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A28315 Blagraves astrological practice of physick discovering the true way to cure all kinds of diseases and infirmities ... being performed by such herbs and plants which grow within our own nation ... : also a discovery of some notable phylosophical secrets worthy our knowledge, relating to a discovery of all kinds of evils, whether natural or ... from sorcery or witchcraft, or by being possessed of an evil spirit, directing how to cast forth the said evil spirit out of any one which is possessed, with sundry examples thereof / by Joseph Blagrave of Reading, Gent. ... Blagrave, Joseph, 1610-1682. 1671 (1671) Wing B3112; ESTC R13219 116,672 169

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Aspected by a Planet Retrograde and that the Ascendant with its Lord doth Correspond then the Purge will turn unto a Vomit and on the contrary if a Vomit be given when the Moon is in a Watery Sign Aspected by Planets swift in Motion out of Watery Signs the Signs Ascending with its Lord Corresponding then the Vomit will turn to a Purge also an exact time must be obtained whereby to erect your Figure aright whereby to give judgment upon the disease its cause and termination which this book will sufficiently instruct you in For by Urine alone no true judgement herein can be given except in some few infirmities which proceed from the blood or passages of Urine for Urine is but the excrement of blood there are many other considerations to be made use of by vertue of time which I for brevities sake am willing at present to pass over and so shall proceed unto the word Vertue which is in brief a right knowledge and understanding of the Nature Properties Elemental Qualities and Effects which each Herb or Plant hath whereby to cure all kinds of griefs or infirmities whatsoever either by Sympathy or Antipathy as this book will sufficiently inform you and all growing within our Nation I shall not trouble my self or Reader in setting forth the dangers in using Forrain Drugs yet I deny not but that some Drugs whose vertue and operations are well known unto us may in many respects be useful by reason our Climate doth not afford some ingredients which are necessary to be used in some Distempers as Figs Raisons Currants Sugar Wine and Spirits c. which are oft times made use of whereby to make our Dyet-drinks and spirits of Plants extracted the more savory and doth help to work a more forceble effect in many distempers as you will find in this book and I have accordingly in some infirmities made use thereof Thirdly concerning Number there are certain Numbers attributed unto the Planets which every Astrological or Chymical Physician ought to know more especially such who use this way of cure by Herbs or Plants which is the most assured way extant as best agreeing with our English bodies yet as I have already declared both in Decoctions and in Chimical Extractions Ingredients together with Herbs may be used to make it the more forceable and savory but should we take all Herbs or Plants which are accounted good for every grief not having regard to any select Number there being so many sorts of Herbs approved good for the same there would be no certainty either for the gathering of the Herbs at a right hour or yet know when you have enough whereby to work your cure the certainty of a select Number is not only according unto my own experience but also it s the Opinion of Cornelius Agrippa an excellent Philosopher and many others What Numbers are attributed unto each Planet and the reasons thereof I have elsewhere in this book expressed Fourthly Concerning Sympathy that is when any Planet who is strongest in the Heavens by essential dignities shall afflict the Principal significator of the sick especially if more strong than that Planet which is of a contrary nature then those herbs or Plants which are under his Dominion shall according unto their Vertues and Numbers be collected to cure the infirmity alwayes provided they are gathered at the right Planetary hours which this Book will inform you Example If Mars be the afflicting Planet and is more strong in essential dignities than Venus then you must make choyce of such Herbs which are under the dominion of Mars to cure such infirmities which he usually produceth which this Book will also acquaint you with There is no infirmity or disease whatsoever but in a second Cause proceedeth from the evil influence of the afflicting Planets and what infirmity soever any Planet causeth he hath Herbs by Sympathy to cure it in this condition heat must fetch out heat even as if one should burn ones Finger and then heat it against the fire which cureth by Sympathy Likewise I have known a great cold taken to be cured by a Pippin taken in cold water Venus being strong in essential dignities and if we should give cooling remedies when Mars is strong it will destroy the Patient as I have often proved for it stands by reason that if a weak man contend with a strong man well armed he must needs be worsted but if Mars be the afflicting Planet although strong and Venus also be near equal in strength then we must chase a select lesser Number of her herbs to joyn with Mars and so the dose must be proportionable according to their strength and weakness and so the remedies will be between both rather adhereing unto the strongest Planet Fifthly Concerning Antipathy admit the Moon or principal Significator of the sick be afflicted by Saturn a Planet Cold and Dry and he weak in the Heavens and the Planet which is of a contrary nature is strong as instance Jupiter who is Hot and Moist then a select Number of Herbs under the dominion of Jupiter being of vertue to cure the distemper must be used provided they are gathered at the hour when Jupiter raineth which this book will inform you But if Saturn and Jupiter be near equal in strength then use a medium between both and let one part of your Herbs be by Sympathy under Saturn and the other part under Jupiter alwayes adhereing unto the stronger Planet both by Number and Dose and ever remembring in all Cures whatsoever to use a select number of Herbs which are under the Sun in regard he is Fountain of Life and sole Monarch of the Heavens and all those Herbs which are under his Dominion are always approved good to comfort the Heart Brain Nerves Arteries and Vital Spirits and are likewise good to resist Poyson Likewise in all Cures whatsoever you must have regard unto the age of the Patient together with their Complexion and the season of the year that so you may help to support Natures defects for a Cholerick or Sanguine Man or Woman by nature requireth things more cooling then Flegmatick or Melancholy Man or Woman and a Flegmatique or Melancholy man or woman requires things more heating than a Cholerick or Sanguine man or woman consider the like between Youth and Age and the season of the year Note that each herb or plant mentioned in this Treatise is set down by way of Catalogue under the Planet which owneth the Plant or Herb it being done according unto their Elemental Qualities and Vertues Having given sufficient reasons thereof I confess I much differ from Authors for what I have written in this book is no Translation being meerly according unto my Practice and Experience for many years by vertue of which Herbs and plants through Gods blessing I have done many great and wonderful cures I dare say greater hath not been done since the Apostles times for I have caused the blind to see the
degree and hath virtue to cure by sympathy such defects which Venus causeth or otherwise by antipathy unto Mars as doth plantane which cureth cuts and wounds which Mars causeth Now white beets and dandelion cureth by sympathy the first bringeth down womens courses the other helpeth to cleanse the passages of urin always provided in these particular applications that the first elemental quality of heat or cold doth agree as aforesaid without which there can be no true gathering or attributing the plant aright unto the Planet as I have shewed more at large elsewhere And farther should we not sometimes use this particular way herein expressed both Jupiter and Venus who are great friends unto Nature would have very few herbs or plants allotted unto them especially Jupiter who is the greater fortune for by the Herbal you shall find very few herbs or plants which doth accord in elemental qualities of heat and moisture with Jupiter and the truth is I find that Authors do most of them agree in the first elemental quality or part of heat or cold but in the latter part of drith or moysture somewhat differing and without question they do but guess thereat or otherwise by tradition follow each other neither do they give true knowledge therein especially in many herbs and plants as instance dandelion which hath a known virtue to open and cleanse the passages of urin Now if this plant were cold and dry which most Authors hold how could it have this virtue to open and cleanse for of necessity moisture must do it for all plants which are drying are usually stopping and binding and so Saturn a Planet cold and dry when afflicting the ☽ in earthy signs always produceth bindings in the body Also the blossoms of plants are somewhat to be regarded more especially when they agree in the first elemental quality of heat or cold as instance wood-bittany hyssop bugloss burrage and such like whose blossoms are blew a colour which ♃ owneth And notwithstanding they are all hot and dry except burrage yet they are rightly appropriated unto Jupiter by reason of their virtues as curing such defects which ♃ causeth But should we grant that herbs and plants which are by Nature cold and dry to be under Jupiter as many learned Authors do hold as I could name as instance endive succory and such like there can be no reason given for it by reason they are so much differing in elemental qualities for the plants are cold and dry and the Planet Jupiter hot and moist clean opposite unto each other wherefore it standeth by reason and is rational to be under Mercury whose nature doth sympathize as being cold and dry and so to cure by antipathy unto Jupiter the herbs being of known virtue to cure such distempers which Jupiter causeth likewise I find that many Authors do attribute clary mints peny royal and many Others unto Venus a planet cold and moist whereas the herbs are all hot and dry of a clean contrary nature Now