Observations on January, 1680.

AT the beginning of this Month and year, Venus, being in sweet and kind Aspect to Mercury, should render Ladies very flexible, but grim Saturn a­bout the latter end, being in direct Opposition to the charming fair one, whole looks are said to be fortunate to all she bestows them upon in any kind way, quite contrary to the nature of other Whores; this mischievous Saturn, I say, may blast the hopes again of all Venus's A­dorers, unless they chance to have Jupiter on their side, who, about the same time, as Saturn so frets and frowns, does endeavour to chear up the hot Lady by the most submissive complemental Trine Addresses he is able to make: but poor Mercury, I pity him this Month, he is most sadly afflicted indeed, Jupiter, Mars, and the Sun, conspire against him; besides he's Retrograde, and would hardly be able to stand, were he not in a Sign a little of his own Nature, which may signifie that A­strologers, Thieves, and Taylors will have but very little to do; that Querents about Matrimony will now be very few; how do we know but it may be so omi­nous, as to tell us, that many Gentlemen, signified by Mercury, may now lose a considerable Match at Bowls or Tennis, or there may be breaking of Pates at an Ordinary? nay perhaps that the very Art of Astrology shall begin to be suspected by some who have been along time wonderful Admirers of it.

• 2. ⚹ ♀ ☿.
• 28. ☍ ♄ ♀.
• 30. △ ♃ ♀.
• 2. ☿ R.
• 9. Ϲ ♃ ☿.
• 10. ☉ ☌ ☿.
• 7. ☌ ♂ ☿.

Observations on February, 1680.

SAturn, though he's as weak as an old man with three Legs, and commonly as frappish and surly, yet being kindly aspected this Month by the Sun's ex­cellent Majesty, by Mercury pricking up his Ears again, and by his Fellow-makebate Mars, walkes the grand Paw as stately as any Monsieur on Horse-back; being in Cancer, it sometimes makes him clap his Breast with a strained Hum, and cry sound Boys, sound. 'Tis sel­dom the old man happens to be in a better humour, therefore perhaps he may make the Brick-layers and o­ther Workmen, whom he naturally signifies, to have one Grain of Honesty, for a Fortnight, about the middle of this Month, which is more than 'tis possible they ever had since they learnt their Trade. Therefore, O ye, all the Lovers of Building, who will needs undo your selves without any manner of peradventure, hearken to my Instructions, make use of this juncture of time, perhaps you may'nt meet with the like again. One grain of honesly in Brick-layers, and that for a fortnight!

• ♄ ♋.
• 10. △ ☉ ♄.
• 12. △ ♄ ♂.
• 28. △ ♄ ☿.

Observations on March. 1680.

AStrologers! a word of comfort t' ye! your Father Mercury is pleased, and laughs, whether at you, or for you, I matter not much. Bear up as craftily as ye are wont, seem to know and foretel all things: Learned Jupiter looks favourably upon you; but what then? for one word good, I can tell you two or three bad. Mars, near the middle of this Month, is in Con­junction of Mercury, which will most certainly make Astrologers at this time right Artists at picking o Pock­ets; nay, if a man chance to be born at this time, there's no truth in Astrology, if the Native does not prove ei­ther a Thief, or an Astrologer, or both. Again, he's Combust, and Saturn squares him; that is, his little nimble Sons will be trampled upon by Great Men, and de­spised by those who know the world never so little. Good people, you are advised this Month to brew good store of Drink, to make much of your selves, and to lie with your Wives lovingly and boldly, notwithstanding the Conjunction of Mars and Mercury. 'Tis a good time, let me tell you: Who knows what they'l be do­ing, when your Children come to be Natives; or whe­ther they'l be playing the Rogue, playing the Fool, or not playing at all.

• 3. ⚹ ♃ ☿.
• 12. ☌ ♂ ☿.
• 15. Ϲ ♄ ☿.
• 19. ☉ ☌ ☿.

Observations on April. 1680.

VEnus being now in her Exaltation in Pisces, and the season of the Year beginning to warm her Veins, she sends forth many a sigh for the longed Con­junction, next Month, with her Servant and Stallion Mars. But Jupiter does his best to satisfie the Extra­vagance of her Appetite, and closely imbraces her a­bout the Neck, kissing her over and over for a few days. For though Jupiter, well Dignified, signifies a Chaste, Virtuous Man, yet being weak, as he is in Taurus, his weakness ('tis true Astrology, I assure you!) makes him the stronger and more rampant at a Wo­man. When Jupiter has done, Saturn takes her to task, squares and squints at her, and is very angry, he knows not why, or wherefore; but I am apt to guess, 'tis because he's too Old to do any thing with her. Now 'tis very strange by the by, that it should be thus the humour of all old people, to envy the pleasures of younger. But that they may neither despair them­selves, nor hinder other people from following the Fashion of these Excellent Times, I'le tell them, that of late years there's a neat Invention, called Flogging, invented on purpose to pleasure Old Fumblers, or weak Youngsters: what it is, they may easily learn at Betty B—'s School, or Moor-fields.

• 2. ⚹ ♃ ♀.
• 17. Ϲ ♄ ♀.

