Diligently note this Chapter. The Reasons why the signs
are (as abovesaid) in that manner attributed and assigned to the dominion of the
Planets, I thought good here to relate, that the Students in this Noble Art
may not want grounds and reasons for their Rules; as also, that they may be
able to give an answer to the proudest Antagonists.
We will then, according
to our method begin with the Luminaries, viz. Sol and Luna, who have Cancer
and Leo assigned them by reason of their heat, which is caused through their
nearness to our Zenith or Cardinal point; the Sun hath allotted him
Leo, for that
it is most agreeable unto his nature: besides, we see that the Sun being
naturally hot and dry, doth shew its effects more forcibly in this sign
then in any other; for though Aries and Sagittary be also fiery signs,
yet is he not so hot, powerfull nor efficacious therein, as in Leo.
The Moon hath Cancer for
the same reason allotted to her government,
it being most agreeable to her temper: for Cancer is the first sign
of all the rest that are moveable and watry, and so more agreeable
with her temper and quality then any of the rest.
Saturn because he is naturally cold,
and an enemy to heat, and
the highest and most remote from the Luminaries of all the Planets,
hath therefore assigned him Capricorn and Aquaries, which are the
opposite signs to Cancer and Leo, wherefore they are cold and moyst;
and by reason of this their Opposition, Saturn is reputed hurtfull,
and the most obnoxious and malevolent of all the Planets, by reason
he thus opposeth the Luminaries that are the Lamps of
light, life and nutrition.
And because Jupiter is
placed under Saturn, he hath allotted him
those two signs that go before and after Capricorn and Aquaries, viz.
Sagittary and Pisces, which are in a Trine to the houses of Luminaries;
Pisces his night-house to Cancer the house of the Nocturnal Luminary; and
Sagittary his day-house to Leo the house of the Diurnal Luminary: wherefore
they are temperate, and by reason of this their Amical Aspect he is concluded
assistant, temperate and good; fortunate and benevolent to mankinde, and the
greatest Fortune of all the Planets.
Mars in order
followeth Jupiter whom you have heard is immediately placed
after him; and ltherefore those signs which go before and after the houses
of Jupiter are given to him, viz. Scorpio and Aries, which are in a Square to
the houses of the Luminaries, viz. Aries his day- house to Cancer, and Scorpio
his night-house to Leo; wherefore by reason a Square is an Aspect of enmity, he
is accounted hurtfull and unfortunate, (yet not so bad as Saturn, who beholds them;
(as hath been said) with an Opposition) and is the lesser infortune.
Venus by reason of
her temperate constitution, challengeth those houses which
go before and, after the houses of Mars, viz. Libra and Taurus, which are in a
Sextile to the houses of the Luminaries, which is an Aspect of love and amity,
causing generation and multiplication; and by reason Sextile is not so perfect
an Aspect as a Trine, she is truly accounted the lesser Fortune.
And because Mercury is carried
below the rest of the Stars, the two remaining
signs are given him, viz. Gemini and Virgo, preceding and following the houses
of the Luminaries; and because he is on neither side, and never distant from the
Sun above one sign, he inclineth naturally neither to good nor bad, but is adjudged
to be participating of the nature of the Planet to which he is joyned.
