CHAPTER V
MODE OF PARTICULAR PREDICTION IN ECLIPSES
After having gone through the necessary preliminary topics, it is now proper to speak of the manner in which predictions are to be formed and considered; beginning with those which relate to general events, affecting either certain cities, or districts, or entire countries.
The strongest and principal cause of all these events exists in the ecliptical conjunctions of the Sun and Moon, and in the several transits made by the planets during those conjunctions.
One part of the observations, required in forming predictions in cases of this nature, relates to the locality of the event, and points out the cities or countries liable to be influenced by particular eclipses, or by occasional continued stations of certain planets, which at times remain for a certain period in one situation. These planets are Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars; and they furnish portentous indications, when they are stationary.
Another branch relates to time, and gives pre-information of the period at which the event will occur, and how long it will continue to operate.
The third branch is generic; and points out the classes, or kinds, which the event will affect.
The last part is specific; and foreshows the actual quality and character of the coming event.
CHAPTER VI
THE REGIONS OR COUNTRIES TO BE CONSIDERED
AS LIABLE TO BE COMPREHENDED IN THE EVENT
The first of the several branches of consideration just enumerated relates to locality, and is to be exercised in the following manner:—
In all eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and especially in such as are fully visible, the place in the zodiac, where the eclipse happens, is to be noted; and it must be seen what countries are in familiarity with that place, according to the rules laid down regarding the quadrants and the triplicities; and in like manner it must be observed what cities are under the influence of the sign in which the eclipse happens; either by means of the ascendant, and the situations of the luminaries at the time of their foundation, or by means of the mid-heaven of their kings or governors, actually ruling at the time of the eclipse; although such time may be subsequent to the building of the said cities. Whatever countries or cities shall be thus found in familiarity with the ecliptical place, will all be comprehended in the event; which will, however, principally attach to all those parts which may be connected with the identical sign of the eclipse,[83] and in which it was visible while above the earth.[84]