NOt without great Judg­ment doth Pliny affirm lib. 2. cap. 8 those that first under­stood the obliquity of the Zodiack, Rerum fores aperuisse: For besides that, the finding out hereof prepared the way first to find out the periodical moti­ons of the Planets. The Philosopher himself teacheth us, that the variety, generation and corruption of all things dependeth chiefly hereupon. And common experi­ence driveth us to confess the access and recess of the Sun unto the four Cardinal Points of this Circle to be the most gene­ral [Page 2] and assured cause of the years succes­sive alteration. Upon this ground I affirm the Winter quarter to take his true be­ginning at what time the Sun making his entrance into the Tropick of ♑, hath at­tain'd his greatest declination Southward from our Zenith or Vertical Point. From whence divers Impediments evident in Nature do follow, which bereave our Septentrional parts of that heat and vigor wherewith at other times the Sun being nearer, and more elevated, doth preserve and cherish the Elements, and all things composed of them, whether vegetable or sensative.

Continuance of operation what diffe­rence it causes be­tween the temperature of Summer and winter. FOr whereas first of all continuance of action doth necessarily add force of operation to all natural Agents, it cometh to pass in Winter by reason of the Suns [Page 3] remote Position, that his continuance a­bove the Horizon is shortest, and his ab­sence under the same longest, thereby now causing the shortest days, and long­est nights. For example, the Elevation of the Pole at the honorable City of Lon­don is observed to be 51. g: 32′. and the greatest declination of the Sun in this our Age is 23. g: 31′. 30″. Therfore in the Win­ter Solstice the Sun finisheth his Diurnal Ark, to them of this City in 7 hours 34 minutes, and for this consideration can heat the Air here but a little while, seeing the same is not one third of a natural day, at which time nevertheless he re­maineth hidden under the Earth more then twice so long, and so ceaseth from calefaction, imparting no benefit of his light and heat to us at all: Whereas in Summer the Sun persisteth 16 whole hours, and 26 minutes in operation, not ceasing above seven hours and a half from action, by reason of his absence under the Horizon. Wherefore look what propor­tion 7 hours 34 minutes have to 16 hou: 26 min: the like difference there shall be betwixt the Suns operation in Summer and Winter, in respect of his diverse stay [Page 4] above the Horizon, which (not to be too scrupulous) is a double proportion the one to the other.

SEcondly, In the work of the Stars Union of Beams is a thing regarded, Union of Beams, what it causeth. as of special consequence. But it is clear to them that have any insight in the Op­ticks, that in Winter the Union of the Beam, incident with the Beam reflected, is not comparable with that which the greater Altitude of the Sun causeth in Summer; and therefore the effects de­pending upon this Union, must accord­ly be increased or diminished in propor­tion. That this is true,

[Page 5]

Suppose A B in the first Figure, and C D in the second, to be two equal parts of the Earths Superficies; whereupon the Beams of the Sun E A in Winter, and G C in Summer do fall: E A in the Winter Solstice, making an Angle with the plain of the Horizon H A B, of 14. gr: 56′. 30″. viz. E A H, or E B H, be­ing the Meridian Altitude of the Sun at London upon that day. Likewise let G C K, or G D K, be admitted to irradiate the Earth at the highest Meridian Alti­tude [Page 6] in the Summer Solstice at an Angle of 61 gr. 59′. 30″. Then forasmuch as (by the principles of the Opticks) the Angles of incidence and reflection are evermore equal, A F in the first Figure, and C M in the second, being the reflected Beams, E F and G M shall be reverberated from A B and C D at like Angles with their proper incidents. Which being true, it is also evident, that because the inward Angles at C and D are greater then the inward Angles at A and B, the Triangle C L D shall of necessity be greater then the Triangle A I B. And forasmuch as the Union of the Beams, incident with the reflected, hapneth within the limits of these Triangles, therefore of consequence the Union C L D in Summer is so much greater then the Union of A I B in Win­ter, as the area of the one doth exceed the area of the other, which is about, or rather somewhat above, six to one; and being joyned to the former difference, as is usual in addition of proportions, prov­eth, that this difference of Union, toge­ther with the Suns stay in Summer, cau­seth the heat to exceed that which we re­ceive in Winter above twelve times.

A Third Reason of the difference and Quantity of Beams. diminution of heat in Winter proceedeth from the small quantity of Beams which then illustrate the Earths Superficies, in comparison of that which the Sun sendeth down to us in Summer. For as the specifical qualities of the rest of the Stars accompany their light, so it is also true, that the heat of the Sun is con­veyed unto us by his Beams. Wherefore the fewer the Beams be which fall upon the Horizon, the less also shall be the heat. And forasmuch as in Winter the Sun darteth them more oblique then in Summer; therefore it is evident, that there shall not so many Beams fall upon the plain of the Horizon at the oblique Position of the Sun in Winter, as when he approacheth nigher to a perpendicu­larity in Summer. To demonstrate this,

[Page 8]

Suppose Q O, and Q P, to be two di­vers Superficies of the Earth, upon which the same Beams A Q do shine diversly; that is, perpendicularly upon the Super­ficies Q O, but obliquely upon the Super­ficies Q P. Then I say, that the Triangle Q O P, whose Angle at O is by supposi­tion a right angle, the side Q P, which subtendeth the said Angle must be great­er then the side Q O, by the 18 of the first [Page 9] of Euclide. And yet from hence we see it followeth, that all the light which is shed upon Q P, the oblique, but greater Super­ [...]cies, shall fall notwithstanding upon Q O, the less, but directly subject to the Beams A Q. If moreover we take a [...]pace Q V in the greater Superficies, which by construction shall be equal to Q O, and from N to V draw down a pa­rallel to the line A O P, it is evident that the Beam N Q; wherewith the Super­ficies Q V is illuminated, is but a part of the Beams A Q. For which Reason the Superficies Q V shall participate but part also of that heat which is communi­cated to the Superficies Q O, being di­rectly subject to the Beam Q A, which also was manifest enough even by the precedent Figures, where the Winter Beams E A, compared with the Summer Beams G D, are next hand in proportion but as one to four, by reason whereof the Sun hardly imparteth ¼ of that light and heat to us at his Meridional height in the Winter Solstice, which we feel from his highest Position in the Summer. This Diminution, considered with the former Impediments, leaveth us not above the [Page 10] forty eight part of that heat in Winter, which we receive in Summer from the Sun.

NEither can we be rightly said to Crassitude of the Air. have the full fruition of this porti­on of Heat in Winter, by reason that the crassitude or thickness of the Air is then more object to the Suns oblique Beams then in Summer, and doth there­by resist and hinder them more now then in Summer. For proof hereof,

[Page 11] let D F H represent the superficies of the Earth: I G N, the convex superfi­cies of the cloudy or vaporous Region: And suppose the Sun to shine upon F, the place of our habitation, from three several points, Z, A, B. Z being the ver­tical point over our heads, A the Suns Summer height, B his altitude in Win­ter (as before was expressed:) So Z F, A F, and B F, shall be the Suns Beams, part whereof, viz. G F, K F, and M F, we see are in a sort obscured, hindered, and resisted by the vaporous Air. But now for as much as (by the 7 of the 3 of Eucli­de) G F is shorter then K F, & K F then M F, therfore the Sun shal of necessity feel less impediment in the Zenith at Z, then at A, and by consequence at A, then at B. because still the further the Sun is re­moved from the Zenith, the longer is the passage of the Sun-beams through the opposite air. Now to attain Geo­metrically to the proportion of the Suns debilitated force, through this impedi­ment; we are first to agree how deep or thick this cloudy Region of the air that [...]efringeth the Sun-beams may be: which our late Artists, to whom greatest cre­dit [Page 12] is to be given, as they have been more conversant and curious in the observati­on hereof, then their Predecessors, do all agree not to extend three English miles in the Perpendicular G F, as is plain un­to The depth of Vapor­ous Air wherein we live. them that are acquainted with the Disputations of Tycho, Rothman, Kepler, and others. For we must here distinguish between the matter of the crepusculum, and this vaporous air, which is so little elevated above the Earth, that hardly we may live upon the tops of some hills (as Aristotle testified of Olympus) without applying a Sponge to the nostrils for want of this thick air which we use in respiration: The like doth Josephus A­costa witness unto us of the Seres in Peru, which are hardly passable by such as labor to overcome their height; be­cause the air, before they came to the tops of these hills, groweth so subtil and attenuated. And to add something of my own experience, my self having made some tryals of the height of the Clouds, as well in the heat of Summer, as at other times, could never yet finde them more lifted up above the super­ficies of the Earth, then 236. perches. [Page 13] Wherefore admitting G F, which is the part of the Perpendicular line that penetrateth the gross Air to be three miles, and F C, the semidiamiter of the Earth, to be 3436 miles, and the Summer and Winter heights as be­fore; it will be manifest by suppu­tation, that whereas K F shall pierce but four miles, or thereabouts, M F shall pass twelve, and somewhat more. So that the opposition and impe­diment which the Sun-beams do suffer in Winter, is triple to that which they feel in their Summer passage, and doth there­fore weaken the Suns force in that pre­paration. And being added to the rest of the causes before specified, doth de­monstratively prove (all together consi­dered) that the heat in Summer excelleth that which we receive in Winter in pro­portion, as 144. is to 1. In explaining whereof I have been the more curious, because that which is here demonstrated concerning the Suns apparition, is like­wise to be applyed to the rest of the Planets, which moving under the same Circle that the Sun doth, shall receive the like addition or abatement of force, and [Page 14] therefore of singular moment to be ob­served in all Judgments.

BUt we must further consider, that although these four causes are most evident upon the very Solstitial days, yet it is not always of necessity that upon them we always feel the greatest heat or cold. But there is yet another general cause to be added, which in respect of it self doth commonly aggravate the bitter­ness of Winter about the beginning of February. The Reason whereof Kep­ler doth resolutely ascribe to Privation In fundam. Astrolog. Thes. 12 & 19. onely, with Cardan, further denying Cold to be a positive quality, and with him Picus, that any specifical vertue doth descend unto us from Heaven, be­sides Light and Heat; and therefore saith [Page 15] that the Air, Water, and Earth, being naturally destitute of Heat, as they are material and thick Bodies, are neither [...]uddenly warmed, nor suddenly cold, but conceiving Heat in June when the [...]un is at the highest, do accumulate it [...]nto the Heat of July and August after [...]he same manner, and for the same Rea­ [...]on, that the heat of the day in the after­ [...]oon is greater then at high noon, until [...]he Sun, after his declining by degrees [...]rom us, doth also by little & little with­draw his heat from these Elements, which [...]hen return to their former Nature, and [...]o necessarily admit Cold in the absence [...]f Heat, which still prevaileth more and more by the Suns long discontinuance [...]rom us, until after February be past, [...]e begin to recover some part of his [...]orce again.

