The Theoretical Rationale Underlying the Seven Hermetic Lots
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Notes on Contributors
Notes on Contributors Giuseppe Bezza teaches the history of science and technology at Ravenna (University of Bologna). He has written a number of essays on the history of astrology. He is the author of Commento al primo libro della Tetrabiblos di Claudio Tolemeo (Milan, 1991), Arcana Mundi. Antologia del pensiero astrologico classico (Milan, 1995) and Précis d’historiographie de l’astrologie: Babylone, Égypte, Grèce (Turnhout, 2003). Joseph Crane studied philosophy at Brandeis and has professional training as a psychotherapist. He has practiced astrology and taught astrological and consulting skills since the late 1980s. He began learning traditional astrology in the early 1990s and since then has brought it into his teaching and consulting practice. He lectures on ancient and modern astrological techniques as well as connecting astrology with works of literature and philosophy. He is the author of Astrological Roots: The Hellenistic Tradition (Bournemouth, 2007), a presentation of Hellenistic astrology to modern astrologers, and A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology (Reston, VA, 1997/2006). Website: www.astrologyinstitute.com. Susanne Denningmann studied Classics and Philosophy at the University of Münster. From 2000 to 2003 she was a research assistant at the collaborative research centre, Functions of Religion in Ancient Near Eastern Societies, supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), where she focussed on ancient astrology. She received her PhD in Classics and Philosophy in 2004 at the University of Münster. The subject of her thesis was the astrological doctrine of doryphory, published in 2005 as Die astrologische Lehre der Doryphorie. Eine soziomorphe Metapher in der antiken Planetenastrologie (Beiträge zur Altertumskunde, 214). -
Strategies of Defending Astrology: a Continuing Tradition
Strategies of Defending Astrology: A Continuing Tradition by Teri Gee A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology University of Toronto © Copyright by Teri Gee (2012) Strategies of Defending Astrology: A Continuing Tradition Teri Gee Doctorate of Philosophy Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology University of Toronto 2012 Abstract Astrology is a science which has had an uncertain status throughout its history, from its beginnings in Greco-Roman Antiquity to the medieval Islamic world and Christian Europe which led to frequent debates about its validity and what kind of a place it should have, if any, in various cultures. Written in the second century A.D., Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos is not the earliest surviving text on astrology. However, the complex defense given in the Tetrabiblos will be treated as an important starting point because it changed the way astrology would be justified in Christian and Muslim works and the influence Ptolemy’s presentation had on later works represents a continuation of the method introduced in the Tetrabiblos. Abû Ma‘shar’s Kitâb al- Madkhal al-kabîr ilâ ‘ilm ahk. âm al-nujûm, written in the ninth century, was the most thorough surviving defense from the Islamic world. Roger Bacon’s Opus maius, although not focused solely on advocating astrology, nevertheless, does contain a significant defense which has definite links to the works of both Abû Ma‘shar and Ptolemy. As such, he demonstrates another stage in the development of astrology. -
Balbillus and the Method of Aphesis Martin Gansten
Balbillus and the Method of aphesis Martin Gansten ORE THAN half a century ago, an annotated col- lection of early Greek horoscopes was published by O. Neugebauer and H. B. Van Hoesen, containing M 1 much valuable material for the study of ancient astrology. Perhaps inevitably, however, certain aspects of astrological pro- cedure were imperfectly understood by the two pioneers. I propose in this article to examine one such misconstrued topic, namely, the determination of a subject’s length of life by the method known as ἄφεσις, particularly as evinced in the two earliest literary horoscopes discussed by Neugebauer and Van Hoesen, both excerpted from the works of Balbillus (d. ca. 79 CE). The two systems of direction ἄφεσις, “sending out, release,” was one of the most promi- nent prognostic methods of classical Greek astrology, subse- quently known to medieval Perso-Arabic astrologers as at-tasyīr and to their Latin translators as athazir or directio.2 As the method had its foundation in the apparent diurnal rotation of the celestial sphere, sometimes known as the “primary motion” of the heavenly bodies (as opposed to their proper or “sec- ondary” motion along the ecliptic), it has been known since early modern times as primary direction.3 In what follows, I shall 1 O. Neugebauer and H. B. Van Hoesen, Greek Horoscopes (Philadelphia 1959). 2 The first scholarly treatment of the subject of ἄφεσις, unfortunately more notable for its sarcasm than for its illuminating properties, is found in A. Bouché-Leclercq, L’astrologie grecque (Paris 1899) 411–421. 3 This terminology derives from Placido de Titi (Placidus), who wanted to ————— Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies 52 (2012) 587–602 2012 Martin Gansten 588 BALBILLUS AND THE METHOD OF APHESIS prefer “direction” over other translations in current academic use, such as “prorogation” or “progression.” Historically, direction based on diurnal motion has taken two main forms. -
