Bethen on the Hours of the Planets
I just happened upon the following short tract while working on a new book, and it seemed worth posting here in English. The identity of Bethen, or Bethen of Babylon as he is called in one place, is apparently unknown; but our source text appears in a collection of tracts entitled Abraham Avenezra, a Jewish Astrologer Most Expert in Judicial Works, Translated into Latin by the Most Excellent Peter of Abano after Careful Correction (Venice: Petri Liechtenstein, 1507), ff. 95v–96r.
Bethen de Horis Planetarum
On the Hour of Saturn
When it be the hour of Saturn, it is good to buy things of a heavy nature, such as iron, tin, lead and all metals, and stone, and black clothes; to begin digging gardens; and to devise any frauds against enemies. It is not good to let blood; nor to take medicine; nor to speak to one in authority, to a prelate, a monk or a hypocrite, to a fisherman, or to a hunter; nor to speak to any friend; nor to construct or build any wall. Nor is it good to make a start with any man, nor again to make any partnership, nor to take a wife; for these will never be concordant. Nor is it good to cut clothes or to put on new ones.
On the Hour of Jupiter
During the hour of Jupiter, it is good to buy and exchange silver, and to deal with all business that pertains to silver; and to do traffic in blue-colored clothes, as well as bridges and houses for the sake of prayer. It is good to begin a journey for the sake of the Lord, and it is good withal to begin a journey for business or sea-travel. It is good to take medicine, and to let blood; and to speak of concord, peace, friendship and power. It is good to buy horses of a chestnut color and weapons of steel; to weave cloth; to plough a field; to sow; to dig a well; to construct and build a wall. What is more, thou mightest relate: it is good to begin all good works in the hour of Jupiter.
On the Hour of Mars
During the hour of Mars, it is good to buy weapons, horses serrandos and all horses fit for war; to put on helmets; to begin a journey for the sake of war, either by land or by sea; to buy all clothes of a red color. But it is not good to take medicine, to let blood or to begin a journey for the sake of business. Moreover, it is good for all works that pertain to fire, such as those of smiths, cooks, bakers and tile-makers. And as we said concerning the hour of Saturn, it not good to begin a partnership, nor to secure or take a wife.
On the Hour of the Sun
During the hour of the Sun, it is good to buy gold and all things of a golden color, and golden horses. It is best in this hour to speak to a king and to all powerful men. It is good for powerful men to begin a journey for the sake of war, and to begin a war. And it is good to trade in clothes of a golden-yellow color. But it is neither good nor bad to take medicine, to let blood or to begin a journey for the sake of business; nor to take a wife; nor to take on, make or contract on a partnership.
On the Hour of Venus
During the hour of Venus, it is good to buy females, pearls and all the adornments of women, and golden rings. It is most perfect to approach all women, and to betroth and take a wife. It is good to buy white horses and white clothes; to take medicine; to let blood; and to speak to queens and noblewomen.
On the Hour of Mercury
During the hour of Mercury, it is good to buy all painted and written things, grain, millet and panic-grass, and all clothes of various colors which pertain to the use of men of all sorts. It is good to buy cotton, silk and silken cloth; to begin to make an agreement; and also to take a wife or make a partnership. It is the best for taking medicine and letting blood, as well as for making a journey for the sake of business. It is good withal to buy horses balejanos, weapons of two colors, golden-yellow and gold, as well as cloths of a green color; and to weave cloth.
On the Hour of the Moon
During the hour of the Moon, it is good to buy honey, oil, figs, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds, wool, linen, hemp, barley, pork and all animals save sheep. It is good to buy birds pertaining to trade and all beasts that pertain to the meat-market. It is good to swear, as well as to carry out deceptions, betrayals, frauds and stratagems. However, it is not good to begin works in which thou desirest stability; but it is good to begin those whereof thou desirest speed.
On the Rising of the Triplicities, and First on the Rising of the First Triplicity
If Aries, Leo or Sagittarius should be at rising, because these signs are fiery, it is good under their rising to begin what pertains to fire, such as lighting a furnace; coloring gold, silver, lead, tin and brass; aught in relation to smithing; every work of which thou desirest speed; navigating; making horses run; sending messages; setting sails; digging wells; finding treasures; and many things which it were impossible to enumerate.
On the Rising of the Second Triplicity
If Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn should be at rising, because these signs are earthy, it is good under their rising to carry out all works which pertain to the earth, such as ploughing the land; buying land and houses; measuring the land; dividing garments; buying the wood from which thou wouldst make ships and all buildings; and performing all works from which wouldst have stability, permanence and durability.
