Of the Mysteries of the Signs of the Zodiac, part 1 of 2

PARACELSUS Of the Mysteries of the Signes of the Zodiack: Being the Magnetical and Sympathetical Cure of Diseases, as they are appropriated under the Twelve Signes ruling the parts of the Body.

The Prologue.

IT is without doubt, that many will be much ravished with admiration, when they see these my Writings brought into the light, because of the admirable effects & vertues which are found in Metals, being first rightly and duly prepared with the hand and art: which among many people, are held and accounted to be superstitious and wicked operations, and against nature; that they are idolatrous operations, and that the help of the Devil is used to bring them to perfection. They say, How can it be possible, that Metals being engraven upon only with Characters, Letters and Words, should have any such power, unless they were prepared through the Craft and Assistance of the Devil? To these we Answer, I hear you give Credit to them, and do believe that they have power and virtue, being prepared by the help of the Devil, and do operate through him; And are you not able also to believe that God, who is the Creator of the whole Work of Nature, hath as much power in Heaven, and also that he giveth power and virtue to those operations in Metals, Herbs, Roots, Stones, and such like things? But in your judgment you seem to make the Devil more wise and powerful, than the only Omnipotent Lord God, who of his great Mercy, hath Created all Metals, Herbs, Roots, Stones, and all things whatsoever, that live, or move, in, or upon the Earth, Water and Air; and hath endued them with their several degrees of virtue, for the benefit and use of mankind: It is also most certain, and approved by experience evidently, That the Changes and Mutations of time, have great and powerful strength and operation; and that chiefly in Metals, which are made in a certain determinate time, as it is manifest to many, and very well known to us by sundry experiences. No man likewise can teach that Metals are dead substances, or do want life; seeing their oyls, salt, sulphur, and quintessence are the greatest Preservatives, and have the greatest strength and virtue to restore and preserve the life of man, before all other Simples, as we shall teach in all our Remedies assigned thereunto: Certainly if they had not life, how could they help Diseases, and restore the decayed Members of the Body, by putting life, and stirring up corporal vegetation in them? as in Contractures, the Stone, Small-pox, Dropsie, Falling-sickness, Phrenzy, Gout, and several other Diseases, which for brevities sake I omit to mention. Therefore I say, That Metals, Stones, Roots, Herbs, and all other Fruits have life in them, though of divers kinds, according to their Creation and growth, and the due observation of the time contingent thereunto. For the times have in them singular power and virtue; which manifestly appeareth, and may be proved by sundry Arguments, which we shall not here produce, since they are so commonly known. For it is not our intent here to treat of things that are so cleerly known; but of more weighty and undiscerned secrets, which to sence seem contrary.

Characters, Letters, and Signes, &c. have several virtues and operations; wherewith also the nature of Metals, the condition of Heaven, and the influence of the Planets, with their operations, and the significations and proprieties of Characters, Signes, and Letters, and the observation of the times, do concur and agree together. Who can object that these Signs and Seals have not their virtue and operations, one for infirmities in the head, being prepared in his time; another for the sight; another for gravel in the Reins and Stone, &c. but every one is to be prepared in his own proper time, and helpeth such and such infirmities, and no other; as drink is to be taken within the body, and not otherwise? but all this is to be done by means, by the help and assistance of the Father of all Medicines, our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior.

But if any one shall object, that Words and Characters have no virtue; and say as well as others, That they are of no more power than a bare Mark, or naked Cross or Signe; Also, that [non-Latin script], hath no more power in the Greek tongue, than in the German, but only signifies the death of a Serpent, or some such thing: Let him tell me, who believeth such things, from whence it comes to pass, That Serpents in Helvetia, or Suevia, do understand these Greek words, Osii, osija, osii; since the Greek tongue is not so vulgar in those Countries, that venemous worms should understand it, or in time learn it? How should they come to understand them, or in what Universitie have they learned them, that as soon as ever they hear these words, they will immediately stop their eares with their tayles, that they may not hear them again? For no sooner do they hear these words, but immediately they lie still, contrary to their natures, not hurting, or offering to bite or cast any venome at any man; and afterwards if they hear any man to approach towards them, they suddenly fly into their holes. If thou dost say that nature doth effect this, it is the same which I did expect thou shouldest answer: but if Nature worketh this upon a Serpent, why doth she not the same among all other Creatures? But if you should say, That the noise of the mans voice effecteth it, and that thereby the Serpents are terrified and stupified; or that it is done by any power in the man; why then do they not in the same manner lie still when a man maketh a far greater noise, either crying out, or dischargeth a Gun, or the like?