these plants doe properly belong to the Sun and the rather in regard of their virtues as being comfortable unto the heart and vital spirits and being of sweet smell and pleasant taste I could instance many more which Authors do wrongfully apply as instance they attribute angelica sage box and such like to be under the planet Saturn whereas the herbs are all hot and dry especially box who is hot and dry in the fourth degree both the first plants are without question under the dominion of the Sun as being of a good smell and taste and are of known virtues to comfort the heart arteries and vital spirits and to resist poyson The other being very hot and of bitter taste rightly belongeth unto the planet Mars as agreeing in elemental qualities I confess I have read many Authors and I find many of them accord but clean out of the way of truth The reason is as I conceive because their works are many or most of them but translated and so following by tradition each other not well weighing the reasons have likewise erred but as to the virtues of herbs and plants they do for the most part accord giving reasons for the same What I have written in this Book i● not by imitation of others but from my own daily practice and experience And should I set down the many difficult cures which I have done by virtue of herbs I should hardly be believed except by such who are well versed in the secrets of Astrology and Philosophy for many countrey people think they make a bold adventure when they come unto me for cure presuming that what I do is more than natural They not considering or at least being ignorant of the extraordinary virtue of herbs and plants more especially being gathered at the right planetary hours together with the right numbers of herbs and plants belonging unto each planet being collected and being truely in due times administred for time virtue and number together with the right understanding of the way of cure by sympathy and antipathy are the five principal pillars of our work in the Astrological or chymical way of physick as I have already declared in my before Epistle to the Reader Here followeth some necessary Rules to be observed concerning the gathering of each herb or Plant aright according unto the true planetary hours without which no great cures can be done or wonders wrought in the Astrological and Chymical way of Physick I have also set down the way how to reconcile any difference which may sometimes arise by way of application of the plant unto the planet For I must confesse by reason of the difference amongst Herbalists concerning the qualities and vertues of some particular plants there may happily be some rational contest therein The Way to gather such Herbs and Plants which are of known Elemental qualities and virtues out of contest is as followeth BEfore we proceed herein it will be necessary for the Reader to understand the planetary hours which are inserted at the beginning of the second Book together with the Almanack perpetual adjoyning for both the planet which is Lord of the hour and the plant which is to be gathered must both agree in elemental qualities especially of the first part of heat or cold Example If I were minded to gather baum rosemary marygolds angelica and such like plants or herbs which are under the dominion of the Sun upon Sunday the fourteenth of March 1699. Now from the Suns rising until he is an hour in highth which is until seven a clock is the hour of the Sun likewise the Sun reigneth again the eighth hour which is between one and two a clock after upon At which times you may gather any herbs or plants under the dominion of the Sun Now if any one were minded to gather any herbs of the Sun upon Tuesday the sixteenth day then between seven and eight a clock in the morning is the hour of the Sun And likewise
between two and three a clock afternoon as appeareth in the Almanack answerable unto the day of the Month also by the same Rules you may gather any other Herbs or Plants at the right planetary hours accordingly which are out of controversie Rules whereby to gather such Herbs and plants which are in Controversie that so you may have the true planetary influence notwithstanding as followeth VVHen you are minded to gather any herb or Plant in controversie as instance dandelion before mentioned this Plant being by my rules under Venus but by some Autho●s appropriated unto Jupiter by reason it hath a virtue to open the obstructions of the Liver being under Jupiter But it hath also a virtue to open and cleanse the passages of urine as I have already declared which is under Venus but chiefly it hath the first elemental quality of being cold agreeing with Venus whereas Jupiter is hot Now to reconcile this or any other difference of the like nature do as followeth Let both Planets in question at the time of gathering be in Conjunction Sextile or T●ine aspect unto each other Or otherwise let the Moon be seperating and applying by any of those aspects from the one planet to the othe● by this rule you may have the true planetary influence of both planets in question Alwayes provided that the Lord of the Hour doth accord with the first elemental quality of the planet be it hot or cold wherefore in this condition Venus must be Lord of the Hour at the time of gathering the herb or plant accordingly I shall instance one herb more Suppose I was minded to gather Sweet-marjerome which plant is by many Authors appropriated unto the planet Mercury the reason they give is because Mercury is conjoyned in some particular operations of the brain and this plant is of known virtue to comfort the brain But by my rules and dayly experience I find it to be under the dominion of the sun First by reason of its elemental qualities as agreeing with heat and drith Secondly in regard of its virtues for all herbs and plants which are of sweet smell and are of approved virtues to comfort the heart brain nerves and arteries and vital spirits as this plant is are justly and rationally accounted to be under the dominion of the Sun who is the fountain of life Lord of Leo and exalted in Aries whereas Mercury hath only predominancy over some particular operations of the brain as he hath in all the five sences It s Generally approved of all Authors that the bulk of the brain in all creatures is under the dominion of the Moon The vital and quickning part under the Sun the operation of Mercury as aforesaid Now to gather this plant at the right planetary hour that so you may have the influence of both planets in question you must do as before expressed let those planets concerned be in either Conjunction Trine or Sextile aspect unto each other at the time of gathering or otherwise let the Moon be separating and applying from the one planet to the other at the time of gathering by any of the before going aspects Example If I were minded to gather the said sweet marjerome in September 1669. about which time such like plants are in their prime to gather In which moneth upon the fourteenth day the Sun and Mercury are in partil Conjunction but their influence holds above a week before and after for until they are separated ten degrees from each other their Orbs Raies or Influence holds strong unto perfection wherefore you may gather this plant aright upon Sunday the fifth day or upon Sunday the tenth day or upon Sunday the fifteenth day from the Suns rising until the Sun is about an hour in hight and likewise in the afternoon between one and two of the clock as appeareth in the perpetual Almanack for the day appointed Also you may gather any days of those weeks when the Sun is Lord of the hour and if the Moon be in friendly aspect it s the better how to find the Lord of the hour I have shewed elsewhere at the beginning of the second book NOTE That in gathering all kinds of herbs and plants whatsoever more especially when you intend to do any great cure you must get the influential virtue of one of the fortunes viz. the Sun Jupiter or Venus to be joyned or be in some friendly aspect with that planet which owns the plant having regard unto the infirmity or grief which either by simpathy or antipathy hath any relation to the fortune as instance endive which is cold and dry under Mercury yet in regard its approved good to cool the heat of the liver which is under Jupiter therefore let Jupiter be in Conjunction Trine or Sextile aspect unto Mercury or the Moon separating and applying by any of those aspects from the one planet to the other when you gather the plant this is to be done when an infortune owns the plant or herb you are minded to gather A Plain and Easie may how to gather herbs or plants aright that so you may have the benefit both of the day and hour when each planet reigneth which owneth the plant throughout the year And will generally serve to gather any Herbs or plants aright for the use of physick Being fitted for every ten dayes of the Month throughout the year and so for ever NOTE All Herbs and Plants which are under the dominion of the Sun are gathered on Sundayes and all those herbs and plants which are under the dominion of the Moon are gathered on Mondayes and all those under Mars on Tuesdayes and all those under Mercury on wednesdayes and all those under Jupiter on Thursdayes and all those under Venus on Fridayes and all those under Saturn on Saturdayes Now every planet which is Lord of the day ●uleth the first and the eighth hour of the day each day being divided into twelve equal parts which we call the planetary hours and so the planetary hours are near twice so long in the highest of Summer as they are in the midst of winter Example Suppose I were minded to gather herbs or plants under the dominion of Sol upon one of the first ten dayes of January Then upon Sunday from the Suns rising which is six minutes after eight a clock until 46 min. past eight in the morning and likewise from 40 minutes past noon until 20 minutes past one you may gather any herb or plant under the dominion of the Sun by which account you have the benefit both of the day and hour as aforesaid as appeareth in the Table following you may do the like for any other plant or herb whatsoever alwayes remembring that the planet which is Lord of the day ever ruleth the first and the eighth hour divided as aforesaid into twelve equal parts January the first 10 days Length of the planetary hours Bef noon From the Suns rising which is 6 min. after 8 until 46 min. past 8.
