ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΣ, ΣΥΝΤΑΞΙΣ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΙΚΗ (ΤΕΤΡΑΒΙΒΛΟΣ) Β′

1. Διαίρεσις τῆς καθολικῆς ἐπισκέψεως

     Τὰ μὲν δὴ κυριώτερα τῶν πινακικῶς προεκτεθειμένων εἰς τὴν τῶν κατὰ μέρος προρρήσεων ἐπίσκεψιν ὡς ἐν κεφαλαίοις μέχρι τοσούτων ἡμῖν ἐφοδευέσθω. Συνάψομεν δὲ ἤδη κατὰ τὸ ἑξῆς τῆς ἀκολουθίας τὰ καθ’ ἕκαστα τῆς πραγματείας τῶν εἰς τὸ δυνατὸν τῆς τοιαύτης προρρήσεως ἐμπιπτόντων, ἐχόμενοι πανταχῆ τῆς κατὰ τὸν φυσικὸν τρόπον ὑφηγήσεως.

     Εἰς δύο τοίνυν τὰ μέγιστα καὶ κυριώτατα μέρη διαιρουμένου τοῦ δι’ ἀστρονομίας προγνωστικοῦ, καὶ πρώτου μὲν ὄντος καὶ γενικωτέρου τοῦ καθ’ ὅλα ἔθνη καὶ χώρας ἢ πόλεις λαμβανομένου, ὃ καλεῖται καθολικόν, δευτέρου δὲ καὶ εἰδικωτέρου τοῦ καθ’ ἕνα ἕκαστον τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπερ καλεῖται γενεθλιαλογικόν, προσήκειν ἡγούμεθα περὶ τοῦ καθολικοῦ πρῶτον ποιήσασθαι τὸν λόγον, ἐπειδήπερ ταῦτα μὲν κατὰ μείζους καὶ ἰσχυροτέρας αἰτίας τρέπεσθαι πέφυκε μᾶλλον τῶν μερικῶς ἀποτελουμένων· ὑποπιπτουσῶν δὲ ἀεὶ τῶν ἀσθενεστέρων φύσεων ταῖς δυνατωτέραις καὶ τῶν κατὰ μέρος ταῖς καθόλου, παντάπασιν ἀναγκαῖον ἂν εἴη τοῖς προαιρουμένοις περὶ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου σκοπεῖν πολὺ πρότερον περὶ τῶν ὁλοσχερεστέρων προδιειληφέναι.

     Καὶ αὐτῆς δὲ τῆς καθολικῆς ἐπισκέψεως τὸ μὲν πάλιν κατὰ χώρας ὅλας λαμβάνεται, τὸ δὲ κατὰ πόλεις, καὶ ἔτι τὸ μὲν κατὰ μείζους καὶ περιοδικωτέρας περιστάσεις, οἷον πολέμων ἢ λιμῶν ἢ λοιμῶν ἢ σεισμῶν ἢ κατακλυσμῶν καὶ τῶν τοιούτων, τὸ δὲ κατ’ ἐλάττους καὶ καιρικωτέρας, οἷαί εἰσιν αἱ τῶν ἐτησίων ὡρῶν καὶ ἡ κατὰ τὸ μᾶλλον καὶ ἧττον ἀλλοίωσις περί τε ἀνέσεις ἢ ἐπιτάσεις χειμώνων καὶ καυμάτων καὶ πνευμάτων ἢ εὐφορίας τε καὶ ἀφορίας καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα.

     Προηγεῖται δὲ καὶ τούτων εἰκότως ἑκατέρου τό τε κατὰ χώρας ὅλας καὶ τὸ κατὰ μείζους περιστάσεις διὰ τὴν αὐτὴν αἰτίαν τῇ προειρημένῃ. Πρὸς δὲ τὴν τούτων ἐπίσκεψιν μάλιστα παραλαμβανομένων δύο τούτων, τῆς τε τῶν δωδεκατημορίων τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ καὶ ἔτι τῆς τῶν ἀστέρων πρὸς ἕκαστα τῶν κλιμάτων συνοικειώσεως καὶ τῶν ἐν τοῖς οἰκείοις μέρεσι κατὰ καιροὺς γινομένων ἐπισημασιῶν, κατὰ μὲν τὰς συζυγίας ἡλίου καὶ σελήνης τῶν ἐκλειπτικῶν, κατὰ δὲ τὰς τῶν πλανωμένων παρόδους τῶν περὶ τὰς ἀνατολὰς καὶ τοὺς στηριγμούς, προεκθησόμεθα τὸν τῶν εἰρημένων συμπαθειῶν φυσικὸν λόγον ἅμα παριστάντες ἐξ ἐπιδρομῆς καὶ τὰς καθ’ ὅλα ἔθνη θεωρουμένας ὡς ἐπίπαν σωματικάς τε καὶ ἠθικὰς ἰδιοτροπίας, οὐκ ἀλλοτρίας τυγχανούσας τῆς τῶν συνοικειουμένων ἀστέρων τε καὶ δωδεκατημορίων φυσικῆς περιστάσεως.

1. General Divisions of the subject

     Let it be considered that thus far we have furnished in brief the most important details of the tabular exposition needful for the inquiry into particular prognostications. Let us now add in proper sequence the procedures for dealing in detail with those matters which lie within the limits of possibility of this kind of prognostication, holding everywhere to the natural method of exposition.

     Since, then, prognostication by astronomical means is divided into two great and principal parts, and since the first and more universal is that which relates to whole races, countries, and cities, which is called general, and the second and more specific is that which relates to individual men, which is called genethlialogical, we believe it fitting to treat first of the general division, because such matters are naturally swayed by greater and more powerful causes than are particular events. And since weaker natures always yield to the stronger, and the particular always falls under the general ¹, it would by all means be necessary for those who purpose an inquiry about a single individual long before to have comprehended the more general considerations.

     Of the general inquiry itself, a part, again, is found to concern whole countries, and a part to concern cities ²; and further, a part deals with the greater and more periodic conditions, such as wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, deluges, and the like; and another with the lesser and more occasional, as for example the changes in temperature ³ in the seasons of the year, and the variations of the intensity of storms, heat, and winds, or of good and bad crops, and so on.

     But in each of these cases, as is reasonable, procedure, by entire countries and by more important conditions is preferred, for the same reason as before. And since in the examination of these questions these two things particularly are taken into consideration, the familiarity of the signs of the zodiac and also of the stars with the several climes ⁴, and the significances of heavenly bodies in their own proper regions ⁵ at a given time, manifested through the ecliptical conjunctions of the sun and moon and the transits ⁶ of the planets at rising and at their stationary periods, we shall first explain the natural reason for the aforesaid sympathies, and at the same time briefly survey the bodily and ethical peculiarities generally observed to belong to whole nations, which are not alien to the natural character of the stars and signs that are familiar to them.

2. Περὶ τῶν καθ’ ὅλα κλίματα ἰδιωμάτων

     Τῶν τοίνυν ἐθνικῶν ἰδιωμάτων τὰ μὲν καθ’ ὅλους παραλλήλους καὶ γωνίας ὅλας διαιρεῖσθαι συμβέβηκεν ὑπὸ τῆς πρὸς τὸν διὰ μέσων τῶν ζῳδίων κύκλον καὶ τὸν ἥλιον αὐτῶν σχέσεως. Τῆς γὰρ καθ’ ἡμᾶς οἰκουμένης ἐν ἑνὶ τῶν βορείων τεταρτημορίων οὔσης οἱ μὲν ὑπὸ τοὺς νοτιωτέρους παραλλήλους, λέγω δὲ τοὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ἰσημερινοῦ μέχρι τοῦ θερινοῦ τροπικοῦ, κατὰ κορυφὴν λαμβάνοντες τὸν ἥλιον καὶ διακαιόμενοι μέλανές τε τὰ σώματα καὶ τὰς τρίχας οὖλοί τε καὶ δασεῖς καὶ τὰς μορφὰς συνεσπασμένοι καὶ τὰ μεγέθη συντετηγμένοι καὶ τὰς φύσεις θερμοὶ καὶ τοῖς ἤθεσιν ὡς ἐπίπαν ἄγριοι τυγχάνουσι διὰ τὴν ὑπὸ τοῦ καύματος συνέχειαν τῶν οἰκήσεων· οὓς δὴ καλοῦμεν κοινῶς Αἰθίοπας. Καὶ οὐ μόνον αὐτοὺς οὕτως ὁρῶμεν ἔχοντας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ περιέχον αὐτοὺς τοῦ ἀέρος κατάστημα καὶ τὰ ἄλλα ζῷα καὶ τὰ φυτὰ παρ’ αὐτοῖς ἐμφανίζοντα τὴν διαπύρωσιν.

     Οἱ δὲ ὑπὸ τοὺς βορειοτέρους παραλλήλους, λέγω δὲ τοὺς ὑπὸ τὰς ἄρκτους τὸν κατὰ κορυφὴν ἔχοντες τόπον, πολὺ τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ καὶ τῆς τοῦ ἡλίου θερμότητος ἀφεστῶτες κατεψυγμένοι μέν εἰσι διὰ τοῦτο, δαψιλεστέρας δὲ μεταλαμβάνοντες τῆς ὑγρᾶς οὐσίας θρεπτικωτάτης οὔσης καὶ ὑπὸ μηδενὸς ἀναπινομένης θερμοῦ λευκοί τε τὰ χρώματά εἰσι καὶ τετανοὶ τὰς τρίχας τά τε σώματα μεγάλοι καὶ εὐτραφεῖς τοῖς μεγέθεσι καὶ ὑπόψυχροι τὰς φύσεις, ἄγριοι δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ τοῖς ἤθεσι διὰ τὴν ὑπὸ τοῦ κρύους συνέχειαν τῶν οἰκήσεων· ἀκολουθεῖ δὲ τούτοις καὶ ὁ τοῦ περιέχοντος αὐτοὺς ἀέρος χειμὼν καὶ τῶν φυτῶν τὰ μεγέθη καὶ τὸ δυσήμερον τῶν ζῴων. Καλοῦμεν δὲ τούτους ὡς ἐπίπαν Σκύθας.

     Οἱ δὲ μεταξὺ τοῦ θερινοῦ τροπικοῦ καὶ τῶν ἄρκτων, μήτε κατὰ κορυφὴν γινομένου παρ’ αὐτοῖς τοῦ ἡλίου μήτε πολὺ κατὰ τὰς μεσημβρινὰς παρόδους ἀφισταμένου, τῆς τῶν ἀέρων εὐκρασίας μετειλήφασι, καὶ αὐτῆς μὲν διαφερούσης, ἀλλ’ οὐ σφόδρα μεγάλην τὴν παραλλαγὴν τῶν καυμάτων πρὸς τὰ ψύχη λαμβανούσης. Ἔνθεν τοῖς χρώμασι μέσοι καὶ τοῖς μεγέθεσι μέτριοι καὶ ταῖς φύσεσιν εὔκρατοι καὶ ταῖς οἰκήσεσι συνεχεῖς καὶ τοῖς ἤθεσιν ἥμεροι τυγχάνουσι. Τούτων δὲ οἱ πρὸς νότον ὡς ἐπίπαν ἀγχινούστεροι καὶ εὐμήχανοι μᾶλλον καὶ περὶ τὴν τῶν θείων ἱστορίαν ἱκανώτεροι διὰ τὸ συνεγγίζειν αὐτῶν τὸν κατὰ κορυφὴν τόπον τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ καὶ τῶν περὶ αὐτὸν πλανωμένων ἀστέρων, οἷς οἰκείως καὶ αὐτοὶ τὰς ψυχικὰς κινήσεις εὐεπιβόλους ἔχουσι καὶ διερευνητικὰς καὶ τῶν ἰδίως καλουμένων μαθημάτων περιοδευτικάς. Καθόλου δὲ πάλιν οἱ μὲν πρὸς ἕω μᾶλλόν εἰσιν ἠρρενωμένοι καὶ εὔτονοι τὰς ψυχὰς καὶ πάντα ἐκφαίνοντες, ἐπειδὴ τὰς ἀνατολὰς ἄν τις εἰκότως τῆς ἡλιακῆς φύσεως ὑπολάβοι καὶ τὸ μέρος ἐκεῖνο ἡμερινόν τε καὶ ἀρρενικὸν καὶ δεξιόν, καθ’ ὃ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ζῴοις ὁρῶμεν τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη μᾶλλον ἐπιτηδειότητα ἔχοντα πρὸς ἰσχὺν καὶ εὐτονίαν.

     Οἱ δὲ πρὸς ἑσπέραν τεθηλυσμένοι μᾶλλόν εἰσι καὶ τὰς ψυχὰς ἁπαλώτεροι, καὶ τὰ πολλὰ κρύπτοντες, ἐπειδὴ πάλιν τοῦτο τὸ μέρος σεληνιακὸν τυγχάνει πάντοτε τῆς σελήνης τὰς πρώτας ἐπιτολὰς καὶ ἀπὸ συνόδου φαντασίας ἀπὸ λιβὸς ποιουμένης. Διὰ δὴ τοῦτο νυκτερινὸν δοκεῖ κλίμα καὶ θηλυκὸν καὶ εὐώνυμον, ἀντικείμενον τῷ ἀνατολικῷ.

     Ἤδη δέ τινες καὶ ἐν ἑκάστοις τούτων τῶν ὅλων μερῶν μορίοις ἰδιότροποι περιστάσεις ἠθῶν καὶ νομίμων φυσικῶς ἐξηκολούθησαν. Ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐπὶ τῶν τοῦ περιέχοντος καταστημάτων καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὡς ἐπίπαν κατειλεγμένοις θερμοῖς ἢ ψυχροῖς ἢ εὐκράτοις καὶ κατὰ μέρος ἰδιάζουσι τόποι καὶ χῶραί τινες ἐν τῷ μᾶλλον ἢ ἧττον ἤτοι διὰ θέσεως τάξιν ἢ διὰ ὕψος ἢ ταπεινότητα ἢ διὰ παράθεσιν, ἔτι δὲ ὡς ἱππικοί τινες μᾶλλον διὰ τὸ τῆς χώρας πεδινὸν καὶ ναυτικοὶ διὰ τὴν τῆς θαλάσσης ἐγγύτητα καὶ ἥμεροι διὰ τὴν τῆς χώρας εὐθηνίαν, οὕτως καὶ ἐκ τῆς πρὸς τοὺς ἀστέρας καὶ τὰ δωδεκατημόρια φυσικῆς τῶν κατὰ μέρος κλιμάτων συνοικειώσεως ἰδιοτρόπους ἄν τις εὕροι φύσεις παρ’ ἑκάστοις, καὶ αὐτὰς δὲ ὡς ἐπίπαν, οὐχ ὡς καὶ καθ’ ἕνα ἕκαστον πάντως ἐνυπαρχούσας. Αναγκαῖον οὖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον ἂν εἴη χρήσιμον, πρὸς τὰς κατὰ μέρος ἐπισκέψεις κεφαλαιωδῶς ἐπελθεῖν.

2. Of the Characteristics of the lnhabitants of the General Climes

     The demarcation of national characteristics ⁷ is established in part by entire parallels and angles ⁸, through their position relative to the ecliptic and the sun. For while the region which we inhabit is in one of the northern quarters; the people who live under the more southern parallels, that is, those from the equator to the summer tropic, since they have the sun over their heads and are burned by it, have black skins and thick, woolly hair, are contracted in form and shrunken in stature, are sanguine of nature, and in habits are for the most part savage because their homes are continually oppressed by heat; we call them by the general name Ethiopians. Not only do we see them in this condition, but we likewise observe that their climate and the animals and plants of their region plainly give evidence of this baking by the sun.

     Those who live under the more northern parallels, those, I mean, who have the Bears over their heads, since they are far removed from the zodiac and the heat of the sun, are therefore cooled; but because they have a richer share of moisture, which is most nourishing and is not there exhausted by heat, they are white in complexion, straight-haired, tall and well-nourished, and somewhat cold by nature; these too are savage in their habits, because their dwelling places are continually cold. The wintry character of their climate, the size of their plants, and the wildness of their animals are in accord with these qualities. We call these men, too, by a general name, Scythians.

     The inhabitants of the region between the summer tropic and the Bears, however, since the sun is neither directly over their heads nor far distant at its noon-day transits, share in the equable temperature of the air, which varies, to be sure, but has no violent changes from heat to cold. They are therefore medium in colouring, of moderate stature, in nature equable, live close together, and are civilized in their habits. The southernmost ⁹ of them are in general more shrewd and inventive, and better versed in the knowledge of things divine because their zenith is close to the zodiac and to the planets revolving about it. Through this affinity the men themselves are characterized by an activity of the soul which is sagacious, investigative, and fitted for pursuing the sciences specifically called mathematical. Of them, again, the eastern group are more masculine, vigorous of soul, and frank in all things ¹⁰, because one would reasonably assume that the orient partakes of the nature of the sun ¹¹. This region therefore is diurnal, masculine, and right-handed, even as we observe that among the animals too their right-hand parts are better fitted for strength and vigour.

     Those to the west are more feminine, softer of soul, and secretive, because this region, again, is lunar, for it is always in the west that the moon emerges and makes its appearance after conjunction. For this reason it appears to be a nocturnal clime, feminine, and, in contrast with the orient, left-handed.

     And now in each of these general regions certain special conditions of character and customs ¹² naturally ensue. For as likewise, in the case of the climate, even within the regions that in general are reckoned as hot, cold, or temperate, certain localities and countries have special peculiarities of excess or deficiency by reason of their situation, height, lowness, or adjacency; and again, as some peoples are more inclined to horsemanship because theirs is a plain country, or to seamanship because they live close to the sea, or to civilization because of the richness of their soil, so also would one discover special traits in each arising from the natural familiarity of their particular climes with the stars in the signs of the zodiac. These traits, too, would be found generally present, but not in every individual. We must, then, deal with the subject summarily, in so far as it might be of use for the purpose of particular investigations.

3. Περὶ τῆς τῶν χωρῶν πρὸς τὰ τρίγωνα καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἀστέρας συνοικειώσεως

     Tεσσάρων δὴ τριγωνικῶν σχημάτων ἐν τῷ ζῳδιακῷ θεωρουμένων δέδεικται διὰ τῶν ἔμπροσθεν ἡμῖν, ὅτι τὸ μὲν κατὰ τὸν Κριὸν καὶ τὸν Λέοντα καὶ τὸν Τοξότην βορρολιβικόν τέ ἐστι καὶ οἰκοδεσποτεῖται μὲν προηγουμένως ὑπὸ τοῦ τοῦ Διὸς διὰ τὸ βόρειον, συνοικοδεσποτεῖται δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ τοῦ Ἄρεως διὰ τὸ λιβικόν· τὸ δὲ κατὰ τὸν Ταῦρον καὶ τὴν Παρθένον καὶ τὸν Αἰγόκερων νοταπηλιωτικόν τέ ἐστι καὶ οἰκοδεσποτεῖται μὲν πάλιν προηγουμένως ὑπὸ τοῦ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης διὰ τὸ νότιον, συνοικοδεσποτεῖται δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ Κρόνου διὰ τὸ ἀπηλιωτικόν·

     Τὸ δὲ κατὰ τοὺς Διδύμους καὶ τὰς Χηλὰς καὶ τὸν Ὑδροχόον βορραπηλιωτικόν τέ ἐστι καὶ οἰκοδεσποτεῖται μὲν προηγουμένως ὑπὸ τοῦ Κρόνου διὰ τὸ ἀπηλιωτικόν, συνοικοδεσποτεῖται δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ Διὸς διὰ τὸ βόρειον· τὸ δὲ κατὰ τὸν Καρκίνον καὶ τὸν Σκορπίον καὶ τοὺς Ἰχθύας νοτολιβικόν τέ ἐστι καὶ οἰκοδεσποτεῖται μὲν πάλιν προηγουμένως ὑπὸ τοῦ τοῦ Ἄρεως διὰ τὸ λιβικόν, συνοικοδεσποτεῖται δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης διὰ τὸ νότιον.

     Τούτων δὴ οὕτως ἐχόντων, διαιρουμένης δὲ τῆς καθ’ ἡμᾶς οἰκουμένης εἰς τέσσαρα τεταρτημόρια τοῖς τριγώνοις ἰσάριθμα κατὰ μὲν πλάτος ὑπό τε τῆς καθ’ ἡμᾶς θαλάσσης ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἡρακλείου πορθμοῦ μέχρι τοῦ Ἰσσικοῦ κόλπου καὶ τῆς ἐφεξῆς πρὸς ἀνατολὰς ὀρεινῆς ῥάχεως, ὑφ’ ὧν χωρίζεται τό τε νότιον καὶ τὸ βόρειον αὐτῆς μέρος, κατὰ δὲ μῆκος ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἀραβικοῦ κόλπου καὶ Αἰγαίου πελάγους καὶ Πόντου καὶ τῆς Μαιώτιδος λίμνης, ὑφ’ ὧν χωρίζεται τό τε ἀπηλιωτικὸν καὶ τὸ λιβικὸν μέρος, γίνεται τεταρτημόρια τέσσαρα, σύμφωνα τῇ θέσει τῶν τριγώνων· ἓν μὲν τὸ πρὸς βορρόλιβα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης κείμενον, τὸ κατὰ τὴν Κελτογαλατίαν, ὃ δὴ κοινῶς Εὐρώπην καλοῦμεν· τούτῳ δὲ ἀντικείμενον καὶ πρὸς νοταπηλιώτην τὸ κατὰ τὴν Ἑῴαν Αἰθιοπίαν, ὃ δὴ τῆς Μεγάλης Ἀσίας νότιον ἂν μέρος καλοῖτο· καὶ πάλιν τὸ μὲν πρὸς βορραπηλιώτην τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης τὸ κατὰ τὴν Σκυθίαν, ὃ δὴ καὶ αὐτὸ βόρειον μέρος τῆς Μεγάλης Ἀσίας γίνεται· τὸ δὲ ἀντικείμενον τούτῳ καὶ πρὸς λιβόνοτον ἄνεμον, τὸ κατὰ τὴν Ἑσπερίαν Αἰθιοπίαν, ὃ δὴ κοινῶς Λιβύην καλοῦμεν.

