Farewell to 2009

So at last we are come to the end of 2009, and what a year this has been!

For one thing, we have established this "blog" entitled Beltrano's Parlour, with 33 postings since its inception on 24 August. We have commented on the first 15 Aphorisms of the Centiloquium Hermetis, and in addition we have offered postings on a variety of other interesting topics. Among other things, we have introduced literary works by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, Aldous Huxley, Plutarch, Clark Ashton Smith, and Joseph Sheridan Lefanu, along with an interesting proposal for a course of studies in Comparative Literature. In addition, we have presented some interesting Swedish and Irish folklore, along with a few insights from Caucasology. We have presented some of the more important principles of the traditional English Pronunciation of Latin, as well as a few introductory observations about the English Pronunciation of Greek. We have introduced some passages from the Zohar for analysis and discussion, leading to some concepts of the greatest importance for Biblical Exegesis and for the study of Mathematics, especially the study of the number Thirteen.

During the course of 2010, we hope to expand our discussion of all these matters, along with some new ones pertaining to Linguistics, Mnemonics, and Mental Arithmetic.

Now the year 2009 draws to a close, and its departure is for us like taking leave of an old friend. What a fine year this has been!

And now we would like to wish all of our readers a prosperous and productive New Year. Gilocavt axal c'els!

From your humble servants, OTTAVIO BELTRANO, OLD HAT, and MARY BLISS

Fifteenth Aphorism: Signa Bicorporealia

In signis quidem duorum corporum victoria bona, devictio autem mala, utraque siquidem duplicatur. 

("In bicorporeal signs, indeed, victory [is] good, but defeat [is] bad, for either [outcome] is doubled").

This is a difficult aphorism. John Gadbury's translation reveals his attempt to make sense of it: "Whosoever contendeth with another & overcomes when the significators are in signs bicorporeal, gets a great victory; if overcome, loseth much; for then the good or evil is doubled."

The unusual placement of the particle quidem ("indeed") suggests that this aphorism is the surviving fragment of a longer formulation, which probably described the Cardinal and Fixed signs as well. Indeed, there is good reason to believe that the Centiloquium Hermetis is a miscellany which preserves fragments of many lost works, including some of Hellenistic origin.

But what are these "bicorporeal signs," exactly? They are the signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. There are two traditional ways of understanding this: the first is that the term "bicorporeal" describes the Sign or Image itself, since Gemini is represented by two twins, Virgo is often portrayed as a maiden with wings, Sagittarius is half-man, half-horse, and Pisces is represented by two fishes. The other way of understanding the term is that the third sign of each of the four Quadrants (corresponding to the four seasons) marks a period of transition from one quadrant to the next one; so that the bicorporeal signs have one foot in each of two quadrants, as it were. In any case, the "bicorporeal signs" are synonymous with the "mutable signs" of modern parlance. Thus, Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricornus are "Tropical" or "Cardinal" Signs (Aries and Libra being "equinoctial," Cancer and Capricornus "solstitial"); Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are "Fixed" or "Solid" Signs; and Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces (as we have just seen) are "Mutable" or "Bicorporeal" Signs.

This scheme corresponds more or less to the three-fold division of the twelve Mundane Houses into Angular Houses (I, IV, VII, X), Succedent Houses (II, V, VIII, XI), and Cadent Houses (III, VI, IX, XII); suggesting a parallel between the Cadent Houses and the Bicorporeal Signs, although the latter are not necessarily unfortunate.

What does this aphorism mean, and how are we to interpret it and apply it? We will start by considering the possible interpretations of the words themselves, along with Gadbury's attempt to elucidate their meaning. Then we will see if it is possible to make a probable reconstruction of the original text in its complete form.

To begin with, it appears that the dual nature of the Bicorporeal Signs is somehow associated with the doubling of the consequences of Victory and Defeat. The question is, what exactly must be in Bicorporeal Signs to bring this about? If we are discussing Electional or Horary charts, the placement of the Moon in a Bicorporeal Sign might fit this formula. Another possibility (supported by the plural expression in signis) is that the present formulation describes the two planets involved in a "hard aspect" (Square or Opposition). This makes sense if we remember that "the nature of an aspect overrides the nature of the aspecting planet." If that is the case, the question of victory or defeat will arise only in square and oppositional figures, and the two planets involved will both be in Tropical, Solid, or Bicorporeal signs. Presumably the planet which enjoys the most Essential and Accidental Dignities gains victory over the other planet; and if we are using a point-system we could double that number in cases where the two planets occupy Bicorporeal signs.

Gadbury's translation reveals yet another interpretation: his reference to "the significators" implies either a Horary or a Directional context. If Gadbury is referring to a Horary chart, the implication is that the Query involves a conflict of some sort and that two planets have been identified as the Significators of the two contending parties (e.g. the Lord of the First House to represent the Querent and the Lord of the Seventh House to represent the Querent's Rival). The relative strengths of the two planets is assessed to predict the outcome of the struggle, according to the elaborate rules of Horary Astrology. The two planets need not be configured to each other, and their relationship is therefore not limited to configuration by square or opposition. This interpretation creates a problem, however, in that it renders the plural in signis less intelligible; but presumably if the prevailing planet is in a Bicorporeal sign, its victory will be doubled (by doubling its point-score); if the vanquished planet is in a Bicorporeal sign, its defeat will be doubled (by cutting its score in half); while if both planets are in Bicorporeal signs, we will reflect this by doubling the points of the victor and halving the points of the vanquished.