Characters and Seals have likewise in them wonderful virtue, which is not at all contrary to nature, nor superstitious: Also, if you say that words are of no effect, but as the bare voice of men; I say on the contrary, if you write the same words in Parchment, or Paper, in a selected time, and put it upon a Serpent that is taken, in what manner you will, he will remain and lie still, as if you had spoken the same words.

Neither is it any wonder, that Medicines can help men not taken into the body, but only hanged about the neck as Seals: For it is common to the Bladder with Cantharides, That it turneth his Urine into Blood, that holdeth Cantharides close in his hand, the Bladder holding the Urine, and containing it that it cannot pass out of the Body, the hand being held far from the Body.

Some Creatures do retain the same virtue after they are dead, as I prove by the Bird called the Kings Fisher, whose skin being taken off from his carcase, and being dried, and hanged up upon a nail, will cast his feathers many years, and new ones will grow again; and that not only for one or two yeers, but many yeers one after another.

But if you further enquire, out of what Author or Writer I read of these virtues, or where I learned such experience; I answer you Sophisters and Contemners of the Gifts of God, that very Nature her self demonstrated before your eyes, doth far excel all the Authors and Writers of the world. I pray tell me which of your Authors or Writers taught the Bear, when his sight is dimmed by reason of the abundance and superfluity of his blood, to go to a stall of Bees, which by their stinging him, pierce his skin, and cause an effusion of the superfluous blood? What Physitian prescribed the herb Dittany to be medicine for the Hart? or who taught the Serpent the virtue of Briony and Dragonwort? who taught the Dog to take Grass for his Cordial and Purge? And who prescribed the salt Sea-water to the Stork for a Clyster? Did you teach this knowledge to them? or do not they teach you? The same might I speak of infinite other Animals, that know naturally the Cure of their own Diseases. What! Have the Bruit-beasts taught the Medicinal Art? If you say, It's a Natural instinct, and that Nature teacheth them, so say I too. If Nature hath infused so much reason into Bruit-beasts, how much more should men learn thereby, who are made according to the Image of God, the Creator of all things; and are indued with reason from God, to consider and contemplate such things?

Also to say that things outwardly applied, and not substantially entring into the body, cannot Cure any Diseases, is false: For the Sun, which giveth us light, warmth, splendor, and infuseth life into all things, penetrateth into the most occult and close Mansions of the Earth; and doth vivifie and quicken all things that lie under the earth, even to the centre thereof.

For who can deny that in Spring-time, especially, the Sun penetrateth into the most secret places of the earth, giving heat and warmth thereunto, when it shines only upon the upper part thereof? From whence the roots of all things therein receive juyce, strength, and life? and why therefore may not the splendor of Nature, and the influences of the Heavens, Stars, Planets, and other means which we use to extract out of Metals, Herbs, Stones, and such like things, give their virtue into the bodies of men, and penetrate into the inner and private members thereof? as into the Nervs, Veins, and other internal Defects lurking in the flesh and blood of men, and have been there a long time growing. Diseases, Infirmities, and Accidents, are divers; so likewise are the several Cures thereof to be opposed to them according to their qualities, in their peculiar dayes and times: Against which also, Metals do best of all help; being prepared and used in due time and means: As if I should undertake to Cure the Leprosie with Gold; what should hinder but that an Oyl made thereof may Cure it by Unction? Also, if I should anoint the Small Pox with Oyl of Mercury, do you think I am able to Cure them with this Mercury? without doubt; especially if I observe a fitting time for this purpose, without which last means, all anointings are in vain, although the sick were bathed in Oyl of Mercury: But in such Diseases where the Mercurial medicines are not sufficient, we ought then to use other remedies: which unless I should do, having a due respect to the observation of time, not only the Unctions, and all labor besides, will be vain and fruitless, but they will bring the Patient into a worse condition: for it is most certain, that Diseases come to men for the most part from the power and influences of the Stars upon the bodies of men, yet not so suddenly that the same can presently be perceived, like a stripe, or the Falling-sickness. But they do encrease in process of time by little and little as it were a distillation, as oyl causeth water to wax fat by drops falling into it. A man may also perceive his own defects, by the shrinking or decaying of his Members, loss of Appetite to meat and drink, pain, &c. according to the condition and property of every Disease, the operations of the Stars, and the accidents by the Air, prepared and attracted upon us.

