A Sixteenth Century Astrological Consult

David Juste
A Sixteenth-Century Astrological Consultation
Introduction
In this paper I present and edit a private consultation – a judgement on a nativity – by

a professional astrologer of the second half of the sixteenth century. Very few of such
documents have been published and, generally speaking, they still belong to the terra
incognita of the history of astrology.1 They provide, however, one of the best documen-
tary evidence if we are to grasp the astrologers’ methods of working.
Unlike annual prognostications, which were published en masse from the late-
fifteenth to the seventeenth century and beyond, consultations of individuals are
found in manuscript sources only. Because of their private, sometimes secret, nature,
they were not aimed at publication, circulation or even duplication. Moreover,
because of their rapid obsolescence, these documents do not keep well and there
is little doubt that chance is the main factor in their being found in public reposi-
tories today. Among the tens of thousands of such documents which must have once
existed, and putting aside judgements given as didactic or apologetic examples in
astrological handbooks and collections of horoscopes, about one hundred of them
seem to be extant in Latin.
1 There are no general studies of the genre and, to my knowledge, only two such Latin texts
have been published so far, namely Regiomontanus’s (?) judgement on Eleonora of Portugal’s
nativity written in 1451 (ed. Felix Schmeidler, Joannis Regiomontani opera collec tanea.
Faksimiledrucke von neun Schriften Regiomontans une einer von ihm gedruckten Schrift
seines Lehrers Purbach, Osnabrück 1972, pp. 2 – 33), and Richard Trewythian’s on an anon-
ymous nativity of 8 March 1431 (ed. Sophie Page, Richard Trewythian and the Uses of
Astrology in Late Medieval England, in: Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes
64 (2001), pp. 193 – 228 [pp. 222 – 228]). For an analysis of particular judgements, see
Maxime Préaud, Les astrologues à la fin du Moyen Age, Paris 1984, pp. 73 – 94 (Conrad
Heingarter on Jehan de La Goutte in 1469), and Monica Azzolini, The Duke and the
Stars. Astrology and Politics in Renaissance Milan, Cambridge (Mass.)–London 2013,
pp. 103 – 114 (Raphaele Vimercati on Galeazzo Maria Sforza in 1461). See also the articles
by Wiebke Deiman and Darrel Rutkin in this volume. A Greek Byzantine example has
been discussed, edited and translated by Giuzeppe Bezza, Una natività a scopo didattico,
in: MHNH 1 (2001), pp. 291 – 336.
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152 David Juste
Most extant judgements on nativities belong to the period 1450 – 1600 A. D. With
a few exceptions, they stand alone in a single booklet, generally the very copy which
was presented to the client. They range in length from a few to over 200 pages, with
an average of 20 to 50 pages, and they can take the form of beautifully illuminated
manuscripts or hasty copies of poor quality. Not surprisingly, most of them concern
rulers, members of the nobility and the higher clergy, upper class officials and scholars
(including, on occasion, astrologers themselves), although it should be noted that a
number of them bear no names at all, neither the name of the client nor the name of
the astrologer, thus reinforcing their secretive character.
A judgement on a nativity is arguably the astrologer’s most complex work. It involves
a great deal of calculations, a thorough knowledge of astrological doctrines, the mas-
tery of the art of interpretation and the ability to build a consistent narrative. First,
the astrologer must cast the nativity (birth horoscope). This basically involves two
operations, namely the computation of the position of the planets and of the twelve
houses for the time and place of birth. Because most clients do not know their exact
time of birth, this will have to be re-calculated from the estimated time of birth
following rectification methods, like the so-called “animodar” or the “trutina” of
Hermes, among others. Then, the astrologer must determine the significators of the
nativity, i. e. the so-called “hyleg”, “alcochoden” and “almuten”, which also involve
a great deal of calculations. The astrologer is then ready to interpret the horoscope.
This is usually done by reviewing the topics associated to the twelve houses, i. e. the
general condition of the native, wealth, siblings, parents, children, health, marriage/
spouse, religion, honours, friends, enemies and death (the topic of the eighth house
is usually dealt with last). A complete judgement also includes various methods by
which the astrologer can examine specific periods of the life of the native. Two of
those methods are found in most judgements, namely directions and revolutions.
By the method of directions, a chosen significator (a planet, the ascendant, the mid-
heaven or the part of fortune) is given an imaginary movement of 1° per year along
the zodiac (sometimes backwards) until it reaches a significant position in the birth
horoscope by contact (conjunction) or aspect (sextile 60°, square 90°, trine 120° or
opposition 180°). Directions are deemed effective within one degree or a few degrees
before and after contact or aspect, something which requires complex calculations in
translating zodiacal intervals into time-span in the life of the client. The revolutions
allow the astrologer to examine in detail any year of the life of the native, from one
anniversary to the next, on the basis of the horoscope cast for the time of the return
of the Sun to the exact position (degree and minute) it occupied in the nativity. Some
judgements include dozens of revolutions, sometimes even for every year of the life
of the native. The amount of required calculations cannot be overestimated, for the
astrologer must, in each case, determine the exact moment of the return of the Sun
and cast the corresponding horoscope.

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A Sixteenth-Century Astrological Consultation 153
The document and the protagonists
The judgement under consideration is extant in a booklet (28 × 17 cm) of 22 folios now
at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich under the shelfmark Clm 27004.2
The astrologer’s name is given in the colophon: “Magister Wilhelmus Mysocacus
of Brussels wrote <this> in Deventer 16 March 1566” (“Scribebat Daventrie magister
Wilhelmus Mysocacus Bruxellensis anno domini 1566, Martii die 16”). Wilhelmus
Mysocacus (or Misocacus) is not unknown.3 He was born in Brussels in 1511 and spent
the first part of his life in the Low Countries, at least in Deventer, where he is attested
as an astrologer in 1565 and 1566. In 1568, when the Eighty Years War broke out, he fled
to Danzig (Gdańsk). There he issued an annual prognostication for the year 1571. This
prognostication must have impressed the city officials for, the following year, in 1572,
Misocacus was made town physician and astronomer by the Senate (with a yearly
stipend of 50 Marks). He held that position until his death in 1595 and published a
prognostication every year. Also known by him are a judgement on the comet of 1577
(Observationes astronomicae pertinentes ad novam cometam qui visus iam anno 1577,
published in Danzig in 1578) and four judgements on nativities found in manuscripts,
one for an anonymous client born of 30 December 1539 (Danzig, 1582),4 two for the
German astrologer Heinrich Rantzau (dated 24 May 1583 and 3 April 1584),5 and
one for Erik XIV of Sweden (completed in Deventer on 29 August 1565).6 The latter
was made the year before the judgement analysed here, which shows that Misocacus
2 Now available online on the website of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

3 The most detailed account of Misocacus’s biography is Derek Jensen, The Science of the
Stars in Danzig from Rheticus to Hevelius, PhD dissertation, University of California at San
Diego 2006, pp. 28 – 36. See also Karl Schttenloher, Untergang des Hauses Habsburg,
von Wilhelm Misocacus aus den Gestirnen für das Jahr 1583 vorhergesagt: Eine verkappte
politische Flugschrift, in: Gutenberg Jahrbuch (1951), pp. 127 – 133; Günther Oestmann,
Heinrich Rantzau und die Astrologie: Ein Beitrag zur Kulturgeschichte des 16. Jahrhunderts,
Braunschweig 2004, pp. 52 – 53 and 122 – 123; Richard L. Kremer, Mathematical Astronomy
and Calendar-Making in Gdańsk from 1540 to 1700, in: Astronomie – Literatur – Volks-
aufklärung: der Schreibkalender der Frühen Neuzeit mit seinen Text- und Bildbeigaben,
Jena 2012, pp. 477 – 492 (pp. 480 – 483); D. Kempkens, Der Erfolg der Prognostica auf dem
Buchmarkt in der frühen Neuzeit, in: Jahrbuch für Kommunikationsgeschichte 16 (2014),
pp. 5 – 27 (pp. 8 – 10 and passim).
4 MS Danzig, Bibl. Polskiej Akademii Nauk, 2253, f. 5r–48r, see Otto Günther, Katalog
der Handschriften der Danziger Stadtbibliothek, III, Danzig 1909, p. 224.
5 MS Vienna, ÖNB, 11449, s. XVI, f. 178r–185r and 195r-209r, see Oestmann, Heinrich
Rantzau (see note 3 above), pp. 53 n. 256, 122 – 123 and 140 – 145. I thank Günther Oest-
mann, who kindly sent me copies of both judgements.
6 MS Uppsala, Universitetsbibl., E 284, see Ingvar Andersson, Erik XIV och astrologien. En
översikt över materialet, in: Lychnos 1 (1936), pp. 103 – 130 (p. 124 and n. 6). My thanks to
Erik Niblaeus for translating the relevant passages for me.

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was already well established as an astrologer, which does not come as a surprise, as
he was already 55.
The client’s name appears once, in the opening of the judgement: “Ioannes Sillyers
Machlinie” [Mechelen, present-day Belgium], born on 25 March 1514 at 10.32am
at “elevatio poli” 51°12’, which corresponds to the latitude of Mechelen. Nothing
is known about this “Joannes Sillyers of Mechelen”.7 Yet, a number of facts can be
inferred from the text. We learn that he received his master of arts at the age of 17
and his doctorate at the age of 25,8 but it is not said from what university or faculty.
He also appears to have been a lawyer or a legal advisor of some kind at the time of
the consultation,9 a charge he must have exerted at a senior level, for his relationships
to the king, prince and duke, even the duchess, are regularly alluded to. We might
see confirmation of this in Misocacus’s prediction that he will become bishop at the
age of 64 (10.24, see translation below). It is also certain that Joannes Sillyers was
a horseman who had to travel much as part of his duties. The text tells us that he
joined an equestrian military order at the age of 22 or soon after (6.7), his travels –
including long travels– are often mentioned (2.1, 3.1, 3.12, 6.7, 6.10, 6.13 – 14, 9.1 – 4,
10.14 – 15, 10.18 – 19) and Misocacus devotes an entire paragraph to the colours of his
horses (9.2), a paragraph which has been underlined in the text, most probably by
Joannes Sillyers himself (see below).
The judgement is clearly the presentation copy. It is written in Misocacus’s hand and
was presumably given or sent by him to his client on 16 March 1566 or shortly after.10
The circumstances of the consultation are otherwise unknown. We can only note the
geographical proximity between Deventer and Mechelen (c. 150 kms), which both
belonged to the same political entity (the Duchy of Brabant), even though we cannot
7 He does not feature in the National Biography of Belgium and further research to trace him
back was unsuccessful.
8 “Anno etatis huius nati 17 currente… Effecit ut natus honoraretur occasione doctrine sue et
magisterii, et factus est magister artium” (10.8); “Anno etatis 25 currente… hoc anno videtur
promotus ad doctoratus dignitatem et gradum” (10.10).
9 “eo quod natus sit profundus scrutator legis prudentie ac consiliarius” (1.3); “quatenus con-
siliarius existens” (2.26).
10 That Misocacus addresses Joannes Sillyers, and not a third party, is plain in the expressions
“super genethliaco tuo” and “libero arbitrio tuo” (both in 14.1). The whereabouts of the
manuscript are otherwise unknown. Clm 27004 belongs to a group a manuscripts which
were acquired by the then Hof- und Staatsbibliothek of Munich between c. 1850 and 1881.
As far as I know, the manuscript has never been quoted in the secondary literature, besides
brief entries in the Catalogus Codicum Latinorum Bibliothecae Regiae Monacensis, II.4: Karl
Halm and Wilhelm Meyer, Clm 21406 – 27268, München 1881, p. 233, and David Juste,
Les manuscrits astrologiques latins conservés à la Bayerische Staatsbibliothek de Munich,
Paris 2011, p. 175. For Misocacu’s hand, I compared with the two judgements on the nativity
of Heinrich Rantzau (see note 5 above).

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be certain that Joannes Sillyers lived in Mechelen at the time of the consultation. It is
interesting to note, however, that Misocacus warns him about the danger of travelling
between 21 and 25 March 1566.11 The fact that this is the only prediction dated with
such precision is certainly no accident and suggests that Joannes Sillyers was meant to
pick up the judgement in Deventer and, perhaps, travel back home afterwards. In any
case, there is no evidence that Misocacus knew his client or that he knew him well. He
addresses him with the polite formulas “Domine vir ornatissime” (Exhortatio 1) and
“nobilis vir” (14.1), and there are no signs of familiarity between them. Also, while
Misocacus is aware of some basic facts about his life, as we have seen, he does not know
his circumstances in detail, as witnessed by paragraph 6.6, where he writes: “In the fif-
teenth year of the native, the direction of the ascendant reached the beginning of Leo
and changed sign and term. It meant for the native a change in status and place, perhaps
was he then sent to university”.12
From my point of view, this is why this judgement is interesting. It is an “average”
judgement, made by a town astrologer for a middle-class client who did not leave trace
in history. This contrasts with nativities for rulers and famous people, whose biography,
intentions, hopes and concerns are, to some extent, known to all, including the astro-
loger. As Anthony Grafton puts it, “astrologers found it hard to discuss royal genitures
as honestly as they could analyse the lives of private men like Petrarch”.13 The apparent
distance between Misocacus and his client makes it more likely that we are dealing with
a “honest” judgement, that is a judgement inferred from astrological theory, rather than
from previous knowledge of the life and circumstances of the client.
We are not informed about Joannes Sillyers’s reception of the judgement, but in
is interesting to note that a number of statements have been underlined in the text
(see 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.8, 2.13, 2.16, 2.20, 2.30, 3.17, 6.12, 6.17, 6.20, 7.2, 9.2, 9.3, 10.3, 10.5, 10.8
and 10.10) and that, next to four paragraphs (9.2, 10.21, 10.24 and 11.2), the word “nota”
(“note”, “to be noted”) has been added in the margin by what is clearly another hand
(see Plate 4). The nature of the sections marked leaves little room for doubt that that
hand was Joannes Sillyers’s.
11 “Verumtamen in itineribus illius anni molestias percipiet circa finem revolutionis, circa diem
21 Martii anni domini 1566 usque in finem eiusdem revolutionis etatis 52 adhuc currentis,
idcirco caute sibi prospicere debebit ne cum equo periculum in itinere incurrat aut quovis
alio modo” (6.14).
12 “Anno etatis nati 15 currente pervenit directio ascendentis ad principium Leonis, mutavitque
signum et terminum. Nato significabat mutationem status et loci, forte tunc mittebatur ad
academiam” (6.6).
13 Anthony Grafton, Geniture Collections, Origins and Use of a Genre, in: Books and the
Sciences in History, ed. Marina Frasca-Spada and Nicholas Jardine, Cambridge 2000,
pp. 49 – 68 at p. 56.

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156 David Juste
Plate 1 Joannes Sillyers’s horoscope and introductory tables (Munich, BSB, Clm 27004, f. 2r)

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Plate 2 Tables of directions, c. 3.7 (Munich, BSB, Clm 27004, f. 8r – wrongly numbered 7)

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Plate 3 Revolution of Joannes Sillyers for his 70th year, c. 6.20 (Munich, BSB, Clm 27004, f. 14v)

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Plate 4 Joannes Sillyer’s annotation in the margin, c. 10.24 (Munich, BSB, Clm 27004, f. 20v)

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160 David Juste
The judgement
The judgement is clearly written, both in language and script, well-organised and care-
fully planned, as shown, for instance, by the cross-references.14 As far as I can judge,
the content and presentation are similar to other sixteenth-century judgements and
very close, especially in the layout, to Misocacus’s own judgements on the nativity of
Heinrich Rantzau written in 1583 and 1584.
1. Horoscope and technical data
The first page displays the horoscope and a number of technical data in three tables (see
Plate 1). The horoscope is of course the central element of the whole piece and the arte-
fact from which the 44 pages of judgement derive. It is standard in every respect, with
the positions of the planets, lunar nodes, the part of fortune and the twelve houses, all
of which expressed in degrees and minutes. The central panel summarises the essential
data, i. e. the time of birth (25 March 1514 at 10h32am, a Saturday), which, we are told,
was rectified by Ptolemy’s animodar; the “defluxion” of the Moon, which was moving
away from the conjunction to Venus and towards the conjunction to the Sun;15 and the
indication of the geographical latitude: 51°12’. Compared with modern computation,
the planetary positions are correct within 1° (or so), which is remarkable, even by six-
teenth-century standards.16 Misocacus appears to have used Stöffler and Pflaum’s alma-
nac for 1499 – 1531 for the planets 17 and, most probably, the Tables of Louvain of 1528
for the houses, as shown in the tables below:18
14 See e. g. notes 2, 4, 6 – 7, 10, 26 – 27, 30, 32, 34, 40 and 42 to the edition in appendix.
15 On the Moon’s defluxion, see especially Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis, IV.2 – 16. Miso-
cacus considers this an aspect (see table of aspects and 2.33). His interpretation in 2.33, how-
ever, does not derive from Firmicus Maternus (see Mathesis, IV.13.10). See also the index to
the edition under “Defluxio”.
16 Note, however, that the Head and Tail of the Dragon have been inverted, a problem to which
I will return later.
17 Johannes Stöffler and Jakob Pflaum, Almanach nova plurimis annis venturis inservientia,
Ulm 1499 (March 1514).
18 Tabule perpetue longitudinum ac latitudinum planetarum noviter copulate ad meridiem alme
universitatis Lovaniensis ac plerumque aliorum necessariorum in nativitatibus requisitorum
Lovanii noviter impresse, Leuven (ex aedibus Gilberti I’ll Maes) 1528, sig. L3v. There are
slight discrepancies for the third and eleventh houses, whose positions should be below 26°
and 00° respectively. That Misocacus used the Tables of Louvain makes sense for Mechelen
(c. 25 kms northwest of Louvain) and is confirmed by the revolution for the 70th year in 6.20
(see note 27 below).

