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

A Sympathetical Oyntment against the Gout.

Let the Blood of the Patient afflicted with the Gout, be reserved: And that you may know how to use it, Distil a Water from it in Balneo Maria.

Take hereof, ℥ vii. to which adde, of Oyl of Roses, Venice Sope, each ℥ ss. of Man's Grease, Bears Grease, juyce of Sengreen, each ℥ i. Marrow of an Ox, ℥ ss.

Let them be all gently boyled in a vessel of Brass, till they come to the thickness of an Oyntment; continually stirring it, lest it burn: Afterwards upon the eighth day of the Moon's encreasing, let the Soles of the Feet of the Patient be pricked with an instrument, as it uses to be done in Applications for the Winde: and the place grieved being in this manner opened, let them be anointed with this Oyntment very hot, that it may penetrate. And by so doing 9 weeks, he shall be Cured cleer of the Gout.

This Oyntment will last 10 yeers in its full force and virtue, being kept in a cold place.

CHAP. XII. Against Contractures.

OYl of Sulphur against Contractures and shrinking of Sinews, is not to be contemned, but rather to be esteemed as a principal Remedy against such infirmities. This Oyl is made as followeth: Take of the best Sulphur, lb xv. Sublime it in a Cucurbite of Earth through a Glass Limbeck. Put the sublimed matter in a cool Cellar to disolve, and in success of time, it will be resolved into an Oyl. Then make the following Composition.

℞ of Oyl of Sulphur, ℥ ii. Black Soap, ℥ iii. Aquavita, ℥ v. Oyl Olive, Oyl of Roses, each, ℥ 1.

Let all these be boyled, as the other, unto an Oyntment for the Gout; alwayes having a care that the flame take it not: Let the Members be very well anointed with this Unguent for 30 dayes; causing the Patient to sweat in a dry Bath. It excellently helps contracted Members.

A Seal for Contractures.

Take what quantity you please of Gold thrice purified by Antimony; or if you will, the weight of a Ducat. Adde to it a little Boras, and melt it when ☽︎ is in the 19 or 20 degree of ♑︎; and cast into it, a soon as it is molten, 30 grains of the filings of ♀︎ under the same hour. Which being melted and mixt together, pour them out together, and let them so remain until ☽︎ is in the same degree of ♏︎: Then melt it again, and cast in 30 grains of the filings of Iron, and pour it out again as at first. Then keep it till ☽︎ is in ♌︎: and then form and fashion it fit for the Sculpture; which ought to be done in the hour of ♃︎. You need not any further calculate according to the Course of ☽︎, till the Seal comes to be applied, having only respect to the hour beforehand, let the Signes which you see here drawn in the Figure, be engraven on both sides of the Money: This Money must be fewed up in a fine Cloth; and is to be hanged about the Neck by the Cloth only, and not by its own body, in the day and hour of ♃︎, ☽︎ encreasing.

[Figure: For Contractures. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. XIII. For Womens Terms.

AN inordinate Flux of this Disease, doth extremely grieve many Women, sometimes divers years: by so much the more healthy and strong such women are, by how much they have their Courses in their ordinary seasons, and are then delivered from them. From whence arises a twofold way of reducing them into due order. The first is, to stay the Flux, and reduce it into a due course: the latter is to be used in the defects thereof, to provoke them to an ordinary Flux: the defect of them bringeth death; wherefore to provoke them, let there be formed of pure Copper, without mixture of any other metal, a Seal in the hour of ♀︎, as is in the following Figure: But if the same cannot be perfectly finished in that hour, let it then remain unperfect until the same hour of ♀︎ comes again, and then perfect it: The form whereof must be this.

[Figure: For the Menstruae. — lamen etchings]

This Sigil ought to be formed with a File into one piece, and is to be bound with a string upon the Back of the woman through two Rings, applying it at the beginning of the Back-bone upon the Testes, laying the Sculpture upon the flesh, and that in the hour of ☽︎.