If Gadbury had a Directional scenario in mind, it is difficult to see how this aphorism could be applied. Most techniques of Primary Direction involve the direction of planets to positions in mundo, so that their Zodiacal positions do not change. While it is also possible to direct planets in zodiaco, the language of this aphorism seems entirely unrelated to the concerns of Primary Direction.

Now let us see if we can apply this aphorism to our Inception Chart. As we have frequently noted, our chart involves a Partile Square between Mars (in the 30th degree of Gemini) and Mercury (in the 30th degree of Virgo). Both Gemini and Virgo are Bicorporeal Signs, so the aphorism clearly applies! Analyzing the Essential Dignities of both planets, we obtain the following result:

Mercury: 5 points (domicile) + 4 points (exaltation) + 1 point (facies) = 10 points

Mars: [no essential dignities] = -5 points (Peregrine). 

If we double both outcomes as previously suggested, Mercury is left with 20 points and Mars with -10 points, a spread of 30 points. This clearly represents a decisive victory of Mercury over Mars. Moreover, Mars is in Mercury's domicile and trigon, so Mars is clearly dominated by Mercury (Mercury happens to be in a trigon co-ruled by Mars, but this has little effect because Reception requires at least two of the minor essential dignities of trigon, term, and facies). Aggression is overcome by the Intellect. Action gives way to Reflection.

Finally, let us make a judicious attempt to reconstruct this formulation in its complete form. Since the word quidem implies a contrast to something immediately preceding, we may probably assume that the present description of planets in Bicorporeal Signs was meant to contrast with (lost) descriptions of planets in Tropical and Solid Signs. Our aphorism states that both Victory and Defeat are doubled when the contending planets are posited in Bicorporeal Signs. We may represent this by the formulation (V x 2, D x2). Each quadrant contains three signs: a Tropical Sign, a Solid Sign, and a Bicorporeal Sign. The present formulation thus describes one of the two extremes. It seems very likely that the Solid Signs in the middle of each quadrant will do nothing to modify either outcome, owing to their Solid or "single" nature. Let us represent this by the formulation (V x 1, D x 1). I am reasonably certain about this; the real question is, what is the effect of the Tropical Signs on victory and defeat? Since the Tropical Signs represent the other extreme, symmetry would suggest a reduction to the severity of both victory and defeat for planets posited in Tropical Signs (V x 1/2, D x 1/2). Alternate reconstructions are of course possible, but if mine is correct, the original form of the aphorism would have been something like this:

In Tropical Signs, neither victory nor defeat is decisive, for both are cut in half; in Solid Signs, there is simple victory and defeat, for there is no modification. In Bicorporeal Signs, however, victory is good but defeat is bad, for either [outcome] is doubled.

Probably our continuing study of the primary sources will bring to light further references to this matter which will be of assistance in either confirming or denying our hypothesis. Like the Superior and Inferior planets, the categorization of the signs as Tropical, Solid, and Bicorporeal is a well-known scheme, but the primary sources contain scant references to specific techniques employing it.

The picture prefixed to this posting is "Suvorov's Army Crossing the Alps in 1799", a painting by Vasiliy Surikov (1899). An apt illustration for our topic, is it not?

OTTAVIO BELTRANO, Astrologus

Twelve, Thirteen

Time is up!  So now I am back and I ask--have you solved the Puzzle? Have you figured it out? Or were the Transformations too hard to find?

This is the analysis you should have made. Notice, first, that after the three first postings (24 August--4 September), a certain pattern was established: there were TWELVE postings (10 September--12 October) with a picture at the top left, all of them signed "BELTRANO." To reinforce the point, the last of these twelve was actually posted on the 12th of October, and its title was "The Twelve Horned Witches." Following that (beginning on the 13th of October), there was a series of THIRTEEN postings (13 October--5 December) with a picture at the top right, and these were posted by OLD HAT. As before, to reinforce the point, the last of the thirteen was Old Hat's elucidation of the Thirteenth Aphorism. All thirteen of these, moreover, were decorated with a Hat (an wizard-hat for those pertaining to the astrological aphorisms; a witch-hat for the miscellaneous postings). And there is one further salient detail, this one of the greatest importance: you will notice that the series of Twelve were all posted at 4:20 PM ("let the reader understand"), while the series of Thirteen were posted at 7:40 AM. What is the significance of these times?

Mary Bliss will no doubt take delight in pointing out that Beltrano is an inveterate p****d; an aspersion on which we will not deign to comment at this time. But even in case that should turn out to be true, it would serve to explain the afternoon time, but not the morning one.

