The Anthology

Books V & VI

Translated
by Robert H. Schmidt

*
Edited

~
by Robert Hand

*
 This booklet is a facsimile reprint of one volume from
PROJECT HINDSIGHT’S GREEK TRACK, Robert Schmidt’s
early provisional translations of various Hellenistic
astrological texts done from 1993 through 2000.
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But now the situation is different. After spending the past
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ready to publish his final translations of all the selections
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VOL.VIII. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book III.

VOL. IX. Teachings on Transits.

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VOL. XI. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book IV.

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VOL. XIV. Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos, Book IV.

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 VETIIUS V ALENS

The Anthology
Books v& VI
Translated by
Robert H. Schmidt

Edited by
Robert Hand

Project Hindsight
Greek Track
Volume XIII

The Golden Hind Press

 Project Hindsight is funded e ntirely
by the astrological community through
subscriptions and donations.

@ Copyright 1997 by
Robert Schmidt

Published by
Tbe Goldto Hind Press
532 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
 Table of Conlents

Preface by Robert Schmidt ............ .

Book V of th e Antho logy o f Vettius Valens

I. Concerning the Place Pertaining to Accusation ......... .

2. Concerning the Climacteric l Year and the Places o f Eclipse and

Inceptions ........................ . ... .. ...... 6

3. Concerning Climacteric Z6idia .. ............... 9

4. Concerning the Prospering Mont h and Day from the Transit ing
Sun to the Moon at Birth and an Equal Amount from the
lIoroskopos ... ........ ... ..... ..... ........... I I

5. Concerning the Noddings of the Moon at the New Moons in the

Z6idia from Leo and in Succession ........ .......... 14

6. What is the Reaso n that the Same Effects Do not Occur during
a Twelve Year Period, but sometimes Foul Things Happen
when Good Ones Are Expected, or the Opposite, Good Things
when Foul Are Expected? And also, when the Division Falls on
Void ZQidia, why Great Goods or Evils sometimes Occur?
............ .. .............................. 18

7. Concerning Releasing ... .. ........................ 46

8. Otherwise in the Matter of Climacteric ITimes], accordingly as

Critodemus Makes the Releasing from the Moon
. . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. . . ..53

Book VI of the Anthology of Vettius Valens ....... . . .. .. 62

I. Prooe mium ... ....... ..... .... .... ... ........... 62

2. Concerning the Propitious and Impropitious Times according to

the Partik Intetval of the Times, and Appl ication ...... 65
3. The Reason Why the l\ncients Typified the 5 Planets and the
Sun and Moon with Such Colors ................... 72

4. Why the Malefics Seem To Be More Active than the

BeneHes .............................. ....... 73

5. Concerning Ingresses ...... .. ........... .. ........ 75

6. Co ncerning the Division of Propitious and Impropit io us Times

with regard to 10 Years and 9 Months ............... 77

7. To Learn to Which Star the Current Yea rs Belong in the

Foregoing Teaching . . . . . . .............. 82

8. Concerning Length of Life from the Rule o f the Whole Moon

and Horoskopos ................................ 84

10. The Finding of the Moon and H6rQsiwpos of Conception . 87

 I' refacc
by
Robert Schmidt

A question that we arc gell ing more and more orten these days
is "Do these Hellenistic methods work'!" The simple fact is that we
do not yet know. Numerous astrologers have been testing the m
over the past few years, and alt hough some of the results arc
promising, we arc fa r fro m being able to give an unqualified
endorsement to this bra nd of Astrology.
One of the issues that needs to be addressed is the zodiac with
which these methods should be applied. Given the ncar coincidence
of the tropical and sidereal zodiacs in Hellcnistic times, it is ha rd to
argue that these methods we re verified empirically for one zodiac
rather than anot her. It is not even entirely clear that the ordinary
astrologer of the time was aware that the re was a problem as to
zodiac. I do not imend to go into this scholarly thicket in any detail
at the present time. Suffice it to say that Valcns himse lf advocated
a zodiac with the ve rnal point at eight degrees Aries. In any case,
all these methods need to be tested both tropically and according to
the various sidereal zodiacs ultimately deriving from Babylonian
sources.
In Books V & VI of Vaicns, we are brought face to face with
a second very important issue. Valens describes these books as
offering M keys" to the use of the time-lords presented in Book IV.
As the reader will see, these interpretive keys are very deta iled.
Most of them pertain to Valens' favored profection method, and
quite a few concern various things to do when the profeclion lands
upon a sign void of plancts. Some of thesc keys were evidently
taught to Valcns by the astrologer who first communicated the
method to him (as he relates in Book IV), some hc attributes to
Critodemos, and others he appa rently worked out by himself. As
Valens himse lf tries to demonstra te through numerous examples.
without these keys we would very often fail in our use of this
profection method.
We arc fortunate indeed that these keys are preserved fo r us.
(A'i far as we have bee n able to determine so far, there is virtually
no trace of these keys in the Medieval tradit ion, leading us to
surmise that these books may not have been translated into Arabic.)
However, it makes us wonder whether all the other Greek methods
were similarly to be employed along with their appropriate interpre-
tive keys, now lost to us. Certa inly no other method is presented
with anything approaching the detail that Valens lavishes on his
profection method, giving us the impression that o ne could go
almost infinite ly deep into the chart with this method alone. This
is going to make the restoration and testing of these methods much
harder.
Then there is the third issue of the combining of all the various
time-lord methods, whether and how they are hierarchical, which
are to be used in combination with which, etc. Valens certainly
recommends using as many of these as possible . But it is never
quite clear how the various methods he discusses should be ranked
or combined. Here is a stray passage from Rhetorius (probably
5th-6th ce ntury C.E.), giving one concise account of their combina-
tion and hierarchy.

~ Itis necessary to make the divisions of the times as follows: Before

anything, investigate the circumambulations [directions] o f the Sun
and Moon and f/6roskopos and Midheaven and Lot of Fortune,
always projecting from the Sun and Moon according to the
command of Ptolemy, and not only in accordance with a square and
triangular and hexagonal zodiacal side (that is, topically) , but also
according to the degree, as you learned in the 16th chapte r. Then,
for the remainder, it is necessary to make the circumambulations
not only according to the method of Ptolemy, but also according to
the ascensions of the zlJidia, according to how each ascends for its
proper zone, as the Egyptians teach; and for each year it is
necessary to investigate the degree of each releaser, or which star's
bounds it chances to be in, and in relation to which of the stars it
makes contacts, not only of the wandering stars but also of the ftxed
stars of the first and second magnitude possessing the same wind.
For example, let it be the case that the Sun and the Horoskopos are
together with Kronos at the 22nd degree of Aries in the 4th w ne.
The non-wandering star the Gorgon is at 7 Taurus according to its
present occupam:.y . We say, then, that the Gorgon makes contact
with thc Sun and the Horoskopos after 10 years, 4 months, and that
this time is active for both the fathe r and the child, and that this

"
results from the contact of the Sun and the /-Ioro~'kopos wit h Zeus
and Kronos; it is active for the father bccause of the Sun and for
the child because of the HoroskoJXls. For, the ancients said that
when the nativity docs not have a duration with regard to the
parents, the effects o f the ch ildrcn will for the most part be active.
After this. seek the ascensions and the periods of the z6it/ia and
stars in accordance with the perfect. middle , and least years; it is
necessary to also reckon by half and two·thirds and one· third, and
not only in regard to years but also in regard to months and days
and hours. just as Valens set out in the 6th chapter of the 7th book.
Again. seek the contacts of the stars fro m the periods themselves
both by zoidion and by degree. After this, seek the furthe r distribu·
lions of Fortune and Spirit, just as Valens set out in the 25 th
chapter o f the fourth book; see k also the giving and taking over, just
as he himself taught in the fourth and the fifth book. Then, it
remains to invest igate the lord of the year and the floroslropos o f
the year, just as Do rotheus says, with regard to how it is situated in
terms of its phase and position, and by what stars it is oontemplated,
and how it was situated in the nativity. And thus, for the remain·
der, make the furthe r distributions of the year. And after this,
investigate the ingresses of the stars for the year, just as Antigonus
set out in the 4th chapter of the fourth book.
If you wish to investigate by class, do it thus: In matters
concerning the father, cast out the years from the Lot of the Father;
if concerning the mot her, fro m the Lot of the Mother. And cast
out the years from the Sun and Moon and H 6 roskopos and
Midheaven and Lot of Fortun e, for the subjects that were said
earlier. And if you do well, also from each lot. But also know this:
if the Sun should be found as the releaser and the Moon is marking
the hour and they should be contacting one another, they produce
a fatal climacteric, not only by lbodilyl encounter, but also by square
o r opposition ; similarly also in relatio n to their squares and
diameters. It is necessary, thCIl, to watch the Moon when it is
releasing in relation to t he Horoskopos o r the prenatal syzygy or the
2nd quarter and in relation to thc Sun; for these contacts produce
a fat al climacte ric." ICCAG; Vill.I. p 24 1 & 2421