But if Nature suffer through too much abundant Fluxes, let the Characters be engraven in pure Silver in the hour of ☉︎, on both sides of the Money, as they are drawn in the following Figure. Then let them be wrapped and sewed up in silk, (for it must not be applied to the naked flesh) and let it be bound upon the Navel of the Woman, turning that face next her body which is marked with the number 10. And afterwards when the Flux begins to stay, let her wear it 30 dayes, and then take it off: for if she wear it any longer, there is danger lest they be quite driven away and stopped; and so cause a greater hurt than the first.

[Figure: For the Menstruae. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. XIV. For the Leprosie.

[Figure: For the Leprosie. — lamen etchings]

If any do use the Sigil above written, and such like Remedies, let them not doubt of help. Let this kinde of Sigil be made of pure Gold, and wrought into a Lamen in the hour of ♄︎; but the Characters ought to be ingraven in the hour of ☉︎, when ☽︎ is in ♌︎, and ☉︎ in the same sign; which usually happens in July. Let it be hanged about the Leper in the hour of ♀︎, the Moon increasing: Let the Patient also drink Wine, wherein the same Sigil hath been some time steeped.

It ought to be renewed every year in July, for this Sigil loseth its force in a year.

The Leprosie working so strongly in the body of man, wherein it fixeth root.

CHAP. XV. For the Vertigo.

MAny who do labour with this disease, the Heaven and Earth seems to them to turn like a wheel, and all things to run round. To others there seems a kinde of a Circle to flie before their eyes. This is a kinde of the Falling-Evil or Palsie more or less. For there is such a Convulsion of the Brain, that the Spirits of the Sight and the Brain, are impedited by a certain gross thick vapour ascending from the Stomach to the head, through the optick Nerves. Against this Disease make the Sigil which follows.

In the hout of Mars, and day of Jupiter, the Moon in Aries, which is the best Aspect of Mars; but see that she hath no evil Aspect from any other Planet.

Take of ☉︎ ʒ ss. of ♂︎ ʒ ii. of ☽︎ ℈ v.

Let these 3 Metals be purely refined and melted together into one. Let them be poured out and wrought into a very thin Lamen, and formed with a little Ear; afterwards when the Moon is in the 12 degree of Taurus, engrave the Signes which follow, and apply it to the Patient in the hour of the New Moon, on the very point that it first beginneth.

Use this Remedy with the Seal:

℞ of Organum, grains 4. Of Unicorns-horn, grains 2. Musk, grain 1. Spirit of Vitriol, grains 6.

Let them be administred every morning in a spoon, about 3 a Clock after mid-night, continuing it 13 dayes; and after every time taking it, rest one hour.

[Figure: For the Vertigo. — lamen etchings]

CHAP. XVI. For the Cramp.

MAke a mixture of Sol, Luna, Venus, and Mars; and let it be wrought into a Lamen, and thereof make a Sigil when the Sun is under the Earth, in the hour of Saturne. And then in the hour of Jupiter engrave these Characters and Signes with the words in the hour of the Sun; and apply it in the hour of the Sun when he is under the earth.

You may also make a Ring of the said Metals, on which engrave the same Signes, and wear the Ring on the finger of the Heart; but this ought to be done in the time, day, and hour before prescribed.

CHAP. XVII. For the trembling of the Heart.

THe Hearts of men do somtimes suffer trembling, especially of Nobles and great men; for seldom doth this Disease take poor and mean men or women. From whence may be seen how God Almighty hath so artificially distributed passions to every state and Condition for their correction and admonition, without respect of persons. It is not to be numbered amongst easie Diseases: for where it begins to rule, it casts the Patient upon the earth, and bereaveth him of strength and sense, and somtimes of life. It riseth from the Membranes and receptacles wherein the Heart is involved, it being compressed with corrupt and ill Flegm. Against this, make a Sigil as follows, observing the due times.