Even though the solution was more than hinted at in our comments on the Eleventh Aphorism, I doubt very much that any of you has succeeded in unraveling this aenigma. I will therefore proceed to explain it: If the clock-face is seen as an idealization of the Zodiac (as previously explained, with the hour-hand representing the Sun and the minute-hand representing the Moon, and the twelve segments of 30º representing the Twelve Signs), then what is the meaning of 4:20? When the time is 4:20, the minute-hand points precisely to Four, while the hour-hand points to a point precisely one-third of the way between Four and Five. The two hands form an angle of exactly 10º, thus precisely defining one of the Decans. Which Decan is this? It is the first third of the Fifth Sign, in other words, the First Decan of Leo, whose name is Craumonis and which is symbolized by a Man riding on a Lion. 

As it happens, there are two, and only two, Decans which are defined in this way by the motions of the two hands. The other one is generated at 7:40, when the minute-hand points to Eight and the hour-hand to a point precisely two-thirds of the way between Seven and Eight. This is the Third Decan of Scorpio, which is called Sentineu and which is symbolized by "a Man bowed downwards upon his knees and a Woman striking him with a staff."

But let us return to the numbers 12 and 13. It can be convincingly demonstrated that these two numbers are fundamental to Astrology. The number 12 is associated with the Sun, while the number 13 has Lunar associations. Beltrano has made a detailed analysis of these matters in a paper entitled "Ut Supra Ita Infra: Self-Similarity in Astrology."

We would also like to draw your attention to the opening chapter of the Zohar, which points to the great importance of the number Thirteen: 

Rabbi Chizkiyah opened the discussion: "It is written, 'As the lily amongst the thorns' (Song of Songs 2:2). What is the lily? It is the community of Israel. Because there is a lily; and there is a lily. Just as the lily among the thorns has in it [both] red and white, so the community of Israel has in it [both] Judgment and Mercy. Just as the lily has thirteen petals, so the community of Israel has in it the thirteen attributes of Mercy, surrounding it on all sides. Thus, from the first mention of Elohim [i.e. Genesis 1:1] there are thirteen words, which surround the community of Israel and guard it. After this, [Elohim] is mentioned another time in the passage [i.e. Genesis 1:2]. Why is [Elohim] mentioned again? In order to bring out the five rigid leaves that surround the lily. And these five are called salvation. And these are five gates. And concerning this secret, it is written, "I will raise the cup of salvation" (Psalm 116:13). This is the cup of benediction. The cup of benediction must rest on five fingers and no more, just as the lily rests on five rigid leaves which are a representation of the five fingers. And this lily is the cup of benediction. From the second Elohim to the third Elohim there are five words. From this point on, the light that was created was concealed and enclosed within the Covenant, which entered the lily and brought forth seed in it. This is called "a tree bearing fruit whose seed is within it" (Gen. 1:11) and this seed is none other than the Covenant. And just as the Covenant is sown by forty-two couplings of that same seed, so the engraved and holy Name is sown by the forty-two letters of the act of creation (Zohar 1.1-3).

Now THAT will surely give you something to chew on!

OTTAVIO BELTRANO, Astrologus

Fourteenth Aphorism: Facies Mercurii

Oportet Mercurium per loca consona, & per configurationes aliarum stellarum in nativitatibus esse fortem ad hoc quod natus habeat dignitatem. Mercurius enim per se planeta debilis est.

"Mercury becomes appropriately strong in nativities by means of congenial places and configurations with other stars, so that the native has dignity. But Mercury in himself is a weak planet." [I follow the reading of the 1494 edition; the 1533 edition reads debeat for habeat, which makes little sense]

So what are Mercury's loca consona (congenial or accordant places)? They are, first of all, Gemini and Virgo, the two signs ruled by Mercury, especially the latter which is also the Exaltation of Mercury. What is more, the signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are ruled by Mercury by virtue of their being Air Signs--so that Mercury is doubly dignified in both Gemini and Virgo. In addition, Mercury possesses Terms in all twelve of the signs: degrees 13-20 of Aries, degrees 9-14 of Taurus, degrees 1-6 of Gemini, degrees 14-19 of Cancer, degrees 19-24 of Leo, degrees 1-7 of Virgo, 7-14 of Libra, degrees 12-19 of Scorpio, degrees 18-21 of Sagittarius, degrees 1-7 of Capricornus, degrees 1-7 of Aquarius, and degrees 17-19 of Pisces. The terms of Mercury amount to 76 degrees in all. If we consider the Faces as well, we find that Mercury rules five of them: the first facies of Taurus, the second facies of Cancer, the third facies of Virgo, the first facies of Sagittarius, and the second facies of Aquarius.

