀ and some other Stars in the train of her gown of the nature of ♂ and ☿ yet something waterish and more then formerly participating of the ☽ the Northern Stars are windy inclining to ♂ and ☿ the Southern Stars to ♄ and ♃ ♎ The former parts of Libra from the 8. of ♠unto the 15. degree containeth Stars of the nature of ♄ participating with the Southern Ballance and the Serpent of Aesculapius which Stars are temperately cold and drier then formerly the middle of ♎ from the 15. to the 19. degree of ♠is also temperate the extreams of ♎ from the 19. to the 26. degree of ♠waterish the Northern part of ♎ windy of the nature of ♄ and ☿ the Southern part dry and feavourish ♠The former parts of Scorpio from the 26. degree to the 6. of ♠do participate of Stars commixed with the nature of ♄ and ♂ and in the 4. degree as the Star Antares producing Snow and more then formerly the middle of ♠from the 6. degree of ♠to the 16. degree the Stars are temperate by the vicinity of Serpentarius of the nature of ♃ and ♀ but moister then they have been in former ages the tail or extreams of ♠from the 16. of ♠to the
the head of Medusa rising Cosmically produceth Snow 14. Libra rising Cosmically causeth rain with some wind 15. The Eye of ♉ or Orion rising Cosmically doth cause rain disturbeth the Air and sometimes produceth thunder and lightning the Acronical setting of these Stars causeth the same effects with suddain showres 16. Andromeda the Whale the head and tail of ♈ the belly of ♓ and Fomahand in ♒ rising Cosmically do all presage moist weather and a turbulent Air. 17. The Sun entering the cloudy Stars of ♌ Orion or ♠causeth lowring weather and likewise the Hydras heart and head of ♠18. The Cosmical ascention of the shoulder of Pegasus and the tail of ♑ produceth snow cold or cloudy weather 19. The Acronical setting of the Vulture with the Harp predict a moist cold and cloudy time 20. Virgiliae or the Pleiades rising Cosmically foresheweth wet and cloudy weather and suddain storms to ensue 21. The Star Regulus rising Cosmically is a sign of showres with thunder and lightning 22. Sirius rising Cosmically prenoteth hot weather with thunder and lightning the Cosmical setting foresheweth warm weather but inclining to wet 23. The Sun rising with any Star of Jupiters nature and not commixed with ♄ or ♂ argues warm clear and temperate weather with those of ♄ nature cold and cloudy weather and sometimes snow with those of ♀ moist and inclining to rainy weather ascending the Horizon with those of ♂ it argues tempests with thunder and lightning with Stars of his own nature or of ☿ winds with those of the ☽ great flouds and tumultuous billows at Sea and if the Sun doth rise with fixed Stars of mixed natures as ♄ and ♂ it argues in Sommer time a hot and suffocating day these last signs are general according to Maginus Observations of the weather by the influence of the fixed and wandring Stars united and collected by Na. Durret 24. SAturn rising with the head of Medusa prognosticateth for some days cold and moist weather according to the season or time of year 25. ♄ with the Stars of the Whale the tail of ♈ the horn of ♑ and the belly of ♓ causeth a cold cloudy and troubled Air sometimes with rain or snow 26. ♄ with the Pleiades a dark and troubled Air inclining to rain or snow 27. ♄ with the Stars of Orion produceth showres and sometimes cold storms 28. ♄ with the Virgins ear of Corn causeth suddain alterations of the Air with often showres 29. ♄ with Arcturus produceth winds and cold showres 30. ♄ with the Dolphin the Crown or the tail of ♑ produceth moist and cloudy weather and often snow and cold showres 31. ♄ with the Hyades the Asses and the Manger causeth clouds and rain with thunder and lightning sometimes 32. ♄ with Regulus causeth cloudy and unconstant weather in Sommer-time thunder in Winter temperate 33. ♄ with the great Dog causeth rainy and windy weather with tempests of thunder and lightning 34. ♃ ascending the Horizon with Regulus in Winter causeth fair weather and lessens the cold but in Sommer it produceth heat and prone to thunder 35. ♂ rising with the tail of ♑ makes the Air in hot weather temperate in winter snow and so with the heart of ♠causing the same effects 36. ♂ with Arcturus ascending doth produce thunder lightning rain and furious tempests 37. ♂ rising with the Eagle causeth snow in Winter and cold weather and in Sommer rain 38. What hath been said of the ☉ these Planets will effect but ♃ with much more mildnesse and ♂ with more violence and fury and thus ♀ with the Pleiades causeth rain and with the Eagle in Winter snow or cold rain and so likewise ☿ ascending the Horizon with these fired Stars causeth very great alteration of the Air as rising with Orion the Hyades Regulus the great and little Dog the Herp Spica ♠c. All these in their ascentions with ☿ do produce hail snow rain and causeth the Air to be troubled and maketh many alterations and often times produceth thunder and lightning and violent tempests the ☽ with the fixed Stars doth often cause mutations of the Air but those are soon over her motion being so very swift And here note that