Book II, chapters 36–45: Images of the zodiac, the faces and the planets

CHAP. XXXVI. Of the Images of the Zodiack, what vertues they being ingraven, receive from the stars.

BUt the Celestial Images, according to whose likeness Images of this kinde are framed, are very many in the heavens: Some visible and conspicuous, others onely imaginable, conceived and set down by Egyptians, Indians and Chaldeans; and their parts are so ordered, that even the figures of some of them are distinguished from others: for this reason they place in the Zodiack circle twelve general images, according to the number of the signs: of these they constituting Aries, Leo, and Sagittary for the fiery and oriental triplicity, do report that its profitable against Feavors, Palsie, Dropsie, Gout, and all cold and phlegmatick infirmities, and that it makes him who carrieth it to be acceptable, eloquent, ingenious and honorable, because they are the Houses of Mars, Sol, and Jupiter. They made also the image of a Lion against melancholy phantasies, the Dropsie, Plague, Feavors, and to expel diseases at the hour of the Sun, the first degree of the sign of Leo ascending, which is the face and Decanate of Jupiter; but against the Stone, and diseases of the Reins, and against the hurts o[…] beasts, they made the same image when Sol in the heart of the Lion obtained the midst of heaven: and again, because Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius do constitute the Aerial and Occidental Triplicity, and are the houses of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, they are said to put to flight diseases, to conduce to friendship and concord, to prevail against melancholy, and to caus[…] health; & they report that Aquarius especially freeth from the Quartane. Also, that Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, because the constitute the watry & Northern Triplicity, do prevail against hot and dry Fevors; also against the Hectick, and all choler rick passions; but Scorpio, because amongst the members it respecteth the privy parts, doth provoke to lust: but these […] frame it for this purpose, his third face ascending, which be longeth to Venus; and they made the same against Serpents and Scorpions, poysons, and evil spirits; his second face ascending, which is the face of the Sun, and Decanate of Jupiter; and they report that it maketh him who carrieth it, wise, of a good colour; and they report that the image of Cancer is most efficacious against Serpents, and poysons, when Sol and Luna are in conjunction in it, and ascend in the first and third face; for this is the face of Venus, and the Decanate of Luna; but the second face of Luna, the Decanate of Jupiter: They report also that Serpents are tormented when the Sun is in Cancer: Also that Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, because they constitute the earthly and Southern triplicity, do cure hot infirmities, and prevail against the Synocall Feaver; it maketh those that carry it grateful, acceptable, eloquent, devout and religious, because they are the Houses of Venus, Mars, and Saturn: Capricorn also is reported to keep men in safety, and also places in security, because it is the exaltation of Mars.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of the Images of the Faces, and of those Images which are without the Zodiack.