WHereunto, because it concerneth the very Foundation of Astro­logie, I must crave leave to answer, not doubting but if I can demonstrate that both Cold and all the rest of the first qualities do proceed essentially from Heaven, and are onely to be found by accident in the Elements, that this will give the Reader, who be­fore stood in doubt, good satisfacti­on. And the better to clear this point, I will first shew, that Heat is nei­ther essential to the Light, nor so insepa­rably united unto it, but that they are and may be severed as diverse in Nature; whereby it will likewise follow, that the rest of the qualities may concur with Light as well as Heat. This done, I will secondly make it plain that Cold is no privation, but a positive quality, and that neither it nor the rest of the qualities can originally be referred to the Ele­ments, [Page 17] but of consequence to Heaven, yea, and that without any incongruity in Philosophy, whatsoever the Peripate­ticks and their followers have heretofore thought. Which thus premised, the Rea­der shall be the better prepared to be­lieve both that this common Intension in February is to be ascribed (as Astrologie teacheth) partly to those parts of Heaven, which the Sun doth then pass by, partly to such Constellations as do then rise and set; and also the better to conceive how the Intensions & Remissions of every season may grow by the particular passions of the Planets and the rest of the Stars, and not from naked Privation, as Kep­ler would have it.

ANd now to prosecute these things in order: First, I affirm, That al­though we see Heat and Light to descend joyntly with the Beams of the Sun, yet [Page 18] it doth not concomitate the light of all the Stars; for that heat is nei­ther the substance of the light, (for assertion whereof Scaliger justly repre­hendeth Exercitat. 75. Cardane,) nor more to be con­founded with light then sight, then sight is to be confounded with touch, where­of Light and Heat are proper Objects. For as we cannot feel the Light, nor see the Heat; so those Senses which are not always joyntly exercised together (as we see, and not feel, and feel, and not see) do teach us, that Light and Heat are di­vers qualities, and both in reason and na­ture may be conceived to subsist the one without the other. This will best ap­pear by the diffinition of both, which evermore expresseth the nature of the thing in question. Forasmuch therefore as Heat is that quality which doth con­gregate Heat or Hotness defined. homogeneal things, and separate those that are heterogeneal, which agree­eth not to the property of the Light, which is brought unto us by the Beams of the Stars, the same being defined (ac­cording to Alhazen and Vitellio) to be Light defi­ned, or ra­ther light­somness. only The Species or Image of the inhe­rent Light of the Sun or Star from [Page 19] whence it is sent: There is nothing more evident then that that Heat which is con­veyed unto us with the beams of the Sun, is of a divers nature from the light thereof. For both Sence and Experience do prove, That Heat is no Image or simi­litude, but a real and active quality, which how it should subsist in an Image as in the subject, or how Light should subsist in Heat, being likewise an accidental quality, are difficulties which in my judg­ment will not easily be answered, except we can prove, that one accident may be the subject of another, which is against all Philosophy. This then alone, although it doth sufficiently prove, that Light and Heat are two divers qualities; yet to make it more apparent, dayly observation doth shew, That one may be and remain in the absence of the other, as we see in Attrition, where Heat is excited without Light, and so we may exclude the Light, when nevertheless the heat of the Sun shall remain. And though the Earth, and the rest of the Elements, retein the im­pression of the former day, yet doth nei­ther the Earth, Air, or Water, shine after the Sun is set: Wherefore if Heat may [Page 20] thus exist, and be separated from the light; and it be also true (as before hath been shewed) that the one cannot sub­sist in the other, what may be more clear then that for these Reasons Light and Heat are two diverse qualities, and that Light can neither be the essence of Heat, nor Heat of Light? Truly therefore doth Durandus distinguish of their properties, teaching us, that the property of Light is only to illuminate, and that it is not of the essence thereof either to heat or in­frigidate; Sed (saith he) duntaxat me­rito corporis in quo inest, ut si virtute calidum sit, &c. So then the heat, which accompanieth the light of the Sun, is not to be said any property of light, but in truth to be referred to the Suns occult and specifick Virtue: as with like rea­son I do affirm, and hereafter will prove, That the rest of the first qualities, toge­ther with the special properties of every Star, doth accompany Light as well as Heat. For it is clear, that there be many Light in many na­tural Bo­dies, which yet be actu­ally cold. lightsom bodies which do not heat, but are rather actually cold, as for example, the Diamond, Carbuncle, and other pre­cious Stones, besides the Eyes, Heads, [Page 21] and Scales of Fishes, and the Sea it self, which in tempestuous weather doth re­present huge mountains of light. Yet to affirm that the Sea burns, would be re­puted by the common Proverb, no better then a plain lye. So false is it, that light is always the cause of heat, and proceed­eth only from such bodies as are of a hot nature; which I could yet further am­plifie by experience that I have made in Reflections, it being certain that Spheri­cal Concaves, or Parabolical Sections, will as sensibly reflect the actual cold of Snow or Ice, as it will the heat of the Sun. Wherefore if Cold may accompa­ny the reflected Light, why not the origi­nal Cold ac­companieth reflected Light. Light it self? Neither do I desire herein my bare word to go for payment, but do further remit him that shall call this in doubt unto his own practise, and the Testimonies of Maginus, who, in the Representations of his Glass sent to the Emperor, doth confirm the same in these words: Species esse sensu tactus perceptibilis, ut apparet ex lumine can­delae, item ex nive & glacie infrigidante per suam imaginem remotè admodum. And my self have often made the like [Page 22] tryal of the full Moon, which neverthe­less The light of the Moon not to be hot, found by reflexi­on. is reflected without any heat at all that sense can perceive, notwithstanding that the same Glass doth sensibly rever­berate heat with the light of a small can­dle, and reflecteth the beams of the Sun with that force, that it inflameth all com­bustible matter in an instant, and causeth Lead to run. Whereunto then may it be imputed, that the Moon shining with her borrowed light, doth not sensibly warm, as well when it is projected from the Sun? Will they answer that the Suns light is debilited by reflection from the Moon? But if they maintain heat always to accompany light, then this is no an­swer. And though I should yield that it may weaken the heat also, and cause calefaction in a lesser degree, yet this doth not satisfie how so glorious a Light as the full Moon doth yield, especially in Winter, should be deprived of all heat, when the same is collected, re-united, and multiplied again, in which case as well all Beams are as well strengthened by reflection, as weakened without his help. Add hereunto, that the greatest Frosts happen in the fairest Moon-shine [Page 23] nights, which proveth Cold to accom­pany her light. VVherefore I rather af­firm this to be another notable Argu­ment, proving Light of an indifferent na­ture, neither hot nor cold of it self, but to participate of the quality of the star, or other body from whence it is reflect­ed, seeing the same light which from the Sun causeth heat, hath no such qua­lity reflected from the Moon, but rather the contrary, and divers from it, the force thereof chiefly shewing it self in cold and moisture. But if Keplers opinion were true, that Cold were nothing but a meer Privation, this could not be: and there­fore leaving that which hath been al­ready alledged to the Judgment of the learned, I hold it very material, accord­ing to the order formerly propounded, to prove next, That Cold is a positive quality.

ANd first I demand of Kepler, or any that maintaineth his Opinion, if Cold be ascribed to nothing but priva­tion of Heat by the Suns long absence, how it cometh to pass, that one VVinter doth far exceed another in extremity of Cold? Will he answer that the Sun is more remote, or longer absent from us, one year then another? It were too ri­diculous, knowing that the Sun hath his limits prescribed, which he never did transgress, neither can, without violating the Law of Nature. The uniform course of the Sun therefore can be no cause of this variety of one year from ano­ther: Neither (if it be well considered) Privation can be no cause of Cold. can Privation be any cause of Cold at all. For seeing Privation is no nature in Be­ing, but only an imaginary noncens, how can that which is not have any action as­cribed unto it? Such a cold therefore could not refrigerate, and so in truth can [Page 25] be no cold at all. But on the contrary, we see that Cold is such a quality, as actually constringeth Hail, Snow, Frost, and other congealed Meteors; it con­denseth the flowing Superficies of the Water into a firm glassie Substance; it chilleth the Blood, and benumeth the Sense with the extremity thereof: And to be short, through the real existence of this quality in any Subject, we see it giveth the same denomination of Cold, and that the Sense is able to judg it so: But it were absurd to say we could feel that which is not, and against all Reason and Philosophy to ascribe these effects unto such a thing as resteth only in imaginati­on but hath no Being in Nature. Where­fore this Error in this Point is as palpable as the Cold it self. And to add some­what more unto that which I have alrea­dy said, I see not how this can be admit­ [...]ed, except we will further reduce Pha­ [...]etons world again. For if there be no positive nature to moderate and resist the multiplyed heat of the stars; it can­not be but in continuance of time all the whole frame of the world must be set on fire. For so long as the stars [Page 26] shine, they still affirm succeeding heat to descend with their light, whereupon it doth necessarily follow, that if there be no positive nature to refrigerate, all must needs be inflamed. They must therefore first remove the Sun and Stars out of Heaven, before they can establish their vain Cold by absence and privation of Heat. Which were it granted unto them, see further how, whilst they avoyd Scylla, they fall into Charybdis. For as on the one side Privation, being a meer Negative, hath no action, and therefore (as hath been proved) cannot mode­rate the heat conceived in Summer: So on the other side, suppose Cold once induced into the world by privation of Heat, and it will be as impossible to re­store Heat again by the return of the Sun, or any other natural means, as to give life to a dead man. For a priva­tione ad habitum nullus est regressus. As for their simile or example, it will do them small service: For seeing that betwixt twelve and two in the after­noon the Sun continueth his action still without interruption, their own rea­son will teach them, that this is not [Page 27] ad idem. For we speak of the intend­ed qualities of the Seasons, where, by intercourse of the nights, they must needs confess an intermission of the Suns appearation, which alone (as we read) serveth greatly to qualifie the Suns order to them that dwell under the Aequinoctial. Wherefore to con­clude this Point also: forasmuch as Cold is the opposite quality to Heat, which of it self is by Kepler and Cardane confessed to have a real existence in Nature: They must also be driven to acknowledge Cold to be more then a meer Negation and Privation, be­cause it is impossible that that which is not habituall can be actually con­trary to a particular Nature in Be­ing.

