A prognostication for euer, made by Erra Pater, a Iew, borne in Iury, Doctor in Astronomie and Phisicke very profitable for to keepe the body in health: and also Ptholomeus saith the same.

ERRA PATER . The Prognostication for euer , of Erra Pater .

AS I finde in the Science of Astronomie , there bée foure manner of Cholers in mans body , of the foure complections .

The first is bloud , the second blacke Choler , the third Flumes , & the fourth yelow choler , and if one of the foure lack , all the bodie wil be foorthwith dead . Forasmuch sustaineth one of them the body as the other .

And euery each of them ought to bée at a certaine , for if one of them surmount the other , all the body shall haue dommage thereby , and all foure bée perillous , for if the bloud surmount the other , hée will the sooner destroy and ouercome the bodie , and make him to dye , for hée gathereth and likewise congealeth euen right on the heart and the breath , and in that manner , ( lessening ) by little and little , is ouercome and dead , but all that tyme when the great course taketh him , he may soone bée asswaged to lesse him a little , so take away a little bloud from him , and then all will asswage of this perill . Also the blacke coler is right perslous , and they surmount all the other , they make great domage to the body by many and diuers meanes , for they may cause and make the body to fall as the euill sicknesse , and lose his wit and knowledge , and béecome a foole , and cause all the body to be full of euill scabbes , and oft times to bée mesill , and maketh a man to bée fearefull and a coward , and of many euill manners .

And when they surmount the other , they bée right gréeuous and damagious . And by hearbes , flowers , fasting , abstinence , drinkes and medicines , they may bée asswaged .

The flumes that bée white bée perillous , when they surmount the other cholers of the body , they doe great domage and hurt , for they engender goutes , and many other euill sicknesses that bée cold , and they hurt also the féete , the hands , the raines , the knées , the legs , and the téeth , and make the mouth and the breath stinking , and the nose and the cares , and causeth many other diseases and sicknesses , and they may be asswaged by hearbs , flowres , rootes , drinckes , medicines , and also by vomiting .

Also the yealow cholers bée perillous , for when they surmount the other cholers in a mans body , they assorbent the heart , and trauaile the braine , and maketh all the members féeble and soft , and taketh away the will and appetite from the body , that hée may neither eate nor drinck , and also they chaunge a mannes Cholers and maketh him to lose his sight and become blinde : and they may bée asswaged , as by hearbs , flowres , rootes , and by vomiting .

The foure humours be of foure complections , and they haue the domination of the body foure times in a yéere .

And each of them a quarter of a yéere . &c.

It is to bée vnderstoode , that in the yéere is twelue monethes , and in the twelue moneths is fiftie and two wéekes , and in the fiftie and two wéekes is thrée hundreth thréescore and fiue daies , and in the thrée hundreth and lxv daies , doth containe eight thousand , seauen hundreth and lx. houres .

A farthing a day is i. d. ob . q. the wéeke . The month vij . pence . The yéexe vij . s. viij . d. q. A halfe penny a day is iij. d. ob . the wéeke . The month eightéene pence . The yéere fiftéene s. ij . d. ob .

The disposition of the first season of the yeere , Capricornus , Aquarius , and Pisces .

The first season of the yéere that hath domination of the body of man , is thrée moonethes , and they be named these thrée signes , Capricorne , Aquarie , and Pisces .

And these thrée signes haue power of fleumes of the body of man & woman , and they hée cold and moist , & they béegin to reigne the xxiiij . day of December , and dureth to the foure and twentie day of March.

The disposition of the second part of the yeere , Aries , Taurus and Gemini .

¶ The second part of the yéere is other thrée moneths , and these are their signes , Aries , Taurus & Gemini . And they haue power in the body of man , of the breast , and they bée hot and moist . And they béegin to raigne the foure and twentie day of March , & dureth vnto the foure & twentie day of Iune .

The disposition of the three seasons of the yeere , Cancer , Leo , and Virgo .

¶ The thrée seasons of the yéere , are other thrée monethes , and these bée their signes , Cancer , Leo , and Virgo . And they haue power in the body of man , of the yelow collers , and they bée hot and drie , and they béegin to raigne on the foure and twentie day of Iune , and dureth vnto the xxiiij . of September .