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Misocacus Stöffler/Pflaum Modern (Solar Fire Gold)

25 Mars 1514, 10:32am 25 March 1514, Noon 25 March 1514, 10:32am
Mechelen, 51°12’ 51° Mechelen, 51°02’
 24°38’  24°38’  25°00’ 
 14°20’  14°20’  13°45’ 
 20°00’  20°03’  19°07’ 
 14°00’  14°04’  13°41’ 
 27°20’  27°25’  26°36’ 
 25°25’  25°32’  24°21’ 
 02°47’  03°24’  02°01’ 
 09°53’ - 09°53’ - 11°10’ -
Misocacus Tables of Louvain 1528 Modern (Regiomontanus)

25 Mars 1514, 10:32am 25 March 1514, Noon 25 March 1514, 10:32am
Mechelen, 51°12’ 51° Mechelen, 51°02’
I 19°18’  20°  18°42’ 
II 08°50’  09°  08°10’ 
III 26°33’  26°  25°44’ 
X 20°00’  20°  18°52’ 
XI 00°09’  00°  28°48’ 
XII 18°51’  19°  17°58’ 
The horoscope is accompanied by three tables. The first one (“Anni domini et etatis
currentis”) gives the equation between the calendar years and the years of the life
of the client, something which allows dating directions in one glance. The second
table (“Aspectus planetarum”) lists all planetary aspects, except those to the Moon,
with the special mentions “futurus” (the opposition Saturn-Jupiter is in the making),
“cum receptione” (Saturn and Mars are in their mutual houses or domiciles), “parti-
liter” (the aspect is close, within 3°), “platice” (the aspect is loose). These mentions
“partiliter” and “platice” do not imply that Misocacus admitted orbs for the aspects,
as shown, e. g., by the sextile Jupiter-Venus (13° wide) and the trine Saturn-part of
fortune (over 16° wide). The third table (“Latitudo planetarum”) gives the latitude of
the planets and whether they are ascending or descending, something that Misocacus
does not use much, except for the Moon which he referred twice in the table of direc-
tions in 3.7, and in 3.23.

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2. Introduction and “exhortatio”
The introduction repeats some of the technical data. The time of birth was reported
to be between the 10th and 11th hour in the morning (“before lunch”), which was
adjusted to 10.32am by Ptolemy’s animodar (Tetrabiblos, III.2). Misocacus fustigates
those who would rectify the chart by the so-called “trutina Hermetis”, because they
would find that the client was born between the 9th and the 10th hour, so contradicting
the reported time.
The animodar is a complex method, by which the estimated ascendant or mid-
heaven is moved to the degree and minute (disregarding the sign) of the planet which
has the most essential dignities in the degree of the syzygy (Full Moon or New Moon)
preceding birth.19 Here, the syzygy was a Full Moon (opposition Sun-Moon) and this
is the reason why Misocacus indicated, just below the central panel of the horoscope,
“preced<ens> 2944” (according to modern computation, that opposition took
place on 10 March 1514 at 9.21pm and the Moon was at 29°22’ Virgo). Following Ptolemy
(Tetrabiblos, III .2), in the case of an opposition, the degree of the planet above the
horizon must be chosen, i. e. the Sun at 29°44’ Pisces, a position in which leadership
in terms of essential dignities is disputed between Jupiter (domicile), Venus (exaltation
and triplicity) and Mars (triplicity and decan). Misocacus does not inform us about the
details of his calculations (there are varying methods to determine the ruling planet, as
well as disqualifying factors), but he clearly chose Mars, whose position is identical to
that of the mid-heaven (20°00’ – again disregarding the sign).
The introduction is followed by a brief “exhortatio”, where Misocacus warns against
all forms of astral determinism and makes it clear that the stars affect man’s body, but
not his soul and the power of his will. He borrows the often-quoted statement “the
wise man will dominate the stars”, here slightly modified into “the wise man… will easily
dominate the stars” (“sapiens… facile dominabitur astris”). This “exhortatio” is a diplo-
matic precaution typically found in astrological texts.
19 The animodar, as well as the “trutina Hermetis” and other rectification methods, are usually
discussed in the opening chapters of treatises on nativities, many of which were available in
print at the time of Misocacus. In this paper, I will refer to two influential authors (both of
whom were known to Misocacus knew, as will be shown below), namely Johannes Schöner,
De iudiciis nativitatum, Nürnberg ( Johannes Montanus & Ulricus Neuberus) 1545, see I.1,
f. 1r–2r, for the animodar; and Luca Gaurico, Isagogicus in totam astrologiam praedicti-
vam, reprinted in id., Opera omnia, Basel (Sebastian Henricpetri) 1575, vol. II, see Pars V,
Tractatus IIII, Caput 1, pp. 1064 – 1065, for the animodar.

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3. The significators of the nativity and the length of life (chapter 1)
In chapter 1, Misocacus lists the significators of the native, i. e. the planets which are
particularly strong. These include the so-called “almuten” (both Mars and Jupiter),
“hyleg” or “hylech” (Sun) and “alcochoden” (Sun again). The calculation of those is
highly technical and not less controversial.20
Misocacus first notes (1.1) that the most significant planet of the nativity is Mercury, to
whom Mars and the Sun are associated (“video Mercurium potenter gubernaturum vitam
huius nati, cui Martem et Solem collegas associamus”). The text tells us that this was deter-
mined on the basis of several parameters, including the ascendant, the five “places of the
hylegs” (“quinque loca hylegiorum”) and their almuten, the conditions and positions of the
seven planets, their “access” and “recess” and their mutual aspects. How Misocacus elected
Mercury, Mars and the Sun is not clear, because he does not give any detail about his method.
It should be noted, however, that no specific use of these was made in the judgement itself.
The almuten (1.2), which Misocacus calls “almuten spiritus”, is the planet that has the
most essential dignities in the five “hylegiacal places”, i. e. in the degree of the Sun, of the
Moon, of the ascendant, of the part of fortune and of the syzygy preceding birth. This is
determined by adding up the “points” of essential dignities owned by the planets in these
five places. Essential dignities are normally worth 5 points for the house (domicile), 4 points
for the exaltation, 3 points for the triplicity, 2 points for the term and 1 point for the decan.
The calculation for Joannes Sillyers, shown in the table below, gives the following results:
Jupiter 23 points, Mars 21, Sun 15, Venus 15, Moon 11, Mercury 3 and Saturn 2. This agrees
with Misocacus, although he says that Jupiter and Mars are equal (“pariter pluribus gaudeant
dignitatibus”), something which must be explained either by a mistake or by the interven-
tion of extra rules which we are not informed about. In any case, Misocacus was aware of
competing systems, as shown in the following paragraph (1.3), where he says that, accord-
ing to Petosiris and Nechepso, Jupiter would be the only “lord of the nativity” (“geniture
dominum”), a reference which I have not been able to trace down. The almuten is referred
to in the text only once, in chapter 2.17, dealing with the general complexion of the native.
House (5) Exaltation (4) Triplicity (3) Term (2) Decan (1)
Sun 14°00’      
Moon 02°47’      
AS 19°18’      
Part fortune 08°05’      
Syzygy 29°44’      
20 On the almuten, hyleg and alcochoden, see Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum (see note 19
above), I.1, f. VIIr–Xr; Gaurico, Isagogicus (see note 19 above), V.VII.1 – 4, pp. 1077 – 1079.

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164 David Juste
The hyleg and alcochoden (1.5) are both ascribed to the Sun, which is correct. In diurnal
nativities, the hyleg is the Sun if it is in the tenth house (which is the case here). The hyleg
is an important planet, which Misocacus uses in directions regarding health (c. 6). The
alcochoden is the planet that has the most essential dignities in the degree of the hyleg,
i. e. the Sun, again adding up the points of essential dignities. As can be seen in the table
above, the Sun leads with 8 points (exaltation, triplicity and decan), then Mars 5, Jupiter 3
and Mercury 2. The alcochoden is primarily used to determine the length of the life of
the native, which, according to Misocacus in the same paragraph (1.5), will be 70 years or –
should the native survive this– 84 years. According to astrological theory, each planet is
ascribed a number of “greater”, “middle” and “lesser” years, or 120, 69.5 and 19 for the Sun.
If the planet concerned is in an angle (houses 1, 4, 7, 10) without impediment, the number
of greater years applies, if it is in a succedent house (2, 5, 8, 11), the middle years, and if
it is in a cadent house (3, 6, 9, 12), the lesser years. The Sun is in an angle, but Misocacus
elected the middle years (70 years) probably because the Sun is in square aspect to the
malefic Mars, which is a disqualifying factor. It should be noted, however, that the number
of years indicated by the alcochoden is indicative only and must be confirmed by other
predictive techniques (directions, revolutions…), as we shall see below.
4. General description of the native (chapter 2)
Chapter 2 provides a general account of the physical and moral characteristics of the
native. This is done first by analysing the condition of the four angles of the horoscope,
namely the ascendant (2.1), the mid-heaven (2.2 – 12), the descendant (2.13) and the lower
mid-heaven (2.14 – 15). In each case, Misocacus takes into account a range of parameters,
including the corresponding sign of the zodiac and its lord, the planet exalted therein, the
decan, the term, the aspects and, when relevant, the planets located therein. Misocacus
then turns to the complexion of the native (2.16 – 17) and, finally, to a cursory interpre-
tation of each of the planetary aspects as listed in the table on the first page (2.18 – 33).
This latter part is largely borrowed from Johannes Schöner’s De iudiciis nativitatum.21
21 See note 3 to the edition in appendix. On the other hand, Schöner is not the source for the interpretation
of the planets in the twelve houses (see De iudiciis nativitatum, II.4, f. LXXXVIv–XCIIr), which Miso-
cacus deals with in 2.1–15. For other borrowings from Schöner, see notes 22, 25 and 41 to the edition.

Authenticated
5. Topics related to the twelve houses (chapters 3 – 13)
5.1. Methods of interpretation
Chapters 3 – 13 survey the topics represented by the twelve houses, as is common in most
judgements on nativities and in theoretical treatises on the subject. These chapters deal
respectively with the native’s fluctuations of wealth (“De fortune incrementis ac decre-
mentis”, c. 3); siblings (“De fratribus et sororibus nati”, c. 4); parents (“De parentibus
nati, patre et matre”, c. 5); illnesses and disorders of the soul (“De infirmitatibus et animi
perturbationibus”, c. 6); marriage (“De coniugio nati”, c. 7); children (“De liberis”, c. 8);
journeys, religion and dreams (“De itineribus et religione, somniisque”, c. 9); honours,
charges and dignities (“De honoribus, officiis et dignitatibus”, c. 10); friends and suppor-
ters (“De amicis et fautoribus nati”, c. 11); enemies and misfortune (“De inimicis et odio
natum persequentibus”, c. 12); and the type of death (“De qualitate mortis nati”, c. 13).
Misocacus’s method of interpretation is standard and consistent throughout. He
takes into account a range of parameters, including the planets located in the house(s)
concerned, the lord of the house(s) concerned (i. e., the planet ruling the sign in which
the cusp of the house falls), the aspects, etc. To take a brief and straightforward example,
here is what he writes about friends (c. 11):
The quality of friends is known from the nature of the planets which stand in the
eleventh and first houses, and from the planets which rule the eleventh and first houses.
In the first house there is no planet, but the Moon rules that house. In the eleventh
house, I see Jupiter, and Venus is its lord. This means to the native many and suitable
friends, whose friendship is sincere and beneficial to him. The friends of the native will
be of the nature and complexion of Jupiter, Venus and the Moon (11.1).
Then (11.2) Misocacus lists the types of friends represented by the three planets con-
cerned ( Jupiter, Venus and the Moon), a section which is marked in the margin with
the word “nota”. The following chapter (c. 12) is dealt with in a similar fashion and also
includes a list of the types of enemies.
The space devoted to each topic varies considerably. The first house did not receive
a distinct chapter, but this is certainly because the physical and moral characteristics of
the native (i. e., the very meaning of the first house) are largely dealt with in chapter 2, as
we have seen. Other topics are neglected. This is the case for siblings (c. 4) and parents
(c. 5), which are given a few lines only, because, as Misocacus explains, astrologers have
erred on these matters, which should be inquired directly in the charts of the people
concerned. Likewise marriage (c. 7) is treated in a rather brief chapter, in which Miso-
cacus reveals perhaps more on himself than on his client. After lecturing Joannes Sillyers
on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate union (7.1), he goes on to say that
the seventh house is under such bad condition, with Mars therein and Saturn retrograde

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166 David Juste
as its lord, that the marriage of the native can only be damned (7.2). The condition of
the Moon and Venus –the planetary significators of the wife– does not alter the state
of affairs, the Moon being combust with a square aspect to Mars and Venus in aspect
to both Mars and Saturn. This leads Misocacus to conclude that “marriage is absolutely
refused to this native by the decree of fate” (“nato huic omnimode denegatur coniu-
gium fatorum imperio”), a sentence that the client underlined. In the third and final
paragraph, Misocacus goes one step further: “Should he take a wife one day (which I
doubt will happen at all), he would find her rebel, fierce, greedy…”, followed by a long
list of adjectives of the same kind (7.3). This interpretation is the reason why the topic
of children follows immediately (c. 8), in what takes only a few lines to say that since
the native will not have a legitimate wife, he will not have legitimate children either,
and astrologers do not consider illegitimate children, because some people have that
way more children than it can be believed.
5.2. Directions, revolutions and profections
Three topics received considerable attention and, not surprisingly, these concern the
native’s wealth (c. 3), health (c. 6) and honours (c. 10). For each of these, Misocacus
provides not only a general account of the kind we have seen above, but also an exten-
sive review of the directions (“directiones”),22 which take up altogether almost half of
the whole judgement. As said above, by the method of directions, a chosen significator
is given an imaginary movement of 1° per year until it reaches a significant position
in the birth horoscope by contact or aspect. The chosen significators are the part of
fortune in chapter 3 (wealth); the ascendant, the Moon and the hyleg (i. e. the Sun) in
chapter 6 (health); and the mid-heaven and the Sun in chapter 10 (honours). In each
case, Misocacus first provides two or several tables, listing all directions from birth
to old age, together with the corresponding age of the native (see 3.7, 6.3 and 10.7 and
Plate 2). The significant positions include the seven planets and the lunar nodes, as well
as a set of fixed stars 23 and the boundaries of the signs of the zodiac. In 3.7, Misocacus
explains that he directed the part of fortune not only opposite to the order of the
twelve signs (“contra successione 12 signorum”), which, he says, most astrologers
do, but also in the order of the signs (“cum successione 12 signorum”), following the
22 On directions, see Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum (see note 19 above), III.1 and 3 – 6, and
Luca Gaurico, Directiones, progressiones sive inambulationes ascensoria tempora horimea
horarum constitutio, Roma 1560.
23 Canis Minor, Canis Maior, Cor leonis, Cervix Leonis, Media Pleiadis, Dorsum Leonis,
Cauda Leonis, Aldebaran and Hircus. In his tables, Misocacus indicates the nature of each
star (characterised by a combination of two or three planets) and its magnitude (“maiestas”).
For the corresponding interpretations, see 3.12, 3.18, 3.20, 6.19, 10.19 and 10.26.

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opinion of a certain Franciscus, described as “a franciscan monk of pious memory”,

and of Luca Gaurico.24
Misocacus then interprets each direction as listed in the tables, something he does as
thoroughly for the past as for the future of the client. Here again, a range of parameters
are taken into account, including the nature of the planets and of the significant posi-
tions involved, the aspect and the position of the point “hit”, especially in the terms. A
good example is given in 10.24, in what appears to be one climax of the judgement and
a passage marked in the margin with the word “nota” (see Plate 4):
In the year 64 of the life of this native, the direction of the mid-heaven will reach the
sinister sextile to Venus in the term of Mars, and because Venus stood in the tenth
house in the nativity, in her exaltation, in the house of Jupiter, in the term of Mars, it
will then confer the insignia of a great name and honour. It means (“Operatur”) that,
in that year, he [the native] will be splendidly decorated with the sacred ornaments and
that he will be elevated to the dignity of superior functions (“presulatus”) –provided
he himself would wish and not refuse that dignity absolutely– or, again, that he will be
promoted and raised to the dignity of a high office. I myself conjecture that the native
will be raised to the episcopate through the patronage of a famous woman… (10.24).
Directions are the main predictive method used by Misocacus, but not the only one. He
also resorts to revolutions (“revolutiones”),25 which he seems to consider essentially rele-
vant to health issues, since they feature in chapter 6 only. Misocacus sees them mainly as a
secondary factor to directions and he did not calculate them systematically.26 He alludes to
them in very general terms for the 16th (“et habuit tunc impiam revolutionem”, 6.7), 28th
(“eo quod tunc feliciorem habuerit revolutionis figuram”, 6.8), 32th to 36th (“Verumtamen
revolutiones prefatorum annorum meliora promittebant”, 6.9), 40th (“sed revolutionem
habuit satis idoneam”, 6.11), 52th (“sed iterum per felicem revolutionem impediuntur”, 6.14),
58th (“Habebit tunc etiam revolutionem mediocriter malam”, 6.16), 64th (“Attamen revo-
lutio illius anni erit satis grata”, 6.18) and 84th years (“habebitque tunc similiter miseram
revolutionem”, 6.21). In four cases, however, Misocacus is more explicit. On the 48th year
24 Misocacus might refer to Luca Gaurico, Tabulae de primo mobili quas directionum vocant,
Roma (Antonius Bladus) 1557, f. 27v–28v (reprinted under the title Super tabulis directionum
Ioannis Monteregiensis quoddam supplementum, Roma (Vincentius Luchinus), 1560, same
folios), where the two options are discussed. Both systems were, however, already common
before Gaurico. I do not know who that Franciscus was.
25 On revolutions, see Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum (see note 19 above), III.1 and 11 – 15,
and Luca Gaurico, Tractatus iudicandi conversiones sive revolutiones nativitatum, Roma
(Vincentius Luchinus) 1560.
26 As made clear by his own statements: “ac interdum annuis revolutionibus interiectis” (1.6);
“et interdum aliquarum figurarum revolutionum” (6.1).

