Sect. 1.

THe old Hypothesis of the World according to to Ptolomey is found to be false, and that new one of Copernicus (where the ☉ is the immova­ble Centre of the Universe, and the Earth moved in the said Orb which Ptolomy gave the ☉) is evinced to be the onely true one.

Sect. 2.

Notwithstanding this eviction in behalf of Coperni­cus, the Aspects are by all Astronomers yet calculated according to the old Systeme of Ptolomy, as if the Earth were the Center, which the motions of the Planets, and by consequence the Aspects did respect. So that though Astronomy be corrected, yet Astrology (which judges mostly by Aspects) remains yet uncorrected. Inas­much as

Sect. 3.

The Aspects ought to be calculated (as the Schools speak) as they are, not quoad nos, but quoad naturam (A distinction that suits marvellously well with our present p [...]pose, better a great deal then with their priority and notiority.) For

[Page 6] If a Line drawn from the Center of the Earth through the Center of a Planet (this being supposed and grant­ed that the Earth moves in an Orb above ♀) and so continued do intersect the Zodiack (for examples sake) in the 22 degree of ♋; again, if a Line drawn from the Center of the ☉ through the Center of the same Planet, and continued do intersect the Zodiack in the 29 degree of ♋; certainly the place of that Planet is rather to be accounted the 29 degree of ♋ then the 22, since this determines but his apparent place and quoad nos, that his true place and quoad naturam: And if so, then his point of ☍ will be not the 22 but 29 of ♍, his △ of ♓ and ♏ his □ of ♈ and ♎, and his ⚹ not the 22 but 29 of ♉ and ♍. And if so too,

Sect. 5.

We shall assume the boldness to begin the correction of the Arabian Astrology after this sort. 1. Let the motions of all the Planets and their places be calcula­ted, as they relate to the ☉ (an easier and more expe­dible piece of Arithmetick, then to relate them to the Earth.) And when this is done,

Sect. 6.

2. Let their Aspects be collected thence according to the common custom of our Ephemerides that are now in request: After which done, you will perceive this wide difference between this and the old Astrology.

Sect. 7.

First, In the 3 superior Planets ♄ ♃ and ♂, that which in the Ephemerides is now called ☌ ☉, will be found to [Page 7] be ☍ of the Earth (whose Character for brevity and di­stinctions sake may be this [●]) and their ☍ ☉ will be found to be ☌ ●, their ⚹ ☉ to be a △ ●, their △ ☉ a ⚹, and their □ ☉ and □ ●, dexter for sinister, and sinister for dexter.

Sect. 8.

Further, not onely the species of the Aspect will be altered, but the time too: For onely the ☌ ● and ☍ ● will exactly agree with the times of ☍ ☉ and ☌ ☉; The ⚹ and △ of ☉ will differ somewhat from the times of the △ and ⚹ of ●, and the □ ☉ will differ most from the time of □ ●.

Sect. 9.

More then this, all their Aspects that they have each to other, will be found different from the old ones (now received) quoad tempus, non quoad speciem, proportion­ably to their distance from the seeming place of the ☉.

Sect. 10.

Secondly, The place of the ● in the Zodiaque will be found in the point opposite to the place of the ☉ in our now Ephemerides.

Sect. 11.

Thirdly, the ☽ onely (seeing the Earth is the Center of her Orb, and to it therefore her motion and place must be referred) must keep her old place in the Zodiaque ac­cording to our Ephemerides, without any alteration at all. And yet this something improperly too, seeing the Zodiaque and her Orb have not a common center: for the ☉ is the center of the one, and the ● of the other.

Sect. 12.

Fourthly, for ♀ and ☿ the two Inferiors, their seeming ☌ ☉ in the middle of their direction will be found to be a real ☍ ● ▪ and their ☌ ☉ in the middle of their Retro­gradation a real ☌ ●, yet without any difference in the time.

Sect. 13.

More then this, they will be found to have a ⚹ □ and △ to the Earth, even as the three Superiors have, be­sides a □ △ and ☍ each to other, all which Aspects our Ephemerides would make them incapable of. Many other particular deductions and differences I might name; which because these will light you to the corner where they are, and I have circumscribed my self into a narrow room, I shall omit. So that hence it will plainly appear in all reason, That

Sect. 14.

This which we here propound to be calculated and collected, although hitherto it hath not (I may say through negligence) been put in practice, is the onely true doctrine of Aspects, and the onely sound founda­tion of Astrology.

Sect. 15.

I am the more inclined to believe this, that so much reason doth already dictate and confirm, when I consi­der the weakness and shifts of the old Astrology.

Sect. 16.