one degree in two hours wherefore we must set the Moon in nine degree● Sagitary you must do the like in all other figures Had he took his bed at midnight you must have added six degrees and then the Moon would have been fourteen degrees thirty one minutes entred Sagitary Now having set the signs on the cuspes of every house and the Planets in those signs as by the figure appeareth I shall in the next place shew how to give judgement thereupon and so thereby discover the grief as followeth How to give Judgement by the Figure of twelve Houses THe general way especially in acute griefs is to give iudgment by the Moon being in any of the twelve signs and by the infirmities afflicted as I have already declared And this being an acute grief judgment must be given accordingly yet notwithstanding I shall by this figure set forth his natural infirmities or griefs and so instruct ●●e Learner how to give judgement in any other chronick griefs by the signs on the ascendant sixth house and their Lords afflicted For some lasting and obscure griefs cannot be discovered by the Sun and Moon afflicted In the first place you must observe whether the ascendant which is the first house or the sixth house or their Lords be any way afflicted by the malevolent planets Saturn Mars Mercury or the Sun for sometimes the Sun may and will afflict more especially if the grief lie●h about the heart or in the arteries or vital spirits In the ne●t place it will be necessary to know whether the grief be natural or whether it came by Witchcraft or Sorcery Now if you find the Lord of the twelfth house in the ascendant or if the Lord of the twelfth being in the sixth or Lord of the sixth in the twelfth or if the Lord of the ascendant be combust that is when the Sun is not above eight degrees thirty minutes distant from him or if one planet be Lord of the ascendant and twelfth house and an infortune then you may conclude that the grief is more than natural more especially where there is any just suspition thereof which may be somewhat deferred by heeding well the nature of their distempers as I have shewed elsewhere But in this Figure I find no such thing wherefore I did conclude the grief was natural occasioned by his own disorder of body as shall be shewed in order Sometimes I have known the ascendent the sixth house or their Lords have been afflicted by the Lord of the twelfth house and yet the sickness was not from Witchcraft notwithstanding those suspected evils for if Jupiter and Venus or the Sun do cast their friendly aspects unto the afflicted Planet or Cusp of the House aforesaid that then the grief came by some disorder of body Also if that Lord of the ascendant be in the twelfth or in the sixth the grief is natural For from the twelfth house we give judgment of self-undoing so well as otherwise but any rational experienced practitioner may easily distinguish the natural diseases from the unnatural by heeding well the manner of their distempers as aforesaid And generally I find that those who are taken in this snare of Witchcraft that at the time of any strong fit or when they are more than usually tormented that then the ascendant together with its Lord doth exactly personate the sick and at that very time the Lord of the twelfth house doth one way or other afflict either the ascendant or its Lord or that an infortune Lord of the ascendant and twelfth house which may so happen when the proper ascendant is intercepted in the first house as I have oft times experimented I shall now proceed to give judgment upon the decumbiture figure before mentioned and in the first place describe the person of the sick Secondly y rules discover whether the sick shall live or die if live how long time before recovery Thirdly I shall by rules set forth what the grief is and from what came Fourthly How and which way he was recovered The mans person is described by the ascendant Capricorn and Saturn his being therein who is Lord thereof viz. one of a middle stature full and well set of a dark or swartish complection ●ad brown hair as you may find more at large in this book Signes of recovery was first Saturn Lord of the ascendant being his significator is strong as being in his own house and is more strong than Mars who is the afflicting Planet Secondly the Moon doth separate from Mars and apply first unto Venus and from thence to the Sun and Jupiter all fortunes Thirdly the Sun is increasing in light Fourthly neither the Moon or Saturn are combust Planets are said to be combust when they are not elongated eight deg thirty min from the Sun Fifthly she is not in that part of the Zodiack called via combusta which is from the middle of Libra to the midst of Scorpio Lastly Venus Lady of the fourth house which usually sheweth the end of all things of this nature was in friendly aspect to the Moon at the time of decumbiture all which are arguments of recovery The time when followeth First the angles of the figure are part fixt and part common Secondly the Moon was in a common sign which argueth that the grief was not perfectly acute nor yet chronick but between both and so it proved for upon the last critical day the feaver left him at which time the Moon came to the place she was in at the decumbiture viz. unto the ninth deg of Sagitarius yet notwithstanding at the last critical time he had a very strong fit the Moon being then in square to Mars but Venus fortune and Lady of the fourth house being in friendly aspect to the Moon and she together with Saturn being both more strong than Mars who was the afflicting Planet put an end to this sickness at the time aforesaid The next thing considerable is to discover the grief and from what cause and likewise what infirmities she was naturally subject unto from the birth Now concerning the present acute grief I found the Moon being in the sign Sagitary was the platick square of Mars afflicted for between the sign Virgo the place where Mars is and the sign Sagitary the place where the Moon is containeth ninety deg which number maketh a square had the Moon been but one degree in the sign Sagitary yet that would have been a platick square for if we consider the moity of each Orb there will be ten deg allotted at which time and distance the influence of those Planets doth operate both before and after any aspect Now to know what the present distemper was by reason it was an acute grief you must find out the place in this book entituled the Moon in Sagitary of Mars oppressed which argueth a high and strong fever with the flux or lask and cholerick passions the pulses few and taint heating slowly his blood over heated The
♏ signifies one of a middle stature strong full and well set somewhat broad-faced of a muddy or darkish complexion sad or black hair bow-legged short-necked and somewhat hairy The diseases incident unto this Sign are Ulcers Inflammations Gravel or Stone in the Bladder all imperfections and difficulties of Urine Ruptures Hemorhoids the French Pox and Running of the Reins Priapismus and all diseases which infect the Privities both of men and women Sagitary ♐ signifies one of a fair stature and strong body long face but full and fleshy complexion sanguine or ruddy the hair a kind of Chestnut colour the diseases which are under this Sign are Fevers and such infirmities which are occasioned through heat of blood The Sciatica and all pains i● the Hips and Thighs falls from horses and hurts by four-footed beasts Capricorn ♑ signifies one rather short then tall narrow 〈◊〉 ●ace thin beard black hair narrow breast small neck complexion swarthy under this Sign are all diseases in the ●●●●es and Hams Leprosies Itch and Scabs all diseases of ●●●ancholly all schirrous tumors sprains fractures and dislo●●●●●●s Aquary ♒ represents one of a thick squar corpor●ture strong and well composed not very tall visage long complexion fair and clear hair sandy-coloured but if ♄ be in this House at the birth then black hair and the complexion will be more sanguine with distorted teeth under this Sign are all diseases incident to the legs and ancles and all melancholly winds coagulated in the veins and blood also Cramps Pisces ♓ represents one of a short stature not decent but rather ill composed a large face complexion pale the body fleshy or swelling and somewhat incurvating with the head the diseases subject unto this sign is all lameness and aches incident to the feet and all diseases coming of salt flegm and mixt humors all blood putr●fied as Scabs Itch and Botches or breakings out about the body Small Pox and Measles also all cold and moist diseases and such which come of catching cold and wet at the feet The bodily shape with the parts and members of the body and diseases which the Planets generally rule ♄ Saturn represents one of a middle stature broad and large shoulders sometimes crooked his thighs lean his feet and knees indecent many times hitting or shovelling one against the other broad forehead eyes little complexion muddy or swarfish looking downward thick lips and nose thin beard black hair Diseases and sicknesses subject unto this Planet are Quartan Agues and diseases proceeding from cold dry and melancholly distempers the retentive faculties all impediments in the right ear and teeth also Rhumes Consumptions Black Jaundies Palsies tremblings and vain fears Dropsies the hand and feet Gout the Spleen and bones ♃ Jupiter signifies one of an upright and tall stature a large deep belly thighs and legs strong proportioned his feet long face oval full and fleshy complexion brown ruddy and lovely high forehead his hair soft and a kind of a 〈…〉 brown much beard his speech sober The diseases under this Planet are Plurifies and all infirmities in the liver lungs ribs sides veins blood the digestive faculty Cramps pain in the back-bone Squinzies windiness and put●efaction in the blood Feavers proceeding from wind and ill blood ♂ Mars signifies one of a middle stature body strong big bones not fat visage round complexion ruddy the hair between red and sandy flexon crisping or curling hazel eyes a bold confident man or woman and fearless The sicknesses incident to this Planet are ●ertian Fevers and pestile●● burning Fevers the Plague Bloody Flux Small Pox a●● diseases of choler the Shingles Gall and left ear phrensies and sudden distempers in the head Carbuncles Fistulaes all scars and hurts by iron ☉ Sun Those who are under the Sun are of a strong large corporature and well composed body fat and fleshy of a yellow saffron ruddy complexion goggle or large eyes hair yellowish The sicknesses under this Planet are all diseases of the heart and brain palpitations tremblings sudden swoundings Catars the Nerves and Arteries the right eye of men the left eye of women and vital spirit of both all infirmities of the eyes and diseases of the mouth rotten Fevers and stinking breaths ♀ Venus signifies one somewhat short but full and well set fat and fleshy face round complexion dark but lovely light brown hair and smooth a rowling eye and full of amorous inticements a body well shapt and delightful Sicknesses under this Planet are all diseases of the Matrix and members of Generation Running of the Reins French Pox also griefs of the Belly Back and Navil any disease arising by inordinate lust Priapisme Diabetes or pissing disease Hernias and impotency in the act of Generation the throat womens breasts and the milk in them ☿ Mercury denotes one tall of stature spare body long arms and hands long face and nose thin lips little hair on his chin but pretty store on his head inclining to blackness an olive or sallow complexion eyes between black and grey oft-times much partaking of the Planet he is joyned withal sicknesses under this Planet are all diseases of the brain as Madness Vertigoes Lethargies or giddiness in the head Ptisick stammering memory dry coughs snufling in the head or nose dumbners all evils in the fancy or intellectual parts and tongue the Nerves the defects of the Uvula or Gargareon ☽ Moon The Moon generally representeth one of a fair stature flegmatick full fat and fleshy round face complexion whitely lowring looks hair light brown grey eyes Sicknesses and diseases are Apoplexies Palsey Collick Belly-ake the Menstrues in women Dropsies Fluxes of the Belly all ● old Rhumatick diseases and cold Stomack Surfeits rotten ●●●ughs Convulsions Falling-Sickness Kings Evil Apostems ●●●all Pox and Measles the Collick Bladder and Members 〈◊〉 Generation Concerning what effects the Moon worketh in any of the twelve Signs upon the Body of the Sick she being afflicted by the Conjunction Square or opposition Aspects of Mars at the decumbiture Note that the Sun afflicting the Moon doth work near the same effects only the ☉ striketh more upon the Heart and Vital Spirits The ☽ Moon in ♈ Aries of ♂ Mars afflicted or oppressed If at the time of Decumbiture the Moon be in ♈ Aries of ♂ or ☉ oppressed either by ☌ □ or ☍ then the Sick shall be tormented with continual Fevers with little or no rest or quietness a continued extreme thirst and driness of the tongue and breast an inflammation of the Liver tending unto a Phrensie high and inordinate Pulses sometimes a deprivation of senses and the Patient ready to run mad or hath some extreme pain or grief in their belly or small guts occasioned by cholerick obstructions The original cause of this disease shall proceed from a distempered affection of the Membranes or pellets of the brain and excess of cholerick matter If Venus be stronger then Mars then cooling remedies will be suitable however 't will be necessary to
