154 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



of the fixed stars with one another are of use in contemplat 

 ing the fabric of the world, and the nature of the subjacent 

 regions, but in no respect for predictions, because at ail 

 times alike. 2. This astrology should take in the nearest 

 approaches and the furthest removes of each planet to and 

 from the zenith, according to the climate; for all the planets 

 have their summer and winter, wherein they dart their rays 

 stronger or weaker, according to their perpendicular or ob 

 lique direction. So we question not but the moon in Leo 

 has, in the same manner as the sun, a greater effect upon 

 natural bodies with us than when in Pisces, not because 

 the moon in Leo moves the head, and under Pisces affects 

 the feet, but by reason of her greater perpendicular eleva 

 tion and nearer approach to the larger stars. 3. It should 

 receive the apogees and perigees of the planets, with a 

 proper inquiry into what the vigor of the planets may per 

 form of itself, and what through their nearness to us; for a 

 planet is more brisk in its apogee, but more communicative 

 in its perigee. 4. It should include all the other accidents 

 of the planets motions, their accelerations, retardations, 

 courses, stations, retrogradations, distances from the sun, in 

 crease and diminutions of light, eclipses, etc. For all these 

 things affect the rays of the planets, and cause them to act 

 either weaker, stronger, or in a different manner. 5. This 

 astrology should contain all that can by any means be 

 known or discovered of the nature of the stars, both erratic 

 and fixed, considered in their own essence and activity, viz., 

 their magnitude, color^ aspect, sparkling and vibrating of 

 light; their situation with regard to the poles or equinoc 

 tial; the constellations, which thicker set and which thinner, 

 which higher, which lower; what fixed stars are in the 

 zodiac, and what out of it; the different velocities of the 

 planets, their different latitudes, which of them are retro 

 grade, and which not; their different distances from the 

 sun; which move swiftest in their apogee, and which in 

 their perigee; the irregularities of Mars, the excursions of 

 Venus, and the extraordinary phases, accidents, and ap- 