Claudius Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos
CLAUDIUS PTOLEMY: TETRABIBLOS OR THE QUADRIPARTITE MATHEMATICAL TREATISE FOUR BOOKS OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE STARS TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK PARAPHRASE OF PROCLUS BY J. M. ASHMAND London, Davis and Dickson [1822] This version courtesy of http://www.classicalastrologer.com/ Revised 04-09-2008 Foreword It is fair to say that Claudius Ptolemy made the greatest single contribution to the preservation and transmission of astrological and astronomical knowledge of the Classical and Ancient world. No study of Traditional Astrology can ignore the importance and influence of this encyclopaedic work. It speaks not only of the stars, but of a distinct cosmology that prevailed until the 18th century. It is easy to jeer at someone who thinks the earth is the cosmic centre and refers to it as existing in a sublunary sphere. However, our current knowledge tells us that the universe is infinite. It seems to me that in an infinite universe, any given point must be the centre. Sometimes scientists are not so scientific. The fact is, it still applies to us for our purposes and even the most rational among us do not refer to sunrise as earth set. It practical terms, the Moon does have the most immediate effect on the Earth which is, after all, our point of reference. She turns the tides, influences vegetative growth and the menstrual cycle. What has become known as the Ptolemaic Universe, consisted of concentric circles emanating from Earth to the eighth sphere of the Fixed Stars, also known as the Empyrean. This cosmology is as spiritual as it is physical. -
Kepler's Cosmological Synthesis
Kepler’s Cosmological Synthesis History of Science and Medicine Library VOLUME 39 Medieval and Early Modern Science Editors J. M. M. H. Thijssen, Radboud University Nijmegen C. H. Lüthy, Radboud University Nijmegen Editorial Consultants Joël Biard, University of Tours Simo Knuuttila, University of Helsinki Jürgen Renn, Max-Planck-Institute for the History of Science Theo Verbeek, University of Utrecht VOLUME 20 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/hsml Kepler’s Cosmological Synthesis Astrology, Mechanism and the Soul By Patrick J. Boner LEIDEN • BOSTON 2013 Cover illustration: Kepler’s Supernova, SN 1604, appears as a new star in the foot of Ophiuchus near the letter N. In: Johannes Kepler, De stella nova in pede Serpentarii, Prague: Paul Sessius, 1606, pp. 76–77. Courtesy of the Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts, Milton S. Eisenhower Library, Johns Hopkins University. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Boner, Patrick, author. Kepler’s cosmological synthesis: astrology, mechanism and the soul / by Patrick J. Boner. pages cm. — (History of science and medicine library, ISSN 1872-0684; volume 39; Medieval and early modern science; volume 20) Based on the author’s doctoral dissertation, University of Cambridge, 2007. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-90-04-24608-9 (hardback: alk. paper) — ISBN 978-90-04-24609-6 (e-book) 1. Kepler, Johannes, 1571–1630—Philosophy. 2. Cosmology—History. 3. Astronomy—History. I. Title. II. Series: History of science and medicine library; v. 39. III. Series: History of science and medicine library. Medieval and early modern science; v. 20. QB36.K4.B638 2013 523.1092—dc23 2013013707 This publication has been typeset in the multilingual “Brill” typeface. -
UC San Diego UC San Diego Electronic Theses and Dissertations
UC San Diego UC San Diego Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title The science of the stars in Danzig from Rheticus to Hevelius / Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7n41x7fd Author Jensen, Derek Publication Date 2006 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO THE SCIENCE OF THE STARS IN DANZIG FROM RHETICUS TO HEVELIUS A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in History (Science Studies) by Derek Jensen Committee in charge: Professor Robert S. Westman, Chair Professor Luce Giard Professor John Marino Professor Naomi Oreskes Professor Donald Rutherford 2006 The dissertation of Derek Jensen is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Chair University of California, San Diego 2006 iii FOR SARA iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Signature Page........................................................................................................... iii Dedication ................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ...................................................................................................... v List of Figures .......................................................................................................... -