Epithimum Inde Mirabilaus lapis lazuli But that which I chiefly use it sena and Seamony How to purge Blood To purge the blood is best done by decoctions made with such herbs which are suitable to the grief as you may find elsewhere in this Book But if you desire to purge gross humours proceding from corruption of blood as boils botches tumors itch or scabs Then I commonly use the powder called pulvus sanctis or holy powder made according to the London Dispensatory Of Vomits When you intend to give a Vomit let either the Moon or Lord of the ascendant be in an earthy sign aspected by a Planet retrograde and let the sign ascending be an earthy sign when the vomit is taken or let the Moon be aspected by planets stationary or slow in motion if about the earth the better Any one of these observations will serve where there are no testimonies against it Of Bathes or Sweats Enter bathes or sweats for hot diseases when the Moon is in a a watry sign as ♋ ♏ ♓ Enter bathes or sweats for cold infirmities when the Moon is in fiery signs as ♈ ♌ ♐ Of Fluxes Rheums and Laxes To stay fluxes Rheums and Laxes let the Moon be in an Earthy sign as ♑ ♉ ♍ Of Clysters Take Glysters when the Moon is in aiery or watery signs especially in ♑ or ♏ Of Blood-letting Let blood on the right side at spring and on the left-side at the fall Cholerick persons must be let blood when the Moon is in watry signs as ♋ ♏ or ♓ Flegmatick persons must be let blood when the Moon is in fiery signs as ♈ ♐ but not in ♌ because that sign governs the heart Melancholy persons must be let blood when the Moon is in aiery signs as ♎ and ♒ but not in ♊ because that sign governs the arms except you let blood in some other part of the body Sanguin persons may l●t blood when the Moone is in my sign except ♌ or the place signified by the sign where the Moon is Young people may let blood before the first Quarter is over Middle age from the first Quarter to the Full. Elder people from the Full to the last Quarter Old people from the last Quarter to the change Good to comfort the vertue Attractive the Moon in ♈ ♌ ♐ Retentive ♉ ♍ ♑ Degestive ♊ ♎ ♒ Expulsive ♋ ♏ ♓ Here followeth a Catalogue of such choice herbs which cureth the most usual infirmities and diseases incident unto men and women being discovered by the Sun and Moon afflicted in any of the twelve signs or by a figure of twelve houses out of which you may make diet drinks intments baths glysters fumes suffumigations cataplasms and the like according unto the humour offending And without question if rightly understand may serve to cure all griefs and infirmities whatsoever although not by me named as for example if one shall desire cure for the Asthmah or shortness of breath these herbs which openeth obstructions doth it Note That all inward griefs or infirmities are usually cured only by decoctions and the spirits of plants which are extracted from them And such diseases or infirmities which proceed from the heart and brain and lye in the nerves and arteries and vital spirits such as are convulsions appoplexies palpitations palsies and such like are not cured onely by decoctions but also by ointments and cataplasmes applyed unto the pulses and other parts suitable And as concerning all pains aches humours and swellings baths and ointments suitable to their condition are most proper not omitting diet drinks corresponding in all cures whatsoever Note That I do not use all the herbs named for every Cure but only a select number as is else where expressed A A ABortion to hinder Snakeweed or bistort madder mosse sage ●anfie tresoil Aches coming of cold or taken under cold planets to help rosemary camomil rue bayes Saint Johns wort lavender marjerom sage cink-foil broom wormwood ragwort mugwort elmpeel smallage comphrey vervain wild-tansey brooklime arsmart goutwort calmint hyssop charlock scabious southernwood marigolds Aches coming of heat or taken under Mars Camomil Saint Johns wort baume arsmart grouncel sorrel archangel mallowes honey-suckles violet leaves elmpeel elder-flowers comphrey mugwort smallage henbane chick-weed seagreen turnip cabbage cinkfoil plantain orpine daisie lettuce spinage endive adders-tongue pimpernel trefoil sow-thistle After-hirth and Secundine to expel angelica camomil chervil horehound mallowes mugwort marygolds peny-royal time wake robin alessander fennel garlick house-tongue Agues If you intend to cure all kinds of Agues you must take notice under what planet the patient is most afflicted whether under Saturn or under Mars or both as I have elsewhere expressed in this book and so make choice of herbs accordingly rosemary lovage camomil rue centaury southernwood wood-bitany sage vervain fetherfew horsemint savin assarabacca carduus wormwood tobacco burdock mustard rhubarb sorrel grouncel plantain calamint cinquefoil fumetary black hellebore smallage satirion dodder bryony agrimony hyssop vipers-grass endive succory burrage trefoile periwinckle Appetite to procure sorrel sloes apples barberies capers black-cherries mulberies mints goose-berries grapes generally such herbs plants or fruits which are sower having no unpleasant relish are good Saint Anthonies fire rhubarb rue saffron bugloss brooklime adders tongue houseleek chickweed night-shade white poppy pondweed crab-tree dane-wort hounds-tongue adders-tongue henbane lentils mandrake hemlock Appoplexies misletoe lavender wall-gilly-flowers melilor box wild citruls lillie marjoram sage pellitory fennel master-wort Apostumes adders-tongue bears breech melilot onions rye chickweed daisie liverwort privet vervain flax mugwort B B Back and Reins to strengthen Saint John's-wort baum angellica rosemary misletoe clary mints cowslips comfrey lungwort burrage-blossoms sweet-maudline costmary mace Solomons-seal wood-bittany Barrenness to help Barren-wort clary Saint James-wort Ladies mantle mercury horsmint sage shepheards-needle Belching sour to repress Aniseed bitony cammomil marjoram wormwood hares-foot wood-bitony burnet Belly-ach Cammomil centory sweet-marjoram plantaney smallage rue angelica sage southernwood time hyssop gronnd-ivy or alehoof fenel-root and fennel-seed fern stinking gladwin marsh-mallows Belly to looson basil baise white-beets elder-buds fumitory hounds-tongue laurel mallows maiden-hair mercury mirabilan mulberries peach flowers roses poppy potatoes rhubarb satirion scabious sene spurg spinach violet-flowers leaves and roots Belly to bind bulleys caltrop chesnuts cowslips eglantine Saint John's-wort lentils ginger dates medlars quinces rice services whortleberries hot stued pruens red-wine Bladder to cleanse angelica rosemary pimpernel dandelion burrage burdock assarabacca furzbush-flowers featherfew chervil dodder amphier southernwood spignel vine white-wine Vide Stone in the Kidneys Reins and Bladder Bleeding to stay aloe red-beans golden-rod hawes ladies bedstraw liverwort moss arch-angel plantaney yarrow saunders oak drydates chesnuts comfrey tormentil roses rosemary burnet cats-tail herb two pence horse-tail moon-wort mulberries If the Bleeding be at nose my usual way is to tie the small of the leg and the hand-wrist on that side which bleedeth and to dry some of the patients blood to a
taken with extream cold which usually settleth in this part are seemingly speechless or at least speak with little or low voice so this boy being more vehemently afflicted under so sad a cold planet could not speak at all And likewise he seemed to be foolish for there was a great cold defect in the brain and head so well as in the Vvula Now having by the Rules of Art discovered the cause so well as the distemper it self the friends of this boy and my self agreed upon a price for the cure which I performed in less then a months space The cure was effected as followeth having in the first place by the rules hereafter mentioned endeavoured to afflict the Witch that so she might be discouraged to act any further in her mischief I used herbs antipathetical unto the afflicting planet being Saturn viz. Herbs under the dominion of the Sun and Jupiter according unto their numbers and virtues being gathered at their right planetary hours three of which hetbs being under the domion of the ●un I caused him to wear about his neck it being in virtue answerable unto gold and a number which properly belongeth unto the Sun as I have shewed elsewhere and as gold is a metal under the dominion of the Sun and hath a virtue to withstand all kinds of evils and to comfort the heart arteries and vital spirits so likewise hath these herbs under his dominion the like properties as also the ruby amongst stones Generally all those pains aches distempers or afflictions which are caused by Witchcraft are called Evils and sometimes these kinds of Evils will turn into white kernels swellings proceeding from some extraordinary distemper in the nerves as I have elsewhere expressed and then it s usually called the Kings Evil. Having collected my herbs together according unto their numbers and virtues being under the dominion of the Sun and Jupiter as aforesaid and caused a mixture then out of these herbs we usually make diet drinks ointments and suffumigations of the diet drink I gave him three times a day viz. Morning afternoon and night also every morning we usually give them water-grewel made with some of those herbs about an hour after they have taken the diet drink by which means through Gods blessing the boy within a month was cured and hath so continued ever since I believe it will be a warning unto him how to meddle with such Creatures in a morning without prayer I shall relate one passage which happened between the Boys Unkle and my self as followeth The month being expired wihich was the time set for the Boys cure he came to see whether the Boy could speak or no whereupon I called in the boy and bad him speak to his unckle which he did desiring to know how all his friends did whereupon his Unkle seemed to be much troubled and sad for as he told me afterwards he did verily believe that I had infused a spirit into the boy to make him speak and his reason was because the Doctors and others who had undertaken to help him but could not said he would never be cured as they verily believed by any man whatsoever whereupon the boys Unkle desired me to keep him somewhat longer and then he would come and bring money for the cure The reason why he brought no money with him was because he did not believe I could help him and he made his bargain so that if I did not cure the boy I was to have nought for my charge and pains And about a week after he came privately to my Servants desiring to speak with the boy which he did and then but not before he was satisfied for the boy could both pray and readily give answers unto questions After which about a week following he came again with one of his Neighbours who both heard the boy speak and pray again and was fully satisfied paying me what we had agreed upon for the cure It seems they were not onely disheartened by Physitians but also hearing that I did many times set figures concerning Nativities thefts strays and fugitives c. As though I had wrought the cure by unlawful