HAving therefore (as I take it) suf­ficiently proved Cold to be a posi­tive quality, the next thing which in order offereth it self to be decided, is, whereunto we shall originally refer the same with the rest of the first qualities. And forasmuch as the whole Systeme of the world is distinguished into two parts, Celestial or Elementary, we must of necessity primarily derive them from the one or the other. But I will prove, That they are only by accident, and not essentially, in the Elements; wherefore of consequence originally to be ascribed to the heavenly Bodies. I know they are commonly placed in the definition of the Elements, and therefore they define Air to be hot and moist, Wa­ter cold and moist, Earth cold and dry. But if it be better considered, we may more truly say with Roslinus, That the [Page 29] Elements rather essentially differ one Wherein the Elements differ essen­tially. from another in other qualities, which are as it were the off-spring of these, as in rariety, density, levity, gravity, li­quidness, softness, transparancy, opaci­ty: For so is the Earth, an heavy, thick, dark, firm and stable Element. The Wa­ter likewise soft, flowing, and navigable. The Air light, rare, liquid, and perme­able; and so tempered one to another in proportion, that as the Air, in the rari­ty and liquidness thereof, is to the soft­ness and flowing nature of the Water, so is the like constitution of the Water unto the density and firmness of the Earth; neither thin nor thick in extre­mity, but of a middle temperature be­tween both. And in a word, they are all proportioned to the heavenly Bodies, but as the matter of things meerly pas­sive, Arist. li. 1. Met. cap. 4. Zabar. li. 1. de qualit. Element. cap. 2. Tolet. 2. de gen. & cor. 2. q. 1. p. 309. Scalig. exer. 18. not having their first qualities essen­tially in themselves, but by accident from Heaven. Thus teacheth Aristotle himself, and thus says his Expositors, Zabarella, Toletus, Scaliger, and o­thers. Neither do I rest upon their au­thority alone, but upon their firm and evident Reasons. For were these the [Page 30] essential forms of the Elements, they Form ad­mitteth not of intention and remis­sion. Axi. But Heat and Cold are intend­ed and re­mitted in the Ele­ments; Ergo these qualities are not for­mally in the Elements. could not be intended and remitted, be­cause it is against the principle which denyeth form to admit intension and re­mission. But these qualities are some­times more or less in the Elements; wherefore neither can they be affirmed their essential forms, neither can the E­lements themselves be said the first sub­jects of Heat, Cold, Moisture, and Sic­city, considering that both Experience and Sence teacheth us, that they be neither hot nor cold, but indifferently disposed to the receiving of all the qua­lities, and not more capable of the one then the other. For example, to them in a right sphere the Air is always hot, by reason of the perpendicularity of the Sun beams. To us it is variable, some­times hot, sometimes cold, sometimes moist, and sometimes dry. And to them nearer the North Pole for the most part cold. Nay, which is more absurd, were these qualities formally in the Elements, we should of necessity be driven to con­stitute two forms in every Element an­swerable to the two first qualities as­cribed to every one of them, and those [Page 31] not differing secundum magis & minus, but in the highest degree of perfection, and that in such sort also as they might not be reputed of the same special kind, but to vary one from another. For if the moisture of the Air should not differ from the moisture of the Water, confusion would follow, and so no di­stinction at all of the Elements. And yet if these qualities be admitted of a divers species instead of four, we must constitute eight first qualities. Where­fore I take it very clear, that seeing the Absurdi [...] following upon ad­mitting the first quali­ties to be formally or essentially in the Ele­ments. first four qualities cannot originally be derived from the Elements, necessity will infer by consequence, that their first inherence is in the inward forms of the heavenly Bodies, from whence by acci­dent (as Aristotle teacheth) and not otherwise, they are conveyed into the Elements.

WHich being true, it will not be labour lost, after these grounds thus laid, to borrow a little more pati­ence for examination of the Reason why Picus, Cardane, Kepler, with others, frankly confessing heat to descend with the light of the Stars, are nevertheless so nice to subscribe to the derivation of the rest of the qualities from Heaven: The consideration whereof will also some­thing explain unto us the differing maner between their inherence in the Stars, and in the Elements. And surely I find none other Reason of their doubt in this Point, but that they fear if contrary qualities should originally be found in Heaven, we must withall induce action and pas­sion between the heavenly Bodies, and so by consequence, generation and cor­ruption, [Page 33] whereof the Peripateticks may not abide to hear. Which Objection may diversly be answered. For first, whatsoever the Peripateticks have held, we know the world to have had a be­ginning, and therefore even by their own doctrine it shall have an end. And the Alteration in Heaven by experi­ence exem­plified, as well as by Reason con­firmed. experience of latter times hath sufficient­ly proved Heaven subject to alteration: as is evident by that Spot which, in the time of Charls the Great, continued 8. or 9. days in the Sun, being by Historio­graphers (though ignorantly) reputed to be Mercury. For Copernicus after sup­putation Lib. 1. ca▪ 10. findeth it not to be Mercury, but a prodigious Meteor, which could not happen but in the Sphaere of the Sun, considering it accompanied the Sun it self so long time together. The like, Buntingus, Gemma Frisius, and others, report of that strange and bloody obscu­rity, which Anno 1547. did so darken the Sun three whole days together, as the stars for the most part were seen at high noon. But what need I run to forraign Testimonies? when all London can bear me witness of the like Blot, which in the year 1604. 11. and 12. of Octob. appear­ed [Page 34] first a little above the South-East Pe­riphery of the Sun, and seemed to move by little and little unto the center of his Globe. And whereunto shall we refer the illumination and extinguishing of the Comets and new Stars, which in this our age have been observed to flame in Hea­ven it self? Do they not all demonstra­tively prove generation and corruption in Heaven? True it is, that by reason of our remote distance from the heavenly By reason of the im­mense di­stance of Heaven, the altera­tions there not sensible. Spheres, we cannot by sense attain to every particular alteration which hapneth there. And therefore Aristotle neither being acquainted with the Worlds Crea­tion, nor in former ages finding any alte­ration in Heaven, but still receiving by tradition, that the Planets, the fixed Stars, their motions, and the medium in which they are, remained the same, while in the mean time the Earth and Elements are dayly subject unto divers changes fami­liar to our eyes, concludeth from Experi­ence, Heaven to be priviledged from al­mutation, but the Elements to be ob­noxious thereunto. But could either A­ristotle be informed, that now this latte [...] age (more diligent then the former) hat [...] [Page 35] observed new bodies in Heaven, or were it possible that our mortal eyes might from the Heavens behold the Earth, as now from the Earth we behold them: I verily am perswaded, that both the Philosopher would change his opinion, and that we should from Heaven behold as little alteration in the Globe of the Earth, as now we observe in Heaven. He that listeth to read more of this mat­ter, let him peruse Kepler himself, cap. 23. de Nova Stella, where he doth pur­posely treat of this Subject, and proveth by five particular Reasons, That the mat­ter of Heaven is alterable. Which if it be true, then is their Argument from the consequence of alteration of no force a­gainst the first qualities in Heaven, but rather to be retorted upon themselves in this manner. That because there is a generation and alteration demonstra­tively observed, ergo the first qualities may likewise be affirmed there as fit In­struments of these Mutations. But ne­vertheless leaving this Doctrine in sus­pence, because it is new: Yet is not our Cause so needy, but that I dare o­therwise undertake to prove the Con­sequent [Page 36] of the Reason to be false, for that The second Reason shewing, that the admitting of the Stars to produce the first qualities, doth not necessarily induce al­teration in themselvs. the Stars may very well be justified to have divers and contrary virtues, with­out admitting any passion in the heaven­ly Bodies. For Astra agere quod in se­ipsis non est, is no rare Maxim among the learned, some of whom use this distin­ction between the differing manner of these qualities in the Stars otherwise then in the Elements, by supposing them in the first only effective, and in the latter subjective: Because (as they will have it) the Stars are not actually hot or cold, but virtualiter; that is, they have a certain power to produce Heat and Cold, and the rest of the qualities in the other bodies out of themselves, which nevertheless are not in themselves. But for mine own part, I freely confess not well to conceive this subtilty (though it be Scaligers) how the Sun not being habitually hot, yet nevertheless can burn. Rather to go more directly to the work, The third Reason granting the hea­venly Bodies to be actually hot or cold, yet without mutual action or Passion, by reason of the Preogative of the matter. I hold the efficacy of the Stars to pro­ceed from that natural virtue which is [Page 37] originally inherent in themselves, which notwithstanding shall never the more subject these excellent Bodies to altera­tion. For as the Load-stone (more pre­cious then any Diamond) hath in many points a singular affinity with Heaven, so it doth not fail to lend us a most lively example, how contraries may be found in the same natural body without de­struction thereof. For what can be more contrary then attraction & repulsion Yet if the Needle be touched with the North Pole of the Load-stone, it is certain, that as that part will attract the same, so the contrary Pole or End will make it fly away, yet without any danger or passion in the stone it self. Why should we not therefore believe, that as Heaven is far more excellent then these sublunary Bo­dies, so it should be endowed with all the virtues which are found here beneath in a far more excellent manner, and with­out any prejudice to the purity of the matter whereof it consisteth. For if the Matter be not proportioned unto the power of the Agent, no effect can follow. But even by the Doctrine of the Peripa­teticks such is the matter of Heaven, [Page 38] consisting of a simple and fift essence free from all passion, ergo although we do admit contrary qualities to flow from the Stars, yet shall this work no alterati­on, because the matter of Heaven is not an apt subject for this purpose. And for this Reason we may not consider these qualities, as they are found in the Elements, or mixt Bodies, whose matter is passive, but rather as they are inherent in a simple and pure essence, priviledged from corruption, being for this cause called by Aristotle, agentes, [...], thereby to distinguish them from those inferior things which are mutually subject to action and passion, because they consist of elementary matter. I doubt not therefore but by this which hath been said it doth sufficiently appear, That in this Controversie between the Stars and the Elements, these celestial and pure Lights have obtained priority, as first indued by God with natural power by their motion, Light and secret influ­ence to excite and stir up Heat, Cold, Moisture and Siccity in these sublunary Bodies subordinate unto them, according to their several virtues.

WHerefore now to return from whence I digressed: Having thus prepared the way, I may the more boldly proceed, and with better assu­rance, according to the Rules of Astro­logie, ascribe this increase of Cold, which commonly hapneth about February, partly unto the complexion of that Sign which the Sun then passeth, partly to the apparent rising and setting of those Con­stellations which ordinarily agree to this moneth. And first concerning that part of Heaven which the Sun then holdeth, we are to know that it is the Dominion of Saturn, whose influence excelleth in exciting Cold, (as in that which follows I hope infallibly to demonstrate,) the same being diametrically opposite unto the Royal Pallace of the Sun, which a­lone, to those that repose in the principles [Page 40] delivered by Astrologers, is sufficient Reason in this case. But if any there be that doth doubt thereof, and whether the matter of Heaven may admit variety as well as the Stars, I doubt not but to satisfie him also, partly by Reason, partly by undoubted Exper [...]ence.