     Πάλιν δὲ καὶ ἑκάστου τῶν προκειμένων τεταρτημορίων τὰ πρὸς τῷ μέσῳ μᾶλλον ἐσχηματισμένα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης τὴν ἐναντίαν λαμβάνει θέσιν πρὸς αὐτὸ τὸ περιέχον τεταρτημόριον ἥνπερ ἐκεῖνο πρὸς ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην· τοῦ γὰρ κατὰ τὴν Εὐρώπην πρὸς βορρόλιβα κειμένου τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης τὰ περὶ τὸ μέσον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀντιγώνια πρὸς νοταπηλιώτην αὐτοῦ τοῦ τεταρτημορίου τὴν θέσιν ἔχοντα φαίνεται καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἄλλων ὁμοίως, ὡς ἐκ τούτων ἕκαστον τῶν τεταρτημορίων δυσὶ καὶ τοῖς ἀντικειμένοις τριγώνοις συνοικειοῦσθαι, τῶν μὲν ἄλλων μερῶν πρὸς τὴν καθόλου πρόσνευσιν ἐφαρμοζομένων, τῶν δὲ περὶ τὸ μέσον πρὸς τὴν κατ’ αὐτὸ τὸ μέρος ἀντικειμένην, συμπαραλαμβανομένων πρὸς τὴν οἰκείωσιν καὶ τῶν ἐν τοῖς οἰκείοις τριγώνοις τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν ἐχόντων ἀστέρων, ἐπὶ μὲν τῶν ἄλλων οἰκήσεων πάλιν αὐτῶν μόνων, ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν περὶ τὸ μέσον τῆς οἰκουμένης κἀκείνων καὶ ἔτι τοῦ τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ διὰ τὸ μέσον καὶ κοινὸν αὐτὸν ὑπάρχειν τῶν αἱρέσεων.

     Ἐκ δὴ τῆς τοιαύτης διατάξεως τὰ μὲν ἄλλα μέρη τοῦ πρώτου τῶν τεταρτημορίων, λέγω δὲ τοῦ κατὰ τὴν Εὐρώπην, τὰ πρὸς βορρόλιβα κείμενα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης συνοικειοῦται μὲν τῷ βορρολιβικῷ τριγώνῳ τῷ κατὰ Κριὸν καὶ Λέοντα καὶ Τοξότην, οἰκοδεσποτεῖται δὲ εἰκότως ὑπὸ τῶν κυρίων τοῦ τριγώνου Διὸς καὶ Ἄρεως ἑσπερίων. Ἔστι δὲ ταῦτα καθ’ ὅλα ἔθνη λαμβανόμενα Βρεττανία Γαλατία Γερμανία Βασταρνία Ἰταλία Γαλλία Ἀπουλία Σικελία Τυρρηνία Κελτικὴ Σπανία. Εἰκότως δὲ τοῖς προκειμένοις ἔθνεσιν ὡς ἐπίπαν συνέπεσε, διά τε τὸ ἀρχικὸν τοῦ τριγώνου καὶ τοὺς συνοικοδεσποτήσαντας ἀστέρας ἀνυποτάκτοις τε εἶναι καὶ φιλελευθέροις καὶ φιλόπλοις καὶ φιλοπόνοις καὶ πολεμικωτάτοις καὶ ἡγεμονικοῖς καὶ καθαρίοις καὶ μεγαλοψύχοις.

     Διὰ μέντοι τὸν ἑσπέριον συσχηματισμὸν Διὸς καὶ Ἄρεως καὶ ἔτι διὰ τὸ τοῦ προκειμένου τριγώνου τὰ μὲν ἐμπρόσθια ἠρρενῶσθαι, τὰ δὲ ὀπίσθια τεθηλῦσθαι πρὸς μὲν τὰς γυναῖκας ἀζήλοις αὐτοῖς εἶναι συνέπεσε καὶ καταφρονητικοῖς τῶν ἀφροδισίων, πρὸς δὲ τὴν τῶν ἀρρένων συνουσίαν κατακορεστέροις τε καὶ μᾶλλον ζηλοτύποις αὐτοῖς τε τοῖς διατιθεμένοις μήτε αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖσθαι τὸ γινόμενον μήτε ὡς ἀληθῶς ἀνάνδροις διὰ τοῦτο καὶ μαλακοῖς ἀποβαίνειν ἕνεκεν τοῦ μὴ παθητικῶς διατίθεσθαι, συντηρεῖν δὲ τὰς ψυχὰς ἐπάνδρους καὶ κοινωνικὰς καὶ πιστὰς καὶ φιλοικείους καὶ εὐεργετικάς.

     Καὶ τούτων δὲ αὐτῶν τῶν χωρῶν Βρεττανία μὲν καὶ Γαλατία καὶ Γερμανία καὶ Βασταρνία μᾶλλον τῷ Κριῷ συνοικειοῦνται καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἄρεως, ὅθεν ὡς ἐπίπαν οἱ ἐν αὐταῖς ἀγριώτεροι καὶ αὐθαδέστεροι καὶ θηριώδεις τυγχάνουσιν· Ἰταλία δὲ καὶ Ἀπουλία καὶ Σικελία καὶ Γαλλία τῷ Λέοντι καὶ τῷ ἡλίῳ, διόπερ ἡγεμονικοὶ μᾶλλον οὗτοι καὶ εὐεργετικοὶ καὶ κοινωνικοί· Τυρρηνία δὲ καὶ Κελτικὴ καὶ Σπανία τῷ Τοξότῃ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Διός, ὅθεν τὸ φιλελεύθερον αὐτοῖς καὶ ἁπλοῦν καὶ φιλοκάθαρον.

     Τὰ δὲ ἐν τούτῳ μὲν ὄντα τῷ τεταρτημορίῳ μέρη, περὶ δὲ τὸ μέσον ἐσχηματισμένα τῆς οἰκουμένης, Θρᾴκη τε καὶ Μακεδονία καὶ Ἰλλυρία καὶ Ἑλλὰς καὶ Ἀχαΐα καὶ Κρήτη, ἔτι δὲ καὶ αἱ Κυκλάδες καὶ τὰ Παράλια τῆς Μικρᾶς Ἀσίας καὶ Κύπρος, πρὸς νοταπηλιώτην κείμενα τοῦ ὅλου τεταρτημορίου, προσλαμβάνει τὴν συνοικείωσιν τοῦ νοταπηλιωτικοῦ τριγώνου τοῦ τε κατὰ τὸν Ταῦρον καὶ τὴν Παρθένον καὶ τὸν Αἰγόκερων, ἔτι δὲ συνοικοδεσποτοῦντας τόν τε τῆς Ἀφροδίτης καὶ τὸν τοῦ Κρόνου καὶ ἔτι τὸν τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ, ὅθεν οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὰς χώρας ἐκείνας συγκατεσχηματισμένοι μᾶλλον ἀπεφάνθησαν καὶ κεκραμένοι τοῖς τε σώμασι καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς, ἡγεμονικοὶ μὲν καὶ αὐτοὶ τυγχάνοντες καὶ γενναῖοι καὶ ἀνυπότακτοι διὰ τὸν τοῦ Ἄρεως, φιλελεύθεροι δὲ καὶ αὐτόνομοι καὶ δημοκρατικοὶ καὶ νομοθετικοὶ διὰ τὸν τοῦ Διός, φιλόμουσοι δὲ καὶ φιλομαθεῖς καὶ φιλαγωνισταὶ καὶ καθάριοι ταῖς διαίταις, διὰ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης κοινωνικοί τε καὶ φιλόξενοι καὶ φιλοδίκαιοι καὶ φιλογράμματοι καὶ ἐν λόγοις πρακτικώτατοι διὰ τὸν τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ, μυστηρίων δὲ μάλιστα συντελεστικοὶ διὰ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης ἑσπέριον σχηματισμόν.

     Πάλιν δὲ κατὰ μέρος καὶ τούτων αὐτῶν οἱ μὲν περὶ τὰς Κυκλάδας καὶ τὰ Παράλια τῆς Μικρᾶς Ἀσίας καὶ Κύπρον τῷ τε Ταύρῳ καὶ τῷ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης μᾶλλον συνοικειοῦνται, ὅθεν ὡς ἐπὶ τὸ πλεῖστον τρυφηταί εἰσι καὶ καθάριοι καὶ τοῦ σώματος ἐπιμέλειαν ποιούμενοι. Οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Ἑλλάδα καὶ τὴν Ἀχαΐαν καὶ τὴν Κρήτην τῇ τε Παρθένῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ, διὸ μᾶλλον λογικοὶ τυγχάνουσι καὶ φιλομαθεῖς καὶ τὰ τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσκοῦντες πρὸ τοῦ σώματος, οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Μακεδονίαν καὶ Θρᾴκην καὶ Ἰλλυρίαν τῷ τε Αἰγόκερῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Κρόνου, διὸ φιλοκτήματοι μέν, οὐχ ἥμεροι δὲ οὕτως οὐδὲ κοινωνικοὶ τοῖς νομίμοις.

     Τοῦ δὲ δευτέρου τεταρτημορίου τοῦ κατὰ τὸ νότιον μέρος τῆς Μεγάλης Ἀσίας τὰ μὲν ἄλλα μέρη τὰ περιέχοντα Ἰνδικὴν Ἀριανὴν Γεδρουσίαν Παρθίαν Μηδίαν Περσίδα Βαβυλωνίαν Μεσοποταμίαν Ἀσσυρίαν καὶ τὴν θέσιν ἔχοντα πρὸς νοταπηλιώτην τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης εἰκότως καὶ αὐτὰ συνοικειοῦται μὲν τῷ νοταπηλιωτικῷ τριγώνῳ Ταύρου καὶ Παρθένου καὶ Αἰγόκερω· οἰκοδεσποτεῖται δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης καὶ τοῦ τοῦ Κρόνου ἐπὶ ἑῴων σχημάτων. Διόπερ καὶ τὰς φύσεις τῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἀκολούθως ἄν τις εὕροι τοῖς ὑπὸ τῶν οὕτως οἰκοδεσποτησάντων ἀποτελουμένας. Σέβουσί τε γὰρ τὸν μὲν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης Ἶσιν ὀνομάζοντες, τὸν δὲ τοῦ Κρόνου Μίθραν ἢ Ἥλιον καὶ προθεσπίζουσιν οἱ πολλοὶ τὰ μέλλοντα· καθιεροῦταί τε παρ’ αὐτοῖς τὰ γεννητικὰ μόρια διὰ τὸν τῶν προκειμένων ἀστέρων συσχηματισμὸν σπερματικὸν ὄντα φύσει. Ἔτι δὲ θερμοὶ καὶ ὀχευτικοὶ καὶ καταφερεῖς πρὸς τὰ ἀφροδίσια τυγχάνουσιν ὀρχηστικοί τε καὶ πηδηταὶ καὶ φιλόκοσμοι μὲν διὰ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης, ἁπλοδίαιτοι δὲ διὰ τὸν τοῦ Κρόνου.

     Ἀναφανδὸν δὲ ποιοῦνται καὶ οὐ κρύβδην τὰς πρὸς τὰς γυναῖκας συνουσίας διὰ τὸ ἑῷον τοῦ σχηματισμοῦ, τὰς δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἄρρενας ὑπερεχθαίρουσι διὰ ταῦτα. Καὶ τοῖς πλείστοις αὐτῶν συνέπεσεν ἐκ τῶν μητέρων τεκνοῦν καὶ τὰς προσκυνήσεις τῷ στήθει ποιεῖσθαι διὰ τὰς ἑῴας ἀνατολὰς καὶ τὸ τῆς καρδίας ἡγεμονικὸν οἰκείως ἔχον πρὸς τὴν ἡλιακὴν δύναμιν. Εἰσὶ δὲ ὡς ἐπίπαν καὶ τὰ μὲν ἄλλα περὶ τὰς στολὰς καὶ τοὺς κόσμους καὶ ὅλως τὰς σωματικὰς σχέσεις τρυφεροὶ καὶ τεθηλυσμένοι διὰ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης, τὰς δὲ ψυχὰς καὶ τὰς προαιρέσεις μεγαλόφρονες καὶ γενναῖοι καὶ πολεμικοὶ διὰ τὸ οἰκείως ἔχειν τὸν τοῦ Κρόνου πρὸς τὸ τῶν ἀνατολῶν σχῆμα.

     Κατὰ μέρος δὲ πάλιν τῷ μὲν Ταύρῳ καὶ τῷ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης μᾶλλον συνοικειοῦται ἥ τε Παρθία καὶ Μηδία καὶ Περσίς, ὅθεν οἱ ἐνταῦθα στολαῖς τε ἀνθιναῖς χρῶνται κατακαλύπτοντες ἑαυτοὺς ὅλους πλὴν τοῦ στήθους, καὶ ὅλως εἰσὶν ἁβροδίαιτοι καὶ καθάριοι. Τῇ δὲ Παρθένῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ τὰ περὶ τὴν Βαβυλωνίαν καὶ Μεσοποταμίαν καὶ Ἀσσυρίαν, διὸ καὶ παρὰ τοῖς ἐνταῦθα τὸ μαθηματικὸν καὶ παρατηρητικὸν τῶν πέντε ἀστέρων ἐξαίρετον συνέπεσε, τῷ δὲ Αἰγόκερῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Κρόνου τὰ περὶ τὴν Ἰνδικὴν καὶ Ἀριανὴν καὶ Γεδρουσίαν, ὅθεν καὶ τὸ τῶν νεμομένων τὰς χώρας ἐκείνας ἄμορφον καὶ ἀκάθαρτον καὶ θηριῶδες.

     Τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ τοῦ τεταρτημορίου μέρη περὶ τὸ μέσον ἐσχηματισμένα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης, Ἰδουμαία Κοίλη Συρία Ἰουδαία Φοινίκη Χαλδαϊκὴ Ὀρχηνία Ἀραβία εὐδαίμων καὶ τὴν θέσιν ἔχοντα πρὸς βορρόλιβα τοῦ ὅλου τεταρτημορίου προσλαμβάνει πάλιν τὴν συνοικείωσιν τοῦ βορρολιβικοῦ τριγώνου, Κριοῦ Λέοντος Τοξότου, ἔχει δὲ συνοικοδεσπότας τόν τε τοῦ Διὸς καὶ τὸν τοῦ Ἄρεως καὶ ἔτι τὸν τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ. Διὸ μᾶλλον οὗτοι τῶν ἄλλων ἐμπορικώτεροι καὶ συναλλακτικώτεροι, πανουργότεροι δὲ καὶ δειλοκαταφρόνητοι καὶ ἐπιβουλευτικοὶ καὶ δουλόψυχοι καὶ ὅλως ἀλλοπρόσαλλοι διὰ τὸν τῶν προκειμένων ἀστέρων συσχηματισμόν.

     Καὶ τούτων δὲ πάλιν οἱ μὲν περὶ τὴν Κοίλην Συρίαν καὶ Ἰδουμαίαν καὶ Ἰουδαίαν τῷ τε Κριῷ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἄρεως μᾶλλον συνοικειοῦνται, διόπερ ὡς ἐπίπαν θρασεῖς τέ εἰσι καὶ ἄθεοι καὶ ἐπιβουλευτικοί· Φοίνικες δὲ καὶ Χαλδαῖοι καὶ Ὀρχήνιοι τῷ Λέοντι καὶ τῷ ἡλίῳ διόπερ ἁπλούστεροι καὶ φιλάνθρωποι καὶ φιλαστρόλογοι καὶ μάλιστα πάντων σέβοντες τὸν ἥλιον· οἱ δὲ κατὰ τὴν Ἀραβίαν τὴν εὐδαίμονα τῷ Τοξότῃ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Διός, ὅθεν ἀκολούθως τῇ προσηγορίᾳ τό τε τῆς χώρας εὔφορον συνέπεσε καὶ τὸ τῶν ἀρωμάτων πλῆθος καὶ τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων εὐάρμοστον πρός τε διαγωγὰς ἐλεύθερον καὶ συναλλαγὰς καὶ πραγματείας.

     Τοῦ δὲ τρίτου τεταρτημορίου τοῦ κατὰ τὸ βόρειον μέρος τῆς Μεγάλης Ἀσίας τὰ μὲν ἄλλα μέρη τὰ περιέχοντα Ὑρκανίαν Ἀρμενίαν Ματιανὴν Βακτριανὴν Κασπειρίαν Σηρικὴν Σαυροματικὴν Ὠξιανὴν Σουγδιανὴν καὶ πρὸς βορραπηλιώτην κείμενα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης συνοικειοῦται μὲν τῷ βορραπηλιωτικῷ τριγώνῳ Διδύμων καὶ Ζυγοῦ καὶ Ὑδροχόου, οἰκοδεσποτεῖται δὲ εἰκότως ὑπό τε τοῦ τοῦ Κρόνου καὶ τοῦ τοῦ Διὸς ἐπὶ σχημάτων ἀνατολικῶν. Διόπερ οἱ ταύτας ἔχοντες τὰς χώρας σέβουσι μὲν Δία καὶ Ἥλιον, πλουσιώτατοι δέ εἰσι καὶ πολύχρυσοι περί τε τὰς διαίτας καθάριοι καὶ εὐάγωγοι, σοφοὶ δὲ περὶ τὰ θεῖα καὶ μάγοι καὶ τὰ ἤθη δίκαιοι καὶ ἐλεύθεροι καὶ τὰς ψυχὰς μεγάλοι καὶ γενναῖοι, μισοπόνηροι δὲ καὶ φιλοστοργότατοι καὶ ὑπεραποθνῄσκοντες ἑτοίμως τῶν οἰκείων ἕνεκεν τοῦ καλοῦ καὶ ὁσίου πρός τε τὰς ἀφροδισίους χρήσεις σεμνοὶ καὶ καθάριοι καὶ περὶ τὰς ἐσθῆτας πολυτελεῖς χαριστικοί τε καὶ μεγαλόφρονες, ἅπερ ὡς ἐπίπαν ὁ τοῦ Κρόνου καὶ τοῦ Διὸς ἀνατολικὸς συσχηματισμὸς ἀπεργάζεται.

     Καὶ τούτων δὲ πάλιν τῶν ἐθνῶν τὰ μὲν περὶ τὴν Ὑρκανίαν καὶ Ἀρμενίαν καὶ Ματιανὴν μᾶλλον συνοικειοῦται τοῖς τε Διδύμοις καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ, διόπερ εὐκινητότεροι μᾶλλον καὶ ὑποπόνηροι· τὰ δὲ περὶ τὴν Βακτριανὴν καὶ Κασπειρίαν καὶ Σηρικὴν τῷ τε Ζυγῷ καὶ τῷ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης, ὅθεν οἱ κατέχοντες τὰς χώρας πλουσιώτατοι καὶ φιλόμουσοι καὶ μᾶλλον ἁβροδίαιτοι· τὰ δὲ περὶ τὴν Σαυροματικὴν καὶ Ὠξιανὴν καὶ Σουγδιανὴν τῷ τε Ὑδροχόῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Κρόνου, διὸ καὶ ταῦτα τὰ ἔθνη μᾶλλον ἀνήμερα καὶ αὐστηρὰ καὶ θηριώδη.

     Τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ τούτου τοῦ τεταρτημορίου καὶ περὶ τὸ μέσον κείμενα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης, Βιθυνία Φρυγία Κολχικὴ Συρία Κομμαγηνὴ Καππαδοκία Λυδία Κιλικία Παμφυλία, τὴν θέσιν ἔχοντα πρὸς λιβόνοτον αὐτοῦ τοῦ τεταρτημορίου, προσλαμβάνει τὴν συνοικείωσιν τοῦ νοτολιβικοῦ τεταρτημορίου Καρκίνου Σκορπίου Ἰχθύων καὶ συνοικοδεσπότας τόν τε τοῦ Ἄρεως καὶ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης καὶ ἔτι τὸν τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ. Διόπερ οἱ περὶ τὰς χώρας ταύτας σέβουσι μὲν ὡς ἐπίπαν τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης ὡς μητέρα θεῶν ποικίλοις καὶ ἐγχωρίοις ὀνόμασι προσαγορεύοντες καὶ τὸν τοῦ Ἄρεως ὡς Ἄδωνιν ἢ ἄλλως πως πάλιν ὀνομάζοντες καὶ μυστήριά τινα μετὰ θρήνων ἀποδίδοντες αὐτοῖς· περίκακοι δέ εἰσι καὶ δουλόψυχοι καὶ πονικοὶ καὶ ὑποπόνηροι καὶ ἐν μισθοφορικαῖς στρατείαις καὶ ἁρπαγαῖς καὶ αἰχμαλωσίαις γινόμενοι καταδουλούμενοί τε ἑαυτοὺς καὶ πολεμικαῖς ἀπωλείαις περιπίπτοντες· διὰ δὲ τὸν τοῦ Ἄρεως καὶ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης κατὰ ἀνατολικὴν συναρμογήν, ὅτι ἐν μὲν τῷ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης τριγωνικῷ ζῳδίῳ τῷ Αἰγόκερῳ ὁ τοῦ Ἄρεως ὑψοῦται, ἐν δὲ τῷ τοῦ Ἄρεως τριγωνικῷ ζῳδίῳ τοῖς Ἰχθύσι ὁ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης ὑψοῦται, διὰ τοῦτο τὰς γυναῖκας συνέβη πᾶσαν εὔνοιαν πρὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας ἐνδείκνυσθαι, φιλοστόργους τε οὔσας καὶ οἰκουροὺς καὶ ἐργατικὰς καὶ ὑπηρετικὰς καὶ ὅλως πονικὰς καὶ ὑποτεταγμένας.

     Καὶ τούτων δὲ πάλιν οἱ μὲν περὶ τὴν Βιθυνίαν καὶ Φρυγίαν καὶ Κολχικὴν συνοικειοῦνται μᾶλλον τῷ τε Καρκίνῳ καὶ τῇ σελήνῃ. Διόπερ οἱ μὲν ἄνδρες ὡς ἐπίπαν εἰσὶν εὐλαβεῖς καὶ ὑποτακτικοί, τῶν δὲ γυναικῶν αἱ πλεῖσται διὰ τὸ τῆς σελήνης ἀνατολικὸν καὶ ἠρρενωμένον σχῆμα ἔπανδροι καὶ ἀρχικαὶ καὶ πολεμικαὶ καθάπερ αἱ Ἀμαζόνες, φεύγουσαι μὲν τὰς τῶν ἀνδρῶν συνουσίας, φίλοπλοι δὲ οὖσαι καὶ ἀρρενοποιοῦσαι τὰ θηλυκὰ πάντα ἀπὸ βρέφους ἀποκοπῇ τῶν δεξιῶν μαστῶν χάριν τῶν στρατιωτικῶν χρειῶν καὶ ἀπογυμνοῦσαι ταῦτα τὰ μέρη κατὰ τὰς παρατάξεις πρὸς ἐπίδειξιν τοῦ ἀθηλύντου τῆς φύσεως.

     Οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Συρίαν καὶ Κομμαγηνὴν καὶ Καππαδοκίαν τῷ τε Σκορπίῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἄρεως, διὸ πολὺ παρ’ αὐτοῖς συνέπεσε τὸ θρασὺ καὶ πονηρὸν καὶ ἐπιβουλευτικὸν καὶ ἐπίπονον· οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Λυδίαν καὶ Κιλικίαν καὶ Παμφυλίαν τοῖς τε Ἰχθύσι καὶ τῷ τοῦ Διός, ὅθεν οὗτοι μᾶλλον πολυκτήμονές τε καὶ ἐμπορικοὶ καὶ κοινωνικοὶ καὶ ἐλεύθεροι καὶ πιστοὶ περὶ τὰς συναλλαγάς.

     Τοῦ δὲ λοιποῦ τεταρτημορίου τοῦ κατὰ τὴν κοινῶς καλουμένην Λιβύην τὰ μὲν ἄλλα τὰ περιέχοντα Νουμιδίαν Καρχηδονίαν Ἀφρικὴν Φαζανίαν Νασαμονῖτιν Γαραμαντικὴν Μαυριτανίαν Γαιτουλίαν Μεταγωνῖτιν καὶ τὴν θέσιν ἔχοντα πρὸς λιβόνοτον τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης συνοικειοῦται μὲν τῷ νοτολιβικῷ τριγώνῳ Καρκίνου Σκορπίου Ἰχθύων, οἰκοδεσποτεῖται δὲ εἰκότως ὑπό τε τοῦ τοῦ Ἄρεως καὶ τοῦ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης ἐπὶ σχήματος ἑσπερίου. Διόπερ συνέπεσε τοῖς πλείστοις αὐτῶν ἕνεκεν τῆς εἰρημένης τῶν ἀστέρων συναρμογῆς ὑπὸ ἀνδρὸς καὶ γυναικὸς δυεῖν ὁμομητρίων ἀδελφῶν βασιλεύεσθαι, τοῦ μὲν ἀνδρὸς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἄρχοντος, τῆς δὲ γυναικὸς τῶν γυναικῶν, συντηρουμένης τῆς τοιαύτης διαδοχῆς.

     Θερμοί τέ εἰσι σφόδρα καὶ καταφερεῖς πρὸς τὰς γυναικῶν συνουσίας, ὡς καὶ τοὺς γάμους δι’ ἁρπαγῶν γίνεσθαι καὶ πολλαχῇ ταῖς γαμουμέναις τοὺς βασιλεῖς πρώτους συνέρψεσθαι, παρ’ ἐνίοις δὲ καὶ κοινὰς εἶναι τὰς γυναῖκας πάντων. Φιλοκαλλωπισταὶ δὲ τυγχάνουσι καὶ κόσμους γυναικείους περιζώννυνται διὰ τὸν τῆς Ἀφροδίτης, ἔπανδροι μέντοι ταῖς ψυχαῖς καὶ ὑποπόνηροι καὶ μαγευτικοί, νοθευταὶ δὲ καὶ παράβολοι καὶ ῥιψοκίνδυνοι διὰ τὸν τοῦ Ἄρεως. Τούτων δὲ πάλιν οἱ μὲν περὶ τὴν Νουμιδίαν καὶ Καρχηδονίαν καὶ Ἀφρικὴν συνοικειοῦνται μᾶλλον τῷ τε Καρκίνῳ καὶ τῇ σελήνῃ, διόπερ οὗτοι κοινωνικοί τε καὶ ἐμπορικοὶ τυγχάνουσι καὶ ἐν εὐθηνίᾳ πάσῃ διατελοῦντες·

     Οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Μεταγωνῖτιν καὶ Μαυριτανίαν καὶ Γαιτουλίαν τῷ τε Σκορπίῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἄρεως, ὅθεν οὗτοι θηριωδέστεροί τέ εἰσι καὶ μαχιμώτατοι καὶ κρεωφάγοι καὶ σφόδρα ῥιψοκίνδυνοι καὶ καταφρονητικοὶ τοῦ ζῆν, ὡς μηδὲ ἀλλήλων ἀπέχεσθαι· οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Φαζανίαν καὶ Νασαμωνῖτιν καὶ Γαραμαντικὴν τοῖς τε Ἰχθύσι καὶ τῷ τοῦ Διός, διόπερ ἐλεύθεροί τε καὶ ἁπλοῖ τοῖς ἤθεσι καὶ φιλεργοὶ καὶ εὐγνώμονες καθάριοί τε καὶ ἀνυπότακτοί εἰσιν ὡς ἐπίπαν καὶ τὸν τοῦ Διὸς ὡς Ἄμμωνα θρησκεύοντες.

     Τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ τοῦ τεταρτημορίου μέρη καὶ πρὸς τὸ μέσον ἐσχηματισμένα τῆς ὅλης οἰκουμένης, Κυρηναϊκὴ Μαρμαρικὴ Αἴγυπτος Θηβαῒς Ὄασις Τρωγλοδυτικὴ Ἀραβία Ἀζανία μέση Αἰθιοπία πρὸς βορραπηλιώτην τετραμμένα τοῦ ὅλου τεταρτημορίου προσλαμβάνει τὴν συνοικείωσιν τοῦ βορραπηλιωτικοῦ τριγώνου Διδύμων Ζυγοῦ Ὑδροχόου καὶ συνοικοδεσπότας διὰ τοῦτο τόν τε τοῦ Κρόνου καὶ τὸν τοῦ Διὸς καὶ ἔτι τὸν τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ.

     Ὅθεν οἱ κατὰ ταύτας τὰς χώρας κεκοινωνηκότες σχεδὸν τῆς τῶν πέντε πλανήτων οἰκοδεσποτείας ἑσπερίου φιλόθεοι μὲν γεγόνασι καὶ δεισιδαίμονες καὶ θεοπρόσπλοκοι καὶ φιλόθρηνοι καὶ τοὺς ἀποθνῄσκοντας γῇ κρύπτοντες καὶ ἀφανίζοντες διὰ τὸ ἑσπέριον σχῆμα, παντοίοις δὲ ἔθεσι καὶ νομίμοις καὶ θεῶν παντοίων θρησκείαις χρώμενοι καὶ ἐν μὲν ταῖς ὑποταγαῖς ταπεινοὶ καὶ δειλοὶ καὶ μικρολόγοι καὶ ὑπομονητικοί, ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡγεμονίαις εὔψυχοι καὶ μεγαλόφρονες, πολυγύναιοι δὲ καὶ πολύανδροι καὶ καταφερεῖς καὶ ταῖς ἀδελφαῖς συναρμοζόμενοι καὶ πολύσποροι μὲν οἱ ἄνδρες, εὐσύλληπτοι δὲ αἱ γυναῖκες, ἀκολούθως τῷ τῆς χώρας γονίμῳ, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ τῶν ἀρρένων σαθροὶ καὶ τεθηλυσμένοι ταῖς ψυχαῖς, ἔνιοι δὲ καὶ τῶν γεννητικῶν μορίων καταφρονοῦντες διὰ τὸν τῶν κακοποιῶν μετὰ τοῦ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης ἑσπέριον σχηματισμόν.

     Καὶ τούτων δὲ οἱ μὲν περὶ τὴν Κυρηναϊκὴν καὶ Μαρμαρικὴν καὶ μάλιστα οἱ περὶ τὴν κάτω χώραν τῆς Αἰγύπτου μᾶλλον συνοικειοῦνται τοῖς τε Ἰχθύσι καὶ τῷ τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ, διόπερ οὗτοι διανοητικοί τε καὶ συνετοὶ καὶ εὐεπίβολοι τυγχάνουσι περὶ πάντα καὶ μάλιστα περὶ τὴν τῶν σοφῶν καὶ θείων εὕρεσιν μαγευτικοί τε καὶ κρυφίων μυστηρίων ἐπιτελεστικοὶ καὶ ὅλως ἱκανοὶ περὶ τὰ μαθήματα· οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Θηβαΐδα καὶ Ὄασιν καὶ Τρωγλοδυτικὴν τῷ τε Ζυγῷ καὶ τῷ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης, ὅθεν καὶ αὐτοὶ θερμότεροί εἰσι τὰς φύσεις καὶ κεκινημένοι καὶ ἐν εὐφορίαις ἔχοντες τὰς διαγωγάς· οἱ δὲ περὶ τὴν Ἀραβίαν καὶ Ἀζανίαν καὶ μέσην Αἰθιοπίαν τῷ Ὑδροχόῳ καὶ τῷ τοῦ Κρόνου, διὸ καὶ οὗτοι κρεωφάγοι τε καὶ ἰχθυοφάγοι καὶ νομάδες εἰσίν, ἄγριον καὶ θηριώδη βίον ζῶντες.

3. Of the Familiarities between the Countries and the Triplicities and Stars

     Now of the four triangular formations recognized in the zodiac, as we have shown above ¹³, the one which consists of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius is north­western, and is chiefly dominated by Jupiter on account of the north wind, but Mars joins in its government because of the south-west wind. That which is made up of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn is south-eastern, and again is governed primarily by Venus on account of the south wind, but conjointly by Saturn because of the east wind.

     The one consisting of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius is north-eastern and is governed primarily by Saturn because of the east wind, and conjointly by Jupiter because of the north wind. The triangle of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces is south-western and is governed primarily, because of the west wind, by Mars, who is joined by Venus as co-ruler on account of the south wind.

     As this is so, and since our inhabited world is divided into four quarters ¹⁴, equal in number to the triangles, and is divided latitudinally by our sea from the Straits of Hercules ¹⁵ to the Gulf of Issus and the mountainous ridge adjacent on the east ¹⁶, and by these its southern and northern portions are separated, and in longitude by the Arabian Gulf, the Aegean Sea, the Pontus ¹⁷, and the Lake Maeotis, whereby the eastern and western portions are separated, there arise four quarters, and these agree in position with the triangles.
The first quarter lies in the north-west of the whole inhabited world; it embraces Celtic Gaul ¹⁸ and we give it the general name Europe. Opposite this is the south-eastern quarter; this includes eastern Ethiopia ¹⁹, which would be called the southern part of Greater Asia. Again, the north-eastern quarter of the whole inhabited world is that which contains Scythia, which like­wise is the northern part of Greater Asia; and the quarter opposite this and toward the south-west wind, the quarter of western Ethiopia, is that which we call by the general term Libya.

     Again, of each of the aforesaid quarters the parts which are placed closer to the centre of the inhabited world are placed in a contrary fashion with respect to the surrounding quarters, just as are the latter in comparison with the whole world; and since the European quarter lies in the north­west of the whole world, the parts about the centre, which are allied to the opposite angle, obviously are situated in the south-east part of the quarter.
The same holds of the other quarters, so that each of them is related to two oppositely situated triangles; for while the other parts are in harmony with the general inclination of the quarter, the portions at the centre [of the world] share in familiarity with the opposite inclination, and, again, of the stars that govern in their own triangles, in all the other domiciles they alone govern, but in the parts about the centre of the world likewise the other group, and Mercury besides ²⁰, because he is mid-way between and common to the two sects.

     Under this arrangement, the remainder of the first quarter, by which I mean the European quarter, situated in the north-west of the inhabited world, is in familiarity with the north-western triangle, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, and is governed, as one would expect, by the lords of the triangle, Jupiter and Mars, occidental ²¹. In terms of whole nations these parts consist of Britain, (Transalpine) Gaul, Germany, Bastarnia ²², Italy, (Cisalpine) Gaul, Apulia, Sicily, Tyrrhenia ²³, Celtica ²⁴, and Spain.
As one might expect, it is the general characteristic of these nations, by reason of the predominance of the triangle and the stars which join in its government, to be independent, liberty-loving, fond of arms, industrious, very warlike, with qualities of leadership, cleanly, and magnanimous.

     However, because of the occidental aspect of Jupiter and Mars, and furthermore because the first parts of the aforesaid triangle are masculine and the latter parts feminine ²⁵, they are without passion for women ²⁶ and look down upon the pleasures of love, but are better satisfied with and more desirous of association with men. And they do not regard the act as a disgrace to the paramour, nor indeed do they actually become effeminate and soft thereby, because their disposition is not perverted, but they retain in their souls manliness, helpfulness, good faith, love of kinsmen, and benevolence.

     Of these same countries Britain, (Transalpine) Gaul, Germany, and Bastarnia are in closer familiarity with Aries and Mars. Therefore for the most part their inhabitants are fiercer, more headstrong, and bestial. But Italy, Apulia, (Cisalpine) Gaul, and Sicily have their familiarity with Leo and the sun; wherefore these peoples are more masterful, benevolent, and co-operative. Tyrrhenia, Celtica, and Spain are subject to Sagittarius and Jupiter, whence their independence, simplicity, and love of cleanliness.

     The parts of this quarter which are situated about the centre of the inhabited world, Thrace, Macedonia, Illyria, Hellas, Achaia ²⁷, Crete, and likewise the Cyclades, and the coastal regions of Asia Minor and Cyprus, which are in the south-east portion of the whole quarter, have in addition familiarity with the south-east triangle, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, and its co-rulers Venus, Saturn, and Mercury. As a result the inhabitants of those countries are brought into conformity with these planets and both in body and soul are of a more mingled constitution.
They too have qualities of leadership and are noble and independent, because of Mars; they are liberty-loving and self-governing, democratic and framers of law, through Jupiter; lovers of music and of learning, fond of contests and clean livers, through Venus; social, friendly to strangers, justice-loving, fond of letters, and very effective in eloquence, through Mercury; and they are particularly addicted to the performance of mysteries, because of Venus’s occidental aspect.

     And again, part by part, those of this group who live in the Cyclades and on the shores of Asia Minor and Cyprus are more closely familiar to Taurus and Venus. For this reason they are, on the whole, luxurious, clean, and attentive to their bodies. The inhabitants of Hellas, Achaia, and Crete, however, have a familiarity with Virgo and Mercury, and are therefore better at reasoning, and fond of learning, and they exercise the soul in preference to the body. The Macedonians, Thracians, and Illyrians have familiarity with Capricorn and Saturn, so that, though they are acquisitive, they are not so mild of nature, nor social in their institutions.

     Of the second quarter, which embraces the southern part of Greater Asia, the other parts, including India, Ariana, Gedrosia ²⁸, Parthia, Media, Persia, Babylonia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria, which are situated in the south-east of the whole inhabited world, are, as we might presume, familiar to the south-eastern triangle, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, and are governed by Venus and Saturn in oriental aspects.
Therefore one would find that the natures of their inhabitants conform with the temperaments governed by such rulers; for they revere the star of Venus under the name of Isis ²⁹, and that of Saturn as Mithras Helios. Most of them, too, divine future events; and among them there exists the practice of consecrating the genital organs because of the aspect of the aforesaid stars, which is by nature generative. Further, they are ardent, concupiscent, and inclined to the pleasures of love; through the influence of Venus they are dancers and leapers and fond of adornment, and through that of Saturn luxurious livers.

     They carry out their relations with women ³⁰ openly and not in secret, because of the planets’ oriental aspect, but hold in detestation such relations with males. For these reasons most of them beget children by their own mothers, and they do obeisance to the breast, by reason of the morning rising of the planets and on account of the primacy of the heart, which is akin to the sun’s power. As for the rest, they are generally luxurious and effeminate in dress, in adornment, and in all habits relating to the body, because of Venus. In their souls and by their predilection they are magnanimous, noble, and warlike, because of the familiarity of Saturn oriental.

     Part by part, again, Parthia, Media, and Persia are more closely familiar to Taurus and Venus; hence their inhabitants use embroidered clothing, which covers their entire body except the breast, and they are as a general thing luxurious and clean. Babylonia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria are familiar to Virgo and Mercury, and so the study of mathematics and the observation of the five planets are special traits of these peoples. India, Ariana, and Gedrosia have familiarity with Capricorn and Saturn; therefore the inhabitants of these countries are ugly, unclean, and bestial.

     The remaining parts of the quarter, situated about the centre of the inhabited world, Idumaea, Coelê Syria, Judaea, Phoenicia, Chaldaea, Orchinia, and Arabia Felix ³¹, which are situated toward the north-west of the whole quarter, have additional familiarity with the north-western triangle, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, and, furthermore, have as co-rulers Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury. Therefore these peoples are, in comparison with the others, more gifted in trade and exchange; they are more unscrupulous, despicable cowards, treacherous, servile, and in general fickle, on account of the aspect of the stars mentioned.

     Of these, again, the inhabitants of Coelê Syria, Idumaea, and Judaea are more closely familiar to Aries and Mars, and therefore these peoples are in general bold, godless ³², and scheming. The Phoenicians, Chaldaeans, and Orchinians have familiarity with Leo and the sun, so that they are simpler, kindly, addicted to astrology ³³, and beyond all men worshippers of the sun. The inhabitants of Arabia Felix are familiar to Sagittarius and Jupiter; this accounts for the fertility of the country, in accordance with its name, and its multitudes of spices, and the grace of its inhabitants and their free spirit in daily life, in exchange, and in business.

     Of the third quarter, which includes the northern part of Greater Asia, the other parts, embracing Hyrcania, Armenia, Matiana, Bactriana, Casperia, Serica, Sauromatica, Oxiana, Sogdiana, and the regions in the north-east of the inhabited world ³⁴, are in familiarity with the north-eastern triangle, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, and are, as might be expected, governed by Saturn and Jupiter in oriental aspect.
Therefore the inhabitants of these lands worship Jupiter and Saturn, have much riches and gold, and are cleanly and seemly in their living, learned and adepts in matters of religion, just and liberal in manners, lofty and noble in soul, haters of evil, and affectionate, and ready to die for their friends in a fair and holy cause. They are. dignified and pure in their sexual relations, lavish in dress, gracious and magnanimous; these things in general are brought about by Saturn and Jupiter in eastern aspects.

     Of these nations, again, Hyrcania, Armenia, and Matiana are more closely familiar to Gemini and Mercury ; they are accordingly more easily stirred and inclined to rascality. Bactriana, Casperia, and Serica are akin to Libra and Venus, so that their peoples are rich and followers of the Muses, and more luxurious. The regions of Sauromatica, Oxiana, and Sogdiana are in familiarity with Aquarius and Saturn ; these nations therefore are more ungentle, stern, and bestial.

