Anima Astrologiae
OR,
A GUIDE for ASTROLOGERS.
Year: 1676
By William Lilly
Considerations of Guido Bonatus (99-101)
- The 99th is to Consider well In Questions, Nativities, &c., what will certainly come of them; for sometimes by the Figure, a thing seems likely to be absolutely done; but is not wholly, but in part; sometimes it is wholly perfected, and sometimes neither wholly nor in part: upon which account astrologers are often blamed, and scarce know how to excuse themselves, not knowing how this comes to pass, being a difficult point, and of a most subtle disquisition; so that the ancients would not meddle with it save only the most honoured ‘Albumazar’ said something more than the rest, whose judgments I have found more efficacious and correct than others, though Ptolomy, the great explainer of this science, must be acknowledged more curious than the rest. Now that which I say is the consideration of certain Fixed Stars:
Note that these fixed stars are now removed many degrees forward in the Ecliptick than they were in Bonatus his time; in respect of Longitude, which ought to be carefully considered by the industrious Astrologer, which I shall name, whereof some are of the nature of the Fortunes, and perfect those things with them not likely to be Fortunes, and perfected by the significations of the Planets; others are of the nature of the Infortunes, which suffer not things to be perfected according to the Planets significations; of which latter there are some in every sign: as in Guido Bonatus his time there were two in the Head of Aries that is one, in 13°45’ the other in 14°45’, and are southern, and of the nature of Saturn and Mars. In Taurus are six stars, the first in 9°55’; the Pleiades, which yet are called and counted but as one, and are of the nature of Mars: and the Moon; another in 13°02’; another in the 14 degree and 45 minutes called the Devil; another in the 15 degree, called the Devils head; another in the belly of Taurus, 19°15’ called Aldeboram, which are all of the nature of Mars and Mercury. In Gemini there is one in 8°, called the “Shoulder of the Dog, “of the nature of Mars and Saturn; another in 10°15’ of the nature of Mars called the “Warrior”; another in 17°15’; another in 18°52’, called “the Witch, “ of the nature of Sun and Mars In Cancer, there is one in 2°03’, called the Camel, of the nature of Saturn and Moon; another in 7°55’; another in 13°, called the Western Camel, of the nature of Sun and Moon; another in the same degree, called the “Foot of the Dog, “of the nature of Saturn and another in 17°55’ of the same nature. In Leo there is one in 15°55, of the nature of Saturn. In Virgo two, one in 7°11’ of the nature of Mars, and the other in 15°, of the nature of Saturn. In Libra one in 26°, of the nature of Saturn. In Scorpio three, one in 1°01’; another in 8°07’, another in 9°, all of the nature of Mars. In Sagittarius two small ones, one in 19°52’ the other in 21°02’ of the nature of Saturn. In Capricorn two, one in 27°02’, the other in 29°05’, both of the nature of Saturn. In Aquarius one in 9°04’of the nature of Mars and Saturn. In Pisces one in 4°07’ of the nature of Mars and Mercury.
All these stars are hurtful and malevolent, hindering and destroying things after they seem probable to be accomplished, and therefore to be avoided as much as possible. Here ‘twill not be superfluous but very convenient to insert a table of the fixed stars that have small latitude, is they are now placed, or rectifie them for some succeeding years.”
- The 100th Consideration is, To observe the Fixed Stars assisting and promoting the accomplishment of things, which are thus situated. In Aries there are two, one in 5°06’, of the nature of Jupiter and Venus, another in 26°0l’ of the nature of Jupiter. In Taurus three, one in the l°03’, another in 8°07’, and the last in 9°0l’, all of the nature of Venus. In Gemini are two stars one in 19°02’, the other in 21°08’, both of the nature of Jupiter and of the second magnitude. In Cancer likewise two, one in 2°02’, the other in 29°05’, both of the nature of Jupiter. In Leo one in 9°04’, of the nature of Jupiter and Venus. In Virgo one in 4°07’, of the nature of Jupiter and Moon. In Libra two, both of the nature of Jupiter and Venus, one in 13°45’, the other in 14°45’. In Scorpio four, one in 9°55’, another in 13°01’, a third in 14°45’, the last in 19°15’, all of the nature of Jupiter. In Sagittarius two, one in 10°15’, the other in 7°55’, both of the nature of Jupiter. In Capricorn three, one in 2°03’, another in 7°55’, both of the nature of Jupiter. In Pisces two, one in 7°11’ of the nature of Venus, the other in 14°59’ of the nature of Jupiter. Wherefore always when thou findest the signification in a corporal conjunction with anyofthese, thou mayst pronounce happiness and a good end.
- The 101st Consideration is, To mark in Nativities or Questions, which Planet is the cutteroff of life or years, or hinderer of a thing from being done; for he it is who destroys the life of the Native, &c., who is strongest in testimonies of dignities or power. Yet Messabala concealed this, and discovered the secret only to a certain scholar of his, who out of pride appropriating the same to himself. Now after thou hast found who is this destroyer, &c., then see to whom the Lord of the Ascendant or the Moon is joined (who participates in signification of everything, as we have said before), or the Lord of the thing enquired after, and the Lord of the house of the Moon, or one or more of them; for if it be joined to a planet Retrograde or Combust, or cadent from the Ascendant, or any other Angles, or to any of the Infortunes who doth not receive him; or is afflicted by an Infortune, which cuts off the light of the significator: the thing is destroyed, and so the years of the Native are diminished and he lives not long. Further, If the Lord of the Ascendant, or the Moon, or the Lord of the thing enquired after, be joined to a Planet who is free from the conjunction of the Infortunes, and so safe as to himself but is joined to another Planet afflicted, some of the aforesaid ways, the matter shall be brought to nought, even after it seems accomplished, and the Native” life shall be suddenly cut off, when there is all the probability that may be of the contrary: and this will also happen though there be no conjunction with the killing Planet, if only the significator or Moon be afflicted in manner aforesaid.