First, in the day and hour of ☽︎, take of ☽︎ ℥ ss. which put and keep in a melting-pot until the hour of the Sun, which is the 4 hour following in the order of unequal hours; then melt it with the fire, and the ☽︎ being melted, cast in two ounces of ☉︎ purely refined, as the ☽︎ ought to be: these two Metals being well melted and mixt together, leave them to cool in the Melting-pot by themselves, and keep them till the hour of Venus next following: then melt them again, and cast in two drams of pure ♀︎, and pour it out; then work it into a Lamen with a Hammer, & prepare it ready for the engraving of the Signes: then mark when the Moon and Venus behold one another with a good Aspect; then engrave upon the Money these two Signes which you see here.

[Figure: lamen etchings for the trembling of the heart]

Afterwards in the point of the New Moon engrave these three Characters following under the other two.

[Figure: lamen etchings for the trembling of the heart]

Let it rest from that New Moon untill the next Full Moon, and in the point of that Full Moon in the same face of the Money over all the Signes let these following words be written.

[Figure: For the trembling of the Heart. — lamen etchings]

This being done, mark when the Sun enters Leo; and in the same hour of his ingression, inscribe the Characters and Words you see in the other figure, on the other-side of the Money; and let them all be begun and ended the same hour.

This Sigil being thus prepared and finished, is to be hanged about the Patients Neck in the hour and point of the Full Moon, that it may touch his naked flesh upon his Heart.

Against this trembling of the Heart, there is also a most excellent secret; our Aurum Potabile, and Quintessence of Pearl, of our description, also oyl of Coral prepared as followeth.

The manner of Preparing Oyl of Coral against the trembling of the Heart.

℞ of Coral, lb i. Of Common Salt, manip. 3.

Let them be wrought into a most fine powder, and put it into a Glass strongly Luted according to the sequent description: Take common Clay, or Potters white Clay, ashes made of the bones of the heads of four-footed Beasts, filings of Iron, Glass in powder, common Salt, Ceruse, &c. which being wet, mingle them together, &c. put the luted Glass with the matter into Ashes contained in an Iron Kettle, according to art; kindle first a gentle fire, and increase it by degrees until the Spirit and Fumes do pass into a Vessel below; then increase the fire more vehemently, until there remaineth no more moisture. This Oyl is a most excellent Remedy for the trembling of the Heart, taken alone by it self, without any thing else added to it.

An Appendix concerning Ruptures of the Bones.

In what manner soever Bones are broken, they are excellently well knit and consolidated, with the following Unguent, and are all orderly joyned.

℞ Of Honey ℥ ii. Of Antimony, and Oyl of Vitriol ʒ ii. Of Badgers Grease, Deers Sewet, Bears Grease, and Sope, each ℥ i. Turpentine ℥ i. ss. VVax ℥ ii.

Let them be boyled into an Oyntment, and therewith let the Ruptures be anointed with a hot hand against the fire; it wonderfully Cures, Heals, and Consolidates, above all other.

The end of the first Treatise.

The Second TREATISE OF Celestial Medicines, Containing, The Mysteries of the Signes Of the ZODIACK.

THe Heaven is compassed about with a large Circle in a Circuit which we call the Zodiack, and is divided into Twelve equal parts: these are named with the Names, and Designated with the Characters which follow:

• ♈︎ Aries.
• ♉︎ Taurus.
• ♊︎ Gemini.
• ♋︎ Cancer.
• ♌︎ Leo.
• ♍︎ Virgo.
• ♎︎ Libra.
• ♏︎ Scorpio.
• ♐︎ Sagittary.
• ♑︎ Capricorn.
• ♒︎ Aquary.
• ♓︎ Pisces.

The Seal of ♈︎ is made of the following Metals.

℞ ♂︎ ℥ ss. ☉︎ ʒ ii. ☉︎ ʒ i. ♀︎ ʒ ss.

These Metals, in the day, hour, and very point wherein the Sun enters the first degree of Aries, (which for the most part happens the tenth day of March, or thereabouts) are all to be melted together with a very strong violent fire; but first the Iron is to be reduced into filings, or else it will not be melted. They being all melted and prepared, on the day of ♂︎, ☽︎ being in the 9 or 10 degree of Aries, or thereabouts, which is once every month: in the same hour it ought to be finished; but is to be applied when Mars is in the Ninth House of Heaven, or the Eight.