There are thus 190 degrees altogether in which Mercury is essentially dignified; using the traditional point-system (5 points for Domicile, 4 for Exaltation, 3 for Triplicity, 2 for Term, 1 for Facies; - 5 points for Exilium, - 4 for Depressio; - 5 points for Peregrinatio), these may be laid out as follows:

1-12 Aries [- 5]; 13-20 Aries [+ 2]; 21-30 Aries [- 5]

1-8 Taurus [+ 1]; 9-10 Taurus [+ 3]; 11-14 Taurus [+ 2]; 15-30 Taurus [- 5]

1-6 Gemini [+ 10]; 7-30 Gemini [+ 8]

1-10 Cancer [- 5]; 11-13 Cancer [+ 1]; 14-19 Cancer [+ 3]; 20 Cancer [+ 1]; 21-30 Cancer [- 5]

1-18 Leo [- 5]; 19-24 Leo [+ 2]; 25-30 Leo [- 5]

1-7 Virgo [+ 11]; 8-20 Virgo [+ 9]; 21-30 Virgo [+ 10]

1-6 Libra [+ 3]; 7-14 Libra [+ 5]; 15-30 Libra [+ 3]

1-11 Scorpio [- 5]; 12-19 Scorpio [+ 2]; 20-30 Scorpio [- 5]

1-10 Sagittarius [- 4]; 11-17 Sagittarius [- 10]; 18-21 Sagittarius [- 3]; 22-30 Sagittarius [- 10]

1-7 Capricornus [+ 2]; 8-30 Capricornus [- 5]

1-7 Aquarius [+ 5]; 8-10 Aquarius [+ 3]; 11-20 Aquarius [+ 4]; 21-30 Aquarius [+ 3]

1-16 Pisces [- 14]; 17-19 Pisces [- 7]; 20-30 Pisces [- 14]

Peregrinatio is the condition of a planet when it possesses no essential dignities; the regions of the Zodiac in which Mercury is Peregrine are indicated above in red; consequently, in those cases (as in Sagittarius and Pisces) where Mercury is debilitated by Exilium or Depressio, there are some instances where two, or even three, deductions must be made. An analysis of these values reveals that there are 173 degrees where Mercury is essentially dignified and has a positive number of points; 17 degrees where Mercury is essentially dignified but has a negative number of points; and 170 degrees where Mercury is peregrine (always with a negative point-value). Mercury's passage through some of the signs (e.g. Cancer) involves a complex topography, while other signs (e.g. Gemini) are quite simple.

Beltrano has always emphasized the importance of becoming thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the zodiacal circle. The zodiac contains numerous subdivisions like those just mentioned, and these regions display a wide variety of features, tendencies, and characteristics. The Zodiac is like a map, a city, a kingdom, a variegated landscape of great complexity. Only by acquiring a thorough familiarity with the regions of the zodiac does it become possible to understand and delineate the effects of the planets posited within them.

Fortunately, there have come down to us numerous descriptions of these regions and subdivisions. These are part of what Beltrano has designated as the Narrative Mode of Horoscopic Interpretation. By this he means that "the details of the horoscope are allowed to generate a kind of story.  Here, the planets are personified as men and women interacting in various ways (friendly or unfriendly).  These interactions and conflicts work themselves out in a complex and colorful environment which arises organically from the traditional descriptions of the signs of the zodiac and their subdivisions" (Beltrano, "Narrative Mode," 2009).

Let us first consider what has been said of Mercury in Gemini and Virgo, Libra and Aquarius, the four signs which it rules: 

GEMINI: In omnibus partibus Geminorum concupiscit litigationes, & parat se ad interficiendum homines, invitat ad res celatas & coopertas ("In all parts of Gemini [Mercury] is fond of litigation, and makes plans to slaughter people, [and] entices [them] toward hidden, secret matters") [Haly Abenragel, De Iudiciis Astrorum I.iv)]. "When Mercury is in Gemini or Virgo, it imports the Native to be vertuous, well disposed and faithful: he shall attain perfection in all Sciences, as well in the practique as speculative part: he shall be also skilful in mechanical Professions" (Jno. Gadbury, Genethlialogia, 1658, ch. IX, sec. 6). Mercury is essentially dignified in Gemini, with a score of 8 to 10 points.

VIRGO: In omnibus partibus Virginis valens est missor balistem, arma tenet, bestias, equos, milites homines ac pedites, & bona munimenta ("In all parts of Virgo [Mercury] is a mighty hurler of missiles, [and] has weapons, beasts, horses, solders and infantrymen, and good supplies") [Haly Abenragel, loc. cit.]; Gadbury's description of Mercury in Gemini applies to Mercury in Virgo as well. Mercury is essentially dignified in Virgo, with a score of 9 to 11 points.

LIBRA: In omnibus partibus Librae servat libros, & est lector, computator, & immiscit se scientijs ("In all parts of Libra [Mercury] collects books, and is a reader, calculator, and involves himself in the sciences") [Haly Abenragel, loc. cit.]. "If Mercury be in Taurus or Libra, in any Nativity, it signifies the Native cheerful and pleasant; and that he shall attain the knowledge of all Arts, and all o[ther] things whereby Men may be delighted, or shall take pleasure in" (Gadbury, loc. cit.). Mercury is essentially dignified in Libra, with a score of 3 to 5 points.

AQUARIUS:  In omnibus partibus Aquarij est astrologus, augur, geomanticus, immittit se ad exponendum somnia & divinationes ("In all parts of Aquarius [Mercury] is an astrologer, an augur, a geomancer; he concerns himself with interpreting dreams and divinations") [Haly Abenragel, loc. cit.]. "And if Mercury be in Capricornus or Aquarius, in either a Diurnal or Nocturnal Birth, it imports the Native to be full of suspicion, and evil-tongued; yet shall he joyn himself willingly to religious and wise Men" (Gadbury, loc. cit.). Mercury is essentially dignified in Aquarius, with a score of 3 to 5 points.