means But before we parted I gave them both such ample satisfaction that they went away well contented and satisfied being joyful that it was their good hap to come unto me Now whether this Boy was by this woman bewitched or whether it pleased God to lay such an affliction upon the Boy It may be a question worthy of answer unto which I shall briefly reply in point of art That in regard the only afflicting planet was Lord of the twelfth and an evil planet I did conclude that the infirmity might proceed from fascination or witchcraft but not without Gods permission for as I have elsewhere declared if we neglect daily prayers we lie lyable unto the assaults of Sathan and his Instruments for the time being especially in our bodies For our Saviour Jesus Christ taught us to pray daily not only for bread but also to deliver us from evil wherein if we fail the fault is ours How to make the Sympathetical Powder with the way to apply the same for the curing of wounds and sundry distempers Especially such which any way concern the blood or vital spirits TAke of Roman vitriol six or eight ounces beat it very small in a morter then search it through a fine search do it when the Sun enters Leo which is about the twelfth of July then spread it finely upon an earthen glased pan set it daily in the heat of the Sun during forty days and keep it warm at night and be careful it takes no wet or cold afterwards you must continually keep it dry with this powder alone kept dry and warm great cures may be done I shall instance one Example A Brother of mine living in Southcote near Reading in the time of the late war had a Mastiffe Dog shot into the neck and head with a brace of bullets The dog being very much swell'd lay pining away and was in appearance near unto death A Gent. who came by accident having some of this powder in his pocket was desirous to make some tryal thereof upon this Dog whereupon with a linnen cloth we took some of the corruption which was about his neck and immediately applyed a small quantity of the powder unto it keeping it very warm whereupon presently the Dog revived stood up and wagged his tail then presently for further tryal we laid the powder with the corruption to the air and then the Dog fell down as dead again shivering and then immediately we closed it up again and ever afterwards kept it warm and the Dog in a short time recovered The Way to apply this Powder for the curing of distempers and infirmities especially such wherein the Blood and vital Spirits are concerned VVHen you are minded to cure any disease or infirmity you must by the help of this Book take notice what herbs are good to be used to cure
bright Star of the Harp and the Star called the Swans-bill both of the nature of Mars and Jupiter in the a cendant made the fever the more violent The cause of this sickness was from inordinate exercise surfeiting or too much repletion as you may find more at large at the place aforesaid The way of recovery was by application antipathetical unto Mars the afflicting planet by reason that Venu was more strong in essential dignities as being in her house Now in regard that Mars is by nature hot and dry I made choice of such herbs and other remedies which were cold and moist wherefore I advised that such decoctions syrrups or cordials which were administred should be cooling and cleansing also glisters the like ever remembring as in this so in all other cures to fortifie the heart and vital spirits with herbs under the dominion of the Sun Would the Patient have been perswaded to let blood the fever would without question have left him upon the second critical time the Moon meeting then with the friendly aspect of Venus a fortune and strong Note That as we give judgement by the Sun and Moon afflicted in acute and chronick griefs so by the same rules you may give judgement by the Lord of the ascendant or sixth house afflicted Example In the last figure Mercury being Lord of the sixth house and in the sign Libra is in platick square to Saturn and conjunction of the Sun who is much of the nature of Mars only the Sun striketh more upon the vital spirits Now according unto the rule in giving judgement by the Moon afflicted in the sign Libra it sheweth a severish distemper and blood over heated occasioned from surfeiting The next thing considerable is to know what infirmities naturally he was subject unto from the birth In this question judgement must be given from the ascendant sixth house and their Lords afflicted first the ascendant is no way afflicted save onely by the presence of Saturn who is Lord thereof Now in this question Saturn is not accounted an enemy notwithstanding he is naturally evil as being in his own house and Lord of the sick mans person for according unto the old saying the devil will not hurt his own Also the sixth house is no way afflicted wherefore we have onely Mercury Lord of the sixth considerable herein and he I find is in Libra in platick coniunction of Venus Lady of the fourth Now any planet although he be naturally a fortune may afflict so well as the infortunes being Lord or Lady of the fourth sixth eighth or twelfth houses for every planet must do his Office to know what the grief is you must take notice of the sign where Mercury Lord of the sixth house is videl in Libra and what parts of the body is signified thereby also what griefs or infirmities are under the dominion of Venus First under the sign Libra is reins and loyns and under Venus is also the reins together with back belly and members of generation and passages of urine To my knowledge he hath for many years past been oft-times perplexed with difficulty of making water and with pains in his reins back and belly What I have written I presume will be sufficient to instruct the learner but practice and experience will be the only means to inlarge the practitioners ●●dgement herein for 't is impossible for any man to write be he never so curious and exact in any art but that somewhat may be added unto it Observations concerning the Ascendant THat which I have found by daily practice and experience is carefully so to erect your figure either for the time of decumbiture or the time of any strong fit or when the Patient was more than ordinarily sick or afflicted or for the time when the urine is brought or when you go to visit the patient that the Ascendant together with its Lord may exactly personate the Sick for if neither the ascendant nor the Lord thereof doth agree in shape complexion and hair with the body of the Sick you cannot safely give judgement by a figure of twelve houses especially in many infirmities as I have often experienced for the first fourth sixth eighth and twelfth houses will be especially concerned therein wherefore if you fail in the first foundation the whole building must needs be obstructed and out of order Example In the decumbiture figure before mentioned ha● I erected the figure but for one hour sooner Sagitary would have ascended whereof Jupiter is Lord and then the person of the sick must have been described accordingly Now Jupiter signifies a man of an upright and tall stature complexion ruddy face oval full and fleshy and a kind of a bourn brown hair Also the sign Sagitary represents a man much after the same shape and likeness by which it appears what a vast difference it might produce by takeing a wrong ascendant both in regard of the personal shape and likewise in the discovery of the grief of the sick Whereas it appears by taking the true ascendant that it doth not on-only dilineate his person as is before expressed but doth exactly discover his present distemper and natural infirmities For let the time of decumbiture or the time for receipt of the urine or the time of any strong fit be brought and the Artist never so curious by enquiry except by chance he shall not get the true ascendant for many reasons may be objected to the contrary First clocks may fail and so sick persons will hold out longer then others before complaint and the urine may by the messenger be hastened or retarded you see one hour maketh a mighty alteration I shall quote another Example Suppose a Man or Woman who is under the dominion of Sol Lord of Leo should fall sick which represents one of a large stature fat full and fleshy complexion sanguine and yellowish hair Now perhaps when the urine is brought or through mistakes of clocks or time Gemini should ascend whereof Mercury is Lord what a mighty difference could this produce For the planet Mercury represents one of an upright and tall stature spare body long face and nose of a dark swarthy complexion and sad hair Also the sign Gemini signifies a tall body a dark and obscure complexion and sad or black hair I could instance many more wherefore advise all practitioners in this art so to vary their ascendant that it together with its Lord or planet posited in the ascendant may exactly personate the Sick without which no true judgment can be given especially in many chronick griefs or infirmities and in case of Witchcraft and Sorcery Some brief Rules concerning long and short sicknesses and whether the Patient is like to live or die First of long or short Sickness i A Fixt sign on the Cusp of the sixt or the Lord of the sixt or Lord of the Ascendant or the Moon in accute or Sun in Chronick griefs be in fixt signs afflicted by the malevolent
yet they are seldom mortal the reason is I judge because there is usually two dayes respite between every fit whereby nature hath time to rally up its forces against the incounter What I have written concerning Agues and Quotidian infirmities is from my own daily Practice and Experience for I never met with any Author either in Print or by Manuscript which did shew the reasons of each kind of Ague nor yet any certain way of cure I shall in the next place set forth the certain way of Cure as followeth The way to Cure each kind of Ague according unto the Rules of Astrology there being no certainty in any other way as I have oftentimes experienced IN the first place according unto the Rules in this book elsewhere expressed you must erect a Scheam either for the time of the first fit if that may be had or for any other strong fit you must be careful so to vary the Ascendant that it together with its Lord may exactly personate the sick for if you take a wrong ascendant which you may easily do for many reasons as first the difference in Clocks secondly the swiftness or slowness of the Moons motion thirdly some men and women being strong hearted will not yield to lie down in bed so soon as others who are more weak and faint hearted c. wherefore if you fail in the Ascendant no true judgment can be given except in ordinary natural acute and chronick griefs or where there is no suspition of Sorcery or Witchcraft for then judgment may be given by the Sun or Moon afflicted as is shewed elsewhere when your Scheam is Erected and the Figure Radical as aforesaid you must take notice whether the Lord of the Ascendant or first house be in the twelfth house or whether the Lord of the twelfth be in the Ascendant or whether one Planet be Lord of the Ascendant and twelfth and an infortune or if the Lord of the twelfth afflict the Lord of the Ascendant or whether the Lord of the twelfth afflict the Moon in acute griefs which are under a moneths standing or the Sun in Chronick griefs then you may conclude that the Quotidian fits of any kind and likewise the Tertian and Quartan fits of any Ague are more than natural and that either Fascination Witchcraft or Sorcery have been wrought upon the Patient such is the subtilty of these wretches that many times they are not mistrusted much more discovered except by the Rules of Astrology described as I have shewed elsewhere and who more bold and forward to visit and frequent Neighbours and oft-times are imployed both for Nurses and tenders upon those whom they have bewitched and yet not mistrusted and were there no wayes to afflict them there could be no cure wrought upon such whom they daily visit or are imployed as tenders upon For by their wretched ways they would soon infect them again Example Once a Friend and Neighbour of mine after she was delivered of her Child fell into strange fits whereupon some thought she had taken great cold others thought some one thing and some another at length her fits grew so strong and the Woman