[Figure: Aries. — seal]

This Seal is a most certain Experiment to Cure all Fluxes and Catharres descending from the Head upon the Brain, &c. For it purgeth the Brain, and drieth up all Flegm of the Head, and all Diseases which appertain to the Head; it amendeth all Maladies thereof, being worn night and day, the Signe of Aries being turned next the Brain.

The Seal of Taurus is made of the Metals following.

℞ Of ♀︎ ℥ i. Of ♃︎ ʒ i. Of ♂︎ ℥ ss. Of ☉︎ ℥ ii.

They are all to be mixed together by melting them, the Sun being in Taurus, which every yeer happens about the eighth day of April. And in the very point of the Suns ingress into this signe, this Seal must be begun, and forthwith finished, or else the whole work will be frustrate. And when the Moon is in the 10 degree of Taurus, it is to be applied.

For the expedition of this work, there may be engraven some stamps of Iron first, wherewith the Seal may be coined after it is melted, whereby all the Signes and Words are quickly imprinted. So all the other Seals may be done: for oftentimes the hour slips away before they can be finished, and then happens the greatest detriment to this work. Wherefore the time is chiefly to be noted, as having the greatest power in these operations.

[Figure: Taurus. — seal]

The Nature and Property of this Sigil, giveth a most excellent Remedy to them who have lost their Generative Virtue: if it be so hanged that it may touch the Navel, the Sign Taurus being turned next the flesh and the body, it giveth the best help to men or women.

The Seal of Gemini.

℞ of Gold and Silver, of each ʒ i.

Let them be both melted together the Sun entring the Signe Gemini; which happens about the 10 or 11 day of May, according to the course of the yeer. Wherefore the yeer wherein the Sigil is to be made, you must first calculate: There are two Lamens to be made out of the mixture of the aforesaid Metals, whereupon the Signes are to be engraven as they are posited in the following Figures, when the Moon is in the signe of Leo or Pisces: but the Seal being perfected, is to be applied at such time when ☿︎ is in the first House of Heaven; the air gentle, milde, and serene. That face of the Money that hath the signe ♊︎, is to be turned towards, and worn upon the naked skin: both the said Lamens are to be connexed together with a Circle made of the same matter, almost a fingers breadth to be asunder in the middle, that they may not touch one another, with these faces, or sides, that are without signes: for there must be so great distance between them, that there may be a Pipe interposed, that may receive a Goose-quill full of Quicksilver, and afterwards to be stopped with Mastick: it must also contain a Pipe of Metal, which must hold the Quill: when the work is completed, let the Quick-silver be poured into the Quill, the day and hour of Mercury, the Moon decreasing.

The rest was desired in a German example, even the strength and virtue of this kind of Sigil, for which it is made: but that we may not here traduce you, until perhaps hereafter by some examples it may be made known; we will not feign any thing of our selves, which might agree therewith. In the mean time, if any have so great a desire to know the power and virtue thereof, that they cannot stay in expectation of it, seek to the most approved Authors in Astronomy, what are the Virtues of Gemini, in producing Diseases and other things: And then at last, according to the process of the preceding and following Signes, maturely judge.

[Figure: Gemini. — seal]

Cancer.

The Sigil of this Signe is made of most pure Silver, in that hour when Sol enters the signe Cancer, (which uses to be about the 10 or 11 day of June) but when the Moon is in a good Aspect, and not afflicted by any evil Planet, these Figures must be engraven in the hour of the Moon when she is increasing: in the same hour they must be begun, and finished; or else the whole labor is in vain.

[Figure: Cancer. — seal]

This Seal must be applied in the day and hour of the Moon, she decreasing; and is to be kept and worn very Clean. The Virtue thereof causeth happy Journeys: it is very profitable to be worn against the Dropsie, and all Defects of the Body proceeding from moisture, or superfluous Flegm.

Leo.

