On the Sun and Light

And when they are joined with the Sun, they are therefore at their highest and moving forward original: "directi"; referring to direct motion in the zodiac, because in that interval they are in harmony with the King. On the contrary, when they are in discord—that is, in opposition—they are moving backward original: "retrogradi"; the apparent backward motion of planets and are at their lowest point. When Venus and Mercury reach the Sun, if they then proceed straight—that is, obedient to their lord—they become sublime. But if they are slanting—as if rebellious—they are meanwhile cast down.

The fact that the Moon is at her highest even when opposite the Sun should cause us no wonder. For what is the light of the Moon, if not that very same light of the Sun reflected here and there by the lunar mirror? And in the full moon original: "plenilunio", it is reflected back toward the Sun from across the sky. However, the Moon appears to descend in her quadrature the quarter-moon phase, 90 degrees from the Sun, because she then gazes at her lord with a grim or sideways look. Furthermore, just as the Sun does not retrace his steps, so the Moon does not move backward, for the velocity of her epicycle a small circle around which a planet was thought to move prevents any retreat.

Finally, by the solar power, when the Moon seeks the north in the path of the Sun, with the great Head of the Dragon the ascending lunar node established there, she provides an increase to the signs. But where she seeks the south, she provides a decrease with the Tail cast forth the descending lunar node. All the planets, having been made either eastern or western by the Sun, change their condition and their name in both positions. Indeed, all stand in awe of the path of the Sun, which they call the ecliptic the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere. The lower planets do so more and more; and finally the females—namely the Moon and Venus—most of all. For this reason, they deviate the most to the side. Finally, all are either positioned in this path, or having departed from here, again...