in all signs of stormy weather the predictions given are most prevalent and do last the longer if they happen at the time of any Eclipse or the ☌ of the two luminaries Prognostications of the winds collected from the observations of Pliny and Maginus THe word Wind is derived from the instability of it and signifies to turn as for their natures and temperatures in general they are hot and dry exhalations got together in multitudes yet do retain part of the qualities from whence they are extracted as from earth cold and dry from water cold and moist vapours some of these are called Anniversary winds as blowing at some certain time or season of the year others are called Provincial winds so termed as from particular Provincies no wind being general in all places by Sea and Land and some caused by great and high mountains in these Countrys others derived from Lakes Rivers Seas c. and denominated often from thence as the Levant or Subsolanus called also the East-wind how they have been anciently divided and nominated See Pliny lib. 2. cap. 47. of his natural History There may be as many winds as there be supposed divisions in the Horizon which the Sea-men to avoid confusion do divide into 32. points represented by the Compass distinguishing those points and parts of the Horizontal circle by several and peculiar names and so also the winds answering to those points whereof in this I will use but eight being sufficient for prognostication and the chiefest that are observed And first the four principal or cardinal points are these North South East West dividing the Horizon into four quadrants or 90. degrees asunder and those equally divided by four points more all the eight being 45. degrees from one another and are these North east and North-west South-east and South-west As for the temperatures of these particular winds they are so uncertain in every Country that I will write nothing of them more but refer you to the second part of this Book for in these Countrys the North-wind is cold and dry the South-winds warm and moist making our bodies generally dull and causeth moist weather and pains in the head whereas in the Southern parts of America and the East-Indies the effects of these winds are quite contrary participating of that nature from whence those exhalations were extracted But the signs presaged by the Stars and derived from the observations of learned men are these following 1. Orions girdle rising Acronycally presageth South-west winds and ofttimes great tempests both by Sea and Land 2. Aselli and Praesepe as Pliny sayes lib. 18. cap. 35. that if in a fair and clear night the Manger be not visible expect some storms or winterly weather 3. If the Northern Ass be observed with any
mist the Southern winds will rage and if the Southern Ass be hidden from your sight then look for storms and tempests from the North or East 4. The Dolphin setting Acronycally produceth cold winds 5. Vindemiatrix rising Acronically causeth cold Northerly winds 6. The Cosmical Rising of the Pleiades is a sign of Westerly winds the Acronycal setting bringeth Southerly winds 7. Sirius setting Acronycally causeth South west winds and sometimes tempests 8. The Caniculare days bring the Easterly winds and the Cosmical setting Southerly weather and tempests the Heliacal rising or apparition of Sirius did begin the Graecian year 9. The Cosmical setting of the Eagle produceth Eastern winds 10. Regulus setting Acronycally doth cause Westerly winds lasting oftentimes for 9. days but seldome very violent 11. Vindemiatrix rising Cosmically produceth North-west winds and white frosts if the first day of September be fair it betokens a dry Autumn 12. The Cosmical rising of the Northern Crown produceth cold winds 13. Virgiliae setting Cosmically bringeth Northern-winds if at this time the Sky be dark or cloudy it foreshews a wet Winter and very cold if dry and clear 14. Arcturus setting Acronycally produceth Southerly winds and much rain to follow if it rains at his Heliacal setting or occultation Saturn ♃ ♂ ☉ ♀ or any one of these rising or setting with the Triangle with ♒ with the belly of the Southern Fish with the right shoulder of Auriga with the foremost head of ♊ with Praesepe and the two Asses with Orions Girdle or ♠the Crown Arcturus with Hereules or with the Ballance all these produceth winds and many times violent tempests especially the aforesaid Planets being stationary or retrograde 16. Mercurius doth produce winds if he riseth or setteth with the thigh of Pegasus with Auriga with the Triangle with the Rams head sharp and cold winds with the Pleiades wind and rain with ♊ with Orion tempests and often thunder and lightning and so likewise with Praesepe either Dog or Regulus the Hydras heart Arcturus and Spica ♠winds and cloudy weather and likewise rising or setting with the Vulture the Ballance the Eagle or the Dolphin ascending or descending the Horizon with ☿ causeth often winds and cloudy weather with the cloudy Stars of ♠lowring weather but with Acarner clear days and warm winds and usually so with most Stars of the nature of ♃ and so much for this Generall Aphorisms