In this passage we fi nd cited most (t ho ugh not all) of the time·lo rd

methods we have encountered so far in a hierarchy much more

ii i
 complex than that found at the end of Bk IV of the Telrabibfos, but
the specific circumstances under which each is to be applied and the
details of the combination will also require a 10 1 more work.
Among the other highligh ts of these two books of Valens, let
me first mention a new (to us) time-lord procedure outlined in
Book VI. Although Valens discusses this method at length, he does
not offer any examples, and I am still uncertain about much of the
detail, the Greek being a bit murky in places. What is clear,
however, is that this method converts the degree interva l between
a releasing planet and any other planet into a time period by
equating eaeh degree of this interval to the minor period of the
releasing planet in years, months, days, or hours. The successive
time-lords arc turned on in zodiacal order after these lengths of
time. Valens seems to hold this procedure in high regard.
Book VI also contains Valens' own treatment of the time-lord
. procedure involving 10 years, 9 months, often called decennia Is.
This method is also discussed in Hephaistio and in Maternus, but
Valcns gives some surprising bits of information . For example, he
says that this procedure is based on a 360 day year instead of a
standard year. Furthermore, he argues that one cannot routinely
employ the Sun by day and the Moon by night as the releasing
planet. It must be properly situated in order to assume this role;
otherwise the first planet after the Ascendant is to be used, etc.
There are also some curious variations appended to his discussion.
In Book V, we finally get a statement about the role and
defin ition of the Midheaven. In virtually all the Hellen istic material
we have translated so far, the Midheaven is understood to be the
tenth sign from the Ascendant sign. However, in this book Valens
: tells us that if the meridia n (what modem astrologers generally
mean by the Midheaven) fa lls in the ninth or eleventh sign from the
Ascendant sign, then that sign also shares the character of the tenth
sign as far as topics and house significance are conce rned, and their
flanking signs share the chara<..1er of the ninth and eleventh. Valens
actually uses the dual significance of these houses in some of his
examples.
For those interested in electional Astrology, we have in Book
V a new prohibition. Briefly put, it says never to commence
anything when the Moon is in the nodal quadruplicity. I have not
encountered this stricture elsewhere in the classical or medieval
material, but Valens takes it very se riously. I have never seen him
go on at such length about any other malefic indicat ion in a chart.
Let me say in conclusion tha t the G reek of these books,
particularly Book VI, is the most difficult I have encountered so far
in Valens. In addition to t he usual problems with occasionally
corrupt text , the long and involved similes pose some real challenges
for the transla tor. They a re full o f high rel igious and moral
sentiments, and they abound in subtle asides about fate. But the
la nguage is often just o n the edge of inte lligibility.
"
 Book V of the Ant hology of Vettius Valens

I. Conce rning Ih e Place Perlaining 10 Accusation l

In the booklets 2 composed previously we have set out the divisions}

with explanations, and now in this book we will give further
clarification both of some other powerful places and also of the keys
that fit into the divisio ns of the stars.
With these things being so, it is necessary to test another place
by expe rience (which I will se t out wi thout prejudice), which is
ca usative of fears and dangers and is a contributing cause of
bondage. This place, then, is severe, being taken by day from
Kronos to Arcs, by night from Ares to Kro nos, and an equal
amount from the H6roskopos. And wherever it should fall out, it will
be necessary to examine whether the zoidioll should not be that of
a malefic, or whether malcfics sho uld be present or testifying; for in
this manner the nativities become precarious and full of danger, and
are destructive. The nature of each star and zoidion will confer the
fo rm .~ But when benefics arc present or testifying, they will confer
an evil that is less, o r else a quick passage of the causes.
It seemed better to make more use of this place;s for when

1 Cj Chap. IV of Ube,. lIermelis.

1 biblion. This probably refers to the separate sections of the preceding
Book IV.
J hoire:JIS. This seems he re to be a shon ened fonn of dinjresi:.. the word
for divisions of the times.
~ eidos. Here. in the context of this 101 analysis, the nature of the ill is
shown by the zOidion itself in which the 101 falls , IlS well as by planets
occupying or testifying 10 this place-not the ruler.
J edon de mal/on kai 'outoi 'Q/ 'opOi chris/hoi. This transitional sentence
would perhaps best be translated as I have done. However, as it stands, it seems
to announce a fuller and more detailed treatment of the Lot of Accusation
dt.'SC ribed abo\'e. introducing addilional conditions for its employment. The
difficulty is that the upcoming paragraph docs nOI really seem to make mention
of the Lot al all, but rat her seems to introduce an entirely new indicator for the
accusations and imprisonment. Although .....e have not seen this configuration so
delineated before, it seems qui te self-contained. Fun hermore, it is invoked all
by itsel f in the example that concludes Ihis chapter even though the Lot could
either the Sun or the Moon should be found to be zodiacally
hexagona l! to Kronos or Arcs, the nativity is subjcct to fear and
liable to accusations, especially within 70 degrees! in zoidia of
hearing.] And exceptionally so in that lime when one of them
should make a handing over 4 in relation to this figur e,S such as if
the Sun [should hand over) to Kronos, or Ares to the Moon; again,
if Kronos or Ares [should hand over] to the Sun or the Moon, even
if both should not happen according to the same [figure j, but one
of them should be hexagonal, and the other should make a handing
or taking over in relation to such a figure from a square or triangle
or diameter or while being in aversion. 6 For then the nativity will be
in great trouble and the native will find himself making defences or
in confinement or in custody, or he will have cause for suspicion
concerning such things and he will return with a bad conscience.
And sho uld a benefic be present together with either of them or
should it testify in a famil iar manner, he will have relief from fears

appropriately have been mentioned. This leads me to mention possible

alternative translations of the lead sentence, such as " It seemed to me that we
could make more of this topic."
! It seems remarkable that the hexagon figure should be singled out for a
special malefic significance here.
Z Text has 0 as a number. Liber Hermelis has "et maxime cu m sim in
similibus el in adienliblLJ se adinvicem signis.·' which would translate as "and
especially when they should be in similar signs and those hearing one another."
Accordingly. Q in our text could be an abbreviation for homoion, or 'si milar',
as Pingree points out. This would make quite a bit more sense. Sim ilar zoidia
migh t refe r to the like-engirding zoidia described in Paulus, Chap. 12.
l See Paulus, Chap. 9 for the description of zoidia that hea r one another.
4 Here we see a statem~nt of the pri n cip l ~ that the natal indicator will be

activated at the time that the component planets are themselves time-lords.
Presumably this principle could be generalized to time the activation of aJllot
or aspect indicators.
S pros /0 lOioulon schema. I think that the most likely antecedent for this
phrase would be the simi lar and hearin g fi gure mentioned above. 1 do not see
how it could (as ily been read to refer to the Lot of Accusation. It cannot rcfer
to the hexagonal figu re alone, as the phrase occurs again in the next statement
where all other aspects are allowed.
~ There can be zoidia that are sim ilar or hear one another in aspect
relations othet than the hexagon.

