Prognostication for the Year 1495

A decorative initial 'S' begins the text.

Antonius Arquatus, physician and astrologer of Ferrara, in the prognosis for the year 1485. The processes of which, on account of wars and the successions of princes, are extended into the following years and include within themselves the end of the year 1493.

I, intending to write how much the laws of the heavens appear to portend for mortals this year, found it necessary to leave behind for a while the care of healing on earth and to ascend to the heavens themselves. I did this so that I might be able to deliberate with the stars concerning these matters, and to inquire of the intelligences themselves and the lovers of the celestial bodies regarding these things, just as those who from God, the Best and Greatest, have taken up the care and regimen of the lower kingdom, as the holy Christian religion, together with philosophers and the parents of nature, seems to affirm. Having been made more certain by them, I recognize that the words of Anaxagoras Greek pre-Socratic philosopher were divine and immortal, when he said that in the moderation of human affairs, prudence does not suffice, since from the heavens flow most high powers which it is necessary to follow. This is what that great Democritus Greek philosopher surmised, saying that many grave councils are held on earth which are precipitated without having been consulted in the heavens. Likewise, that most wise Thales Greek philosopher thought it to be the madness of humanity for men to believe they can do anything of themselves beyond those things which were written in the heavens. And this is what Archytas of Tarentum Pythagorean philosopher and Heraclitus Greek philosopher were saying when they wrote that it is an impiety for mortals to believe that vows can be overcome, by positing impossibility as the greatest difficulty. Chilon Spartan sage declared that many lofty things must fall when the stars will it, and that they elevate those which are depressed. Main likely referring to a specific proverb or astrological nuance—the strongest lion is also the food of the smallest birds. And trees turning toward the sky make good cradlcant likely a corruption of a term regarding growth or rooting. Anaximander Greek philosopher, however, believed that the ruins of inferior things could not be avoided unless councils were confirmed by the stars. All wish to convey that which Plato, Aristotle, Pherecides, Pythagoras with Empedocles, and Chrysippus have testified: saying that the heaven is the cause of all passible things in the lower world, and that it is that which causes, moves, generates, and corrupts all things. The knowledge of all these is preserved under Astrology, the greatest of sciences, which alone renders men conscious of the divine, or interpreters and secretaries of heaven, to such an extent that they seem to be elevated from the state of mortals to the likeness of gods. Wherefore, having finally obtained the councils of the celestial gods, I shall proclaim their vows and portents as a herald.

The beginning of the revolution of the world in this year, or the return of the sun to Aries, will be on the 11th of March after noon at the 1st hour and 29th minute, the days being equalized to the meridian of Ferrara, on whose horizon the eleventh degree of Leo will ascend.

A library stamp is visible in the bottom right corner.