¶ The discription of the fourth part of the yeere , Libra , Scorpio , and Sagittarius .

THE fourth part of the péere bée other thrée moneths , and these bée their signes , Libra , Scorpio , and Sagittarius . And they bée cold and drie , and they béegin to raigne the xxiiii . day of September , and dureth vnto the xxiiii . day of December .

And by the manner of these foure seasons , euery man may kéepe him from all the contraries of meats , drincks , and clothing , and from all other contraries . And if a man will keepe him after the manner which is rehearsed in this booke , hée shall neuer haue infirmities of the body by the grace of God .

Take Peliter of Spaine and chaw it in thy mouth , for it is good to spurge the head and the body . And eate Fenell séede and Comin séede , for each of these séedes destroy the flumes , that all those euils in any mans body come off .

East . Ignus inuentus & Aestas .

The water red and thinne , the grose male red and hard , the spittle thicke and clammie . The signes , Aries , Leo , and Sagittarius , is ingendred of cholerick , hot , and dry , and orientall , & the sicknesse be taken in these signes , it is great perill , vnlesse he haue his medicine cold and moist , and his dyet of the same complection . Then bée may bée healed by the grace of God .

West . Are adolescentia ver.

The water red and thick , the grose male red and thin , the spittle thin and sweete , the extremitiues out of course . The signes Gemini , Libra , and Aquaria , is ingendred of sanguin hot and moyst and Occidentall , the cure is cold and dry , with the dyet of the same complection .

Cassia fistula in Aqua vite .

North. Terra Senectus Autumnus .

The water white and thin , the gros● male black and thick , the spittle thick and sower , the extrematiues vnneth seld .

The signes Taurus , Virgo , & Capricorne , he is ingendred of Malancholy cold and dry Septentrionall , the cure hot & moist , with the diet of the same complection .

South . Aqua senium & Hiems .

The water white and thick , she grose matter white and thick . The spittle thin and swéet . The extrematiues féeble , the signes , Cancer , Scorpio , and Pisces , hée is engendred of Flumes , colde and moyst , Meridionall , the cure hot , dry , and of the same complection , Trauit Aqua vitae , or in Potage .

Heere hee sheweth of all the dismall or perillous dayes that commeth in the yeere .

Maisters of Astronomie and Phisicke , that this craft first found , telleth the most perillons and the most dangerous daies in the yéere . In which if any man or woman bée let blood of wound or veine , they shall die within xxi . daies following . Or who so falleth in sicknesse in any of these daies , they shall neuer escape it till they be dead . And who so taketh any great iourny in any of these daies , to goe from home hée shall be in daunger to die or hée come home againe . And who so weddeth a wife in any of these dayes , hastely they shall bée departed , or else they shall liue together with much sorrow .

And who so beginneth in any of these dayes any great worke , it shall neuer come to good end , and these are the dayes following .

That is to say .

¶ In Ianuarie are eight daies , that is to say , the first , the second , the fourth , the fift , the tenth , the fiftéenth , the seauentéenth , and the ninetéenth .

In Februarie are thrée daies : the viii the x. and the xvii . ii In March are thrée daies , the xv . the xvi and the xix . iii In Aprill are two daies , the xv and the xxi . iii In May are thrée daies , the vii . xv . and the xx . v In Iune are two daies , the iiii . and the vii . vi In Iuly are two daies , the xv and the twentith . vii In August are two daies , the xix and the xx . viii In September are two daies , the sixt and the seauenth . ix In October is one , the sixt day . x In Nouember are two daies , the sixt and the nintéenth . xi In December are thrée daies , the sixt the vii and the xi . Et alii dicunt , the xv and the xvi . xii

And who so will learne the Canicular daies , which are daies of great daunger and perill , as Clarkes say , and they begin the xv . Kalend of August , and dureth to the fourth Nonas of September , which season is very perillous to take sickenesse , and it is also perillous to take drinckes or medicines , or to let bloud , but if it bée great néede , and that it must bée after the middest of the day .

Heere beginneth the distance betweene the signes .

It is to bée vnderstood that there is a circle in the Firmament that is called Zodiacke , & is deuided into twelue euen parts , and of those parts bée called the xii . Signes in the Latine , and these be their names .

Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricornia , Aquarius , and Pisces .