2
or dangers or a c hange for the good, exce pt he will not continue
without disturba nce. And if the figure should be afflicted without
the testimony of bencfics, he will be conde mned or will find himself
in bonds or in confine me nt or in custody. But if in any way the
support l is found to be great. evcn tho ugh the figure is such, he will
illcur risk at that time concern ing his ran k and livelihood and
accusa tions or he will undergo betrayals and he will make a defence
to a magistraL), or to the king. evcn if it should not be on his own
bcha lf, but on behalf of another, in on.lcr that the issue of fear a nd
of strife should be brought about ; fo r the place will be potcnt in this
manner.
If the gene ral t imes and the yea rly limes concur on the sa me
(year] .l the issue of accusa tion and of confineme nt and of ruina tion
will be full. and the division arising from the (."yelical years will effect
fears and annoyances. And if the nativity of an infant should have
sueh a figure. il will be necessary to declare fear for the father or
mOlher, or for the master if it should pertain to a slave, though
some indeed come into confinement or prison even when they are
infants and make their abodes in these places. And if in any way at
this time a benefic should make an ingress al this place or test ify to
it,3 there will come about an intermission or consolat ion of evil; but
if a malefic, it will be worse; and if a benefic and a malefic, both.
And in a diffe ren t manner, should the mal efies be fou nd to be
diametrical or squa ring the Sun o r the Moon, they ca use fcars a nd
confinement s. But if the nativity should be found to be assisted in
any way by the testimony of bencfies or by the gene ral support, and
confinement should not occur, the incitement for another kind of
confinement or condemnation will occur, such as military service,
custody, sureties fo r loans, being tied up wit h lega l judgments or

! Jwpost(lsis. If the suppon for the variOllS planets should be strong in the

nativity, it can serve 10 mitigate this indicator, though it will still find some less
obnoxious way to manifest.
1 It is not clear here whelher the "gcneral times" penain to time-lords
established by the profection method, and the "yearl y times" those penaining
to the ruler of the year; or whether the "general times" are those established by
one of the other methods described III Book IV, and the "yearly times" those
established by the profection method.
) Presumabl y we arc referring to the Lot again.

3
having 10 be on top of these,] or (as customarily happens in many
cases) being kept sitting in attendance because of law or debt to
someone, and submitting voluntarily, and not being ablc to act
according to one's own mind, and seeming to be confined by others
when they have the authority, and be ing checked by onc's con·
science, or also being detained somcwhere with illness or by desert
regions when travelling abroad or sailing, and even if kept in
attendance in sacred places or temples. Sometimes, then, the native
is con fined with occasional ailments or with divine illnesses, divine
fre nzy, mania, visitations by shadows, shivcring fits and the likc. It
is IJecessary, then, to make the judgment about Ihese places
intelligcntly, whether the dete nt ion comes aboul as a rcsull of fancy,
or by necessity and another amiclive cause:

] i epano Ion loivulOn genesthai.

2 This rather remarkable statement gives us a pretty good idea that
delineations may often (alleast when mitigated) have to be interpreted in terms
of the manner in which they are experienced by the indi vidual, rather than in
lerms of concrete realities.

4
 As an illustration I let n
the Sun , Zeus be in Scor-
pio; the Moon, Hermes,
Aphrodite , the
H6roskopos in Libra;
Kronos in Leo; Ares in
Virgo. Both the malefics
are hexagonal to the Sun
and Moon.l If then the
lights had chanced to be
without the co-presence
of the benefics, it would
have been necessary to 11
declare confinement. But
now the figure became
easily imaginable and quite plausible. For such a one happeni ng to
be a soldier, in the 35t h yea~ he is spending his lime over prisoners
and on guard, and he was loved by a woman in the prison, receiving
a disturbing accusation because of her, though he escaped the
danger by making a payment. At the same time hc also enchained
a slave, capturing him as he was flceing.4

I This is No. L 121 in Greek Horoscopes, p. 118. dated to about 4 A.M.

Oct. 27. 121 C.E.
2 Also, with the Sun in Scorpio and the Horoslcopos in Libra, this a
nocturnal birth; therefore, the Lot of Accusation is calculated from Ares to
Kronos, pUlling the Lot in Virgo itsdfwith Ares present. Funhennore, by the
doctrine of l oidia that hear one another (see Paulus, Chap. 9), Virgo (the
l ixdion of Ares) commands Scorpio (the l aidion of the Sun), which was one of
the additional conditions melllioncd in this configurat ion.
) Dy the profeetion method of establishing time-lords set out in Book IV,
in the 35th year the Sun hllnds over to Arcs and the Moon to Kronos.
4 Neugebauer, Greek Horoscopes, p. 11 8. has a quite differe nt translation

of this example which I do not think makes any sense in this context ; nor is it
in any way supported by the Greek.

5
 2. Concerning tbe Climacteric l Year a nd the Places
of Eclipse and Incept ions

We must also speak in a seque ntial manner about the matte rs that
remain for the filling out of this composition. And now concerning
the climacteric year: A climacteric year is found from the taking or
giving over of malcfics in relation to the lights and the H6roskopos,
and in gene ral as follows: It is always necessary to loose the yea rs
from the z6idion of the Horoskopos. And if the current year should
leave off at the zoidion of a conjunction or whole moon, or in
squares or diameters of these, the year will be critica l and full of
trouble. And especially if, these things being so, Kronos should be
found by transit in the four declines of the nat ivity, and the support
concurring, death will follow closely thereupon and bodily weakness
and bloodshed and precarious sicknesses or hidde n troubles. fall s
and sudden dangers; but a t times, the climateric gathers a round
reputalion and troublesome matters in one's life if the figures arc
helped by the test imony of bencfics.
In a not he r manner, from Kronos at the nativity to the lord o f
the conjunction or whole moon, a nd an equal a mount from the
/i6roskopos.l And wherever it should fa ll out, when Kronos comes
to be the re J or in the squares or diameters, there will be death or
a precarious climacteric pe rtaining to body or actio n. And similarly
also if the climacterical year should come to be in the ascending or
descending place~ or in their squares. And if by some chance, when
the Sun has come 10 be in the ascending or descending place or
their squares by transit,Swith a malefic regarding the Sun, someone
should take to his bed at that time, Ihis will be precarious and full
of dange r. And the re will be indications at that time of intensifica-

1 This comes from the Greek noun klimax, which means ' the rung of a

laller' and figurath'ely comes to mean a stage of crisis.

1 Perhaps we should cal! this the Lot of Crisis.
) By transit, presumably.
~ That is, the lunar nodes.
! It is not clear whether this is a transit to a nativity, or a transit to the
transiting node itself; thus, we do not know whether this is a natal prediction
or an inception.

6
tions o fl the danger when the Moon is traversing along the sa me
places o f the ascending node.
Since the said place turns out to to be severe (that is, the piar£
pe rtaining to eclipses), I am laying down some advice for him who
encounters [this book ),! not that it is possible to do something to
avert the decrees of fate l by one's own will, but I say that it may be
possible within limits fo r the reader to break down the evil with this
study. For the divine, having wished man to know the future a head
of time, has brought fort h into the ligh t the knowledgc through
which each who has foreknow ledge about that which concerns him
is more cheerfully restored to the good, and more nobly delivered
to cvil.t Since then the re are cerlain th ings we must guard against ,
thcy (will be l foreknown from the co- prescnce or testimony of
benefics slars; and sim ilarly also, though a bcndic is able to provide
something, if a ma lefic should falllOgct her with it or testify, it will
be preventative of good. But if malefics or benefics without the
testimo ny of others should be prescnt or configured , the effect will
be ce rtain .s AI any rate , on th is view those who arc be ing initiated
into this study because Ihey desire foreknow lcdge will be helped by
not being wearied with vain hopes, and by accepting painful,
sleepless trials, and by not being frivo lously in love wit h the
impossible, or aga in by the achieving of expectations in the
benevolence of timc though they arc carricd away with eagerness.
For, sudden good causes pain just as often as sudden evil, and

I Delcling the disjunc tive particle i for bellcr sense.

l elllugchanon. This word. which Valcns has used severnl times in this
work, lilerall y means ' he who encountcrs' or ' he who happens upon' . It
frequcntly means 'he who encounters a book' , Ihal is, ' a readcr' . Earlier I did
not think that he was using the word in this specific sense, but now I do.
J /a tis heimarmenis dogmata. What follows is standard Stoic doc trine on
how the human being has thc freedom to control his own reactions to
immutablc fate .
• The same ve rb apokllihisiemi is used in both these dauses; in Ihe first
clause I have translated it as 'restore', in the second as ' deliver' . This is also the
ve rb meaning ' to rccur' as in a planetary period, and Valens will so usc the
word in the final chaptcr of this book. It is characteristic of Valen's slyle to
introducc his technical vocabulary in 11 non-technical way in such epislolary
digressions, often times playing on the astrological sense at Ihe same time.
, bebaios.

7
sudden evil not prepared for gives the soul the greatest pain.
Lest we encounter another Ipain for the soul] once we have
turned aside, it will be necessary to e."GImine in what kind o f z6idion
the ascending node chances to be in each nativity, whether tropical
or solid or bicorporeal, and to what star it belongs; and the power
of the zaidion will be broken down. Oft en, then, we will find stars
able to provide something by the nativity or by transit in these
places and they effect nothing. But if in any way they should make
a phase upon the ascending or descending node , the causes of evil
are established, especially if they should also be found to be
retrograding or setting. And in relation to the current year, it will
be necessa ry to examine in what sort of place of the nativity the
ascending node pertaining to the time makes an ingress;l for
similarly, it will break down the power of the zaidion and its ruler.
And especially if these same should be found to be time-lords, they
will be unable to provide anything until they should be separated
from the place.