PARACELSUS Of the Mysteries of the Signes of the Zodiack: Being the Magnetical and Sympathetical Cure of Diseases, as they are appropriated under the Twelve Signes ruling the parts of the Body.

CHAP. I. Of the Common Griefs of the Head.

THe Common Diseases and Pains of the Head are various: Some proceed from our own proper petulancy, through the excess of meat and drink; others come from evil vapors ascending from the Stomach to the Head, and they proceed from several Causes, which in this place we intend not to treat of; but only of the more grievous Diseases of the Head, which follow.

CHAP. II. Of the Falling-Evil.

THe first thing to be taken notice of in this Disease, is the signs of the Falling; whether they happen at certain equal times, months, dayes, and hours, and how often; or whether they be unequal, happening at divers times; and whether a little before they fall, the Patients do use to shake and stagger a little, or whether they fall to the ground suddenly, and unawares: which being perceived, if they fall at certain times and hours, then the Disease doth not take them so suddenly; neither do they presently fall. But if it come at unequal times and hours, the contrary will be seen to happen; to wit, the falling comes upon them unawares. The first kind, to wit, when there is a little shaking and staggering before the fall, is mortal: But if they perceive the fall before it come, the Disease is accounted not to be so dangerous, but more Curable; which proceedeth not from Nature, as the first; nor is not common therewith, wherfore it less weakeneth: The first brings Phrensie, and Madness; but the other is a falling Disease. The Cure of these, is thus;

First, Consider in what day, and what hour he Fell the last time, and write it: then see what Planet rules that hour; also the sign and degree of the Patient are to be known.

Then the yeers of the Patient are to be numbred, and his Sex, which also keep noted in writing; then give this Medicine every day in the morning to drink; which followes,

℞ of the Spirit of Vitriol, Quintessence of Antimony, each 5 drops. Quintessence of Pearle, 4 drops.

Give all these in the morning to the Patient to drink in a little draught of Rose-water, and let him fast four hours afterwards: Let him use this proceeding by the space of 29 dayes; and in the mean time, prepare the Lamen following, made after this manner,

[Figure: lamen etching for falling sickness]

[Figure: symbol for lamen for a woman with the falling sickness]

The Figure being now prepared according to the directions; after a Fit cometh, command that his Hair be shaven off from the Crown of his Head, according to the Latitude of the Lamen: Then presently where he fell and lieth, with art and industry pour some of the Secret before prescribed into his mouth, and so hold him that it may descend into his Stomach; then forthwith apply the Lamen to the place shaven, so that the Sculpture may touch the naked flesh, and let it be bound on that it fall not off; which being done, let the Patient be carried to some place where he may quietly sleep. And after that Fall, without doubt he will never Fall more, although he hath had the Disease 30 yeers: But let him alwayes wear the Lamen about his neck, and shave his Hair at every Months end, in the same place where they were first shaven.

CHAP. III. Some other Figures to Preserve the Sight.

MAke thee a round Lamen of the best Lead in the hour of ♀︎, the ☽︎ being in the Signe ♈︎, and in the same hour; to wit, in the hour of ♀︎, engrave the Signes and Letters which you see written in the following Figure: Afterwards in the hour of ♄︎ make a Copper Lamen of the same Quantity and Form as the Leaden one; when ☽︎ is in the signe ♑︎, the Characters which you see in the Figure, are to be engraven. And then both Figures are to be kept and preserved so long until ♀︎ comes into Conjunction with ♄︎: and then in the point of the Conjunction both the Figures are to be conjoyned together so, that the Characters and Signes may mutually touch one another; then close them fast with Wax, that they receive no moisture, and sew them up in a piece of Silk, and hang it about the Neck of the Patient on the day and hour of ☿︎. This is the best Remedy to recover the Sight of the Eyes, and to preserve the Eyes from Pain and Diseases. It preserveth the Sight in old Age, as perfect as it was in youth.