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168 David Juste
of the native (6.12), he notes that the hazardous direction of the Moon to Saturn’s opposi-
tion in the term of Saturn was mitigated by the “favourable revolution of the year 1561, in
which the Moon was supported by Venus and Jupiter” (“sed occasione felicis revolutionis
anno 1561, in qua Luna a Venere ac Iove iuvabatur”). Misocacus does not give further details
about this revolution, but what he says is correct. According to modern computation, on 25
March 1561 at 3.30am (time of the return of the Sun to 14°00’ Aries), Mechelen being the
assumed place, the Moon was at 21°25’ Cancer, in sextile to both Venus at 23°43’ Taurus and
Jupiter at 01°58’ Taurus. In the next paragraph (6.13), on the 50th year of the native, he says
that “Saturn transited the degree of the ascendant of the radix [i. e., the nativity] and stood
in square to the Sun at the time of the revolution” (“fecit Saturnus transitum per gradum
ascendentis radicis, stetitque in hora revolutionis in quadrato Solis”). Again, this is correct.
On 25 March 1563 at 3.15pm (Mechelen), Saturn was at 12°50’ Cancer and the Sun at 14°00
Aries, and Saturn transited the ascendant of the nativity on 7 June 1563. Yet Misocacus makes
mistakes as well. In 6.17, about the revolution of the 63th year of the native, he says that the
luminaries (the Sun and the Moon) are not impeded and afflicted by the malefic planets
(“Sed quia lumina maiora in revolutione istius anni non impediuntur neque affliguntur a
malis”). This is not correct, for on 24 March 1576 at 7.00pm (Mechelen), the Sun at 14°00
Aries was in the house of Mars and in square to both Saturn at 01°11’ Capricorn and Mars
at 05°02’ Capricorn, while the Moon was in Aquarius, the house of Saturn. In other words,
the luminaries, especially the Sun, were severely afflicted by the malefic planets. Finally, and
most importantly, Misocacus provides the horoscope of the revolution for the 70th year
(6.20, see Plate 3), which is another climax of the judgement, as it is meant to be the year of
the death of the native. Here is what Misocacus wrote:
In the year 70 of the life of this native, the direction of the Sun hyleg will reach the
sinister square to the Moon in the term of Jupiter. In the same year, the direction of
the ascendant will reach the radical position of the Tail of the Dragon, whose nature
is that of Saturn and Mars, in the term of Venus. The native will have then an unfor-
tunate, unpleasant and very miserable revolution, in which the sign of the eighth
house in the radix, i. e. Aquarius, will be the ascendant of the revolution, and both
luminaries will be afflicted by the malefic planets, in particular the Moon by an oppo-
sition to Saturn from the eastern to the western angle. The Sun will be impeded by a
dexter square to Mars, Mars being in the sixth house of the revolution and the Sun
in the second. Venus, the lord of the eighth house of the revolution, will be combust
under the rays of the Sun and Jupiter will be afflicted by the presence of Saturn in the
first house of the revolution and by a square to the Moon. This miserable revolution
announces to the native a year full of afflictions, as shown here in the figure of the
revolution… [then follow more configurations with a list of health problems]. More-
over, as we said in the beginning of this nativity, the lifespan must end in the year 70
of the life of the native. Therefore, I very strongly suspect that the present year will be
that of the death of the native.

Authenticated
As indicated in the central panel of the revolution, the horoscope was calculated for 25
March 1583 at 3.49am. All planetary positions are correct and agree with Cyprianus
Leovitius’s ephemerides for 1556 – 1606, which Misocacus is known to have used while
in Danzig. As for the positions of the houses, they match exactly those of the Tables
of Louvain and are correct for the indicated time.27 Misocacus also reports the various
configurations accurately, with however one small mistake, namely that the Sun is in
the first (not in the second) house. This mistake hardly affects the interpretation.
Alongside directions and revolutions, Misocacus also uses profections (“profectiones”),
another predictive method by which a significator is given an imaginary movement
of one sign per year or per month in the order of the signs.28 Misocacus uses them on
a few occasions, mainly in chapter 6, where he mentions the profection of the ascen-
dant (6.4, 6.7, 6.8, 6.11, 6.14), of the Sun-hyleg (6.11) and of the mid-heaven (10.8). For
the most part, they seem to be, like revolutions, a secondary factor to directions, even
though no directions are referred to in 6.11, 6.14, 10.8.
Concluding remarks
This brief account does probably not do full justice to Misocacus’s judgement on the
nativity of Johannes Sillyers, but I hope to have given a sense of what a professional
astrologer does. I would like to conclude here with five general remarks and a problem
to which I discretely alluded earlier.29
First, the overall impression is that we are dealing with a decent and honest judge-
ment. Misocacus’s astronomical calculations are accurate and in general correct, and
his astrological interpretations are straightforward, sound and coherent as regards
astrological doctrine (as far as this can be judged). Second, and perhaps surpri-
singly, the judgement contains very few predictions per se. Misocacus focuses on
the nature and character of the native, including in his interpretations of directions,
which look more like descriptions of a climate or atmosphere surrounding the years
under consideration. He generally formulates his expertise in a neutral way (“this
configuration means that…”), but he uses the first person singular when it comes to
specific predictions (“I myself conjecture that the native will be raised to the episco-
pate…”, “I very strongly suspect that the present year will be that of the death of the
27 Cyprianus Leovitius, Ephemeridum novum atque insigne opus ab anno domini 1556
usque in 1606 accuratissime supputatum, Augsburg (Philippus Ulhardus) 1557, sig. EE1v.
On Misocacus’s Misocacus use Leovitius’s ephemerides in Danzig, see Kremer, Mathemat-
ical Astronomy (see note 3 above), pp. 481 and 483. For the positions of the houses, see the
tables of Louvain (note 19 above), sig. L3r.
28 See Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum (see note 19 above), III.1.4 and III.7.
29 See note 16 above.

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170 David Juste
native…”). This change in tone reflects, I believe, the attitude of an astrologer who
carefully distinguishes between what astrological doctrine allows him to say and his
guesses. Third, while many astrologers examine directions and revolutions from the
time of the consultation, Misocacus pays considerable attention to the past of his
client (more in fact than to his future), thus exposing himself to criticism –the client
can easily compare to what actually happened. Fourth, Misocacus does not give the
impression that he attempted to spare his client. In his account of directions, he
strictly follows astrological doctrine, without trying to undermine dreadful config-
urations or to sublime good configurations. Putting aside the entertaining passage
on Joannes Sillyers’s spouse, where Misocacus seems to have lost his temper, bad
configurations are numerous throughout the judgement, especially regarding health
(see 3.17, 3.21, 6.5, 6.7 – 13, 6.17 – 21, 10.11 – 12, 10.21, 10.23). Fifth, it would be trivial
to look for Misocacus’s sources. Like any professional astrologer, he used many and
none. He is familiar with his material, he understands the underlying logic of astro-
logical interpretation and resorts to his personal experience as well as, undoubtedly,
to his own collection of horoscopes.30 As we have seen, few authors are quoted by
name and when this happens, it mainly concerns a specific issue subject to dispute:
Ptolemy’s animodar vs. the “trutina Hermetis” (central panel of the horoscope and
“Introductio” 2 – 3), Nechepso and Petosiris on an alternative method for determin-
ing the almuten (1.3), and both Luca Gaurico and a certain Franciscus on the “direc-
tion” of directions (3.7). Misocacus also borrows from at least two unnamed authors,
namely Johannes Schöner on the interpretation of the aspects and some other topics
(2.18 – 29, 9.1, 10.3 – 5 and 13.8) and Firmicus Maternus on the significance of the 63th
year of life (6.17). But there is more. In 13.8, Misocacus ascribes to Ptolemy the sen-
tence “Mortis qualitas ex athazir obviante, quem interfectorem nuncupant, depre-
henditur”. This sentence is not found in Ptolemy and is instead directly borrowed
from Johannes Schöner.31 Here Misocacus clearly manipulated his source, which he
attributed to a prestigious authority.
This leads to the problem. In the nativity horoscope, the Head and Tail of the Dragon
have been inverted (the Head should be in the third house and the Tail in the ninth house).
The Head of the Dragon is particularly benevolent, while the Tail is malevolent. The pre-
sence of the Head of the Dragon in the ninth house makes the native fortunate in travels
and apt to matters pertaining to religion,32 while the Tail in the ninth house means exactly
30 In 13.4, while discussing the type of death, Misocacus remarks that Joannes Sillyers’s confi-
gurations is found in countless horoscopes, especially in horoscopes of princes.
31 See note 41 to the edition.
32 As Misocacus writes, “presentia Capitis Draconis in nona, de natura Iovis et Veneris, con-
vertet horrores et molestias itinerum in gaudium et felicem exitum, facietque in suis operi-
bus fortunatum et in profectionibus assequi bonam famam, honorem et lucrum” (9.1) and
“Caput Draconis, de natura Iovis et Veneris, in domo nona significat constantem Christianum,

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Appendix: Edition of the text 171
the opposite.33 In other words, the Tail of the Dragon in the ninth house is hardly compa-
tible which what Misocacus knew about Joannes Sillyers (a traveller on horseback) and
with the prediction that he will become bishop. It is not difficult to understand Misocacus’s
temptation to manipulate astronomical data. At the same time, a mistake or a momentary
lapse of reason cannot be ruled out altogether and we must leave the astrologer the benefit
of the doubt, until comparison is made with his other extant judgements.
amatorem verbi Dei et opinionis veterum” (9.5). Compare with Schöner, De iudiciis nativ-
itatum (see note 19 above), II.4, f.. XCv: “Caput <in nona domo> facit devotos et praelatos,
in suis operibus fortunatos, in profectionibus acquirent famam, honorem et lucrum, sed erunt
infortunati in fratribus et sororibus, somnia eorum vera”.
33 Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum (see note 19 above), II.4 f. XCv: “Cauda <in nona domo>
facit volubilem in fide et devotum, infortunatum in itineribus longis et in suo exercitio”.
Appendix. Edition of the text
Editing principles
Misocacus’s judgement on the nativity of Joannes Sillyers is here edited in full, on the
basis of the autograph and only known manuscript (Munich, Bayerische Staatsbiblio-
thek, Clm 27004).
1. The text of the manuscript is followed, except for slight amendations indicated in angle
brackets < > for letters to be added and in square brackets [] for letters to be deleted.
2. Punctuation has been modernised.
3. Chapter and paragraph numbers have been added.
4. Underlined sections indicate sections which are either underlined in the text or
marked in the margin with the word “Nota” (most probably by Joannes Sillyers).
5. Italics are used for sections borrowed (more or less) verbatim from other sources.
These are indicative only and by no means exhaustive.
6. The two horoscopes at the beginning and in 6.20 have been reconstructed without
changes, except for the house numbers which have been added (in Roman numerals)
for convenience.

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172 David Juste
1420 0953
2525
2720
0247
1400
0805
Natus anno 1514 Martii
Die Hora Minuto
25 10 32
ante meridiem diei 
Erecta est figura per 2000
animodar Ptholomei
Defluxio Lune
a ad 
Elevatio poli 51°12’

preced. 2944
0953 2438
<Nativity of Joannes Sillyers of Mechelen>

Fig. 1
Nativity
Anni domini et etatis of Joannes Sillyers
currentis of Mechelen
Aspectus planetarum
1514 — 1 1544 — 31  cum  futurus

1515 — 2 1545 — 32   cum  cum receptione
1516 — 3 1546 — 33  cum  partiliter
1517 — 4 1547 — 34  cum  partiliter
1518 — 5 1548 — 35  cum  platice
1519 — 6 1549 — 36  cum  platice
1520 — 7 1550 — 37   cum  platice
1521 — 8 1551 — 38   cum  platice
1522 — 9 1552 — 39   cum  platice
1523 — 10 1553 — 40   cum  platice
1524 — 11 1554 — 41   cum  platice
1525 — 12 1555 — 42   cum  platice
1526 — 13 1556 — 43  cum  platice

Authenticated
1527 — 14 1557 — 44   cum  platice

1528 — 15 1558 — 45  cum  partiliter
1529 — 16 1559 — 46  a  ad  
1530 — 17 1560 — 47
1531 — 18 1561 — 48
1532 — 19 1562 — 49
Latituto planetarum
1533 — 20 1563 — 50
1534 — 21 1564 — 51  0.32 S ascendens
1535 — 22 1565 — 52  0.55 N ascendens
1536 — 23 1566 — 53  0.40 N descendens
1537 — 24 1567 — 54  0.59 N descendens
1538 — 25 1568 — 55  2.30 N ascendens
1539 — 26 1569 — 56  1.57 S ascendens
1540 — 27 1570 — 57
1541 — 28 1571 — 58
1542 — 29 1572 — 59
1543 — 30 1573 — 60
<Introductio>
1 /2r/ Anno domini 1514, natus fuit D<ominus> Ioannes Sillyers Machlinie, die 25
Martii, hora decima, minutis 32 ante meridiem, diei Saturni, hoc est in festo Annun-
tiationis gloriose Virginis, inter decimam et undecimam horas ante prandium, verum-
tamen secundum artis legem (ut statim diximus) hora 10, minutis 32. 2 Et incede-
bat harmonia celestis huiusmodi per animodar Ptholomei verificata, veluti docetur
libro 3° Apotelesmatum, capite 2°,1 et concordat cum hora mihi oblata. 3 Qui vero
hanc nativitatis figuram erigent per trutinam Hermetis, hoc est per viam conceptionis,
turpiter labentur errore per integram horam ac ponent hanc nativitatem inter nonam
et decimam horas ante meridiem, non obstante quod illis vite offeratur nativitatis
hora inter 10 et 11 horas.
1 Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, III.2.

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174 David Juste
Exhortatio
1 Nolim existimes, d<omine> vir ornatissime, quod ea, /2v/ que in hoc genethliaco
scripsimus, eo nos animo dixisse quod necessario eventura adseramus. 2 Nam sapiens si
modo voluerit facile dominabitur astris et abunde quidem potens est ut vel imminens
periculum ratione discutiat vel malum venturum liberrima voluntate declinet, neque
enim in animam nostram (que spiritus est) astra aliquid agere possunt, neque voluntati
nostre vim ullam adferre, sed solummodo in corpus, in quo ceu sacco anima delitescit,
vim suam explicant, idque per adfectiones naturales ad varia operandum inclinatur, ad
hec Deus ipse clavum manu tenens, astrorum influxus frequenter immutat, atque adeo
pro sua voluntate divina, operatur omnia in omnibus. 3 Ipsi ergo laus et gloria in secula
seculorum. Amen.
1. De vite moderatoribus, hylech et periodo
1 Equidem cum diligentius per[r]imor omnia ea, ex quibus rei astronomice periti
de planetarum dominatu in singulis nativitatibus iudicare pronunciareque solent,
nempe ascendens, quinque loca hylegiorum et almuten super eis, item constitutiones
et positus septem planetarum, accessus, recessus et aspectus illorum ad invicem,
quibus omnibus ad amussim pensiculatis, video Mercurium potenter gubernaturum
vitam huius nati, cui Martem et Solem collegas associamus. 2 Verumtamen Mars et
Iupiter erunt almuten spiritus, eo quod isti pariter pluribus gaudeant dignitatibus,
cum essentialibus tum accidentalibus, in quinque locis hylegiorum. 3 Porro Petosiris
et Neceppo Aegiptiorum reges et vates celeberrimi, solum Iovem ponunt geniture
dominum, quod verisimile est, eo quod natus sit profundus scrutator legis prudentie
ac consiliarius. 4 Interim neque minus de Mercurii, Martis ac Solis complexionibus
carebit, sed quo plures fuerint vite gubernatores eo convenientius natus ad plures
dignitates aptus invenietur. 5 Sol preterea erit hylech et alcochoden simul, eo quod sit
in decima domo in exaltatione propria, ideo vite et annorum nati prorogator cense-
bitur, dabitque illi annos vite 70, quos si (Dei /3r/ presidio) supervinxerit, perveniet
ad annum etatis 84 currentem, observandum tamen quod sub intervallo tam longe
etatis interdum incidet in discrimina vite, necnon in notabiles egritudines, pericu-
losasque infirmitates, de quibus postea suo loco latius tractabimus. 6 Etenim nedum
ex prefatis significatoribus solummodo verum etiam ex tota denique celi harmonia
diligenter perlustrata cum directionibus et profectionibus, precipuorum significatorum
figure, necnon cum discussione totius geniture, ac interdum annuis revolutionibus
interiectis, integram curabo scribere nativitatem, favente Deo, unde prius in genere,
deinde in specie disseremus apotelesmata.

