Prognostication for the Year 1500

A decorative initial letter 'C' containing floral and foliate patterns.

Bernardinus of Tibur, Doctor of both laws original: "iurs vtriusq; doctor", Prognostication for the year 1500. To the Reverend Father in Christ and Lord, Lord Julian, Cardinal Deacon of the Caesars original: "de Cesarinis", my most revered lord.

Since, according to the opinion of mathematicians, forty-eight images are figured in the heavens within the eighth sphere, among which twelve are most distinguished above the others—which are Aries, Taurus, and so forth in their own order—they are situated and named the zodiac. Through these, the path of the sun and the other planets is constituted. Since the time the sun and other planets spend in them is more frequently noted than in others, I considered it opportune to annotate this year under a brief compendium of these twelve images. Beginning with the image of Aries and finishing as follows: just as light appears reflected from a translucent body, so too we shall investigate with diligent attention what the same images, and other planets dwelling within them, announce or illuminate for this lower world in the present year, as they are reflected by the light of the sun.

To ensure the sense and intellect of this our prognostication is demonstrated easily to the readers, let us proceed in the following order.

On the quality of the Air in the image of Libra signifying the seventh sign.
On the Emperor in the image of Virgo signifying the sixth sign.
On the King of France in the image of Cancer signifying the third sign.
On the King of Spain in the image of Cancer signifying the third sign.
On the Duke of Milan in the image of Libra signifying the seventh sign.
On the Marquis of Mantua in the image of Libra signifying the seventh sign.
On the Duke of Urbino in the image of Capricorn signifying the tenth sign.
On Rome in the image of Leo signifying the fifth sign.
On Venice in the image of Cancer signifying the third sign and the image of Pisces signifying the twelfth sign.
On Florence in the image of Aries signifying the first sign.
On Bologna, Siena, and Verona in the image of Taurus signifying the second sign.
On Naples and Faenza in the image of Aries signifying the first sign.