[Figure: To Preserve the Sight. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. IV. Against Driness in the Brain, and other Diseases in the Head.

TAKE of the following Metals, well refined:

Of Gold, ʒ ss. Of Silver, ʒ ii. Of Copper, ʒ i. Of Tynne, ℥ iii.

Let them be all melted together in the point of the new Moon; then pour them out, and of that Mass make a piece of Plate of what Latitude you will: After that these Metals have been melted together, they must not be put into the fire any more. When the Planet ♃︎ is in his own House, to wit, in ♓︎, let these Characters and Signes be engraven in the inner-side of the Money, and in the back-side of the Money let those words be written which you see in the following Figure, in the superior part of the Circumference of the Money: then let there be made a Ring of pure Gold, and affixed thereunto when the Moon is declining, for it to be hanged by: it matters not in what day the Ring be made, so that it be done in the hour of ☉︎. This Money being thus prepared, let it be hanged about the Neck of the Patient in the point of the new Moon. It is of wonderful operation against all Diseases of the Head, and Brain.

[Figure: For Diseases of the Brain. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. V. Against the Palsey, a most excellent Secret.

FOr the Consolation of those that are afflicted with the Fits of the Palsey, to write a Remedy thereof, that not without cause, it may be called my Archidox, seeing it excelleth all other Cures: Although some Ancients have thought (but falsely) that this Disease is incurable. Therefore if any one be in any manner taken with this Disease, let him thus do,

℞ of pure Gold, ℥ ii. of Lead, ʒ ii.

[Figure: Against the Palsey. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. VI. Against the Stone and Sand in the Reins.

THe Money against the Stone, consists of 4 Metals: to wit, of Gold, Silver, Tynne, and Lead: As followeth.

℞ of Gold, ʒ iii. of Silver, ʒ iii. of Tynne, ʒ i. of Lead, ʒ i. ss.

Let all these Metals be melted together in a new Melting-pot for Gold, on Saturday at 10 of the Clock before noon, ☽︎ increasing; which being melted, cast in Saltpeter mixed with Tartar, for this cause only, to make them the more tractable, and easie to be molten and wrought upon. Afterwards, let them be poured out and cast into the form of a Lamen, and let it be cut, and polished, and filed in the hour of ♂︎ and day of ♀︎; but as yet, let nothing be engraven thereon. Also, the Ring is not to be forged, that it come not into the fire any more after the melting, but is to be formed with a File: wherefore the Lamen is to be poured out, and cast the larger and broader, that the Ring and Lamen may be both one piece. And if it can be, let the Lamen be so poured out after the melting, that by the mixture of divers Metals, especially of the Lead and Tynne, the brittle matter may evade; and the substance remain hard, that it may not be wrought with the Hammer, nor cut with Scissers. This being done, then look for the Moon; and in the point of the New Moon, then begin the Sculpture: and make haste, that one side of the Lamen may be finished in that hour, which is marked with the Letter A. Afterwards, let this Money be safely kept until some day of ♃︎, when ☽︎ is in Aspect with some good Planet, as ♃︎, ♀︎, or ☿︎; then let the Words and Characters be engraven on the other-side, marked with B, in the hour of ☿︎, as you see them in the following Figure. Then let the Lamen be hanged about the Neck of the Patient that hath the Stone, when the Moon is decreased, on the day and hour of ☽︎. The Ring ought to be made of Iron, to which the Lamen is hanged. Let the Patient also drink Wine every morning, wherein the said Seal hath been steeped all night, and afterwards hang it about his Neck again. This doth wonderfully expel the Stone, and Sand or Gravel out of the Reins; for which thing also Spirit of Roman Vitriol is good to drink.

[Figure: For the Stone in the Reins. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. VII. Of the Members of Generation.