This Sigil of Leo is to be made with great diligence in July only, when the Sun is in his own House, to wit, Leo, about the 13 or 14 day of the same Month. It is to be made of pure Gold, melted and wrought into a Lamen, when the Sun enters the first degree of the Signe, and perfected before the end of the hour. Afterwards when Jupiter is in Pisces, the Signes are to be ingraven on one side thereof, as they are in the first Figure: And the other side is to be engraven when the Moon is in the House of Jupiter, that is, in Pisces. And note, that after the melting of the Seal, it must not be put again into the fire, else all things are in vain.

[Figure: Leo. — seal]

Let it be applied in the day and hour of the Sun. It hath a most excellent virtue: it causeth great Favours to men and women that wear it: It is a very good Remedy against Quartain Feavers. The Liquor is also good to be drunk, wherein it hath been infused all night. It is especially approved against Pestilence and all inward infection; and against all Diseases in the Eyes coming from heat, and from all other evil Heats and Rheums which we call flying Humors. It is good also against Burnings, the Seal being applied upon the place, certainly and surely draweth out the fire This way we cured the wife of one Mr. Nicholas Barber our Country-man, dwelling at a place called Villach in Transylvania; who had a very great Burning, which we Cured, and drew out the burning so, that the burned place was healed without any sore, or running Matter, only by applying such a Sigil; which she wore upon the place until the end of the Cure.

[Figure: Virgo. — seal]

The Seal of Virgo is made of ♀︎ ʒ i. Of ☉︎ ℥ ss. Of ☽︎ ʒ ii. ♃︎ ʒ ss.

These Metals ought to be all melted together on Sunday about the 13 or 14 day of the Sun 's ingress into Virgo: And after they are melted, to be reduced into a thin Lamen: afterwards in the hour of Mercury, when Mercury is well Aspected of the other Planets; let the Names and Characters be engraven upon the Lamen, so, that they may be finished in the same hour.

Let it be applied when Mercury is in the first House of Heaven, the air being clear and serene, (for then it is much better) and in the hour of Mercury, for then he ruleth the first House of Heaven; but if it cannot be, refer it to an hour of like nature, although the hour of Mercury is best.

Libra.

This Sigil is to be made of pure ♀︎, and to be melted, poured out and made when the Sun enters Libra, which somtimes happens on Sunday the 13 or 14 of September, according to the progress of the yeer: And this is to be noted, That when Venus is the ruling Planet, or Reservator of the yeer, the Sigil will be of much more virtue, especially if those wear it, who were born under the same Planet; and if it be made and prepared for them. When ♀︎ is in the sign Libra, the Signes, Characters, and Words which you see in the following Figure, are to be engraven in the Seal; afterwards in the day and hour of Venus, in the first or eighth hour, which Venus governs, let it be applied.

[Figure: Libra. — seal]

It is an admirable Remedy against all Bewitchings of Women, which hinder the act of generation, and especially in those whom they hate: In brief, this Sigil is most profitable and excellent against all Maladies whatsoever; especially all griefs of the Secret Members.

Scorpio.

The Seal of Scorpio must be made of pure Iron in the day and hour of Mars, when the Sun enters Scorpio, which happens about the 12, 13, or 14 day of October: And in the same hour let one side of the Lamen be engraven with his Characters. Afterwards, when the Sun is entered into Aries, let the other side be engraven. It may be applied at any time when you will.

[Figure: Scorpio. — seal]

It is a most excellent Remedy against all Poyson and Diseases thereby infected. It is excellent and admirable for Souldiers, Captains, and such as are in daily Controversies: Also, if such an Animal as follows be made of pure Iron, when Mars is Lord of the yeer, and the Sun enters the first degree of Scorpio; afterwards when Mars is in his own House in Aries, let it be engraven as follows. Then let it be applied in the hour of Mars: the House wherein it is hanged, it defendeth safe from all Scorpions; and all Serpents that are alive will flie out of it: it is a most excellent Remedy against all venemous bitings: mightily helpeth Souldiers in Fights: and is very good against the Leprosie to be worn, and the Patient to drink potable Gold.

Let it be engraven as this Figure.