Concerning Inceptions

For the days that arc drawing near, when the Moon is traversing the
ascending [node ] at that time , and its squares and diameters,
especially when it is traversing its very degrees, one must gua rd
against beginning anything, or sailing, or marrying, or having an
encounter, or building, or planting, or assembling, or in general
doing anything; for that which comes about will be judged neither
stable nor easily brought to completion, but rather inconstant and
incomplete and subject to punishment or painful and not enduring.
If someone should seem to have made a kind of escape from some
matter in these times, it will be reversed and it will become very
disturbing and subject to punishment or easily demolished and
readily encountering resistance. For when the benefics chance to be
near these places, they do not achieve anything fully good; whence
also, if someone should watch closely, apart from a nativity, the
transits of the Moon to the ascending node at that time, he will not
go entirely astray. And if perchance he should find someone else

I It is not clear whethcr this simply refers to the transiting node at any

given time or more specifically the node at the date of the solar return. rRHl

8
commencing a mailer whi le the Moon is being carried ove r the
eclipsing places, he foretells it to be incomplete and inconstant and
subject to pun ishmenl. I myself, since I keep a watch during such
days o n what is possible and ma ke the incept ions o f activities or of
fr iendships in accordance with the time-de!>Cription of the opportu-
nities, was in the habit of regarding this inception as inconstant and
incomplete; but sometimes I was wandering, and when I had to
make a beginning of somet hing due to the untimely presence or
alliance of a frie nd or due to necessity, I got a result which was
subject to punishment or painful 'Jr dilatory, Whence, in the case of
every inception, one must observe carefully , in the putting out of a
fleet and in military commandership and in the directorship of war
and in advancing and in marching out on expeditions and in
everyth ing that is just now to be accomplished. Truly, it is useless to
sacrifice to god o r to consecrate offerings; for, prayers will not be
answered and god will not let himself be worshiped, but he will be
called upon idly and in vain. Also, those swearing an oath will be
foresworn and trusts will not be fulfilled. Gift s to the masses or
extravagance of buildings will not become laudatory or enduring, but
rather ccnsurious and likely to be destroyed. Truly, bodily treat-
ments will not be easily healed, but prone to disease and hard to
heal, and especially when the malefics test ify to the places or the
Moon is carried over them to the degree ; for when it is in the same
zoidion, it will be effect ive with some delay and some impediments,
except that it will also make activities unstable.

3. Concerning Climacteric ZiUdio

Also, these zoidia chance to be climacteric: Aries, Taurus, Cancer,

[Leo, Libra,1 Scorpio, (Capricorn,! Aquarius. The years that come
about in these zoidia happen to be precarious; and when the Sun is
at these zoidia, the month during these transits l will be clear
beforehand.

1 Text has pamdosis (hand ing over), but parodos (transit) makes more
sense here. and one manuscript has so corrected it.

9
 Concerning counter-na tivity 1 in regard to the proptitious and
impropitious placc. We must do the counter-nat ivity, fo r it contrib-
utes much to the occasional changes of the timr.=s;! for at times o ne
that confirms the power of the effects is significant, and at o ther
times o ne thllt hinders the proper effects.) After reckoning accu-
rately the sta rs at the birthday of the curren t yellr, we will find the
H6roskopos as follows. With the Sun still in the natal ZtJitJiOfl, we
examine where the Moon is at that time and at what hour it arrives
by recurrence at the degree which it also had for the nativity.~ And
we will say that that degree marks the hour. If whe n the nat ivity is
nocturnal, the recurrence should in any way be found to be diurn al,

I anligenesis. The S1andard Greek term for a return. It is interesting Ihalthe

Greek prefix anli in no way suggests the word ' return '. Ilroadly speaking, it can
mean ·opposite to' or ' instead of . Thus the anligenesis may be so called
because it works against or in favor of the nativity itself. [additional by RHJ We
leave the word untranslated because, first of all, the Greek is suggestive even
to an English ear, and, second, because the two senses of anli- as a prefix in
Greek are not readily rendered into English.
2 las /c.airi!tas Ion chronOn enallagas. It is not clear whether the word
kairikos here refers to occasional or yearly changcs that take place within larger
periods of time governed by fai rl y genernllime-lords, or 10 the yearly changes
brought about by the profeclion method of time-lords. Of course, both meanings
could be intended.
J We see he re thaI the antigenesis serves to confinn or hinder the proper
effeclS diclated by the more general time-lords; it does not merely intensify or
relax the properties established by the time-lords as transits do. Thus it is
similar to the effects of lower level time-lords as described in Ptolemy Book IV.
~ We cannot tell for certain whether the recurrence is to the degree alone
(the degree being a morionlike a 10idioff) or to the degree and minute, i.e., the
exact pos ition as a modem would consider il. Also, we should rea lize Bcording
to this procedure, the Moon may make I WO such returns while the Sun is in his
natal zOidion. We do nOI know which one should be used.(RH J

10
we will compare the diurnlll rulers a nd the lord of the bound and
of the J-f6roskopo.\· wit h the stars a t the nativity.l

4. Concerning th e Prospering Month and Day from the

Tran siting Sun to tbe Moon at Birth and an Equal Amount rrom
the lIoroskopo~

The prospering mo nth seemed to the king to be as follows. From

the t ransit ing Sun to t hc Moon at birth a nd a n equal amount from
the fl6roskopos.l And whereve r it should leave off, it will be
necessary to examine whe ther the lord of the zoidion should be in
prosperingzl>idia, a nd to combine the be nefics or malefics which a re
present or testifying. But it will be necessary to examine the d iurnal
nativities from the transiting Moon to the Sun at the nat ivity and a n
equal amount from the H6rosiwpos.4
Those teach ing the lord of the synodic degrees or of t he whole
moon degrees declare the month in rela tion to that lord , a nd some
a nnounce this month to be active. For, whatever kind of figure the
Moon should be found to have relative to the Sun a t the na tivity,
whe n the Moon has gained this by transit , it will show the month
a head of time. A~ with the Sun a t the 5th degree of Leo, the Moon
at the 26t h degree of Libra. The intelVai from the Sun to the Moon
is 81 degrees. Whe n the Moon is so many degrees distant from the
Sun during the mo nth and making the same figure. it will exhibit
the month to be of whatever kind it also was at the na tivity.
From experience it seemed to me bell er that those prospering

1 This un usual method of doing a return is the only procedure we have

found in the Hellcnistic material so far. We do not yet know if it was the
standard method, or even if there were any Olhers al all.
1 The material in this ehaptcr should be compared with chaplers 27· 29 of
Book IV.
) This is the nocturnal algorit hm .
• Although it is not stated explicit ly, it must be the case that one profects
the Ascendant of the antigencsis at the rate of one :Qidion per mon th until one
arrives althc :ijidion in question. This is evidenced by Ihe fact tha t the previous
chap ter refers to the year and the nex t one to the day. Therefore, il wo uld seem
reasonable that we should be referring In the month here. IRH J

II
months actwlly be in the zoidia in which the divisions of the years
come about.1 For when the Sun comes to be at those places or in
their squarelOr diameters, it indicates beforehand the effect which
is sign ified il the year or in the handings over; and similarly also,
when Ares and Aphrodite and Hermes and the Moon come to be
in the aforeSlid places by ingress, they give a display of themselves.
And we ratt.c r judge that place to be very active for an errect in
which the afurelying stars make a phase while they are ingressing.
For at that Time complete innovations or actualizat ion of matters
also come a>Out. And if some planet chances to have a figure in
such a way and should pass completely through the z6idion, no
change or nnovalion will come about, nor completion of an
exper:ted effect. Nevertheless, when the Sun transits through the
places and v.l kes up the power of the time-lo rds, it is established as
most active.

Concerning the Prospering and Impropitious DaY.