These twelue Signes are in complection like vnto the foure Elements , that is to say , the Fire , the Aire , the Water and the Earth : the Fire , is hotte and dry , his Element is likened vnto the Ram , the Lion , and the Shooter , for these bée hot & dry , also the Ayre is hot & moist , his Element is likened to the Children , the Ballance and the water bearer , for they be hot and moyst . The water is moyst and cold , for to the water is likened the Crab , the Scorpion , and the Fish . The earth is dry and cold , to the Earth is likened the Bull , the Maid , and the Goate , for they be drie and cold .

And euery one of the signes is deuided into thirtie euen parts , & these parts are called degrees , and euery degree is deuided into thrée score euen parts , & these parts are called Minutes , and euery minute is deuided into thrée score euen parts , and these parts bée called seconds , and so foorth to the thirds and fourthes .

It is to bée vnderstood , that there is seuen Planets , as Saturnus , Iupiter , Mars , Sol , Venus , Mercurius , and Luna . These bee the seauen moueable Starres .

The aforesayde twelue Signes taketh great power & might of the seauen Planets , & the seauen Planets taketh great power of the twelue signes , for the Planets be to the Signes as the soule to the body , & the signes to the Planets as the body to the soule . For like as the body may doe nought without the Soule , no more may the Soule without the body , no more may a signe without the seauen Planets .

Saturnus is the highest , and next béeneath Saturnus is Iupiter , beneath Iupiter Mars , beneath Mars , Sol , beneath Sol , Venus , beneath Venus , Mercurius , béeneath Mercurius , Luna .

The wise Philosophers say , it is from the Earth to Luna , xv . M. vii . C. l. miles . From Luna to Mercurius , is xii . M. viii . C. xii . miles and a halfe .

From Mercurius to Venus as many .

From Venus to Sol is xxiii . M. iiii . C. and xxxviii . miles .

From Sol to Mars is xv . M. vii . C. and fiue and twentie miles .

From Mars to Iupiter is thrée score and eight thousand seauen hundred and xxi . miles .

From Iupiter to Saturnus as many .

From Saturnus to the Firmament , is vi score M. iii. C. lxxxv . miles .

The summe of all these miles is seauen score and xviii . M. foure C. lxiii . miles .

Heereafter followeth a coniunction of the change of the Moone .

Héere is a rule of the chaunge of the Moone , when the Prime is on this letter A. the third daye beefore the Prime , the xix . houre shall be the change of the Moone .

And yée shall begin to tell your houres at midnight , for a daye naturall is from midnight to midnight . When the Prime is on this letter B. iii. daye , then it shall change the iiii . houre , that is to say , after midnight . When it changeth on this letter C. iiii day , then the viii houre .

When it is on this letter D. iiii day , then the xx . houre . When it is on this letter E. iiii day , then the xviii houre . When it is on this letter F. iii. day , then the xvi houre . When it is on this letter G. iii. day , then the xvi . houre .

The disposition of the xij . Moneths vpon bloud letting .

Ianuarie .

IN the month of Ianuary , let thée not blood in the first day , for it is perillous , nor the second day , nor the fifth day , nor the x. day , nor the xv . day , nor the xix . day , nor the xx . day , nor the xxv . day , but as often as thou wilt drinck good white wine fasting , and also take good héede of the dayes that be aboue written for they be perillous for to bléede on except the signe be right good for blood letting .

February .

In the month of February , eate no potage made of hocks or mallowes , for that is venim . And if thou haue néede to bléed on thy wrest , or thy thomb , bléed not on the fourth day , nor on the vi . day , nor on the viii . day , but on the xiii day , nor on the xvi . day , nor on the xxviii day , but that the signe be very good , and thou maist choose .

March .

In the 〈…〉 eate Figges , Reisons , and 〈…〉 and drinckes , and hot meates ●●d let thée blood on the right arme on the fifth day , or on the vii . daye , or on the xvii . day , for that is good against all manner of Feuers , but beware bléede not the first day , nor the xv . day , nor the xvi . day , nor the xix . daye , nor the xxviij . day , & thou maist choose , & if thou doe , looke the signe be very good .

Aprill .