THere are besides in the Zodiack thirty six images, according to the number of the faces, of the which, (as Porphyry saith) Teucer the Babylonian long since wrote, who was a most ancient Mathematician, after whom the Arabians also wrote of these things. Therefore it is said, that in the first face of Aries, ascendeth the image of a black man, standing and cloathed in a white garment, girdled about, of a great body, with reddish eyes, and great strength, and like one that is angry; and this image signifieth and causeth boldness, fortitude, loftiness, and shamelesness; in the second face ascendeth a form of a woman, outwardly cloathed with a red garment, and under it a white, spreading abroad over her feet, and this image causeth nobleness, height of a Kingdom, and greatness of dominion: in the third face ariseth the figure of a white man, pale, with reddish hair, and cloathed with a red garment, who carrying on the one hand a golden Bracelet, and holding forth a wooden staff, is restless, and like one in wrath, because he cannot perform that good he would. This image bestoweth wit, meekness, joy and beauty: in the first face of Taurus ascendeth a naked man, an Archer, Harvester or Husbandman, and goeth forth to sow, plough, build, people, and divide the earth, according to the rules of Geometry; in the second face ascendeth a naked man, holding in his hand a key; it giveth power nobility, and dominion over people: in the third face, ascendeth a man in whose hand is a Serpent, and a dart, and is the image of necessity and profit, and also of misery & slavery. In the first face of Gemini ascendeth a man in whose hand is a rod, and he is, as it were, serving another; it granteth wisdom and the knowledge of numbers and arts in which there is no profit: in the second face ascendeth a man in whose hand is a Pipe, and another being bowed down, digging the earth: and they signifie infamous and dishonest agility, as that of Jesters and Juglers; it also signifies labours and painful searchings: In the third, ascendeth a man seeking for Arms, and a fool holding in the right hand a Bird, and in his left a pipe, and they are the significations of forgetfulness, wrath, boldness, jeasts, scurrilities, and unprofitable words: In the first face of Cancer ascendeth the form of a young Virgin, adorned with fine cloathes, and having a Crown on her head; it giveth acuteness of senses, subtilty of wit, and the love of men: in the second face ascendeth a man cloathed in comely apparrel, or a man and woman sitting at the table and playing; it bestoweth riches, mirth, gladness, and the love of women: in the third face ascendeth a man a Hunter with his lance and horne, bringing out dogs for to hunt; the signification of this is the contention of men, the pursuing of those who fly, the hunting and possessing of things by arms and brawlings. In the first face of Leo ascendeth a man riding on a Lion; it signifieth boldness, violence, cruelty, wickedness, lust and labours to be sustained. In the second ascendeth an image with hands lifted up, and a man on whose head is a Crown; he hath the appearance of an angry man, and one that threatneth, having in his right hand a Sword drawn out of the scabbard, & in his left a buckler; it hath signification upon hidden contentions, and unknown victories, & upon base men, and upon the occasions of quarrels and battels: in the third face ascendeth a young man in whose hand is a Whip, and a man very sad, and of an ill aspect; they signifie love and society, and the loss of ones right for avoiding strife. In the first face of Virge ascendeth the figure of a good maide, and a man casting seeds; it signifieth getting of wealth, ordering of diet, plowing, sowing, and peopling; in the second face ascendeth a black man cloathed with a skin, and a man having a bush of hair, holding a bag; they signifie gain, scraping together of wealth and covetousness. In the third face ascendeth a white woman and deaf, or an old man leaning on a staff; the signification of this is to shew weakness, infirmity, loss of members, destruction of trees, and depopulation of lands. In the first face of Libra ascendeth the form of an angry man, in whose hand is a Pipe, and the form of a man reading in a book; the operation of this is in justifying and helping the miserable and weak against the powerful and wicked: in the second face ascend two men furious and wrathful and a man in a comely garment, sitting in a chair; and the signification of these is to shew indignation against the evil, and quietness and security of life with plenty of good things. In the third face ascendeth a violent man holding a bow, and before him a naked man, and also another man holding bread in one hand, and a cup of wine in the other; the signification of these is to shew wicked lusts, singings, sports and gluttony. In the first face of Scorpio ascendeth a woman of good face and habit, and two men striking her; the operations of these are for comliness, beauty, and for strifes, treacheries, deceits, detractations, and perditions; in the second face ascendeth a man naked, and a woman naked, and a man sitting on the earth, and before him two dogs biting one another; and their operation is for impudence, deceit, and false dealing, and for to send mischief and strife amongst men; in the third face ascendeth a man bowed downward upon his knees, and a woman striking him with a staff, and it is the signification of drunkenness, fornication, wrath, violence, and strife. In the first face of Sagittarius ascendeth the form of a man armed with a coat of male, and holding a naked sword in his hand; the operation of this is for boldness, malice, and liberty: In the second face ascendeth a woman weeping, and covered with cloathes; the operation of this is for sadness and fear of his own body. In the third face ascendeth a man like in colour to gold, or an idle man playing with a staff; and the signification of this is in following our own wills, and obstinacy in them, and in activeness for evil things, contentions, and horrible matters. In the first face of Capricorn ascendeth the form of a woman, and a man carrying full bags; and the signification of these is for to go forth and to rejoyce, to gain and to lose with weakness and baseness: in the second face ascendeth two women, and a man looking towards a Bird flying in the Air; and the signification of these is for the requiring those things which cannot be done, and for the searching after those things which cannot be known: In the third face ascendeth a woman chast in body, and wise in her work, and a banker gathering his mony together on the table; the signification of this is to govern in prudence, in covetousness of money, and in avarice. In the first face of Aquarius ascendeth the form of a prudent man, and of a woman spinning; and the signification of these is in the thought and labour for gain, in poverty and baseness: in the second face ascendeth the form of a man with a long beard; and the signification of this belongeth to the understanding, meeknes, modesty, liberty and good maners: in the third face ascendeth a black and angry man; and the signification of this is in expressing insolence, and impudence. In the first face of Pisces ascendeth a man carrying burthens on his shoulder, and well cloathed; it hath his signification in journeys, change of place, and in carefulness of getting wealth and cloaths: in the second face ascendeth a woman of a good countenance, and well adorned; and the signification is to desire and put ones self on about high and great matters: in the third face ascendeth a man naked, or a youth, and nigh him a beautiful maide, whose head is adorned wich flowers, and it hath his signification for rest, idleness, delight, fornication, and for imbracings of women. And thus far concerning the Images of Faces. Besides these, there are as yet three hundred and sixty Images in the Zodiack, according to the number of the degrees, whose forms Petrus de Abano hath described: without the Zodiack there are also general Figures, which Hyginius and Aratus describe for us, and very many particular ones, according to the number of faces and degrees, existing therein, of all which to speak it would be too long; but of these the more principal are accounted, Pegasus which prevaileth against the diseases of horses, and preserveth horsemen in battle; Then is Andromache, which begetteth love betwixt husband and wife, so that it is said even to reconcile adulterers: Cassiopeia restoreth weak bodies, and strentheneth the members; Serpentarins chaseth away poysons, and cureth the bitings of venemous beasts: Hercules giveth victory in war; the Dragon with both the Bears maketh a man crafty, ingenious, valiant, acceptable to the gods and men: Hydra conferreth wisdom and riches, and resisteth poysons. Centaurus bestoweth health and long old age: Ara conserveth chastity, and maketh one acceptable to the gods; Cetus maketh one amiable, prudent, happy both by sea and land, and helps him to recover his lost goods: the Ship affordeth security in the waters; the Hare prevaileth against deceits and madness; the Dog cureth the Dropsie, resisteth the plague, and also preserveth from beasts, and fierce creatures. Orion granteth victory: The Eagle giveth new honors, and preserveth the old. The Swan freeth from […]he Palsie and the Quartain: Perseus freeth from Envy and Witchcrafts, and preserveth from Lightnings and Tempests: The Hart preserveth Phrenetical and mad people. And thus much may suffice to have been spoken.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of the Images of Saturn.