in Prognosticating storms and tempests selected out of Cardanus Maginus and Durret THe twelve Signes of the Zodiack doe contain the nature of the four Elements and these twelve Signes by transmutation of their places are divided into four Trigones each of them containing the temperature and qualities of one Element as was declared already in the Worlds Epitomy and being they are conceived to have their severall effects in producing of particular winds I will once again insert them v.z. ♈ ♌ ♠produceth Northwest winds ♊ ♎ ♒ produceth Northeast winds ♋ ♠♓ causeth Southwest winds ♉ ♠♑ raiseth Southeast winds and thus are the twelve Signs appropriated to the four points of the horizon equally between the four cardinall winds yet you must consider the nature of the fixed and wandring Stars ascending with them in every particular Horizon The presaging of the winds depends upon many causes and are as various as they be inconstant and besides all this you must know the winds are appropriated unto each proper Planet as the East to ♄ the North to ♃ the West to ♂ the South to ♀ and ☉ also to the East and ☽ to the West as for ☿ he is indifferent to the other six according to the conjunction of his rays with them For if he applies himself to ♄ he produceth great winds cloudy or rainy weather if to ♃ warm gales with some rain to ♂ or ☉ hot and corrupt winds and with ☿ or ☽ moist winds If ☿ changes his latitude it argues winds if stationary or retrograde or going from one sign and entring the other betokeneth great winds ♄ also doth alter the weather for many days together in his removing from any one sign into another especially being retrograde and having latitude towards the pole elevated and the Apogaeon or Perigaeon of the Planets is to be considered There is never any great mutation of the Air without the ☌ or aspect either of ♄ ♃ or ♂ by reason their motions are so slow great ☌ of Planets that are of contrary naures do cause contrary winds much rain hail or snow according to the season of the year hail is multiplied by the ☌ of hot Planets in fiery Signs the wandring Stars in their swift motions do beget drought and likewise if they be direct and Oriental but if slow retrograde or occidental they do produce rain excepting ♂ and stationary they do generally cause winds and ☿ instability of the Air and likewise many ☌ or Aspects of the Planets concurring at one time do pronounce great mutability of the weather and do usually very much distemper the Element in this Cardanus is oppugnant to Leupold Here we are arrived having past many ambiguous Meanders and obscure Laborinths of humane Hypothesis concerning the nature and effects of the fixed and wandring Stars through which I cannot guide you in a direct line with a thread but am forced to follow the observations of others and the rules by them prescribed and delivered to Astronomers by succession from one ensuing Age unto another yet with several opinions according to the diversity of men and the Countrys they lived in as Aegypt Italy Germany and the like These several temperatures of Climates have caused errors in our later observations whereas their rules were true perhaps in those Regions where they did inhabite I have therefore delivered some things twice to shew how several mens opinions do concur others again I have given you almost oppugnant yet may be in some things reconciled which to do I refer to your candid Judgement to choose correct or reject as you please I have shewn you rules and prognostications of the weather both for days years and the several seasons thereof as by the fixed Stars and Planets with the effects of their influences commixt according to humane conjectures And now I will place before your eyes predictions of the weather by mutual Aspects of the Planets only with themselves which way is generally held and approved for to be the best and most assured tract to follow as in things that depends upon so many and uncertain causes yet it is convenient to ponder in your judgement the former rules prescribed and those well weighed and considered I will leave it to your application and so proceed to the observations of Maginus with some diligent collections of my own annexed thereunto But first there ought to be considered whether either Planet were retrograde at the time of conjuction or in any other Aspect of which these are the chiefest and held of