In the moneth of Aprill bléede on the left arme on the third daye , or on the xi . day , or on the xv . day , and thou shalt haue no great head ache , nor léese thy sight of all that yéere , & vse fresh and hot meates , but bléed not the vij day , nor the vitj. day , nor the x. day , nor the xx . day , for these dayes be not good for bléeding .

May .

In the moneth of May , rise earely , and eate and drincke betime , vse good meates and drincks , but eate neither of head nor foote while that last , and let thée blood on the first day , or on the eightéenth day , on which arme thou wilt , or an the xxvij . day , or on the xxvitj . day , and it shall much help thée against all manner of euill , but beware that thou bléed not the third day , nor the sixt day , nor the xxv . day .

Iune .

In the moneth of Iune some Phisitions say , that it is good euery day to drinck a quantitie 〈◊〉 cold water fasting , and rule thée of thy meate and drink , and if thou haue néede bléed on the xxvitj day , for that is good , but beware that thou bléede not on the vij day , nor on the x day , nor on the xv . day , nor the xvi . day , nor the xx . day .

Iuly .

In the moneth of Iuly , kéepe thée from Lecherie , for then the braine and the humours are alwayes open , and bléede not in this mooneth , but if thou haue great néede , and then beware alway that thou bléed not on the xitj. day , nor on the xv . day , nor on the xix . day , nor on the xx . day , for it is dangerous .

August .

In the month of August eate no manner of woorts , nor any manner of hotte meates and drincks of Spicerie , nor bléed not the first day , nor the xx . day , nor the xxix . day , nor the xxx . daye . The other daies thou maist bléed for great néede , if the signe be good for blood letting , but not else , and if thou loue to kéepe thy body in good health .

September .

In the month of September , all maner of fruit that is ripe and not infected is good for to eate , & bléed not the xvii . day nor on the xviii . day , of the dropsie , phrensie , palsie , nor of the falling euill , dread thée not of all that yéere , & if thou haue néede to bléed more , beware that thou bléed not the third day , nor the iiii day , nor the xvi day , nor the xxi . day , nor the xxii . day .

October .

In the month of October , drinck good and wholesome wine , & bléed not but if great néede make thée , and looke that the signe be verie good , but yet beware that thou bléede not on the third day , nor the sixt day , nor the xxiiii . day , and thou wilt doe well .

Nouember .

In the month of Nouember bléed not but for néede , for all the blood is gathered that time vpon the head veine , bath not but vent thée a little of grasing , for then all the humours be ouerquick to bléede , and if case be that thou haue great néede for to bléed , beware of the fift day , the vi . day , the xv , and the xix , day , the xxviii . day and the xxix .

December .

In the month of December bléed not but if thou haue great néede for the case , and bléede on the xxvi , day , for it is right good . And in case thou haue more néed to bléed , beware of the vii . day , the xv . days , the xvi . day , the xvii . day , and the xxii . day . and in this month come not nye the fire with thy shanks .

For to vnderstand & know the yeere that shall be plentious , & in great aboundance of goods .

In die Dominica . That is Sunday .

In the yéere that Ianuarie shall enter on the Sunday , that winter shall be cold and moist , the Summer shall hée hot , and the time of Haruest shall bée windie , and rainy , with great aboundance of corne , of wines and other graines , & of all garden fruits & hearbs , there shall bee little Oyle , abundance shal bée of all manner of flesh , some great newes shall men heare spoken of Kings and Prelats of the Church , and also of great Princes , great warres and robberies shall bee made , and many yong people shall dye .

In die Luna . That is Munday .

In the yéere that Ianuarie shall enter on the Munday , the Winter shall bée peaceable enough , and the Summer shall bée very temperate . Then shall bée great flouds of water that shall breake out of their limits and bonds , and many ships vpon the Sea shall perish , and in that yéere shall raigne diuers sicknesses , and changes of great Lords shall bée made , many women shall perish in trauayling with Childe , many great Lords shall die . That yéere shall bée little grasse and Mustard séede , but there shall be plentie of Corne and Wines and good cheap flesh , but little Oyle .

In die Martis . That is Tuesday .

IN the yéere that Ianuarie shall enter on the Tuesday , the winter shall be changeable and not stedfast , for in the Prime , of truth it shall fréese , and that shall hurt sore the Rye , the Vines , and the flowers , that Summer shall be drye , hot , & burning , insomuch that the hearbs of the Gardens shall haue no power to come out of the ground .