BUt now, what Images they did attribute to the Planets, although of these things very large volumes have been written by the ancient wise men, so that there is no need to declare them here, notwithstanding I will recite a few of them; for they made, from the operations of Saturn, Saturn ascending in a stone, which is called the Loadstone, the Image of a man, having the countenance of an Hart, and Camels feet and sitting upon a Chayr or Dragon, holding in his right hand, a sithe, in his left hand a dart; which image they did hope would be profitable for prolongation of life; for Albumasar in his book Sadar, proveth that Saturn conduceth to the prolongation of life: where also he telleth that certain regious of India being subject to Saturn, there men are of a very long life, and dye not unless by extream old Age: They made also another Image of Saturn for length of dayes, in a saphire, at the hour of Saturn, Saturn ascending or fortunately constituted, whose figure was an old man setting upon an high chayre, having his hands lifting up above his head, and in them holding a fish or Sickle, and under his feet a bunch of Grapes, his head covered with a black or dusky coloured cloth, and all his garments black or dark coloured: They also make this same Image against the Stone and diseases of the kidnyes, viz. in the hour of Saturn, Saturn ascending with the third face of Aquarius: they made also from the operations of Saturn, a[…] Image for the encreasing in power, Saturn ascending in Capricorn; The form of which was an old man leaning on a […]aff having in his hand a crooked sickle, and cloathed in black. They also made an Image of melted Copper, Saturn ascending in his rising, viz. in the first degree of Aries, or which is more true in the first degree of Capricorn, which Image they affirm to speak with a mans voyce; They made also out of the operations of Saturn, and also Mercury, an Image of cast metall, like a beautifull man, which they promised would foretell things to come, and made it on the day of Mercury, on the third hour of Saturn, the sign of Gemini ascending, being the house of Mercury, signifying prophets, Saturn and Mercury being in conjunction in Aquarius in the ninth place of Heaven, which is also called God; Moreover let Saturn have a trine aspect on the ascendent, and the Moon in like manner, and the Sun have an aspect on the place of conjunction. Venus obtaining some Angle may be powerfull and occidentall; let Mars be combust by the Sun, but let it not have an aspect on Saturn and Mercury; for they said, that the splendor of the powers of these Stars was diffused upon this Image, and it did speak with men, and declare those things which are profitable for them.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Images of Jupiter.

