The Goal of the Wise

original: "De Alkorodon" - a variant spelling of Alcocoden, a term derived from Persian/Arabic astrology referring to the planet that determines the length of a person's life.

But if there is misfortune and both are joined in one of the malefic houses, one shall fear death because of it. And if both are joined, fear will take hold in the face, in the mind, and in evil—specifically in the appearance of the face. In misfortune, if it appears, then it makes the person strong, as if it were in the time of the nativityThe moment of birth or the birth chart itself.; and if it reaches him and they join it in good fortune, it acts as a liberator, by the help of God. And in misfortune, it appears from these studies that if he looks upon it in one of those places that have power in nothingness.

And the Alcocoden in the sign of Aries and in the other signs: if it gives more in that sign, it depends on how much it beholds it by aspect. From those things which you do not know, that itself is the Alcocoden. If it should be without [aspect] to the places of misfortune, and does not reach misfortune, it does not signify death at that time; rather, that is a case of death occurring in years. There are certain wise men who acted concerning these things as they did with the Alcocoden, and they added to the number of years. It appears many times to him and his own concerning the pious nativity, if some have powers in nothing; and if they are in one of those which have power, and if there are three, then the fourth is stronger and looks more toward the Alcocoden itself.

And know that in the day, the Alcocoden has more power, which indicates exaltationA specific sign where a planet's influence is most dignified or "raised.", because here in the sign it is at 20 degrees; and it adds above him who indicates the faceA subdivision of a zodiac sign, also known as a decan., because here in the sign it is at 20 degrees; and it adds more in the face than it adds in the matter here in the sign at 10 degrees. And it is greater toward him then because of the triplicityA group of three zodiac signs belonging to the same element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water)., because here in the sign it is at 1 degree. And then he himself has in 3, if it was from the deeds of the great book; and if that angleThe 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th houses of a chart, considered the most powerful positions. should be with it, if it says nothing that pertains to the triplicity, it will then be worse and must go to the many stronger ones.

The Alcocoden can more likely be in one of the years—may God be where he must be—he is the Alcocoden himself. If the Alcocoden is masculine, as in the sign or in the East, and it is otherwise fortunate in the house, such as in triplicity or quality, then it will give the Great Years of the nativity. If it should be in a fleeing place, it will give worse, the Greater Years. And if it is in the 7th, 2nd, or 4th [houses], and it is in its own house or quality or triplicity, and from received fortunes, it will give its Middle Years.

And if it is in a place of misfortunes, it will give its Lesser Years original: "annos suos mores" - likely a scribal error for "minores".. And if it is retrogradeAppearing to move backward in the sky, usually a sign of weakened influence. or combustSo close to the Sun that its influence is "burned up" or hidden., as if in its fall, even if in fortune, it will give months instead of the 3 Lesser Years. And that which is in the 6th, if it is in the 9th—a free place receiving fortunes—it will give Middle Years. And if it is in a long line, it will give months instead of Lesser Years. And if it is retrograde or combust or unfortunate in one of the Lesser Years, then it is measured by hours.

But know that the Alcocoden appears as either male or female, and will give according to their character. And in the 7th, 2nd, and 4th, and in its own house or quality or triplicity, it will then give Lesser Years. And that which is in the 12th, or if in its house, it will give months for Lesser Years. And that which is not in an angle or in a succedentThe houses following the angles (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th), considered of moderate strength. house, but is in the 12th or in its fall, even if in fortune or in its face, it will give small days of the Lesser Years.

And it is necessary to use this method to know the number regarding misfortune, by the help of God; and if fortune adds to the years in the opposite way, such as 20 degrees. And Abu Ma'shar original: "Albubasar" - a famous 9th-century Persian astrologer whose works were foundational to Western medieval astrology. said: if he sees the Alcocoden in misfortune many times, and there are many strong things, he calls it the Alcocoden and takes more for it. If that one looks more at the Alcocoden, do not return to this end of its arrangement in misfortune; it is like one who envies, who wants to give something to a receiver. If he receives the greater Alcocoden many times, those who have masculine power in them reach their own.

And certain wise men said that life, which is in its own power, and they are Western and in an angle, it will give its Greater Years, unless it was separated from the Sun or Moon. And to this: he who is in the angle of the star or in the Midheaven original: "medio caeli" - the highest point in the chart, the 10th house. and they do not have powers there and are worse, it will give its Greater Years. And if it is in the 7th or 2nd and has some powers there, or is Eastern, it will give its Lesser Years, for then it has fortune in itself; if it is not so and has no powers there, no fortune, it will give its Middle Years, by the help of God. And when the Alcocoden is in the 7th or 2nd and is Western, it will give its Middle Years. And if it is in its house, it will give its Lesser Years. And in the 11th degree in fortune, it is allowed power there; and he who is Eastern will give his Middle Years. And if it is worse, it will give its small years. And if it is in the 3rd to the aspect, it is as if it is in the 9th, if she herself is in a strong one. And in the 11th, 8th, or 12th, the Alcocoden is then without fortunes, and in its own power it will give Lesser Years. And if it is of the misfortunes...