so weak that her Husband thought at every fit she would have departed whereupon he was advised to come unto me but to prevent his coming the Tender or Nurse being a lusty you●g Hussie would needs perswade him to send her with the Water which he did at her first coming she seemed to be very merry and jocund alwayes laughing I askt her why she was so merry considering her Dame was so bad she told me for no harm I believe she thought to have fooled me as she had done others but she was greatly mistaken for having viewed the Urine I demanded of her to tell me whether she had any fits and when her first fit began which she readily told me not thinking that I could thereby discover her Villany I quickly found by the Figure that Sorcery or Witchcraft had been wrought upon the sick and by a Female body much resembling her person for either the Lord of the twelfth house more especially of that is the afflicting Planet or the Sign where the Sun is do●h usually personate the Witch whereupon I told her that I could send no answer by her in regard I must first speak with her Master at which answer she seemed somewhat danted but replyed she would speedily send him and so went away but when she came home she clean contrary to my message told him that she had order to gather herbs and make his Wife Dyet-drink and none but she must give her any thing to help her whereupon the man marvelling much at this message came to me on purpose to know the truth why none but she must be trusted and brought his Wifes Brother with him whereupon I told him what I found by the Figure his brother presently replyed that to his knowledge both her Mother and Grandmother were both suspected for Witches and one of them dyed in Reading-Goal being Committed by the Justice with intent to bring her unto Tryal having made this discovery upon her I advised him speedily to put her away and to take another Nurse or Tender who was of better repute which he did after which by such wayes and means as were agreeable to her distemper according as I have declared at large elsewhere she was soon recovered I shall now proceed to set forth the Astrological way of Cure for there is no certainty in any other way notwithstanding sometimes the Patient is cured by other means as I shall declare in the sequel more especially when the original of the fits either of Agues or other Quotidian infirmities before mentioned be from Sorcery or Witchcraft for then in the first place you must by the rules before going indeavour to afflict the Witch otherwise she will continually renew the grief so fast as you cure more especially where the Witch is not suspected Secondly you must be careful that such herbs which are used for the Cure be gathered at the right Planetary hours with the numbers of herbs according as they are attributed unto each Planet what herbs are to be used herein together with the time of gathering administring and the numbers of herbs are set down elsewhere The true way of curing all kinds of Agues and other Quotidian fits must be by antipathy not omitting as in these so in all other Cures to take a select number of herbs to fortify the heart and vital Spirits There are four things considerable to be done in curing all kinds of Agues besides the afflicting of the Witch in case of Sorcery or Witchcraft First Dyet drink Secondly Cataplasms laid to the hand wrests Thirdly a vomit to be given at the coming of the fit Fourthly to let blood if the Ague have been of longe continuance Fifthly to cause the Patient to wear one or more Solary Plants The way which I alwayes used is as followeth having by the Figure
herbs under such Planets which are antipathetical unto each several Complexion before mentioned not omitting oyntments to the heart and brain and fumes to the head if the brain be moist and suffumigation if dry If the Patient have been long distempered then 't will get into the blood and then 't will be convenient sometimes to let them blood and then if you take a small quantity of the Sympathetical powder and mix it with so much Powder of the herbs proportionable for the Cure it will mightily help forward the cure you must order it and wear it as directed in the cureing of Agues There are several other kinds and causes of madness as followeth sometimes height of blood will ascend up to the head and so disturb their brain which will cause madness the cureing whereof is by oft letting blood and dyet drink made suitable by Antipathy unto their Complexion as aforesaid for if we should apply herbs which are by nature hot although good in general for the brain to a Cholerick mad body it will rather increase then mittigate their fury but in all cures you must ever remember to fortify the heart and vital Spirits the Sympathetical powder in this kind of madness mixt and ordered as aforesaid is most proper the truth is this kind of madness is easily cured by any drug-Doctor for their general way is to cure by blood letting and purgation which kind of Physick is proper for this distemper ●here is another kind of madness which cometh by being costive bound in body of which I have cured many and I always found by the Figure that the chief significators of the distemper were in earthy Signs for the time being these who are taken in this condition will be as mad as any according unto their natural Complexion be it Choler Sanguine Melancholy or Fiegmatick at the first they will be ill only in head and stomack but after some time it will make them light headed and forgetful and by reason of that great stop in Natures Course it will more and more cause inordinate Vapours to ascend up to the head and brain and at length bring madness insomuch that they are not able to discover their own condition nor yet their friends I have known some who have dyed in this condition before their grief was perfectly known or at least were so far gone that Doctors could not help them I had once a Maid who was a Farmers Daughter living in the Parish of Goring in the County of Oxon brought tyed and bound fast in a Cart with Cords who was only mad by reason of this condition her Friends not knowing what she ayled some thought it might be through Love others thought she was either bewitched or possessed some thought one thing and some another the truth is she looked very gastly and wild but being by nature of a Sanguine Complection she would hoop hollow sing and dance day and night if she might be suffered having by a Figure discovered the cause of her distemper I bargained with her Father what to have for the cure I quickly with suppositer and glister brought her to stool and within three days she grew sensible and quiet and in a week was perfectly recovered I have known sometimes that an afright hath caused madness in this condition applications must be chiefly to the brain not omitting Dyet drink made suitable by antipathy to their Complexion I have known some Females who have been mad only by the stop of their monethly Course the cure is by herbs proper to help such infirmities as you shall find in this book I have known some women who have fell mad after they have been delivered of their Child occasioned sometime from great cold taken or disorderly dyet and sometimes by Witchcraft as I have already declared occasioned by the Tender or Nurse for their bodies being open and weak any infirmities may the easier be wrought upon them by such wretches and yet the cause undiscovered and the Patient many times dyeth The worst kind of madness that I know is occasioned from Sorcery or Witchcraft and I believe there are multitudes of this kind in Beathlaem and elsewhere that lye many years in this condition for except the Witches power be taken off and staid it s in vain to administer Physick more especially where the Witch sometimes may have admittance to come to the Patient others may perhaps be possessed and then the Devil must be cast forth for as I have said already except the true cause of each kinds of madness be discovered its impossible to cure without a Miracle except by accident now to cure this kind of madness which cometh from Witchcraft In the first place you must by the Rules of Art endeavour to afflict the Witch and then by herbs antipathetical unto the afflicting Planet and complection of the Patient you must make Dyet-drinks Oyntments and Glisters not omitting some ingredients suitable as Figs Raisons Currants Liquorish Aniseeds or any other seeds good to expel wind c. sometimes when the body is bound which most mad people are very subject unto you must make choyce of such herbs amongst your Numbers which are Purging and losening Note that I alwayes found in my Practice that the afflicting Planet and Complexion of the Patient were usually one as instance Cholerick people are commonly afflicted of Mars and Melancholy under Saturn for such is the subtilty of the Devil and the Witches that they strike most upon that humour whereunto they find the nature of men and Women most prone and apt to receive impression If these Rules which I have inserted be well observed and followed there is no one mad body whatsoever but may through Gods blessing be recovered to my knowledge I have not failed these many years where I have undertaken notwithstanding some whom I have cured have been mad many years but I must needs say the longer they are mad before a right means is used the more difficult the cure is and somewhat the more time it will require to perfect their cure For according unto that saying in Philosophy Custom produceth a second Nature c. FINIS To all such who are Students and well-Willers unto this most excellent Science of Astrology I Presume that no sooner are these following Books come forth but some will be ready to say What needs this Treatise since we have so many books of this nature extant written both so Learned and Copious even in our own Language that one would think nothing more could be written of this Subject but yet we know that in all Arts and Sciences whatsoever no man can so curiously and exactly write of any matter or thing of what Nature soever but that something might be added thereunto and were it but only a confirmation of what have been written formerly by other Authors yet it s but reasonable that such persons who have been Practitioners and Students in this Art should likewise have liberty to write
let blood Concerning the way how to cure each distemper is set down elsewhere in this book The Moon in Taurus of Mars afflicted Those that take their bed under such configuration as aforesaid shall be afflicted with a continued Fever the whole frame of the body obstructed with an inflammation of the Throat Neck and hinder part thereof and ach of the bones also insomniation or inordinate watching very thirsty longing after cooling things Oft time the sick will be afflicted with the Strangury or Stone with Gravel in the Reins and Kidneys pestilent sore throats or hoarsness or some ill matter setled there The cause is from much ill blood choler and sweet flegm The Moon in Gemini of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed under this configuration shall he afflicted with a violent burning Fever and with obstructions their blood extreme windy and corrupted some great pains or lameness in their arms or joynts the pulses long and inordinate oft-times the Patient is troubled with the Stone or heat in the Reins and sometimes spitting of blood The cause of this distemper usually is from ingurgitation or too much drinking of strong Wine or Beer and some cholerick matter The Moon in Cancer of Mars oppressed Those that take their bed when the ☽ is in Cancer of Mars afflicted the sick will be troubled with much flegm and ill matter setled at their Breast and Stomack also with eversion and turning of the Ventricle oft-times desiring to vomit with some defect in the blood This disease cometh from surfeiting or too much ingurgitation and oft-times turneth unto a loosness or a rotten Cough and sometimes spitting blood The Moon in Leo of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed when the Moon is in Leo of Mars afflicted shall be subject unto a strong Fever with a disturbed brain and strong raging fits also they will be subject unto much drowsiness and heaviness all over their body also the heart oppressed with faintness and swounding fits and the party almost raging mad with little or no