     The remaining parts of this quarter, which lie close to the centre of the inhabited world, Bithynia, Phrygia, Colchica, Syria, Commagenê, Cappadocia, Lydia, Lycia, Cilicia, and Pamphylia ³⁵, since they are situated in the south-west of the quarter, have in addition familiarity with the south­western quarter, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, and their co-rulers are Mars, Venus, and Mercury; therefore those who live in these countries generally worship Venus as the mother of the gods, calling her by various local names, and Mars as Adonis ³⁶, to whom again they give other names, and they celebrate in their honour certain mysteries accompanied by lamentations.
They are exceedingly depraved, servile, laborious, rascally, are to be found in mercenary expeditions, looting and taking captives, enslaving their own peoples, and engaging in destructive wars. And because of the junction of Mars and Venus in the Orient, since Mars is exalted in Capricorn, a sign of Venus’s triangle, and Venus in Pisces, a sign of Mars’s triangle, it comes about that their women display entire goodwill to their husbands; they are affectionate, home-keepers, diligent, helpful, and in every respect laborious and obedient.

     Of these peoples, again, those who live in Bithynia, Phrygia, and Colchica are more closely familiar to Cancer and the moon; therefore the men are in general cautious and obedient, and most of the women, through the influence of the moon’s oriental and masculine aspect, are virile ³⁷, commanding, and warlike, like the Amazons, who shun commerce with men, love arms, and from infancy make masculine all their female characteristics, by cutting off their right breasts for the sake of military needs and baring these parts in the line of battle, in order to display the absence of femininity in their natures.

     The people of Syria, Commagenê, and Cappadocia are familiar to Scorpio and Mars; therefore much boldness, knavery, treachery, and laboriousness are found among them. The people of Lydia, Cilicia, and Pamphylia have familiarity with Pisces and Jupiter; these accordingly are more wealthy, commercial, social, free, and trustworthy in their compacts.

     Of the remaining quarter, which includes what is called by the common name Libya ³⁸, the other parts, including Numidia, Carthage, Africa, Phazania, Nasamonitis, Garamantica, Mauritania, Gaetulia, Metagonitis ³⁹, and the regions situated in the south-west of the inhabited world, are related by familiarity to the south-western triangle, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, and are accordingly ruled by Mars and Venus in occidental aspect. For this reason it befalls most of the inhabitants, because of the aforesaid junction of these planets, to be governed by a man and wife who are own brother and sister ⁴⁰, the man ruling the men and the woman the women; and a succession of this sort is maintained.

     They are extremely ardent and disposed to commerce with women, so that even their marriages are brought about by violent abduction, and frequently their kings enjoy the jus primae noctis with the brides, and among some of them the women are common to all the men. They are fond of beautifying themselves and gird themselves with feminine adornments, through the influence of Venus; through that of Mars, however, they are virile of spirit, rascally, magicians, impostors, deceivers, and reckless. Of these people, again, the inhabitants of Numidia, Carthage, and Africa are more closely familiar to Cancer and the moon. They therefore are social, commercial, and live in great abundance.

     Those who inhabit Metagonitis, Mauritania, and Gactulia are familiar to Scorpio and Mars; they are accordingly fiercer and very warlike, meat eaters, very reckless, and contemptuous of life to such an extent as not even to spare One another. Those who live in Phazania, Nasamonitis, and Garamantica are familiar to Pisces and Jupiter; hence they are free and simple in their characters, willing to work, intelligent, cleanly, and independent, as a general rule, and they are worshippers of Jupiter as Ammon.

     The remaining parts of the quarter, which are situated near the centre of the inhabited world, Cyrenaica, Marmarica, Egypt, Thebais ⁴¹, the Oasis, Troglodytica, Arabia, Azania, and Middle Ethiopia, which face the north-east of the whole quarter, have an additional familiarity with the north­eastern triangle Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, and therefore have as co-rulers Saturn and Jupiter and, furthermore, Mercury.

     Accordingly those who live in these countries, because they all in common, as it were, are subject to the occidental rulership of the five planets, are worshippers of the gods, superstitious, given to religions ceremony and fond of lamentation; they bury their dead in the earth, putting them out of sight, on account of the occidental aspect of the planets; and they practice all kinds of usages, customs, and rites in the service of all manner of gods.
Under command they are humble, timid, penurious, and long-suffering, in leadership courageous and magnanimous; but they are polygamous and polyandrous and lecherous, marrying even their own sisters, and the men are potent in begetting, the women in conceiving, even as their land is fertile. Furthermore, many of the males are unsound and effeminate of soul, and some even hold in contempt the organs of generation, through the influence of the aspect of the maleficent planets in combination with Venus occidental.

     Of these peoples the inhabitants of Cyrenaica and Marmarica, and particularly of Lower Egypt, are more closely familiar to Gemini and Mercury; on this account they are thoughtful and intelligent and facile in all things, especially in the search for wisdom and religion; they are magicians and performers of secret mysteries and in general skilled in mathematics ⁴². Those who live in Thebais, the Oasis, and Troglodytica are familiar to Libra and Venus; hence they are more ardent and lively of nature and live in plenty. The people of Arabia, Azania, and Middle Ethiopia are familiar to Aquarius and Saturn ⁴³, for which reason they are flesh-eaters, fish-eaters, and nomads, living a rough, bestial life.

4. Ἔκθεσις τῶν ἀνηκουσῶν χωρῶν ἑκάστῳ τῶν ζῳδίων

     Αἱ μὲν οὖν συνοικειώσεις τῶν τε ἀστέρων καὶ τῶν δωδεκατημορίων πρὸς τὰ κατὰ μέρος ἔθνη καὶ τὰ ὡς ἐπίπαν αὐτῶν ἰδιώματα κατὰ τὸ κεφαλαιῶδες τοῦτον ἡμῖν ὑποτυπούσθω τὸν τρόπον. Ἐκθησόμεθα δὲ καὶ διὰ τὸ τῆς χρήσεως εὐεπίβολον ἐφ’ ἑκάστου τῶν δωδεκατημορίων κατὰ ψιλὴν παράθεσιν ἕκαστα τῶν συνῳκειωμένων ἐθνῶν ἀκολούθως τοῖς προκατειλεγμένοις περὶ αὐτῶν τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον·

     Κριός· Βρεταννία, Γαλατία, Γερμανία, Βασταρνία· περὶ τὸ μέσον Κοίλη Συρία, Παλαιστίνη, Ἰδουμαία, Ἰουδαία.

     Ταῦρος· Παρθία, Μηδία, Περσίς· περὶ τὸ μέσον Κυκλάδες νῆσοι, Κύπρος, παράλια τῆς μικρᾶς Ἀσίας.

     Δίδυμοι· Ὑρκανία, Ἀρμενία, Ματιανή· περὶ τὸ μέσον Κυρηναϊκή, Μαρμαρική, ἡ κάτω χώρα τῆς Αἰγύπτου.

     Καρκίνος· Νουμηδία, Καρχηδονία, Ἀφρική· περὶ τὸ μέσον Βιθυνία, Φρυγία, Κολχική.

     Λέων· Ἰταλία, Γαλλία, Σικελία, Ἀπουλία· περὶ τὸ μέσον Φοινίκη, Χαλδαία, Ὀρχηνία.

     Παρθένος· Μεσοποταμία, Βαβυλωνία, Ἀσσυρία· περὶ τὸ μέσον Ἑλλάς, Ἀχαΐα, Κρήτη.

     Ζυγός· Βακτριανή, Κασπηρία, Σηρική· περὶ τὸ μέσον Θηβαΐς, Ὄασις, Τρωγλοδυτική.

     Σκορπίος· Μεταγωνῖτις, Μαυριτανία, Γαιτουλία· περὶ τὸ μέσον Συρία, Κομμαγηνή, Καππαδοκία.

     Τοξότης· Τυρρηνία, Κελτική, Ἰσπανία· περὶ τὸ μέσον Ἀραβία ἡ εὐδαίμων.

     Αἰγόκερως· Ἰνδική, Ἀριανή, Γεδρωσία· περὶ τὸ μέσον Θρᾴκη, Μακεδονία, Ἰλλυρίς.

     Ὑδροχόος· Σαυροματική, Ὀξειανή, Σουγδιανή· περὶ τὸ μέσον Ἀραβία, Ἀζανία, μέση Αἰθιοπία.

     Ἰχθῦς· Φαζανία, Νασαμωνῖτις, Γαραμαντική· περὶ τὸ μέσον Λυδία, Κιλικία, Παμφυλία.

     Ἐκκειμένων δὲ τούτων εὔλογον κἀκεῖνα τούτῳ τῷ μέρει προσθεῖναι, διότι καὶ τῶν ἀπλανῶν ἀστέρων ἕκαστοι συνοικειοῦνται ταῖς χώραις, ὅσαις καὶ τὰ τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ μέρη, καθ’ ὧν ἔχουσιν οἱ ἀπλανεῖς τὰς προσνεύσεις ἐπὶ τοῦ διὰ τῶν πόλων αὐτοῦ γραφομένου κύκλου, φαίνεται ποιούμενα τὴν συμπάθειαν, καὶ ὅτι ἐπὶ τῶν μητροπόλεων ἐκεῖνοι μάλιστα συμπαθοῦσιν οἱ τόποι τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ κύκλου, καθ’ ὧν ἐν ταῖς καταρχαῖς τῶν κτίσεων αὐτῶν ὡς ἐπὶ γενέσεως ὅ τε ἥλιος καὶ ἡ σελήνη παροδεύοντες ἐτύγχανον καὶ τῶν κέντρων μάλιστα τὸ ὡροσκοποῦν· ἐφ’ ὧν δὲ οἱ χρόνοι τῶν κτίσεων οὐχ εὑρίσκονται, καθ’ ὧν ἐν ταῖς τῶν κατὰ καιρὸν ἀρχόντων ἢ βασιλευόντων γενέσεσιν ἐκπίπτει τὸ μεσουράνημα.

4. Of the countries assigned to each of the signs

     Let this be our brief exposition of the familiarities of the planets and the signs of the zodiac with the various nations, and of the general characteristics of the latter. We shall also set forth, for ready use, a list of the several nations which are in familiarity, merely noted against each of the signs, in accordance with what has just been said about them, thus:

     Aries: Britain, Gaul, Germania, Bastarnia; in the centre, Coelê Syria, Palestine, Idumaea, Judaea.

     Taurus: Parthia, Media, Persia; in the centre, the Cyclades, Cyprus, the coastal region of Asia Minor.

     Gemini: Hyrcania, Armenia, Matiana; in the centre, Cyrenaica, Marmarica, Lower Egypt.

     Cancer: Numidia, Carthage, Africa; in the centre, Bithynia, Phrygia, Colchica.

     Leo: Italy, Cisalpine Gaul, Sicily, Apulia; in the centre, Phoenicia, Chaldaea, Orchenia.

     Virgo: Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Assyria; in the centre, Hellas, Achaia, Crete.

     Libra: Bactriana, Casperia, Serica; in the centre, Thebais, Oasis, Troglodytica.

     Scorpio: Metagonitis, Mauritania, Gaetulia; in the centre, Syria, Commagenê, Cappadocia.

     Sagittarius: Tyrrhenia, Celtica, Spain; in the centre, Arabia Felix.

     Capricorn: India, Ariana, Gedrosia; in the centre, Thrace, Macedonia, Illyria.

     Aquarius: Sauromatica, Oxiana, Sogdiana; in the centre, Arahia, Azania, Middle Ethiopia.

     Pisces: Phazania, Nasamonitis, Garamantica; in the centre, Lydia, Cilicia, Pamphylia ⁴⁴.

     Now that the subject at hand has been set forth, it is reasonable to attach to this section this further consideration –that each of the fixed stars has familiarity with the countries with which the parts of the zodiac, which have the same inclinations as the fixed stars ⁴⁵ upon the circle drawn through its poles, appear to exert sympathy; furthermore, that, in the case of metropolitan cities, those regions of the zodiac are most sympathetic through which the sun and moon, and of the centres especially the horoscope, were passing at the first founding of the city, as in a nativity. But in cases in which the exact times of the foundations are not discovered, the regions are sympathetic in which falls the mid­heaven of the nativities of those who held office or were kings at the time ⁴⁶.

5. Ἔφοδος εἰς τὰς κατὰ μέρος προτελέσεις τῶν ἐκλείψεων

     Τούτων δὲ οὕτως προεπεσκεμμένων ἀκόλουθον ἂν εἴη λοιπὸν τὰς τῶν προτελέσεων ἐφόδους κεφαλαιωδῶς ἐπελθεῖν καὶ πρῶτον τῶν καθ’ ὅλας περιστάσεις χωρῶν ἢ πόλεων λαμβανομένων· ἔσται δὲ ὁ τρόπος τῆς ἐπισκέψεως τοιοῦτος· ἡ μὲν οὖν πρώτη καὶ ἰσχυροτάτη τῶν τοιούτων συμπτωμάτων αἰτία γίνεται παρὰ τὰς ἐκλειπτικὰς ἡλίου καὶ σελήνης συζυγίας καὶ τὰς ἐν αὐταῖς παρόδους τῶν ἀστέρων· τῆς δὲ προτελέσεως αὐτῆς τὸ μέν ἐστι τοπικόν, καθ’ ὃ δεῖ προγινώσκειν, ποίαις χώραις ἢ πόλεσιν ἐπισημαίνουσιν αἱ κατὰ μέρος ἐκλείψεις ἢ καὶ τῶν πλανωμένων αἱ κατὰ καιροὺς ἔμμονοι στάσεις· αὗται δέ εἰσι Κρόνου τε καὶ Διὸς καὶ Ἄρεως, ὅταν στηρίζωσι, ποιοῦνται γὰρ τότε τὰς ἐπισημασίας· τὸ δέ ἐστι χρονικὸν καθ’ ὃ τὸν καιρὸν τῶν ἐπισημασιῶν καὶ τῆς παρατάσεως τὴν ποσότητα δεήσει προγινώσκειν, τὸ δὲ γενικόν, καθ’ ὃ προσήκει λαμβάνειν περὶ ποῖα τῶν γενῶν ἀποβήσεται τὸ σύμπτωμα· τελευταῖον δὲ τὸ εἰδικόν, καθ’ ὃ τὴν αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀποτελεσθησομένου ποιότητα θεωρήσομεν.

5. Method of Making Particular Predictions

     After this introductory examination it would be the next task to deal briefly with the procedure of the predictions, and first with those concerned with general conditions of countries or cities. The method of the inquiry will be as follows: The first and most potent cause of such events lies in the conjunctions of the sun and moon at eclipse and the movements of the stars at the time. Of the prediction itself, one portion is regional ⁴⁷; therein we must foresee for what countries or cities there is significance in the various eclipses or in the occasional regular stations of the planet, that is, of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, whenever they halt, for then they are significant. Another division of the prediction is chronological; therein the need will be to foretell the time of the portents and their duration. A part, too, is generic; through this we ought to understand with what classes the event will be concerned. And finally there is the specific aspect, by which we shall discern the quality of the event itself.

6. Περὶ τῆς τῶν διατιθεμένων χωρῶν ἐπισκέψεως

     Τοῦ μὲν οὖν πρώτου καὶ τοπικοῦ τὴν διάληψιν ποιησόμεθα τοιαύτην. Κατὰ γὰρ τὰς γινομένας ἐκλειπτικὰς συζυγίας ἡλίου καὶ σελήνης καὶ μάλιστα τὰς εὐαισθητοτέρας ἐπισκεψόμεθα τόν τε ἐκλειπτικὸν τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ τόπον καὶ τὰς τῷ κατ’ αὐτὸν τριγώνῳ συνοικειουμένας χώρας καὶ ὁμοίως τίνες τῶν πόλεων ἤτοι ἐκ τῆς κατὰ τὴν κτίσιν ὡροσκοπίας καὶ φωσφορίας ἢ ἐκ τῆς τῶν τότε ἡγεμονευόντων μεσουρανήσεως συμπάθειαν ἔχουσι πρὸς τὸ τὴς ἐκλείψεως δωδεκατημόριον.

     Ἐφ’ ὅσων δ’ ἂν χωρῶν ἢ πόλεων εὑρίσκωμεν τὴν προκειμένην συνοικείωσιν, περὶ πάσας μὲν ὡς ἐπίπαν ὑπονοητέον ἔσεσθαι τὸ σύμπτωμα, μάλιστα δὲ περὶ τὰς πρὸς αὐτὸ τὸ τῆς ἐκλείψεως δωδεκατημόριον λόγον ἐχούσας καὶ ἐν ὅσαις αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ γῆν οὖσα ἡ ἔκλειψις ἐφαίνετο.

6. Of the Examination of the Countries Affected

     We are to judge of the first portion of the inquiry, which is regional, in the following manner: In the eclipses of sun and moon ⁴⁸ as they occur, particularly those more easily observed ⁴⁹, we shall examine the region of the zodiac in which they take place, and the countries in familiarity with its triangles, and in similar fashion ascertain which of the cities, either from their horoscope ⁵⁰ at the time of their founding and the position of the luminaries at the time, or from the mid-heaven ⁵¹ of the nativity of their then rulers, are sympathetic ⁵² to the zodiacal sign of the eclipse.

     And in whatsoever countries or cities we discover a familiarity of this kind, we must suppose that same event will occur which applies, generally speaking, to all of them, particularly to those which bear a relation to the actual zodiacal sign of the eclipse and to those of them in which the eclipse, since it look place above the earth, was visible.

7. Περὶ τοῦ χρόνου τῶν ἀποτελουμένων

     Τὸ δὲ δεύτερον καὶ χρονικὸν κεφάλαιον καθ’ ὃ τοὺς καιροὺς τῶν ἐπισημασιῶν καὶ τῆς παρατάσεως τὴν ποσότητα προσήκει διαγινώσκειν, ἐπισκεψόμεθα τρόπῳ τοιῷδε.

     Τῶν γὰρ κατὰ τὸν αὐτὸν χρόνον γινομένων ἐκλείψεων μὴ κατὰ πᾶσαν οἴκησιν ἐν ταῖς αὐταῖς καιρικαῖς ὥραις ἀποτελουμένων μηδὲ τὰ μεγέθη τῶν ἐπισκοτήσεων ἢ τὸν χρόνον τῶν παρατάσεων κατὰ τὸ ἴσον πανταχῇ λαμβανουσῶν, πρῶτον μὲν κατὰ τὴν ἐν ἑκάστῃ τῶν λόγον ἐχουσῶν οἰκήσεων ἐκλειπτικὴν ὥραν καὶ τὸ τοῦ πόλου ἔξαρμα κέντρα ὡς ἐπὶ γενέσεως διαθήσομεν· ἔπειτα καὶ ἐπὶ πόσας ἰσημερινὰς ὥρας ἐν ἑκάστῃ παρατείνει τὸ ἐπισκίασμα τῆς ἐκλείψεως.

     Τούτων γὰρ ἐξετασθέντων, ὅσας ἂν ἰσημερινὰς ὥρας εὕρωμεν, ἐφ’ ἡλιακῆς μὲν ἐκλείψεως ἐπὶ τοσούτους ἐνιαυτοὺς παραμένειν ὑπονοήσομεν τὸ ἀποτελούμενον, ἐπὶ δὲ σεληνιακῆς ἐπὶ τοσούτους μῆνας, καὶ τῶν καταρχῶν καὶ τῶν ὁλοσχερεστέρων ἐπιτάσεων θεωρουμένων ἐκ τῆς τοῦ ἐκλειπτικοῦ τόπου πρὸς τὰ κέντρα σχέσεως – πρὸς μὲν γὰρ τῷ ἀπηλιωτικῷ ὁρίζοντι ὁ τόπος ἐκπεσὼν τήν τε καταρχὴν τοῦ συμπτώματος κατὰ τὴν πρώτην τετράμηνον ἀπὸ τοῦ χρόνου τῆς ἐκλείψεως σημαίνει καὶ τὰς ὁλοσχερεῖς ἐπιτάσεις περὶ τὸ πρῶτον τριτημόριον τοῦ καθ’ ὅλην τὴν παράτασιν χρόνου· πρὸς δὲ τῷ μεσουρανήματι κατά τε τὴν δευτέραν τετράμηνον καὶ τὸ μέσον τριτημόριον· πρὸς δὲ τῷ λιβικῷ ὁρίζοντι κατά τε τὴν τρίτην τετράμηνον καὶ τὸ ἔσχατον τριτημόριον – τῶν δὲ κατὰ μέρος ἀνέσεων καὶ ἐπιτάσεων ἀπό τε τῶν ἀνὰ μέσον συζυγιῶν, ὅταν κατὰ τῶν τὸ αἴτιον ἐμποιούντων τόπων ἢ τῶν συσχηματιζομένων τόπων αὐτοῖς συμπίπτωσι, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἄλλων παρόδων, ὅταν οἱ ποιητικοὶ τοῦ προτελέσματος ἀστέρες ἀνατολὰς ἢ δύσεις ἢ στηριγμοὺς ἢ ἀκρονύκτους φάσεις ποιῶνται, συσχηματιζόμενοι τοῖς τὴν αἰτίαν ἔχουσι δωδεκατημορίοις, ἐπειδήπερ ἀνατέλλοντες μὲν ἢ στηρίζοντες ἐπιτάσεις ποιοῦνται τῶν συμπτωμάτων, δύνοντες δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τὰς αὐγὰς ὄντες ἢ ἀκρονύκτους ποιούμενοι προηγήσεις ἄνεσιν τῶν ἀποτελουμένων ποιοῦσιν.