The division o( the days is itself true. But concerning the prospe ring
and impropitious day, thus. You multiply the current full years of
the nativity ina 51/ ., and totalling Ihe days from the nativity up to
the day in qt:eslion, aft er mixing them together with the form er, we
knock out '",elves; and we release the days left over from the
H6roskopos, giving them to each z6idion at one apiece (some [do
this1 from tre fastened J Moon). For the z6idion at which it leaves
off we exam:ne whether [it isl prospering or the alternative. Now,
it is necessary to heed the Moon and how in its nodding' it is
figured relative to the z6idion. For if on the day in quest ion the
Moon in prcspering t6idia should in any way lestify to the z6idion
of the noddng, the day will become fine and notable and very
beneficial ; a~d if the day and the nodding of the Moon should be
found on the same z6idion, better. But if the Moon or the nodding

I What ths seems to be saying is that the zOidion of the Lot thus formed

ideal ly should llso be the zoidion in which the annual profeclion is happening.
IRHI
1 This was imbedded in the text but appears to be a tille.
) paralcol'tn. That is, the unmoving, natal Moon .
• prQSl'U!lllis . See chapter S.

12
should be in aversion 10 the day, Iwhenl in prospcringzv/dia it will
be middling and not entirely impropit ious, while in the remaining
zdidia it will become distressing and conducive to loss or full of
danger.
It will be necessary to examine how the lord of the day is
figured and by what stars it is witnessed and whether it is in the
same z6idjc" or a prospering one or in an averse one; and to
examine how the stars by ingress' lie in relation to the day or the
lord. For the day will become manifest beforehand in accorda nce
with the nature of each z6idio" and sta r. And if, too, in the z6idion
in which someone has the day current, an ingress of a stars happens
in the day itself, or testimony, it will pertain to the prospe ring of
good or bad in accordance with the stars present. Similarly also. as
regards the effects that the yea r signifies, the day becomes active for
them in accordance wit h the places of handing or taking over and
in the squares or diameters of these.
For an illustrat io n, let it be the 4th year o f Hadrian, the 13th of
Mechir, the 1st nocturnal hour; seck the 10t h of Pha6phi in the 20th
year of Antoninus. fWh en the 36 full years arc multiplied into 5 1ft,
189 resull , and the days from the nativi tyf are 243. Together 432
result. I subtract 360 days. 72 are left over. I release these from the
H6roskopos, Virgo. It left off in Leo. The day is in a decline.l The
lord at the nativity. the Sun, was opposed to the day (for the Sun
was in Aquarius at the nativity), and Ares by ingress and the Moon
in Capricorn arc in aversion. The day is suspenseful. And it was also
in the place concerning slaves. The angert was against a servile
person . And the method itself being natural,' should the Sun come
to be in them, it an nounces an event happening in the month.

1 That is, by transit reckoned according to sign. (RH)

2 Suppl ied from the Liber flermetis Lalin version of this passage.
) The twelfth place. (RH\
• S/Qmachw
' This means thai the method seems in accordance with natural principles
rather than resulting from some kind schematic or numerological reasoning.
IRHI

13
 s. Concerning the Noddings of tbe Moon at the New Moons in
the liJidia from Leo and in Succession

{Commenta ry by RH J [n the following material WI: ha ve a kind o f

combination similar to the idea ofthe antiscion. With the antiscion we have
a kind of reflection off of the beginnings of Cancer and Capricorn such that
however far a planet is from either of those points in one direct ion, the
antiscion point is the same distance from that point in opposite direction.
Another way of putting Ihis is to use a formula in the manner of a lot.

An tiscion = Solstice Degree + Solstice Degree - Planet.

In the same way the Moon nods 10 the degree oflhe 'unalion such that the
formula would be as follows:

~odding of Dale = Lunatio n + Lunal ion - Moon of Dale .

The difficulty of the presentation given here is that nodding is considered

by sign rathe r than by degree as a modem astrologer wo uld be inelined to
do it. If we think of nodding by whole signs rather than by degrees then the
deSCriptions below make sense especially if we regard the lunalion as
oa;:urring al 0 degrees of the sign in which the lunation happened. For
example as we have it below with the lunation in Cancer and the Moon
entering Virgo, if we define the lunation as being effectively al rr
Cancer
,6
then we get Virgo nods to 3rr
Aries. We can show this by means of the
formula .

9(f + 90" - ISI 6 ( Ion) = 29"a

And so it goes throughout the following section . The key point, however,
is that the noddings as here considered refer to the entire sign in which the
nodding falls, not merely the degree.

14
We also had to append the noddings l of the Moon. For when it has
made a conjunction with the Sun in Cancer and makes an appear-
ance in Leo, it will nod to Taurus;! then in Virgo it will nod to
Aries; then when it has come to be in Libra, it will nod to Pisces;
then when it has come to be in Scorpio, it will nod to Aquarius;
then when it has come to be in Sagittarius, it will nod to Capricorn ;
thus it makes the first half moon, which is before the whole moon,
whilc lookingl toward the cast. Then it will snatch away [light]· from
the second half moon while looking toward the west. Then when it
begins to d rive away IlightJ~ in Capricorn, it will nod to Saginarius;6
then when it has come to be in Aquarius, it will nod to Scorpio;
then when it has comc to be in Pisces, it will nod to (Libra; then
when il has come to be in Ariesl,7 it will nod to Virgo; then when

I prosne l4sis. A collection or definitions all ributed to Serapio has an entry

ror this word. "A succeeding planet is said fO incline toward to the preceding
planet." This very general defini tion could apply to many situations. Here we
have a special application connected with the Moon. Because or its peculiar
character we reel justified in usi ng a morc specific word 'nodding'. This is also
justified because the Latin of the corresponding passage of the Liber /ferme/is
uses the word flu/olio which specifically means 'nodding'. From this eomcs our
word ' nutation ' .
2 The text has Cancer here, but this is inconsi stent with the very regular
pattern followed ror the rest of the chapter. For the first half or the remainder
of thi s first paragraph, the sign toward which the nodding is made continues to
be consistently two signs later in the zodiac than it should be according to the
pattern. The corrcsponding paragraph in the Liber Herme/is text is consistent
with the subsequent pattern, and so we have amended the text throughout this
paragraph.
J blepO. This is the same verb used for the zoidia that "see" each other.
• apharpa:o. This verb literally means 'snatch away ' or ' tear something
ofr. There is no object staled here, and no documented intransitive usage;
however, there is a poetic expression referring to one dead as "having the light
snatched away" from him, This is why I have supplied the word 'light' as thc
implied object.
5 apolcrouo. This verb literally means 'to knock ofT' or 'drive away ' . This
ve rb also has no documented intransitive usages, so I have also supplied the
object ' light' here as well.
6 Greek te xt now rall s into the pattern from herc on.

1 Supplied from Ub€r lfermelU lext.

15
it has come to be in Ta urus, it will nod 10 Leo; then when it has
come to be in Gemini, it will nod 10 Ca ncer.
Let the conjunction be in Leo. When the Moon rises at the new
moon and makes an appearance in Virgo, it will nod to Gemini; in
Libra, it will nod to Taurus; in Scorpio, it will nod to Aries; in
Sagittarius, it will nod to Pisces; in Capricorn , il will nod to
Aquarius. When it is driving away at the second half moon in
Aquarius, it will nod to Capricorn; in Pisces, it will nod to Sagittar-
ius; in Aries, it will nod to Scorpio; in Taurus, it will nod to Libra;
in Gemini, it will nod to Virgo; in Cancer, il will nod 10 Leo.
Conjunelion in Virgo. When the Moon rises at the new Moon
and has come to be in Libra, it will nod to Cancer; in Scorpio, it
will nod to Gemini; in Sagittarius, it will nod to Taurus; in Capri-
corn, it will nod to Aries; in Aquarius, it will nod to Pisces. When
it is driving away at the second half moon and has come to be in
Pisces, it will nod 10 Aquarius; in Aries, it will nod 10 Capricorn; in
Taurus, it will nod to Sagittarius; in Gemini, it will nod to Scorpio;
in Cancer, it will nod to Libra ; in Leo, il will nod to Virgo.
Conjunction in Libra . When the Moon rises and has come to be
in Scorpio, it will nod to Leo; in Sagittarius, it will nod to Cancer;
in Capricorn, it will nod to Gemini; in Aquarius, it will nod 10
Taurus; in Pisces, it will nod to Aries. When it is driving away at the
second half moon and has come 10 be in Aries, it will nod to Pisces;
in Taurus, it will nod to Aquarius; in Gem ini, it will nod to
Capricorn; in Cance r, it will nod to Sagittarius; in Leo, it will nod
10 Scorpio; in Virgo, it will nod to Libra.
Conjunct ion that has come about in Scorpio. When the Moon
rises in Sagittarius, it will nod 10 Virgo; in Capricorn, it will nod to
Leo; in Aquarius, it will nod to Cancer; in Pisces, it will nod to
Gemini; in Aries, it will nod to Taurus. When it is driving away at
the second half moon and has come to be in Taurus, it will nod to
Aries; in Gemini, it will nod 10 Pisces; in Cancer, it will nod 10
Aquarius; in Leo, it will nod to Capricorn ; in Virgo, it will nod to
Sagittarius; in Libra, it will nod 10 Scorpio.

