Ten Treatises on Astronomy (Book of Astronomy)

...succession: and so the beginning of natural motion occurs to make seeds germinate and to make trees bloom, put forth leaves, and produce fruit; and to make herbs and germinated seeds be born, increase, and multiply; and for all plants to grow and receive increase. This is the first state original: "primus esse" through which the fiery signs are said to act, and they indeed do act upon the element of fire.

On Leo.

Illustration of a lion standing in a landscape with a small tree.

Leo acts upon fire by introducing into it a heat and dryness that is removed from balance Temperamentum: The ideal balance of the four qualities—hot, cold, moist, and dry—that sustains life.. Consequently, from that removal of balance comes the start of a natural motion that hinders the fruit and leaves of trees and herbs, making them decline toward the side of destruction. This is because they ripen; and ripening is, in a certain way, a form of destruction. Thus, few seeds germinate then, and few plants receive growth or increase. Also, few animals—those lacking free will—are moved toward the increase of their species or their preservation; indeed, certain animals begin to hide and seem as if destroyed when Leo performs its work upon the element of fire. The falling of seeds and their devastation occurs, and many fruits of trees ripen and rot, and similar things happen from the impression of Leo upon the element of fire. This is the second state through which the fiery signs act upon the element of fire.

On Sagittarius.

Illustration of Sagittarius as a centaur archer drawing a bow.

Sagittarius, however, acts upon the element of fire by impressing into it a heat and dryness far removed from all balance; indeed, it works toward the destruction of seeds and herbs, and to the completion of the falling and destruction of the leaves of trees, which fall in winter. It also acts toward the injury of many animals and the hiding of many species of animals and their destruction, so that they do not dare to appear above the earth. This is the third state through which the fiery signs act upon the element of fire. These are the three states through which the signs act upon the elements. All things happen according to this order based on the natural significance of the signs and planets, and from the fact that the superior bodies act upon the elements—though sometimes and in some places more, and sometimes and in some places less. Although a "natural" observation might seem different from this one, if both are considered correctly, they are the same.

On the Earthy Signs: and first, on Taurus.

Illustration of a bull standing in a landscape with a tree and rocks.

Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, which are the earthy signs, act upon the element of earth, but in different ways. Specifically, Taurus acts upon the earth by impressing into it a balanced coldness and dryness—that is, hindering little or nothing—so that in that balanced state, the generation of many sensible things (namely species), the growth of plants, and similar things occur.

On Virgo.

Illustration of a maiden in a field holding a stalk of grain.

Virgo, however, acts upon the element of earth by impressing into it a coldness and dryness that is less balanced and closer to destruction. Thus, from that act comes a natural motion such that plants suffer harm and diminution; herbs are stunted, and the leaves of trees fall and fail. However, that cold is not so far removed from a balanced state that—even though some things fail and are destroyed—certain other things are not still generated. Some seeds germinate, and certain herbs are newly born and grow, and similar things happen.

On Capricorn.

Illustration of Capricorn as a sea-goat with a fish tail.

Capricorn indeed acts upon the element of earth by impressing into it an unbalanced coldness and dryness that is destructive and mortifying. Living things are not easily generated then, and if they are generated, they are very few; and those are mostly of the domestic kind, because of the domesticity of their food. Nature is not moved to make herbs be born or trees put forth leaves or bloom, unless perhaps by chance; nor do seeds germinate, and similar things.

On the Airy Signs: and first, on Gemini.

Illustration of Gemini as two young figures embracing.

Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius act upon the element of air, but in different ways. For Gemini acts upon the element of air by impressing into it a balanced heat and moisture that strengthens nature and every fragrance, every sweet-smelling breeze. It strengthens natural heat and the balance of the air, in which the individuals of species rejoice, and it causes certain seeds to germinate and similar things.

On Libra.

Illustration of balance scales suspended in the air.

Libra, however, acts upon the element of air by introducing into it a heat and moisture removed from balance, making the air dense and thick, and making it mixed and harmful to the individuals of species, to seeds, herbs, and fruits; and it makes the air full of various harmful vapors and similar things.

On Aquarius.

Illustration of a man pouring water from a large jar.

Aquarius similarly acts upon the element of air by introducing into it an unbalanced heat and moisture that is harmful and hindering, making the air itself perishing and destructive to the individuals of species; and for the most part, those injuries that animals, seeds, and other plants receive come from the air.