Authenticated
2. De vita et moribus nati generaliter
1 Inprimis video horoscopare Cancri signum, Lune domum, signum exaltationis Iovis,
in fine secunde decurie, ac cum principio tertie decurie, sub termino Iovis, necnon in
felici aspectu Iovis, cum diametro Martis, trigono Saturni dextro, ac trigonis Mercurii
et Veneris sinistris, hominem mihi presagiunt mediocris stature, eruditi ingenii, anime
bone, stipatum amicorum copia, barba subnigra, superciliis nigris, oculis nigritantibus
vel admodum citrinis, facie denique honesta, corpore modesto non obeso (licet ascen-
dentis signum sit frigidum et humidum, unde raro inspissari debeat, refrenatur enim
crassities signi ascendentis, a planetis per aspectus circumdantibus horoscopum), sed
redditur corpus nati ad honestam mediocritatem ac iustam proportionem, unde ingenium
locum habeat cum sapientia et prudentia, sed implicabitur aliquando litibus variis et
bellis, significant tamen post diversa pericula ut plurimum victorem hostium, qui multa
tentabit, precipue itinera longa et exteras regiones perlustrabit, etiam longinquiores, ad
bellum etiam properabit ac strenuum militem se exhibebit, et /3v/ in gratiam nobilium
ac ducum exercitum perveniet, eo quod Martem habeat in exaltatione propria, sed in
multis periclitabitur, variisque quatietur incommodis, quandoque etiam in paupertate
et miseria, et licet lucri causa bellum accesserit, vel quodam naturali amore investigandi
bellorum exitus, ac varios eventus belli, nihil tamen inde ditior vel habilior fiet, circum-
dabitur etiam periculosis in aquis, periculosis in casu, periculosis a malis hominibus, in
colica passione, in pudendorum ac vesice vitiis, utrobique victoria (Dei presidio) evadet,
donec tandem Deo iuvante ad altissimum dignitatis gradum pe<r>veniat, nimirum
postquam variis sollicitudinibus, distracto animo, et tempore multo cruciatus fuerit,
semper tamen perseverabit in subtili ingenio, quamquam interdum tardiusculo paulo,
eritque placidus, suavis, quietus et quandoque iracundus, qui cum stomacho infestabitur
malos quosque, sed cuius ira citissime placatur et cum populo gravi laudabitur, ac propter
moderatam gravitatem et ingenii prudentiam eo promovebitur, ut publicis quibusdam
officiis prelatus, ex illis victum et vite necessaria habeat, siquidem ad magnas dignitates
promovebitur, unde laudem et eximiam gloriam assequetur.
2 Pisces in medio celi, in tercia decuria, cum hexagono Martis sinistro, sextili Iovis
dextro, cum presentia Mercurii et Veneris, quoque cuspidem medii celi, Sole ac Luna
existentibus in decimo domicilio, gratum efficient principibus et magnatibus ac viris
doctissimis, cancellario et consiliariis et nobilibus matronis ac delicatis veneris nitidulis
prolibus, cum quibus ut plurimum quotidianas conversationes et consuetudines multas
habebit, apud quos exaltabitur, ac in summo honore habebitur, tam apud nobiles mar-
tiales, a quibus ad equestrem ordinem excipietur, eques auratus efficietur, eo quod /4r/
Mars gradum medii celi aspiciat partiliter ab exaltatione propria, hinc a martialibus
exaltabitur. 3 Item propter Mercurii presentiam prope cuspidem medii celi, apud ingenio-
sos mercuriales, philosophie prossesiones, mathematicos, arithmeticos, cancellarios et
omnis generis artifices ingeniosos propter ingenii sui culturam atque doctrine pruden-
tiam honorabitur et ad magisterii honores exaltabitur, imo Mercurius in medio celi natos

Authenticated
176 David Juste
sublimare solet ad cancellariatus dignitatem. 4 Et Venus in medio celi cum Mercurio

residens omnia suaviora decernit, decorem decori, virtutem virtuti, venustatem venus-
tati et prudentiam addit prudentie, quin et totum quod bonum ab Iove (ut sequitur),
Mercurio et Marte presitum est, vel a Sole adhuc donabitur, illud Venus polit, ornat,
venum exponit, ut magis ac magis placeat. Denique ut nichil sit rerum omnium quod
illi non donatum videatur. 5 Faciet interim Venus cum Mercurio ibidem ut eloquentia
ac singulari literatura plus celeris prepolleat, musicam teneat et cantus rationes sciat ac
pulcherrimas historias recitare valeat. 6 Item Mercurius in tam sublimi loco existens,
transitum facit a sextili Martis ad trigonum Saturni, significat quod hic natus regum
et principum internuncius efficietur et quod ad illorum consilium accitus maximos
ac summos honores consequetur, potissimum quia variis linguis ac modestissima elo-
quentia dotatus erit, ut patet ex partili constitutione Mercurii et Veneris in decimo
domicilio. 7 Item Venus in Piscibus, in signo proprie exaltationis ibidem, exaltatum
iri pronunciat apud nobilissimam matronam, apud quam utilissima assequetur officia,
dignitates et claros honores, ac publica munera pertractabit cum lucro et honore, et in
singulis actionibus suis plurimum commendabitur, et prefato inclite mulieris patro-
cinio in dies clarior ac honoratior efficietur ac veterum omnium fere compos efficietur.
8 /4v/ Item quia Pisces in medii celi culmine, Iovis domicilium, existentes, felices Iovis
radios, hexagonos dextros excipiunt, pronunciant natum plerumque exaltatum iri apud
consiliarios, apud quos sacro doctoratus pilleo ornabitur et ad magistratum evehetur,
quorum patrocinio facilem auram, laudem et altissimum nomen sibi vendicabit, unde
tandem lucrorum copiosa presidia sequentur, quia etiam ob egregia ipsius nati facinora
pleclarasque actiones, erit apud potentiores dignitate et gratia perspicuus. 9 Eadem fere
presagiuntur a Solis constitutione in decima domo, in signo exaltationis sue, quare apud
reges, principes et magnates exaltabitur, ac mirum in modum venerabitur, quippe qui
fideliter atque solenter regum ac principum negotia peraget et absolvere non cessabit,
quia de causa omnibus amicis suis oportunus existet, et consanguinitatis sue decus
eximium efficietur. 10 Item ob eandem Solis constitutione maximas amicitias apud reges,
principes et magnates inveniet, quem etiam potentiores summo favore et benevolentia
prosequentur, quippe qui mutuam cum nobilibus inibit benevolentie necessitudinem. 11
Rediget quoque prefata Solis constitutio natum imperiosum, audacem, mag<na>nimum,
munificum, sed honoris appetentem, fere nihil humile regitantem et nullius preterquam
laudis avarum, quare singulas actiones suas eo dirigere conabitur, ut reipublice prosit,
sibique laudem et claritatem pariat. 12 Item Lune positus in decima domo, defluens a
Veneris presentia ad locum Solis, a nobilibus mulieribus, reginis, inclitis matronis et
duxissa, favores eximios decernit ac honores a communi vulgo denotat, et potissimum
inclite mulieris vel duxisse necessitudinem inire faciet, cuius favore et patrocinio offi-
cium aliquod utile et honorigerum sortietur, muliebribus quippe negotiis admodum
occupatus, lucrorum copiosa presidia et cum honoribus laudem sibi comparabit et in
singulis actionibus suis commendabitur et apud utriusque sexus nobiles in magno pre-
cio habebitur ac honorabitur.

Authenticated
13 /5r/ Capricornus, signum exaltationis Martis, in occasu, in fine secunde decurie,

necnon in principio tertie decurie, sub termino Veneris, cum presentia Martis, prope
cuspidem septime domus, ac trigono scilicet Iovis dextro et hexagono Saturni sinistro,
ac sextili Mercurii et Veneris sinistro, faciet latenti pulsari invidia, postea tamen quieta
ratione componetur, verumtamen post multa inequabilitatis incommoda, interim
ingeniosum semper efficiet et acutum mentis investigationibus adornatum, sed damni-
ficabitur eius coniugium, unde vix unquam (ut reor) uxorem ducet, attamen de coniugio
postea suo loco latius disseremus,2 absconsi cuiusdam doloris vel incommodi sermenta
sustinebit, ac infinitis quasi animi doloribus quandoque fatigabitur, presertim in iuventa,
sed processum temporis, et in senecta, maxima felicitatis incrementa consequetur, unde
maxima lucra et quotidiana incrementa ac magnifice dignitatis insignia pollicentur.
14 Virginis signum in imo celi, in tertia decuria, sub termino Iovis, cum trigono
Martis dextro, ac Mercurii et Veneris diametro, cum oppositione Solis ac Lune ad
quartam domus, pro temporum varietate et incremento iuxta conditionem incommo-
dorum, sic et abundantiam augebit atque fortunam, ac tandem aliis preficietur adeo, ut
archana et secreta illi concredantur et negotia maxima, que nonnisi optimis viris dari,
consueverunt. 15 Diameter Mercurii, Veneris, Solis et Lune ad quartam domum faciet
in iuventa dispergere patrimonii substantiam, multisque laboribus fatigari, sed tandem
reddetur omnibus partibus secundus ac aliis necessarius, atque extrema senectutis spacia
perveniet, bonoque sepulture decorabitur honore.
16 Quantum vero ad complexionem huius nati attinet, dicimus choleram predomi-
nari, unde cholericus censebitur, sed a subdominante pituita maxime contemperabitur
in illo cholera, unde assiduo conatu mul/5v/ta dissimulare poterit, que ad cholericam
complexionem pertinent, unde calidi et sicci cholerici vocantur, sintque tales pro-
clives ad ebrietatem ob stomachum et calidum cerebrum, idcirco in promptu sunt
iracundi et proni ad verbera, ubi vero a subdominante pituita hec contemperantur, ut
caliditas cerebri reddatur, humectior facit, tunc optimam complexionem, ut natura
rationis norma multa stimulare poterit, que alias precipitantur, et indiscrete cholera
suadente perficeret, quare iam non iracundus, aut verbere, vel ebriosus vocabitur, eo
quod virtutum autoritate omnia hec vitia superet, inclinabitur quidem faciliter ad
iram, redibit item faciliter ad gratiam, disponitque hec temperata complexio natum
aptum ad consilia et ad prudenter dispensanda publica negotia ratione temperamenti
et caloris. 17 Et quia in precedentibus Martem cum Iove appellavimus almuten spiri-
tus, idcirco post bonam dispositionem, qua a Iove ad consilia aptus redditur (?), addit
etiam Mars audaciam, non eam qua temere abutuntur martiales, sed talem, scilicet,
circumspectam prudentem, cum qua maxima tractabit atque prostituet posteris suum
nomen, factis suis agregiis et celeberrimis, maxime in persecutione malignantium et
impiorum hominum. Hactenus de complexione dicta sufficiant.
2 See chapter 7 below.

Authenticated
178 David Juste
18 Ceterum 3 de aspectibus planetarum ad invicem, talia recitantur apotelesmata,

inprimis a diametro Saturni a Iovem futuro, exitia rerum agendarum multa decernun-
tur et post gravia ac periculosa iuventutis incommoda, vite finis cum prosperitate succedet,
et commodis, candetque post nebulam Phoebus.
19 Saturnus sextilis aspectus ad Martem (cum receptione) natum acceptum faciet
magistratui et senibus, necnon equestri ordini, decernitque in futuro maxima lucra et
quotidiana commoda.
20 Saturni trigonus cum Venere partiliter, Venere existente in dignitate sua, natum
efficit manifestum, pium, /6r/ pudicum, bone conversationis, et fame, sed qui a vilibus
personis invidie labe pulsetur, sed tarde, vel potius nunquam, faciet uxori copulari.
21 Saturnis trigonus cum Mercurio partiliter natum in rebus agendis doctum, pru-
dentem et sapientem significat, bonum virum, eruditum, cordatum, ingeniosum, aptum
ad disciplinas capescendas, publicis prepositum computis aut fiscalibus rationibus, vel regis
scribam aut consiliarium, aut alterius principis, ex quibus magna illi conferantur subsidia
facultatum, potissimum quia Mercurii sydus in domo decima collocatur.
22 Saturni trigonus cum parte fortune platice rei familiaris congerende pollicetur occasio-
nem, unde accessio bonorum ex agricultura et ex rebus hereditariis sive stabilibus, utpote
edificiis, prediis; rerum cuiusdam principis saturnii vel senescentis patrocinio aliquam
afferet utilitatem, alioqui honorifice et lucrigere legationis munera et aliorum lucrorum
presidia, non tamen sine sudoribus atque maxima difficultate et quapiam morula, sed in
iuventute significabat voluntariam paterne facultatis iacturam non mediocrem.
23 Iovis trigonus cum Marte platice, Marte existente in exaltatione propria et in domo
septima, natum hunc audacem reddit, periculis variis se exponentem in iuventa, ab hosti-
bus apertis circumdabitur, a quibus Deo favente eximetur, hinc erit honoris cupidus et
victorie, eritque fidelis administrator rerum domini sui vel domine, ob que consequetur
maxime dignitatis insignia, cui maximi honores crebris iudiciis conferentur.
24 Iovis hexagonus cum Venere platice, et in aptis figure locis, gratiam significat
venustatis, bonis assotiat, et honestis ac magnatibus amore coniungit, fidumque consor-
tis affectum demonstrat, patrimonii et dignitatis augmenta, que et amicorum causa sibi
merito, conferentur, significat preterea quod patrocinio cuiusdam inclite mulieris ad
altum dignitatis fastigium cum honore et quotidiano lucro sublimabitur.
25 /6v/ Iovis vero sextilis aspectus cum Mercurio platice ostendit natum sane ingenio-
sum, prudentem, cordatum, intelligentem, sapientem, prudentiam legis amplectantem,
in summa acerrima ingenii postetate fulgentem, omnia negotia prospere exequentem,
omnibus prepositum potentissime occasione promotionis sue atque doctrine merito
dignitatis et qui semper ex suis actibus laudetur et placeat publica officia sua vite trantando.
3 Sections in italics (2.18 – 21, 23 – 25, 27 – 29) are borrowed from Schöner, De iudiciis nativ-
itatum, II.2. Paragraphs 19, 24, 25 and 28 are taken from the trine aspect (sextile aspects are
ignored by Schöner).

Authenticated
26 Iovis hexagonus cum parte fortune placite decernit, quatenus consiliarius

existens, principum vel magnatum patrocinio munera rerum quippe mobilium et
divitias opulentissimas, sortietur etiam amicorum favore. Et quod a potentioribus
suscipiet officia utilissima unde illi non mediocris divitiarum cumulus accedet,
rediget preterea ille celorum influxus natum hunc fortunatum, felicem, laudatum
atque honoratum.
27 Martis tetragonus cum Sole ex angulis, utrisque in exaltatione propria existen-
tibus angulariter, Sole superior existente, multa mala decernit, in iuventa morbos
acutos, in adolescentia pericula a quadrupedibus necnon ab equis calcitrosis, unde
in crure minantur vulnera, similiter ab inimicis in capite cruentosam cicatricem
infliget et metuendum dextro oculo periculum. Ille infaustus celorum influxus magni
cuiusdam mavortii principis seu militis inimicitias, odia et seditiones obnunciat, et
aliorum periculorum vite discrimina nimium metuenda, nimirum anno etatis eius 28
currente,4 solet preterea talis celorum influxus significare fortunarum rapinas, furta
et expilationes ab inimicis martialibus, ac in bello multas adversitates obnunciare, ac
fere infinita metuenda discrimina, et quandoque destruere publica officia, in quibus
antea natus fuerat constitutus.
28 Martis sextilis aspectus cum Venere platice mulierum causa labores portendit,
nihilominus tamem assidua lucra ac a quadam nobilissima matrona opimum et utile
officium, eo quod Venus in decima, propria exaltatione, constituatur, quapropter duxisse,
principis mulieris patrocinio ad a<l>tissimum dignitatis gradum necnon ad officium
lucrigerum cum honore sublimabitur.
29 /7r/ Martis vero hexagonus cum Mercurio platice, nati animum ad sapientiam
provocat, computus et rationes publicas administrare facit et in his laudatum illum reddit,
et ut in omnibus negotiis fortiter agat, unde prosperos semper consequa<n>tur eventus,
literarum officia directe secreteque tranctando.
30 Martis oppositus aspectus ad partem fortune obnunciat iacturas et bonorum
distractiones ex rapinis servorum vel militum sive latronum expilationibus, seu quovis
alio furto, quin etiam militarum virorum patratu 5 plurima dispendiorum genera ob
inimicitias gravas, excitabitque plerosque invidos suis opibus inhiantes, obnunciat
preterea damna in equis et quadrupedibus magnis eo quod pars fortune a Marte taliter
afflicta duodecimam domum inhabitet. Solet insuper ibidem adversam fortunam
significare propter arrestacionem vel captivitatem, et occasione, pravarum mulierum.
31 Solis quadratus aspectus cum parte fortune platice fortune detrimenta minatur ex
litibus, ac dispendia infert odio potentiorum sive propter iram regis, bonorum iacturas
decernit, aut ob arrestationem vel exilum aut captivitatem a potentioribus incommoda,
et falcultatum detrimenta nato presagit.
4 See 6.8 and 10.11 below.