For first, whereas we see the forms of di­vers The first Reason drawn from the sympathy of these inferior thing [...] with the Parts of Heaven. things in this sublunary world appa­rantly to consent both with certain Stars, and with the particular Regions of Hea­ven, Reason teacheth us, that this can proceed from no other probable cause in Nature, then from the sympathy or agree­able temperature of their Substances. And that one or two examples may stand for many, we see the North part of Heaven particularly to affect Iron, that hath either layn long North and South in some old building, or that otherwise hath bin forg'd at such a position, as precisely respecteth the same. But above all, who is so ignorant of the like impression in the Load-stone, as that he knoweth not the Mariner thereby to shape his Course, and to be further able (by the ingenious diligence of our Countryman Mr D Gilbert) to give the elevation of the Pole whereso­ever [Page 41] he be come? Considering therefore that this distinction of Regions is not to be ascribed to any Star, but to the whole Systeme or Body of Heaven, therefore here we see directly a re­spective quality impressed in these Sub­jects, which cannot be ascribed to any thing but the matter of Heaven.

Again, whereas even Picus himself, The second Reason bor­rowed from Valesius de sacra Philoso­phia. and the Enemies of Astrologie, do grant thus much to Aristotle, That if Heaven were quiet, and stood still, nothing could have motion; which granted, it also fol­loweth, according to the proportion of the first motions which are proper to Heaven, That all the natural motions of inferior things are both excited and or­dinated: Valesius demandeth whether Heaven simply performeth the same by the motion thereof, or by accident. By simply he meaneth, as if Heaven did com­municate this motion only because it is moved. By accident, as if by moving is communicateth an accidental faculty of motion unto other things: as when the hand moveth the candle to flax; the hand by his own motion moveth the candle, and so burneth the flax or straw; the [Page 42] one by it self, because it doth not other­wise move the candle, then by the moti­on of the hand: but it doth the other by accident, because by moving of the hand and the candle, it also conveyeth the flame, which burneth of it self. If there­fore Heaven, by the motion thereof, doth immit any motive faculty unto things, by help whereof they are moved, then hath it of necessity another virtue of moving besides the own Motion. But if Picus, to avoyd this, deny Heaven to impart any such virtue, and persist in this opinion, that Heaven moveth because it is moved: Then saith Valesius, it shall not skill of what matter Heaven consisteth; seeing this effect would as well follow, if Hea­ven were of wood, mettal, or stone, and were withall carryed about. But this could not be: For if a wooden Sphere were turned about circularly over our heads, why should a stone and smoak (for example) move, in a streight line, the one upward, the other downward? For whatsoever moveth another, it doth it either by impulsion, attraction, voluta­tion, or vection. But a stone falling, is neither drawn, thrust forward, carryed, [Page 43] or turned about by Heaven; seeing the same falleth in a streight line: Wherefore Valesius strongly concludeth, That the matter of Heaven concurreth with those things that are moved by immitting some virtue which moveth every thing in the kind, which yet is diverse from the circu­lar motion it self.

Besides, if that be true which Aristo­tle, The third Reason from the definition of a Star according to Aristo­tle. and with him hitherto Schools of Philosophy, do teach in the definition of a Star, That there is no difference be­tween the same, and the Orb wherein it is fixed, but that the Star is Densior pars ejusdem; Then I say, it doth unanswer­ably follow, That as the Stars differ one from another in Motion, Magnitude, Colour, and Virtue; so likewise those parts of Heaven wherein they are fixed must needs admit the like variety of na­ture and qualities. If any following the late opinion of Tycho, and others, shall here deny the Stars to be fixed, and in­herent in the matter of Heaven, and af­firm the substance thereof to be liquid, giving way as the Stars move through the same: I answer, That besides it will be incomprehensible in a mans un­derstanding, [Page 44] how all Stars should finish the diurnal motion from East to West, and yet in the same moment strive with a contrary Endeavor in that which we call the proper motions from the West to the East; and that which is more, at once both ascend and descend from or neerer to the Earth. They shall hardly in the end be able to make this their con­ceit stand with the motion of [...], which (as it is evident to Sense) is the ve­ry substance and matter of the Heaven it self, differing only from the rest of Hea­ven in whiteness of colour. And yet we see both the same Stars now contained within the latitude thereof, and others to describe and limit the tract of this Cir­cle, as it crosseth the Zodiack from one Tropick to the other, which Ptolomy did comprehend, & define the same by, in his Li. Alma­gesti. time; which to my poor understanding doth infallibly prove, That the fixed Stars at the least are inherent and fastened in the matter of Heaven, for that otherwise the Substance of this Circle could not now be found equally moved from the Aequinoctial Points with the Stars that were then in and about the same. I might [Page 45] yet confirm this further by that Sympa­thy which is found betwixt the Points of Heaven in the time of Conception and Nativities, and betwixt the figure of the Fathers Nativity and the Sons: but for brevity sake I remit him that will be better informed to Kep­ler. Li. de No­va Stell [...] ca. 10.

And now to confirm these Reasons by Experience; I know not what better course to take, then to appeal to their Testimony who have travelled into A­merica, in whose stories we read, That the same parts of Heaven, both to them and us, retain the same qualities. For thus Johannes Lerius, in the History of Lerius, ca. 4 his Navigation into Brasile, affirmeth, That their Ship passed the Aequinoctial the day before the Nones of February, which was about the fourth of that moneth, at what time nevertheless the Sun being in Aquarius he complaineth of great Tempests, extream and corrupt rain, with inconstant and tempestuous storms of winde. And no less (if not more) notable is that which I find in Josephus Acosta, whose words, for the Readers better satisfaction, as they lie [Page 46] in the English Translation, I will set Lib. 2. de Nat. Novi orbis. ca. 3. pag. 85. . in editione Collon. A­grip. p. 68. down, as followeth.

Hitherto Acosta. By which it appeareth, that the Sun in the same Signs causeth like effects to them beyond the Aequinoctial, that at the same time he produceth here to us, the fairest or foulest weather hapning to both at the same instant: which may satisfie the most obstinate in this point, seeing throughout the whole world the same parts of Heaven keep still the same qua­lity. Thus much therefore shall suffice concerning the general constitutions of the Seasons, as the same chiefly depend upon the Sun, and the parts of Heaven which he passeth.

BUt as for the Intension hapning by the fixed Stars, it shall hereafter be handled by it self, as I come to the same in order, forasmuch as the greatest dispo­sition of weather may and doth admit Intension and Remission in the particular parts thereof for divers other causes; we must likewise have respect unto them: Amongst which the first that offereth it self unto our Consideration, is the place or Position of the Planets, who moving Our sharp­ [...]st Winters by Saturns Position, when he is in Perigaeo Excentri­ci & E­picycli, viz. in the end of II, confirmed by demon­stration & experience. under the Zodiack, shall for the same Reasons receive the same increase and abatement of force in their Operations, which before I have proved the Sun to receive. For considering the power of Saturn consisteth chiefly in cold and con­gealed Meteors, it followeth for an in­fallible Maxim, That we are then pinch­ed with the sharpest and longest Winters, when Saturn having surmounted the Ae­quinoctial, [Page 49] shineth in the Septentrional Signs nearest our heads; by means whereof, as the Suns force beginneth to grow weak, during his scituation in those Signs, his cold influence shall prevail still more & more, as well because of his slow motion, and long continuance in one place, as also by reason of the more di­rect projection of his Beams, and great described Ark above the Horizon. In all which respects his impression must then be more forcible, and the rather, that he then consisteth above the Perigae­on of his Orbs, and so becometh the nearest the Earth that he can approach, which still addeth much to his efficacy. And that experience doth confirm thus much, I refer the Reader to Pontanus, and Valentinus Nabod, in his Comenta­ry upon Alcabitius, and also to Reisue­rus Li. 1. Prop. 17. his Opticks, where illustrating this Proposition, That All light the nearer it is, the more strongly it doth illuminate the Object, he hath these words.

Here therefore they that will be satisfied, may behold De­monstration as well as Experience, for which cause I hold it needless to com­memorate any further examples hereof, especially seeing it is not so long since the year 1591, at what time being likewise Ann. 1591. the like. placed in II, as well as the years immedi­ately before and after, the effects of his cold influence were so lasting and hurtful, specially to sheep that perished in the deep of Snows, as I know they cannot be yet forgotten. Notwithstanding it shall not be immaterial to add this out of Functi­us his Chronology, that in Anno 1427. he noteth the Winter to pass away without cold; For (saith he) it was Hyems sive frigore. Whereupon calculating Saturns place for that time, I find it in the midst of ♐, the sign of his greatest distance from the Earth, where he suffereth all the debilities which before I have shew­ed [Page 51] the Sun to do in Winter, and therefore material to be considered for our pur­pose. For though he be not in ♑, yet seeing both those Signs have equal decli­nation, I hold it all one. The like ob­servation therefore I desire them that im­pugn this Art most, and are not obstinate, to make for their own satisfaction, and I know that when they find Saturn to have been and to continue still in his greatest remotion and weakness, they cannot but subscribe unto his virtue in cold effects, seeing it is so manifestly con­firmed, that generally our Winters are the coldest when he is strongest in ope­ration, and so milde and temperate when his Beams are not able to express their qualities.

NExt the scituation and place of the Planets, that Intension and Remis­sion which hapneth by these Passions that [Page 52] result from their motion through the A­namaly of their Eccentricks and Epi­cycles, are not unfit to be considered. Not that the diversity of Motions alter­eth the nature of the Planets, which is ever the same, but because in regard hereof they work not after one manner in every place, nor yet alike in the same place at the same position, but diversly in all places, as the force of their operation is increased or diminished through this diversity of their particular motions, and then diversly applyed by the diurnal Re­volution of the Heavens unto the matter of sublunary things. For as is well known to those that are acquainted with the The­oricks, the Center of their Orbs differing from the Center of the World, causeth them in respect of us to move irregularly, as sometimes Directly, according to the succession of the Signs; sometimes Re­trograde, and against their order: their Motion also for the same Reason being sometimes swift, sometimes slow, and sometimes nothing at all but stationary. Which great diversity must of necessity cause variety in the manner of their ope­ration. For as the motion of a Planet [Page 53] that is direct, doth greatly avail to his A direct Planet lon­ger above the Horizon then a re­trograde, which is the reason why Retro­gradation is reputed a Debility in respect of it self. long stay and continuance above the Ho­rizon, in that it comprehendeth more then one intire period of the Aequinocti­al in his diurnal Revolution: So that Planet which is Retrograde, seemeth not only to forsake his own natural course, (because the proper motion of every Pla­net is performed towards the East,) but besides, he is also esteemed purposely to refuse that opportunity of strengthening his operation by long continuance above the Horizon, which, by holding on a di­rect course, he doth obtain. Yet not­withstanding my opinion is, and both Reason and Experience do confirm it, That God hath not vainly ordained this Law in their Motions, but that it doth rather evidently admonish us, that this Planet doth (as I may say) by this Retro­grade Motion assuredly purpose some particular effect, considering he seemeth rather to violate the constant Decree of Nature, then it should be unperformed. In which respect Astrologers use to call Applicati­on by Re­trogradati­on violent. such an Application as hapneth by Re­gression to a Planet that is direct Violent, or the doubling of the effects. And [Page 54] moreover it is to be observed, that a Re­trograde Planet doth, by means of this In what respect a Planet shal double and treble his efficacy be­yond that which a direct Pla­net c [...]n. passion, pass, return, and re-pass the same small Ark of the Zodiack thrice in few days, whereby the former loss, which he suffereth through interruption of his di­urnal Ark, is as it were treble recompen­sed by his three-fold reiteration of the same course.