[Figure]

Let there be assixed a Ring of pure Gold to the Tayle thereof, that it may be worn hanging about the Neck with the Head downwards. It is a certain Remedy to drive away all Flies from the Bed where it is hanged.

Sagittary.

This Sigil is to be made in the hour of the Suns ingress into Sagittary (which annually happens on the 12 or 13 day of November) on the first degree of the ingression: let it be signed in the hour of Jupiter, and applied in the same hour, the Moon encreasing. This is the second Seal, that I knew after long search and enquiry; and which, according to the Art that I profess, I have often used to the shame and scorn of my Adversaries, that they have stood amazed like Asses, and durst not open their mouths. There must be a silver Ring to hang it in, and it must be made of pure

[Figure: Sagittary. — seal]

Tynne, without addition of any other Metal; and to be wore and kept very clean: But it must be left off in the time of Copulation, or else it loseth its virtue.

We are again forced to complain of envious and perfidious men, who envying that in others, which they have not themselvs, leave nothing perfect; that it may the second time appear in this Book, that their strength and power is taken away, as above is done concerning the signe Gemini; By the Protestation of the same Author, in this Chapter, when he saith, That this is the second Seal which he esteemed to be most powerful in the Medicinal Art. The envious therefore labor in vain; for whether they will or no, he will bring into light every thing that they have taken away out of the Books, of Theophrastus Paracelsus. For that Author before his deth did prudently inclose those Books in divers places in Walls; so that if after his death, they were lost in one place, they might be preserved in another, for good men; lest that if any should come to the envious hands of wicked men, should be perpetually lost, or torn in pieces. Hereby they were preserved for us whole, that in due time the lives of wicked men, loving nothing but themselves, may appear out of darkness.

Capricorn.

[Figure: seal of Capricorn]

Now we come to treat of Saturn and his progeny: this Seal is to be made of Gold; for Lead hath no operation with other Metals. There must be made a Ring of Copper; and together with the Seal, are both to be made in the hour when the Sun enters Capricorn, and is farthest distant from us; Let the Seal be engraven on the day and hour of Saturn, and when Saturn is in a good Aspect with some other Planet. It must be applied when the Moon is decreasing or diminished in light: but the hour of the Aspect, whether it be of the Moon or any other Planet, matters not. This Seal may vulgarly be called the Sigil of Favor. This Seal throughly heals the Itch or Scurff in the Thighes: Our Predecessors could not by Art finde out the Cure of this Disease, accounting it uncureable; when as this is the best way to Cure it, without any other means.

Aquary.

[Figure: seal of Aquarius]

When the Sun enters Aquary in the Month of January, let the Seal be made in the same hour, of these Metals, being mixt and melted together: of Gold ℥ ss. Lead ʒ ii. of Iron. ʒ i. And when the Planet Saturn is in the Ninth House of Heaven, let these Signes and Words be quickly engraven one after another; you shall not apply it till the Sun is under the Earth, and in the hour of Saturn; and then it is good, being hanged about the Neck, against Contractures, cold Diseases, and Sinewes shrunk: it is very profitable to preserve the Memory, to get Favors amongst men, and very good against all Poyson, as may be proved by putting any venemous Spider upon the Sigil; it forthwith flieth away, and cannot possibly remain upon it.

Pisces.

[Figure: seal of Pisces]

The Seal of Pisces is to be made in February, when the Sun enters Pisces, of the following Metals.

℞ of Gold, Iron, Copper, Silver, of each ʒ ii. Of Tynne ℥ ss.

Let them be all melted together, and the Seal formed and engraven the same hour of the Suns ingress; afterwards let it be applied when Jupiter is well placed in the eighth house of heaven, and in the day and hour of Jupiter. This is an admirable instrument to loose and expel Choler, of which do grow many grievous Diseases, as Contractures, the Palsie, shrinking of the Joynts, Burnings, &c. against which it gives wonderful help to men or women: it mitigateth the pain of the Gout, takes away the Cramp, and all Griefs proceeding from Fluxes.

This Seal ought to hang down low upon the Navel.