On the Rising of the Third Triplicity
Now if Gemini, Libra or Aquarius be rising, because these signs are airy, it is good under their rising to do that which pertains to the air, such as placing a mast in a ship and raising it up, preparing and extending sail-yards and sails, and all works which pertain to a ship. It is good for the running of horses and the rowing of oarsmen, and to begin a journey.
On the Rising of the Fourth Triplicity
But if Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces be rising, because these signs are watery, it is good under their rising to carry out all things which pertain to the water, such as casting nets into the water; practicing all types of fishing; bathing; constructing baths; making locks for a mill; directing water-courses; and many things which it were impossible to enumerate.
On the Hour and the Sign of Saturn, and the Rising of the Same
This is to be attended to all the more carefully: that if it be the hour of Saturn and the sign of Saturn be rising, it is wonderful to do all the things which have been told of the hours of Saturn. Do thou understand the same concerning the other hours and signs; and if thou canst, make the hours agree with the signs, for this is best. And what we have said of Saturn, thus understand concerning all the other planets.
Peter of Abano Book Launch
New Announcement from Hadean Press (Click Here):
“Today we open pre-orders for the first English translation of Peter of Abano’s Experiments of the Rings, edited and translated by Regulus Hess.
“Annulorum Experimenta: The Experiments of the Rings by Peter of Abano draws on the Arab to Latin transmission of image magic. The forty rings and other charms are attributed to the twenty-eight Mansions of the Moon, and unlike other ring texts are largely based around the creation of illusions. Almost all of the spirits mentioned in the creation of the rings and their activation are unique to this text, not occurring in any other known grimoire text.
“Our hardcover edition is printed on 80gsm cream paper and bound in black Wibalin buckram cloth, with cream head and tail bands and printed marbled endpapers. This edition is limited to 400 copies. We expect it to begin shipping at the end of July.
“Annulorum Experimenta is attributed to Peter of Abano, one of the most significant figures of the grimoire tradition. The likelihood of his authorship and his other magical works are discussed in detail in the introduction provided by Regulus Hess, which also contextualises the work historically. An appendix is also included of a translation of the Anelli di Pietro d’Abano, a unique vernacular tract related to the Annulorum Experimenta.
“All six manuscripts have been consulted to provide the most complete edition of this grimoire, with text in both Latin and English, and all variants of the seals included in an appendix. A final appendix includes extracts from the Picatrix to facilitate the working of the material, should the reader wish to try this ring magic for themselves.”
Herbs of the Signs and Planets
The following brief anonymous tract, dating at least circa 1400, is translated from Erfurt, Universitätsbibliothek, cod. CA. 4° 356, f. 177v (link). We give the names of the herbs in both Latin and English.
Herbe planetarum et signorum—Herbs of the Signs and Planets
| [Sign or Planet] | [Herba] | [Herb] |
| Aries | Salvia | Sage |
| Taurus | Colubrina | Adderwort |
| Gemini | Peristeron que spargitur super terram | Vervain, which is scattered upon the earth |
| Cancer | Symphicum | Comfrey |
| Leo | Cyclamen | Cyclamen |
| Virgo | Calamintum | Calamint |
| Libra | Elytropia | Heliotrope |
| Scorpio | Arthemisia | Mugwort |
| Sagittarius | Anagallis | Pimpernel |
| Capricorn | Lapacium | Dock |
| Aquarius | Draguntea | Dragonwort |
| Pisces | Aristologia | Birthwort |
| Saturn | Semperviva, item Affodillus | Houseleek, also Asphodel |
| Jupiter | Eupatorium, item Poligonia | Agrimony, also Knotgrass |
| Mars | Peucedanum, item Cicuta, item Cinosbatos | Brimstonewort, also Hemlock, also Bramble |
| The Sun | Elitropia, item Arnoglossa | Heliotrope, also Plantain |
| Venus | Gallitritum, item Penthaphilon | Maidenhair, also Cinquefoil |
| Mercury | Capsus Barbatus, item Jusquiamus | Mullein, also Henbane |
| The Moon | Pyonia, item Peristeron, et Celidonia | Peony, also Vervain, and Celandine |
Predictas herbas quando colligis—When thou gatherest the aforesaid herbs, make mention and name its effect. And when thou gatherest one, take it back and place it over the corn and barley: thus wilt thou preserve it till thy use.
Techel and Damigeron Book Launch
Christopher Warnock of Renaissance Astrology discusses our new book.