Let us also consider how Mercury is characterized in Sagittarius and Pisces, the signs in which it is debilitated:  

SAGITTARIUS: In omnibus partibus Sagittarij est interfector, tenet armorum munimenta, & praeparatus est ad litigandum ("In all parts of Sagittarius [Mercury] is a killer; he has military equipment and is ready for litigation") [Haly Abenragel, loc. cit.]. "When Mercury in a Diurnal Nativity, shall be in Sagittarius or Pisces, and well fortified, it shews the Native shall abide with Kings, and shall have the disposing or manging [sic] of their Affairs: he shall be prudent in Judgement. But if the Birth be by Night, it portends the same, though not in so great a measure" (Gadbury, loc. cit.). Mercury is debilitated in Sagittarius, with a score of -4 to -10 points.

PISCES: In omnibus partibus Piscium est pulcher, acutus, intelligens, ornatam formam formosarum vestium, corpore completus & membris, honestus, honoratus & fortis ("In all parts of Pisces [Mercury] is beautiful, keen-sighted, intelligent, dressed in gorgeous clothes, perfect in body and members, virtuous, distinguished and brave") [Haly Abenragel, loc. cit.]. Gadbury's description of Mercury in Sagittarius applies to Mercury in Pisces as well. It is very interesting that, although Haly describes this position in very positive terms, Mercury is profoundly debilitated in Pisces, with a score of -7 to -14 points.

Here are Vettius Valens' descriptions of the Twelve Terms of Mercury (Anthologiae I.3):

Aries 13-20:  ambiguous, mutable and clever, motionless, productive of wind, hale, thunder, and lightning.

Taurus 9-14: intelligent, prudent, mischievous, having little seed, sinister, lethal.

Gemini 1-6: temperate, mild, intelligent, skilled in many arts, knowledgeable, effective, glorious, abounding in seed.

Cancer 14-19: exacting, rapacious, leading in public affairs, tax-farming, vulgar, resourceful, amassing wealth.

Leo 19-24: esoteric, popular, professorial, creative, conventional, intelligent; but they are without seed, like aged men. 

Virgo 1-7: most lofty, controlling, competent, very wise, suitable, arranging great matters, most intelligent and in every way well-bred and eminent, but not fortunate in romance—this is generally the case with all of Virgo, but especially these degrees and those of Venus; for these degrees are open to accusation, while those of Venus fall short in everything; but they are eminent in matters of education.

Libra 7-11: gregarious, handy, mercantile, versed in letters and able to combine numbers, on the whole civilized, intelligent. 

Scorpio 12-19: military, contentious, of those bearing wreathes and those sharp of speech, contentious, not to be despised; and these are fertile, and generally of those with mischievous intent, especially concerning those who attempt or accomplish wicked deeds.

Sagittarius 18-21: of those who are talkative, extremely clever, prudent, establishing monuments, philosophic, generally preeminent with respect to knowledge and good judgment, of those fond of learning when Mercury is approaching, but when Mars is approaching, of tacticians.

Capricorn 1-7: theatrical, satirical, imitative, mendacious, proper to harlots, seductive, desirous of what belongs to others, and disreputable, but dull in all things and agreeable and resourceful, but not proud. 

Aquarius 1-7: of the wealthy, those fond of accumulating wealth, pleasantly hoarding things up according to the measure of their birth, intelligent, conventional, giving a systematic account of everything, commanding, mean-spirited, full of care, lovers of education and every kind of skill, controlling, economical, benevolent.

Pisces 17-19: abounding in seed, dominant honored, having many friends, bounteous, nurturing, merciful, pious, temperate.

You can clearly see from these descriptions that it is a great mistake to make any generic assumptions about the "terms of Mercury," as each of the planet's twelve terms is of quite a different character, sometimes with tendencies in marked contrast. These are of course the "Egyptian Terms," the scheme most commonly used; other schemes of Planetary Terms include the Chaldaean Terms, the Ptolemaic Terms (which Ptolemy claims to have discovered antigrapho palaio kai ta polla diephtharmeno ["in an ancient manuscript, much damaged"], the terms of Vettius Valens (a scheme incorporating the Luminaries), and the terms of Cardanus, among others.

Now let us turn our attention to the five Decans ruled by Mercury. According to Teucer of Babylon (CCAG VII.198-211), the first decan of Taurus is associated with "those conversant with danger, extravagant, childless, with few siblings." Teucer also notes that this decan contains the Gorgon's Head, with the extremely malevolent fixed star Algol; however, as a result of Precession, Algol has now shifted to the third decan of Taurus. Cornelius Agrippa (De Occulta Philosophia, II.37) describes the same decan as vir nudus et spiculator sive arator, et proficit ad seminandum, arandum, aedificandum, populandum, dividendum terras, et ad artes geometriae ("a naked man, a harvester or plowman, and he goes forth to sow, plough, build, people and divide the earth, according to the rules of geometry"). The name of this decan is Suo. 