the Air to be very moist and cold oppugnant to the Meteor 4. When you shall behold in the sable night the Hemisphere to seem more gloriously adorned with glittering Stars then usually it is in fair and serene weather or those Stars to twinckle like spangles upon a sable vestment expect then suddainly to follow rain snow or misty weather as you may judge according to the present temperature of the Air and season of the year considered the cause of either is thin and waterish vapours transparent and interposed between the Stars and our sight and these Meteors moving or carried with the circular motion of the Air upon which the Stars reflecting do cause the apparition of many formed in the clouds by their rays as by multiplying glasses may be demonstrated or in shallow crystal streams of rivers wherein you may behold the Stars by reflection of the water to twincle and many Moons to appear at once 5. Circles about the Stars especially the Planets that are pail and waterish do presage rain or snow but if these circles be of a reddish colour expect some winds 6. If the Stars in the night do appear dim like a sullied or unpolished diamond or greater then they use to be or seem to hang as if they were ready for to fall it argues that the lower Region of the Air is full of thick and waterish exhalations which their rays cannot directly penetrate but by reflection do appear thus unto us yet these in Sommer time or in hot Countrys do often prove but mists and those chased away by the Suns apapproaching the Hemisphere but in Winter especially or in moist weather they do commouly turn to rine-frosts snow rain or very foggy weather 7. When the Stars do appear bright and on a suddain the Hemisphere shall be vailed with spissious clouds expect then some present change of weather for it shews the Sky to be full of vapours and those by the powerful influence and concurrence of the Stars are drawn together and digested into snow or rain so that the Air cannot support them but they must suddainly fall 8. If the Stars do seem very low it argues that the lower Region of the Air is full of waterish Meteors or transparent exhalations for if the Stars do seem pail and bright it denuntiates rain and if red windy weather 9. Red streaks in the Air and all fiery impressions like flames do presage winds and from that quarter whence they did arise if they extend far and move down wards expect a tempest for the colour shews the nature of the Meteor to be not and dry forceth to retreat by the frigide moistnesse of the Air. By Thunder and Lightning 10. IF there be more thunder then lightning it argues a stresse of wind from that part it thundered if not rain 11. When it does lighten and no clap of thunder follow it is a sign in Sommer time of much heat and sometimes rain 12. When it lightens only from the North-west look for rain the next day 13. Lightning from the North presages winds and often times great tempests 14. If from the South or the West it lightens expect both wind and rain from those parts 15. Morning-thunder produceth winds but midday or in the afternoon generally rain 16. If the lightning appears very pale it argues the Air to be full of waterish Meteors and if red or fiery inclining to winds and tempests 17. When the flashes of lightning do continue long before they vanish the tempest is like to be great and it argues the Air to be very moist 18. Thunder and lightning in Winter in hot Countryes is usual and hath the same effects but in these Northern Climates it is held ominous portending factions tumults and bloody wars and a thing seldome seen according to the old Adigy Winters thunder is the Sommers wonder 19. Generally if it thunders from several quarters of the Heavens at once expect then moist violent storms immediately to follow The effects which these Meteors do produce is evident for these exhalations being fiered and opposed by the cold of the middle Region do violently break forth of the clouds in which they were involved and dissipate them causing tumultuous riots amongst the windy exhalations opening a passage for the cataracts of water to issue down By the Sun THe two great Luminaries in prognosticating the weather Virgil and Pliny does prefer before those observations of the Stars which are but apparitions in the clouds and lower Region of the Air as the others be whose rays falling upon these elevated vapours and exhalations do declare by their colours what regiments they are of from these apparitions of their colours we do judge the nature of the Meteor and from thence conclude the prognostication of the ensuing weather 20. The Sun rising clear and not fiery red prenotes a fair day but if pale and warm it argues snow hail or rain if purple colour wind and rain 21. If the Sun at his rising appeareth hollow it argues rain 22. If before the Sun rising the clouds be red intermingled with some that are black expect both wind and rain 23. If the rays of the Sun be red both at his rising and setting there will follow much rain or wind 24. When the evening in the West appears red and the morning following free from any clouds at his rising it foreshews fair weather 25. If the clouds at his rising do disperse themselves some Southward and others Northward expect that day both wind and rain 26. At his rising or setting if his beams be short it is a sign of a shewre 27. At his setting if it rains or if his beams look dark or blew or many clouds about him like bulwarks heaped one upon another great florms and tempests will ensue the next day 28. If his rays seem not bright and clear at his rising and clouds gather towards him like globes or wool-packs it argues stormy and winterly weather but if those clouds do retreat towards the West it may prove a fair day 29. Red clouds or of purple colour appearing in the North or in the West at the Sun rising denotes either wind or rain 30 If the Sun 1 iseth pale or waterish and quickly after proves obscured with thick clouds it will rain before his setting 31. When you shall see at the Sun rising a circle of clouds invironing him it is a sign of rain if he be inclosed with a double circle tempests and the neerer these circles do circumvent him the storm will be the greater and if these circles be red or mixt expect then violent storms both of wind and rain if this circle breaks observe from what part for out of that quarter of the Heavens which the fraction represents the storm will rise 32. The Sun rising if he appears spotted or casteth forth rays of several colours or part of his body eclipsed with spissious clouds it argues rain and tempestuous weather 33. If the body of the Sun