FRom the operations of Jupiter, they made for prolongation of life, an Image, in the hour of Jupiter. Jupiter being in his exaltation fortunately ascending, in a clear and white stone, whose figure was a man crowned, cloathed with garments of a Saffron Colour, riding upon an Eagle or Dragon, having in his right hand a dart, about as it were to strike it into the head of the same Eagle or Dragon. They made also another Image of Jupiter at the same convenient season, in a white and clear stone, especially in Crystall, and it was a naked man crowned, having both his hands joyned together and lifted up, as it were deprecating something, sitting in a four-footed chair, which is carried by four winged boys, and they affirm that this Image encreaseth felicity, riches, honor, and conferreth Benevolence and prosperity, and freeth from enemies; They made also another Image of Jupiter for a religious and glorious […]ife, and advancement of fortune; whose figure was a man having the head of a lyon, or a Ram, and Eagles feet, cloathed in Saffron coloured cloathes, and he was called the son of Jupiter.

CHAP. XL. Of the Images of Mars.

FRom the operations of Mars they made an Image in the hour of Mars, Mars ascending in the second face of Aries, in a Martiall stone, especially in a Diamond; The form of which was a man armed, riding upon a Lyon, having in his right hand a naked sword erected, carrying in his left hand the head of a man; they report, that an Image of this kind rendreth a man powerfull in good and evill, so that he shall be feared of all; and whosoever carryeth it they give him the power of enchantment, so that he shall terrifie men by his looks when he is angry, and stupifie them; they made another Image of Mars for the obtaining of boldness, courage, and good fortune in wars, and contentions, the form of which was a souldier armed and crowned, girt with a sword, carrying in his right hand a long Lance; and they made this at the hour of Mars, the first face of Scorpio ascending with it.

CHAP. XLI. Of the Images of the Sun.

FRom the operations of the Sun, they made an Image at the hour of the Sun, the first face of Leo ascending with the Sun, the forme of which was a king crowned, sitting in a chair, having a Raven in his bosom, and under his feet a Globe, he is cloathed in Saffron coloured cloathes; They report th[…] this Image rendreth men invincible, and honorable, and help to bring their businesses to a good end, and to drive away vain dreams; also to be prevalent against feavers, and the plague; and they made it in a Balanite stone or a Rubin, at the hour o[…] the Sun, when it in his exaltation fortunately ascendeth; They ma[…] another Image of the Sun in a Diamond, at the hour of the Sun, it ascending in his exaltation; the figure of which was a woman crowned with the gesture of one dancing and laughing, standing in a Chariot drawn with four horses, having in her right hand a looking glass, or buckler, in the left a staffe, leaning on her breast, carrying a flame of fire on her head; They report that this Image rendreth a man fortunate and rich, and beloved of all; and they made this Image, on a Corneoll stone at the hour of the Sun ascending in the first face of Leo, against Lunatick passions which proceed from the combustion of the Moon,

CHAP. XLII. Of the Images of Venus.