7. Of the Time of the Predicted Events

     The second and chronological heading, whereby we should learn the times of the events signified and the length of their duration, we shall consider as follows.

     lnasmuch as the eclipses which take place at the same time are not completed in the same number of ordinary hours ⁵³ in every locality, and since the same solar eclipses do not everywhere have the same degree of obscuration or the same time of duration, we shall first set down for the hour of the eclipse, in each of the related localities, and for the altitude of the pole ⁵⁴, centres, as in a nativity; secondly, how many equinoctial hours ⁵⁵ the obscuration of the eclipse lasts in each.

     For when these data are examined, if it is a solar eclipse, we shall understand that the predicted event lasts as many years ⁵⁶ as the equinoctial hours which we discover, and if a lunar eclipse, as many months. The nature of the beginnings ⁵⁷ and of the more important intensifications ⁵⁸ of the events, however, are deduced from the position of the place of the eclipse relative to the centres. For if the place of the eclipse falls on the eastern horizon, this signifies that the beginning of the predicted event is in the first period of four months from the time of the eclipse and that its important intensifications lie in the first third of the entire period of its duration; if on the mid-heaven, in the second four months and the middle third; if upon the western horizon, in the third four months and the final third. The beginnings of the particular abatements and intensifications of the event we deduce from the conjunctions which take place in the meantime ⁵⁹, if they occur in the significant regions or the regions in same aspect to them, and also from the other movements of the planets, if those that effect the predicted event are either rising or setting or stationary or at evening rising, and are at the same time in same aspect to the zodiacal signs that hold the cause; for planets when they are rising or stationary produce intensifications in the events, but when setting, and under the rays of the sun ⁶⁰, or advancing at evening, they bring about an abatement.

8. Περὶ τοῦ γένους τῶν διατιθεμένων

     Τρίτου δὲ ὄντος κεφαλαίου τοῦ γενικοῦ, καθ’ ὃ δεῖ διαλαμβάνειν περὶ ποῖα τῶν γενῶν ἀποβήσεται τὸ σύμπτωμα, λαμβάνεται καὶ τοῦτο διὰ τῆς τῶν ζῳδίων ἰδιοτροπίας καὶ μορφώσεως, καθ’ ὧν ἂν τύχωσιν ὄντες οἵ τε τῶν ἐκλείψεων τόποι καὶ οἱ τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν λαβόντες τῶν ἀστέρων τῶν τε πλανωμένων καὶ τῶν ἀπλανῶν τοῦ τε τῆς ἐκλείψεως δωδεκατημορίου καὶ τοῦ κατὰ τὸ κέντρον τὸ πρὸ τῆς ἐκλείψεως. Λαμβάνεται δὲ ἡ τούτων οἰκοδεσποτεία ἐπὶ μὲν τῶν πλανωμένων ἀστέρων οὕτως.

     Ὁ γὰρ τοὺς πλείστους λόγους ἔχων πρὸς ἀμφοτέρους τοὺς ἐκκειμένους τόπους, τόν τε τῆς ἐκλείψεως καὶ τὸν τοῦ ἑπομένου αὐτῷ κέντρου κατά τε τὰς ἔγγιστα φαινομένας συναφὰς ἢ ἀπορροίας καὶ τοὺς λόγον ἔχοντας τῶν συσχηματισμῶν καὶ ἔτι κατὰ τὴν κυρείαν τῶν τε οἴκων καὶ τριγώνων καὶ ὑψωμάτων ἢ καὶ ὁρίων, ἐκεῖνος λήψεται μόνος τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν. Εἰ δὲ μὴ ὁ αὐτὸς εὑρίσκοιτο τῆς τε ἐκλείψεως καὶ τοῦ κέντρου κύριος, ἀλλὰ δύο, τοὺς πρὸς ἑκάτερον τῶν τόπων τὰς πλείους ἔχοντας ὡς πρόκειται συνοικειώσεις συμπαραληπτέον, προκρινομένου τοῦ τῆς ἐκλείψεως κυρίου. Εἰ δὲ πλείους εὑρίσκοιντο καθ’ ἑκάτερον ἐφαμίλλοι, τὸν ἐπικεντρότερον ἢ χρηματιστικώτερον ἢ τῆς αἱρέσεως μᾶλλον ὄντα προκρινοῦμεν εἰς τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν.

     Ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν ἀπλανῶν συμπαραληψόμεθα τόν τε αὐτῷ τῷ ἐκλειπτικῷ τόπῳ συγκεχρηματικότα πρῶτον τῶν λαμπρῶν ἐπὶ τῆς παρῳχημένης κεντρώσεως, κατὰ τοὺς διωρισμένους ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ συντάξει τῶν ἐννέα τρόπων φαινομένους σχηματισμοὺς καὶ τὸν ἐν τῇ φαινομένῃ κατὰ τὴν ἐκλειπτικὴν ὥραν διαθέσει ἤτοι συνανατείλαντα ἢ συμμεσουρανήσαντα τῷ κατὰ τὰ ἑπόμενα κέντρῳ τοῦ τόπου τῆς ἐκλείψεως.

     Θεωρηθέντων δὲ οὕτως τῶν εἰς τὴν αἰτίαν τοῦ συμπτώματος παραλαμβανομένων ἀστέρων συνεπισκεψόμεθα καὶ τὰς τῶν ζῳδίων μορφώσεις, ἐν οἷς ἥ τε ἔκλειψις καὶ οἱ τὴν κυρείαν λαμβάνοντες τῶν ἀστέρων ἔτυχον ὄντες, ὡς ἀπὸ τῆς τούτων ἰδιοτροπίας καὶ τοῦ ποιοῦ τῶν διατιθεμένων γενῶν ὡς ἐπίπαν λαμβανομένου. Τὰ μὲν γὰρ ἀνθρωπόμορφα τῶν ζῳδίων τῶν τε περὶ τὸν διὰ μέσων τῶν ζῳδίων κύκλον καὶ τῶν κατὰ τοὺς ἀπλανεῖς ἀστέρας περὶ τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένος ποιεῖ τὸ ἀποτελούμενον, τῶν δὲ ἄλλων χερσαίων τὰ μὲν τετράποδα περὶ τὰ ὅμοια τῶν ἀλόγων ζῴων, τὰ δὲ ἑρπυστικὰ περὶ τοὺς ὄφεις καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα, καὶ πάλιν τὰ μὲν θηριώδη περὶ τὰ ἀνήμερα τῶν ζῴων καὶ βλαπτικὰ τοῦ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένους, τὰ δὲ ἥμερα περὶ τὰ χρηστικὰ καὶ χειροήθη καὶ συνεργητικὰ πρὸς τὰς εὐετηρίας ἀναλόγως τοῖς καθ’ ἕκαστα μορφώμασιν, οἷον ἵππων ἢ βοῶν ἢ προβάτων καὶ τῶν τοιούτων· ἔτι δὲ τῶν μὲν χερσαίων τὰ μὲν πρὸς ταῖς ἄρκτοις μᾶλλον περὶ τὰς τῆς γῆς αἰφνιδίους κινήσεις, τὰ δὲ πρὸς μεσημβρίαν περὶ τὰς ἀπροσδοκήτους ἐκ τοῦ ἀέρος ῥύσεις.

     Πάλιν δὲ ἐν μὲν τοῖς τῶν πτερωτῶν μορφώμασιν ὄντες οἱ κύριοι τόποι, οἷον Παρθένῳ Τοξότῃ Ὄρνιθι Ἀετῷ καὶ τοῖς τοιούτοις περὶ τὰ πτηνὰ καὶ μάλιστα τὰ εἰς τροφὴν ἀνθρώπων τὸ σύμπτωμα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς νηκτοῖς περὶ τὰ ἔνυδρα καὶ τοὺς ἰχθύας· καὶ τούτων ἐν μὲν τοῖς θαλασσίοις οἷον Καρκίνῳ Αἰγοκέρωτι Δελφῖνι περὶ τὰ θαλάσσια καὶ ἔτι τὰς τῶν στόλων ἀναγωγάς, ἐν δὲ τοῖς ποταμίοις οἷον Ὑδροχόῳ καὶ Ἰχθύσι περὶ τὰ ποτάμια καὶ τὰ πηγαῖα, κατὰ δὲ τὴν Ἀργὼ περὶ ἀμφότερα τὰ γένη.

     Ὡσαύτως δὲ ἐν τοῖς τροπικοῖς ἢ ἰσημερινοῖς ὄντες κοινῶς μὲν περὶ τὰ τοῦ ἀέρος καταστήματα καὶ τὰς οἰκείας ἑκάστοις αὐτῶν ὥρας ἀποτελοῦσι τὰς ἐπισημασίας, ἰδίως δὲ καὶ περὶ τὰ ἐκ τῆς γῆς φυόμενα· κατὰ μὲν γὰρ τὴν ἐαρινὴν ἰσημερίαν ὄντες περὶ τοὺς βλαστοὺς τῶν δενδρικῶν καρπῶν οἷον ἀμπέλου, συκῆς καὶ τῶν συνακμαζόντων, κατὰ δὲ τὴν θερινὴν τροπὴν περὶ τὰς τῶν καρποφορηθέντων συγκομιδὰς καὶ ἀποθέσεις, ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ δὲ ἰδικῶς καὶ περὶ τὴν τοῦ Νείλου ἀνάβασιν· κατὰ δὲ τὴν μετοπωρινὴν ἰσημερίαν περὶ τὸν σπόρον καὶ τὰ χορτικὰ καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα· κατὰ δὲ τὴν χειμερινὴν τροπὴν περὶ τὰς λαχανείας καὶ τὰ κατὰ τοῦτον τὸν καιρὸν ἐπιπολάζοντα ὀρνέων ἢ ἰχθύων γένη.

     Ἔτι δὲ καὶ τὰ μὲν ἰσημερινὰ τοῖς ἱεροῖς καὶ ταῖς περὶ τοὺς θεοὺς θρησκείαις ἐπισημαίνει, τὰ δὲ τροπικὰ ταῖς τῶν ἀέρων καὶ ταῖς τῶν πολιτικῶν ἐθισμῶν μεταβολαῖς, τὰ δὲ στερεὰ τοῖς θεμελίοις καὶ τοῖς οἰκοδομήμασι, τὰ δὲ δίσωμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις καὶ τοῖς βασιλεῦσιν. Ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ τὰ μὲν πρὸς ταῖς ἀνατολαῖς μᾶλλον ἔχοντα τὴν θέσιν ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τῆς ἐκλείψεως περὶ τοὺς καρποὺς καὶ τὴν νέαν ἡλικίαν καὶ τοὺς θεμελίους τὸ ἐσόμενον σημαίνει, τὰ δὲ πρὸς τῷ ὑπὲρ γῆν μεσουρανήματι περὶ τὰ ἱερὰ καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς καὶ τὴν μέσην ἡλικίαν, τὰ δὲ πρὸς ταῖς δυσμαῖς περὶ τὰς τῶν νομίμων μετατροπὰς καὶ τὴν παλαιὰν ἡλικίαν καὶ τοὺς κατοιχομένους.

     Περὶ πόστον δὲ μέρος τοῦ ὑποκειμένου γένους ἡ διάθεσις ἐπελεύσεται, τό τε τῆς ἐπισκοτήσεως τῶν ἐκλείψεων μέγεθος ὑποβάλλει καὶ αἱ τῶν τὸ αἴτιον ἐμποιούντων ἀστέρων πρὸς τὸν ἐκλειπτικὸν τόπον σχέσεις· ἑσπέριοι μὲν γὰρ σχηματιζόμενοι πρὸς τὰς ἡλιακὰς ἐκλείψεις, ἑῷοι δὲ πρὸς τὰς σεληνιακὰς ἐπὶ τὸ ἔλαττον ὡς ἐπίπαν διατιθέασι, διαμετροῦντες δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ ἥμισυ, ἑῷοι δὲ συσχηματιζόμενοι πρὸς τὰς ἡλιακὰς ἢ ἑσπέριοι πρὸς τὰς σεληνιακὰς ἐπὶ τὸ πλεῖον.

8. Of the Class of those Affected

     The third heading is that of generic classification, whereby one must determine what classes the event will affect. This is ascertained from the special nature and form of the zodiacal signs in which happen to be the places of the eclipses and in which are the heavenly bodies, planets and fixed stars alike, that govern both the sign of the eclipse and that of the angle preceding the eclipse. In the case of the planets we discover the rulership of these regions thus:

     The one which has the greatest number of relationships to both the regions aforesaid, that of the eclipse and that of the angle which follows it, both by virtue of the nearest visible applications or recessions, and by those of the aspects which bear a relation, and furthermore by rulership of the houses, triangles, exaltations, and terms, that planet alone will hold the dominance. However, if the same planet is not found to be both lord of the eclipse and of the angle, we must take together the two which have the greatest number of familiarities, as aforesaid, to either one of the regions, giving preference to the lord of the eclipse. And if several rivals be found on either count, we shall prefer for the domination the one which is closest to an angle, or is more significant, or is more closely allied by sect ⁶¹.

     In the case of the fixed stars, we shall take the first one of the brilliant stars which signifies upon the preceding angle at the actual time of the eclipse, according to the nine kinds of visible aspects defined in our first compilation ⁶², and the star which of the group visible at the time of the eclipse has either risen or reached meridian with the angle following the place of the eclipse.

     When we have thus reckoned the stars that share in causing the event, let us also consider the farms of the signs of the zodiac in which the eclipse and the dominating stars as well happened to be, since from their character the quality of the classes affected is generally discerned. Constellations of human form, both in the zodiac and among the fixed stars, cause the event to concern the human race ⁶³. Of the other terrestrial signs ⁶⁴, the four-footed ⁶⁵ are concerned with the four-footed dumb animals, and the signs formed like creeping things ⁶⁶ with serpents and the like. Again, the animal signs ⁶⁷ have significance for the wild animals and those which injure the human race; the tame signs concern the useful and domesticated animals, and those which help to gain prosperity, in consistency with their several forms; for example, horses, oxen, sheep, and the like. Again, of the terrestrial signs, the northern tend to signify sudden earthquakes and the southern unexpected rains from the sky.

     Yet again, those dominant regions that are in the form of winged creatures ⁶⁸, such as Virgo, Sagittarius, Cygnus, Aquila, and the like, exercise an effect upon winged creatures, particularly those which are used for human food, and if they are in the form of swimming things, upon water animals and fish. And of these, in the constellations pertaining to the sea ⁶⁹, such as Cancer, Capricorn, and the Dolphin, they influence the creatures of the sea and the sailing of fleets. In the constellations pertaining to rivers, such as Aquarius and Pisces, they concern the creatures of rivers and springs, and in Argo they affect both classes alike.

     Likewise stars in the solstitial ⁷⁰ or equinoctial signs have significance in general for the conditions of the air and the seasons related to each of these signs, and in particular they concern the spring and things which grow from the earth. For when they are at the spring equinox they affect the new shoots of the arboreal crops, such as grapes and figs, and whatever matures with them; at the summer solstice, the gathering and storing of the crops, and in Egypt, peculiarly, the rising of the Nile; at the autumn solstice they concern the sowing, the hay crops, and such; and at the winter equinox the vegetables and the kinds of birds and fish most common at this season.

     Further, the equinoctial signs have significance for sacred rites and the worship of the gods; the solstitial signs, for changes in the air and in political customs; the solid ⁷¹ signs, for foundations and the construction of houses; the bicorporeal, for men and kings. Similarly, those which are closer to the orient at the time of the eclipse signify what is to be concerning the crops, youth, and foundations ; those near the mid-heaven above the earth, concerning sacred rites, kings, and middle age; and those near the occident, concerning change of customs, old age, and those who have passed away.

     To the question, how large a portion of the class involved will the event affect, the answer is supplied by the extent of the obscuration of the eclipses, and by the positions relative to the place of the eclipse held by the stars which furnish the cause. For when they are occidental to solar eclipses ⁷², or oriental to lunar, they usually affect a minority; in opposition, a half; and the majority, if they are oriental to solar eclipses or occidental to lunar.

9. Περὶ τῆς αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀποτελέσματος ποιότητος

     Τέταρτον δέ ἐστι κεφάλαιον τὸ περὶ αὐτῆς τῆς τοῦ ἀποτελέσματος ποιότητος, τουτέστι πότερον ἀγαθῶν ἢ τῶν ἐναντίων ἐστὶ ποιητικὸν καὶ ποταπὸν ἐφ’ ἑκατέρου κατὰ τὸ τοῦ εἴδους ἰδιότροπον. Τοῦτο δὲ ἀπό τε τῆς τῶν οἰκοδεσποτησάντων ἀστέρων τοὺς κυρίους τόπους ποιητικῆς φύσεως καταλαμβάνεται καὶ τῆς συγκράσεως τῆς τε πρὸς ἀλλήλους καὶ τοὺς τόπους, καθ’ ὧν ἂν ὦσι τετυχηκότες. Ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἥλιος καὶ ἡ σελήνη διατάκται καὶ ὥσπερ ἡγεμόνες εἰσὶ τῶν ἄλλων, αὐτοὶ αἴτιοι γινόμενοι τοῦ τε κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν ὅλου καὶ τῆς τῶν ἀστέρων οἰκοδεσποτείας καὶ ἔτι τῆς τῶν οἰκοδεσποτησάντων ἰσχύος ἢ ἀδρανίας. Ἡ δὲ τῶν τὴν κυρείαν λαβόντων συγκρατικὴ θεωρία τὴν τῶν ἀποτελεσμάτων δείκνυσι ποιότητα.

     Ἀρξόμεθα δὲ τῆς καθ’ ἕνα ἕκαστον τῶν πλανωμένων ποιητικῆς ἰδιοτροπίας, ἐκεῖνο κοινῶς προεκθέμενοι, ὅτι τῆς κεφαλαιώδους ὑπομνήσεως ἕνεκεν, ὅταν καθόλου τινὰ λέγωμεν τῶν πέντε ἀστέρων, τὴν κρᾶσιν καὶ τὸ ποιητικὸν τῆς ὁμοίας φύσεως ὑποληπτέον, ἐάν τε αὐτὸς ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ ᾖ καταστάσει ἐάν τε καὶ τῶν ἀπλανῶν τις ἢ τῶν τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ τόπων κατὰ τὴν οἰκείαν αὐτοῦ κρᾶσιν θεωρῆται, καθάπερ ἂν εἰ τῶν φύσεων καὶ τῶν ποιοτήτων αὐτῶν καὶ μὴ τῶν ἀστέρων ἐτύγχανον αἱ προσηγορίαι, καὶ ὅτι ἐν ταῖς συγκράσεσι πάλιν οὐ μόνον τὴν πρὸς ἀλλήλους τῶν πλανωμένων μίξιν δεῖ σκοπεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν πρὸς τοὺς τῆς αὐτῆς φύσεως κεκοινωνηκότας ἤτοι ἀπλανεῖς ἀστέρας ἢ τόπους τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ κατὰ τὰς ἀποδεδειγμένας αὐτῶν πρὸς τοὺς πλανήτας συνοικειώσεις.

     Ὁ μὲν οὖν τοῦ Κρόνου ἀστὴρ μόνος τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν λαβὼν καθόλου μὲν φθορᾶς τῆς κατὰ ψῦξίν ἐστιν αἴτιος, ἰδίως δὲ περὶ μὲν ἀνθρώπους γινομένου τοῦ συμπτώματος νόσους μακρὰς καὶ φθίσεις καὶ συντήξεις καὶ ὑγρῶν ὀχλήσεις καὶ ῥευματισμοὺς καὶ τεταρταϊκὰς ἐπισημασίας φυγαδείας τε καὶ ἀπορίας καὶ συνοχὰς καὶ πένθη καὶ φόβους καὶ θανάτους μάλιστα τῶν τῇ ἡλικίᾳ προβεβηκότων ἐμποιεῖ· τῶν δὲ ἀλόγων ζῴων περὶ τὰ εὔχρηστα ὡς ἐπίπαν σπάνιν τε καὶ τῶν ὄντων φθορὰς σωματικὰς καὶ νοσοποιούς, ἀφ’ ὧν καὶ οἱ χρησάμενοι τῶν ἀνθρώπων συνδιατιθέμενοι διαφθείρονται. Περὶ δὲ τὴν τοῦ ἀέρος κατάστασιν ψύχη φοβερὰ παγώδη καὶ ὁμιχλώδη καὶ λοιμικὰ δυσαερίας τε καὶ συννεφείας καὶ ζόφους, ἔτι δὲ νιφετῶν πλῆθος οὐκ ἀγαθῶν ἀλλὰ φθοροποιῶν, ἀφ’ ὧν καὶ τὰ κακοῦντα τὴν ἀνθρωπίνην φύσιν τῶν ἑρπετῶν συγκρίνεται· περὶ δὲ ποταμοὺς ἢ καὶ θαλάσσας κοινῶς μὲν χειμῶνας καὶ στόλων ναυάγια καὶ δυσπλοίας καὶ τῶν ἰχθύων ἔνδειαν καὶ φθοράν, ἰδίως δὲ ἐν μὲν θαλάσσαις ἀμπώτεις καὶ παλιρροίας, ἐπὶ δὲ ποταμῶν ὑπερμετρίαν καὶ κάκωσιν τῶν ποταμίων ὑδάτων· πρὸς δὲ τοὺς τῆς γῆς καρποὺς ἔνδειαν καὶ σπάνιν καὶ ἀπώλειαν μάλιστα τῶν εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας γινομένων ἤτοι ὑπὸ κάμπης ἢ ἀκρίδος ἢ κατακλυσμῶν ἢ ὑδάτων ὀμβρίων ἐπιφορᾶς ἢ χαλάζης ἢ τῶν τοιούτων, ὡς καὶ μέχρι λιμοῦ φθάνειν καὶ τῆς τοιαύτης ἀνθρώπων ἀπωλείας.