time of day when the Sun beams and wind meet it may cause the same effect by vertue of his rays 72. When the clouds seem piled upon heaps like fleeces of wool it presages wet weather and neer at hand 73. If the clouds fly low in Sommer it is a sign of rain and in Winter it prenotes cold weather to ensue quickly after 74. When the clouds seem white and jagged as if rent asunder gathering together in a body their forces united do foretel a storm the nature of the exhalation is apparently turbulent by the form and colour 75. Hollow and murmuring winds do presage stormy weather for it shews the Air is moist and dilated so cannot find an easie passage but is opposed or hindred in the motion by hills trees and hollow places which it gets into and makes a noise 76. The Air being a subtile body infuses it self into the pores of timber boards c. and against rain being converted into water or a moisture which makes boards to swell and is the cause that Wainscot and Joyners work doth crack against wet weather doors will not easily shut or open c. 77. Paper against wet weather will grow weak damp and swell the reason is the same with the last but in writing paper it will sooner be perceived and more certainly predict the weather because it is done over with a thin substance of a gummy nature which with the waterishnesse of the Air dissolves and grows moist giving way for the Incke to soke into the paper which the Gum in dry weather will not permit 78. When the clouds seem overcharged and white withal like towers expect then hail or snow according to the season of the year 79. After a storm of hail expect a frost to follow the next day after 80. When Spiders webs poplare and thistledoune and such light things do fly in the Air up and down as it were to make nature sport or a type of Fortunes favours these are signs of the weathers changing and speedy mutability for these things of lenity are easily moved by the first insurrection of any exhalation precursor of the weathers change and oftentimes wind 81. Mists descending from the tops of hills and settling in the valleys is a sign of a fair day especially in Sommer time and then an argument of heat for they were exhalations raised by the ferver of the Sun and by the Air in the evening which in hot weather is coldest it is converted into mists and dews as a necessary provision of Nature to cool the Earth and refresh her fruits whereby to enable them that they may endure the next days heat White mists are the same but more waterish and inclining to rain and if they do ascend it presages rain and argues the middle Region of the Air not for to be very cold the lowest waterâ—sh and the vapour warm 82. If in calm and serene weather you do observe the rack to ride a pace expect winds from that quarter for it is evident that the exhalation above in the clouds converts into a wind or rain and will descend but if clouds do ascend any day it presages the storm is past But neither this nor some of the other observations are conceived general diversity of climates producing several and various effects and besides the season of the year ought to be considered the weather having peculiar properties in several Countries and places as the nights in Africa are dewy in Winter clouds in Aegypt so heavy as if the Air were unable to support them and in such tumults as if they threatned the world with a deluge yet march all away without any drop of rain Locri and the lake Velinus in Italy have no day but there is a Rain-bow appears in Syracusa and Rhodes no day in all the year so cloudy but that the Sun is seen to those places most hot Countrys neer the torrid Zone have frequent flashes of lightning and in their Winter often without rain with many other observations purposely here omitted By Water and Earth 83. THe water of the Fens and standing pools growing warm without heat of the Sun more then usually is a sign of much rain the Element of water being rarisied as appears by the parts 84. The rain falling in small drops argues those clouds were high from whence it fell and a sign of much wet 85. If the rain be whitish and falling into water riseth up in bubbles it shews the rain will continue and that the water is then full of windy exhalations and if the showre does cease the wind will succeed it 86. The rain falling upon the Earth or floods if soon drunk up are signs of more 87. Linnen