There are eight different epochs of the moon, or periods at which she makes certain angles of incidence with the sun, and most persons only notice the prognostics derived from the moon, according to the places which they occupy between these angles. The periods of these angles are the third day, the seventh, the eleventh, the fifteenth, the nineteenth, the twenty-third, the twenty-seventh, and that of the conjunction.
CHAP. 80.—PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM THE STARS.
In the third rank must be placed the prognostics derived from the stars. These bodies are sometimes to be seen shooting to and fro;[686] when this happens, winds immediately ensue, in that part of the heavens in which the presage has been afforded. When the heavens are equally bright throughout their whole expanse, at the periods previously mentioned,[687] the ensuing autumn will be fine and cool. If the spring and summer have passed not without some rain, the autumn will be fine and settled,[688] and there will be but little wind: when the autumn is fine, it makes a windy winter. When the brightness of the stars is suddenly obscured, though without[689] clouds or fog, violent tempests may be expected. If numerous stars are seen to shoot,[690] leaving a white track behind them, they presage wind from that quarter.[691] If they follow in quick succession from the same quarter, the wind will blow steadily, but if from various quarters of the heavens, the wind will shift in sudden gusts and squalls. If circles are seen to surround any of the planets, there will be rain.[692] In the constellation of Cancer, there are two small stars to be seen, known as the Aselli,[693] the small space that lies between them being occupied by a cloudy appearance, which is known as the Manger;[694] when this cloud is not visible in a clear sky, it is a presage of a violent storm. If a fog conceals from our view the one of these stars which lies to the north-east, there will be high winds from the south; but if it is the star which lies to the south that is so obscured, then the wind will be from the north-east. The rainbow, when double, indicates the approach[695] of rain; but if seen after rain, it gives promise, though by no means a certain one, of fine weather. Circular clouds around some of the stars are indicative of rain.
CHAP. 81.—PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM THUNDER.
When, in summer, there is more thunder than lightning, wind may be expected from that quarter; but if, on the other hand, there is not so much thunder as lightning, there will be a fall of rain. When it lightens in a clear sky, there will be rain, and if there is thunder as well, stormy weather; but if it lightens from all four quarters of the heavens, there will be a dreadful tempest. When it lightens from the north-east only, it portends rain on the following day; but when from the north, wind may be expected from that quarter. When it lightens on a clear night from the south, the west, or the north-west, there will be wind and rain from those quarters. Thunder[696] in the morning is indicative of wind, and at midday of rain.
CHAP. 82.—PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM CLOUDS.
When clouds are seen moving in a clear sky, wind may be expected in the quarter from which they proceed; but if they accumulate in one spot, as they approach the sun they will disperse. If the clouds are dispersed by a north-east wind, it is a presage of high winds, but if by a wind from the south, of rain. If at sunset the clouds cover the heavens on either side of the sun, they are indicative of tempest; if they are black and lowering in the east, they threaten rain in the night, but if in the west, on the following day. If the clouds spread in large numbers from the east, like fleeces of wool in appearance, they indicate a continuance of rain for the next three days. When the clouds settle on the summits of the mountains,[697] there will be stormy weather; but if the clouds clear away, it will be fine. When the clouds are white and lowering, a hailstorm, generally known as a “white”[698] tempest, is close at hand. An isolated cloud, however small,[699] though seen in a clear sky, announces wind and storm.
CHAP. 83.—PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM MISTS.
Mists descending from the summits of mountains, or from the heavens, or settling in the vallies,[700] give promise of fine weather.