Eight Books on Astrology

...to break down, and who could dissolve such an inexplicable method of proof and this Gordian knot A metaphor for an intricate or unsolvable problem, famously "solved" by Alexander the Great cutting it with a sword.. Just as with these things and others like them, so too can every single art—even Theology itself—not be rejected on such grounds. For who has ever known every herb, plant, and tree? Who has thoroughly investigated the powers of all things? Do many things not still lie hidden? Or is Theology therefore vain because we still do not know many things about God, about the angels, and about many other matters? Indeed, how much discord and dissension is there among theologians? It can therefore easily be perceived how much "erudition" those men possess who thus expose their own ignorance to the world; that is to say, these are unskilled men who think nothing is right except what pleases them, and they think everyone who does not agree with them is insane.

But we have neither thrown away the spear nor the shield; the matter is still in safe waters, it stands secure. Let that fury burst, let everyone grumble if they wish—I will say what I feel: that Astrology is a certain part of Medicine, and not the smallest part at that. This has been proven by experience, as can be seen in electionsThe practice of "electing" or choosing the most astrologically favorable time to perform a specific action, such as a surgery or administering medicine., which he who neglects will, I know not in what manner, truly heal the sick. I could provide many examples of this matter where, because the choosing of the proper time was neglected, the sick were brought into the peril of their lives.

In these very days, a certain man was suffering from that disease which is called a hernia, or rather a hydroceleoriginal: "hydroccele"; a type of swelling in the scrotum caused by fluid buildup.. A surgeon arrived who strongly held the stars in contempt and did not wish to be taught. He began the treatment and applied the scalpel while Taurus was rising In traditional medical astrology, the sign of Taurus governs the throat and neck, but more importantly, specific "unfortunate" timings for surgery were determined by which sign the Moon or the Ascendant occupied.. At that time, its rulers, Venus and the Moon, were "unfortunate" (to speak in the manner of the astrologers). Virgo held the sixth houseIn an astrological chart, the sixth house is traditionally associated with illness and infirmity., in which the Moon was also falling away from the angle and the house. Saturn presided over the tenth house, but was himself opposite to the house. Venus, the lady of the horoscope, was joined to Mars partiallyoriginal: "partiliter"; meaning the planets were at the exact same degree, a "perfect" or very strong aspect., on the line of the tenth house, which belongs to the Physician in this matter.

What good would you predict here, most learned OTTO? Would you not judge that there would be future danger from Mars, and specifically because of the Physician? But you ask: what happened? Immediately on the fifth day, he departed this life. What I had previously said privately to certain friends was found to be true. This is something I have proven not just once in others as well. Who, then, will deny that Elections are a most necessary thing for the Physician and suited for human use?

Moved therefore by this matter, and wishing to consult the interests of many, I have gladly taken this burden upon myself: that after having thoroughly read JULIUS FIRMICUS Julius Firmicus Maternus, a 4th-century Roman lawyer and astrologer whose work "Matheseos libri octo" was a primary source for Western astrology. and emended him as far as was permitted, I thought he should be published anew. Since you have now attained your long-merited Laurel A reference to Brunfels receiving his doctoral degree in medicine. and come forth to us as a new Doctor—may it be happy and auspicious—I also wished, for the glory and fame of your name, to dedicate to you the now-reborn FIRMICUS, as if he were new and restored to his proper splendor. We have added, furthermore, the principal authors who are by no means to be despised in this matter, so that you might have at hand those whom you could most safely follow.