or woollen cloth dipped in the water and exposed to the Air if it soon freezes it is a sign of much or violent frost 88. Drops of water after rain falling from the eves of houses slowly one after another is a sign of frost for the Air works easily upon small parcels foreshewing in those parts an inclination of the greater 89. If the Sea at low water within the harbour be calm and yet makes a rumbling noise it presages wind and if so by fits expect both cold weather and rain 90. If the Sea or Sea-bancks in calm weather make much noise or the billows seem to heave and rise up it presages a tempest neer at hand 91. If the Seas be very rough and boisterous the wind not great the waves have been disturbed either with a tempest past or else at one approaching and if the billows do make a noise as with a refracted Air like the murmuring sound of woods the storm is neer at hand 92. When the tops of high hills are clear and free from clouds or mists it is a sign of fair weather 93. If a murmuring sound be heard in valleys or from hollow caves within the Earth or rivers make a rumbling noise more then usual running with troubled streams any of these do presage a storm Presages of Earth quakes 94 The extraordinary swelling and rising up of the Seas when there is neither wind nor flood to cause it foreshews an Earth quake observed by Posidonius 95. When the waters in wells fountains or deep pits are much troubled and have an evil savour and a taste of sulphure that were pleasant before it does argue an Earth-quake 96. A roaring noise under the earth resembling thunder is the forerunner of an Earth-quake 97. When the Air for a long time wants motion and is still that birds can scarcely fly for want of wind it foreshews an Earth-quake 98. Aristotle with some others do say that a black and narrow streak or line right under the Sun stretched out to a great length and remaining or continuing long does presage an Earthquake but this doth rather signifie a great tranquillity of the Air and so a second cause but not the immediate A Paraphrase THe reason of these and the former signs of tempests by Water and
receive the water which you may thus provide if you would have a red water take Vermilion a green colour is more pleasant and visible which is thus made take Verdigrease and ½ so much Roman vitrial beaten small and put them into the best white Wine vinegar the quantity as you shall see convenient the colour and bignesse of the cestern consider'd these being infus'd and sturr'd together let them stand 2 or 3 days until the water be coloured to your mind if it proves too deep a green pour in a little more Vinegar or strong Water to it This being provided take the circumference of the globe at A with ¼ part more or 4 diameters if you can and place it on the shank with a string equidistant from the head as at the cestern there make two marks and divide that space into what parts you please 15 degrees or equal parts I conceive the best 8 being the Arithmetical medium if the shank be not taper'd write the figures on paper and past them upon the glasse in a continued Arithmetical Progression ascending from 1 to 15 make a Frame that the glasse may stand fast and about the cestern a rock or what you fancy best This done put the water into the Bolts head and holding that in your hand put it into the Frame and Cestern then turn it suddenly the right way and upon the bottome let it rest awhile Observe at what figure the water stands let it at the first be too high then raise up gently the long glasse so that the water may fall down into the cestern and try it for two or three days and when it is at a place that fits the temperature of the Air and Season of the year viz. 1 2 or 3. if it be in the heat of Sommer but at 13 14 or 15. in the cold of Winter if a little frost such as we have in September place it at 9 or 10 but if very temperate weather as between hot and cold the water must stand at 8 a medium having tri'd and fitted it well according to the temperature of the outward Air for it must be kept from fire and accidental heat close it or lute it up at the neck of the cestern leaving onely some cane for a vent as you see at C whereby the Air may passe in or out of the cestern accordingly as the water doth rise or fall for the long glasse must always stand in the water and almost touch the bottome of the receiver or lower vessel as at B if the Air gets into the long glasse anywhere after it is placed according to the weather the work is frustrated A PERPETUAL KALENDER OR Diurnal for the weather with general and particular observations diligently selected and compendiously inserted demonstrating perspicuously in a Glasse the Airs mutability and the weathers vicissitude with the present temper and Season of the year observing the water on serene days at these degrees Viz. 1 2 3 Shews the extreme heat of Sommer 4 5 Is excessive hot and sultry weather 6 7 Is more hot than cold a pleasant season 8 The medium betwixt Sommer Winter 9 10 More cold than hot with gentle frosts 11 12 Is excessive cold and frosty weather 13 14 15 Shews the extreme cold of Winter 1. THe efficient