ASTROLOGIA MUNDA - Classical Astrologer Weblog

Book IV – Astrologia Munda
Section IV – Chapter VI
The fifth, pitheus; and this is in the form like a «Tun» 1
, environed in a smoky
light.
The sixth, ceratias; thus called for that it resembles a horn, and such a one Pliny
testifies appeared when the whole manhood of Greece fought the battle of
Salamie.
The seventh lampas ā splendeo; to shine like a lamp, and therefore it has this
name.
The eighth hippeus; this emits streams like unto a horse mane, and therefore it
is thus called; this is swift in motion and often turns round, as says Pliny.
A ninth he recorded to be white and bright like silver hair, and of that splendour
that a man is hardly able to behold it, and others become shaggy and compassed
as it were with hair or fringe round about.
[Where or in what part of Heaven usually seen]
They are in a manner all seen under the Great Bear, or that constellation which
where or in we vulgarly call Charlimains Wain, or Charles his Wain, yet for
some have been discerned to appear in that white part of Heaven called
commonly the Milky Way, from the fictions of the Poet; they denote boisterous
winds and excessive heat; seldom are any seen in the west part of Heaven, but
about the South or Antarctic pole some have been seen, as Pliny in the same
aforesaid Chapter testified, to whom I here refer you where you will find what
prodigies they were the fore-runners of in the time of Claudius Cæsar, Pompey,
and Octavius the Consul.
[Their continuance in the Heavens]
It has been observed and noted by the diligent care, industry and pains of the
Ancients, that they never appear a shorter time than a seven-night, nor longer
than 80 days; some have said 40; others 75; from Plutarch, who noted so much
from the comet which appeared before the Peloponsian wars in Greece; but
their continuance is according to their magnitude. For if they are but small, they
will soon be burnt out, unless they are daily fed with new exhalations. I shall
not here trouble myself to recite what Seneca, Aristotle, and others write in
Histories concerning such horrid accidents which have followed in many places
1 I believe the word «Tun» means a small barrel.
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