I Have before spoken of the place and motion of the Planets; now I intend to shew, That the Parallel which the Planets describe by reason of their place and Motion, is likewise of great force to cause Intension and Remission, when any two, or more of them, happen to describe the same Circle aequidistant from any of the Tropicks. For then having equal De­clination The Reason why Paral­lolism is so effectual. towards the same side of the Aequinoctial, they rise and set exactly in the same points of the Horizon: they [Page 55] come to the Meridian at the same height; the Ark also which they de­scribe above the Horizon as well as un­der the same; by reason whereof their Beams succeeding one another, shall not only impress the very same line up­on the Earth, but besides in their like scituation and distance of each side of the Meridian their Beams shall make right Angles of Incidence, whereby at that time they are also united by reflextion; as in this Figure.

[Page 56] Where let N H M F be supposed the Horizon, M N the Meridian, H F the Aequinoctial, D E the Tropicks, or some other Parallel; A B the two Stars which are turned in the same: and with­out further demonstration it is evident to the eye, That if A rise at the point D in the Horizon, pass the Meridian at O, and set at E: the Star B moving in ano­ther part of the same Parallel shall do the like, and coming-to an aequidistant scitu­ation with A from the Meridian, the Angle B O C shall be equal to the Angle A C O, being the Angles of Incidence to both Stars; by means whereof B shall of necessity reflect unto A, and A to B, which is of great moment in their ope­ration, especially to them to whom the same hapneth to be perpendicular. And here by the way we are to note, That by Paralelism why most effectual neerest the Tropicks. how much neerer the Tropicks this Pa­rallelism doth happen unto the Planets, either amongst themselves, or with the fixed Stars, so much more effectual the same shall be, because of the slow varia­tion of their declination which will cause them to continue Parallel the longer to­gether: whereas neerer unto the Aequi­noctial [Page 57] it is of less moment, because their declination varying swiftly, will also as suddenly vary their Parallelism. And thus much concerning the natural Rea­son of Intension and Remission, which hapneth while the Planets and fixed Stars do thus follow and wait one upon ano­ther, and by means thereof imbrace and infold every thing whereon they shine, as if equal care were committed to both their charges, as they are carryed about by the wrapt Motion of Heaven.

NOw forasmuch as the common Ax­iome testifieth, that Nature hath made nothing in vain, we may not think, that the rest of the Stars which are fixed do stand for Cyphers, although it be true, that the action of every particular fixed Star be not so evidently discerned as the Planets. Neither (so far forth as we are [Page 58] able to attain by experience) do they The fixed stars cause no new al­teration, and why. cause any sudden and unwonted altera­tion by themselves, but rather by reason of their uniform Motion, and the same perpetual distance which they retain one to another, they work still after one man­ner, saving when their virtues are acci­dentally In what cases the fixed Stars do cause alterations. stirred up by their 1. risings and settings with the Sun, and the rest of the Planets; or 2. when their Beams are u­nited, either by Configuration and Paral­lel, or by 3. reflection in the same vertical Circle with them, at what time the qua­lity of their impression dependeth upon their Nature, which partly is measured by Experience, and partly confirmed by How the nature and virtue of the fixed Stars is found. their Colour, as they resemble the Planets therein. But the quantity of this In­tension and Remission is guided by their apparent Diameters or Magni­tude.

And first, how much the Ancients The Ancients in their predictions much gui­ded by the rising and setting of the Stars. have ascribed to the rising and setting of the fixed Stars, not only for distinction of Times, but also matters of Physick, Wea­ther, Navigation, Husbandry, and the like, is familiar to every man, though meanly conversant in Phylosophy, Phy­sick, [Page 59] History, or Poetry, as well as in A­stronomy. For such was their skill here­in (as Theon testifieth) that the Astrolo­gers Com. in Arat. of those times did hereby both limit and assign the beginning of the Seasons, and the particular state of the Weather for every day, foretelling which should be fair, which rain and tempestuous; and again, upon what days every particular Wind did usually blow. And thus re­ducing all Metons Circle of Years into Tables, they communicated the same to all the Cities of Greece for the common good. The truth whereof is not a little confirmed by Ptolomy himself in his Which is the True Ptolomy de syderum inerra [...]t. significati­onibus. Book de inerrantium Syderum signifi­cationibus, (not that supposed on, set forth by Leonicus, but that which Fre­dericus Bonaventura of Ʋrbin, not long since, translated out of Greek into Latin) wherein, besides experience of the Ae­gyptians, he also recordeth the Observa­tions of the most famous Astronomers before his time; as of Dosith [...]us, Phi­lippus, Calippus, Euctemon, Meton, Co­non, Metrodorus, Eudoxus, Caesar, De­mocritus and Hypparchus, for the place of their particular dwellings, even to the [Page 60] fifth Parallel, passing by the midst of Pontus, where the longest day is fifteen hours and a half. Not without Reason then doth Ptolomy both here, as also in his Quadrupertite, remit him that will Li. 2. ca. 12 judg of the particular Intensions and Re­missions of every day unto the risings and settings of the fixed Stars; whereof, although he setteth down eight kinds, yet doth he reduce them all into two Species, viz. the True, and the Appa­rent; And if these, I see not that any of The appa­rent risings & settings of the fixed Stars ne­cessary to the parti­cular In­tensions & Remissions of the Weather. The ancient Astrono­mers only regarded the appa­rent risings & settings. The Error of our Prog­nosticators. the Astronomers, before named, have had a regard to the first kind, but only those which are apparent: The first whereof Ptolomy reckoneth the Emersi­on, or Matutine oriental apparition; the second is (as he placeth them) the Vespertine oriental Apparition, which he calleth the last rising. In like manner there be two apparent Settings, where­of he calleth the first Matutine and Oc­cidental, and the last Verspertine and Ocidental, which is also their Orcultati­on. How far therefore those Prognostica­tors do err, who quite otherwise then the Ancients, did refer their yearly Judg­ments the true rising and setting of the [Page 61] Stars, omitting the apparent, I leave to their own censure, if they know not their Error before. But forasmuch as those that are supputated to one parti­cular The Reason why the same day is not alike in several Horizons. place will not agree the same day to every Horizon, let none from hence take occasion to calumniate Astrologie, if the effects do likewise differ in divers Horizons; but rather let them learn for this Cause the more to admire the Art, for that from hence chiefly the true Rea­son doth grow, why in several Elevations the Weather is oft times differing upon the same day, seeing that in a small differ­ence of latitude both the Emersions and Occultations may vary divers days; Wherefore the Effect must accordingly follow the Cause. The Reason why the apparent Risings and Settings are prefer­ed by Antiquity before the true, is not expressed by them, but leaning simply upon observation and experience, they commend the same in their Monuments to Posterity, neither in truth was it ne­cessary, The Reason why the apparent risings and settings are most re­garded. seeing the Reason was evident in it self. For who doubteth that the sub­straction or addition of Light may beget such a new degree of temperature in the [Page 62] Air, as is sufficient to Mutation? As we see it often to happen in Distillati­ons, where the alteration, though of a very small heat, doth either perfect, or give impediment to the work. But Borrowed light, the reason why the effects of Emersi­ons and Oc­cultations are for the most part moist. whereas for the most part this Mutation turneth unto moisture, this is purposely to be imputed to the great quantity of borrowed light wherewith they shine. For (as it is held in the Perspectives) there is no doubt but that the Stars do as well reflect unto us the light of the Sun, as shine with their own proper light: Wherefore the Suns light being debilita­ted by reflection, doth heat imperfectly, being for that cause fitter to resolve and cause moisture to flow, then to consume the same, being stirred. And here is fur­ther to be noted, That Ptolomy doth not require the apparent rising and setting of all the fixed Stars; for it is clear in that Tractate of their significations, that he neglected all, but those of the first and The reason why Pto­lomy re­gardath not the appa­rent risings & settings of all the Stars. second Magnitude, whereof he giveth two Reasons; one, because the exact Emersion and Occultation of the lesser Stars cannot be observed, by reason that their weak light is not able to overcome [Page 63] the twi-light; whereby the Arks of their Apparition being uncertain, the Appari­tion it self cannot be calculated. The other Reason is, because these more no­table Stars are for the most part so con­veniently scituated, as the Appearances of the lesser, hapning much about the same time, are not so to be regarded, as these that are more illustrious. And thus (for example) he thinketh it enough to observe the apparent Risings and Settings of Arcturus and Spica, though we pass Vindimiatricks in silence; neither careth he much for the Haedi, or the Vergiliae, or Hyades, so he observe Hircus, and the brightest of the Hyades. Wherefore Ptolomy hath not supputated these Ap­paritions How many fixed Stars Ptolomy regarded, and why I fall short of Ptolomy. for above 30. my self coming short of him by 6. For more of the first and second Magnitude do not rise and set to us, because the declinations of di­vers do exceed the complement of our Pole; and therefore if the Sun be septen­ [...]rional they never set, as Lyra, Lucida Persei, Dexter humerus Aurigae, Con­ [...]a, Cygni, and the like. Or if this excess be Austral, then they do never [...]ise of which kind Canobus and Pes [Page 64] Dexter Centauri be, which are never seen above our Horizon.