cause why this water riseth and falls is from the condensing or dilating of the outward Air made visible by a sympathetical imitation of the parts here inclos'd upon any alteration of the weather presag'd from hence by experience observing that Cold and Drought do contract Heat and Moisture rarifies 2 The sudden salling of the water foreshews an immediate approaching Storm of Thunder Lightning Rain Hail or Snow 3 If the water falls a degree in 6 hours it will Rain within 12 hours after if not misty close or sultry weather for the Season 4 If the water fals much in the day and riseth but little in the night yet the weather continuing fair expect then excessive heat if not Thunder and Lightning 5 If the water falls never so little between Sun-setting and his rising next day it will Rain or Snow before 12 the following night if the Meteor converts not to what is worse a Calydonian Mist 6 If the water falls not in the time of artificial day it prognosticates northerly winds a cold night to ensue or storms of Hail at hand 7 If the water keeps neer any degree a natural day the weather will continue whether it be fair or foul but if it rises or falls a degree and stands the weather will quickly change to some excess 8 If the water falls no more in the day then it did rise in the night it is a sign that the Air is temperate the heat of the day equally qualifying the coldnesse of the night or else it argues the weather to be at a doubtful stay 9 The often rising and falling of the water shews the outward Air very mutable the temper various and the weather unconstant 10 When the water riseth not in the night-time expect then Mists dark foul and foggy weather the next day if not Thunder and Lightning in Sommer 11 The water rising any day in fair weather presages a frost the following night or cold windy weather for the Season if no immediate storm of Hail invades the earth 12 If the water riseth in foul weather whether it be day or night it prognosticates the storm is nigh past and fair weather will consequently ensue 13 The more that the water riseth or falls at any time the more violent will be the change of weather and of longer continuance whether fair or foul hot or cold as if it ascends 2 degrees in the day or 3 in the night or falls 2 in the night or 3 degrees in the day 14 Observe at what figure or degree the water did rise or fall when the weather chang'd for the Airs temper will continue in the same state until the water returns to that place again excepting the extreams of Winter and Sommer 15 So long as the water shall continue above 10 ascending 't will be frost if it falls below 9 't will break unlesse it rises within 12 hours after if from above 12 it descends a degree or two and stands expect then Snow Sleet cold or slabby weather If the Bolts-head be not prepar'd neer the dimensions given the water will rise and fall as the inclosed air contracts or rarifies but not in proportion to satisfie curious expectation nor exactly ratifie all the 15 prescribed observations Besides Countries particular places houses and rooms according to their situations or accidental causes will change the Airs temper all which with other circumstances I refer to the ingenious and my following Paraphrase to their exposition A Paraphrase upon the Weather GLASSE NAture in all her works abhors a Vacuum so that no sublunary place can be empty or void but is supplyed by one of the four Elements from hence it
Captain James searching for the N. W. passage into the South Sea This last discovery was attempted without success in the Raign of Charls the first of England Some would seem to demonstrate this by a round glass like a globe which fill'd with water and suspended in a dark room where placing a candle under it and then t' will represent the form thereof upon the sealing or place the light above and some water underneath it Or in a room made very dark cause an augure hole to be bored through into the open air and so as that the Sun may shine in or upon it Take a globe glass fill'd with fair water and hold it at the hole thus perforated and within the room by reflection of this you shall see many rays representing the form of a Blazing Star or fiery impression and this some thinks to be a sufficient demonstration that Comets are but illuminated parts of the darkned Air or condensed parts of the enlightned Spheres Rothmannus conceives that Comets are really enflamed Meteors and that they are moved by Angels as for a terrour unto mortals but as for this supposition God does commonly use and employ natural means unto natural causes but yet an Omnipotent Creator not confined to one nor the other Galilaeus doth suppose these Comets for to consist of a Celestial nature and generated in the Spheres but dilated as are the clouds Lodovicus Molina in his 5. disputation of the Worlds Creation would seem to gather from thence and out of Genesis that the Heavens both in Species and Matter do agree with sublunary things and Thomas Fiennus inclines to this as by his writings concerning the Comet which appeared in the year of Christ 1618 whereby he urges that there may be matter