According to Teucer, the second decan of Cancer is associated with those who are "petty, sickly, able to attain their ends, living abroad, misled by appearances, skillful. Agrippa has vir decoris indutus vestibus, sive vir et mulier ad mensem sedentes et ludentes. Confert divitias, hilaritatem, laetitiam et amores mulierum ("a man clothed in fine raiment, or a man and woman sitting at a table and playing a game; it bestows riches, mirth, gladness, and loves of women"). The name of this decan is Sith.

As for the third decan of Virgo, Teucer associates it with "those of reduced circumstances, assuming a subordinate position and undeservedly submitting to many indignities"); Agrippa has mulier alba et surda, sive homo senex innixus baculo, et significatio ejus est ad debilitatem et infirmitatem et damnamentum membrorum, et ad destructionem arborum, et depopulationem terrarum ("a woman white-haired and deaf; or an old man leaning on a staff; and the signification of this is of weakness and infirmity and the loss of members, and of the destruction of trees and the depopulation of lands"). The name of this decan is Afut.

Teucer's first decan of Sagittarius is associated with "destroyers of houses and gluttons and the negligent; hard-working, residing abroad or even dying abroad", while Agrippa describes it as forma viri armati lorica, gladium nudum in manu tenentis, et operatio eius ad audaciam, militiam et libertatem ("the form of a man armed with a cuirass, holding a naked sword in his hand; and his operation is for boldness, warfare, and liberty"). The name of this decan is Eregbuo.

Finally, according to Teucer, the second decan of Aquarius is associated with "those who are cheery, dancers, guileless, those troubled by moisture, happy, flourishing, enjoying good repute with those in authority and with soldiers." Agrippa's description of the same is forma viri cum prolixa barba et significatio eius est intellectus mansuetudinis, modestiae, libertatis et bonorum morum ("the form of a man with a long beard; and his signification is of understanding, meekness, modesty, liberty and good manners"). The name of this decan is Cratero.

Finally, there is the matter of planets posited in the terms of other planets, and there is much lore associated with this as well. 

If we examine our Inception Chart, we find that Mercury is posited in the last (30th) degree of Virgo, falling within the termini of Saturn. Mercury is very powerful in this position, with Essential Dignities amounting to 10 points (5 points for being in its own Domicile, 4 points for being in its own Exaltation, and 1 point for being in its own Facies). Based on the texts we have just been studying, the following descriptions apply:

1. [Mercury in Virgo]:  "In all parts of Virgo [Mercury] is a mighty hurler of missiles, [and] has weapons, beasts, horses, solders and infantrymen, and good supplies" (Haly). "When Mercury is in Gemini or Virgo, it imports the Native to be vertuous, well disposed and faithful: he shall attain perfection in all Sciences, as well in the practique as speculative part: he shall be also skilful in mechanical Professions" (Gadbury).

2. [The third face of Virgo]: "Those of reduced circumstances, assuming a subordinate position and undeservedly submitting to many indignities" (Teucer). "A woman white-haired and deaf; or an old man leaning on a staff; and the signification of this is of weakness and infirmity and the loss of members, and of the destruction of trees and the depopulation of lands" (Agrippa). 

3. [Mercury in the term of Saturn]: In our Inception Chart, Mercury is posited in the term of Saturn in Virgo, a place which Valens describes as "portentous, very cold, destructive, short-lived, of deluded men" (Anthologiae I.3). According to Junctinus (Speculum Astrologiae, 1583, I.876), Mercurius si fuerit in termino Saturni, faciet infelices, amaros, tacitos, & qui verborum ordinem cum quadam semper sermonis moderatione suspendant, ac secreta fideli taciturnitate contineant: sed in omnibus tarde proficientes, laborantes tamen fortiter, & qui populo malam famam semper insinuent. Erunt praeterea venenati, & quorum malitia ad omne veneni virus accedat, iras suas perpetuis indignationibus perseverantes, quandiu fuerint, aut casu, aut suo merito vindicati: vigilantes quoque, sufficientes, ac omni moderatione necessarij, & qui omnia quae futura sunt, obire consueverint ita, ut illis & status futuri & praesentes per somnia manifestis revolutionibus intimentur, qui tamen consiliis suis ad omnem impetum temeritatis accedant ("If Mercury is in the term of Saturn, he will produce those who are unhappy, bitter, silent, those who always break off in mid-sentence owing to a certain economy with words, and keep secrets with a dependable silence: but advancing slowly in everything although they work hard; and those about whom they always insinuate evil rumors in public. Moreover, these people are poisonous, and their malice is added to every [sort of] venom, as they pursue their rage with continuing resentment, until they are avenged either by chance or by desert: they are also vigilant, self-sufficient, practicing all moderation, and they are accustomed to facing all eventualities, so that both future and present situations are made known to them through dreams [in accordance] with the visible [planetary] revolutions; nevertheless they add their counsels to every rash impulse"). Junctinus supplements the foregoing description, drawn from Firmicus Maternus, with another one derived from Messahala: Mercurius si fuerit in termino Saturni inventus, natus erit laetus pro virtute sua, & eveniet inter ipsum & fratres ejus inimicitia, & videbit mortem fratrum suorum, & transibunt multi dies, & impraegnabitur uxor eius, & minoris fortunae erit pro mulieribus, & stabit multos dies in peregrinatione, & fiet dives, & postea inveniet damnum & propinquus cum eo scandalum habebit, & ibunt in querimonia ad principem, sed manus eius erit fortior manibus eorum, & erit infirmus in partibus occultis, & transibit annos in gaudio & bonitate. Et quandocunque intraverit Mercurius in terminum Saturni, vult mundificari ("If Mercury is found in the term of Saturn, the native will be happy in proportion to his virtue, and there will arise enmity between him and his brothers, and he will see the death of his brothers, and many days will pass, and his wife will become pregnant, and [he] will have little luck with women, and he will spend many days wandering, and will become rich, and eventually he will suffer loss and [his] kinsman will be involved in a scandal with him, and they will bring a case before the prince, but he will prevail over his adversaries, and he will be afflicted in his private parts, and will pass [his] years in joy and integrity. And whenever Mercury enters the term of Saturn, he wants to be purified").  