THe Causes hitherto mentioned, al­though they be very divine, and contain much excellency in them, yet they come all neerer the nature of Matter then this which followeth. For the manner of their operation did consist chiefly in a certain flux and emission of light conti­nued down to these sublunary bodies, which although it be commonly thought without matter or time, yet it is not without the demensions of Quantity. In what respects the precedent rules of in­tension and romission come neerer the nature of Matter, then this now to be handled. For it is made by a right line; it is atte­nuated by the distance thereof from the Star; it increaseth or decreaseth with the face of the Planet it self; it is hin­dered by opposition of a shady body; and lastly, the visible presence of the Star admitted, it is necessarily presupposed al­so. Neither is this found in one and the [Page 65] same single star, considered by it self, but in comparison also with others. As be­cause the Sun and Moon excel all other Stars in their visible magnitude; there­fore their action is most evident: but in the rest, whose visible Diameters are not comparable to the Suns or Moons, their efficacy is hardly sensible, and not to be attained without long experi­ence.

This cause therefore which followeth and belongeth equally to the Planets and fixed Stars, is more noble, and to be ad­mired then the other. For this savoreth nothing of Matter, but hath only con­sideration The Confi­gurations of the Stars savour no­thing of Matter, but only of Form, and therefore to be preferred before all other Cau­ses. of Form, not so much respect­ing the streight beams of light which flow from every Star, as valuing and esteeming how their Beams meet at the Earth between us and their Light; but both when they are hidden under the Horizon, and seem above the same, it maketh the efficacy of the Stars more notable over all the World, then at o­ther times. Which kind of operation, if the Stars be swift in Motion, is in a manner but momentany; for that the Geometrical Angle being changed into [Page 66] another Angle that is improportionable and improper, immediately, or not long after, this efficacy also ceaseth, though the light of the Star at that time chance to increase. For which Cause I give not so much regard to the Aspects of the Moon with other Planets in the altera­tion of the Weather, as unto the Confi­gurations of the Planets among them­selves, or with the fixed Stars, whose motion being but slow in respect of the Moons, doth not so suddenly vary the Angle of their Configuration at the Earth.

From hence it is therefore that those Arks or Portions of the Heaven allotted unto the Aspects are not so much esteem­ed above all other Causes in Astrological Judgments. For although it be true, that in all Scituations the Stars send forth their Beams unto all the parts of Heaven and Earth which they behold, as may be argued out of Vitellio his Demonstration, Li. 5. Pro. 22. by means whereof the Beams and Lines of true motion in every two Stars do re­tain a mutual respect one to another, and so do evermore intercept some Ark of Heaven, and concur at some Angle of the [Page 67] Earth, which may seem to make an As­pect among themselves: Yet neverthe­less all the ancient and modern Astrono­mers following Nature for their Guide, have heretofore regarded these few Con­figurations only, being but five in all, namely the ☌, ⚹, □, △, and ☍: amongst which, although the first do not com­monly go for an Aspect, because every Aspect is reputed a proportioned di­stance between two or more Stars; yet nevertheless seeing a certain Position of the Stars in the Zodiack is rather consi­dered in this Position, then any diversity of place, and that the enumeration of the Aspects ever beginneth from the Con­junction; Therefore as well in respect of this Analogie, as of the received use, it may not be secluded out of the Num­ber of Aspects, specially knowing that the Beams of the Stars are as well extend­ed upward and downward, as obliquely and collaterally.

But if any man desire further to be satisfied of the Reason which first moved the ancient Astronomers to observe those distances and Arks assigned unto the As­pects as of more virtue then any other: [Page 68] Surely the Answer is easie, seeing Nature it self every where, both in the motions and effects of the heavenly Bodies, as also in other Arithmetical and Geome­trical respects, chiefly celebrateth these very proportions with a singular Prero­gative. Picus speaking hereof, thinketh Nature hath as it were first alured us to observe the Aspects by special tokens, or secret marks in the Moti­ons. they were first induced hereunto by ob­serving the several illuminations or ages of the Moon, for that when she is new, horned, in her quarters, gibbossity, and fulness, her forms are still changed at these proportioned spaces from the Sun. Besides which, it is not to be passed in silence, which others have more particu­larly noted, that in her annual Revolution she is still found about the △ of her own place in the beginning of the former year. Neither have other Astronomers failed to note, how Nature pointeth (as it were with a finger) particularly unto every Configuration, while we con­sider the motions of the other Planets. For thus Abohazer wittily affirmeth the two inferiour Planets in their Stations to observe the Ark proper to a □ aspect. Pliny likewise with him as skilfully com­mendeth Li. 2. ca. 17. unto us the observation of the [Page 69] △ by the stations of the three superior Planets. But above all it cannot be con­sidered without deep admiration, how Nature hath singularly nobilitated all the Aspects in the Motions of Saturn and Jupiter. For as their Conjunctions are rare, and but once in 20 years, so hath Nature evermore disposed these Con­junctions in the most memorable places of the Zodiack, That is only in such Signs as behold one another in an aequilater triangle inscribed. For between any two great Conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter, there are 19 Aegyptian years, 318 days, and 13 hours, in which time those Planets are moved from the place of their former Conjunctions 8 signs, and almost 3 degrees, which excess of 3 de­grees is the cause why after 10 Conjun­ctions they pass from one Triplicity to another, and one Triplicity continueth 198 equal years, 2 [...]5 days (the intercalary day of every fourth year omitted) and 10 hours. But the Revolution of all the Triplicities is finished but only once in 794 equal years, 331 days, and 16 hours. Or otherwise, in 794 Julian years, 133 days, 16 hours; the double whereof [Page 70] cometh to 1588, which number of years they are thought to have respected, that The Reason why the year 1588. was reput­ed so fatal. imagined the year 1588. from the birth of Christ would have been so fatal. From hence therefore it is, that not without cause they are called great Conjunctions, both hapning rarely, and abiding thus in one Triplicity almost 200 years together, and not finishing all the Triplicities of the Zodiack in much lesser then 800 years, not having therefore reiterated all the Triplicities 8 times since the beginning of the World. Neither are the other Positions of these Planets to be neglect­ed; for if any man will take the pains to observe when Saturn and Jupiter do behold one another with a □ or ☍ aspect, they shall evidently perceive that they still carry such a regard unto the signs or places of their precedent and next Conjunctions, as evermore they irradiate the one and the other with a ⚹, □, △, or ☍ aspects. And so this shall suffice (if it be not more then enough) to shew how Nature hath alured us to the Con­sideration of these Arks by these Aspects in the particular Motion of the Pla­nets.

[Page 71] And now in a word to confirm the The aspects confirmed by their ef­fects. same by their virtue and effects: First, The Physicians are taught by experience, That the Crisis of all sharp diseases have a notorious and most memorable Sym­pathy with all these five Configurations of the ☽ to the place of her Being in the beginning of the sickness. Thus also we see the Seas themselves in their Tydes to dance as it were after the motion of the ☽, while their Spring and highest Floods always concur with her ☌ and ☍ to the Sun, as their Neaps and lowest Tydes do likewise respect her Quarters. And as memorable a thing it is, that the Seas in their dayly flowing and ebbing upon eve­ry Coast, have still a constant respect on­ly to such Azimuthal Circles as are in a quartile positure when the ☽ passeth by them. To conclude, it is more manifest then that I need to insist upon it, that the Sun it self seemeth greatly to respect the □, in that he moderateth the vicissitudes or four quarters of the year by his ingress into the four Aequinoctial and Tropical Points.

But now to descend to other Specu­lations of the learned more mystical then [Page 72] these, it is not amiss to begin with the The Signs whereof the Aspects consist the only ali­quate parts of a Circle. Arithmetical Observation which Julius Firmicus maketh of the number of Signs agreeable to the Aspects; 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, answering in order to the ☌, ⚹, □, △, & ☍: for these numbers only, and none other, will divide the Zodiack, con­sisting of twelve Signs, for which reason he maketh them the only aliquate parts of a Circle. Thus also the famous Pto­lomy addeth not a little to the dignity of The Sub­tenses of the Aspect proportion­able to the diameter of the World. Li. 1. ca. 12. lege Cardane Comentar. The Sub­tenses of those Arks which are proper to the aspects joyned to­gether only take upcir­cumference of the Zo­diack. these Irradiations, when he first obser­ved the Geometrical proportion, which the Subtenses of every of these Arks do retain in power to the Diameter of a Circle, as every man may read in the Quadripartite. Others again, with no less subtilty, have observed, that amongst all regular or ordinate figures that may be inscribed in a Circle, though the same be infinite, there are none whose sides and angles carry away the Prerogative both at the Circumference and Center, but those whose sides and angles are an­swerable to the Subtenses and Arks of their Aspects. For thus amongst all ordinate plains that may be inscribed, there are no two whose sides joyned to­gether [Page 73] have preheminence to take up a semicircle, but only the Hexagon, Qua­drate, and equilateral triangle, answer­ing to the ⚹, □, and △, irradiated. The subtence therefore of a ⚹ aspect consist­eth of two Signs, joyned to the subtence of a △, composed of four, being regular and aequilater, take up six Signs, which is a compleat semicircle. In like manner, the sides of a Quadrate inscribed, sub­tending three Signs, twice reckoned, do ocupy likewise the mediety of a Circle. And what those Figures are before said to perform, either doubled or joyned to­gether, may also be truly ascribed unto the opposite aspect by it self, for that the Diametral Line, which passeth from the place of Conjunction to the opposite Point, divideth a Circle into two equal parts, the like whereof cannot be found in any other inscripts. For example, the side of a regular Pentagon subtendeth 72. degr. of an Octagon but 45. the re­mainders of which Arks, viz. 108. and 135. gr. are not subtended by the sides of any ordinate figure.

And thus, as it is before shewed, That the Subtenses of these Aspects be the [Page 74] same with the sides of the fore-remem­bered The Angles of the As­pects, viz. the △, □, ⚹, the same wherewith the afore­said ordi­nate plains ocupy place about a Point, and therefore do proportion­ably also take up the Center of the World. Inscripts, and do only therefore take up the Circumference of a Circle: So it is evident, that the Angles at which they concur be the same wherewith the ordinate plains take up the whole space about the Center. For if we consider the Angle of a ⚹ at the Earth, it is all one with that of an aequilater Triangle consisting of 60. gr. and containeth ⅔ of a right Angle, but six times ⅔ of a right Angle makes four right Angles; where­fore six Sextiles equal to six aequilater Triangles fill the whole space about a point, which is equal to four right An­gles. Secondly, Every Angle of a quar­tile is a right Angle, and all one with the Angle of rectangle Quadrilater figure, wherefore four of them fill a whole space. Thirdly, The Angle which two Stars in a △ make at the Center of the World, is measured by an Angle of 120. gr. and so equal to the Angle of a regular Hexa­gon, consisting of a right Angle, and 1/ [...] of a right Angle, and therefore taken three times maketh four right Angles: Where­fore three aequilater Hexagons, or three △ Aspects, do also fill the whole space [Page 75] about the Center: To which me may not improperly add the opposite Aspect, consisting of two right Angles, and there­fore doubled, shall perform the like office with the rest, any other figure of many Angles, however joyned together at the Angles, shall either want of four right Angles, or exceed them. For example, the Angle of a Pentagon containeth a right Angle, and [...] more; wherefore three such Angles placed about a point, shall fall short of four right Angles by ⅖ of a right Angle; as on the other side, four such Angles shall exceed four right Angles ⅘.