     Ὁ δὲ τοῦ Διὸς μόνος τὴν κυρείαν λαβὼν καθόλου μὲν αὐξήσεώς ἐστι ποιητικός, ἰδίως δὲ περὶ μὲν ἀνθρώπους γινομένου τοῦ ἀποτελέσματος δόξας ἀποτελεῖ καὶ εὐετηρίας καὶ εὐθηνίας καὶ καταστάσεις εἰρηνικὰς καὶ τῶν ἐπιτηδείων αὐξήσεις εὐεξίας τε σωματικὰς καὶ ψυχικάς, ἔτι δὲ εὐεργεσίας καὶ δωρεὰς ἀπὸ τῶν βασιλευόντων αὐτῶν τε ἐκείνων αὐξήσεις καὶ μεγαλειότητας καὶ μεγαλοψυχίας καθόλου τε εὐδαιμονίας ἐστὶν αἴτιος. Περὶ δὲ τὰ ἄλογα ζῷα τῶν μὲν εἰς χρῆσιν ἀνθρωπίνην δαψίλειαν καὶ πολυπλήθειαν ἐμποιεῖ, τῶν δὲ εἰς τὸ ἐναντίον φθοράν τε καὶ ἀπώλειαν, εὔκρατον δὲ τὴν τῶν ἀέρων κατάστασιν καὶ ὑγιεινὴν καὶ πνευματώδη καὶ ὑγρὰν καὶ θρεπτικὴν τῶν ἐπιγείων ἀπεργάζεται στόλων τε εὐπλοίας καὶ ποταμῶν συμμέτρους ἀναβάσεις καὶ τῶν καρπῶν δαψίλειαν καὶ ὅσα τούτοις παραπλήσια.

     Ὁ δὲ τοῦ Ἄρεως μόνος τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν λαβὼν καθόλου μὲν τῆς κατὰ ξηρασίαν φθορᾶς ἐστιν αἴτιος, ἰδίως δὲ περὶ μὲν ἀνθρώπους γινομένου τοῦ συμπτώματος πολέμους ἐμποιεῖ καὶ στάσεις ἐμφυλίους καὶ αἰχμαλωσίας καὶ ἀνδραποδισμοὺς καὶ ὄχλων ἐπαναστάσεις καὶ χόλους ἡγεμόνων, τοὺς δὲ διὰ τῶν τοιούτων θανάτους αἰφνιδίους, ἔτι δὲ νόσους πυρεκτικὰς καὶ τριταϊκὰς ἐπισημασίας καὶ αἱμάτων ἀναγωγὰς καὶ ὀξείας βιαιοθανασίας μάλιστα τῶν ἀκμαίων, ὁμοίως δὲ βίας τε καὶ ὕβρεις καὶ παρανομίας ἐμπρήσεις τε καὶ ἀνδροφονίας καὶ ἁρπαγὰς καὶ λῃστείας. Περί τε τὴν τοῦ ἀέρος κατάστασιν καύσωνας καὶ πνεύματα θερμὰ λοιμικὰ καὶ συντηκτικὰ κεραυνῶν τε ἀφέσεις καὶ πρηστήρων καὶ ἀνομβρίας· περὶ δὲ θάλασσαν στόλων αἰφνίδια ναυάγια διὰ πνευμάτων ἀτάκτων ἢ κεραυνῶν ἢ τῶν τοιούτων, ποταμῶν δὲ λειψυδρίας καὶ ἀναξηράνσεις πηγῶν καὶ φθορὰν τῶν ποτίμων ὑδάτων· περὶ δὲ τὰ ἐπιτήδεια πρὸς χρῆσιν ἀνθρωπίνην τῶν τε ἀλόγων ζῴων καὶ τῶν ἐκ τῆς γῆς φυομένων σπάνιν καὶ φθορὰν καρπῶν τὴν γινομένην ἤτοι ἐκ τῆς τοῦ καύματος καταφλέξεως ἢ βρούχου ἢ τῆς τῶν πνευμάτων ἐκτινάξεως ἢ ἐκ τῆς ἐν ταῖς ἀποθέσεσι συγκαύσεως.

     Ὁ δὲ τῆς Ἀφροδίτης μόνος κύριος γενόμενος τοῦ συμβαίνοντος, καθόλου μὲν τὰ παραπλήσια τῷ τοῦ Διὸς μετά τινος ἐπαφροδισίας ἀποτελεῖ· ἰδίως δὲ περὶ μὲν ἀνθρώπους δόξας καὶ τιμὰς καὶ εὐφροσύνας καὶ εὐετηρίας εὐγαμίας τε καὶ πολυτεκνίας καὶ εὐαρεστήσεις πρὸς πᾶσαν συναρμογὴν καὶ τῶν κτήσεων συναυξήσεις καὶ διαίτας καθαρίους καὶ εὐαγώγους καὶ πρὸς τὰ σεβάσμια τιμητικάς, ἔτι δὲ σωματικὰς εὐεξίας καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἡγεμονεύοντας συνοικειώσεις καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων ἐπαφροδισίας· περὶ δὲ τὰ τοῦ ἀέρος πνεύματα εὐκρασίας καὶ διύγρων καὶ θρεπτικωτάτων καταστάσεις εὐαερίας τε καὶ αἰθρίας καὶ ὑδάτων γονίμων δαψιλεῖς ἐπομβρίας στόλων τε εὐπλοίας καὶ ἐπιτυχίας καὶ ἐπικερδείας καὶ ποταμῶν πλήρεις ἀναβάσεις, ἔτι δὲ τῶν εὐχρήστων ζῴων καὶ τῶν τῆς γῆς καρπῶν μάλιστα δαψίλειαν καὶ εὐφορίαν καὶ ὄνησιν ἐμποιεῖ.

     Ὁ δὲ τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν λαβὼν καθόλου μὲν ὡς ἂν ᾖ συγκιρνάμενος ἑκάστῳ τῶν ἄλλων, συνοικειοῦται ταῖς ἐκείνων φύσεσιν. Ἰδίως δέ ἐστι πάντων μᾶλλον συγκινητικὸς καὶ ἐν μὲν ἀνθρωπίνοις ἀποτελέσμασιν ὀξὺς καὶ πρακτικώτατος καὶ πρὸς τὸ ὑποκείμενον εὐμήχανος λῃστηρίων τε καὶ κλοπῶν καὶ πειρατικῶν ἐφόδων καὶ ἐπιθέσεων, ἔτι δὲ δυσπλοίας ποιητικὸς ἐν τοῖς πρὸς τοὺς κακοποιοὺς συσχηματισμοῖς νόσων τε αἴτιος ξηρῶν καὶ ἀμφημερινῶν ἐπισημασιῶν καὶ βηχικῶν καὶ ἀναφορικῶν καὶ φθίσεων, ἀποτελεστικὸς δὲ καὶ τῶν περὶ τὸν ἱερατικὸν λόγον καὶ τὰς τῶν θεῶν θρησκείας καὶ τὰς βασιλικὰς προσόδους ἐπισυμβαινόντων καὶ τῆς τῶν ἐθίμων ἢ νομίμων κατὰ καιροὺς ἐναλλοιώσεως, οἰκείως τῇ πρὸς τοὺς ἑκάστοτε τῶν ἀστέρων συγκράσει. Πρὸς δὲ τὸ περιέχον μᾶλλον ξηρὸς ὢν καὶ εὐκίνητος διὰ τὴν πρὸς τὸν ἥλιον ἐγγύτητα καὶ τὸ τάχος τῆς ἀνακυκλήσεως πνευμάτων ἀτάκτων καὶ ὀξέων καὶ εὐμεταβόλων μάλιστα κινητικὸς ὑπάρχει, βροντῶν δὲ εἰκότως καὶ πρηστήρων καὶ χασμάτων καὶ σεισμῶν καὶ ἀστραπῶν ἀποτελεστικὸς τῆς τε διὰ τούτων ἐνίοτε περὶ τὰ τῶν ζῴων καὶ τῶν φυτῶν εὔχρηστα φθορᾶς ποιητικὸς ὑδάτων τε καὶ ποταμῶν ἐν μὲν ταῖς δύσεσι στερητικός, ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἀνατολαῖς πληρωτικός.

     Ἰδίως μὲν οὖν τῆς οἰκείας φύσεως ἐπιτυχὼν ἕκαστος τὰ τοιαῦτα ἀποτελεῖ, συγκιρνάμενος δὲ ἄλλος ἄλλῳ κατά τε τοὺς συσχηματισμοὺς καὶ τὰς τῶν ζῳδίων ἐναλλοιώσεις καὶ τὰς πρὸς ἥλιον φάσεις ἀναλόγως τε καὶ τὴν ἐν τοῖς ἐνεργήμασι σύγκρασιν λαμβάνων μεμιγμένην ἐκ τῶν κεκοινωνηκυιῶν φύσεων τὴν περὶ τὸ ἀποτελούμενον ἰδιοτροπίαν ποικίλην οὖσαν ἀπεργάζεται. Ἀπείρου δὲ ὄντος καὶ ἀδυνάτου καθ’ ἑκάστην σύγκρασιν τὸ ἴδιον ὑπομνηματίζειν ἀποτέλεσμα καὶ πάντας ἁπλῶς τοὺς καθ’ ὁποιονδήποτε τρόπον σχηματισμοὺς διεξελθεῖν οὕτως γε πολυμερῶς νοουμένους, εἰκότως ἂν καταλειφθείη τὸ τοιοῦτον εἶδος τῇ τοῦ μαθηματικοῦ πρὸς τὰς κατὰ μέρος διακρίσεις ἐπιβολῇ καὶ ἐπινοίᾳ.

     Παρατηρεῖν δὲ δεῖ καὶ πῶς ἔχουσι συνοικειώσεως οἱ τοῦ προτελέσματος τὴν κυρείαν λαβόντες ἀστέρες πρὸς αὐτὰς τὰς χώρας ἢ τὰς πόλεις αἷς τὸ σύμπτωμα διασημαίνεται. Ἀγαθοποιοὶ μὲν γὰρ ὄντες ἀστέρες καὶ συνοικειούμενοι τοῖς διατιθεμένοις καὶ μὴ καθυπερτερούμενοι ὑπὸ τῶν τῆς ἐναντίας αἱρέσεως ἔτι μᾶλλον ἀπεργάζονται τὸ κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν φύσιν ὠφέλιμον, ὥσπερ μὴ συνοικειούμενοι ἢ καθυπερτερούμενοι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀντικειμένων ἧττον ὠφελοῦσι. Τῆς δὲ βλαπτικῆς κράσεως ὄντες καὶ τὴν κυρείαν λαβόντες τοῦ προτελέσματος, ἐὰν μὲν συνοικειούμενοι τοῖς διατιθεμένοις τύχωσιν ἢ καθυπερτερηθῶσιν ὑπὸ τῶν τῆς ἐναντίας αἱρέσεως, ἧττον βλάπτουσιν. Ἐὰν δὲ μήτε τὴν οἰκοδεσποτείαν ἔχωσι τῶν χωρῶν μήτε καθυπερτερῶνται ὑπὸ τῶν οἰκείως πρὸς αὐτὰς ἐχόντων, σφοδρότερον τὸ ἐκ τῆς κράσεως φθοροποιὸν ἐπισκήπτουσιν.

     Ὡς ἐπίπαν μέντοι συνεμπίπτουσι τοῖς καθολικοῖς πάθεσιν ἐκεῖνοι τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὅσοι ποτ’ ἂν κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας γενέσεις τοὺς ἀναγκαιοτάτους τόπους, λέγω δὴ τοὺς φωσφοροῦντας ἢ τοὺς τῶν κέντρων, τοὺς αὐτοὺς τύχωσιν ἔχοντες τοῖς τὸ αἴτιον ἐμποιήσασι τῶν καθολικῶν συμπτωμάτων, τουτέστι τοῖς ἐκλειπτικοῖς ἢ καὶ τοῖς τούτων διαμέτροις. Τούτων δὲ ἐπισφαλέσταται μάλιστα καὶ δυσφύλακτοι τυγχάνουσιν αἱ μοιρικαὶ θίξεις ἢ διαμετρήσεις τῶν ἐκλειπτικῶν τόπων πρὸς ὁπότερον τῶν φώτων.

9. Of the Quality of the Predicted Event

     The fourth heading concerns the quality of the predicted event, that is, whether it is productive of good or the opposite ⁷³, and of what sort is its effect in either direction, in accordance with the peculiar character of the species. This is apprehended from the nature of the activity of the planets which rule the dominant places and from their combination both with one another and with the places in which they happen to be. For the sun and the moon are the marshals and, as it were, leaders of the others; for they are themselves responsible for the entirety of the power, and are the causes of the rulership of the planets, and, moreover, the causes of the strength or weakness of the ruling planets ⁷⁴. The comprehensive observation of the ruling stars shows the quality of the predicted events.

     We shall begin with the characteristic active powers of the planets, one by one, first, however, making this general observation, as a summary reminder, that in general whenever we speak of any temperament of the five planets one must understand that whatever produces the like nature is also meant ⁷⁵, whether it be the planet itself in its own proper condition, or one of the fixed stars, or one of the signs of the zodiac, considered with reference to the temperament proper to it, just as though the characterizations were applied to the natures or the qualities themselves and not to the planets; and let us remember that in the combinations, again, we must consider not only the mixture of the planets one with another, but also their combination with the others that share in the same nature; whether they be fixed stars or signs of the zodiac, by virtue of their affinities with the planets, already set forth ⁷⁶.

     Saturn ⁷⁷, when he gains sole dominance, is in general the cause of destruction by cold, and in particular, when the event concerns men, causes long illnesses, consumptions, withering, disturbances caused by fluids, rheumatisms, and quartan fevers, exile, poverty, imprisonment, mourning, fears, and deaths, especially among those advanced in age ⁷⁸. He is usually significant with regard to those dumb animals that are of use to man, and brings about scarcity of them, and the bodily destruction by disease of such as exist, so that the men who use them are similarly affected and perish. With regard to weather, he causes fearful cold, freezing, misty, and pestilential; corruption of the air, clouds, and gloom; furthermore, multitudes of snowstorms, not beneficial but destructive, from which are produced the reptiles ⁷⁹ harmful to man. As for the rivers and seas, in general he causes storms, the wreck of fleets, disastrous voyages, and the scarcity and death of fish, and in particular the high and ebb tides of the seas and in rivers excessive floods and pollution of their waters. As for the crops of the earth, he brings about want, scarcity, and loss, especially of those grown for necessary uses, either through worms or locusts or floods or cloud-burst or hail or the like, so that famine and the destruction of men thereby result.

     When Jupiter ⁸⁰ rules alone he produces increase in general, and, in particular, when the prediction is concerned with men, he makes fame and prosperity, abundance, peaceful existence, the increase of the necessities of life, bodily and spiritual health, and, furthermore, benefits and gifts from rulers, and the increase, greatness, and magnanimity of these latter; and in general he is the cause of happiness. With reference to dumb animals he causes a multitude and abundance of those that are useful to men and the diminution and destruction of the opposite kind. He makes the condition of the air temperate and healthful, windy, moist, and favourable to the growth of what the earth bears; he brings about the fortunate sailing of fleets, the moderate rise of rivers, abundance of crops, and everything similar.

     Mars, when he assumes the rulership alone, is in general the cause of destruction through dryness and in particular, when the event concerns men, brings about wars, civil faction, capture, enslavement, uprisings, the wrath of leaders, and sudden deaths arising from such causes; moreover, revers, tertian agues, raising of blood, swift and violent deaths, especially in the prime of life; similarly, violence, assaults, lawlessness, arson and murder, robbery and piracy. With regard to the condition of the air he causes hot weather, warm, pestilential, and withering winds, the loosing of lightning and hurricanes, and drought. Again, at sea he causes sudden shipwreck of fleets through changeable winds or lightning or the like; the failure of the water of rivers, the drying up of springs, and the tainting of potable waters. With reference to the necessities produced upon the earth for human use, he causes a scarcity and loss of dumb animals and of things which grow from the earth, and the loss of crops by drying as the result of hot weather, or by locusts, or by the beating of the winds, or by burning in places of storage.

     Venus, when she becomes sole ruler of the event, in general brings about results similar to those of Jupiter, but with the addition of a certain agreeable quality; in particular, where men are concerned, she causes fame, honour, happiness, abundance, happy marriage, many children, satisfaction in every mutual relationship, the increase of property, a neat and well conducted manner of life, paying honour to those things which are to be revered; further, she is the cause of bodily health, alliances with the leaders, and elegance of rulers; as to the winds of the air, of temperateness and settled conditions of moist and very nourishing winds, of good air, clear weather, and generous showers of fertilizing waters; she brings about the fortunate sailing of fleets, successes, profits, and the full rising of rivers; of useful animals and the fruits of the earth she is the preeminent cause of abundance, good yields, and profit.

     Mercury, if he gains the rulership, is, generally speaking, in nature like whatever of the other planets may be associated with him. In particular, he is above all stimulating, and in predictions concerning men is keen and very practical, ingenious in any situation; but he causes robbery, theft, piracy, and assault, and furthermore, brings about unsuccessful voyaging when he is in aspect with the maleficent planets, and occasions diseases of dryness, quotidian agues, coughs, raising, and consumption. he is the cause of events taking place which concern the priestly code, the worship of the gods, the royal revenues, and of change in customs and laws, from time to time, in consistency with his association with the other planets on each occasion. With reference to the air, since he is very dry and swift on account of his nearness to the sun, and the speed of his revolution, he is particularly apt to arouse irregular, fierce, and changeable winds, and, as might be expected, thunder, hurricanes, chasms in the earth, earthquakes, and lightning; sometimes by these means he causes the destruction of useful animals and plants. At setting he diminishes waters and rivers, at rising fills them.

     Such are the effects produced by the several planets, each by itself and in command of its own nature. Associated, however, now with one and now with another, in the different aspects, by the exchange of signs ⁸¹, and by their phases with reference to the sun ⁸², and experiencing a corresponding tempering of their powers, each produces a character, in its effect, which is the result of the mixture of the natures that have participated, and is complicated. It is of course a hopeless and impossible task to mention the proper outcome of every combination and to enumerate absolutely all the aspects of whatever kind, since we can conceive of such a variety of them. Consequently questions of this kind would reasonably be left to the enterprise and ingenuity of the mathematician ⁸³, in order to make the particular distinctions.

     It is needful to observe what affinity exists between the planets which govern the prediction and the countries or the cities for which the event is signified. For if the ruling planets are beneficent, and have familiarity with the subjects affected, and are not overcome ⁸⁴ by planets of the opposite sect, they more powerfully produce the benefits natural to them; even as, when they bear no familiarity, or are overcome by their opposites, they are less helpful. But when they are of the injurious temperament and govern the prediction, if they have familiarity with the subjects affected or are overcome by the opposite sect, they do less harm; but if they are neither lords of the countries nor are overcome by the planets that have familiarity with those countries, they exert all the more intensely the destructiveness of their temperament.

     Usually, however, those men are affected by the more universal ills who in their own genitures happen to have the most essential places ⁸⁵, by which I mean those of the luminaries or of the angles ⁸⁶, the same as those that furnish the cause of the general misfortunes, that is, the places of the eclipses or the places directly opposite. Of these the positions most dangerous and hardest to avoid are those in which either of their luminaries is in possession of the very degree of the place of the eclipse, or the degree opposite.