5 Read “patrata”.

Authenticated
180 David Juste
32 Veneris constitutio cum Mercurio partiliter gratiam et donum diversarum lingua-

rum nato decernit, blandiloquentiam, eloquentiam et amatorem musice artis efficit, quem
et musice studium teneat ac musicis instrumentis quandoque moduletur, qui delectatur
pictis tabulis et statuarum pulchritudine capiatur, tapetes et ornamenta variegata diligat.
33 Defluxio Lune a Venere ad coniunctionem Solis significat natum appetere magno-
rum virorum, regum ac principum utriusque sexus conversationem, apud quos etiam in
maxima estimatione reputabitur ac sublevabitur ad summos honores, eo quod eadem
constellatio in decima domo contingat, Venere ac Sole existentibus in exaltatione propria,
quapropter natus interdum ambassiator, /7v/ legatus aut internuncius et inter reges et
principes utriusque sexus constituetur, perficietque negotia illi commissa honorifice
atque prudenter. Hactenus de hac nativitate in genere dicta sufficiant. Sequuntur iam
queda<m> apotelesmata in specie.
3. De fortune incrementis ac decrementis
1 Quia significatores et dispositores partis fortune, necnon domus secunda, bene adficti
sint et in oportunis ac fortibus locis figure, presagiunt natum fortunatum iri in vita sua. 2
Inprimis Sol, dominus secunde domus, in decima, benigno aspectu trigono sinistro irrorans
domum secundam, fortune incrementa portendit favore regum ac principum utriusque
sexus et magnatum, ducum, comitum, quorum patrociniis interdum locupletabitur, item,
occasione Lune, dispositricis partis fortune, divitiarum affluentiam favoribus nobilium
matronarum, regine, duxisse et aliarum nobilium mulierum. 3 Siquidem Luna in domo
decima multiplicat honores, dat utilitatem a magnis principibus utriusque sexus, similiter
a vulgo comuni, item ex rebus aquaticis et occasione legationum longorum itinerum. 4
Attamen pars fortune in domo duodecima, in quadrato sinistro Lune, minatur aliquando
detrimenta in locis aquosis et in peregrinationibus longinquis, dispendia maiora compen-
diis et, propter lites cum nobili muliere vel plebecula, aut arrestationes <aut> fortunarum
expilationes. 5 Item que Saturni natura bona circa incrementa fortune denunciantur in
precedentibus ostendimus, a trigono Saturni ad partem fortune, legito ibidem.6 6 Que
autem de Martis complexione mala presaguntur, etiam in precedentibus diximus.7
7 Sequuntur quedam particularia ex directionibus partis fortune. Hanc igitur direxi
utraque via, nempe contra successionem signorum, ut semper fieri assolet, et cum succes-
sione signorum, secundum opinionem prestantissimi viri et profundi astrologi, scilicet
Francisci, monachi francisciani quondam pie memorie, necnon secundum opinionem
viri prestantissimi, Luce Gaurici, episcopi Civitatensis reverendissimi, quorum in hac
directione opinionem imitari volui. /8r/
6 See 2.22 above.

7 See 2.27 – 30 above.

Authenticated
Directio  contra Directio  cum

successionem 12 signorum: successione 12 signorum:
sinistrum. 7.0 sinistrum 7.0
30 9.30 sinistrum 7.10
 sinistrum 12.25  14.30
sinistrum 14.0 dextrum 20.15
 sinistrum 24.36 sinistrum 21.20
sinistrum 35.0 sinistrum 24.0
30 36.30 0 27.30
sinistrum 38.0 sinistrum 31.0
sinistrum 38.28 Canem Minorem, , prime 41 31.0
 40.0 Ad Canem Maiorem, de natura , prime 45.30
sinistrum 43.20 sinistrum 46.50
 45.40 Cor , , prime 48.0
30 54.36 sinistrum 47.30
sinistrum 59.30 Cervicem , , secunde 48.30
 62.0 dextrum 60.30
sine lati<tudine> 67.30 0 69.10
cum latitu<dine> 69.30  81.30
30 68.30 sinistrum 89.15
 69.25
 70.0
sinistrum 70.30
sinistrum 72.28
dextrum 75.0
30 82.15
8 Ex tabulis istis directionum apprime videre licet quando accedent nato fortune
8
incrementa aut decrementa. Plane ex utraque directionis tabula constat quod non
crescent fortune commoda ante completionem anni etatis 21 inclusive, sed ab anno etatis
eius 15 currente usque in annum 21 inclusive fortuna extitit illi prorsus contraria, unde ex
8 Read “prime maiestatis” (see infra).

Authenticated
182 David Juste
furto vel rapina iacturam fortune passus est, et a commilitonibus mercurialibus, videlicet
constudentibus, furtim quedam ablata sunt, potissimum anno etatis quintodecimo
labente. Deinde anno 16 similiter, neque ullo pacto habuit prosperum fortune successum
usque in annum etatis eius 21 inclusive.
9 Anno etatis eius 22 currente creverunt fortune commoda per senescentes fautores,
statim postea per homines mercuriales, philosophie studentes, quibus forte prelegendo
prefuit, cum honesto fortune augmento. Duravit hec felix fortune influentia usque in
annum etatis nati 24 inclusive.
10 Anno etatis eius 25 dilabente arrisit illi fortuna favore no/8v/bilium, tam mulierum
quam virorum, eo quod prefata directio sortis fortune cum successione signorum prius
pervenit ad trigonum Veneris sinistrum et contra successionem signorum pervenit ad
hexagonum Solis sinistrum sub Veneris termino. Idcirco ab anno etatis eius 25 currente
cepit prefata fortune progressio lucra conferre et dignitatis insignia a potentioribus.
Etiam ab eo tempore cepit maiorem consuetudinem ducere cum nobilibus quam antea
unquam consueverat, cum fortune incremento, etenim prefata directio ad hexagonum
Solis attestatur semper substantiis et honoribus nati cum corporis salubritate et mentis
tranquillitate. Verumtamen a directione medii celi videtur favores nobilium contraxisse
ab anno etatis 23 currente, unde substantie emolumenta et honoris commoda erumpe-
bantur. Duravit hec influentia bona usque in annum 27 inclusive.
11 Anno etatis nati huius 28 labente pervenit directio partis fortune (cum successione
signorum) ad primum punctum Leonis. Status et fortune mutationem significabat,
impedimenta quedam impendebant usque in annum etatis 31 inclusive.
12 Anno etatis nati 32 defluente pervenit directio sortis fortune (cum successione
signorum) ad trigonum Lune sinistrum sub Iovis finibus. Occasione alicuius officii ac
favoribus nobilium mulierum divitias corrasisse apparet et, occasione alicuius lucrigere
legationis, in qua plus solito venerabatur, fortune ampliationem portendebat. Eodem
anno labente pervenit prefata directio ad stellam fixam Canem Minorem, de natura
Martis et Mercurii. Oblatratores nato obstrusit occasione bone fortune sue, et invidos
martiales ac mercuriales, et in itinere aliquas difficultates, sed tandem natus contra emu-
los suos victoriose prevaluit. Duravit hec ambigua celestis influentia usque in annum
etatis 34 inclusive.
13 Anno etatis nati 35 currente pervenit directio partis fortune (contra successionem 12
signorum) ad trigonum 9 Lune sinistrum sub Mercurii termino. Iterum ratione /9r/ ali-
cuius legationis et profectionis fortune commoda denunciantur et quod natus locuple-
tari debebat favore nobilium mulierum ac vulgi absque nimio sudore et ex consequenti
apud exteras nationes plus solito venerabatur, apud utriusque sexus nobiles. Duravit hec
constellatio usque in annum etatis eius 36 inclusive.
9 Sic for “hexagonum”.

Authenticated
14 Anno etatis huius nati 37 dilabente pervenit directio partis fortune (contra succes-
sionem 12 signorum) ad extremum punctum Tauri sub Martis finibus, fortune et status
mutationem portendebat usque in annum etatis eius 38 inclusive.
15 Anno etatis eius 39 currente pervenit sortis fortune directio (contra signorum
ordinem) ad hexagonum Veneris sinistrum sub Saturni finibus. Honorigerum necnon
lucrigerum officium nato importabat inclite mulieris presidio, unde divitiarum et hono-
rum incrementa pollicentur et in posterum lucrorum copiosa presidia. Perseveravit
presens constellatio diutius eo quod medii celi directio eodem anno pariter pervenit
ad primum punctum Tauri sub Veneris finibus.
16 Anno etatis huius nati 40 labente pervenit prefata directio (contra signorum seque-
lam) ad hexagonum Mercurii sinistrum, etiam sub Saturni finibus. Partim occasione
proprii ingenii solertia, partim occasione mortuorum et ex computationibus vel ratione
literarum hereditariarum lucrorum copiosa portendebat presidia et in peregrinationibus
lucra, promittebat multo affluentiora dispendiis, sed circa finem eiusdem anni contra-
rium pollicebatur, veluti protinus sequitur.
17 Anno etatis huius nati 41 defluente pervenit directio partis fortune (contra succes-
sionem signorum) ad oppositum Saturni. Talis constellatio sane magnam supellectilem
sive fortunarum magnam congeriem dilacerare consuevit propter saturniorum rapinas,
furta et expilationes, quandoque propter ludos alearum et taxillorum cum saturninis, et
interdum, dum natus obsidem se exponit, spondetque /9v/ pro alio. Tunc enim natus,
propter invidos in eius facultates inhiantes, in periculis diffortunii discrimina pertulisse
videtur, cuius infortunii gemis partim minabatur facultatibus illius ab anno etatis 40
adhuc defluente, ac perseverabat infeliciter usque in annum etatis eius 45 inclusive,
interim semper diffortuniis obnoxius erat.
18 Anno etatis huius nati 46 currente pervenit directio partis fortune (cum succes-
sione 12 signorum) ad astrum Iovis et contra successionem signorum ad Canem Maiorem,
stellam fixam sic appellatam, prime maiestatis, de natura Iovis et Martis. Occasione iuris-
prudentie ac sapientie nati, decernebat quatenus alicuius magni principis iovii patrocinio
vel cardinalis aut episcopi munera rerum facultatum sortiebatur vel forte officium aliquod
honorigerum, unde tandem ei non mediocris divitiarum cumulus accessit, ceterum in
cunctis actionibus atque potentiorem negotiis administrandis, presens directio natum
redegit fortunatum, felicem laudatum et honoratum. Vicit quoque contra ablatratores
invidos, neque quisque poterat illi resistere. Et licet hic de quodam officio mentio fiat
non interim leditur autoritas officii de quo in precedentibus mentionem fecimus sub
anno etatis eius 39 currente,10 eo quod eius apotelesmata nondum expirarunt. Durabit
p<r>eterea presens felix effectus usque in annum etatis eius 54 inclusive cum prosperis
successibus in officiis suis.
10 See 3.15 above.

Authenticated
184 David Juste
19 Anno etatis nati huius 47 adhuc defluente pervenit directio partis fortune (cum
successione signorum) ad trigonum Solis sinistrum sub Saturni finibus. Significat quod
a rege seu potentioribus lucra contulerit et dignitatis insignia vel alicui preferture ab
rege vel potentioribus ingressus est, unde factus est ferme omnium veterum compos.
Perseverabit feliciter ac fortunate progrediendo usque in annum etatis eius 58 inclusive,
semper manendo in favoribus principum utriusque sexus.
20 Anno etatis eius 59 dilabente perveniet directio sortis /10r/ fortune ad Cor
Leonis stellam fixam taliter appellatam, de natura Martis et Iovis, primi honoris, luminis
fulgentissimi. Auspicio regis seu magni principis decernit copiosam affluentiam divi-
tiarum sive lucrorum egregia presidia et ex consequenti honores amplissimos perennes.
21 Anno etatis huius nati 60 currente perveniet directio partis fortune (contra
signorum 11 sequelam) ad tetragonum Martis sinistrum sub Mercurii finibus, et anno
etatis statim sequente, 61 etatis, perveniet cum signorum ordine ad quadratum Saturni
dextrum sub termino Martis. Hostiles sane erunt directiones obnunciant enim bonorum
iacturas et expilationes aut ab incendio gravia detrimenta per homines martiales et
saturninos aut forte spolietur a latronibus vel amittet facultates suas in bello. Incurret
enim plurima dispendiorum genera ob inimicitias graves et lites cum martialibus et
saturninis, ac fures illi callide insidiabuntur et alii inhiabunt opibus eius, caute tunc
sibi prospiciat, iacula 12 enim previsa minus feriunt. Perseverabit hec indigna constellatio
usque in annum etatis 62 inclusive.
22 Anno etatis eius 63 defluente perveniet directio sortis fortune (contra signorum
seriem) ad locum Solis sub Mercurii finibus. Dispendia decernit aliquando honorata
honoris gratia vel magni principis vel ut aliis liberalis et munificus videatur, interdum
etiam auget divitias favore regis et principum aut aliis occasionibus de dominio Solis.
Durabit tamen feliciter presens constellatio usque in annum etatis 67 inclusive.
23 Anno etatis huius nati 68 dilabente perveniet prefata directio (contra signorum
ordinem) ad locum Lune radicis, omissa latitudine Lune, sed adhibita Lune latitudine
perveniet anno etatis 70 currente ad locum Lune radicis. Significat quod iterum patro-
cinio nobilium mulierum augebit divitias, dabitque lucra a plebeis aut iterum nuncius
ab inclita muliere destinabitur et in legatione illa multum lucrabitur et plus solito
venerabitur. Durabit ille felix effectus usque in annum nati 70 inclusive. /10v/ Hinc
postea namque amplius perveniet prefata directio ad infausta loca planetarum, licet
etiam vixerit usque in centesimum etatis annum.
11 “Signorum” written twice.

12 Andreas Capellanus, De amore, 1.6.220.

Authenticated
4. De fratribus et sororibus nati
Solent astrologi (ut ordinem dicendorum observent) multa de fratribus et sororibus

hallucinari, sed que ad alium quam ad ipsum natum pertinent, ea difficulter ex nativi-
tatibus iudicantur, nec parem cum ceteris predictionibus certitudinem habent. De
fratribus igitur et sororibus nati si quis particularia scire desideraverit, hec ex propria
illorum genitura indagare necesse erit.
5. De parentibus nati, patre et matre
Hoc iudicium perinde est ut superius de fratribus et sororibus nati, neque adeo neces-
sarium est, ut pleraque alia, neque adeo certum, ut que de propriis effectibus e geni-
tura nati sumuntur, sed tamen cum geniture filiorum et parentum similitudinem
quandam et convenientiam occultam inter se habeant. Fit ut ex filiorum nativi-
tatibus cognoscantur etiam fere parentum dispositiones et status, dicunt econtra e
parentum genesi qualitas et accidentia filiorum, conversa ratione generaliter iudicari
possunt. Idque tum maxime cum significatores parentum sunt insigniter afflicti, ut
sepe fit in infaustis genituris, ubi vel mater in partu extinguitur vel infans ex materno
utero excinditur. Hec ideo de parentibus nati admonere libuit, ut ordinem (secun-
dum domorum rationem) observem. Ideoque si quis particularia de parentibus scire
velit, is multo certius hec ex propria illorum genitura deprehendet, sed illis dimissis
ad alia digrediamur.
6. De infirmitatibus et animi perturbationibus
1 Sub hoc capitulo de corporis infirmitatibus complectuntur fere omnia accidentia

vite nati que corpori et animo eius contingunt, veluti sunt corporis infirmitates, animi
commotiones, melancholice perturbationes, ire, tristicie et cure quotidiane que illi in
vita accidunt. Propterea plerumque longius protrahitur hoc capitulum cum explicatio-
nibus directionum hylegialium et interdum aliquarum figurarum revolutionum, veluti
in sequentibus dilucide patebit.
2 /11r/ Quia ascendens et Sol hylegium precipuum non sunt libera a malis, non
obstante quod domus sexta (que infirmitatis habitaculum vocatur) a malis non impe-
diatur, hinc claret quod corpus nati huius interdum proclive trahetur ad diversas
alterationes nunc ad calidas, nunc quoque ad frigidas, attamen non tam frequenter
languebit, ut ceteri interdum, eo quod sexta domus a malevolis non affligatur.
3 Preterea a directionibus ascendentis, Lune ac Solis hylech, corpus illius quandoque
diversis implicabitur symptomatibus, veluti statim in sequentibus patebit.

Authenticated
186 David Juste
Directio ascendentis: /11v/ Directio  hylech cum successione

signorum:
 0.25 sinistrum 4.0
dextrum 6.50 0 11.30
sinistrum 7.30  24.0
sinistrum 10.10 Mediam Pleiadis, , 5e 26.30
0 14.20 sinistrum 27.36
sinistrum 17.40 Hircum, , 1 e 29.0
Canem Minorem, , 1 e 18.40  32.0
Canem Maiorem, , 1 e 33.12 sinistrum 33.0
sinistrum 34.0 sinistrum 34.30
Cervicem , , 2e 34.30 0 36.30
sinistrum 34.30 Aldebaran, , 1e 42.15
Cor , , 1e 45.10 sinistrum 38.30
defl<uentem> 48.36 sinistrum 50.30
Dorsum , , 2e 49.20 sinistrum 62.0
0 56.50 sinistrum 64.0
Caudam , , 1e 67.54 0 67.0
 70.0 sinistrum 69.30
sinistrum 77.0 sinistrum 83.12
dextrum 84.36
Directio  cum gradu a  0 Directio  contra successione

cum successione: signorum, quia hylech:
 10.30 sinistrum 36.30
sinistrum 15.30  67.0
0 24.0
 38.0
Mediam Pleiadis, , 5e 42.30
sinistrum 43.15
 47.30
sinistrum 48.30

Authenticated
sinistrum 50.0
0 52.40
sinistrum 55.0
Aldebaran, , 1e 56.30
Hircem, , 1e 58.0
sinistrum 67.30
sinistrum 74.0
sinistrum 81.0
0 84.0
4 /11r/ Anno primo etatis labente, mense quarto currente, incidit in calida symptomata
de natura Martis propter directionem ascendentis ad oppositum Martis factam, necnon
propter profectionem ascendentis eodem mense (nempe Augusti principio) ad tetrago-
num Martis dextrum peractam.
5 Anno quinto etatis labente pervenit directio Solis hylech ad quadratum Martis sinis-
trum sub Mercurii termino in signo igneo. Quapropter suscitavit vehementes calores
in universo corpore eius qui causam prebebant acutis morbis ac febribus tercianis cum
motu cholere. Era<n>t tunc maxime iracundie, et fletibus obnoxis, sed tandem Dei
presidio revalescebat.
6 /11v/ Anno etatis nati 15 currente pervenit directio ascendentis ad principium
Leonis, mutavitque signum et terminum. Nato significabat mutationem status et loci,
forte tunc mittebatur ad academiam.
7 Anno etatis sextodecimo labente pervenit directio Lune ad quadratum Martis
sinistrum. Eodem anno pervenit profectio ascendentis ad quadratos radios Lune et
Solis sinistros, ad Martis quadratum dextrum, et habuit tunc impiam revolutionem, ac
Mars revertebatur ad locum suum radicis. Ideo maximam alterationem complexionis
eius portendebat, excitabat enim egrotationem cholericam satis accutam, in periculo
erat, ut lederetur a quadrupedibus vel ab equo calcitroso in crure vel ima parte ventris,
ceterum itinera illius erant laboriosa, neque felicem successum percepit in itineribus
suis. Et oculo sinistro pericula minitabantur, aut forte in capite vel fronte non procul
ab oculo sinistro ab adversario ictum, vulnus aut cicatricem suscepit. Annus ille diver-
sis periculis erat obnoxius. Efficiebatur insuper eodem anno totus martialis, cholericus,
frequenter iracundus, verumtamen dexteritate ingenii prestantissimus. Quibus iam
elapsis tam animus et corpus eius in sanitate optata ornabantur multis modis, adeo ut
anno etatis sue 22 reperit multas honestissimas conversationes ac letissimas consue-
tudines habere cum nobilibus solaribus ac martialibus, unde postea adhesit equestri
ordini ac militaribus viris.

