What Constellations rise with the several Degrees of the Twelve Signs

[p. 49] The Argument

Having explain'd the general influence of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiack, and given a particular account of their interchanges with one another, and how they incline when they rise; after a short Preface, in which he magnifies his own Industry, and unweary'd diligence in this Subject: He goes on, 1. To shew what Constellations rise with the several Degrees of the Twelve Signs, and then what Tempers they bestow, and to what Studies they incline: For instance, 2. The Northern Rudder of the Ship, riseth with the fourth Degree of Aries, and those that are then Born, shall be inclin'd to Sail, and prove good Pilots: 3. Orion riseth with the same Degree of Aries, and those that are Born under his Influence, shall be Men of busie, active Tempers, Solicitors, cringing Parasites and Flatterers: 4. Heniochus or the Driver, riseth with the fifteenth Degree of Aries, and makes Charioteers, Horse-Racers, and Men Skill'd in all sorts of Horseman-ship: 5. With the Twentieth Degree of Aries, the Haedi or the Kids rise, and those, being wanton Stars, produce nothing that is Vertuous or Noble: Their Births are wanton, light, and lustful, and never Couragious, but in pursuit of some shameful lewd Pleasure; some of their Births, are peculiarly delighted in feeding and keeping Goats: 7. With the Twenty-seventh Degree of Aries, rise the Hyades: And their Births are always turbulent and Seditious, prone to Factions, restless Phanaticks, or else, they give their Minds to Country Affairs, feed Cattle, or turn Waggoners: 7. With the Thirtieth Degree of Aries, the Goat riseth; and those that are Born under that influence, shall be fearful, jealous, suspicious, and inconstant, or else inclin'd to Travel: 8. He says the Pleiades rise with the sixth Degree of Taurus; and the Men that are then Born, shall be gay, and humorous, witty, but too effeminate and soft, minding nothing but Dress, Gate, and Love: 9. The Hare riseth with the seventh Degree of Gemini or the Twins; and her Births are active and nimble, fit for all sports, all feats of activity, and slight of hand: 10. The Asses rise with the first Degree of Cancer; and those that are Born under their influence, shall be employ'd in all sorts of Hunting and Fishing: 11. With the twenty-seventh Degree of Cancer, Procyon or the little Dog rises, and that produceth such as weave Nets, make Spears, and all other Instruments of Huntsmen: 12. The Great Dog riseth with Leo, and being himself a Constellation of excessive heat; those that are Born under his influence, shall be full of Passion, Hate, Jealousie, and ungovernable suspicion, and given to excess in Wine; their Heat shall lead them on to to dangers, and engage them to hunt wild Beasts. 13. With the last Degree of Leo, the Bowl appears, and inclines to plant and dress Vines; the Births shall be somewhat intemperate, inclin'd to Merchandise, and to trade in those Commodities, which cannot be brought to perfection without moisture: 14. With the fifteenth Degree of Virgo, the Crown of Ariadne riseth, and then the Births shall be Florists; they shall delight in making and perfuming Garlands, be Gay, Amorous, and affect neatness in their Habit. 15. The Sheaf riseth with the tenth Degree of Virgo, and inclines Men to look after Corn, to build Barns, to Grind and Bake Grain, and make it useful: 16. With the eighth Degree of Libra, the Arrow rises, and then are Born expert Darters, and good Bow-Men, such as Philoctetes, Teucer, and Alcon. 17. The Goat or Haedus, riseth with some part of Libra, and produceth Tempers quick and active, fit for Business, and covetous of Employment: somewhat loose, but honest to their Country, and Enemies to Knaves. 18. The Harp rising with some part of Libra, breeds Songsters and Musicians; such as affect to Sing in Company, and are always humming to themselves. 19. The Altar rising with the eighth Degree of Scorpio, breeds Priests, Servants in Temples, and such as take care of and consult Oracles. 20. The Southern Centaur rising with the twelfth Degree of Scorpio, breeds Horse-Men, Charioteers, and Farriers. 21. With the fifth Degree of Sagittarius, Arcturus appears, and breeds Collectors of Customs, Treasurers for Kings, or Stewards for private Mens Estates. 22. With the thirtieth Degree of Sagittarius, the Swan rises; and then are Born all kinds of Fowlers; such as Teach Birds to speak, to sing, or to decoy, &c. all their Employments shall be about Birds. 23. With some part of Capricon, Ophieuchus, or the Snake-holder riseth, and produceth such as are Skill'd in curing poison'd Persons, and such as cannot be poison'd themselves. 24. With the last Degrees of Capricorn, the Southern Fish rising, breeds Anglers, Divers, Fishers for Pearls, &c. or at least, Traders for Fish and Pearls. 25. With some part of Capricorn the Harp, (or rather the Strings of it, for of the Shell Manilius hath already spoken) riseth, and produceth subtle Accusers, Justices that shall examine nicely, and determine justly; or such as shall torture, and force the Guilty to Confession. 26. With some Degree of Capricon, the Dolphin riseth, and breeds all sorts of Swimmers, such as are nimble and active, and perform feats of activity, either in the Water, or on Land. 27. Cepheus rising with some Degree of Aquarius, breeds Men of Morose Tempers, such as are design'd for Guardians, or Tutors, Tragick Poets, and sometimes Comedians, Stage-Players, Pantomimes, and all sorts of Actors. 28. With the twelfth Degree of Aquarius, the Eagle riseth, and breeds Men of the most violent Tempers, head-strong, and bloody, greedy of spoyl, and destroying every thing that opposeth them; under-Officers in an Army, and Armor-bearers to a General. 29. Cassiopeia rising with the twentieth Degree of Aquarius, breeds Founders in Metals, Goldsmiths, Jewellers, &c. 30. With the twelfth Degree of Pisces, Andromeda riseth, and breeds Goalers, and all sorts of Executioners, cruel, pitiless and bloody. 31. With the twenty-first Degree of Pisces, the Horse riseth, and breeds strong, vigorous, active Men, excellent Horsemen, either for the Race or War, Farriers, and Physitians. 32. With the thirtieth Degree of Pisces, the kneeling Constellation, or Hercules appears; and his Births are Lewd, Treacherous Villains, given to no useful Arts; at best Juglers and Rope-dancers. 33. With the same Degree of Pisces, the Whale riseth, and produceth Fishers, Fishmongers, makers of Salt, &c. 34. The Bears (Manilius tells us, what he means by their rising) are joyn'd with Leo and Scorpio, and breed such as are employ'd in breeding Beasts, and particularly Bears. 35. There follows a fragment, in which the Poet Treats of the several magnitudes or sizes of the Stars, that make up the several Constellations.

