Commentary on the First and Second Chapters of the Thirtieth Book of the Natural History of Gaius Plinius Secundus

inherent in human minds is a certain hidden power to change, to attract, and to bind, especially when there is the greatest excess of imagination, mind, and will toward that which one desires to attract, change, bind, or impede. For in this way (as the Mages hold), by means of the affections of the soul, and also by the right application of certain things opportunely joined with the gifts of the heavens, they contend that wonderful things can be done. Thus, they say, one can bind more strongly with the Solar power; the Lunar power, however, draws toward servitude or infirmity; the Saturnine, toward calamity and sadness. Likewise, the Arab philosophers have committed to memory that the human soul, through the most vehement affections, can be joined to any work to which it wishes to apply itself; then, through this conjunction, it can even act and operate with the souls and intelligences of the stars, as there is in it at that time the apprehension and power of all virtues. From this also flow the powers of characters symbols or sigils used in magic, of which we shall speak a little later. Therefore, with the mind so applied, so prepared, and so coupled and illuminated by the ideas of the stars, they report that a man can bind whatever he pleases. And thus the binding of men occurs: thus is humor attracted or hatred brought in: thus the binding of thieves and of certain illnesses: thus of winds and storms. Certainly, the magnitude and power of the celestial bodies is such that not only natural things, but even artificial ones, when they are duly applied to the higher powers, can imprint marvelous gifts upon things. This is also confirmed by Saint Thomas in the book which he left for posterity to read, On Fate:

He says, "Even garments and buildings and all works of art receive a certain quality from the stars; since they also imprint it upon rings, herbs, stones, seals, and mirrors."

For the rays of the celestial bodies imprint wonderful gifts upon all inferior things by sudden touch or influx. For celestial figures are configured into characters or images according to the likeness of the waters, and to these they contribute marvelous effects; hence the fabrication of images talismans has flowed down. For from the works of Jupiter, they used to fashion an image for longevity, in the hour of Jupiter himself happily ascending in exaltation, on a clear and white stone