Ancient Astrological Geography and Acts 2:9-11," W
Bruce M. Metzger, “Ancient Astrological Geography and Acts 2:9-11," W. Ward Gasque & Ralph P. Martin, eds., Apostolic History and the Gospel. Biblical and Historical Essays Presented to F.F. Bruce. Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1970. Hbk. ISBN: 085364098X. pp.123-133. CHAPTER VII Ancient Astrological Geography and Acts 2:9-11 Bruce M. Metzger [p.123] According to the book of Acts, on the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples and they began to speak in other tongues, the multitude of the Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (2:7-11). This passage has given rise to several questions that have perplexed commentators. Why, for example, are these and no other countries specified? And if these countries, why are they cited in the order in which they now stand? In 1948 more or less satisfactory answers to both these questions seemed to be supplied in a brief article by Stefan Weinstock published in a British journal of the classics, in which the author drew attention to a somewhat similar list of names of countries in an astrological treatise compiled by Paulus Alexandrinus, who lived in the latter part of the fourth Christian century.1 In this treatise Paulus assigns to the several signs of the zodiac a dozen or more lands and nations, whose similarity to the list in Acts struck Winstock as remarkable. -
As Above, So Below. Astrology and the Inquisition in Seventeenth-Century New Spain
Department of History and Civilization As Above, So Below. Astrology and the Inquisition in Seventeenth-Century New Spain Ana Avalos Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of History and Civilization of the European University Institute Florence, February 2007 EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE Department of History and Civilization As Above, So Below. Astrology and the Inquisition in Seventeenth-Century New Spain Ana Avalos Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of History and Civilization of the European University Institute Examining Board: Prof. Peter Becker, Johannes-Kepler-Universität Linz Institut für Neuere Geschichte und Zeitgeschichte (Supervisor) Prof. Víctor Navarro Brotons, Istituto de Historia de la Ciencia y Documentación “López Piñero” (External Supervisor) Prof. Antonella Romano, European University Institute Prof. Perla Chinchilla Pawling, Universidad Iberoamericana © 2007, Ana Avalos No part of this thesis may be copied, reproduced or transmitted without prior permission of the author A Bernardo y Lupita. ‘That which is above is like that which is below and that which is below is like that which is above, to achieve the wonders of the one thing…’ Hermes Trismegistus Contents Acknowledgements 4 Abbreviations 5 Introduction 6 1. The place of astrology in the history of the Scientific Revolution 7 2. The place of astrology in the history of the Inquisition 13 3. Astrology and the Inquisition in seventeenth-century New Spain 17 Chapter 1. Early Modern Astrology: a Question of Discipline? 24 1.1. The astrological tradition 27 1.2. Astrological practice 32 1.3. Astrology and medicine in the New World 41 1.4. -
The Adaptation of Babylonian Methods in Greek Numerical Astronomy
FIgure 1. A Babylonian tablet (B.M. 37236) listing undated phases of Mars according to the System A scheme. By permission of the Trustees of the British Museum. This content downloaded from 128.122.149.96 on Thu, 04 Jul 2019 12:50:19 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms The Adaptation of Babylonian Methods in Greek Numerical Astronomy By Alexander Jones* THE DISTINCTION CUSTOMARILY MADE between the two chief astro- nomical traditions of antiquity is that Greek astronomy was geometrical, whereas Babylonian astronomy was arithmetical. That is to say, the Babylonian astronomers of the last five centuries B.C. devised elaborate combinations of arithmetical sequences to predict the apparent motions of the heavenly bodies, while the Greeks persistently tried to explain the same phenomena by hypothe- sizing kinematic models compounded out of circular motions. This description is substantially correct so far as it goes, but it conceals a great difference on the Greek side between the methods of, say, Eudoxus in the fourth century B.C. and those of Ptolemy in the second century of our era. Both tried to account for the observed behavior of the stars, sun, moon, and planets by means of combinations of circular motions. But Eudoxus seems to have studied the properties of his models purely through the resources of geometry. The only numerical parameters associated with his concentric spheres in our ancient sources are crude periods of synodic and longitudinal revolution, that is to say, data imposed on the models rather than deduced from them.1 By contrast, Ptolemy's approach in the Alma- 2 gest is thoroughly numerical. -
