The Minor Works of Marsilio Ficino

The Sun reigns: that is to say, Aries is the "head" from which the zodiac signs begin, and it signifies the head in any living creature. Furthermore, that sign which is the Sun’s own domicile—Leo—is the "heart" of the zodiac, and it rules over the heart in every living creature. Indeed, when the Sun reaches Leo, it extinguishes epidemics like a "Pythonic poison" original: "Pytonicũ uenenũ." A reference to the venom of the serpent Python, slain by the sun-god Apollo; here it represents pestilence overcome by solar heat. in many regions. Moreover, the annual fortune of the entire world always depends upon the Sun's entry into Aries. From this point, the nature of spring is properly determined. Likewise, from the Sun's entry into Cancer, the quality of the summer is judged; from its entry into Libra comes the nature of autumn, and from its arrival in Capricorn, the quality of winter is discovered. These qualities are clearly revealed everywhere by the current configuration of the celestial bodies.

Justly so, since time depends upon motion, the Sun distinguishes the four seasons of the year through the four cardinal original: "mobilia." In astrology, the "cardinal" or "movable" signs—Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn—mark the start of the seasons. signs. Furthermore, from the Sun’s return to the exact degree and minute of an individual’s birth, each person's varied fortune for the year unfolds. This refers to a "Solar Return" chart in astrology, used to predict the year ahead. To this we may add that the motion of the Sun, as the first and prince of planets (as Aristotle says), is the most simple; it never departs from the middle of the Zodiac The "Ecliptic," the Sun's path, is the exact center of the Zodiacal belt; unlike the planets, the Sun does not deviate north or south of this line. like the other planets do, nor does it ever move in retrograde.

The conditions of the planets in relation to the Sun. Chapter 4.

Likewise, there are certain defined distances in the heavens measured from the Sun itself. As soon as the planets have traversed these, they change their motion and their condition. For Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, when they reach the "trine" An aspect of 120 degrees, which is one-third of the 360-degree celestial circle. aspect—the third part of the sky—relative to the Sun, they immediately change their motion, moving either forward or backward. If they are oriental Rising before the Sun in the morning. of the Sun, they move in retrograde; if they are occidental Setting after the Sun in the evening., they move forward. Venus and Mercury wander through shorter, yet certain, distances from and toward the Sun. Indeed, Venus is forbidden from departing more than 48 degrees from the Sun, while Mercury may not exceed 28 degrees. The Moon, in whatever aspect A specific angular relationship between two celestial bodies. it holds with the Sun, changes its appearance and its nature. And as if