Prognostication

I considered it worthy: since, as Ovid says, "The page is moving to undergo the judgment of the learned, sent like a light to God the Prince." I imitated the ancients, who, when they had written something, were accustomed to dedicate it to their elders and friends. Emulating them, I considered that this, our prognostication, should be dedicated to you, moved by your virtue and the kindness by which you excel others, and because you love learned men and pursue them with favor for the sake of your humanity. Accept these things, therefore, Reverend Father, with a pleasant face, and do not read them with a wrinkled brow, so that you may always hold us as your most devoted. But, Reverend Father, lest I seem to follow the opinion of certain madmen who attempt to prophesy about particular matters and for that reason easily descend into the chasm of error, following the precepts of our Ptolemy, I will confine myself only to describing universals. But so that you, Reverend Father, may more easily recognize the matters about which we are to treat, we shall set forth the chapters of the things to be discussed below. Farewell.

Chapter one, concerning the beginning of the year and of each of the quarters.
Chapter two, concerning the lord of the year and the lords of each quarter in particular.
Chapter three, concerning the quality of the air in the four seasons of the future year.
Chapter four, concerning the state of diverse men according to the disposition of the seven planets.
Chapter five, concerning the scarcity or abundance of the grain harvest.
Chapter six, concerning wars and rumors of arms.
Chapter seven, concerning the quality of future infirmities.
Chapter eight, concerning the conjunctions and oppositions of the luminaries.
Chapter nine, concerning the days chosen for bloodletting.
Chapter ten, concerning the days chosen for taking medicine.

Chapter one.
Although different people argue that the beginning of the year should be taken from different places, we, however, following the opinion of our most acute Ptolemy, shall take it from the entry of the greater luminary the Sun into the head of Aries, and not without reason. For, as C. Manilius testifies:
"Then first the sea is calmed of its shifting waves,
And the earth dares to put forth varied flowers;
Then the race of cattle and birds rushes into love and birth,
And the whole grove speaks with tuneful voice, and grows green in every leaf."