4. [The term of Saturn in Virgo]: "portentous, very cold, destructive, short-lived, of deluded men" (Valens).

 

So much, then, for the loca consona of Mercury; we have barely scratched the surface--much more could be said about this if we were to consult additional sources, but what we have presented will give a good idea of how these matters are to be understood. It should be evident from this that we possess a wealth of material from antiquity featuring precise delineations of the significance of specific planetary positions and configurations. The astrologer's task is simply to identify the relevant features of the chart and then to locate and cite the passages in the astrological literature which apply to the situation. There is no need to create such delineations from scratch, as is the custom of most modern astrologers. Confronted with a situation where (for example) Venus and Mars are found to be in diametrical opposition, these charlatans will typically profer such garbage as "you are experiencing a conflict between your Masculine and Feminine Principles; keep this in mind and try to use it to your advantage."

As to Mercury's configurationes aliarum stellarum ("configurations with other stars"), this means nothing more nor less than the Aspects between Mercury and the other six planets. We will consider the interplanetary aspects and testimonies as narrowly defined by our Hellenistic sources. Examining our Inception Chart, we find the following aspects involving Mercury: 

1. Mercury sextile Venus (defluxio: Mercury is separating from an aspect to Venus).

2. Mercury conjunct Sun (attestatio, but will not perfect before Mercury crosses into Libra).

3. Mercury square Mars (partile).

Of these, the second cannot be considered because it will never perfect. The sextile between Mercury and Venus is a harmonious and favorable relation between the two planets, but is greatly weakened because the planets are not applying, but separating. Such a relation is often associated with that which is past, but still pertinent. The square between Mercury and Mars is extremely powerful (because both planets are in the 30th degree of their signs) and extremely negative (not only is it a "hard aspect," but it involves a malefic planet). Clearly this partile square to Mars overrides any remaining benefits conferred by the separating sextile to Venus, so that the influence of Mercury is greatly weakened in this chart. Intellectual activity is stymied by conflict and aggression.

Mercury is indeed a "weak planet"--neither benefic nor malefic, neither masculine nor feminine, neither diurnal nor nocturnal, complex in its motions and seldom seen, changing and assuming the characteristics of other planets in rapid succession. In our Inception Chart, we find Mercury strongly placed, yet badly aspected. This is a situation where advantages and disadvantages cancel each other out, leaving Mercury as a dim, complex, and mysterious influence, conferring but little dignity on Beltrano's Parlour!

OTTAVIO BELTRANO, vates & astrologus

Beltrano Returns

Back again, after two months in the Caucasus. Old Hat has certainly done a creditable job of publishing "Beltrano's Parlour" in my absence! No doubt he will continue to favor us from time to time with his comments on certain of the Aphorisms, as this project of elucidating the Centiloquium Hermetis continues.

And now--have you figured it out? The blog, together with its pictures, was published according to a carefully developed plan, and if you study it closely you will be able to ascertain the secret! Look for patterns, symbols, anomalies. Our message is straightforward enough, but it is hidden in certain salient details.

Well, then--have you applied the rules of Geometry? Have you found the Key? Have you imbibed of the Serpent's wisdom? That remains to be seen.

So I give you a few days to consider this problem.

Ottavio Beltrano, Astrologus

Thirteenth Aphorism: Astrology for Builders

13. Dum Luna erit meridionalis, descendens in Scorpione vel Piscibus, non incipias fabricare, cito enim huiusmodi fabrica diruetur.

"When the Moon is southerly [and] descending [in latitude] in Scorpio or Pisces, do not begin to build; for any building undertaken in this way will quickly be ruined."

The Moon "has latitude" whenever it is north or south of the Ecliptic. This results in four possibilities: the Moon can be "north ascending" (moving from the Ecliptic toward its northern limit), "north descending" (returning toward the Ecliptic from its northern limit), "south descending" (moving from the Ecliptic toward its southern limit), or "south ascending" (returning toward the Ecliptic from its southern limit). [refer to Charles Hutton's Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary (1795) for a good explanation of this].

