ASTROLOGIA MUNDA - Classical Astrologer Weblog

Book IV – Astrologia Munda
Section IV – Chapter VIII
Chapter VIII
Showing some other names of Comets or Blazing-stars, and their Portences
[Why comets are seen but seldom, and but one at a time]
Here it will not be amiss if I set down something which I had almost forgotten,
i.e. that comets and blazing-stars seldom are seen. For it is not an easy matter
for the Sun and planets, neither is it soon done, to draw up so much dry vapour
as is requisite for the composition of such an apparition. And therefore is it also
that there does but appear one at a time, though Aristotle affirms there have
been many seen together, and this I must confess, is as likely to be true as many
other of his stories and tales.
[At what time of the year comets and blazing-stars usually appear]
They are seldom or never seen in winter by reason of the abundance of cold and
moist weather that then abounds, so that there can be no such dry vapour
exhaled by the Sun or stars, nor in that quantity as is requisite to the
composition of such apparitions; neither in summer by reason
of the excess of heat, or the heat of the Sun which consumes and disperses the
matter whereof they are made, so that it cannot ascend unto the part of the
region of the air wherein they are usually placed; neither in the spring time, by reason of the abundance of moisture that then
reigns and the want of sufficient heat to elevate so much matter; but in Autumn, especially when Saturn and Mars are in
conjunction, because then the heat that exhales the matter, is more strong.
[Comets white and red; and the reason thereof]
Further, note that some comets are white some again red, which arises
from the divers nature and quality of the matter whereof they are . For
pure thin exhalations produce a white, clear and bright comet. When
are more gross and impure, red and these
appear like burning coals. But when the matter whereof they are is
very gross, they appear as red as scarlet or blood. Wherefore the ancients have
assigned them to several planets according to their complexions: For such as
are Saturnine are pale, wan, and of leaden colour like unto
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