De cometis

This cognition is strengthened by the opinion of Hali Haly Abenragel, an Arabic astrologer on the second Quadripartitus Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos, which tells you, and according to the virtue of those things which are natural, and from the mixture of the planets among themselves in conjunction or opposition or another principle preceding the appearance of the comet. It is concluded, therefore, that this comet is of the nature of Venus from the agreement of the two cognitions, a priori and a posteriori.

On the significations of comets

From the first part, it appeared what accidents are common to almost all comets, which I also ascribe to this one: namely, the multitude of winds, which already departed with the appearance of the comet, which one need not fear. Similarly, the dryness and the scarcity of streams and rivers, some small migration from this time forward. Nor will this dryness cause sterility, since Venus and Jupiter will stabilize it; for they themselves are the beginnings of fertility. From fertility, therefore, it is to be hoped, and famine is not to be feared, for God signifies grace to us through this sign.

On mortality from sickness

And although it was said in the first part that a comet of the nature of Venus does not signify mortality, nevertheless, in the present and future year, there will be mortal diseases, but they will not be pernicious nor durable, killing a great multitude of men, and there will be acute fevers and other sicknesses running the course of tertian fevers, whose sources lie around the chest and the region of the stomach.

On mortality by the sword and the shedding of blood

But the mortality by the sword and beheading and the shedding of blood, which some have prognosticated, will be much less than in many preceding times. Indeed, seditions, wars, and battles will be quieted; reconciliations will be sought, and friendly hearts, and also confederations, more for the sake of quiet, honesty, and pleasure than for the sake of strengthening oneself against enemies. For the celestial influx will soothe the minds of men, whence hostilities will be placated. It is difficult, indeed, for initiated hostilities to be able to arrive at wars and the shedding of blood unless a particular revolution powerfully impels that. If it touches anyone to die by any of the said mortalities, those will be most denoted from the root of Gemini. Therefore, many years are entering, peaceful and prosperous and fairly fertile, by comparison to many passed ones. For it is in no way possible for there to be universal peace in individual regions and individuals, for opposite points of the sky inflict natural enmities on their born ones. So, neither is it possible for there to be prosperity everywhere and in individual species of the earth, and to have abundance in all districts, just as it is not possible for there to be serenity in all hours. For the comparison in all the significations of the comet ought to be made to the mean and also to those things which have passed in previous years.

To whom adverse fortune is threatened

From the things said above, it is evident that adverse fortune is threatened to those whose root is the sign of Gemini. For these are those whose predecessors of their root have obtained powers, privileges, new ordinances, or works of any kind whatsoever, by force or piety or custom or in any other way, through suggestions and human inventions, through evident causes and reasons.