16
 Conjunction in Sagittarius. When Ihe Moon rises in Sagillarius
at the new moon and has come to be in Capricorn, it will nod 10
Libra; in Aquarius, it will nod to Virgo ; in Pisces, it will nod to Leo;
in Aries, it will nod to Cancer; in Taurus, it will nod to Gemini.
When it is driving away at the second half moon and has come to
be lin Gemini ), it will nod to Taurus; in Cancer, il will nod to Aries;
in Leo, it will nod to Pisces; in Virgo, it will nod to Aquarius; in
Libra , it will nod to Capricorn; in Scorpio, it will nod to Sagill arius.
Conjunction that has come to be in Capricorn. Whe n the Moon
rises in Aquarius, it will nod to Scorpio; in Pisces, it will nod to
Libra ; in Aries, it will nod 10 Virgo; in Taurus, it will nod to Leo;
in Gemini, it will nod to Cancer. When it is driving away at the
second half moon when it is in Cancer, it will nod to Ge mini; in
Leo, it will nod to Taurus; in Virgo. it will nod to Aries; in Libra,
it will nod 10 Pisces; in Scorpio, il will nod 10 Aquarius; in Sagillar-
ius, it will nod 10 Ca pricorn.
Conjunction in Aquarius. When the Moon rises al the new
moon in Pisces, it will nod to Sagittarius; in Aries, it will nod to
Scorpio; in Taurus, it will nod to Libra ; in Gemini, it will nod to
Virgo; in Ca ncer, it will nod to Leo. When it is driving away at the
second half moon when it is in Leo, il will nod to Cancer; in Virgo,
il will nod to Gemini; in Libra, it will nod to Taurus; in Scorpio, it
will nod to Aries; in Sagittarius, it will nod to Pisces; in Cap ricorn,
it will nod to Aquarius.
Conjunclion in Pisces. When the Moon rises at the new moon
and has come to be in Aries, it will nod 10 Capricorn ; in Taurus, it
will nod to Sagitta ri us; in Gemini, il will nod to Scorpio ; in Cancer,
it will nod to Libra ; in Leo, it will nod 10 Virgo. When it is driving
away al the second half moon when il is in Virgo, it will nod to
Leo; in Libra, it will nod to Cancer; in Scorpio, it will nod to
Gemini; in Sagittarius, it will nod to Taurus; in Capricorn, it will
nod to Aries; in Aquarius, it will nod 10 Pisces.
Conjunclion in Aries. When the Moon rises al the new moon
when it has come 10 be in Taurus, it will nod 10 Aquarius; in
Gem ini, il will nod to Capricorn; in Cancer, it will nod to Sagittar-
ius; in Leo, it will nod to Scorpio; in Virgo, it wiU nod to Libra.
Whe n it is driving away at the second half moon when it has come
to be in Libra , it will nod 10 Virgo; in Scorpio, it will nod 10 Leo;
in Sagitl arius, it will nod 10 Cancer; in Capricorn, il will no d to

17
 Gemini ; in Aquarius, it will nod to Taurus; in Pisces. it will nod to
Aries.
Conjunction in Taurus. When the Moon rises at the new moon
and has come to be in Gemini , it will nod to Pisces; in Cancer,. it
will nod to Aquarius; in Leo. it will nod to Capricorn; in Virgo, it
will nod to Sagittarius; in Libra, it will nod 10 Scorpio. When it is
driving away al the second half moon when it has come to be in
Scorpio, it will nod 10 Ltbra ; in Sagittarius, it will nod to Virgo; in
Capricorn, it will nod to Leo; in Aquarius, il will nod to Cancer; in
Pisces, it will nod to Gemini; in Aries, it will nod to Taurus.
Co njunction in Gemini. When the Moon rises and has come 10
be in Cancer, it will nod to Aries; in Leo, it will nod to Pisces; in
Virgo, it will nod to Aquarius; in Libra , it will nod to Capricorn; in
Scorpio, it will nod to Sagittarius. When il is driving away when it
has come to be in Sagittarius, it will nod to Scorpio; in Capricorn ,
it will nod to Libra; in Aquarius, it will nod to Virgo ; in Pisces, it
will nod to Leo; in Aries, it will nod 10 Cancer; in Taurus, it will
nod to Gemini.

6. What is the Reaso n that the Same ElTects Do not Occur dur-
ing a Twelve Yea r Period, but sometimes Foul Things Happen
when Good Ones Are Ex:pected, or the Opposite, Good Things
when .' oul Are Expected? And also, when tbe Division Falls on
Void UiditJ, why Creal Goods or Evils sometimes Occur?

It is necessary to observe the past and present and fu ture times and
to judge whether they come down to propitious (times] from
impropitious ones or 10 benefics from malefics. l For often, someone
who had a time subject to legal disputes or full of fear was con-
demned due to the time ·description of malefics, bul later, when the
benefics had taken over and the general time-description was
showing a nativity that was not to be ruined, a restoration of
. reputation and livelihood came about through anot her defence, and

1 Or poss1bly, '10 benefic [limes) from malefic [ti mes I' .

18
the support 1 for a greater fortune was achieved in advance ;! whe n
then the na tivity is conducive to a lesser (fortu ne I overall and the
times concur, diffe ren t accusat ions, judgments, diminishmen ts, and
enmities are prepared in advance until that cause arrives wh ich had
to happell. In like manner, should an occasion for good come about
in accordance with the succession of the times, friendships, alliances
with superiors and their sympat hy, inherit ances, legacies, and gift s
are prepared in advance. Hence those without reputation and rather
weak, if th ey become youthful and prudent and loveable in accor·
dance with th e causes, arc preeminen t th roughout the periods of
happiness; but nat ives who are man lr a nd men of education who
are [neverthelessJ condemned with respect to the original founda·
tion (of the nativity]; who arc considered inflexible, wretched and
unsuccessful , have lesser (evils] oppressing them. when there is an
occasion for good ] and nobly enduring loss o f reputatio n, they yield
to the laws of fat e.5
And in the case of authoritative nativities we have also fo und,
for those lplanel"S] which have not as yet fill ed o ut their time o f
sovereignty but are making transitio ns in accordance with the
succession of o ther planets, some that delay' that which is re putable
and beneficial , others that delay the opposite and that which is
destructive; whence cvils accrue to some Inatives) for good a nd with
safety, but for others those things which arc apparently good arc
late r established as causes of evils.
For fa te' has ordained' for each an im mutable actualizing' of

1 hupOSIOSis. Presumably. the material substance practically necessary to

bring abou t the reversal of fort une.
2 proexik.o.
) andreios. A precise English equivalent docs not exist for this word. The
Latin equivalent woutd be virlus which is the strength and power associated
with being a true man. Unfortu nately the English de rivati ve of vin us is ·virtuc'
whic h docs not have anything like the original meaning of vir/us or this Greek
equivalent .
• Ii ex archis UJlaboli. This appears to be a synonym for the nativity
itself. This corresponds to the later usage radix.
S heimarmeni.
6 epibraduno. This might also mean 'to slacken the pace or .

J heimarmeni.
, nomotl1e leo. Literally. ' to frame laws'.