[p. 54] It is confess'd that Manilius shews no great exactness in the Astronomical part of this Book, but the Astrology is perfect and, may for the most part be apply'd to the most correct Astronomy.

[p. 55] The design of the Fifth Book

Here at the Signs, those Paths of yearly light,Weak Minds would stop; nor dare a farther flight:But through the Planets Orbs would take their CourseAt one full stoop from Heaven, and mark their force;What Mercury design'd, what Mars did dare,Or Luna thought on in her Gloomy care:What Sol would work, how Saturn look'd on Jove,And Venus manag'd her Intriegue of Love:No farther would their feeble Thoughts aspire,And other Stars had roul'd unheeded Fire.But since I'm once on wing, and rais'd on high,I'll boldly soar, and compass all the Sky;I'll visit every Star, and strive to knowTheir proper Powers, and how they Rule below:Avoid no labour, and no toyl refuse,Whilst constant Industry can aid my Muse.

The Southern Constellations

Here vast Orion Heaven's great part, the Streams,Whose Spacious Windings mix agreeing Beams;The Hero's Ship which now midst Stars doth Sail,The frightful Centaur, and the gaping Whale,The Dog, whose Fires o're all the World are rould,The watchful Keeper of the growing Gold;And Heaven's high Altar grac't with Gifts inviteMy eager Muse to take a larger flight.

The Northern Constellations

There where the Serpent twines betwixt the Bears,Where rouls the Driver, and still minds his Cares:Where slow Bootes drives his lingring Teams,Or Ariadne's Crown spreads Heavenly Beams:Where Perseus soars with Gorgon's Spoyls above,And weilds his Fauchion to secure his Love:Where wretched Cepheus and his Wife besideThe fair Andromeda still Curse their Pride;Or where ¹oppos'd the scaly Dolphin liesTo the swift Shaft, or where the Eagle flies,Or Starry Horse still runs, my Muse must move,And boldly visit every Star above.

[p. 56] These I must Sing, their proper Powers explain,How when they rise, how when they set they Reign:And what Degrees they claim from every Sign,And what extend their force, and what confine:For when the World was Fram'd, the Mighty CauseThese Powers bestow'd, and did Enact these Laws;How Signs should singly work, how Stars agree,And settled all things by a firm Decree.