These Speculations therefore consi­dered, it were sensless to imagine, that Nature hath so many ways honored these Irradiations of the Stars in vain, and ad­monished us to a special regard of them by so many rare and secret Observations, both in the motions of the Planets, and also in their effects and proportions, if they were not indued with more virtue then others. Wherefore it hath no less exercised the learned to find out the Reason why these few Configurations, selected out of an infinite number, should [Page 76] be indued with such eminent efficacy. Neither as yet hath any reason been in­vented, The first Reason why these few Configura­tions are more effe­ctual then others which be infinite, be­ing drawn from the harmonical proportion. with more applause for the pro­bability thereof, then that these propor­tions, whereof the Aspects are before shewed to consist, be the same which are found in harmonical Concords; for which cause it is also thought no less pro­bable, that the light of the Stars in these proportioned distances should powerful­ly affect the matter of sublunary things, then that the like Geometrical Symmetry in sounds and voyces should passionately stir up the sense of the hearer. For to confess the truth, so hath the admired providence of Nature ordained through­out all her works, that where due pro­portion is not wanting, there she never faileth to endue all her effects with such height of perfection, that the same be­comes evident to the eye of every man. And from hence it is even in artificial Compositions also as in Medicines, we know those only to be most kind and so­veraign which observe a competent Symmetry or temperature of the Active and Passive qualities; with good like­lihood therefore, and appearance of truth, [Page 77] do most of the learned, with Ptolomy in Ptolomy in Catoptricis his Opticks, resolve the only cause of this efficacy to proceed from harmonical proportion.

And more clearly to express this simi­litude How the Proportions which the aforesaid Irradiati­ons retain in respect of them­selves, an­swer the Concords in Musick. or affinity between the proporti­ons of the Aspects, and the like distances observed in the Musical Concords, we must understand, that all Harmony what­soever springeth originally from three such terms of numbers as respect each o­ther in such sort, that still their differences retain the same proportion that is found between the extreams. For example, in these three Numbers, 6, 4, 3, (an­swerable to the Signs of the ☍, △, and □ Configurations) here it is evident, if we compare the extreams with the mean, that 2. shall be the difference between 6. the first, and 4. the second Number; and 1. is in like manner between the middle or second, and 3. the third Number: but 2. is double in proportion to 1. therefore 6. the first number respecteth 3. the third number with the like proportion. The Analogie of which Proportions, as is before remembered, is found to be the fountain of all Musick, rising originally [Page 78] from these three simple concording di­stances, which by the Musicians are called Diapente, Diatessa­ron & Dia­pason, the 3 perfect Concords, Diapente, consisting of a Sesquialter Pro­portion, as 6. to 4. or which is all one of 3. to 2. Diatessaron of a Sesquitertia, as 4. to 3. And lastly, Diapason consist­ed of a double proportion, as 6. to 3. or 2. to 1. and is as much in value, as both the 2. first distances and proportions put together: For a Sesquialter added to a Diapente & Diatessaron are parts of a Diapason. Diapason severally compared with each of his parts makes up the 2 other compound­ed or im­perfect Con­cords, viz. Diapason cum Dia­pente a Triple, & Diapason cum Dia­tessaron a Quadru­ple, or Bis Diapason. Sesquitertia, according to the art of Pro­portions, do produce a Diapason, or dou­ble proportion, such as is found between the former extreams compared together, viz. 6. and 3. And in like manner, by comparing the Diapason with both these his parts, that is, with the Sesquialter and Sesquitertia, according to the usual manner of supputating Proportions, we are brought to the two other compound­ed or imperfect Concords, so constituting the 5. first and natural Distances in har­monical Sounds, which afterward, as they be diversly mixed between them­selves, produce infinite variety of all kind of Melody.

After the same manner fareth it with the light and influence of Heaven. For [Page 79] although anciently there be but 5 Irradi­ [...]tions observed as most apt to action, namely the ☌, ☍, △, □, and ⚹; yet never­theless there is nothing more sure, then that by the harmonical mixture of these proportioned Beams, the generation and corruption of this mortal world is infi­nitely varied. Wherefore as the force of [...]ll Harmony, so likewise the effectual [...]eason of all action in the influence of the Stars, is properly deduced from the fore­said Symmetry of these distances. And therefore more fully to illustrate, that the The Angles which the Aspects do make at the Earth, are proved pro­portionable to the Con­cords in Musick▪ Angles of the Aspects, compared between [...]hemselves, concur with these Harmonies [...]n Musick, it will be no hard matter, if [...]hat which before hath been often re­xated be called to mind: As that first, [...]he Stars in an opposite or diametral [...]spect are dis­joyned by the space of two [...]ight angles, which are measured with [...]he Ark of 6. signs, or 180. degrees of Circumference, and that the △, consisting of 4. signs, or 120. degrees, is in value one [...]ight angle, and ⅓ of a right angle: Also [...]hat the □ taketh up one intire right an­ [...]le, and is subtended with the Ark of 3. [...]gns, or 90. degrees. And lastly, that the [Page 80] ⚹ is constituted but of 2. signs, or 60. gr. which is ⅔ of a right angle; which being thus, if we now so compare the two right angles of the ☍ taken together with the angles of the rest of the aspects, either the △ be placed between the ☍ and the □, or the □ between the ☍ and the ⚹, we shall find either way three numbers, which admit all the Laws of harmoniacal Proportions, as in these Figures following is evident. The first Figure proveth the 3 Concords to have 3 perfect Aspects. The second sheweth the ⚹ to be an imperfect Aspect, a­greeable to Diapente cum Dia­pason, that is a triple proportion, as 60. is to 80.

[Page 81] Where, to let the rest pass as plain e­nough of it self by that which is before spoken, we are further to note, That the ☍, compared in the last figure of those two with the ⚹, hath a triple proportion to the same, compounded of a double and sesquialter proportion, as Diapente with Diapason in Musick is, and so is found no simple or perfect Aspect, but exactly B flat, why after a sort a perfect Concord, & so by the same Rea­son why a ⚹ may be admitted a perfect As­pect. answerable to B flat, the first imperfect or compounded Concord in Musick being a sixth from G Sol re ut, which neverthe­less in some respects is after a sort e­steemed perfect, because it useth the same division compared to D sol re that the perfect Concords do, for it is half a Fifth, and scituate in the middle between Γ ut and D sol re. As also the ⚹ com­pared with the △ is a just half thereof, which before hath been shewed to be in a sesquialter proportion to the ☍, as D sol re is to Γ ut, and therefore exactly a­greeable to a Diapente in Musick, which the rather I here note, because we shall have some use thereof afterward in speak­ing New As­pects after handled. of the new Aspects. And thus much shall shortly serve for the Theory or Phi­losophical speculation of them that a­scribe [Page 82] the efficacy of these Irradiations to the harmonical proportion which is sound between them. Wherefore see­ing they carry the same mutual respect one towards another, which the foresaid Harmonical Concords do retain between themselves, what wonder is it if Nature in her operations, as well by lights as by sounds, admitted no other Symmetry, but that which is derived from these proportions, rejecting all other as irrati­onal and discordant?

Yet all this hitherto doth rather illu­strate Keplers Reason; why the foresaid harmonical proportions are so effe­ctual drawnfrom the Symme­try of the World, be­ing the same that is found be­tween the 5 Regular Bodies in­scribed one within an­other. a Simili, and doth more and more express unto us, that Nature indeed hath adorned these proportions with singular priviledges above any other, then satisfie us with the true Reason, why in the in­finite variety of Sounds and Lights these only should consent most sweetly in Mu­sick, and be effectual in the operations of Nature. Neither hath any man herein endeavored with more probability to give satisfaction unto the learned then Kepler, who having wittily laboured to demonstrate, That God in the Creation of the World hath observed the same proportion in the Magnitude and distance [Page 83] of the heavenly Spheres which is found in the regular Solides, which (as Geomi­try teacheth) have their Original from the Ordinate Playns: In the end conclu­deth with good probability, That the heavenly Motions shall then consent sweetly, and co-operate strongly toge­ther, when the nature of these sublunary things, indued (as he supposeth) with a sensitive or knowing faculty, apprehend­eth the Beams of the Stars to observe that respect in their concurrence at the Center of the Earth, which answereth unto the Ordinate Playns, from whence the Regularity of these proportions is derived, as the impressed Characters of that Symmetry which God is said to have used in the Creation of the World it self. So imagining, that as often as the nature of any thing meeteth with these propor­tions, it exerciseth it self as it were by this Idea, which it retaineth still, and that in such sort, as what it doth but ordinarily and slackly at other times, it performeth now much more effectually, and as it were with extraordinary diligence; Not (saith he) that these proportions work any thing of their own virtue; for in [Page 84] Musick it is neither the Sounds, neither the proportion of the Concords, that work any thing of themselves, or beget any delightful humor in a man, but the Soul approaching to the Instruments of Sense, first there entertaineth the sounds inwardly, then valueth their proportions, and (finding the same good and Geome­trical) lastly exhilarateth it self, and moveth the body wherein it is, as with an Object wherein it taketh delight. And surely were these proportions set Why Kep­lers opinion fully leav­eth me un­satisfied. down by Kepler exactly found in the Symmetry of the World, then I could the better give ear unto him, and believe this Mystery to rest in that which he hath said. But he himself having inscribed the several Spheres of the Planets within the Regulare bodies, in the end findeth their distances from the Center of the World to differ very much, both in Ju­piter, the Earth (which he supposeth to occupy the Suns place,) and Mercury, from that which Copernicus and other A­stronomers do set down by observation. I love not (after the expectancy of Geome­trical demonstration, though he come near in some) to feed my self with Fancies [Page 85] in the rest: neither can I well conceive, in that poor understanding which I have in Philosophy, how Configurations, con­sisting only of intelligible Angles, should be objects to any sensitive power; or how the sensitive power, which he doth imagine in the Elements, and all elemen­tary things, should apprehend without organical Instruments. Yet nevertheless A second Reason why these As­pects are so effectual, and first of the ☌ & ☍ whose vir­tue pro­ceedeth chiefly from Union of Beams. (leaving this Conceit of Keplers, with­out prejudice of his Conceit or Judg­ment, unto others of riper Judgment then my self) I will as perspicuously as I can deliver that which my self have further considered as the Reason why these Beams should be more effectual then others. And first concerning the ☌ and ☍, I held my self abundantly satisfied with the union of Beams, which therefore are the most potent and powerful Configurations of all others, as is evident in this Figure, where we see the Beams, as well incident as reflected, to be united.