Sect in Astrology Slides
Day and Night • One of the most fundamental astronomical cycles. • But what does it mean in astrology? • Concept of sect recently recovered from ancient astrology. • Posits a distinction between day and night charts. • Interpretation of basic chart placements altered. • Broad overview of sect in this talk. The Two Teams or Sects • Greek hairesis: a faction, party, school, or religious sect. • The planets are divided into two teams. • Each team is led by a luminary: giver of light. – Day team led by the Sun – Night team led by the Moon Sect as a Foundational Concept • Sect shows up everywhere in ancient astrology: – Domicile assignments – Joys – Exaltations – Triplicity rulers – Lot calculations (e.g. Lot or Part of Fortune) – Master of the Nativity – Some timing techniques • It is not a minor technique or concept. Domiciles Aspects Receive Emit Exaltations Exaltations, Sect, and Aspects Solar hemisphere: spirit, soul, mind Planetary Joys Lunar hemisphere: fortune, body, matter Calculating the Lot of Fortune • The Arabic Parts are geometrical calculations. • The Lot of Fortune is reversed by day and night. • Has to do with sect light, and light/dark analogy. The Master of the Nativity • The overall ruler of the chart. • To find the Master, you must first find the Predominator. • Three candidates: Sun, Moon, or Ascendant. – Strongest luminary preferred. • Domicile lord of predominator becomes Master. • Interesting implications: – Many born during the day characterized by Sun-sign. – Many born at night characterized more by Moon-sign. • See TAP #205 for more on this. Annual Profections and Sect • Profections is an ancient timing technique. • Count one sign per year from the rising sign. -
The Tetrabiblos
This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. https://books.google.com %s. jArA. 600003887W s ♦ ( CUAEPEAJr TERMST) T »|n 2E SI m -n_ Til / Vf .eras X ,8 ¥ 8JT? 8 i 8 %8 $ 8 »! c? 8 U 8 9 8 17? £ 8 9 7 u ?2 it 7 9 7 1?„ *1 It' 9 7 T?76 ?x U7 *S V? <* 6 9.6 6 5 v76 cf 6 9 6 *8 ?? A$6 0 5 »2 rf 5 U5 ni * a <* 5 \b 6** *l <? 5 U*6* <* 4 M 94 ?* <J 4 U4 9 *j? tic? 4 U4 9 4 9" \ ______ - Of the double Figures . the -first is the Day term.. the secontl.theNioht. * Solar Semicircle.-. A TiJ ^= tx\ / Vf lunar Df 03 1 8 t K « U Hot & Moist. Commanding T S IL S Jl nj i...Hot icDrv. Obeying ^ n\ / vf-=X %...HotSc Dry Moderately Masculine Diurnal. .TH A^/at %... Moist StWarnv. Feminine Nocturnal. B S Trj tit. Vf X y.. Indifferent . long Ascension Q «n«j^5=Tr^/ ~}..- Moist rather Warm.. ifibvl Z».* vy set X T W H I* ? k J . Benetic •-. Fixed tf «a TH. sas 1? <? Malefic. Bicorporeal _H ttj / X 0 y.... Indifferent.. Tropical °3 Vf \l J* iQMasculine. Equinoctial T ^i= ^ ^ Feminine . Fruitful d n\ X y Indifferent . Beholding icof..\ H & <5|/ &Vf I> \%Dj.. Diurnal. Equal Fewer. ...) 7* -rrK]=fi=-x ^J- 4 % } .Nocturnal . The Aspects 8 A D *^n{)'. -
Copernicus, Tycho Brache, and Kepler
^be ©pen Gourt A MONTHLY MAGAZINE S)c\>otc& to tbc Science of "Religfon, tbe IRellgton of Science, an& tbe Bitension ot tbe IReliQious parliament f&ea EcHtor: Dr. Paul Caids. E- C. Hboblu. Astoaaus.j,.^^^t,..S -j Atnttant Editor: T. J. McCoemack. j^^^^^ Cards. VOL. XIV. (no. 7) July, 1900. NO. 530 CONTENTS: Frontispiece. Copernicus. Copernicus, Tycho Brake, and Kepler. With Five Portraits, Diagrams of Astronomical Systems, and Facsimile Reproductions of Early Astro- nomical Instruments. Carus Sterne, of Berlin 385 The Notion of a Continuum. An Essay in the Theory of Science. Prof. Ernst Mach, of the University of Vienna 409 The So-called Mystery Plays. Illustrated. E. F. L. Gauss 415 The Old and the New Magic. With Numerous Illustrations of Magical Ap- paratus. (Concluded.) Editor 422 Kant and Spencer. A Criticism. Sir Robert Stout, Wellington, N. Z. 437 The Open Court and ^'Leaves of Grass.'" W. H. Trimble, New Zealand . 439 New Works on Political Economy, and Political Science 440 Book Eeviews and Notes 445 CHICAGO ®be ©pen Court IpubUsbing Companie LONDON : Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner & Co., Ltd. Per copy, 10 cents (sixpence). Yearly, $1.00 (In the U. P. U., 5s. 6(L). Copyright, 1900, by Tbe Open Court PvbliahiaK Co. Entered at the Chic«Ko Post Oflk;e as Second>Clasa MatUr. ^be ©pen Court A MONTHLY MAGAZINE 2)cvote& to tbe Science of IReligion, tbe IReUaton of Science, arH> tbe Extension ot tbe IReligious parliament irt)ea EcHtfr: Dr. Ca«us. E. C. Hboblxk. Paul Af*otMi€M.>#,,<,««/^, j j^^^^^ Atnsiant Editor: T.