appetite The cause of this distemper is from excess of choler and blood abounding over-heated The Moon in Virgo of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed under this configuration shall be subject unto a Flux in the belly small Fevers the Pulse remiss avertion of the Ventricle also tormented with wind in the Belly or Guts and Chollick bad stomack many times weakness or pains in the legs near the anckles the cause from original choler melancholly and sharp fretting humors The Moon in Libra of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed the Moon being in ♎ of ♂ oppressed will be subject unto an inflammation all over the body also Fevourish unapt to sleep their Pulses high troubled with wind and plenitude of blood many times they have the stone or gravel in the kidneys or great heat therein The cause is from surfeiting or disorder in diet also plenitude of blood The Moon in Scorpio of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed the Moon being in Scorpio of Mars oppressed argueth that the sick is afflicted or hath some grievous infirmity in their privy parts If children or Young-people then it argueth the small-pox or measles Also it sheweth more especially in times of pestilential diseases the pestilence or some poisonous or pestilential grief many times it causeth boiles or scabiness to break forth The cause is from blood extreamly corrupted or from some infectious and poisonous grief accidentally taken into the body by smell or taste The Moon in Sagitary of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed the Moon being in Sagitary of Mars oppressed shall be tormented with high fevers and cholerick passions with the flux or lask the pulses few and faint the sick burns extreamly many times it sheweth the hand and foot gout with breaking out and sore throats sometimes sharp rheums offend their eyes The cause is from surfeiting or gluttony or too much repletion Also from inordinate exercise and blood over-heated The Moon in Capricorn of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed the Moon being in Capricorn of Mars oppressed shall be troubled with excesse of choller and with great desire to vomit no perfect concoction and oft returning fevers a puffing up the sinews and a flux of the belly immediately followes an inflamation of the breast some exulceration in a Cholerick humour offends the party in his hands or joynts of his fingers also the sick is inclining unto the yellow jaundies Their blood all over the body disaffected The cause is from choller and evil digestion and blood corrupted The Moon in Aquary of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed the Moon being in Aquary of Mars oppressed are troubled with swooning fits and pained at the heart and are very feaverish pulses are high and the blood swelling in all their veins oft-times complaining of great pain in their breast drawing their wind with great difficulty The cause is from most sharp and violent affections or vehement passions The Moon in Pisces of Mars oppressed Those who take their bed when the Moon is in Pisces of Mars afflicted shall be tormented with sharp burning feavers and vehement thirst and usually oppressed with a violent looseness complaining of great pain in their bellies or an extraordinary rotten cough also a deflux of rhuem falling from the head to the throat they being near suffocated therewith their bellies swolne and in danger of a dropsie oft-times they are troubled with itching and a salt humor in the blood The cause of the distemper is from two much ingurgitation and drinking of wine and strong drinks and the body abounding with choller and salt flegm and bloud corrupted occasioned by disorder Concerning what effects the Moon worketh in any of the twelve Signs upon the body of the Sick She being afflicted by the Conjunction Square or Opposition of Saturn at the time of decumbiture Note That Mercury afflicting the Moon worketh the same effects onely be striketh somewhat more upon the brain and nerves The Moon in Aries of Saturn or Mercury oppressed THose who take their bed the Moon being in Aries of Saturn or Mercury oppressed shall be troubled with head-ach and a distillation of Rhuems falling from the head into the throat and wind-pipe also a stuffing in the head with dulness of the eyes inordinate drowsiness and dulness of mind and bad stomach intemperate sweats being hot within and cold without more afflicted in the night then by day The occasion of this distemper is from great cold taken and want of exercise and sometimes by eating trash contra●● to Nature The Moon in Taurus of Saturn or Mercury oppressed Those who take their bed the Moon being in Taurus of Saturn or Mercury oppressed shall be feaverish proceeding from obstructions aod distempers of the precordiacks and arteries viz. of the inward parts near the heart liver and lungs some ulceration there abouts their pulses are lofty and high and an inflamation of the whole body The disease
proper to comfort the heart and arteries with cataplasms to the hand-wrests sometimes when I found the veins high I let her blood fearing the arteries might be oppressed thereby for as I have already declared the arteries and nerves run both under the veins I likewise for a time accustomed her to eat hearts ●oyled baked or stewed which might by sympathy help to fortify her heart I also gave her water-grewel made with such herbs which were agreeable to her condition to be taken an hour after she had taken her dyet-drink every morning as indeed we usually do in all distempers according unto which rules before going this maid was well and perfectly cured within ten weeks notwithstanding she was above twelve moneths in this condition before she came unto me and notwithstanding her Father as he told me had tryed many Doctors to his great charge for as in this so in all other kinds of evils the more they are tampered with the worse the patient will be except they had the knowledge by the rules of Astrology and Philosophy to understand the way of Cure Another kind of Evil which cometh from Sorcery I find by experience that there is another kind of Evil wherewith many are infected and I shall instance one example A woman living at a place called Nutbeam within a mile of Way-hill where once a year the great fair is kept was taken with this kind of evil as followeth the cause of this womans distemper was from Sorcery as by my Figure was discovered and the party suspected was the Minister of the Parish by my Figure described to be a man of Saturn in the times of Mercury which signifies a man of reasonable stature swarthy complection and of a lumpish countenance and sad or black hair he was a man of small wealth only hired to execute the office or Function for the time being the occasion which moved him to do it was as the woman told me because she would not trust him for mault whereupon he threatned revenge and at a gossiping feast he had the opportunity to do it as followeth First he moved to have a health go round the table and so did undertake to spice every ones cup but when it came unto this womans turn to drink she did observe that he took spice out of another paper which he had prepared pretending that it was all one this woman told me she was not willing to take it fearing least he should do her some mischief but being unwilling to disturbe the company well-hoping that his malice would not have lasted so long she drank it after which before the day was ended she began to be very ill being taken with a great pain and griping in her belly and likewise every day encreased in bigness of body being grown so big as three ordinary women insomuch at length a reasonable horse could not well carry her she tryed many Doctors and spent much money but could find no help at length hearing of me her husband brought her unto me she was above two years in this condition before I did undertake the cure yet notwithstanding I did recover her in about three moneths time staying not only her griping pains in her belly but also did very much lessen the extream groth of her body The way which I used for her recovery was by decoctions oyntments bathes sweats and glisters she was taken under Saturn who was Lord of the twelfth house and in the ascendant the cure was performed by antipathy viz. with herbs under the Sun Mars and Jupiter what herbs are good for Dropsical humours under the Planets before mentioned you may find in this Book and likewise how to make decoctions bathes oyls and glisters suitable unto her condition Now concerning this Minister I shall relate what followed I having by my Art made some discovery and this woman for the reasons aforesaid justly suspecting him both she and her husband were minded to have him before a Justice but that I somewhat disheartned them and told them that the discovery which I had made could be no evidence against him whereby to implead but not long after this Priest having upon some other occasion differed with an other of his Parishioners after Prayers ended his Son standing in the Church-yard this Minister came unto him took off his hatt and gave him a tap on the head saying before some of the Neighbours Thou shalt lye by it some time for thy Fathers sake immediately after this Boy being very sick took his bed and came no more abroad in a long time whereupon this Womans Husband and the Boys Father resolves to prosecute against him and accordingly sent for a Warrant intending to have him before a Justice but the Priest having some notice thereof fled and as I am informed was never heard of unto this day Another Cure done upon a Boy living at Throxford in the County of Berks who was suddenly struck dumb and so continued during the space of three years I Shall in the first place relate the manner how this Boy was taken in this condition as followeth This Boy living with his Unckle his Father being dead was imployed to drive and fetch home milch beasts being kept for a dairy now in a morning being holy day having on his best array being somewhat pleasant meets with a woman who was very much suspected to be a Witch and minding to make sport with her calls her old witch demanding whether she was going she not answering he threw several stones at her with that she began to be angry and saith unto him as the boy after he could speak related sirrah I will make you hold your tongue using many threatning speeches and indeavoured to run after the boy who was too nimble on foot for her After which time during three years as abovesaid he became speechless and seeming simple and so might without question have continued unto this day without miracle had not the Astrological way been used both for the discovery and recovery of his distemper The Friends of this boy told me they had spent much mony about his cure but to no purpose having as they said tryed many Doctors and others insomuch that they thought him uncureable But by accident hearing of me and of the many cures by me done the friends of this boy came unto me desiring to know whether I would undertake to help him to his speech again I ask'd them if they could tell the time when he first lost his speech which they readily told me It being done upon a holy day they could the better do it whereupon having erected a figure according unto the day or time given I quickly found the cause of his distemper without which there could be no cure wrought and told them that I was confident through Gods blessing that I could help them The Planet afflicting was ♄ a cold dry melancholly earthy evil Planet the defect lay wholly in the Vvula or Gargarean and as men who are
