Previously Unpublished Works, Fascicle 1

signified (page 46). This conjunction is studied at length. The division of houses In astrology, houses are twelve divisions of the celestial sphere that represent different areas of human life. is then described (page 47). This includes the relation between the signs The twelve signs of the zodiac. and the planets (page 48). He then defines the exaltation A planet's position of greatest strength and influence. of planets, their triplicity A grouping of three zodiac signs belonging to the same element, such as fire or water., and the termini The "terms" or specific degrees of a sign where a planet holds particular power. of the Egyptians (page 49). He also describes the powers of the planets and their faces The "faces" refer to the three ten-degree segments of a zodiac sign.. All the essential power of Mercury The planet associated with intellect and communication. is located in the sign of Virgo. Therefore, the prophet of the Mercurial law Bacon associates different religions or "laws" with specific planets. Mercury is often linked to intellectual or specific religious systems in this context. should be born of a virgin. If Jove original: "Jove," the planet Jupiter. is in conjunction with the Moon, another sect will arise (page 50). This is the sect of the Antichrist.

Laws and sects may be investigated in a more special way by using conjunctions. He focuses especially on the meeting of Saturn and Jove. There are three kinds of conjunctions An alignment where two planets appear in the same part of the sky.. These are great, greater, and greatest. They occur every twenty years, 240 years, and 960 years. The author explains the significance of each of these (page 51). Bacon discusses the conjunction that took place before the birth of Christ. He believes this event inspired the poet Ovid. He calculates the alignment of the planets at that time (page 52). The influence of the stars does not force the human free will. However, the body is influenced by them. They also influence the mind. They did not cause the Incarnation The Christian belief that God took human form in Jesus Christ.. Instead, they show that the event was known in advance.