THe loss of Strength and Virtue in the Members of Generation, is a certain Sympathy proceeding from gross Fatness, which as a certain Spasma impedites the power of the Members of that place. This happens by divers accidents; some whereof are natural, others are against nature, by Witchcraft. For the Remedy of the natural Passion, we use this remedy: Let these Words, with the Characters adjoyned, be written in new Parchment, which afterwards is to be bound about the nut of the yard.

[Figure: AVGALIRIOR [non-Latin script] — lamen etchings for the loss of strength in the members of generation]

This Writing in Parchment ought to be renewed every day by the space of 9 dayes, before Sun-rising every morning, by binding it, or rowling it with the Writing backwards about the Prepure, and there let it remain night and day; and as often as you renew the Parchment, or change it, let the old-one, which you take off, be burnt to ashes, and let the Patient drink it in a draught of warm wine. This is a most excellent Remedy, to be had with the least cost. But if any one desires to be preserved from these evils, let him wear about his Neck a Lamen of Silver, with the same Words and Signs engraven thereupon: Or if one make a Lamen of Gold, and engrave the same Words and Characters thereupon, it will be far better. But when it happens that this Disease is brought upon any one by Witchcraft, or some Diabolical Art, wrought by the malice of wicked people; let the Patient take a piece of a Horse-shooe found in the high-way, of which let there be made a Trident-Fork on the day of ♀︎, and hour of ♄︎, as you see in this Figure following.

[Figure: lamen etchings]

The Fork aforesaid being made, let those Words with their Caracters be engraven upon the Three teeth, as you see in the Figure. And upon the Handle thereof, those Words and Signs which you see in the Figure, on Sunday before Sun-rising: which being done, let the Fork be fastned in the ground under a running Stream of Water, so deep, that the handle may not be seen, and that it cannot be found: by this means, thou shalt be delivered in 9 dayes; and the person that hath wrought this mischief upon thee, shall get somthing himself in that place, from which he shall not so easily be delivered: So we ought to resist Diabolicall Arts by Nature, as Christ by the holy Scripture proposed to the Devil in the Wilderness.

CHAP. VIII. That a Horse shall live Sound a long time.

SOme will think that I write Witchcraft, or some such like things; which are far absent from me. For this I certainly affirm, That I write nothing here, which is supernatural, and which is not wrought and effected by the power of nature and Celestial influences; and whereof, for the most part, we are not altogether ignorant. As this: Let a Sadler make a Bridle for a Horse of a Lyons Skin, and upon the Reyns thereof let these Words and Characters following be written in their certain time. And you shall perceive this Horse to live not like a Horse, but like a Man; and longer, and his strength not to be abated: So that you do not use him extraordinarily, contrary to his wonted custome. Also, according as you apply those Bridly-reins to him, he will live thirty or forty yeers, more or less, contrary to the common term of a Horses life. The Bridle is thus to be prepared, that it serve him for a Halter, without a Bit. The Leather-Dresser ought to prepare this Skin in the hour of ♃︎, that is, then to put it into his Pit; which being so prepared, let the Sadler cut the Thongs of it in the hour of ☉︎, and afterwards make it into a B[…]idle when you will. To this Bridle is to be affixed the Lamens following in the hour of ♀︎ upon the Thong of the Head, made of Tynne.

[Figure: S. U. R. Q. L. R. E. — lamen etchings]

Upon the Thong, going down from the Fore-head to the Nose, let there be affixed these which follow, made of Copper in the hour of ☽︎.

[Figure: ♃︎ ♐︎ φ λ y. χ. το. SELE. — lamen etchings]

The following Lamens ought to be made of Silver, in th hour of ♃︎; And affixed to the Bridle in the hour of ♃︎.

[Figure: A.K.R.X.X.X.X.X. — lamen etchings]

These which are last, ought to be made of Gold, and affixed to the Bridle in the hour of ♂︎ 3.9.

And apply this Bridle to the Horse in the hour of ♀︎, then you shall see with what power Nature worketh in Words and Characters, where time is duly observed.

CHAP. IX. An admirable Oyntment for Wounds.