Weakness, in that all the Predictions (or at least 99 in a hundred) of the old Astrology, which notwithstand­ing [Page 9] is so cryed up in this Age, deduced from the Ptole­maick Aspects, are so consciously doubtful, so obscure­ly delivered, and many of them so fallible, that it hath notoriously proved the scandal of Astrology, and pos­sest the grave and sober breasts of the world with a con­ceit, That Astrology is but a higher degree of Lieger de main, and Astrologers but liberal Juglers. Nay so pur-blinde it is (I mean the old Astrology) that in the very matter of the weather it self, it is fain to confess it self unable to do any more then give a probable conje­cture of it; and not without good cause, since it is of­tentimes far enough from doing that too.

Sect. 17.

Shifts; in that, when it hath found the weather fall out different or contrary to the promises or threats of their Aspects (which is no wonder, for many times there is above a Moneths difference between the appa­rent and true Aspects; as for example, the ☌ ♄ ♀, which our Almanacks this year all say happens about the lat­ter end of May, really falls about the Tenth day of April, and was no doubt the cause of that cold, rainy weather that then happened; to say nothing of the □ ● ♄, that happened two or three days before, as they shall finde who will take the pains to calculate this easier way) and not onely the weather, but other accidents too; it hath been forced to introduce a number of whimsical Aspects (as Semisextiles, Tredeciles, Quin­tiles, Biquintiles, Octiles, Vigintiles, Quincunces, Quin­dreiles, Deciles, Semiquadrates, Sesquiquadrates, and the like) not so much to keep the other five old ones company, as to furnish it ready with a good and bad [Page 10] Aspect, that so it may make either (as occasion serves) the Father of fair or foul weather.

Sect. 18.

To the foregoing reasons we shall adde another, al­though but a weaker, That the truth of this doctrine of Aspects is wonderfully confirmed by observation, which should have been more particular and exact, had not my profession so strictly engaged engaged me to a daily and conscientious attention upon it: For, having calcu­lated the places of the Planets (Minerva aliquanto cras­siore, I confess for want of time to altar my Tables) in relation to the ☉ as Center for some Moneths past; I found the events all the way very audibly to answer my expectations, even at such time when they were dumb, or gainsayed the Aspects in the Almanacks. Let him that lists, make tryal to satisfie his minde by his own observation; and he will (I dare confidently warrant him) finde that this is truth which I tell him, besides an additional recompense for his pains.

Sect. 19.

If any one ask how it should come to pass that Haly, Guido, and many Astrologers both before and since, never lighted on this way. His answer must be, That they all received and were sincerely perswaded of the old System, and upon this perswasion sate down and sought no further; whereas this is a Consectary of the new. And

Sect. 20.

If he ask again how the Ancients thus erring both in the kinde and time of the true Aspects, could come to [Page 11] know so well, not onely the nature of the Planets, that some are benevolent, as ♃ and ♀; some malevolent, as ♄ and ♂; and some of a middle nature, as the other three, but also of the Aspects, that some are frowns, as □ and ☍; some smiles, as ⚹ and △, &c. His answer is ready for him, That it is most probable they came to this knowledge by those Aspects which they had each to other, when they were at or near ☌ or ☍ of the ☉, as also by their ☌ or ☍ to the ☉ himself; which Aspects (as I told you) differ, some very little, and some nothing at all in time from the true Aspects. As for example, it might so fortune that ♄ and ♀ might be in ☌, near about the time (that is, within a day or two) of ♄ his conjun­ction with the ☉, and at that conjunction they might observe cold, missing, rainy weather to happen. Hence they gathered, that ☌ ♄ ♀ (consideratis considerandis) was the cause of a cold mis [...]ing rain. And so in others, not that I think this uncertain guide (blinde on one eye, and pur-blinde on the other) could lead them into a per­fect and infallible knowledge of their influence; for I am perswaded, that in some matters they will be found very wide: And what those matters are, this that I here propose is the most likely way to discover.

Sect. 21.

This that I speak touching the places and Aspects of the Planets to be altered, I would have to be under­stood not onely to be altered in Almanacks for the wea­thers sake, but likewise in all figures, whether Horary, Revolutional, or Genethliaque, and all other Judge­ments whatsoever depending upon Aspect or Direction. For it is not to be doubted, but that it will at length ap­pear, [Page 12] That the greatest part of that batch of essential and accidental Dignities and Debilities, as House, Ex­altation, Triplicity, Term, Face, Detriment, Fall, Pe­regrinity, Reception, Conformity of Hain and Quarter, combustion, in centro ☉, and the like; together with part of Fortune, life and death, and the divisions severally of the Houses and Signs, deserve no other place but to be ranked among those Shifts which I spake of before, being invented for the same end, as is probable enough.

Sect. 22.

And since I have been hitherto so to bold to correct that Astrology which hath been received by all Mathe­maticians till now: I shall venture a little further in the prosecution of it, seeing there are other things fit to be considered in Astrology which are not, because men generally hold Authority to be reason.

Sect. 23.