In our Inception Chart, the Moon was at 4 Scorpio 44 at 8:50 PM, with a south latitude of 5º12'. To determine whether the Moon was ascending or descending in latitude, we erect a new chart for an hour later (9:50 PM). We discover that the Moon was then at 5 Scorpio 17, with a south latitude of 5º11'. Thus, the Moon was ascending in south latitude, so although the Moon in Scorpio fulfills the first condition of the aphorism, it does not fulfill the second. Therefore our aphorism does not apply.

As we have already noted (my story about planting a tree, in connection with the Ninth Aphorism), it is a general principle that growing things must be planted when the Moon is waxing, not waning. This aphorism suggests an analogous principle for commencing a building: even if the Moon is in Scorpio or Pisces, it is permissible to undertake construction when the Moon has north latitude (either ascending or descending), and when the Moon has ascending south latitude--but not when the Moon has descending south latitude.

Why are the signs of Scorpio and Pisces specified? These (along with Cancer) are the signs of the Water Triplicity. Of the four elemental principles (Fire, Earth, Air, Water), Water is clearly the one most inimical to man-made structures. The reason Cancer is not included in our aphorism is that Cancer is the Moon's domicile, so that the Moon in Cancer is exceedingly well-placed. The Moon in Scorpio would be doubly unfortunate because Scorpio is the sign of the Moon's depression.

This aphorism thus presents an important principle of Catarchic or Electional Astrology (the selection of a propitious time to begin an undertaking). The reason it emphasizes the Moon is that the Moon moves rapidly through the heavens, making it feasible to "place" the Moon to one's advantage.

In combination, the two conditions specified here will apply to a given chart approximately one twenty-fourth of the time (since the Moon will be in Scorpio or Pisces about one-sixth of the time, and will be descending in south latitude about one-quarter of the time).

Let us look at the Ephemeris for the current month of December 2009: we find that the Moon will enter Scorpio on the 12th of December at 4:31 (universal time) and will leave that sign on the 14th at 12:25; the Moon will enter Pisces on the 21st of December at 23:42 and will leave that sign on the 24th at 11:39. While passing through Scorpio, the Moon will be ascending in south latitude. While passing through the sign of Pisces, it will be ascending in north latitude. Consequently, there are no days this month when the undertaking of a new construction project is prohibited by our aphorism.

As a matter of fact, the periods when our aphorism applies come and go in long cycles. This is because the Lunar Nodes rotate through the Zodiac in a 28-year cycle. The Lunar Nodes are the two opposite points where the Moon's orbit crosses the Ecliptic. This aphorism specifies that the Moon must be descending in south latitude. This only occurs during periods immediately after the Moon has passed its South (or Descending) Node. Since the Moon must also be in either Scorpio or Pisces to fulfill the conditions of the aphorism, we need to look for periods when the South Node is in or near the signs of Scorpio or Pisces. There are in fact no such periods during 2009 or 2010. The next occasion when the conditions of our aphorism will be fulfilled will be in November of 2015. On 21 November 2015, the Moon will be in Pisces and descending in south latitude for just over an hour, from 1:56 PM to 3:12 PM (Universal Time). It will again be in Pisces with descending south latitude on 16 December 2015, this time for about six hours (3:13 PM to 9:26 PM U.T.). This cycle will continue into 2016, with comparable periods (Pisces, south descending) from 3:47 PM on 14 January 2016 through 2:48 AM on 15 January 2016 (11 hours) and from 8:45 PM on 10 February 2016 through 9:55 AM on 11 February 2016 (13 hours).  These periods will continue to lengthen until

Turning our attention to the recent past, we find that the last time these conditions were fulfilled was in 2004.

It is very interesting to note that the 9th book of Vitruvius' De Architectura comprises a long discourse on Astrology and the construction of sun-dials and water-clocks. However, he makes no mention of the application of Catarchic principles to the undertaking of construction projects.

This is OLD HAT

And That is That!

Darkness, Darkness

Another cold autumn night in Tbilisi. The rain has subsided, finally. A cold wind whips through the Greater Caucasus, howling through the Roki Tunnel, burying the Mamisoni Pass in snow. Disembodied voices whispering of coming War.

A teakettle whistles in an apartment on Nucubidzis Kucha. 

Notice the lighted window just to the left of the stairwell: Beltrano laboring through the night over certain charts of the greatest interest to the Patriarch, the Army, and the State. These include Mundane and Electional figures, as well as the Genethlialogical charts of certain prominent personages. 

Someone knocks on the door, eleven times. There is no response from within.

The surface of the mirror begins to boil. Аҧсцәаҳа [ap^hsts^hwaha] is stirring, the one who is half-silver, half-gold. (зыбжa рaӡныз зыбжa хьыз [zәbӡә radznәz zәbӡә xyәz]). Try to keep warm, Comrades.

Sadidebelad Ghmertisa da C'mindata Mista!

BELTRANO

Posted by OLD HAT