Judicia Ptolomei: On the Figures of the Signs and Planets
The following passages are translated from the Judicia Ptolomei (or Iudicia, if you prefer), an Arabic-Latin treatise on astrology ascribed sometimes to Ptolemy, sometimes to Aristotle. (Read more about it here.) We have used the version found in British Library, MS Harley 5402, ff. 1v–2v, whereof images and a helpful transcription may be found here. We thought it well to make this material available in English after citing it in our newly-released Celestial Gems: De Lapidibus & Liber Sigillorum. The reader will note for himself the curious transition from the figures of corporature or physiognomy described below, to their use in magical sigils elsewhere.
Judicia Ptolomei—Extract on the Figures of the Signs and Planets
Let us speak of the figures of the signs and planets, so that, when we come to tell of times past, present and future, we will not be led hereby into confusion. For these, together with the things told above, are the carpet whereon our feet must ever tread. Yea, my son, if thou be not ignorant hereof, thou wilt be able to come to the telling of times past, present and future without hesitation.
Aries, therefore, hath much hair and a rounded body. His eyes are grave. He hath small ears. He wants not for a long face.
Taurus hath a broad brow, always curved. And if it be not broad, he hath a long nose with broad nostrils. His eyes are grave, his hair upraised, and his neck stout. He has black hair. Modest, he casts his gaze earthward and walks with dignity: yet he is vain.
Gemini are neither tall nor short, but have a middling figure. Believing, they bestow broad chests and beautiful persons. And if Mercury prospers, one will be a writer.
Cancer hath a thick-skinned and corpulent body, [stouter in the lower half] and thinner in the upper half. His teeth are crooked, and his eyes are small.
Now Leo is recognized by all. He is stouter in the upper half and thinner in the lower half. He is great-willed as well. He has thin legs, that is, long ones.
Virgo has a beautiful person: the same is likewise of good-will. His eyes are observed to be beautiful. He hath a beautiful face.
Libra is beautiful of face and middling of flesh. A lover of women is he.
Scorpio is ruddy of face. He hath much hair, small eyes and a small face. Long legs has he, and large feet: they move with ease. Falsehood is not wanting in his mouth. He is easily angered with all.
Sagittarius has long thighs, stout legs, a long face, ample hair of the face, and a delicate chin. More beautiful from behind than before, he has thin hair and a great belly. He loves to ride.
Capricorn has slender legs and a dry body. A face like a goat hath he, and much hair.
Aquarius holds himself high. Too beautiful is he. He disburseth much of art, and wastes and consumes with one leg crossed over the other. His face is colored and beautiful.
Pisces hath a broad chest and a small head whereon flourisheth a beautiful beard: great is the hair of his face. He is white and similarly great of will. He has round eyes.
Inasmuch as we have spoken briefly anent the figures of the animals placed in the heavens—which figures they ascribe to those who are born in the same—order requires that we should tell thee certain truths concerning the figures of the planets residing in the same place
Saturn, therefore, is a darksome man. Few hairs hath he in his beard. He is not comely. He works iniquity. Sluggish and grave, he doth not laugh. And oft he hath fissures in his heel. His color is gray, and his chest is slender. His hair is rough. His clothes are ill-smelling. He the more readily weareth black, and likewise hath an evil will.
Jupiter is a goodly man. His beard is round. Beautiful eyes hath he, and two upper teeth that are large and somewhat spaced apart. Ruddy is he, such that thou mightest call him handsome, with an admixture of white in his face. His clothes are beautiful, and his hair is beautiful and long. When he walks he casts his gaze earthward.
Mars is a ruddy man whose color is mixed with brown like unto those who go under the sun, and he often hath red grains on his face. He always hath few hairs in his beard, such that he might be esteemed a eunuch. Small eyes hath he, and a body stout and rounded. And he is a sower of cockles and discord among men.
The Sun is a man of full flesh, having a beautiful face and big eyes. His face is white, mixed with a citrine color. A full and beautiful beard hath he, and lengthy hair.
Venus hath beautiful eyes and beautiful eyebrows. Soft and sweet words hath he, and he is ever studious about the disposition of his face and of his entire body. He moves his body with ease: his body is likewise of moderately full flesh and moderate stature, that is, neither great nor small.
Mercury is a man with a slender body. Wise is he, and he loves to apply himself to reading. He is complete in his person. He acquireth many friends and hath no luck in them. A pretty beard hath he, thin and small. He hath subtile lips and a subtile nose.
The Moon is a man of no servitude. He desireth [to go] wondering hither and thither by day and by night, and abideth not in one place. His face is round, neither great nor small. He hath one eye bigger than the other, or he is smote through an eye, or he squints, or one eye will be blind: to put it briefly, let us say that he will by no means be able to be without some calumny of the eyes.
Incipit
Welcome. Watch this space for future blog posts.