First then let the Aspects of those Planets whose Orbs are immediately contignate, be ranked in a degree of more powerful, because Vis unitior fortius agit: such are the Aspects of ♄ and ♃, ♃ and ♂, ♂ and ❍, ♂ and ☽, when she is opposite to the ☉, ● and ♀, ♀ and the ☽, when she is about the change; and ♀ and ☿. And as the Orbs of the configurated Planets are farther asunder or nearer together, so let their Aspects be accounted less or more forcible.

Sect. 24.

Secondly, Let the Aspects of the ☽ with the other Planets be little reckoned upon (unless in the cases a­bovenamed) since they move about divers centers, and [Page 13] their Aspects therefore are properly not Aspects, but seeming so: The most considerable thing in the motion of the ☽ is her age, or relation to the ☉.

Sect. 25.

Thirdly, Let no Astrologer henceforward disparage the fortune of his Native, because his Almuten is sta­tionary or retrograde, nor flatter it any thing the more because he is direct; seeing these passions are not real, but (as they are fitly called) Phaenomena: But let him rather judge by the Planets Apogaeosis, Perigaeosis, Hy­pergaeosis, and Hypogaeosis his culmination, his rising and setting, his Northern or Southern Declination and La­titude, things not hitherto much regarded.

Sect. 26.

Fourthly, (but herein I give but my judgement) where­as our now-Astrology begins the year at the ☉ his en­trance into ♈ on this side of the Equator, and erects its figure of Revolution for that time; it seems more con­gruous to begin it in December, when the ☉ enters ♍; and for this reason, because at that point of time the ☉ hath just finished his furthest Southern progress, and begins to come towards us again, from that time (to use the common Argument) instilling life by degrees in­to the Plants of the Earth by his approach; which, though it be most palpable in March, when he enters ♈, yet hath it a being and measure while he is in ♍, and though ♈ be the birth of vegetables, yet is ♍ their con­ception.

Sect. 27.

Fifthly, for the very same reason whereas Astrolo­gers accommodate always their Scheme to the time of [Page 14] exclusion, and by that judge of the future lot of the Native; it would better agree with reason (me thinks) to apply it to the time of the conception (if it may be known) because that is most properly the first instant of being: for such is in many things our stupidity, that we think a thing is not, because we cannot see it be. And

Sect. 28.

Lastly, for the more full assurance and attaining to perfection in Judgement of the weather, I could wish that a course might be contrived (if it were possible) for observing the weather in some place under or near the Equator, and in the same Longitude with London, where there are the same noons, nights, mornings and even­ings (such as are Axum, Mina or Biamba in Guinea, in 5 or 6 degrees of North Latitude) and that for half a year or more (places near the Equator I chuse, because ob propinquitatem astrorum vim citius purius & evidentius sentiunt) while the like observations are made at Lon­don at the same time and for by the same space; that by the collation of these Observations (together with the Principles here delivered) that dark Riddle of Nature may be solved. And

Sect. 29.

Here, by being so near, I shall take occasion to presume little farther, and tell some Astrologers who account it their glory to have their hearers tremble at their Ora­cles, that they betray both their own credit, and (as in them lies) the truth of Gods Word, by telling the world that this Eclipse past in March, and that other to come in 1654. are certain Signs of the day of Judge­ment: For (though it be true that Eclipses of the ☉ [Page 15] (as we call them) are more dreadful and effectual to us, then those of the ☽; for this reason, because the one sort are a privation of original Light, the of other a deri­vative onely, yet) seeing that every year there happen sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes more, but never fewer Eclipses, visible in one Horizon or other, though our own be no witness of them; the World by their Logick would have been by this time dissolved a hundred times over and over. And by this means too we can expect no less, then that credulous and cavilling heads, when they shall have survived that other Eclipse as well as this, and shall see the Universe in statu quo, notwithstanding these outragious fantasies had turned all into ashes, will be apt enough to think, That sacred Prophecies are us empty Terrors, as those bold Sooth-saying; and, That dooms-day is but a dream. A help which in these days we need least, since too many al­ready have leap'd into Hell without this staff. That the end shall be, is an Article of the Catholique Faith; but when it shall be (since the Ephemerides of Heaven speaks nothing of it; and not onely the Stars of the Caelum Empiraeum know nothing of it, but the Son of Righte­ousness himself confesses as much for them and himself too) is more then curiosity to ask, more then madness to determine, and more then folly to believe.

Sect. 30.

Astrologers in general take it upon trust from the An­cients, that Eclipses operate not presently, but after a time, and content themselves with their Authority: But the thing is so adverse to reason, that it might justly be suspected to have been brought into Astrology upon the same score, and for the same reason that those other [Page 16] ceits were mentioned before in the 17 and 21 Sections. Indeed (let me not wrong any man) some of the Science are doubtful, that this Maxim is not so sound as ancient.

Sect. 31.

Many particular things I have omitted, which might have pertinently been summoned in, but dismissed they are, because (being consequents of that which hath been generally laid down) they are hard at hand, and will quickly hear whensoever discourse shall call to them to answer: And prolixity is vain, but then most of all, when it is not certain that the thing it self simply is ac­cepted.