On Superstition and the Bonds of Demons

Because although these general principles are highly conducive to this science of ours, they are not entirely sufficient; it is also necessary that you possess specific knowledge. Therefore, the movements of the Planets must be recognized as the foundation, for without observing them, no one can operate in this art. Note that the day of any Planet is divided into four equal parts, the first of which—that is, three unequal hours—is governed by the principal Angel of that Planet. The remaining three parts are followed in order by his substitutes.

For example: on the day of Saturn, Oriphiel original: "Oriphiel", his first Angel, possesses the first three unequal hours from sunrise, which are called the planetary hours. The first Angel of his subordinates, Sadael original: "Sadael", holds the second three hours; Poniel original: "Poniel", the second subordinate, holds the third three hours; and Morisiel original: "Morisiel", the third Angel of Oriphiel, holds the final three hours. During the first three hours of the day, whether of Saturn or any other Star, one must operate through Oriphiel in matters appropriated to Saturn. During the second part, one operates through Sadael; during the third, through Poniel; and during the final three hours, through Morisiel. All operations receive either a prosperous or a weak effect according to the motion of Saturn.

Once the mean motion mean motion: the average speed of a planet calculated as if it moved in a perfect circle, rather than its actual elliptical or variable path of Saturn has been diligently identified for the specific day, degree, and hour, you should know that the first thing to observe is whether the movement is direct, retrograde, pure, proper, mixed, or confused. This information is found in Astronomical Tables. To distinguish the point of the beginning and end of its motion, you can find it at any hour by dividing the degrees running between them into smaller particles. This is done so that any given minute is divided into two, three, or four hourly parts according to the partition of pure or confused motion (that is, by observing the conjunction and separation of other Planets).

It is, in fact, impossible for you to reach the intended effect of this art—either through the stars or through the spirits of the stars—unless you know the punctual motion The exact, specific point of a planet's position at a moment in time. and have observed it most diligently. You must know how to precisely arrange your operations according to the specific qualities of the Planets. For in the various degrees, signs, days, hours, minutes, seconds, thirds, and fourths, the effects of the Planets are varied in different ways for this science. In every single degree, twenty-five diverse mutations are observed and found; hence, it seems necessary to divide every degree into that many principal parts.

However, this division does not take place through all degrees, but only in those where the stars conducive to this art of ours rise. It is with these stars that the operation is performed to communicate to those who are absent everything we wish through the ministry of spirits without letters This refers to Trithemius's method of "steganography," claiming to send messages mentally or through spirits without using written physical correspondence.. Note especially that the first quarter of the day and night perpetually serves those things pertaining to the operation of Saturn and his Prince; the second quarter serves the second three hours; the third quarter the third; and the fourth quarter the fourth, according to the order of the motion of Saturn himself in the ascendant—specifically when he is in one of the first four signs, which are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer.