CHAT. IV.] TRUE OBJECTS OF ASTROLOGY. 131 



no respect for predictions, because at all times alike. 2. Thia 

 astrology should take in the nearest approaches and the far- 

 thest removes of each planet to and from the zenith, accord- 

 ing to the climate; for all the planets have their summer 

 and winter, wherein they dart their rays stronger or weaker, 

 according to their perpendicula,r or oblique 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 elevation and nearer approach to the 

 larger stars. 3. It should receive the apogees and perigees 

 of the planets, Avith a proper inquiiy into what the vigour ol 

 the planets may perform of itself, and what through their 

 nearness to us ; for a planet is more brisk in its apogee, but 

 more conmiunicative in its perigee. 4. It should include all 

 the other accidents of the planets' motions, their accelera- 

 tions, retardations, courses, stations, retrogradations, dis- 

 tances from the sun, increase and diminutions of light, 

 eclipses, &c. 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 know^n or discovered of the nature 

 of the stars, both erratic and fixed, considered in their own 

 essence and activity, viz., their magnitude, colour, aspect, 

 sparkling and vibrating of light ; their situation with regard 

 to the poles or equinoctial; 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 dif- 

 ferent velocities of the planets, their different latitudes, 

 which of them are retrograde, and which not ; their diffe- 

 rent 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 appearances observable in Venus and the sun ; 

 with other things of this kind. 6. Lastly, let it contain, 

 from tradition, the particular natures and alterations of the 

 planets and fixed stars ; for as these are delivered with gene- 

 ral consent, they are not lightly to be rejected, unless they 

 directly contradict physical reasons. And of such observa- 



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