19
outcomes, making a surrounding wall of many ca uses of good and
ill, through which tv.'o self·generated goddesses-Hope and For-
tune_ho are born to service, hold life fast and let that which is
ordained bear fruit of necessityl and with error. And the workman-
ship2 of [Hope and Fortune) , which exposes itself through the
issuance of the outcomes, is plain beforehand in all, at times a good
and blest actualization,l at times a sad and savage one; for, some
they raise up in order to throw them down, others they throw down
into a lowly state in order to raise them up more brilliantly. This
operation 4 is neither sad nor joyous, but being kept hidden through
all. when it has altogether escaped notice, it steps forward , and
smiling upon all like a flatterer , displays a fine selection of good
things of which there is no obtaining, Wh ile leading most [men)
astray, it holds fast ; and those, although they are wronged and
become fo llowers of pleasure , are again drawn away in the opposite
directio n by it, and they are trusting in their hopes for what they
desire, but they meet with what they do not expect. And if at times
it should afford someone a firm belief, when it deserts [him), it
passes over to others and it seems to be (possessed by) everyone
wh ile remaining with none. Whence, those who are inexperienced
in prognostication or those not entirely wishing to encounter
prognostication are led and are despoiled by the aforesaid god·
desses ,~ and though undergoing all retribution, they are kepI in
bounds by pleasure; and those who meet with their expectations in
part and who bring great trust, wail for the results to be firm and
fin e, no l knowing the ease with whieh the results are ruined and the
precariousness of accident. And some who are condemned for their
inclinations, not just for a time but continually, having given over
the soul to betrayal and the body to pleasure, though they are
dishonored and behave shamelessly or are entirely unable to
prosper, remain faithful to their unsteady fortune and erroneous

9 ellergria.
I arumgki. This is the technical leon ror rate as the result of ignorance.
IRIII
Z energeia.
) energeia.
• energeia.
S Hope and Fortune_

20
hopes while assisting that unsteady fo rtune and those erroneous
hopes to the utmost. But those occupied wit h the prognostication o f
the future and the truth , by ga ining a soul fr ee and not enslaved,
think slightingly of fonune, and do not obst inately persist in hope,
and do not fea r death, but spend their lives without disturbance by
training the soul ahead of time to be confident, and neither rejoice
excessively in the case of good nor arc depressed in the case of foul ,
and are content with what is present. And those who arc not in love
with the impossible carry along that wh ich is ordained, and being
estranged from all pleasure or flatt ery, they are established as
soldiers of fate. For it is impossible to gain total victory over some
original foundation [of the nativity]! with prayers or sacrifices and
to build another [foundation] for one's self by wishing; for that
which is given will be from among that which we do not request,
and that which is not destined 2 will not result from what is reo
quested. Just as, then, when the actors on a stage change the writing
of the poets [but} little and play the pe rsons decently, sometimes
kings, othcrtimes robbers, at limes rustics, citizens and gods, in the
same manner we, though not in agreeme nt with the personalitiesJ
bestowed upon us by fat e, must play the pan and adapt to the
fortunes of the times. But if someone does not wish [to do this,] as
he becomes evil, he will believe [this part.]4 And should someone
pay attention to the rules and the general time-descriptions
compiled by me, hc will duly find everything; and if he should
scrutinize some parts, and does not discover the causes and the
remaining explanalions, he will find me to bc responsible for praise
and censure; but if he does not read with the purpose of listening,
such a one will be refuted as unlearned and undisciplined by those
who arc fond of fine things and those with t he firmest hold [upon
the subject ].

1 See page 19. note 4.

2 /a peprOmena. f rom poro meaning ' to give ', 'to offer '.
) prosiipon .
• The translation of this sentence is insecure. IAdditional by RH] Despite
the insecurity of the trans lation. thi s passage does make sense. Va1cns, strongly
influenced by the Stoic philosophy, seems simply 10 be referring to the illusory
nature of the ' personality' which the soul merel y takes on asa role to be played
by not to be taken too seriously.

21
 It is necessary to prognosticate this with a natural account
because the same things are not given to all and do not suit all.

~Fo rto one God gave the deeds of war,

to another dance, to another Oute playing and song.
For another, Zeus the far-seeing put in his breast a mind noble ,
and from this many men profit ,"

as the writer l said. For not all men have a mind or actions similar
to all other men. We have set these matters forth for those who
venture to make statements against the wo rkl and for those who
possess a nature endowed by the stars and for the lovers of lea rning.
Whence, the support of this lea rning is sacred and ve nerable as
something handed over to men by god in order that they may have
a share in immortality through prognostication, but the judgment
about the readers proves to be eithe r true or unsupported or hard
to comprehend. In the very same fashion , then, as when pottery
vessels have received costly wine of a single nature from one region,
after a lime some vessels reSlored the deposit with which they were
ent rusted full and choice with pleasure and delight; and some
vessels, which diminished the size of the measure, and not having
the power to con tain the most Oowery [portion], bubbled over,
neither changed the [basic] nalure of the pleasure no r den ied the
(basic] taste of the substance, but rather the vessels were deceptive
in both cases [with regard to this most Oowery portion]; and othe r
vesse ls, wh ieh neither patiently waited the time nor guarded the
nature, changed {Ihe basic nature] (as can be seen in the case of
diffe rent plants; for from o ne root one fruit is gathered sweet and
ripe. another is bitte r and wild, another pungent and rotted or
harmful to those who use it). In the same fashion also are the minlls
of the readers; for one gained pleasure by studying with zea l and
steadfastness all the way to the end ; others who were
unphitosoph:ca l and unlearned studied the introductions superfi-
cialiy, and since they did not con tinue because of lack o f endurance
and did not occupy themselves with legitimate teachers, they
brought the reproach of ignorance upon themselves and censure

l Homer in the Iliad.

l That is. those who challenge the validity of the methods in this text.

22
upon the compilers of treatises.
Allowing the considera tions about the substance of plants, we
may return to the human race and examine it. From two na-
tures-from that of the same father ami mother-many children are
begotten. but t hey do not possess a like nature with respect to
procreation or in the sympathy [they elicitJ; but since they are born
to a dissimilar fortu ne due to their origin,l those who behave
decen tly and in a well-bred manner exalt the race and are estab-
lished as blest, and through their own love of the good they prepare
deeds and outfit temples and become pleasing to the populace, and
though they may forsake the generat ion of children in their own
image, while they are al ive, they are extolled, and when dying, they
are deemed worthy of lasting fame. But those who become most
hateful not only to their parents and family due to a malignant
character, but also to those who are not relatives, have turned away
many from begetting children. and those who were driven away by
nature and God submitted to a just retribution and met with a
shameful and violent death. Which is the very thing that I also think
those who are against the discipline do believe.

Section 2: Illustrations!

But in order that we may put an end to the original treatise, we will
append t he divisions which arc natural and necessitated,] For there
arc times when , though the handing over falls together onto a void
zeidion during the forelying twelve year period, exceptional things
happen to come about, or again, there are times when benefics
alone seem to possess the time, that causes of ill come on as well.

l ka/abo/i.
2 Heading not in original.
l ias phUSikas kili anagiwstikosdiaireseis.This paragraph begins the second
section ofthis chapter, dealing with the question why there may be major events
happening in years in which the handing over falls on void zOidia. The natural
divisions are evidently the ones resulting from nonnal profection. The
necessitated di visions, then, would be the divisions 10 which we must reson if
the zoidion of the profection is void.

23
[Comme n tary by RH} ln th e next a nd seve ral fo llo wing exa mp les the use
of n umbers for number ing th e z(Jidw may be a bit co nfusing to th e modern
reade r. When the te.t refers to the re being two z6idw bet""ce n a pa ir o f
plan ets, the modem reade r should ta ke th is as me a ning that the second
plan et is in the second z6idion fro m the first p lan e t, i.e., o ne sign a part
from th e modem point of vie w. Sim ilarly, if two plan ets a re six zlJidia apa rt,
tha t shou ld be interp reted as the seco nd plane t be ing 10 th e sixt h z6idion
fro m th e first planet, such th a t by modem recko ni ng th ere wo uld be five
signs between them . This is in accord wi th tn e lo gic o f pro fectio ns in which
o ne planet in the second sign fro m ano ther will ta ke o ve r from tha t plane t
in the seco nd year.

For an il lustration,' let the

IT
Sun, Hermes be in Aquarius;
the Moon in Scorpio; Kronos in S) T
Cancer; Zeus in Libra; Ares in
Virgo; Aphrodite in Capricorn;
Horo.tlwpos in Virgo. Now, - - -
there will be two [zaidia ) from I1P H rf
Ares and the Horoskopos to
Zeus,l and two from Zeus to
the Moon, and two from Aph- ----"7!-----k--~0-
codite to Hermes and the Sun ;} .A. It- i ~
the two , then, and the 4 and the -
6 and the 8 and ten are in rela-
tion to these.4 Next , there are 3

, This is No. L 120,11 (l rd version) from Greek. Horoscopes, p. 116, da ted

to about 7 P.M. Feb. g, 120 CE.
l See the ICommen tary by RHI above.
1 See [Commentary by RHJ above .
• Because 2 is a factor of 4, 6, etc .. as is explai ned in the nex t paragraph.
That is, the hand ing over fo r th e 4th, 6th, etc., years also invo lves the handi ng
over which defi nes the 2nd year. Neugebauer has something inco mprehensible
about ad ding 2+4+6+ete., wh ich is clearl y a mistranslati on. He does no t seem
10 have read the next paragraph where the fm egoi ng methodology is ex plained
clearl y enough.