[Page 86]

For let A be in ☌ here with B, it is first manifest, that all the Beams flowing from G and E, the points of touch in the Cir­cumference of A shall unite themselves with the Beams that art sent from B to C the Earth or Center of the World. Se­condly, We are also to observe, That in this Case only the Beam A C, or B C, [Page 87] coming from the Center of the Stars re­flecteth into it self, as being only perpen­dicular, whereas those Beams which are sent from the points E and G make an acute Angle at C, and do therefore re­flect the one into the other at equal An­gles, as G C reflecteth from C to E, and E C from C to G; last of all the uni­on that hapneth in ☍ is manifest without more circumstance, where the Beams sent from the opposite Points make but one streight line, as G F, and E H in this Fi­gure, except in Cases where the Earth In what case the U­nion of two Stars in ☌ and ☍ is hindered. is bigger then the Star in opposition, for there without latitude the union of their Beams must needs be hindered by interposition of the Earth. For which cause it is specially here to be remem­bered The ☌ of Venus and Mercury not so effe­ctual in A­pogaeo E­picycli, as in Peri­gaeo. in the ☌ of the two inferior Pla­nets with the Sun, that if this happen in the Apogaeon of their Epicycles, their ☌ shall not be of that efficacy or force, as when they are in Perigaeo: because (according to the Hypothesis of Tycho and Copernicus) they being above the Sun, and the Sun much bigger then they, the Sun shall return all their Beams to themselves from the Earth, so that their [Page 88] union by this means shall be interrupted and frustrate.

In like manner, in my contemplation for help in the Configuration of the ⚹ and △, I found that which did reasonably give me contentment, because in the concurrence of their Beams at the Earth I found a mutual Reflection of the one into the other, and so an Union by Re­flection.

[Page 89] For admit A B C to be three Stars, A and B in a ⚹ Configuration, A C in a △: Then for so much as B F, the Beam incident of the ⚹, falleth obliquely in respect of A F, and maketh an acute An­gle therewith, it is evident to those that have any mean understanding in the Op­ticks, that B F shall reflect to C, and so be united to C F, the incident of the Star Union by Reflection between the ⚹ and △ demon­strated, and the famili­arity of these points of Heaven mentioned by Prolomy declared. C, which is in a △ Configuration with A: as also C F shall for the same Reason reflect to the Star in B, and be likewise united with B F, the incident of the Star at B. Behold here by the way the grounds of that familiarity which Pto­lomy noteth in these Arks of Heaven, when he considereth the Position apt for the Aphaeta of life, or the Houses of the Figure. And thus far me thought I pur­sued the Reason of that virtue which is found in the Aspects with good encou­ragement, that I should have found their force to depend upon Union or Reflexi­on. But when I come to consider of the Quartile, whose Beams only cut each other ad angulos rectos, and so reflect into themselves, after much deliberation with my self, finding all aid of the Opticks to [Page 90] fail me, I was forced to say with Offusi­us; Ingenué fatebimur causam talis The Reason of the effi­cacy of the □ not de­pending upon Re­flection or Union. effectus nos demonstrare non posse: id tamen verissimum esse tam diuturna ob­servatione compertum habemus, ut ea de re dubitare puderet. Wherefore re­counting with my self some of those Spe­culations before remembered, and speci­ally that Theoreme which prove the An­gles of the ⚹, □ and △ to be only propor­tionable in taking up the Center of the World; the more I considered thereof, the more I find my self confirmed, that the mystery or secret of these Configura­tions resteth chiefly in this, that these only Irradiations, and those that are deri­ved from these, are proportional unto all patille matter, & therefore more effectual.

For that these Irradiations only are every way proportionable is before a­bundantly The third Reason why these afore­said trradi­ations are of such vir­tue proved to depend upon their proportionable taking up of the Center of the World by their Angles, whereby they must needs shine upon all Elemen­tary matter with a due and even mixture of light & influence. proved, whether we respect the taking up of the Circumference, the power and proportion oftheir Subtenses unto the Diameter, or lastly and princi­pally, the occupying of place at the Center [Page 91] of the World. Which Prerogatives see­ing no other Arks, Subtenses, or Angles do enjoy: therefore I conclude these a­bove all others to be proportional un­to the whole Systeme of the World. For that is truly said proportionable, which is neither defective, interrupted, nor redundant: but such are the Arks, Subtenses and Angles of those Irradiati­ons, and none other; Ergo, these and none other are proportionable. Now as that which is defective, and wanteth proportion, leaveth the action frustrate, and without effect: so that which on the other side offendeth in excess, must needs incur the contrary fault, and over­charge that which either Nature or Art intendeth, whereby of necessity it will follow, that there being no defect, nor excess, but an equal and just mixture of the influence of the Stars in these Irradia­tions, these only shall be apt and conveni­ent to produce agreeable effects in the matter of all sublunary things. For it fareth in these effects, which are produced by the mixture of Light and In­fluence, as with Chymical Operations, where the defect of heat produceth no­thing; as on the other side excess doth [Page 92] either by Sublimation, Eruption, Vitri­fication, breaking the Vessel, and the like, destroy the work. And to make it yet clearer, how the Beams of any such Stars do proportionally take up the Center of the World, whereas, in that which went before, I have only shewed how the Points of those Ordinate Playns, where­unto these Configurations have been compared, often reiterated, do take up place. The Reason why any 2 Stars in Configura­tion shall take up all elementary matter at the Center with pro­portionable Angles made by their Beams, incident, reflected, or opposite.

Now will I set forth how the Beams of any two Stars in any one of the former Configurations shall take up more space, then that which is comprehended be­tween their Incidents or Beams of true motion, and how by their Beams, either incident, reflected, or opposite, they do possess, and take up the whole Center of the World at one instant with propor­tionable Angles. For evident demon­stration whereof concerning ☌ and ☍, (whose force rather dependeth upon union then proportion) I need no further labour, then to refer the Reader to the view of the last figure but one, where he seeth the united Beams of such Stars as are in ☌ & ☍ to surround the Center, and all [Page 93] elementary matter whatsoever subject unto the actions of Heaven. And so for the □, whose Beams incident and oppo­site, traverse the Center of the World at four right Angles, viz. AFG, GFI, AFH, and HFI; seeing four Points of a rectangle quadrilater figure hath been before proved to occupy place, I likewise need no other proof, then that the Reader will in the last figure consider how these four right Angles made by one Quartile take up the Center of the World. But concerning the △ and ⚹, although the like be evident enough to any of mean skil, yet nevertheless there are some other speculations which require a word or two more. For in the last figure suppose two Stars A & Birradiate the earth with their ⚹ Beams, although it be true, that by the protracting of the opposite Beam from F to D, the Center of the whole World seemeth occupied with propor­tionable Angles, BFA being subtended by the Ark of 60. which is before decla­red to be the Angle of an ordinate aequi­later triangle, and so leaveth the out­ward Angle BFI equal to the Angle of an ordinate Hexagon, subtended hereby [Page 94] the Ark 120, which is the Ark of a △; the like being also to be understood of the Angles made by the opposite Beams ad verticem. Yet nevertheless we are here further to consider, how the incident Beam of B, viz. BF, reflecteth unto C, and so taketh up the whole Semicircle ABCI, with three ⚹, viz. AFB, BFC, and CFI. In like manner, if we consider C to be in a triangular Configuration with A, we see that as the opposite Beam of A, viz. FI, maketh a ⚹ with the inci­dent Beam of a Star at C, viz. CF; so CF being the Beam incident of the Star C reflecteth also to the Point B, and so maketh the same three ⚹, wherewith the aforesaid whole Semicircle is taken up, as is before demonstrated. Wherefore this may satisfie the indifferent, how any two Stars in any of these Configurations do proportionably ocupy the whole Cen­ter of the World in the same moment, without reiterating the same Angle.

And because hitherto we have spoken only of the old Configurations, known to the ancient Astronomers, I may not forget to signifie, that in these our days our late Artists (whereof Kepler is the [Page 95] chief) have added unto these former Three new Aspects, viz. the Quintile, Biquintile & Sesqui­quadrate added by Kepler, and the Reason which drew him to this Ob­servation, so making 8 Aspects in all an­swerable to so many divisions of a Mono­chord. Aspects three others, viz. the Quintile, consisting of 72 degr. the Biquintile of 144 degr. and the Sesquiquadrate of 135 degr. so making 8 Configurations answerable to the 8 Consonant Stops in a Monochord. Neither dare I for my part contradict these new additions: For ha­ving made trial as wel in the speculations of the Weather & Meteors, as in the acci­dents of Nativities, I dare boldly affirm, That there have divers events and effects concurred with these new Configurati­ons, for which, without these Considera­tions, we can find as yet no Reason at all in Astrologie: Neither wanted they true grounds of Reason for this their Obser­vation. For as in Musick there be but 3 perfect Concords, viz. the Diapason, Di­apente, and Diatessaron; so in Astrologie there are but 3 perfect Aspects answera­ble to the foresaid Harmonies, namely the ☍, the △, and the □, the ⚹ being ac­counted, and so proved before to be but an imperfect Aspect, answering exactly to B flat, the first among the imperfect or compounded Concords. Wherefore considering that the first 3 perfect Con­cords [Page 96] are found to have their perfect As­pects answerable unto them, and that B flat being an imperfect Concord is also found to agree exactly in proportion with the ⚹, being an imperfect Aspect: This gave Kepler first cause to suspect that the other Harmonical Proportions contained in the same Monochord might also have their Aspects, viz. the Quin­tile, Biquintile, and Sesquiquadrate answerable unto them; wherefore al­though as yet I have not entered into any other Geometrical Speculation, why these distances are also effectual in ope­ration as well as the former, thus much for this time may suffice, both for the occasion of their first invention, as also for their probability to be observed in practise.

And now having thus discoursed at large of the Dignity, and diverse Reasons of these Aspects or Configurations, which are so powerful in operation, I shall conclude with this desire, that two things more may be further noted.

First, That we are not only to regard these proportioned Distances among the Planets, but also of the Planets [Page 97] with the fixed Stars. Which Specula­tion as it hath been heretofore omitted by others, either through loathness to calculate the Aspects of the fixed Stars, or through neglecting them altogether; so undoubtedly it hath been no small cause, why our Prognosticators have failed in their Judgments by omit­ting a principal part of their Dire­ction.

And secondly, That where we finde plenty of Aspects, especially coming to­gether, it is a manifest Argument, that plenty of matter stirred up will follow, which will cause great alteration of the Air apt for the Season.