Authenticated
188 David Juste
8 Anno etatis huius nati 28 defluente pervenit di/12r/rectio Solis hylech ad trigo-
num Martis sinistrum sub Martis finibus. Effecit ut a principibus personis vel ordini-
bus qui sunt sub Martis felici dominio vocaretur ad militiam, unde videtur cum
ceteris in armis resplenduisse tractationes bellorum, armorum expeditiones exercuisse.
Verumtamen quia profectio ascendentis eodem anno 28 etatis pervenit ad tetragonos
sinistros Lune et Solis [sinistros], necnon ad quadratum Martis dextrum, item quia
tunc directio medii celi atti<n>git quadratum Martis sinistrum, hinc apparet quod
in horrida vite pericula fere incuberit et martiales homines fortiter sese opposuerunt
nato, ut vix e tantis discriminibus effugere valuerit. Annus erat atro lapillo notandus,
attamen Dei presidio impedentia pericula evasit, eo quod tunc feliciorem habuerit
revolutionis figuram.
9 Ab anno etatis huius nati 32 currente usque in annum etatis 36 inclusive venit
inprimis directio Solis hylech ad oppositum Saturni, postea pervenit directio ascen-
dentis ad quadratum Saturni dextrum. Denotabant illi occursus nato varias melan-
cholicas perturbationes et febrim quartanam. Eo quod Saturni oppositus aspectus
(cui Sol occurrebat) acciderit sub signo melancholico, Tauro, sub Saturni termino,
et versabatur tum Saturnus sub Sagittario, signo sexte domus radicis, idcirco diutur-
nas melancholicas infirmitates presagire debebat ex crassis lentis et contumacibus
humoribus, cum quadam discrasia et redundantia phlegmatum ac pituite crude et
aliorum infortuniorum cumulis, minabantur interim stomachi et capitis dolores,
ventris tormina, opilationes hepatis et scirrhum lienis, existimabat forte se hydropi-
cum futurum. Verumtamen revolutiones prefatorum annorum meliora promittebant,
unde (Deo dante) in meliorem partem tales influentie celestes evanuerunt. Ipse sane
in prefatis annis variam fortune mutationem expertus est saturniorum odio, qui
nato intendebant obiicere nigram sui nominis notam et indignam famam, preterea
actiones eius, studia et artes illius adeo differebantur, ut vix tandem cum detrimento
perficiebantur ac fere in ipsius perniciem /12v/ revertebantur, et consilia eius non
bonum sortiebantur eventum. In summa anni prefati plus incommodi quam com-
modi, plus fellis quam mellis nato intulerunt, potissimum anni 32 et 33 etatis eius
currentis, ceteri vero 34 et 35 currentes non tam indignas influentias dederunt, licet
vigor Saturni adhuc perseveraverit.
10 Anno etatis huius nati 37 currente pervenit directio Solis hylech (cum succes-
sione 12 signorum) ad primum punctum Geminorum ad Mercurii terminum, eadem
Solis directio (contra signorum sequelam, quia hylech) pervenit ad quadratum Saturni
sinistrum. Magnam vite et merum mutationem significabat, gravitates in itineribus et
interdum adhuc melancholicas cogitationes, sed status illius cepit redire ad meliora,
redibantque paulatim felices sanitatis ac prosperitatis successus et nebule perturbatio-
num abierunt, ac candere cepit post nebulam phebus et honoris insignia refloruerunt,
veluti postea suo loco dicetur.
11 Anno etatis nati 40 defluente pervenit profectio Solis hylech ad oppositum
Martis et profectio ascendentis pervenit ad quadratos Lune et Solis sinistros, necnon

Authenticated
ad tetragonum Martis dextrum, sed revolutionem habuit satis idoneam. Alioqui maxi-
mam complexionis alterationem significare debebat et intemperiem calidam, sed ira-
cundie stimulus non caruit et inimicorum invidos insultus interdum tolerare debuit.
12 Anno etatis eius 48 currente pervenit directio Lune (cum successione signorum)
ad oppositum Saturni, etiam sub Saturni finibus. Clancularios et invidos inimicos
nato presagiebat, qui nitebantur acconitum porrigere nato et toxico perniciosissimo
deperdere, sed occasione felicis revolutionis anno 1561, in qua Luna a Venere ac Iove
iuvabatur, in meliorem partem conversa sunt omnia, nihilominus non sine melan-
cholicis animi perturbationibus, meroribus, tristiciisque, variisque curis quotidianis,
potissimum quia Saturnus erat dominus domus mortis in horoscopo, octave domus,
solet huiusmodi significatio Saturni, ex Scorpione, /13r/ nato decernere gonorrheam,
renum debilitatem, sive lapides vesice vel arenalem morbum, aut vicia circa pudenda
seu hemorrhoides, aut aliquam hernie speciem, podagram et phlegmaticam egrota-
tionem, nisi per faustam huius anni revolutionem impedita fuissent, veluti predixi-
mus. Item istius Falciferi 13 diameter ad Lunam ex quadrupedibus et in aquis similiter
pericula minabatur, et ex animalibus venenosis. Similiter indignationem nobilissime
matrone excitare consuevit, que Dei favore omnia in meliorem partem abierunt.
13 Anno etatis huius nati 50 defluente fecit Saturnus transitum per gradum ascen-
dentis radicis, stetitque in hora revolutionis in quadrato Solis. Intrincecas 14 animi
perturbationes melancholicas nato portendebat, ob infirmitatem alicuius principis
aut forte domine sue. Eodem anno laboriosa habuit itinera et si per mare proficisci
debuisset naufragii discrimina incurrisset, quorum effectus tandem sine difficul-
tate evanuerunt.
14 Anno etatis eius 52 currente perveniet profectio ascendentis ad quadratum Martis
dextrum, necnon ad tetragonos radios Lune et Solis sinistros. Deberet hec profectio
notabilem complexionis alterationem presagire, sed iterum per felicem revolutionem
impediuntur prefati indigni effectus. Verumtamen in itineribus illius anni molestias
percipiet circa finem revolutionis, circa diem 21 Martii anni domini 1566 usque in finem
eiusdem revolutionis etatis 52 adhuc currentis, idcirco caute sibi prospicere debebit ne
cum equo periculum in itinere incurrat aut quovis alio modo.
15 Anno etatis nati 53 currente perveniet directio Lune ad primum punctum Gemi-
norum. Mutationem complexionis ad bonum portendit, eo quod de melancholico signo
transitum faciet ad signum sanguineum, unde bona corporis valetudine fruetur natus,
ac ad hilaritatem et mentis securitatem propensior erit.
16 Anno etatis huius nati 58 defluente perveniet direc/13v/tio ascendentis ad primum
punctum Virginis. Vite et status vel loci mutationem presagit, sed quia ingredietur
signum melancholicum animi melancholicas perturbationes, quotidianasque curas
13 I. e., Saturn.
14 Uncertain reading: “intrinsecas”?

Authenticated
190 David Juste
portendit. Habebit tunc etia<m> revolutionem mediocriter malam. Bono regimini

studeat ne in calidam intemperiem ruat.
17 Anno etatis huius nati 63 defluente perveniet directio Solis hylech ad quadra-
tum Mercurii sinistrum sub Saturni finibus. Contra natum criminationes varias,
accusationes, malum nomen et infamiam concitabit, quippe qui mercuriales sibi
infensos audiet, qui de ipso perperam oblatrabunt. Siquidem 15 annus ille 63 etatis
annus climatericus vocatur, ubi notandum quod septeni anni et noveni per omne vite
tempus multiplicata ratione currentes variis hominem periculorum discriminibus semper
afficiunt. Unde et 63 annus, quia utriusque numeri summam pariter excipit, androdas 16
appellatus est, novies enim septem anni 63 faciunt et rursus septies novem simili modo
anni fiunt 63. Quia itaque utriusque numeri cursus in hoc anno equata ratione con-
currit, grande semper periculi discrimen imponit. Si enim anni septeni et noveni (qui
hebdomatici a Grecis, atque enneatici, appellantur) gravia semper hominibus indu-
cunt pericula, quid annus faciet 63, qui utriusque numeri multiplicatam et invicem
sibi obligatam perficit summam? Hac igitur androdas 17 ab Aegiptiis dictus est, quod
omnem vite substanciam frangat atque debilitet. Quapropter provida prudentia opus
erit si hunc annum evadere velit, igitur magna diligentia versabitur natus in usu cibi
et potus ut tunc morbos effugere possit, qui de levissima hoc tempore occasione
existere solent. Sed quia lumina maiora in revolutione istius anni non impediuntur
neque affliguntur a malis, ideo minus metienda erunt prefata occulta mala. Ideo
dimissis illis transibimus ad alia.
18 Anno etatis huius nati 64 currente pervenit directio Solis hylech ad quadratum
Veneris sinistrum, /14r/ sub Saturni finibus. Significat quod occasione intemperantie
in cibo et potu vel medicine ratione subibit aliquid periculi sive mortis sive adverse
valetudinis vel etiam contentionis aut discordie cum nobili muliere vel cum pessima
meretrix, eo quod prefata directio duodecimam domum radicis incidet, in qua per
pravas mulieres contentiosa certamina denunciantur. Attamen revolutio illius anni
erit satis grata.
19 Anno etatis huius nati 68 currente perveniet directio ascendentis ad stellam fixam
Cauda Leonis appellatam, prime magnitudinis, de natura Saturni, Veneris et Mercurii.
Eodem anno perveniet directio Solis hylech (cum successione signorum) ad primum
punctum Cancri, signum videlicet humidum et frigidum, et contra successione signorum
perveniet ad astrum Martis, quod erit anno domini 1581. Reddetur nunc corpus nati
alterabile ad quandam discrasiam, efficieturque somnolentum, pigrum et torpidum ad
omnia munera subeunda et multis viciosis ac fluentibus humoribus in pectore gravabi-
tur ac senectute quodammodo premetur.
15 The section in italics is borrowed verbatim from Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis, IV.20.3.
16 Sic for “androclas” in Firmicus Maternus.
17 Idem.

Authenticated
25
Revolutio pro anno etatis

eius 70 currente, incipiet
anno domini 1583 Martii
14 Die Hora Minuto
18
2
25 3 49 108
14 ante meridiem diei 
Defluxio Lune
a ad 
21 16
4 14
25
<Revolution of Joannes Sillyers of Mechelen (1583)>

Fig. 2
20 Anno etatis Revolution of Joannes perveniet
huius nati 70 currente Sillyers ofdirectio Solis hylech
Mechelen (1583)ad tetragonum
Lune sinistrum sub Iovis termino. Eodem anno perveniet directio ascendentis ad locum
Caude Draconis radicis, de natura Saturni et Martis, sub Veneris finibus. Habebit tunc
natus impiam et ingratam revolutionem ac miseram nimis, in qua signum octave domus
radicis, Aquarius, erit ascendens revolutionis et utrumque luminare affligetur a malis,
nempe Luna a diametro Saturni ab angulo orientis ad angulum occidentis, Sol impe-
dietur a quadrato Martis dextro, Marte existente in sexta revolutionis ac Sole versante
in domo secunda;18 Venus, domina octave revolutionis, erit sub radiis Solis combusta ac
Iupiter erit afflictus a presentia Saturni in prima domo revolutionis, necnon a diametro
Lune. Obnunciabit hec misera revolutio nato annum meroribus /14v/ plenum, ut patet
ex presenti revolutionis figura.
Et quia Luna in horoscopo 19 defluebat a coniunctione Veneris ad combustionem
coniunctionemque Solis, affligebatur a radiis Solis, ac modo quia Sol per directionem
perveniet ad quadratum Lune sinistrum, ostendet hoc anno tempus sui decreti et
cum eventu pericula iam producet, que in nativitate promittebat. Ideo inprimis nato
18 The Sun is in fact in the first house.

19 I. e., in the nativity.

Authenticated
192 David Juste
oculorum aciem aliquantisper hebetabit vel cecutientem efficient, et aliquam ingeret

alterationem acutam, deinde phlegmaticam non sine capitis et stomachi ac cordis
cruciatibus. Et quia Iupiter, in diametro Lune sub ascendentis domicilio, domino
octave radicis, Saturno coniungitur, apoplexiam vel cerebri involutionem irritabit.
Item quia directio ascendentis hoc anno perveniet ad locum Caude Draconis radicis
(ut statim diximus), minatur similiter nato pessimam egritudinem, ut ventris proflu-
vium vel disynteriam vel cholicam passionem, oculorumque aciem hebetare faciet,
quandoque in podice fistulas sive hemorrhoidas excitare solet, verum, quod magis
est, precavere debebit ne sibi loco medicine veneni pocula porrigantur. Itaque si
vitam suam charam habuerit, omnino indocti medici auxilium devitet, sobrie vivat,
ad dominum Deum suum refugium capiat, illi vitam corporisque salutem commen-
det, omnem spem suam in illo collocet. Veluti David propheta inquit: Deus 20 noster
refugium et virtus adiutor in tribulationis que invenerunt nos nimis. Preterea, quia in
principio huius nativitatis diximus, periodum terminari debere anno etatis nati 70
currente, /15r/ ideo multo magis suspectus est mihi presens annus de morte nati.
Quapropter metiendum erit quod ingredietur iam viam universe carnis et spiritum
suo reddet creatori.
21 Ubi vero (Dei presidio) hunc annum superaverit ad annum etatis 84 pertingere
poterit, tunc enim directio Solis hylech perveniet ad alios vite abscisores, nempe ad
quadratum suum sinistrum, et directio Lune eodem anno perveniet ad primum punctum
Cancri, habebitque tunc similiter miseram revolutionem, nimirum anno domini 1597.
Tam miserrima est mortalium conditio quod licet homo quandoque diutius vixerit,
mortem tamen effugere non poterit. Faxit igitur hoc Deus optimus, maximus pater
domini nostri Iesu Christi, quod cum sanctis eius preciosam mortem in conspectu
eius habeamus. Amen.
7. De coniugio nati
1 Antiquissimam et in maxima humani generis parte observatam coniugiorum rationem

fuisse unius maris et unius femine legittimam coniunctionem sacre litere testantur.
Statim enim, post creationem hominum, expresse traditum est hoc mandatum: erunt 21
duo in carnem unam, id est inseparabiliter iuncti. Postea vero ex historiarum lectione
manifestum hoc quoque est quod quo queque gens plus honestatis et discipline habuit,
eo etiam coniungia habuerit ordinatiora et vagas libidines ac illicitas commixtiones
severius puniverit, ideo coniugiorum consideratio de tali coniunctione non de illicitis
cohabitationibus et amoribus intelligi debet. Nam ubi plures uxores simul haberi possunt,
20 Ps. 45.2.
21 Gen. 2.24.