10. Περὶ χρωμάτων ἐκλείψεων καὶ κομητῶν καὶ τῶν τοιούτων

     Τηρητέον δὲ πρὸς τὰς καθόλου περιστάσεις καὶ τὰ κατὰ τὰς ἐκλείψεις χρώματα ἤτοι τῶν φώτων αὐτῶν ἢ τῶν περὶ αὐτὰ γινομένων συστημάτων, οἷον ῥάβδων ἢ ἅλων ἢ τῶν τοιούτων. Μέλανα μὲν γὰρ ἢ ὑπόχλωρα φανέντα σημαντικὰ γίνεται τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ Κρόνου φύσεως εἰρημένων, λευκὰ δὲ τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ Διός, ὑπόκιρρα δὲ τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ Ἄρεως, ξανθὰ δὲ τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τῆς Ἀφροδίτης, ποικίλα δὲ τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ. Κἂν μὲν ἐν ὅλοις τοῖς σώμασι τῶν φώτων ἢ ἐν ὅλοις τοῖς περὶ αὐτὰ τόποις τὸ γινόμενον ἰδίωμα τῆς χροιᾶς φαίνηται, περὶ τὰ πλεῖστα μέρη τῶν χωρῶν ἔσται τὸ ἀποτελεσθησόμενον· ἐὰν δὲ ἀπὸ μέρους οἱουδήποτε, περὶ ἐκεῖνο μόνον τὸ μέρος καθ’ οὗ ἂν καὶ ἡ πρόσνευσις τοῦ ἰδιώματος γίνηται.

     Τηρητέον δὲ ἔτι καὶ τὰς συνισταμένας ἤτοι κατὰ τοὺς ἐκλειπτικοὺς καιροὺς ἢ καὶ ὁτεδήποτε κομητῶν ἐπιφανείας πρὸς τὰς καθόλου περιστάσεις, οἷον τῶν καλουμένων δοκίδων ἢ σαλπίγγων ἢ πίθων καὶ τῶν τοιούτων, ὡς ἀποτελεστικὰς μὲν φύσει τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ Ἄρεως καὶ τῆς τοῦ Ἑρμοῦ εἰρημένων ἰδιωμάτων, πολέμων τε καὶ καυσωδῶν ἢ κινητικῶν καταστημάτων καὶ τῶν τούτοις ἐπισυμβαινόντων, δηλούσας δὲ διὰ μὲν τῶν τοῦ ζῳδιακοῦ μερῶν, καθ’ ὧν ἂν αἱ συστάσεις αὐτῶν φαίνωνται, καὶ τῶν κατὰ τὰ σχήματα τῆς κόμης προσνεύσεων τοὺς τόπους οἷς ἐπισκήπτουσι τὰ συμπτώματα, διὰ δὲ τῶν αὐτῆς τῆς συστάσεως ὡσπερεὶ μορφώσεων τό τε εἶδος τοῦ ἀποτελέσματος καὶ τὸ γένος, περὶ ὃ τὸ πάθος ἀποβήσεται, διὰ δὲ τοῦ χρόνου τῆς ἐπιμονῆς τὴν παράτασιν τῶν συμπτωμάτων, διὰ δὲ τῆς πρὸς τὸν ἥλιον σχέσεως τὴν καταρχήν, ἐπειδήπερ ἑῷοι μὲν ἐπιπολὺ φαινόμενοι τάχιον ἐπισημαίνουσι, ἑσπέριοι δὲ βράδιον.

10. Of the Colours of Eclipses, Comets, and the Like

     For the prediction of general conditions we must also observe the colours at the time of the eclipses, either those of the luminaries themselves, or those of the formations that occur near them, such as rods ⁸⁷, halos, and the like. For if they appear black or livid they signify the effects which were mentioned in connection with Saturn’s nature ⁸⁸; if white, those of Jupiter; if reddish, those of Mars; if yellow, those of Venus; and if variegated, those of Mercury. If the characteristic colour appears to cover the whole body of the luminary or the whole region surrounding it, the predicted event will affect most of the parts of the countries; but if it is in any one part, it will affect only, that part against which the phenomenon is inclined.

     We must observe, further, for the prediction of general conditions, the comets ⁸⁹ which appear either at the time of the eclipse or at any time whatever ; for instance, the so-called “beams”, “trumpets”, “jars”, and the like ⁹⁰, for these naturally produce the effects peculiar to Mars and to Mercury –wars, hot weather, disturbed conditions, and the accompaniments of these; and they show, through the parts of the zodiac in which their heads appear and through the directions in which the shapes of their tails point, the regions upon which the misfortunes impend. Through the formations, as it were, of their heads they indicate the kind of the event and the class upon which the misfortune will take effect; through the time which they last, the duration of the events; and through their position relative to the sun likewise their beginning; for in general their appearance in the orient betokens rapidly approaching events and in the occident those that approach more slowly.

11. Περὶ τῆς τοῦ ἔτους νεομηνίας

     Δεδειγμένης δὲ τῆς ἐφόδου τῶν περὶ τὰ καθόλου περιστάσεων χωρῶν τε καὶ πόλεων λοιπὸν ἂν εἴη καὶ περὶ τῶν λεπτομερεστέρων ὑπομνηματίσασθαι, λέγω δὲ τῶν ἐνιαυσίως περὶ τὰς ὥρας ἀποτελουμένων, πρὸς ἣν ἐπίσκεψιν καὶ περὶ τῆς καλουμένης τοῦ ἔτους νεομηνίας ἁρμόζον ἂν εἴη προδιαλαβεῖν.

     Ὅτι μὲν οὖν ἀρχὴν ταύτην εἶναι προσήκει τῆς τοῦ ἡλίου καθ’ ἑκάστην περιστροφὴν ἀποκαταστάσεως, δῆλόν ἐστιν αὐτόθεν καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς δυνάμεως καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ὀνομασίας. Τίνα δ’ ἄν τις ἀρχὴν ὑποστήσαιτο, ἐν κύκλῳ μὲν αὐτὸ μόνον ἁπλῶς οὔδ’ ἂν ἐπινοήσειεν, ἐν δὲ τῷ διὰ μέσων τῶν ζῳδίων μόνας ἂν εἰκότως ἀρχὰς λάβοι τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰσημερινοῦ καὶ τῶν τροπικῶν ἀφοριζόμενα σημεῖα, τουτέστι τά τε δύο ἰσημερινὰ καὶ τὰ δύο τροπικά. Ἐνταῦθα μέντοι τις ἀπορήσειεν ἂν ἤδη, τίνι τῶν τεσσάρων ὡς προηγουμένῳ χρήσαιτ’ ἄν· κατὰ μὲν οὖν τὴν ἁπλῆν καὶ κυκλικὴν φύσιν οὐδὲν αὐτῶν ἐστιν ὡς ἐπὶ μιᾶς ἀρχῆς προηγούμενον· κέχρηνται δὲ οἱ περὶ τούτων γράψαντες ἕν τι ὑποτιθέμενοι, διαφόρως ἑκάστῳ τῶν τεσσάρων ὡς ἀρχῇ, κατά τινας οἰκείους λόγους καὶ φυσικὰς συμπαθείας ἐνεχθέντες.

     Καὶ γὰρ ἔχει τι τῶν μερῶν τούτων ἕκαστον ἐξαίρετον, ἀφ’ οὗ ἂν ἀρχὴν καὶ νέον ἔτος εἰκότως νομίζοιτο· τὸ μὲν ἐαρινὸν ἰσημερινὸν διά τε τὸ πρώτως τότε μείζονα τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς νυκτὸς ἄρχεσθαι γίνεσθαι καὶ διὰ τὸ τῆς ὑγρᾶς ὥρας εἶναι, ταύτην δὲ τὴν φύσιν, ὡς καὶ πρότερον ἔφαμεν, ἀρχομέναις ταῖς γενέσεσι πλείστην ἐνυπάρχειν· τὸ δὲ θερινὸν τροπικὸν διὰ τὸ κατ’ αὐτοῦ τὴν μεγίστην ἡμέραν ἀποτελεῖσθαι, παρὰ δὲ Αἰγυπτίοις καὶ τὴν τοῦ Νείλου ἀνάβασιν καὶ Κυνὸς ἄστρου ἐπιτολὴν ἐπισημαίνειν· τὸ δὲ μετοπωρινὸν ἰσημερινὸν διὰ τὸ γεγονέναι πάντων ἤδη τῶν καρπῶν συγκομιδήν, τότε δὲ ἀπ’ ἄλλης ἀρχῆς τὸν τῶν ἐσομένων σπόρον καταβάλλεσθαι· τὸ δὲ χειμερινὸν τροπικὸν διὰ τὸ πρώτως ἄρχεσθαι τότε τὸ μέγεθος τῆς ἡμέρας ἀπὸ μειώσεως αὔξησιν λαμβάνειν.

     Οἰκειότερον δέ μοι δοκεῖ καὶ φυσικώτερον πρὸς τὰς ἐνιαυσίους ἐπισκέψεις ταῖς τέτταρσιν ἀρχαῖς χρῆσθαι, παρατηροῦντας τὰς ἔγγιστα αὐτῶν προγινομένας ἡλίου καὶ σελήνης συζυγίας συνοδικὰς ἢ πανσεληνιακὰς καὶ μάλιστα πάλιν τούτων τὰς ἐκλειπτικάς, ἵνα ἀπὸ μὲν τῆς ἐν τῇ περὶ τὸν Κριὸν ἀρχῇ τὸ ἔαρ ὁποῖον ἔσται διασκεψώμεθα, ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς περὶ τὸν Καρκίνον τὸ θέρος, ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς περὶ τὰς Χηλὰς τὸ μετόπωρον, ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς περὶ τὸν Αἰγόκερων τὸν χειμῶνα. Τὰς μὲν γὰρ καθόλου τῶν ὡρῶν ποιότητας καὶ καταστάσεις ὁ ἥλιος ποιεῖ, καθ’ ἃς καὶ οἱ παντελῶς ἄπειροι μαθημάτων πρόγνωσιν ἔχουσι τοῦ μέλλοντος· ἔτι δὲ καὶ τὰς τῶν ζῳδίων ἰδιοτρόπους εἰς τοῦτο παρασημασίας ἀνέμων τε καὶ τῶν ὁλοσχερεστέρων φύσεων παραληπτέον.

     Τὰς δὲ ἐν τῷ μᾶλλον ἢ ἧττον κατὰ καιροὺς ἐναλλοιώσεις καθόλου μὲν πάλιν αἱ περὶ τὰ προειρημένα σημεῖα γινόμεναι συζυγίαι καὶ οἱ τῶν πλανητῶν πρὸς αὐτὰς συσχηματισμοὶ δεικνύουσι, κατὰ μέρος δὲ καὶ αἱ καθ’ ἕκαστον δωδεκατημόριον σύνοδοι καὶ πανσέληνοι καὶ αἱ τῶν ἀστέρων ἐπιπορεύσεις, ἣν δὴ μηνιαίαν ἐπίσκεψιν ἄν τις προσαγορεύοι.

11. Concerning the New Moon of the Year

     Now that we have described the procedure of prediction about the general states of countries and cities, it would remain to mention matters of greater detail; I refer to events that happen yearly in connection with the seasons. In the investigation of this subject it would be appropriate first to define the so-called new moon of the year ⁹¹.

     That this should properly be the beginning of the sun’s circular course in each of his revolutions is plain from the thing itself, both from its power and from its name. To be sure, one could not conceive what starting point to assume in a circle, as a general proposition; but in the circle through the middle of the zodiac one would properly take as the only beginnings the points determined by the equator and the tropics, that is, the two equinoxes and the two solstices. Even then, however, one would still be at a loss which of the four to prefer. Indeed, in a circle, absolutely considered, no one of them takes the lead, as would be the case if there were one starting point, but those who have written on these matters have made use of each of the four ⁹², in various ways assuming same one as the starting point, as they were led by their own arguments and by the natural characteristics of the four points.

     This is not strange, for each of these parts has same special claim to being reasonably considered the starting point and the new year. The spring equinox might be preferred because first at that time the day begins to be longer than the night and because it belongs to the moist season, and this element, as we said before ⁹³, is chiefly present at the beginning of nativities; the summer solstice because the longest day occurs at that time and because to the Egyptians it signifies the flooding of the Nile and the rising of the dog star; the fall equinox because all the crops have by then been harvested, and a fresh start is then made with the sowing of the seed of future crops; and the winter solstice because then, after diminishing, the day first begins to lengthen.

     It seems more proper and natural to me, however, to employ the four starting-points for investigations which deal with the year, observing the syzygies of the sun and moon at new and full moon which most nearly precede them, and among these in particular the. conjunctions at which eclipses take place, so that from the starting point in Aries we may conjecture what the spring will be like, from that in Cancer the summer, from that in Libra the autumn, and from that in Capricorn the winter. For the sun creates the general qualities and conditions of the seasons, by means of which even those who are totally ignorant of astrology can foretell the future ⁹⁴.

     Furthermore, we must take into consideration the special qualities of the signs of the zodiac to obtain prognostications of the winds and of the more general natures ⁹⁵; and the variations of degree from time to time are in general again shown by the conjunctions which take place at the aforesaid points and by the aspects of the planets to them, and in particular also by the conjunctions and full moons in the several signs and by the course of the planets. This might be called monthly investigation.

12. Περὶ τῆς μερικῆς πρὸς τὰ καταστήματα φύσεως τῶν ζῳδίων

     Προεκτεθῆναι δὲ ὀφειλόντων εἰς τοῦτο καὶ τῶν ἐν μέρει κατὰ ζῴδιον πρὸς τὰ ἐνιαύσια καταστήματα φυσικῶν ἰδιωμάτων καὶ ἔτι τῶν καθ’ ἕκαστον ἀστέρων, τὴν μὲν τῶν πλανητῶν καὶ τῶν τῆς ὁμοίας κράσεως ἀπλανῶν πρὸς τοὺς ἀέρας τε καὶ τοὺς ἀνέμους συνοικείωσιν καὶ ἔτι τὴν τῶν ὅλων δωδεκατημορίων πρός τε τοὺς ἀνέμους καὶ τὰς ὥρας ἕκαστα δεδηλώκαμεν ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν. Ὑπόλοιπον δ’ ἂν εἴη καὶ περὶ τῆς ἐπὶ μέρους τῶν ζῳδίων φύσεως εἰπεῖν.

     Τὸ μὲν οὖν τοῦ Κριοῦ δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι διὰ τὴν ἰσημερινὴν ἐπισημασίαν βροντῶδες καὶ χαλαζῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ ἐν τῷ μᾶλλον ἢ ἧττον ἀπὸ τῆς τῶν κατ’ αὐτὸν ἀπλανῶν ἀστέρων ἰδιότητος τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ ὀμβρώδη καὶ ἀνεμώδη, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα καυσώδη καὶ λοιμικά, τὰ δὲ βόρεια καυματώδη καὶ φθαρτικά, τὰ δὲ νότια κρυσταλλώδη καὶ ὑπόψυχρα.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Ταύρου δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστιν ἐπισημαντικὸν ἀμφοτέρων τῶν κράσεων καὶ ὑπόθερμον, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ καὶ μάλιστα τὰ κατὰ τὴν Πλειάδα σεισμώδη καὶ πνευματώδη καὶ ὁμιχλώδη, τὰ δὲ μέσα ὑγραντικὰ καὶ ψυχρά, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα κατὰ τὴν Ὑάδα πυρώδη καὶ κεραυνῶν καὶ ἀστραπῶν ποιητικά, τὰ δὲ βόρεια εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ νότια κινητικὰ καὶ ἄτακτα.

     Τὸ δὲ τῶν Διδύμων δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστιν εὐκρασίας ποιητικόν, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ δίυγρα καὶ φθαρτικά, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα μεμιγμένα καὶ ἄτακτα, τὰ δὲ βόρεια πνευματώδη καὶ σεισμοποιά, τὰ δὲ νότια ξηρὰ καὶ καυσώδη.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Καρκίνου δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστιν εὐδιεινὸν καὶ θερμόν, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ καὶ κατὰ τὴν Φάτνην πνιγώδη καὶ σεισμοποιὰ καὶ ἀχλυώδη, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα πνευματώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια καὶ τὰ νότια ἔκπυρα καὶ καυσώδη.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Λέοντος δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι καυματῶδες καὶ πνιγῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ πνιγώδη καὶ λοιμικά, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα ἔνικμα καὶ φθοροποιά, τὰ δὲ βόρεια κινητικὰ καὶ πυρώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια δίυγρα.

     Τὸ δὲ τῆς Παρθένου δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι δίυγρον καὶ βροντῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ θερμότερα καὶ φθαρτικά, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα ὑδατώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια πνευματώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια εὔκρατα.

     Τὸ δὲ τῶν Χηλῶν δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι τρεπτικὸν καὶ μεταβολικόν, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ μέσα ἐστὶν εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα ὑδατώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια πνευματώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια ἔνικμα καὶ λοιμικά.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Σκορπίου δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι βροντῶδες καὶ πυρῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ νιφετώδη, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα σεισμώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια καυσώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια ἔνικμα.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Τοξότου δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι πνευματῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ δίυγρα, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα πυρώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια πνευματώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια κάθυγρα καὶ μεταβολικά.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Αἰγόκερω δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι κάθυγρον, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ καυσώδη καὶ φθαρτικά, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα ὄμβρων κινητικά, τὰ δὲ βόρεια καὶ τὰ νότια κάθυγρα καὶ φθαρτικά.

     Τὸ δὲ τοῦ Ὑδροχόου δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι ψυχρὸν καὶ ὑδατῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ κάθυγρα, τὰ δὲ μέσα εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα πνευματώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια καυσώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια νιφετώδη.

     Τὸ δὲ τῶν Ἰχθύων δωδεκατημόριον καθόλου μέν ἐστι ψυχρὸν καὶ πνευματῶδες, κατὰ μέρος δὲ τὰ μὲν προηγούμενα αὐτοῦ εὔκρατα, τὰ δὲ μέσα κάθυγρα, τὰ δὲ ἑπόμενα καυσώδη, τὰ δὲ βόρεια πνευματώδη, τὰ δὲ νότια ὑδατώδη.

12. Of the Nature of the Signs, Part by Part, and their Effect upon the Weather

     As it is proper that for this purpose there be enumerated the peculiar natural powers of the several signs to influence annual conditions, as well as those of the several planets, we have already, in what precedes, explained the familiarity of the planets ⁹⁶, and of the fixed stars of like temperament ⁹⁷, with the air and the winds, as well as that of the signs, as wholes ⁹⁸, with the winds and seasons. It would remain to speak of the nature of the signs, part by part.

     Now the sign of Aries as a whole, because it marks the equinox, is characterized by thunder or hail, but, taken part by part, through the variation in degree that is due to the special quality of the fixed stars, its leading ⁹⁹ portion is rainy and windy, its middle temperate, and the following part hot and pestilential. Its northern parts are hot and destructive, its southern frosty and chilly.

     The sign of Taurus as a whole is indicative of both temperatures and is somewhat hot; but taken part by part, its leading portion, particularly near the Pleiades, is marked by earthquakes, winds, and mists; its middle moist and cola, and its following portion, near the Hyades, fiery and productive of thunder and lightning. Its northern parts are temperate, its southern unstable and irregular.

     The sign of Gemini as a whole is productive of an equable temperature, but taken part by part its leading portion is wet and destructive, its middle temperate, and its following portion mixed and irregular. Its northern parts are windy and cause earthquakes; its southern parts dry and parching.

     The sign of Cancer as a whole is one of fair, warm weather; but, part by part, its leading portion and the region of Praesepe is stifling, productive of earthquakes, and misty; its middle temperate, and its, following parts windy. Its northern and southern parts are fiery and parching ¹⁰⁰.

     The sign of Leo as a whole is hot and stifling; but, part by part, its leading portion is stifling and pestilential, its middle part temperate, and its following portion wet and destructive. Its northern parts are unstable and fiery, its southern parts moist.

     The sign of Virgo as a whole is moist and marked by thunder-storms; but, taken part by part, its leading portion is rather warm and destructive, its middle temperate, and its following part watery. Its northern parts are windy and its southern parts temperate.

     The sign of Libra as a whole is changeable and variable; but, taken part by part, its leading and middle portions are temperate and its following portion watery. Its northern parts are windy and its southern moist and pestilential.

     The sign of Scorpio as a whole is marked by thunder and fire, but, taken part by part, its leading portion is snowy, its middle temperate, and its following portion causes earthquakes. Its northern parts are hot and its southern moist.

     The sign of Sagittarius as a whole is windy; but, taken part by part, its leading portion is wet, its middle temperate, and its following part fiery. Its northern parts are windy, its southern moist and changeable.

     The sign of Capricorn as a whole is moist; but, taken part by part, its leading portion is marked by hot weather and is destructive, its middle temperate, and its following part raises rain–storms. Its northern and southern portions are wet and destructive.

     The sign of Aquarius as a whole is cold and watery ; but, taken part by part, its leading portion is moist, its middle temperate, its following part windy. Its northern portion brings hot weather and its southern clouds.

     The sign of Pisces as a whole is cold and windy ; but, taken part by part, its leading portion is temperate, its middle moist, and its following portion hot. Its northern parts are windy and its southern watery.