FRom the operations of Venus they made an Image, which was available for favor, and benevolence, at the very hour it ascending into Pisces, the form of which was the Image of a woman having the head of a bird, and feet of an Eagle, holding a dart in her hand. They made another Image of Venus for to get the love of women, in the Lapis Lazulus, at the hour of Venus, Venus ascending in Taurus, the figure of which was a naked maide with her haire spread abroad, having a looking glass in her hand, and a chain tyed about her neck, and nigh her a handsome young man, holding her with his left hand by the chain, but with his right hand making up her hair, and they both look lovingly on one another, and about them is a little winged boy holding a sword or a dart. They made another Image of Venus, the first face of Taurus or Libra or Pisces ascending with Venus, the figure of which was a little maide with her hair spread abroad, cloathed in long and white garments, holding a Laurell Apple, or flowers in her right hand in her left a Combe. Its reported to make men pleasant, jocand, strong, chearfull and to give beauty.

CHAP. XLIII. Of the Images of Mercury.

FRom the operations of Mercury, they made an Image at the hour of Mercury; Mercury ascending in Gemini, the form of which was an handsome young man, bearded, having in his left hand a rod in which a serpent is twyned about, in his right carrying a dart, having his feet winged; They report that this Image conferreth knowledge, eloquence, diligence in merchandizing and gain; moreover to beget peace and concord, and to cure feavers; They made another Image of Mercury, Mercury ascending in Virgo, for good will, wit and memory; The form of which was a man sitting upon a chaire, or riding on a Peacock, having Eagles feet, and on his head a crest, and in his left hand holding a cock or fire.

CHAP. XLIV. Of the Images of the Moon.

FRom the operations of the Moon, they made an Image for travellers against weariness, at the hour of the Moon, the Moon ascending in its exaltation; the figure of which was a man leaning on a staffe, having a bird on his head, and a flourishing tree before him; They made another Image of the Moon for the increase of the fruits of the earth, and against poysons, and infirmities of children, at the hour of the Moon, it ascending in the first face of Cancer, the figure of which was a woman cornuted, riding on a Bull, or a Dragon with seven heads, or a Crab; and she hath in her right hand a dart, in her left a looking glass, clothed in white or green, and having on her head two Serpents with horns twined together, and to each arm a Serpent twined about, and to each foot one in like manner. And thus much spoken concerning the figures of the Plants, may suffice.

CHAP. XLV. Of the Images of the head and Tayle of the Dragon of the Moon.

THey made also the Image of the head and taile of the Dragon of the Moon, namely betwixt an Aeriall and fiery circle, the likeness of a Serpent, with the head of an Hawke tyed about them,

[Figure]

after the manner of the great letter Theta, & they made it whē Jupiter with the head obtain'd the midst of Heaven: which Image they affirm to availe much for the success of Petitions, and would signifie by this Image a good and fortunate Genius, which they would represent by this Image of the Serpent; for the Egyptians and Phenitians do extoll this creature above all others, and say it is a divine creature and hath a divine nature; for in this is a more acute spirit, and a greater fire then in any other, which thing is manifested both by his swift motion without feet, hands or any other instruments and also that it often reneweth his age with his skin, and becometh young again: but they made the Image of the taile like as when the Moon was Ecclipsed, in the Taile, or ill affected by Saturn or Mars, and they made it to introduce, anguish, infirmity and misfortune; and they called it the evill Genius; such an Image a certain Hebrew had included in a golden Belt full of Jewels, which Blanch the daughter of the Duke of Borbon (either willingly or ignorantly) bestowed on her husband Peter King of Spain, the first of that name, with which when he was girt, he seemed to himself to be compassed about with a Serpent; and afterwards finding the Magicall virtue fixed in the girdle, for this cause he forsook his wife.