Authenticated
qualis est nunc confusio barbarica apud Mahometanos et in maxima Aphrice parte
vel ubi ex constitutionibus plurimi reguntur in impuro celibatu vivere, non valet hec
doctrina, sed ibi ubi liberrimum est utrumque, ut olim apud omnes gentes, utrumque
liberrimum fuit omnibus.
2 Consideravi igitur septimum domum (que coniugii ha/15v/bitaculum voca-
tur) et planetas in illa, videlicet Martem ac Saturnum, dominum septime domus,
retrogradum, quapropter prima fronte video damnari coniugium nati. Postea aspexi
Lunam ac Venerem, perpetuas coniugii virorum significatrices, etiam impeditas,
Lunam inquam a combustione Solis, vergentemque ad quadratum Martis sinis-
trum, et Venerem afflictam ab hexagono Martis sinistro ab angulo septime domus,
ac consequenter impeditam a Saturno, domino septime, retrogrado, per aspectum
trigonum sinistrum. Ex quibus concluditur quod nato huic om<n>imode denega-
tur coniugium fatorum imperio.
3 Et licet aliquando duxerit uxorem (quod minime credo facturum), inveniet illam
rebellem, vindicte et dominii cupidam, rixosam, contumacem, violentam, sumptuosam,
ebriosam, infamem, tetricam, morosam, pertinacem et pigram, minime virtuosam. Unde
merito melius fuerit illi non ducere uxorem quam huiusmodi indomite bestie copulari,
de natura Martis ac Saturni retrogradi, quam perpetuam sibi habuisset mimicam. Item
de tempore coniugii atque aliis concurrentibus coniugii negotiis non erit necesse hic
multa recensere, eo quod uxore legittima carebit.
8. De liberis
Post coniugii considerationem apte sequitur iudicium de liberis. Supra autem dixi natum
non duxturum (!) legittimam uxorem, idcirco per consequens sequitur quod non opus
erit amplius querere de liberis legittimis quos ex coniugio suscepturus sit. Nam ille-
gittimos non considerant astrologi, cum eorum numerus adeo incertus esse possit, ut
quidam ex eo modo plures quam credibile sit susceperint. Transibimus igitur ad alias
et hactenus de quinte domus apotelesmatibus, que filiorum domicilium appellatur, et
gaudium Veneris, in qua Saturnus, ille commestor puerorum et inimicus nature, ver-
satur retrograde.
9. De itineribus et religione, somniisque
1 /16r/ Significatores itinerum et peregrinationis sumuntur a nona domo, planetis in

ea, necnon a Luna et Mercurio, Luna quidem, quia vagabunda est et velox, Mercurius
vero quia instabilis et versatilis est. In domo nona neminem planetarum comperi, preter
Caput Draconis Lune, de natura Veneris et Iovis. Luna, cum sit domina prime domus,
generaliter presagit natum facturum itinera longa ad exteras regiones et, quia in decima

Authenticated
194 David Juste
domo versatur, significat nato itinera ex iussu regum et principum cum fortune incre-
mento. Preterea, quia Mercurius similiter in decimo domicilio versatur, honorifica itinera
decernit et legationes ex parte regum et principum utriusque sexus. Eo quod Veneri
coniungitur in decima, ideo per nobiles mulieres ad longa itinera honorifica propelletur,
unde sibi laudem, gloriam et divitias parabit, et officia honorata, eritque quandoque
internuncius regum et principum. Item quia Saturnus, dominus none, retrogradus est,
molesta nato itinera et meticulosa presagit, et in aquis quandoque horrida vite dis-
crimina aut naufragii infestissima incommoda. Attamen presentia Capitis Draconis in
nona, de natura Iovis et Veneris, convertet horrores et molestias itinerum in gaudium
et felicem exitum, facietque 22 in suis operibus fortunatum et in profectionibus assequi
bonam famam, honorem et lucrum.
2 Colores 23 equorum nato idonei ad equitandum per itinera, sive longa sive brevia.
Meliores sunt gilvus vel fulvus et fuscus, ad instar castanee premature. Mediocres
sunt pallidus, albus, griseus et variegatus, de natura Mercurii, quia ingularis 24 est;
ruffus vel rubeus color equorum, de natura Martis, quia in angulo septime versa-
tur, nato prorsus inimicus est et prorsus contrarius. Ceteri equorum colores nato
minime idonei sunt.
3 Dies magis apti ad inchoanda itinera sunt dies Veneris, Solis et Mercurii ac Lune,
Iovis vero mediocris censebitur. Alii vitandi sunt in inceptionibus itinerum, sive parvorum
sive longorum.
4 /16v/ Regiones et civitates Piscibus, Arieti, Tauro, Cancro et Leoni subiecte
commode sunt nato, ut ibi vel res suas gerat vel habitet. Adverse vero sunt regiones et
civitates Scorpioni et Capricorno subiecte. Et hactenus de peregrinationibus.
5 Quantum ad religionem nati attinet, Caput Draconis, de natura Iovis et Veneris,
in domo nona significat constantem Christianum, amatorem verbi Dei et opinionis
veterum, quod probatur quia Iupiter ad nonam faustos radios proiicit, ut generalis reli-
gionis significator, ideo pium in religione et modestum hominem significat. Tantum de
hac consideratione hic dixisse sufficiat quam leviter tamen attingere voluimus, eo quod
mathematici nativitatum quas describunt iudiciis etiam hanc inserant.
6 De somniis nati pari forma dicimus. Propter Capitis presentiam in nona cum
felici Iovis aspectu, nati somnia decernuntur mantica, quibus plerumque respondet
eventus. Verumtamen, quia Saturnus illuc dirigit radios quadratos sinistros ac Mars
hexagonos sinistros, reddunt sepissime etiam somnia falacia, horribilia, terribilia et
inania ac frequenter ambigua, quibus interdum respondet eventus, interdum vero non.
Hanc de somniis brevem admonitionem addidi, secutus communem consuetudinem.
Cum talia somnia, que significant aliquid futuri, a temperamenti proprietate oriantur,
22 Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum, II.4 (f. XCv).

23 The underlined section is marked in the margin with the word “Nota”.
24 Read “angularis”.

Authenticated
nec repugnat hec doctrina cum sacris literis. Precepta autem de interpretatione incepta
et inania sunt et sepe interpretes fefellerunt, ac in Deuteronomio adseveratio ex iis,
nisi sint divina, manifeste prohibetur.
10. De honoribus, officiis et dignitatibus
1 Hec pars, cum sit magni momenti et usus in predictionibus genethliacis, diligen-
tiorem considerationem requirit quam pleraque ex precedentibus. Idcirco a signifi-
catoribus honorum inchoandum ratus sum. Sumitur autem significatio dignitatis
a luminaribus, Sole presertim, et planetis medietate suorum /17r/ orbium circum-
dantibus aut aspicientibus luminare utrumque, precipue Solem; deinde a medio
celi, domino eius, et planetis in medio celi constitutis. Hi significatores, si sint in
proprio domicilio, exaltatione aut mutua receptione essentiali, honores, officia
publica, amplas administrationes, dignitates, eximium favorem et benevolentiam
principum et magnatum conferunt.
2 Tres planetas in exaltatione propria conspicio, Solem, Martem et Venerem, et
quatuor in decima domo, medii celi culmine, Mercurium, Venerem, Solem et Lunam.
Habent igitur Sol et Venus ibidem duplicia dignitatis testimonia, videlicet ratione
domus decime et occasione proprie exaltationis. Decernunt igitur nato pariter maxi-
mos honores et eximiam prestantiam dignitatis. Nam planete benefici in decima domo
decernunt eximias dignitates. Iupiter, dominus decime, in undecima, radios felices
hexagonos dextros ad decimam transmittens, significat magnitudinem honoris et
dignitatum, efficit gubernatorem magnarum familiarum, vocat ad apicem dignitatis
iurisprudentie, dat et rerum sperandarum prosperum eventum, nato conciliat multi-
tudinem amicorum regum, principum et magnatum, quorum favoribus ad maxima
officia evehetur.
3 Sol in decima domo in exaltatione propria natum vocat ad statum honorabilem,25
necnon ad officia magna regum, principum et magnatum, efficitque loco regis et princi-
pum maxima autoritate fulgentem, in aulis principum se recipientem, et cum autoritate
ibidem gubernatorem et potentem, fere ultra suam conditionem.
4 Venus in domo decima, ibidem in exaltatione propria, nato decernit amorem a
regibus, principibus utriusque sexus, reginis, duxissis et potentioribus, amabitur ab illis
et maximam graciam apud illos inveniet, quorum favoribus et patrociniis ad maxima
dignitatis insignia sublimabitur, acquiretque divitias et honorifica officia lucrigera ab illis.
5 /17v/ Mercurius in decimo domicilio cum Venere constitutus Veneris naturam
induit, natum occasione sublimis eruditionis et eloquentie facit doctoratus pileo
adornari, variarum linguarum gracia dotari. In statu vero spirituali fecisset sacris
25 Sections in italics (10.3 – 5) are borrowed from Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum, II.4.

Authenticated
196 David Juste
infulis coronari, quod facile (si voluerit) annis adhuc sequentibus, potissimum 64
etatis currente,26 assequi valebit, de quibus infra statim latius tractabo. Item Mercurius
ibidem solet natum efficere regis cancellarium vel principum consiliarem, qui regum
et principum utriusque sexus secreta pertractabit, unde officia honorifica et lucrig-
era assequetur, publicis compitibus ac libris rationum preficietur, diliget et scientias
politiores, nempe arithmeticam, geometriam, mathematicam, astrologiam, musicam,
picturam, etc. Et undque laudabitur propter virtutes suas, necnon propter dexteri-
tatem ingenii sui, veluti adhuc in precedentibus recitavimus.
6 De Lune significatis in domo decima in precedentibus sufficienter explicavimus.
Sed ad alia digredior.
7 Direxi preterea gradum medii celi, ut patet in presenti adiecta tabula. Solis gradum
in precedentibus direximus, ut patet in capitulo de infirmitatibus,27 in quibus patet quod
propter ingenii dexteritatem cepit laudari a primeva eius etate, eo quod directio medii
celi prius pervenerit ad astrum Mercurii, deinde ad stellam Veneris. Quapropter iste
constellationes natum fecerunt ingeniosum, eloquentem, facundum, sagacem, callidum
(!), versatum, qui astutam 28 vapido servavit sub pectore vulpem.
Directio medii celi:

 2.25  60.30
 7.0 sinistrum 61.28
0 9.20  sinistrum 63.36
cum lati<tudine> 19.30 0 66.30
sine lati<tudine> 21.30 Aldebaran , 1e 69.0
 22.0  sinistrum 69.0
sinistrum 27.0  sinistrum 81.25
0 36.15
 48.36 Tabulam directionis Solis in precedentibus

querito.
 56.30
8 Anno etatis huius nati 17 currente pervenit profectio medii celi cum suis influentiis
ad signum ascendentis, ad trigonos radios Mercurii et Veneris sinistros. /18r/ Effecit ut
natus honoraretur occasione doctrine sue et magisterii, et factus est magister artium.
26 See 10.24 below.

27 See 6.3 above.
28 Persius, Satirae, V.117.

Authenticated
9 Anno etatis 21 defluente pervenit directio medii celi ad locum Solis radicis. Illo
anno cepit invenire graciam apud potentiores et nobiles, qui illum summo favore et
benevolentia prosequebantur, quippe qui mutuam cum illis inibat benevolentie neces-
situdinem, apud quos laudem et honoris beneficia consecutus est occasione eloquentie
ac prudentie sue, eo quod presens directio ceciderit sub Mercurii finibus.
10 Anno etatis 25 currente pervenit directio Solis ad astrum Iovis, etiam sub ter-
mino Iovis. Contulit inprimis nato corporis salubritatem et animi trancquillitatem
(!) et omne quodammodo felicitatis ordinem, hoc anno videtur promotus ad doc-
toratus dignitatem et gradum et consecutus est apud potentiores ioviales graciam
faclemque auram, utpote cum iureperitis, legum professoribus, cum quibus hono-
rigere federa amicitie iniisse apparet, unde laudis et honoris insignia sequebantur et
utilitatis profectus.
11 Anno etatis nati huius 28 currente pervenit directio Solis ad trigonum Martis sinis-
trum et directio medii celi pervenit quadratum Martis attingendo. Denotat inprimis
quod cum martialibus amicite federa inire ceperet, plus solito intrepidus, magnani-
mus et animosus factus, unde honores consecutus est et laudem. Sed ante finem huius
anni multa mala illi decernebantur a martialibus 29 ex inopinato, unde non speraverat, ut
fere in carceris incommoda ceciderit. Provocavitque etiam hec constellatio contra natum
lites, iurgia et mutuas simultates, quorum odiis plurima mala inopinata illi impendebant
cum fortunarum iactura atque dedecore. Nam tantis malis atque calamitatibus videtur
conquassatus ut quo se verteret penitus ignorabat.
12 Anno etatis eius 33 currente pervenit directio Solis ad diametrum Saturni, etiam
sub Saturni finibus. Iste falcifer Saturnus indignationem principam contra /18v/ natum
hoc anno irritavit et potentiores, plerosque saturninos aut senescentes quosdam, vel
magistratum alieno erga se animo provocavit, ac ipsorum persecutiones per invidiam
excitatas cum ipsius dedecore tolerare debuit, quin et alia male valetudinis, melancholi-
carum perturbationum incommoda multa et alti honoris deiectionem ac variam fortune
mutationem expertus videtur illo anno et sequenti anno saturniorum odio, de quibus
aliqua in precedentibus, a directione ascendentis in capitulo de infirmitatibus, adno-
tavimus.30 Sed et ioviales circa hec tempora sub amicitie specie dolis et insidiis illum
circumvenire conabantur, unde iudices iurisconsuli alieno contra se animo exerceban-
tur.31 Similem invidie casum videtur passus anno etatis eius 48 currente, de quo etiam
supra quedam recitavimus.
13 Anno etatis huius nati 34 currente et statim 35 succedente pervenit prius direc-
tio Solis ad hexagonum Mercurii sinistrum, deinde statim ad sextilem Veneris sinis-
trum. Erat ad scripturas et literarum studia solito propensior et ob egregias ingenii
29 “A martialibus” added in the margin.

30 See 6.9 above.
31 “Exerriebantur” or “exeririebantur” MS.

Authenticated
198 David Juste
sui dotes plus solito venerabatur, quinetiam ob honorigeram legationem honores et

lucra decernebantur. Et in pertractationibus negotiorum principum per ingenii saga-
cis solertiam et suam inclitam sapientiam egregia honoris insignia consequebatur. Et
anno statim succedente 35 plus solito letior extitit et propensior ad iocunditates de
natura Veneris, insolito et magno capiebatur amore et cum Veneris nitidulis proli-
bus frequentiores consuetudines honestasque conversationes habuit. Annus ille erat
genialis, iocundus, letus atque salubris. Et resplenduerunt vestimenta eius et orna-
menta plus solito pulchiora, unde puellis et mulieribus studebat blanditiis, gestibus
et incessu omnibus modis placere.
14 Anno etatis eius 39 currente pervenit directio Solis ad hexagonum Lune sinistrum
sub Mercurii termino. Eodem anno pervenit directio Lune ad locum Iovis radicis sub
Iovis finibus. Natus illo anno res varias atque diversa negotia potentiorum cum lucro et
honore pertractabat et videtur arripuisse a rege vel principibus /19r/ honorifica itinera.
Quippe cui lucrigere et honorigere legationis munera demandabantur et secundam
habuit fortunam in officiis et in singulis propemodum actionibus suis laudabatur et
plus solito venerabatur, quinetiam ex patrocinio seu favore et benevolentia tam homi-
num superioris ordinis quam vulgi atque mulierum multam amicorum copiam experie-
batur. Lune vero directio ad locum Iovis, ut prediximus, eodem anno nato optimam
corporis complexionem, hilaritatem et mentis serenitatem contribuit, et lucrorum
copiosa presidia sive honorificum officium et altissima honoris insignia, cuius ratione
etiam honorigere legationis munera ei demandabantur, vel saltem potentis cuiusdam
administrationis licentia sublevabatur. Durabit felix ille celorum influxus ad multos
futuros annos, usque 47 etatis inclusive.
15 Anno etatis eius 44 currente, prope finem, pervenit directio Lune ad trigonum
Martis sinistrum sub Iovis finibus. Effecit natum illo anno animosum, audacem, for-
tem, imperiosum, sagacem, industrium et agilem, honoris item et victorie cupidum. Et
apparet quod in milites aliquod dominium sortiebatur et mavortii principis auspicio
dignitatis et utilitatis officii accessionem, ob que ad crebra itinera propellebatur.
16 Anno etatis nati 48 defluente pervenit directio Lune ad oppositum Saturni. Apo-
telesmata huius decreti in precedentibus, in <capitulo> de infirmitatibus, querito.32
17 Anno etatis huius nati 49 dilabente pervenit directio medii celi ad locum Iovis
radicis. Eodem anno pervenit directio Lune ad hexagonum Mercurii sinistrum sub
Saturni finibus. Nato presagivit aliquem magistratum occasione sapientie atque pru-
dentie sue et oblatum munus alicuius officii utilissimi, unde lucrorum copiosa presidia,
laudem et bonum nomen sibi vendicabat, quinetiam ob ipsius facinora preclarasque
actiones erat apud potentiores dignitate et gratia longe perspicuus. Huiuscemodi
celorum influxus homines ex infima etiam atque ignobili prosapia oriundos ad clara
honoris insignia, imo suprema rerum fastigia, extollere consuevit /19v/ supra geniture
32 See 6.12 above.