13. Περὶ τῆς ἐπὶ μέρους τῶν καταστημάτων ἐπισκέψεως

     Τούτων δὲ οὕτως προεκτεθειμένων αἱ κατὰ μέρος ἔφοδοι τῶν ἐπισημασιῶν περιέχουσι τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον. Μία μὲν γάρ ἐστι ἡ ὁλοσχερέστερον πρὸς τὰ τεταρτημόρια νοουμένη, καθ’ ἣν τηρεῖν ὡς ἔφαμεν δεήσει τὰς γινομένας ἔγγιστα πρὸ τῶν τροπικῶν καὶ ἰσημερινῶν σημείων συνόδους ἢ πανσελήνους καὶ κατὰ τὴν μοῖραν ἤτοι συνοδικὴν ἢ πανσεληνιακὴν τὴν ἐν ἑκάστῳ τῶν ἐπιζητουμένων κλιμάτων τὰ κέντρα ὡς ἐπὶ γενέσεως διατιθέναι, ἔπειτα τοὺς οἰκοδεσπότας λαμβάνειν τοῦ τε συνοδικοῦ ἢ πανσεληνιακοῦ τόπου καὶ τοῦ ἑπομένου αὐτῷ κέντρου, κατὰ τὸν ὑποδεδειγμένον ἡμῖν τρόπον ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν περὶ τῶν ἐκλείψεων, καὶ οὕτως τὸ μὲν καθόλου θεωρεῖν ἐκ τῆς τῶν τεταρτημορίων ἰδιότητος, τὸ δὲ μᾶλλον καὶ ἧττον ἐπιτάσεων ἢ ἀνέσεων ἐκ τῆς τῶν οἰκοδεσποτησάντων ἀστέρων φύσεως διαλαμβάνοντας, ποίας τε ποιότητός εἰσι καὶ ποίων καταστημάτων κινητικοί.

     Δευτέρα δέ ἐστιν ἔφοδος ἡ μηνιαία, καθ’ ἣν δεήσει τὰς καθ’ ἕκαστον δωδεκατημόριον προγινομένας συνόδους ἢ πανσελήνους κατὰ τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον ἐπισκοπεῖν, ἐκεῖνο μόνον τηροῦντας, ἵνα συνόδου μὲν ἐμπεσούσης τῆς ἔγγιστα τοῦ παρῳχημένου τροπικοῦ ἢ ἰσημερινοῦ σημείου καὶ ταῖς μέχρι τοῦ ἐφεξῆς τεταρτημορίου συνόδοις χρησώμεθα, πανσελήνου δὲ πανσελήνοις· ἐπισκοπεῖν δὲ ὁμοίως τὰ κέντρα καὶ τοὺς οἰκοδεσπότας ἀμφοτέρων τῶν τόπων καὶ μάλιστα τὰς ἔγγιστα φάσεις, συναφάς τε καὶ ἀπορροίας τῶν πλανωμένων ἀστέρων τάς τε ἰδιότητας αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν τόπων καὶ ποίων ἀνέμων εἰσὶ κινητικοὶ αὐτοί τε καὶ τὰ μέρη τῶν ζῳδίων καθ’ ὧν ἂν τύχωσιν, ἔτι δὲ καὶ ᾧ τὸ πλάτος τῆς σελήνης ἀνέμῳ προσνένευκε κατὰ τὴν λόξωσιν τοῦ διὰ μέσων, ὅπως ἐξ ἁπάντων τούτων κατὰ τὴν ἐπικράτησιν τὰ ὡς ἐπὶ πᾶν τῶν μηνῶν καταστήματα καὶ πνεύματα προγινώσκωμεν.

     Τρίτον δ’ ἐστὶ τὸ τὰς ἔτι λεπτομερεστέρας ἐπισημασίας ἀνέσεων καὶ ἐπιτάσεων παρατηρεῖν. Θεωρεῖται δὲ καὶ τοῦτο διά τε τῶν κατὰ μέρος τοῦ ἡλίου καὶ τῆς σελήνης συσχηματισμῶν οὐ μόνον τῶν συνοδικῶν ἢ πανσεληνιακῶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῶν κατὰ τὰς διχοτόμους, καταρχομένης ὡς ἐπὶ πᾶν τῆς κατὰ τὴν ἐπισημασίαν ἐναλλοιώσεως πρὸ τριῶν ἡμερῶν, ἐνίοτε δὲ καὶ μετὰ τρεῖς τῆς ἰσοστάθμου πρὸς τὸν ἥλιον ἐπιπορεύσεως, καὶ διὰ τοῦ καθ’ ἑκάστην τῶν τοιούτων στάσεων ἢ καὶ τῶν ἄλλων, οἷον τριγώνων ἢ ἑξαγώνων, πρὸς τοὺς πλανήτας συσχηματισμοῦ. Τούτων γὰρ ἀκολούθως τῇ φύσει καὶ ἡ τῆς ἐναλλοιώσεως ἰδιοτροπία καταλαμβάνεται συμφώνως ταῖς τε τῶν ἐπιθεωρούντων ἀστέρων καὶ ταῖς τῶν ζῳδίων πρός τε τὸ περιέχον καὶ τοὺς ἀνέμους φυσικαῖς συνοικειώσεσιν.

     Αὐτῶν δὲ τούτων τῶν κατὰ μέρος ποιοτήτων αἱ καθ’ ἡμέραν ἐπιτάσεις ἀποτελοῦνται μάλιστα μὲν ὅταν τῶν ἀπλανῶν οἱ λαμπρότεροι καὶ δραστικώτεροι φάσεις ἑῴας ἢ ἑσπερίας ἀνατολικὰς ἢ δυτικὰς ποιῶνται πρὸς τὸν ἥλιον, τρέπουσι γὰρ ὡς ἐπὶ τὸ πολὺ τὰς κατὰ μέρος καταστάσεις πρὸς τὰς ἑαυτῶν φύσεις, οὐδὲν δὲ ἔλαττον καὶ ὅταν τινὶ τῶν κέντρων τὰ φῶτα ἐπιπορεύηται. Πρὸς γὰρ τὰς τοιαύτας αὐτῶν σχέσεις αἱ καθ’ ὥραν ἀνέσεις καὶ ἐπιτάσεις τῶν καταστημάτων μεταβάλλουσι, καθάπερ πρὸς τὰς τῆς σελήνης αἵ τε ἀμπώτεις καὶ αἱ παλίρροιαι καὶ αἱ τῶν πνευμάτων δὲ τροπαὶ μάλιστα περὶ τὰς τοιαύτας τῶν φώτων κεντρώσεις ἀποτελοῦνται, πρὸς οὓς ἂν τῶν ἀνέμων ἐπὶ τὰ αὐτὰ τὸ πλάτος τῆς σελήνης τὰς προσνεύσεις ποιούμενον καταλαμβάνηται. Πανταχῇ μέντοι προσήκει διαλαμβάνειν ὡς προηγουμένης μὲν τῆς καθόλου καὶ πρώτης ὑποκειμένης αἰτίας, ἑπομένης δὲ τῆς τῶν κατὰ μέρος ἐπισυμβαινόντων, βεβαιουμένης δὲ μάλιστα καὶ ἰσχυροποιουμένης τῆς ἐνεργείας, ὅταν οἱ τῶν καθόλου φύσεων οἰκοδεσποτήσαντες ἀστέρες καὶ ταῖς ἐπὶ μέρους τύχωσι συσχηματιζόμενοι.

13. Of the Investigation of Weather in Detail

     Now that these facts have been stated in introduction, the method of dealing with the significations in detail involves the following procedure. For οne method is that which is more generally conceived, with relation to the quarters, which will demand, as we have said ¹⁰¹, that we observe the new moons ¹⁰² or full moons which most nearly precede the solstitial and equinoctial signs, and that, as the degree of the new moon or of the full moon may fall in each latitude investigated, we dispose the angles as in a nativity ¹⁰³. It will then be neccssary to determine the rulers of the place of the new moon or full moon and of the angle that follows it, after the fashion explained by us in the preceding sections dealing with eclipses ¹⁰⁴, and thus to judge of the general situation from the special nature of the quarters, and determine the question of degree of intensification and relaxation from the nature of the ruling planets, their qualities, and the kinds of weather which they produce.

     The second mode of procedure is based on the month. In this it will be necessary for us to examine in the same way the new moons or full moons that take place, in the several signs ¹⁰⁵, observing only this, that, if a new moon occurs nearest to the solstitial or equinoctial sign just past, we should use the new moons which take place as far as the next quadrant, and in the case of a full moon the full moons. It will be needful similarly that we observe the angles and the rulers of both the places, and especially the nearest appearances ¹⁰⁶ of the planets, and their applications ¹⁰⁷ and recessions, the peculiar properties of the planets and of their places, and the winds which are aroused both by the planets themselves and by the parts of the signe in which they chance to be; still further, to what wind the latitude of the moon is inclined through the obliquity of the ecliptic. From all these facts, by means of the principle of prevalence, we may predict the general conditions of weather and the winds of the months.

     The third step is to observe the even more minutely detailed indications of relaxation and intensification ¹⁰⁸. This observation is based upon the configurations of the sun and the moon successively, not merely the new moons and full moons, but also the half moons, in which case the change signified generally has its beginning three days before, and sometimes three days after, the moon’s progress matches that of the sun ¹⁰⁹. It is based also upon their aspects to the planets, when they are at each of the positions of this kind, or likewise others, such as trine and sextile. For it is in accordance with the nature of these that the special quality of the change is apprehended, in harmony with the natural affinities of the attending planets and of the signs of the zodiac for the ambient and the winds.

     The day by day intensifications of these particular qualities are brought about chiefly when the more brilliant and powerful of the fixed stars make appearances, matutine or vespertine, at rising or setting, with respect to the sun ¹¹⁰. For ordinarily they modulate the particular conditions to accord with their own natures, and none the less too when the luminaries are passing over οne of the angles. For the hour by hour intensifications and relaxations of the weather vary in response to such positions of the stars as these, in the same way that the ebb and flow of the tide respond to the phases of the moon, and the changes in the air-currents are brought about especially at such appearances of the luminaries at the angles, in the direction of those winds towards which the latitude of the moon is found to be inclining. In every case, however, οne should draw his conclusions on the principle that the universal and primary underlying cause takes precedence and that the cause of particular events is secondary to it, and that the force is most ensured and strengthened when the stars which are the lords of the universal natures are configurated with the particular causes.

14. Περὶ τῆς τῶν μετεώρων σημειώσεως

     Χρήσιμοι δ’ ἂν εἶεν πρὸς τὰς τῶν κατὰ μέρος ἐπισημασιῶν προγνώσεις καὶ αἱ τῶν γινομένων σημείων περί τε τὸν ἥλιον καὶ τὴν σελήνην καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας παρατηρήσεις. Τὸν μὲν οὖν ἥλιον τηρητέον πρὸς μὲν τὰς ἡμερησίους καταστάσεις ἀνατέλλοντα, πρὸς δὲ τὰς νυκτερινὰς δύνοντα, πρὸς δὲ τὰς παρατεινούσας κατὰ τοὺς πρὸς τὴν σελήνην σχηματισμούς, ὡς ἑκάστου σχήματος τὴν μέχρι τοῦ ἑξῆς κατάστασιν ὡς ἐπίπαν προσημαίνοντος· καθαρὸς μὲν γὰρ καὶ ἀνεπισκότητος καὶ εὐσταθὴς καὶ ἀνέφελος ἀνατέλλων ἢ δύνων εὐδιεινῆς καταστάσεώς ἐστι δηλωτικός, ποικίλον δὲ τὸν κύκλον ἔχων ἢ ὑπόπυρρον ἢ ἀκτῖνας ἐρυθρὰς ἀποπέμπων ἤτοι εἰς τὰ ἔξω ἢ ὡς ἐφ’ ἑαυτὸν κοιλούμενος ἢ τὰ καλούμενα παρήλια νέφη ἐξ ἑνὸς μέρους ἔχων ἢ σχήματα νεφῶν ὑπόκιρρα καὶ ὡσεὶ μακρὰς ἀκτῖνας ἀπομηκύνων ἀνέμων σφοδρῶν ἐστι σημαντικὸς καὶ τοιούτων, πρὸς ἃς ἂν γωνίας τὰ προειρημένα σημεῖα γένηται. Μέλας δὲ ἢ ὑπόχλωρος ἀνατέλλων ἢ δύνων μετὰ συννεφείας ἢ ἅλως ἔχων περὶ αὑτὸν καθ’ ἓν μέρος ἢ ἐξ ἀμφοτέρων τῶν μερῶν παρήλια νέφη καὶ ἀκτῖνας ἢ ὑποχλώρους ἢ μελαίνας χειμώνων καὶ ὑετῶν ἐστι δηλωτικός.

     Τὴν δὲ σελήνην τηρητέον ἐν ταῖς πρὸ τριῶν ἡμερῶν ἢ μετὰ τρεῖς παρόδοις τῶν τε συνόδων καὶ πανσελήνων καὶ διχοτόμων. Λεπτὴ μὲν γὰρ καὶ καθαρὰ φαινομένη καὶ μηδὲν ἔχουσα περὶ αὑτὴν εὐδιεινῆς καταστάσεώς ἐστι δηλωτική. Λεπτὴ δὲ καὶ ἐρυθρὰ καὶ ὅλον τὸν τοῦ ἀφωτίστου κύκλον ἔχουσα διαφανῆ καὶ ὅλον ὑποκεκινημένον ἀνέμων ἐστὶ σημαντικὴ καθ’ ὧν ἂν μάλιστα ποιῆται τὴν πρόσνευσιν. Μέλαινα δὲ ἢ χλωρὰ καὶ παχεῖα θεωρουμένη χειμώνων καὶ ὄμβρων ἐστὶ δηλωτική.

     Παρατηρητέον δὲ καὶ τὰς περὶ αὐτὴν γινομένας ἅλως. Εἰ μὲν γὰρ μία εἴη καὶ αὐτὴ καθαρὰ καὶ ἠρέμα ὑπομαραινομένη, εὐδιεινὴν κατάστασιν σημαίνει, εἰ δὲ δύο ἢ καὶ τρεῖς εἶεν, χειμῶνας δηλοῦσιν, ὑπόκιρροι μὲν οὖσαι καὶ ὥσπερ ῥηγνύμεναι τοὺς διὰ σφοδρῶν ἀνέμων, ἀχλυώδεις δὲ καὶ παχεῖαι τοὺς διὰ νιφετῶν, ὕπωχροι δὲ ἢ μέλαιναι καὶ ῥηγνύμεναι τοὺς δι’ ἀμφοτέρων, καὶ ὅσῳ ἂν πλείους ὦσι τοσούτῳ μείζονας. Καὶ αἱ περὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας δὲ τούς τε πλανωμένους καὶ τοὺς λαμπροὺς τῶν ἀπλανῶν ἅλως συνιστάμεναι ἐπισημαίνουσι τὰ οἰκεῖα τοῖς τε χρώμασιν ἑαυτῶν καὶ ταῖς τῶν ἐναπειλημμένων φύσεσι.

     Καὶ τῶν ἀπλανῶν δὲ τῶν κατά τι πλῆθος σύνεγγυς ὄντων παρατηρητέον τὰ χρώματα καὶ τὰ μεγέθη. Λαμπρότεροι μὲν γὰρ καὶ μείζονες ὁρώμενοι παρὰ τὰς συνήθεις φαντασίας εἰς ὁποιονδήποτε μέρος ὄντες ἀνέμους τοὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ οἰκείου τόπου διασημαίνουσιν. Οὐ μὴν ἀλλὰ καὶ τῶν ἰδίως νεφελοειδῶν συστροφῶν οἷον τῆς Φάτνης καὶ τῶν ὁμοίων, ἐπὰν αἰθρίας οὔσης αἱ συστάσεις ἀμαυραὶ καὶ ὥσπερ ἀφανεῖς ἢ πεπαχυμέναι θεωρῶνται, φορᾶς ὑδάτων εἰσὶ δηλωτικαί, καθαραὶ δὲ καὶ παλλόμεναι συνεχῶς σφοδρῶν πνευμάτων. Καὶ τῶν ἐπιγινομένων δὲ κατὰ καιροὺς ἐν τοῖς μετεώροις αἱ μὲν τῶν κομητῶν συστροφαὶ ὡς ἐπίπαν αὐχμοὺς καὶ ἀνέμους προσημαίνουσι, καὶ τοσούτῳ μείζονας ὅσῳ ἂν ἐκ πλειόνων μερῶν καὶ ἐπιπολὺ ἡ σύστασις γένηται.

     Αἱ δὲ διαδρομαὶ καὶ οἱ ἀκοντισμοὶ τῶν ἀστέρων εἰ μὲν ἀπὸ μιᾶς γίνοιντο γωνίας, τὸν ἀπ’ ἐκείνης ἄνεμον δηλοῦσι, εἰ δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐναντίων, ἀκαταστασίαν πνευμάτων, εἰ δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν τεσσάρων, παντοίους χειμῶνας μέχρι βροντῶν καὶ ἀστραπῶν καὶ τῶν τοιούτων. Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὰ νέφη πόκοις ἐρίων ὄντα παραπλήσια προδηλωτικὰ ἐνίοτε γίνεται χειμώνων. Αἵ τε συνιστάμεναι κατὰ καιροὺς ἴριδες χειμῶνα μὲν ἐξ εὐδίας, εὐδίαν δὲ ἐκ χειμῶνος προσημαίνουσι. Καὶ ὡς ἐπίπαν συνελόντι εἰπεῖν, αἱ καθόλου τοῦ ἀέρος ἐπιγινόμεναι ἰδιόχροοι φαντασίαι τὰ ὅμοια δηλοῦσι τοῖς ὑπὸ τῶν οἰκείων συμπτωμάτων κατὰ τὰ προδεδηλωμένα διὰ τῶν ἔμπροσθεν ἀποτελουμένοις.

     Ἡ μὲν δὴ τῶν καθολικῶν ἐπίσκεψις τῶν τε ὁλοσχερέστερον θεωρουμένων καὶ τῶν ἐπὶ μέρους μέχρι τοσούτων ἡμῖν κατὰ τὸ κεφαλαιῶδες ὑπομεμνηματίσθω. Τῆς δὲ κατὰ τὸ γενεθλιακὸν εἶδος προγνώσεως τὰς πραγματείας ἐν τοῖς ἑξῆς κατὰ τὴν προσήκουσαν ἀκολουθίαν ἐφοδεύσομεν.

14. Of the Significance of Atmospheric Signs

     Observations of the signs that are to be seen around the sun, moon, and planets would also be useful for a foreknowledge of the particular events signified. We must, then, observe the sun at rising to determine the weather by day and at setting for the weather at night, and its aspects to the moon for weather conditions of longer extent, on the assumption that each aspect, in general, foretells the condition up to the next. For when the sun rises or sets clear, unobscured, steady, and unclouded, it signifies fair weather; but if its disk is variegated or reddish or sends out ruddy rays, either directly out­ward or turned back upon itself, or if it has the so-called parheliac clouds on one side, or yellowish formations of clouds, and as it were emits long rays, it indicates heavy winds and such as come from the angles to which the aforesaid signs point. If at rising or setting it is dark or livid, being accompanied by clouds, or if it has halos about it on one side, or the parheliac clouds on both sides, and gives forth either livid or dusky rays, it signifies storms and rain.

     We must observe the moon in its course three days before or three days after new moon, full moon, and the quarters. For when it appears thin and clear and has nothing around it, it signifies clear weather. If it is thin and red, and the whole disk of the unlighted portion is visible and somewhat disturbed, it indicates winds, in that direction in which it is particularly inclined. If it is observed to be dark, or pale, and thick, it signifies storms and rains.

     We must also observe the halos around the moon. For if there is one, and this is clear, and gradually fading, it signifies fair weather; if there are two or three, storms; if they are yellowish, and broken, as it were, storms accompanied by heavy winds; if they are thick and misty, snowstorms; pale, or dusky, and broken, storms with both winds and snow; and the more of them there are the more severe the storms. And the halos that gather about the stars, both the planets and the brilliant fixed stars, signify what is appropriate to their colours and to the natures of the luminaries which they surround.

     As for the fixed stars which are close together in some number, we must observe their colours and magnitudes. For if they appear brighter and larger than usual, in whatever part of the sky they may be, they indicate the winds that blow from their own region. As for the clusters in the proper sense, however, such as Praesepe and the like, whenever in a clear sky their clusters appear to be dim, and, as it were, invisible, or thickened, they signify a downpour of water, but if they are clear and constantly twinkle, heavy winds. Whenever, of the stars called the Asses on each side of Praesepe, the οne to the north becomes invisible, it means that the north wind will blow, and the οne to the south, the south wind ¹¹¹. Of occasional phenomena in the upper atmosphere, comets generally foretell droughts or winds, and the larger the number of parts that are found in their heads and the greater their size, the more severe the winds.

     Rushing and shooting stars, if they come from one angle, denote the wind from that direction, but if from opposite angles, a confusion of winds, and if from all four angles, storms of all kinds, including thunder, lightning, and the like. Similarly clouds resembling flocks of wool are sometimes significant of storms. And the rainbows that appear from time to time signify storms after clear weather and clear weather after storms. To sum up the whole matter, the visible phenomena, which appear with peculiar colours of their own in the atmosphere in general, indicate results similar to those brought about by their own proper occurrences, in the manner already explained in the foregoing ¹¹².

     Let us, then, consider that thus far, in outline, there has been given an account of the investigation of general questions, both in their more universal aspects and in particular detail. In the following we shall supply in due order the procedure for the prediction which follows the genethlialogical form.