Observations on May. 1680.

NOW Venus rejoyces, for before this Month is o­ver, she is to enjoy the Embraces of her dearly Beloved, Stout, and Lusty Mars. And though in­deed it does not happen, 'till toward the end, yet for the sweet Subjects sake, because 'tis such acceptable News to all Sons of Whores, I can't choose but begin with it. One thing is very Observable, that whenever the Astrologers, who write Ephemeris's, and teach peo­ple to Conjure, do find Mars and Venus in Conjunction, they wo'nt let them separate so soon as other Folks, but keep them a day or two longer in Conjunction than they need to do. I am afraid if the truth were known they like the sport a little too much themselves. The Malevo­lents look a little wishfully upon one another. Perhaps there may be some friendly Correspondence between Rogues, and Knaves, in order to do some notable Mis­chief. But the Sun's coming into Gemini, Londons Sig­nificator, may possibly warrant its Shining upon this City this year, as much as it did the last. For it will continue in that Sign, just as many Days, Hours, and Minutes, as it uses to do. Mercury can't forbear being burnt again in the Rayes of the Sun, and runs backward into the danger rather than escape it: which signifies, that some Astro­logers will be so bold a to expose their Ridiculous Con­ceits in the Eyes of the World, and before persons of Judgment and Authority; which may prove their Ru­ine beyond hopes of recovery. For while they Sneak in holes, and corners, and only tempt those unhappy Wo­men who have lost their Sweet hearts, to come and ask when they'l return, or when they shall have new ones, there's no great harm. But have a care of the Sun. 'Twill Burn, if you approach too near.

• 27. ♂ ☌ ♀.
• 5. ⚹ ♄ ♂.
• ☌ ☉ ☿.
• ☿ R.

Observations on June. 1680.

JUpiter, Venus, and Mercury, all in Conjunction in the beginning of Gemini, may signifie more than Haly, or Albumazer have thought on. Tradesmen may leave off Cheating and Lying; Whores may a little forbear scouring Fleet-street and the Strand; Sluts may look cleanly; your true Coffee-men may talk Loyally and Peaceably; your Smoakers may be as wise as they seem; But Courtiers will not forsake the Ladies Compa­ny, nor Fops the Play-Houses. That's plain.

Mars afflicting Jupiter this Month, may shew, That Ecclesiasticks will not be had in so great Veneration as they were in the times of Popery. What if some of them, who have used themselves to Coaches a long time, should be forced to try how they can walk a-foot. No less than seven Conjunctions of six Planets, and not one other Aspect! You know what Conjunctions signifie with us: perhaps the heat of the Season may incline them to sympathise with us: Venus makes three of them, and would have been contented with all the rest, if the cold­ness of old Saturn could have pleased her better.

• 2. ☌ ☿ ♀.
• 3. ☌ ♃ ♀.
• 11. ☌ ♂ ♃.
• 12. ☌ ♀ ☿.
• 23. ☌ ☉ ♄.
• 28. ☌ ♄ ☿.
• ☌ ♃ ☿.

Observations on July. 1680.

I Hear Astrologers by this time taking me to my Task, and wondring I forgot the Moon, their chief Goddess, all this while. Shall I tell you then? The Moon would take up so much time to mind all her Motions, the Trines, Sextiles, Squares, and Oppositions, she makes to every Planet, several times every Month, that I should not have a minutes leisure to observe the Addresses of her betters: She is such a strange odd Woman, that I care not how little I have to do with her; there's hardly a day sometimes passes in a whole Month, but she's mak­ing of Courtesies, tempting or provoking some of the Planets; nay I have known her sometimes in one day have something to do with every one of them: One she lies with, a second claps her on the Breech, a third kisses her, she huffs a fourth, squints at a fifth, and de­clares open War, the utmost enmity, to the sixth, and, in a few days, rings the Bells backward, shews her good and bad side to 'em all; but Astrologers are not of my Mind, they'll hardly stir abroad unless the Moon be in some good Aspect: when she beholds Jupiter or the Sun, then they'll be so bold as confidently to wait on Persons of Quality.

Observations on August, 1680.

THE Sun and Venus being by this time far advan­ced together in Leo, may be apt to make several phoud Sons of the Whore of Rome look as high above Protestants as they did before the Plot broke out: but before the end of this Month Jupiter comes and squares the Sun, which may notably foretel, that Po­pish Ecclesiasticks will, by an over weaning Opinion of their own Capacity in Politicks, run themselves into some further prejudice with this Nation. A little be­fore the Murder of Sir Edmund bury Godfrey, there might have been some such ill Aspect, for they were then strangely out in their Politicks, and through mistake may prove to have blasted the fair hopes of every Pa­pist in this Kingdom, and hung themselves in a string, instead of destroying that Worthy Gentleman. A little before the mentioned square, Saturn and Mars, the great Contrivers of Milchief, meet together to consult, and it being in Cancer, a crabbed Sign, we have all of us rea­son to fear the worst.

• ☉ ♌.
• ♀ ♌.
• 28 Ϲ ♃ ☉.
• 20. ☌ ♄ ♂ in ♋.

