the promotion of his own interest, and liable to the ignominious disease.

Mercury in Sagittarius, denotes a person tall of sta ture, well shaped, body not corpulent, rather largeboned and spare, an oval face, brown hair, ruddy complexion, generally a large nose; for qualities and conditions, passionate, but soon appeased; too rash in his actions, which many times occasion his own detriment; but good conditioned in general, and delights in noble things, yet rarely attains his ends.

Mercury in Capricorn, signifies a person of mean stature, thin face, brown hair, a dusky complexion, sometimes bow-legged, or some defect in the lower extremities; in disposition peevish, fickle, discontented, and unfortunate, without other testimonies concur, an impotent dejected creature.

Mercury in Aquarius, denotes a person of an indif ferent stature of body, reasonably fleshy; a good clear complexion, brown, but sometimes black hair, full face; in disposition an ingenious obliging person, inclinable to the study of arts and sciences, of a pregnant wit, apt and inclinable to curious researches and inventions. In fine, he is a favourer of the learned, and an encourager of the ingenious.

Mercury in Pisces, gives a person of a low stature, brown hair, thin face, of a pale sickly complexion, generally very hairy upon the body: addicted to the water; in disposition, a repining disconsolate person, yet a lover. of women, addicted to drinking, and consequently the greatest enemy to himself.

OF THE DRAGON'S HEAD 8, AND DRAGON'S TAIL 8.

The head of the Dragon is masculine, partaking of the nature both of Jupiter and Venus; but the Dragon's tail.

is feminine, and of a direct opposite quality to the head. These are neither signs nor constellations, but are only the nodes or points, wherein the ecliptic is intersected by the orbits of the planets, and particularly by that of the moon; making with it angles of five degrees and eighteen minutes. One of these points looks northward, the moon beginning then to have northern latitude, and the other points southward, where she commences her latitude southward. But it must be observed, that these points do not always abide in one place, but have a motion of their own in the zodiack, and retrograde wise,three minutes and eleven seconds; per day; completing their circle, in eighteen years and two hundred and twenty-five days, so that the Moon can be but twice in the ecliptie during her monthly period; but at all other times she will have a latitude or declina tion from the ecliptic. The head of the Dragon is considered of a benevolent nature (as Jupiter or Venus, and almost equivalent to one of the Fortunes, and when in aspect with the evil planets, is found to lessen their malevolent effects in a very great degree. But the Dragon's tail, is of the nature of Saturn and Mars, has an evil and unhappy tendency, not only adding to the malevolence of unfortunate aspects, when joined with them, but lessening considerably the beneficial influences of the fortunes, and other good aspects, whenever it is in conjunction with them.

This at one time appeared to us as passing strange; but experience and long observation hath convinced us that the sagacious LILLY justly defined the deliterious influence of the Dragon's tail; "I (says he) always in my practice found, when he was joined with the evil planets, their malice or the evil intended thereby was doubled and trebled, or extremely augmented thereby, and when he chanced to be. in conjunction with any of the Fortunes

who were significators in the question, though the matter by the principal significator was fairly promised and Nely to be perfected in a small time,yet did there ever fill out many rubs, much wrangling and divers controversies, so that the business was many times given over, for desperate ere a perfect conclusion could be had; and muless the principal significator were angular and well Betided with essential dignities, many times unexpect edly the whole matter came to nothing.”

Elsewhere, Mr. Lilly says, "ever remember that in what house you find Cauda Draconis, it denotes detriment and impediment in such things as are signified by that house; as if he be in the second be denotes consumption of estate by (the native or) the querent's own folly, er not thriving through his own neglect; if in the third house hinderance by evil; beggarly or peevish kindred, &c.; and so judge in all the rest of the twelve houses."

Again the same writer says, "beware of men and things appertaining to that house wherein the Dragon's tail is; for it seldom fails but the querent (or the native) shall receive damage scandal or slander from men and matters signified by the house he is in."

8. Caput is of Jove's nature, free from evil :

23 Bat Cauda is, malignant as the devil.

N. B. The Dragon's tail in the ascendant, the native has a mark, or scar on his face; he is subject to many causeless affronts and groundless calumnies; it renders him however otherwise well disposed, more irritable and · unfortunate even in matters, in which others prove suc-: cessful. If the lord or lady of the ascendant, or the Moon are not in fruitful signs, he has little reason to expect children. Located in the second house, he is often defrauded by lending to false or pretended friends, his property is often impaired by his own mistakes, and some.. times seems dissipated by all most insensible means.

*

Of the Description and Significations of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

THE Zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts of thirtytwo degrees each, called the Signs of the Zodiac, being named from the Constellations which anciently passed them. The reason why the constellation of the Signs are thus called by the names of several creatures, is partly to distinguish them, and partly because when the Sun transits those several signs, he causes various alterations of the season of the year, and makes the temperature of the air inclinable to the nature and constitution of the several creatures from whence they receive their denominations. Of their names are many poetical stories; but chiefly because those stars, in the several signs, appeared to represent to the eye, the form and figure of such creatures as the antient philosophers were pleased to fancy.

"Perceiv'st thou not the process of the year,
"How the four seasons in four forms appear,
"Resembling human life in ev'ry shape they wear,
"Spring first like infancy, shoots out her head,
"With milk y juice requiring to be fed.
"Helpless, though fresh, and wanting to be led
"The green stem grows in stature and in size,

"But only feeds with hope the farmer's eyes.

"Then laughs the childish year, with flow'rets crown'd,
"And lavishly perfumes the fields around:

"But no substantial nourishment receives
"Infirm the stalks, and tender are the leaves.
"Proceeding onward whence the year began,
“The summer grows adult, and ripens into man:
"This season, as in men, is most replete
"With kindly moisture and prolific heat.

"Autum succeeds: a sober, tepid age

"Not froze with fear, nor broiling into rage:

More than mature, and tending to decay,
"When our brown locks, begin to mix with gray.

ន

Of Aries .

Aries is an equinoctional, cardinal, diurnal, moveable, fiery, choleric, hot and dry, luxurious, violent sign, eastern of the fiery triplicity. It is the day-house of Mars, and consists of twelve stars.

This sign, observation and experience both inform us, is hot and dry, like a high, gravelley, sandy ground; when this sign ascends at birth, or if the sun and moon be posited in it, it usually contributes unto the native a dry body, lean and spare, strong and large bones and limbs, piercing hazel eyes, little ears and feet, a brown and swarthy complexion, and sandy coloured crisp, or red hair, and inclines him to be choleric, brutal, violent, and intemperate; that is, this sign naturally produces these effects. But if the planets Jupiter, or Venus, be in the ascendant or Mars be in this sign, or in Capricorn, it very materially alters both the constitution and complexion of the native for the better; but if Saturn be posited there, then it is altered considerably for the worse. For as some land will bear wheat, and other land only rye, yet, by adding compost to it, or by skilful cultivation, the nature of the ground may oftentimes be changed and made to bring forth fruit contrary to its own nature; just the same it is when the planets or their aspects fall strongly into a sign, they quite change its nature and effect on the natural bias of the native; but if none of these happen, then the sign Aries and the rest, unalterably imbue the mind and constitutional temperament in a manner peculiar to their own nature.

Places. Aries signifies obscure, or desolate places, or those that are not much frequented, as the tops and coverings of houses, also new ploughed land, the hilly country, and all places where small cattle feed,or such parts where thieves fly for refuge; as brick or lime-kilns, &c. the top covering and-ceiling of the house, and the east part thereof,