Chapter IX. The Quality and Nature of the Effect

Tue discrimination of the peculiar properties and character _of the effect about to be produced, and of its good or evil nature, occupies the fourth and last division of this part of the subject.

These properties must be gathered from the power of the stars which controul the ruling places, and ftom the contemperament created by their relative admixture with each other and with the places which they controul. For, ‘atthough the Sun and Moon are the acknowledged sources of -

* ‘According to ‘Whalley, Cardan, in refefenceé to the nine modes of corifiguration, ‘applicable to the fixed stars, says, “ When & fixed “ star is with any planet, or in any angle, consider whether it be by “ any of these ways; if not, it is most weak; if it be, consider whether it be with the Suh, and not to be seen; then it is very weak. « Or if it is to be seen, and ts with the Sun ocvidental, it is indifferent. “ Or if it be seen, and is hot with the San, it isutrouger; er if it de

““ Seen, and fs orrental, fren & ts strongest.”

all the efficacy and dominion of the stars, and of their strength ot weakness, and in a certain manner regulate and command them, still, it is by the theory of the contemperas ment, produced by the stars in dominion, that tie ofioes ® indicated.

In order tO understand the indications thus made, it is necessary to begin by attending to the followmg detail of the effective property of each planet— previoubly observing, however, that, when any circumstance is said,‘ for the sake ef brevity, to come to pass by the general influence of the five planets, their tempetament, and the power and assistance they maay derive from natures similar to their own, the actual continuance of their own proper constitution, or ,the casual combination of any analogous influence, arismy from fixed stars or places in the zodiac, are all, at the same time, to be kept in view. Consequently, whenever any general remark 4s herein made felative to the five planets, it will likewise be srectssacy to beat in mind both their temperament and quality ; as fully, indeed, as if the stars themselves had not beet named, but only their effective. quality and nature, And, it is further to be remembered, that, ‘im every case of compound temperament, not only the consbination of the plamets with each other requires to be considered, but also that of such fixed stars and zodiacal places as share in the natures of the planets, by being respectively cormected with ‘them according to the fainiliavities already described,

Hence, when Saturn may be sole governor, he will preduct. disasters. concomitant with cold. And, in as far 36 the event. may apply to the human race m particular, it will induce among meen lingering diseases, consutmptions, dechines, rheumatisoss, disorders from watery humours, and ut+ tacks of the quartan ague; as well as efile, poverty, anda general mass of evils,.griefs, and alarms: deaths also will be frequent, but chiefly among persons advanced in age. ‘That part of the brute creation which is most serviceable to man

will likewise suffer, and be destroyed by disease; and men who make use of the animals thus diseased will be infected by them, and perish with them. The atmosphere will become dreadfully chill and frosty, unwholesome, turbid and gloomy, presenting only clouds and pestilence. Copious and destructive storms of snow and hail will descend, generating and fostering insects and reptiles noxious to mankind. In rivers, and at sea, tempests will be frequent and general, causing disastrous voyages and many shipwrecks ; and even fish will be destroyed. The waters of the sea will retire for atime, and again return and produce inundations 3; rivers will overflow their banks, and cause stagnant pools ; and the fruits of the earth, especially such as are necessary to sustain life, will be lost and cut off by blight, locusts, floods, rains, hail, or some similar agency ; and the loss will be so extensive as to threaten even famine.

Jupiter, if he should be lord alone, will thoroughly improve and benefit all things. Among mankind, in particular, this planet promotes honour, happiness, content and peace, by augmenting all the necessaries and comforts of life, and all mental and bodily advantages. It induces also favours, benefits, and gifts emanating from royalty, and adds greater lustre to kings themselves, increasing their dignity and magnanimity: all men, in short, will share inthe prosperity created by its infld@ence. With regard to the operation of the event on brutes, those which are domestic and adapted to man’s service will be multiplied and thrive ; while others, which are useless and hostile to man, will ke destroyed. The constitution of the atmosphere will be healthy and temperate, filled with gentle breezes and moisture, and ‘favourable to fruits. Navigation will be safe and successful ; rivers*will rise to their just proportion ; fruits and grain, and all other productions of the earth conducive

to the welfare and peppinese of the world, will be peer in abundance. 7

Chap. 1X.] -—»- PTOLEMY’s TETRABIBLOS. 8T

Mars, when governing alone, generally causes such tiischief and destruction as is concomitant with dryness. And, among mankind, foreign wars will be excited, accompanied - with intestine divisions, captivity, slaughter, insurrections of the people, and wrath of: princes against their subjects ; 3 to-"

gether with sudden and untimely death, the consequence’ ‘of

. these distufbances. Feverish ‘disorders, tertian agues, and hsemorrhages will take place, and will be rapidly followed by’

painful death, carrying off chiefly youthful persons’! and’

conflagration, murder, impiety, every infraction of the law, adultery, rape, robbery, and all kinds:of violence will be ‘practised. Fhe atmosphere will be parched by hot, pestilential,

and blasting winds, accompanied by drought, lightnings, and fires emitted from the sky. At sea, ships will be suddenly wrecked by the turbulence of the wind and strokes of lightning. Rivers will fail, springs will be dried up, and’ there will be a scarcity of water proper for food and sustenance. All the creatures and productions of the earth adapted to the use of mian, whether beasts, grain, or fruits, _ will be damaged or destroyed by excessive heat, by storms of thunder and lightning, or by violent winds; and what- _ ever has been deposited in store will be destroyed or injured by fire, or by heat.

Venus; alone in dominion, generally produces the same effects as Jupiter, yet with greater suavity and more agreeably. Glory, honour, and joy will attend mankind ; happy marriages will be contracted, and the fortunate pairs will be blessed with numerous children. Every undertaking will proceed prosperously, wealth will increase, and the conduct of human fife will be altogether pure, simple and pious ;

due reverence being paid to all holy and sacred institutions, - and harmony subsisting between princes and their subjects.

The weather also will be of a favourable temperature, cooled by moistening breezes; the air altogether pure and salu-

briaus, frequently refreshed by fertilizing showers; Voyages ‘will be performed in safety, and be attended by success and profit. Rivers will be improved, and receive their adequate supply of waters; and al] things valuable and useful to mankind, whether animal or vegetable, will abundantly thrive and multiply. .

Mercury, if possessing dominion, is usually conjoined with one or other of the planets beforementioned; and is conformed and assimilated to their natures; yet a8, jn itsclf, it presents a certain addition to their power, this planet _ inereases the respective impulses of them al]. And, in regard to the operation of the event on mankind, it will promote industry and skill in business ; but, at the same time, thievish propensities, robberies, and plots of treachery: if configurated with the malefics, it will produce calamities in navigation, and will also cause dry and parching diseases, quotidian fever, cough, consumption, and hemorrhage.— All parts of the ceremonies and services of religion, the affairs of the executive government, as well as manners, customs, and laws, are disposed and regulated by this planet, conformably to its admixture and familiarity with each of the others. And in consequence of the dryness of its na- - ture, arising from its proximity to the Sun, and the rapidity of its motion, it will generate in the atmosphere turbulent, sharp and variable winds, ‘together with thunders, meteors, and lightnings, accompanied by sudden chasms in the earth, and earthquakes ; by these means it not unfrequently occasions the destruction of animals and plants assigned to the service of mankind. Besides the foregoing effects, it pro~ duces, when in vespertine. position, a diminutiorm of waters, and, when matutine, an augmentation.