Observations on September. 1680.

MArs and Venus meet again in a kind loving way this Month, and the Sun gets as close to her, as 'tis possible: They are both such hot Blades, that I can't warrant her from catching a Clap; only we may hope well of her side, because she's at home in Libra, in her own House, where she may take as much care of her self as she pleases. The Sun is in his Fali, and his Reins weak: The over-great heat of the Summer, and his many leacherous Conjunctions, may have much oc­casioned it. 'Tis Mars that helps to spit Fire from Leo: Therefore I would by all means advise our Ladies of Pleasure, to have a care how they bestow themselves about this time; for if they should catch a Mischance, they'l be apt to meet with an ill cure, by taking some ill Preparation of Mercury, he being now Retrograde, and out of humour. Besides, Saturn Squares the God­dess they pay their Devotion to; so that if Jupiter does not help with his most kind Countenance, I know not what will become of her. He is in a double-bodied Sign indeed, and is naturally of a very sound temper of bo­dy; so that 'tis likely enough he may do the Harlot some remarkable piece of service.

• 10. ⚹ ♂ ♀.
• 12. ☉ in ♎.
• ☿ R. in ♎.
• 26. Ϲ ♄ ♀.
• 21. △ ♃ ♀.
• ♃ in Ϲ.
• ♂ in ♌.

Observations on October. 1680.

MErcury is all this Month in leacherous Signs; so that Astrologers will be hot, though the Wea­ther be cold: But have a care, I warn ye, what ye do, while Saturn is in an ill humour. The Old Man has been a long time in a Paw-Sign, and is well enough in­clin'd by this time, but he's apt to be Envious; yet being told by one of the wisest of his Admirers, that he shall shortly enjoy a very pretty Lady, and have more vigour than his Age will allow, he grows extraordina­ry well pleased before the Month is over, and makes a Trine to Mercury: with a great many thanks. Well, but Mars and Venus, Lovers, fall out: I wonder at it, because Venus is got into Scorpio, which signifies the main thing that he loves her for, and 'tis one of his Houses; so that he's very rude and ill-natur'd, to have no more respect for her at such a time, and in such a place. Mercury is Combust, and in Scorpio too; so that Astrologers should look to't, that they don't meddle too much with the Girls that come to ask them Questions. But 'tis no great matter if they be bit by the Scorpion; they pretend to have the Faculty of curing themselves: For Culpepper has made Physitians of many an Old Wo­man, as well as Astrologers.

• ☿ in ♎.
• 5. Ϲ ♄ ☉.
• 31. △ ♄ ☿.
• 24. Ϲ ♂ ♀.

Observations on November. 1680.

HEat and Cold, Saturn and the Sun are very obli­ging and Complemental, the beginning of this Month; but I fancy, 'tis only Courtiers kindness, your Humble Servant a thousand times over, when they hate and despise you at Heart. The Sun, Venus, and Mer­cury, are all in Opposition of Jupiter; so that I can't tell what to think of the Bishops. Three to one's odds, Man, Woman, and Child, say you? I wish their Lord­ships well in health, and well to pass. The Moon does even the same things she uses to do: Whether she's most apt to make the Weather Cold now, or Rainy in September, I leave the Learned to consider. If Astro­logers, would believe more in God, than they do in her, I should not be so angry with 'em: but I warrant they'l set a Figure to find me out; I fear 'em not, S— him­self knew nothing on't, when a man lay with his Wife. Let them disprove my Observations if they can, I dare vindicate the truth of them by keen dint of Pen, against e're a He amongst. 'em: But then they must write mighty soberly, or else they'l hardly tempt me to lose my time with 'em.

• 4. △ ♄ ☉.
• 6. ☍ ♃ ♀.
• 13. ☍ ♃ ☿.
• 22. ☍ ♃ ☉.

Observations on December. 1680.

GEntlemen, ye're very welcome to the last Month; in troth I'm a'most tired, th' have cost me a full mornings work, and 'tis not good to surfeit. If you are not quite tir'd too, I would tell you a little more News before we depart. Jupiter and Mars are in their hottest loves with Venus this coldest time o'th' year, but Saturn is as cold to her as the Weather. 'Tis very likely Astrologers may get a Shilling for a Figure, and a Groat for an Ʋrinal upon the Trine of Mars and Mercury; the dire­ction happens twice this Month, so that 'twould be very pro­bable they would get enough to pay for Meat, Drink, and Lodging, if Saturn did not oppose it, as he does twice too. Last Month I told you how kind and Ceremonious the Sun and Sa­turn were, I told you 'twas but hollow-heartedness, for now they are passing at one another with all the eagerness that can be. And now, my dear good Reader, I hope I have diverted thee a little, but shall not much concern my self to know too much of thy mind in that point; please thy self, and thou pleasest me.

• 1. △ ♂ ♀.
• 20. △ ♃ ♀.
• 7. △ ♂ ☿.
• 18. △ ♂ ☿.
• 12. ☍ ♄ ☿.
• 18. ☍ ♄ ☿.
• 29. ☍ ♄ ☉.