the grief or infirmity out of which you must take a select number according unto their elemental qualities and virtues being rightly appropriated unto their severall planets and gathered at the right planetary hours which this Book will sufficiently instruct you dry them so that you may pound them and searce them into fine powder Then take the quantity of half a dram thereof and the like quantity of the Sympathetical powder and mix them well together in a Mortar ever after keeping the powder warm and dry and when you are minded to cure thereby you must warm the powder very well over a few coals and while its warm put a small quantity of the Patients blood into it and mix it very well together always keeping it warm and so make it up in a little bag and let the Patient wear it next their skin that so it may always be kept warm I have by virtue of this powder done many very great cures and should have still continued in this way of practice but that I found many were unsatisfied concerning the legality thereof taking it for a kind of charm by reason I ordered the patient to wear it about their necks and I believe they did the rather conceipt so in regard I did use to resolve many questions in Astrology as Thefts Strays Fugitives c. There is but one danger in this way of cure which is as followeth If the Patient happen to lose this mixture from their necks or body wheresoever worn or otherwise let it take cold the grief will be apt to return a●ain more especially if the Patient be not perfectly recovered But when the Patient is through well than they may burn it I could have inserted many cures which I have effected by vertue of this powder I shall only mention one for example as followeth about nine years ago there lived a woman in Newbery in the County of Berks she was daily troubled with fits which at the first would begin with a kind of trembling about the heart and from thence by degrees set al the arteries to work throughout her whole body after which for some hours she would be as seemingly dead and could wagg neither arm or leg for cure whereof I let her blood in the heart vein and having my powders made in readiness according unto what is before expressed I mixt some of her blood with the powder and while it was warm made it up into a little bag which I caused her to wear about her neck by vertue of which not omitting dyet-drink suitable to her condition she was in about a months space recovered notwithstanding she was near twelve moneths in this condition before she came unto me The cure being perfected her husband according unto our agreement paid me for the cure but it so chanced that within some small time after she carelesly lost this from her neck whereupon her fits began to mind her again and more and more increased insomuch that she was almost so bad as at the first for as I said before except the patient be for some time perfectly well at least a moneth the grief will be apt to return especially when the principal matter of cure is lost or neglected for it s not sufficient in any distemper whatsoever only to cure except for a time there be a perfect settlement for we daily find that relapses are very dangerous and apt to befall many who think themselves well recovered This womans husband came to me again and told me that his Wife was so bad as ever being much discontented he not knowing the reason I askt him whether she had not lost the little bag from her neck which I gave her to wear he told me he thought she had the truth is through carelessness she had lost it whereupon I once more let her blood and did as is before expressed desiring her to take care of it which she did after which she became well again and her fits left her and so hath continued well ever since as I am informed This cure being effected about eight or nine years ago The Vnguent or wonderful Oyntment for Wounds Composed of the four Elemental parts of Mans Body The Seven Planets being applyed thereunto It s making and use followeth The Ingredients The Moss of a dead Mans Scull 2. ounces Of Mans Grease 2. ounces Of Mummy ½ ounce Of Mans Blood ½ ounce Oyl of Lindseed 2. ounces Oyl of Roses 2. ounces Bolearmeniack ½ ounce The three last ingredients are the rather added unto it because it helpeth to bring it unto a subtile oyntment and without question there is also great vertue in them Elements Nature Complection Planets Water Cold and Moist Flegm Venus and Luna Fier Hot and Dry. Choller Sol and Mars Earth Cold and Dry. Melancholy Saturn Mercury Ayr. Hot and Moist Sanguine Jupiter ALL these things before mentioned must be mixt together and beaten well in a morter until it become an oyntment then keep it in a close thing from ayr for your use The way to use this Unguent whereby to cure is as followeth Take the blood or matter of the Wound upon the Weapon or Instrument which made the Wound or otherwise dry it upon a piece of wood then put the wood into the oyntment or else anoint the blood being kept dry upon the wood with the oyntment and keep it from air you must every day wet a fresh linnen rag with the Urine of the Patient and so bind up the wound do it early every morning Also you must be very careful that the oyntment which is applyed to the blood take no cold with this Unguent wonderful things may be done if it be rightly managed according unto the directions aforesaid I shall quote one example concerning the tryal of this Unguent as followeth One day being at dinner with Sir Humphrey Forrester of Aldermaston in the County of Berks. The Gentlewoman who usually waited on his Lady was extreamly tormented with the tooth-ach we caused her to prick her teeth with a tooth pick and to blood it immediately we put the tooth-pick into the ointment and the Gentlewoman had present ease after some short time we took forth the tooth-pick and put it into vinegar whereupon she was presently in extream pain We took the tooth-pick forth of the vinegar and applyed it to the unguent and she was immediately well and so continued I could have inserted many great cures done by virtue of this unguent which for brevities sake onely I am willing to omit Concerning Witchcraft and Sorcery with the cure thereof as followeth THe way to know whether the patient be bewitched or not I have already set down elsewhere in this Book I find by experience that those who are taken in the snare of witchcraft are usually afflicted in some outward limb or member of the body caused by an image made in the likeness of man or beast and through the subtilty of the Devil made at such hours and times
significator is in Square or Opposition to the Moon But if the Witches house be tiled then take a tile from over the door heat him red hot put salt into the patients water and dash it upon the red hot tile until it be consumed and let it smoke through a trivet or frame of a skillet as aforesaid 2. Another way is to get two new horseshooes heat one of them red hot and quench him in the patients urine then immediately nail him on the inside of the threshold of the door with three nailes the heel being upwards then having the patients urine set it over the fire and set a trivet over it put into it three horse nails and a little white salt Then heat the other horshooe red hot and quench him severall times in the urine and so let it boil and waste until all be consumed do this three times and let it be near the change full or quarters of the Moon or let the Moon be in Square or Opposition unto the Witches Significator 3. Another way is to stop the urine of the Patient close up in a bottle and put into it three nails pins or needles with a little white Salt keeping the urine alwayes warm If you let it remain long in the bottle it will endanger the witches life for I have found by experience that they will be grievously tormented making their water with great difficulty if any at all and the more if the Moon be in Scorpio in Square or Opposition to his Significator when it s done 4. Another way is either at the new full or quarters of the moon but more especially when the Moon is in Square or Opposition to the Planet which doth personate the Witch to let the patient blood and while the blood is warm put a little white salt into it then let it burn and smoke through a trivet I conceive this way doth more afflict the Witch then any of the other three before mentioned by reason the blood hath more life in it then the urine for the urine is accounted but as the excrement of blood The reason why the Witch is tormented when the blood or urine of the patient is burned is because there is part of the vital spirit of the Witch in it for such is the subtlety of the Devil that he will not suffer the Witch to infuse any poysonous matter into the body of man or beast without some of the Witches blood mingled with it as appeareth by the whey before mentioned For 't is the Devils policy either by this means to detect them or otherwise by torment to bring them unto their ends for the devil well knoweth that when the blood or urine of the patient is burned that the Witch will be afflicted and then they will desire to come to the place for to get ease for by the smell thereof their pain is mitigated by sympathy even as by sympathy when the blood and urine is burning they are tormented yet sometimes they will rather indure the misery of it than appear by reason country people oft times will fall upon them and scratch and abuse them shrewdly I conceive the onely reason the devil doth suck the Witches blood is mearly to detect them or otherwise one way or other to bring them to their ends and sometimes they are discovered by their tet at which place the Devil usually sucketh their blood whereby to mix with the poison which they by their wicked ways do infuse into the body of man or beast and so infect them I do find by practice and experience that few or none are bewitched by Image or Moddel alone but that there is Sorcery wrought with it for otherwise the burning of the blood or urine of the patient could no way afflict them in any sympathetick way as aforesaid having by the rules aforegoing set forth the way how to afflict the Witch I shall in the next place discover the general way of cure The way to cure both Witchcraft and Sorcery commonly called Evils or Takes HAving by a figure discovered under what planet the Patient is afflicted and in what part of the body the grief or pain lyeth whether outward in any limb or part of the body or throughout the whole body as it will sometimes fall out when the Nerves or Arteries are oppressed proceeding from the heart and brain or whether inward in the bowels guts liver lungs heart breast or stomack or be it what other disease or distemper whatsoever for as I have already declared there is no disease or distemper whatsoever but may be brought upon man or beast by witchcraft and Sorcery as I have already in several examples demonstrated If the grief pain or distemper be in the outward parts limbs or members of the body then the cure must be by bathes and ointments made antipathetical unto the afflicting planets As instance if Saturn be the afflicting planet then herbs must be used under the Sun and Jupiter If Mars be the afflicting planet then herbs must be used under the dominion of the Sun and Venus Alwayes provided that the herbs be gathered at the right planetary hours according unto their virtues and numbers If the ●rief lieth inward at the breast stomach and heart then you must chuse such herbs which are under the dominion of that planet which is antipathetical unto the afflicting planet and are good to open obstructions and to comfort the heart and arteries ever remembring in all cures to use a select number of herbs under the dominion of the Sun in regard he governeth the heart and is fountain of life a●d sole Monarch of the heavens It the grief lie in the bowels and guts then sometimes glisters must he used made with such herbs especially which are good to expel poyson being under the dominion of Sol which this book will sufficiently instruct you in together with such herbs which are of a contrary nature unto the afflicting planet but if the afflicting planet is more strong than the planet which is a contrary nature then you must chuse a small select number of herbs of his own nature which are good to cure the infirmity and mix them with the other herbs before mentioned concerning the way to make glisters bathes oyls decoctions or diet drinks and what else is meet to be used in all cures whatsoever I have already elsewhere in this book expressed Note That in the curing of all kinds of evils I do usually cause the patients to wear a select number of solary herbs gathered at the hour of the Sun the reasons I have shewed elsewhere in this book I could have been more copious in setting forth the way of curing both witchcraft and sorcery but that I have sufficiently treated thereof in the way of curing all kinds of evils before mentioned for I conceive that generally those evils before mentioned came from witchcraft and Sorcery onely some particular evils may proceed from some extraordinary distemper of the nerves