Authenticated
substantiam, et in statu ecclesiastico existentes ex interitu alicuius prelati opimum

beneficium, prelaturam vel ecclesiasticam hereditatem, ita genito contribuere solet.
18 Anno etatis nati 52 currente perveniet directio Lune ad hexagonum Veneris sinis-
trum sub Saturni termino. Illo anno inclite mulieris iussu itinera honesta suscipiet, unde
aliqua lucrorum presidia suscipiet, et cum maiori felicitate prosperis augebitur incre-
mentis et precedentibus bonis meliora decernentur adhuc tempora, item legationis hon-
origere munera ei demandabuntur et vulgus quoque natum magnis prosequetur hono-
ribus. Eodem anno currente 52 etatis perveniet directio Solis (prope finem illius anni)
ad hexagonum suum sinistrum sub Veneris finibus. Significat nato a rege sive nobilibus
aut potentioribus viris honores, qui forte a duxissa vel nobilissima matrona legationis
fungetur officio ad regem vel imperatorem, unde illi pollicetur dignitatis prerogativa et
a nobilibus honores solito maiores. Quapropter occursus isti nato claritatem et emol-
umenta a principibus et superioribus ordinibus merito pollicentur.
19 Anno etatis eius 55 currente perveniet directio Lune ad hexagonum suum sinis-
trum sub Mercurii finibus. Significat quod illo anno res varias atque diversa negotia
solenter absolvet et ad itinera solito propensior erit toto ferme illo anno et apud exteros
venerabitur, eritque glorie cupidus et officii sive dignitatis occasionem expectabit et
a populis atque generosa quadam matrona advenient ei lucrorum copiosa presidia,
honoresque insolito maiores. Postea perveniet ad aliquas stellas fixas primi luminis,
Adebaran, et nature, ad Hircum Agitatorem,  et  complexionis. Caven-
dum ne complexio nati distemperetur per intemperata vini potationem, unde fama
illius aliquantisper ledatur.
20 Anno etatis huius nati 57 currente perveniet directio medii celi ad trigonum
Martis sinistrum sub finibus Iovis. Significat quod a duce seu principe mavortio ho/20r/
nor magnus ei in rei militaris disciplina demandabitur, rerumque martialium curam
geret, intrepidus, imperiosus atque magnanimus, multa maiora facturus dispendia
quam compendia, a militibus venerabitur et a multis timebitur, non sine quorundam
odio et invidia, tamen postea lucrabitur, propter dignum aliquod facinus in rei mili-
taris disciplina, unde magnam sibi laudem comparabit, reperiet enim novum aliquod
stratagema vel traiiciendi machinas tormentales vel parandi hostibus insidias quibus
illos funditus pessundabit.
21 Anno etatis huius nati 61 currente perveniet directio medii celi ad diametrum
Saturni sub Saturni finibus. Iste infelix occursus contra natum irritabit saturninos,
qui de ipso perperam oblatrabunt et pariter in eius perniciem coniurabunt, quatenus
a suo officio vel magisterio detrudatur cum dedecore, fortunarum iactura atque gravi-
bus dispendiis, eumque potentiores omni prorsus dignitate atque honoribus spolient,
actiones preterea eius infeliciter cadent et ita differentur, ut vix tandem cum detri-
mento perficiantur. Apud agricolas et senes odio erit, subditi preterea et servi eius,
erunt sibi admodum infensi ac prorsus contrarii, qui dignitatibus eius et honoribus

Authenticated
200 David Juste
odio inextinguibili adversabuntur. Et 33 metuendum quod illustrissima domina eius,

quam matris loco charam habebit, chronicis egritudinibus affligetur, cui interni-
tionem afferet, unde natus illo anno erit tristis et lugubris et maximis melancholicis
curis detinebitur.
22 Anno etatis eius 62 currente perveniet directio medii celi ad hexagonum Mercurii
sinistrum sub Saturni finibus. Significat quod natus propter egregias animi dotes, sapien-
tiam eius atque prudentiam a mercurialibus honorabitur, forte adhuc honorifice lega-
tionis munera ei demandabuntur, et in suis actionibus plurimum commendabitur
propter ingenii sui dotes egregias.
23 Anno etatis nati huius 63 currente perveniet directio Solis ad quadratum Mercurii
sinistrum sub Saturni finibus. Significat quod mercuriales de nato perperam oblatra/20v/
bunt, conabunturque deiicere <eum> ab officiis suis mercurialibus, et coniicietur in lites
et altercationes varias, sustinebitque crebras calumnias de crimine falsi a mercurialibus,
seu de scripturis aut computationibus falsis, quare tum animum nati prefatus occursus
multis et gravibus persecutionibus involvet. De ipso anno videto in precedentibus, in
<capitulo> de infirmitatibus.34
24 Anno etatis huius nati 64 currente perveniet medii celi directio ad hexagonum
Veneris sinistrum sub termino Martis, et quia Venus in horoscopo in decima domo ver-
sabatur, in exaltatione propria, in domicilio Iovis, sub termino Martis, iam alti nominis
et honoris insignia decernet. Operatur 35 quod hoc anno sacris infulis insigniter deco-
rabitur et ad presulatus dignitatem evehetur – dummodo ipse voluerit neque hanc
dignitatem absolute recusaverit – aut rursus ad alti officii dignitatem promovebitur et
extolletur. Ego magis opinor sublimandum ad episcopatum inclite mulieris patrocinio,
unde clarior fiet in omnibus actionibus suis et ab omnibus plurimum commendabitur,
fietque illo anno fere omnium votorum compos et in tali felici statu honorifice perse-
verabit usque in annum etatis sue 67 inclusive.
25 Anno etatis eius 68 currente perveniet directio Lune ad hexagonum Solis sinis-
trum sub Veneris termino. Denotat quod natus illo anno cum potentioribus consortium
habebit utile et honorigerum et a populo plus solito venerabitur et occasione beneficii
vel officii sui fiet ditior et locupletior, pinguioris quidem fortune, ob ipsius sapientiam,
prudentiam, modestiam, atque preclaram ingenii sui naturam, unde regi, principibus
utriusque sexus et magnatibus placebit.
26 Anno etatis huius nati 70 currente perveniet directio medii celi ad hexagonum
Lune sinistrum, necnon ad stellam fixam Aldebaran appellatam, de natura , primi
honoris, sub Mercurii finibus. Nato a populo honores solito maiores decernit et circa
tempora finietur periodus.
34 See 6.17 above.

Authenticated
11. De amicis et fautoribus nati
1 /21r/ Qualitas amicorum cognoscitur ex natura planetarum qui in undecima et

prima versantur et a planetis qui undecime et prime imperant. In domo prima nemi-
nem planetarum comperi, nisi Lunam ratione signi illi imperantem. In undecima
domo video Iovem et Venerem esse 36 eius imperatricem. Significat nato multos et
convenientes amicos et illorum synceram amicitiam atque illi utilem. Quapropter
amici nati erunt de natura et complexionibus Iovis, Veneris et Lune. 2 Quales 37 sunt
de natura Iovis: ecclesiastici, prelati, iudices, iurisperiti, consiliarii, provinciarum
prefecti, magnanimi, verecundi, advocati, nobiles, divites, honesti, religiosi. De
Veneris natura: mansueti, compti, nobiles mulieres, duxisse, virgines veneris niti-
dule proles, phrygiones, musici, poete, pictores, leti, hilares, formosi, venusti in
gestibus. De Lune presidio: homines regine, nobiles matrone, vidue, plebs et qui
in assiduo motu sunt, ut naute, cursores, legati, nuncii. Hi sincero semper affectu
nato amicitiam exhibebunt.
12. De inimicis et odio natum persequentibus
1 Iudicium de inimicis sumitur ex consideratione planetarum qui in septima et duo-

decima domo versantur et a planetis qui luminaribus opponuntur, hoc discrimen
tamen observamus septimam et planetas luminaribus oppositos apertos inimicos
significare, duodecimam vero occultos persecutores. 2 In septima domo versatur
Mars, prope cuspidem septime, in domo Saturni. Igitur martiales et saturnici erunt
inimici nati aperti, et quia Mars aspicit Solem quadrato sinistro, duplicat aperte
inimicitias suas, etiam cum insidiarum laqueis in necem nati, unde perpetuo cavere
debebit a martialibus. 3 In duodecima domo neminem planetarum consideravi, nisi
solam partem fortune. Significat quod occultos habebit inimicos, qui nato insidia-
buntur propter divitias suas, ut fures et latrones, prave mulieres et meretrices. Quia
Mercurius duo/21v/decime domui imperat, etiam mercuriales occultos inimicos
portendit. 4 Erunt igitur inimici nati aperti martiales et invidi saturnici, inimici vero
occulti erunt mercuriales, fures, latrones et prave mulieres vel meretrices, qui insidia-
buntur crumene et pecuniis nati, saturnici insidiabuntur honoribus et dignitatibus
eius, martiales vero corpori et vite nati insidiabuntur. 5 De natura Martis: capitanei,
milites, superbi, audaces, inverecundi, contumeliosi, seditiosi, convitiatores, pre-
dones, iracundi, crudeles, bombardarii, vehementes, manu prompti, aperti quadam
36 “Esse” added above the line.

37 The underlined section is marked in the margin with the word “Nota”. This section can be
variously punctuated.

Authenticated
202 David Juste
temeritate, rixosi, tyranni, thrasones, effusores sanguinis, feroces in lacessendo. De

natura Saturni: senes, agricole, sordida opificia tractantes, avari, feneratores, sus-
piciosi, invidi. De natura Mercurii: acumine ingenii excellentes, studiosi, …afri,38
solertes, sagaces, dolosi, callidi, instabiles, perfidi, mendaces, clam struentes fraudem
et periculosa consilia, infames, falsarii, falsi monetarii, hallucinatores. 6 Ab illorum
clanculariis insidiis summopere cavere debebit ne fraude et dolo circumveniatur. 7
Utrum natus inimicos et adversarios vincet, respondetur quod sic affirmative, eo
quod dominus duodecime versatur in decima domo; significat victoriam nati contra
inimicos et adversarios suos, non obstante quod interdum incidet in pericula valde
metuenda, Dei presidio evadet. 8 Plurima etiam pericula nato minantur de captivi-
tate, ideo valde circumspecte versandum in bello vel apud exteras nationes, nisi caute
sibi providerit inopinate in laqueum iniicietur, attamen iacula 39 previsa minus feriunt.
13. De qualitate mortis nati
1 Cum vero mors sit ultima linea rerum, que nulli parcit honori nec dignitati, que sceptra
non veretur nec docti ingenii acumen, ideo postremo libuit de eius qualitatibus aliqua
sub brevibus adnotare. Eius qualitas est duplex: naturalis, qua homo per se moritur, et
violenta, qua quis moritur gladio, ferro, lancea, strangulo, igne, morsu bestie vel /22r/ fere,
aut ex loco alto precipitatione vitam finit. Repentina vero mors est quiddam medium
inter naturalem et violentam mortem, sed violente propior. 2 Utrumque luminare in signo
violento, luminare temporis existente in quadrato Martis sinistro angulariter, terribilia
pericula violente mortis minantur, comprimitur Martis violentia et tyrannidis hexagonis
Veneris dextris, Martisque diameter ad gradum ascendentis reprimitur radiis hexagonis
Iovis sinistris. 3 Aloqui anno etatis eius 28 currente periculum violente mortis incidisset
cum detrimento vite, potissimum quia Luna, domina ascendentis in horoscopo, defluebat
ad coniunctionem Solis. 4 Innumera fere sunt exempla talis positus in genituris etiam
maximorum principum, verumtamen per felices Iovis ac Veneris aspectus (ut diximus)
mors violenta fuit impedita (Dei presidio). 5 Cavere tamen adhuc debebit natus in annis
fatalibus, de quibus in capitulo de infirmitatibus mentionem fecimus.40 6 Caute etiam cum
equo suo se gerat in annis fatalibus, ne corruendo cum equo ab illo misere opprimatur
vel ab equo calcitroso percutiatur, unde mortis aculeum experiatur, propter Martem in
signo quadrupedum, in opposito ascendentis, necnon in quadrato Solis angulariter; ut
frequenter diximus, non ascendat equum cum vino maduerit. 7 Ubi diligenter sibi caverit,
violentam mortem favore Dei evadet, quod etiam presumitur et speratur.
38 I cannot read the first two or three letters of this word.

39 Andreas Capellanus, De amore, 1.6.220.
40 See chapter 6 above.

Authenticated
8 De morte igitur naturali tale sit iudicium. Ait enim Ptholomeus: Mortis qualitas ex
athazir obviante, quem interfectorem nuncupant, deprehenditur.41 9 Apheta igitur Solis
anno etatis 70 currente habet sibi obviantem ath<a>zir, id est interfectorem. Similiter
eodem anno gradus ascendentis habebit sibi obvium interfectorem, unde nato presagitur
mors naturalis tunc affutura, veluti in precedentibus, in <capitulo> de infirmitatibus,
aperte docuimus.42 10 Non diu infirmabitur natus ante mortis adventum, forte morte
repentina spiritum reddet autori, portendi intelligitur ex imperfecta constitutione, que
violentam /22v/ mortem significatura fuerat. 11 Species mortis minatur ab apoplexia
vel angina vel ex cerebri involutione, vertiginem vocant. Quapropter tempestive dis-
ponat domini sue, ut non videatur subitanea vel repentina morte obire, sed provisa.
Nam iustus si preoccupatus fuerit, anima eius in refrigerio erit, quod nobis concedat,
qui sine fine vivit et regnat.
14. Conlusio finalis
1 Hec sunt, n<obilis> vir prestantissime atque colende, que e decretis fatorum super
genethliaco tuo scribenda inveneram, divine tamen maiestatis iuditio nihil derogando
aut libero arbitrio tuo quovis parto obvians detrahendo. 2 Et hoc inprimis protestatum
esse volo quod ea que ventura denunciavi pro omnipotentis Dei clementia mutabilia
esse cognoscam, predictiones enim astrologorum de ea sunt natura, ut evenire queant,
et eas evenire necesse non sit, semper esse cogitandum premoneo, predictiones astro-
logicas non esse divina oracula, sed sagacis et prudentis ingenii coniecturas, que (ut
mortalitatis nostre conditio, terrenarumque rerum Euripus fert) aliquando frustrari
possint. 3 Quis enim in tantis tenebris non interdum impingat? Quis in tot intricatis-
simi labyrinthi anfractibus non alicubi aberret? Non mireris igitur si interdum omnia
ad urguem non eveniant. Sunt, inquit Ptholomeus, magorum iudicia inter contingens
et necessarium ponenda et quidem facile sapiens dominabitur astris, ex quibus sane
patet nullum eventum esse necessarium et nihil in nos urgere astra, sed iam proclives
trahere quare si rationem ducem sequeremur et appetitum menti obedientem prebere-
mus, multa cavere possemus et vitia et infortunia que sunt vitiorum plerumque pene.
4 Sin vero naturam sequantur id agere quod in brutis fere, vale. 5 Itaque hanc nostram
vigilantiam et sedulitatem grato animo accipe.
Scribebat Daventrie m<agister> Wilhelmus Mysocacus Bruxellensis anno domini 1566,
Martii die 16.
41 This sentence is in fact borrowed from Schöner, De iudiciis nativitatum, I.16 (f. LXVv).
42 See 6.20 above.

Authenticated
204 David Juste
Index of technical terms
This index covers a selection of technical terms and does not take into account most
common words, such as ascendens, aspectus, astrum, directio, domus, exaltatio, figura,
medium celi, pars fortune, planeta, signum etc.
Alcochoden: 1.5
Almuten: 1.1, 1.2, 2.17.
Animodar: horoscope 1, Introductio 1.
Apheta: 13.9.
Apotelesmatum: 1.6, 2.18, 2.33, 3.18, 8, 10.16. Also Introductio 2.
Athazir: 13.8, 13.9.
Climatericus (annus): 6.17.
Combustio: 6.20, 7.2.
Combustus: 6.20.
Constellatio: 2.33, 3.13, 3.15, 3.17, 3.21, 3.22, 10.7, 10.11.
Cuspis: 2.2, 2.3, 2.13, 12.2.
Decuria: 2.1, 2.2, 2.13, 2.14.
Defluxio: horoscope 1, 2.33, horoscope 2. Also 2.12 (defluens), 6.20 (defluebat), 13.1 (defluebat).
Dispositor: 3.1, 3.2 (dispositrix).
Genethliacus: Exhortatio 1, 10.1, 14.1.
Genitura: 1.3, 1.6, 4, 5, 10.17, 13.4.
Gubernator: 1.4, 10.2, 10.3. Also 1.1 (gubernaturum)
Habitaculum: 6.2.
Horoscopare: 2.1.
Horoscopus (horoscopum): 2.1, 6.12, 6.20, 10.24, 13.3.
Hyleg (hylech, hylegium): 1 (title), 1.5, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, 6.8 – 11, 6.17 – 21.
Hylegialius: 6.1.
Hylegius (adj.): 1.1, 1.2.
Latitudo: 3.7, 3.23
Moderator: 1 (title).
Nativitas: Introductio 3, 1.1, 1.6, 2.33, 4, 5, 6.20, 9.5.
Profectio: 1.6, 6.4, 6.7 – 8, 6.11, 6.14, 10.8.
Progressio: 3.10.
Prorogator: 1.5.
Radix: 2.23, 6.7, 6.9, 6.13, 6.18, 6.20, 10.9, 10.14, 10.17.
Revolutio: 1.6, 6.1, 6.4, 6.8 – 9, 6.11 – 14, 6.16 – 18, 6.20 – 21, horoscope 2.
Significator: 1.6, 3.1, 5, 9.1, 9.5, 10.1.
Terminus: 2.1, 2.13, 2.14, 3.10, 3.13, 3.21, 6.5 – 6, 6.9 – 10, 6.20, 10.10, 10.14, 10.18, 10.25.
Transitus: 6.13.
Trutrina Hermetis: Introductio 3.

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A Sixteenth Century Astrological Consult

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David Juste

A Sixteenth-Century Astrological Consultation

In this paper I present and edit a private consultation – a judgement on a nativity – by

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The document and the protagonists

2 Now available online on the website of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

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1. Horoscope and technical data

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Misocacus Stöffler/Pflaum Modern (Solar Fire Gold)

Misocacus Tables of Louvain 1528 Modern (Regiomontanus)

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2. Introduction and “exhortatio”

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3. The significators of the nativity and the length of life (chapter 1)

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4. General description of the native (chapter 2)

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5. Topics related to the twelve houses (chapters 3 – 13)

5.1. Methods of interpretation

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5.2. Directions, revolutions and profections

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opinion of a certain Franciscus, described as “a franciscan monk of pious memory”,

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Appendix. Edition of the text

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Elevatio poli 51°12’

<Nativity of Joannes Sillyers of Mechelen>

1514 — 1 1544 — 31  cum  futurus

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1527 — 14 1557 — 44   cum  platice

1 Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, III.2.

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1. De vite moderatoribus, hylech et periodo

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2. De vita et moribus nati generaliter

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sublimare solet ad cancellariatus dignitatem. 4 Et Venus in medio celi cum Mercurio

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13 /5r/ Capricornus, signum exaltationis Martis, in occasu, in fine secunde decurie,

2 See chapter 7 below.

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18 Ceterum 3 de aspectibus planetarum ad invicem, talia recitantur apotelesmata,

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26 Iovis hexagonus cum parte fortune placite decernit, quatenus consiliarius

4 See 6.8 and 10.11 below.

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32 Veneris constitutio cum Mercurio partiliter gratiam et donum diversarum lingua-

3. De fortune incrementis ac decrementis

6 See 2.22 above.

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Directio  contra Directio  cum