in the Heavens both to generate and corrupt and that there is daily permutations in the Spheres although not visible to our weak sights and this his erroneous opinion seems something to be confirmed by divers apparitions of new Stars that have been made visible in sundry Ages since the Creation as they instance who incline to him in the Constellation called the Pleiades accounted but 6 Stars before the Trojan Wars and since as now commonly known by the name of the seven Stars This some Historiographers do testifie and likewise Homer Pliny and thus Ovid lib. 4. Fast derived from a false conception of the sight Pleiades incipient humeros revelare pateruos Quae septem dici sex tamen esse solent After many and great conjunctions of the Planets Comets and fiery impressions are often seen which moveth some to suppose them to be the cause in raising the exhalation which produceth the Meteor and according to the Matter it riseth the higher and by the vertue of the fixed Stars it may be drawn up above the Planets even to the Firmament But if this were granted it must require an extraordinary time to elevate the Matter to that height when as a stone let fall from the Firmament and supposed continually to descend 100 miles an hour this stone could not fall to the ground in 70 years And as for these Comets which are sublunary if they be enlightned by the Sun they would at some time happen of necessity to be eclipsed moving within the conical shadow of the Terrestrial globe if their motions be caused or attracted by any one Star or constellation they could not have contrary motions to them as we have said already in the second part of this Book nor could these Meteors change their places so much nor be so violently swift as they are observed Some moving parallel with the Horizon and others in the Azimuths rather then describing parallels with the Aequator which the Stars doe Some fiery Meteors have seem'd fixt and many so rapide in their stupendious accelerated motions that they cannot be attracted by the Stars nor Planets As the Comet in the year of Grace 1618. did passe from one Tropick to another that is from ♑ to ♋ in the space of 10 natural days which the ☽ that is the lowest Planet cannot perform in lesse then 13 days 15½ hours and something more But le ts return to the final cause and fatal events of stupendious Meteors delivered by reverend Antiquity Of fiery Impressions SOzomenus writes of a Blazing Star as it were uspended in the Air with one end extending almost down unto the Earth this was visible over the City of Constantinople Some again have been seen to fall from the Heavens of these Scaliger affirms one in his time that did descend From the falling of the fiery Meteors is derived as some conceives the poetical fiction of Phaeton but Tertullian otherwise Of these fiery precipitated impressions thus writeth Claudian lib. Praeceps sanguineo delabitur igne Cometes Prodigiale rubus Pliny lib. 2. cap. 35. writeth how Licinius Syllanus did see a sparkle falling from the Heavens and in its descent to encrease unto the bignesse of the Moon and this Meteor again drawn up appeared like a lamp or burning torch About the year of Grace 1450 being 3 years before the barbarous Turks invaded Vrope and took the famous City of Constantinople there appear'd a fiery impression representing the form of a two-hand Sword which passing under the Moon then at full obscur'd her light about this time divers Countries under the Patriark of Greece were miserably infected with the most diabolical herefie against the incomprehensible and Sacred Mystery of the ever blessed Trinity which errour soon after put a period to that Empire and brought all those Countries into a miserable captivity and their servile necks to the yoke of a heathenish Tyrant Many dreadful apparitions in the Air are recorded in the Books of Machabees lib. 2. cap. 5. how for 40 days there was seen over the City Jevusalem horse-men running in the Air having golden robes with spears like armed bands charging one another in order and manner of a fight as hand to hand motions of bucklers multitudes of glittering helmets drawn swords throwing of darts splendor of golden armes and coats of Maile This shewed the forerunning miseries of the Jews persevering in their disobedience to God and neglecting his just Precepts until left unto the pleasure of the insulting foe Antiochus giving Commission to his Souldiers to slay whomsoever they should meet sparing neither Men Women nor Children where there was killed in three days space the number of 80000 40000 put in bands and sold Besides this they committed sacriledge and violently took away the vessels and ornaments of the Temple with their profane and polluted hands and left governours there more barbarous then himself There were also strange portentious apparitions in the Air before the Destruction of this City of Titus Vespatian as a fiery sword hanging over Jerusalem the space of a whole year with many other prodigious visions of which you may read in Josephus There happened in the Isle of Britain many portentious signs presaging the effusion of much bloud and