SImpathy, or Compassion, hath a very great power to operate in humane things: As if you take Moss that groweth upon a Scull, or Bone of a dead body that hath lain in the Air, to wit,

Take of that Moss, ℥ ii. of Man's Grease, ℥ ii. of Mummy, and Man's Blood, each ℥ ss. Lanseed Oyl, ʒ ii. Oyl of Roses, and Bole-Armoniack, each ʒ i.

Let them be all beat together in a Morter so long, until they come to a most pure and subtil Oyntment; then keep it in a Box. And when any wound happens, dip a stick of wood in the blood, that it may be bloody; which being dryed, thrust it quite into the aforesaid Oyntment, and leave it therein; afterwards binde up the wound with a new Linen Rowler, every morning washing it with the Patients own Urine; and it shall be healed, be it never so great, without any Plaister, or Pain. After this manner, you may Cure any one that is wounded, though he be ten miles distant from you, if you have but his blood.

It helpeth also other griefs, as the pain in the Teeth and other hurts, if you have a stick wet in the Blood, and thrust into the Oyntment, and there left. Also, if a Horses foot be pricked with a nail by a Farrier or Smith, touch a stick with the blood, and thrust it into the Box of Oyntment, and leave it there, it will Cure him. These are the wonderful Gifts of God, given for the use and health of man.

CHAP. X. The Weapon-Oyntment.

THere may also an Oyntment be made, wherewith if the Weapons be anointed (wherewith a wound is inflicted) the said wounds shall be cured without pain. This is made as the other, except only ℥ i. of Honey, and ʒ i. of Ox-fat is to be added to this. But because the Weapons cannot alwayes be had, the Wood aforesaid is better.

CHAP. XI. Against the Gout.

TAke of Mummy, Mastick, Red Myrrhe, Olibanum, Ammoniacum, Oppopanax, Bdelium, each ʒ ii. Vitriol, lb ii. Honey, lb ii. Tartar, ℥ i. ss. Aquavitae, gal. iii.

Let them be all Distilled together into an Oyl. Then take little Flyes, such as are bred in the dead Carcasses of Horses, and make an Oyl of them, being well bruised. With which Oyl of the Horse-flies, mix ℥ ii. with ℥ iv. of the other Oyl: These two Oyls being well mixed together, let them be Distilled again, and let this Distilled Oyl be preserved.

Then prepare the Characters, in manner following.

℞ of pure Gold, pure Silver, filings of Iron, each ʒ i. of Lead, ʒ ii.

Let them be all melted together in the hour of the New Moon, by a very strong fire, that the filings of the Iron may be melted. For they will hardly melt, wherefore some Boras is to be added to them. Then let all the melted matter be poured out together upon a broad smooth stone, that it may make a thin Lamen: for it cannot be wrought with the Hammer afterwards, because of the Iron: afterwards, when ♄︎ is in Conjunction with ♂︎, in the same hour let the Characters, Words, and Signes of the Lamen be engraven thereupon, like two stamps of a piece of Money; and let them be finished in that hour.

[Figure: For the Gout. — lamen etchings]

Let both the said pieces of Money be engraven only on one side, in the hour of the said conjunction of ♄︎ and ♂︎; and let them be so kept, that they touch not one another.

Afterwards let there be made a Sigil of pure Gold, not so thick as the other Lamen: when ♀︎ is in Conjunction with ♄︎ or ♂︎, let the Characters, Signes, and Words be engraven thereon. But note, that the Seals are to be conjoyned together when there is a Conjunction of ♀︎ and ♄︎: The second face of the Golden Seal, marked with the number 2, is to be turned against the engraven face of the superior Seal which hath not the Image of a man, and is marked with the number 4. But if ♀︎ be in Conjunction with ♂︎, then the second face of the Seal marked with the number 2, is to be turned upon the face of the upper Seal, which hath engraven upon it the image of a man, and is marked with the number 5. And when ☽︎ comes to the 6 degree of ♋︎ in the same order as is before shown, let the pieces of Money be both joyned together, the Gold being placed in the middle. Let them be all bored with one hole through the middle, and fastened together with an Iron-wyer, and let the Patient hang them about his neck. And let his Members be anointed with the Oyl before prescribed: hereby you shall try the powerful operations of Nature, even in such as are 60 yeers old.

[Figure: The Picture of Golden Money for the Gout. — lamen etchings]