All thinges shall be déere saue onely Corne , many men shall dye of the bloody flix , there shall be no tidings of Thunder , lightning , and tempest , but all flesh shall be déere , many wines shall turne .

In die Mercurij . That is Wednesday .

In the yéere that Ianuary shall enter on the Wednesday , the Winter shall be temperate , but in the ende there shall bée Snowes & Frosts , the prime time shall be rainie , great aboundance of all Corne , of Wine , of Fruits , of Hay 〈◊〉 Grasse , and generally of all good things . The Summer shall bée little cloudie , by the which thereof shall come great sicknesse . Poore labourers , as handy crafts and artificers shall gaine méetly well that yéere , many théeues there shal be , by whom the mean● people shall be sore pilled and discomfited , great warre , battaile and slaughter shall bée towards the middest of the yéere , by the which shall come great good to some men . In the end of the yéere shall bée diuers pestilences , botches , and falling euils , especially next the Sea .

In die Iouis . That is Thursday .

In the yéere that Ianuarie shall enter on the Thursday , the winter shall be long and most part drye , and the yéere shall bée very wholesome . The Prime time shal be very wholesome , the Prime time shall bée very windie , the Summer shall be temperate and haruest shall be most part rainenie , so that the waters shall sore breake out of their bounds , the Wheate and Wines shall bée good cheape , there shall be of Oates , Hay , Grasse , and of fruites competently enough . Great warre and diuision shall bée béetwéene the Church and the Kings and Princes , and in the ende , the Princes shall haue victorie of their enterprises .

Women shall set themselues much to lecherie , people shall bée well cased of taxes and tallages .

In die Veneris . That is Friday .

In the yéere that Ianuarie shall enter on the Friday , the winter shall bée long & dry , and the summer vnwholesome , haruest shall be dry , all corne shall bée déere , the vintage shall be good enough , & aboundaunce of Oyle , of fruit , of hey , of grasse , and of Garden hearbes , the world shall bée sore persecuted with diuers sicknesses as sore eies and of all Etiks , many yong children shall dye , great Thunder , Lightening and tempests shall bée , that shall grieue sore all the ground , there shall be Earthquakes , and good cheap cloth , poore people shall gaine little or nothing , many beasts shall die for hunger , for the diuersitie and maladie of the time .

In die Sabbati . That is Saterday .

In the yéere that Ianuary shall enter on the Saterday , the winter shall be temperate sufficiently , and in the Prime time shall be Frostes , the which shall destroy the Trées , the Vines , the Oyles , and the fruits , the Summer shall be méetely temperate , the haruest time shall be drye , the Dates & other Corne shall be good cheap , all garden hearbs shall be cheap enough , and flesh shall be good cheap , many olde people shall dye . Feuer tertians shall grieue sore the world , and shall be sicke through euill heate : and many murmurations , warres and murthers shall be done by one against the other , and neighbours against neighbours , and many other causes shall be oftentimes committed and done .

Of the signification of Thunder on euery day in the weeke .

If it Thunder on the Sunday , there will be a great death of Clarks & Iudges and also peruerse people by signification .

If on the Munday it chance to Thunder , many women shall dye then , and the corne will suffer Eclipse , by signification .

If it Thunder on the Tuesday , it béetokeneth great plentie of corne .

If on the Wednesday it chance to thunder , it betokeneth that yéere common women and light wenches , & foolish women shal die , & then shal be great bloudsheding .

It it Thunder on the Thursday , then shall be great cheape and much plentie of Corne .

If on the Friday it chance to thunder it béetokeneth that a great man shall bée slaine , and diuers other murthers , and other perils .

If on Saterday it chance to thunder , it betokeneth that then shall bée a great generall pestilence , plague , whereof many shall dye .

¶ The saying of Erra Pater to the Husbandman . IF the day of Saint Paule be cleere , Then shall betide an happie yeere : If it doe chaunce to snow or raine , Then shall bee deare all kinde of graine . But if the winde then bee a loft , Warres shall vex this realme full oft : And if the cloudes make dark the Skie , Both Neate and Fowle this yeere shall dye . FINIS .