24
from Aries to the Moon, anti 3 from Kronos to Ares, and 3 frorn
the Moon to Aphrodite; the 3, then, and 6 and 9 and 12 and 15 arc
in relation to these . Next, we extend 4 from Kronos to Zeus, a nd 4
from Zeus to Aphrodite, and 4 from the Moon to the Sun and
He nnes; the 4, then, and 8 and 12 and 16 are in relation 10 these .
Next , Ihe arc 5 from Ares and the f{()roskopos 10 Aphrodite, and 5
from Zeus to the Sun and Hermes, and 5 from Kronos to Ihe
Moon; therefore, Ihe 5 and Ihe 10 and the 15 and the 20 are in
relation to these. Aga in, the re arc 6 from Ares and thc H()roskopos
to the Sun and Hermes, and 6 from the Sun and Hermes to Kronos;
therefore, the 6 and the 12 and the 18 and the 24 and the 30 arc in
rela tio n to these. Next, there are 7 from Kronos 10 Aphrodite; the
7, Ihen, and Ihe 14 and the 21 and the 28 and the 35 are in rela lion
10 these; similarly also, Ihere are 7 from Aphrodite to Kro nos. Next,
there arc 8 from the Kronos to the Sun and Hermes, and 8 fro m
Hennes and the Sun 10 Arcs and the Horoskopos; the 8, then, and
the 16 and the 24 and the 32 and the 40 are in relation to these.
Next , there are 9 from the Sun and Hermes to Zeus, and 9 from
Aphrod ite to Ares and the HOroskopos, and 9 from the Moon to
Kronos; the 9, then, and 18 and 27 and 36 and 45 arc in relation to
these. Next, there arc 10 from the Sun and Hermes to the Moon,
and 10 from Aphrodite to Zeus, and 10 from Zeus to Kronos; the
10, then, and 20 and 30 and 40 and 50 are in relation to these. Next,
there arc II from Aphrodite 10 the Moon , and J I from the Moon
to Ares and the H6roskopos, and 11 from the H6roskopos a nd Ares
to Kro nos; the 11 , the n, and 22 and 33 and 44 and 55 arc in relation
10 these. Next, the re arc 12 from the Sun and Hermes to Aphrodite ,
and 12 from the Moon to Zeus, and 12 from Zeus to Ares and the
fl6roskopos; the 12, then , and 24 and 36 and 48 and 60 a rc in
rela tion to these. And as far as one desires, he may find the number
by further addit ion.
This number is the necessitated one and the o ne furth er
duplicated through the na ture of its position in the ca non, but in
many cases the humber which lies in the second part l during the
twelve year [interval) seems more natural and authoritat ive. It is
neces.~ary, then, first to pay attention to each (number) and to

I This may refer to the second faclOr in a composite numbe r.

25
release l the twelves and to investigate what is Ie!! over. And if it
should be fou nd to have a handing over, it is prefe rable to make use
of that one; but if a handing ove r should not be fou nd, we must of
necessity come down to this number or the substratum .3 Such as,
if we investigate the 20th year, after subtracting the 12 we invest i-
gate whether the 8 has a handing over. If then one should not be
found, we investigate the intervals by 4 and make use of those 4's
as 8 (for the handing over is quite active), or again the intervals
through 2. For, the numbers that compose the 8 are 2 and 4; for
twice 4 are 8 and again four limes 2 are 8. For, the handings ove r
will also be active in this manner. Then the 21 and the 19 are clea r
in terms of the diameter; for if we subtract the 12 from the 19,7
will be left over; and if we make 3 seve ns, 21 results. In the case of
the 27, the handing over through 3 and 9 will be act ive. If the 24
should InOl I' be found to have a handing over, I will make an
employment according to the 3. The 13 and the 25 and the 37 leave
off at the same z6idion. If then a star should be found to be lying
upon it, it will hand ove r to the z6idion. But if, when this [star] is
lying upon it, other stars chance to be in the next z6idion, it will
rather hand over to them. Such as, in the case of the foregoin g
nativity, for the 13th and 25th year Ares will hand over to Zeus and
Zeus to the Moon. But if stars should only be present, and none
should be found in the next z6idion, they will hand over the yea r to
themselves.s
Since each number seems to exist naturally in accordance with
its own harmony, for the subtractions of the cycles we will especial ly
first make usc of those (cyclesl through 12 because of the 12 z6idia,
then of those through 7 because of the 7 slars.' If then a handing

l apoluo. That is, to cast out twelves and take the remainder.
1 Presumably this refers to the numbe r which is doubled to make the
remainder.
) hupokeimenon. Evidently the prime factor(s) of the composite number .
• The 'not' was omitted in Ihe tex t but the sense cltarly calls for it.
S Notice the attempt here to avoid having a star handing over to itself
except as a last resort.
~ The reference to 7 here is puzzling. It is presented as a method
analogous to profection through the 12 zOidia, except that as the upcomi ng te xt
suggests, it is based on degrees instead; also. il is supposed to be invoked if the

26
over of the 12 [zoidia l sho uld not bt! found , in o rder that [a handing
over I must nccessarily comc about from these-a nd it also seems
good to sUbjoin this account as well, as being very natural-, one
must do the releasings from all the stars by degree l accord ing to
their meeting and the hurling of rays, and compare the
effect-description of each star 10 each. For if, with the Horoskopos
or the Sun or the Moon judged to be the releaser, and as they make
the ir movement in accordance with the succession of the times,
coming to be present at the hurlings of rays or degrees of bcnefics
or malefics, the causes of good or foul arc established , and if they
somet imes bring abo ut the end, how will the power of the remaining
stars not also be taut in relation to the releasing and t he hurling of
rays? O r do we assign the lordsh ip of the releasing to the three
alone, and throw aside the remain ing stars altogether when they
make stat ions and will be fixed as if they were points?2 But every
star will become productive of good and bad as it is moving

yearly profection falls on empty zoidia. Since in directive met hods such as
Ptolemy's, the lime-lords are established not only when the di rected degree
encounters another planet bodily, but when it encountcrs the ray of another
planet, directing by degree could establish a time-lord fo r year in whic h the re
was no handing over from any star to any other according to yearly profections.
The big question is what any such directive method would have to do with
cycles of seven. Here arc a couple of speculations.
First, the numbe r 7 suggests a week, and there may be some sort of weekly
cycle involved here.
Second, in chapter 7 of Book VI there is a variation on the me thod of
decennials that employs a period consisting of seven cycles of a 129 day period.
Third. we should also mention that a me thod of graduated profections is
employed by the Medieval Arabic astrologer Omar of Tiberias. Now, it so
happe ns that if we graduate the profection or I zoidion or 30 degrees per year,
we get between 121/6 and 12 '" days per degree of direction (i.e., 365'/. days
divided by 30 degrees). II is worth noti ng that he prefers Izth to 12'/6 even
though the latter is eloser 10 the true value, perhaps out of nu merological
reasoning similar 10 the above. Although it seems like a reach to me at the
present time, this may account for the reference to 7.
, moirikiis.
1 semeion.

27
according to its own motion of wind.1
I am putting these things togethe r after having tested them
myself. For often, even though no governorship was found in a
familiar manner, nor pretence of rulership, nor another teaching
giving proof of activity, great causes of good came about which were
unexpected, and sometimes da ngerous and death-bearing circum-
stances foll owed closely thereaft er, which very things I grasped from
the releasing of the stars. For when the male fics come to be at the
Horoskopos or the Sun or the Moon in accordance with their
motion by degree, they bring on the end; but at the Midheaven or
the places of opportunity, they bring on inactivities and disturbing
or dangerous causes; and similarly also, the bencfics bring o n
reputation and eminence and benefits if the releasing of the
substralUm 2 should in any way be found round the ruler. Neverthe-
less, in the case of the rema ining starting points and in the case of
divisions that come about concerning life, one must pay attention to
the remaining relcasings of the sta rs and the testimonies and the
hurlings of rays. For if Kronos and Ares do not come to be at the
Horoskopos or the Sun or the Moon fo r the releasing that pertains
to the degree, when the substratum is of years, how do they provide
weakness and suddenly climacterics or the death of the father or
mother or enmities of superiors or destruction of reputation or
unstable fears and the remainder, as much as their nature exempli-
fies? And in the case of the places and degrees of Aphrodite, the
deaths of a wife or female persons or enmities and disturbances and
vexations of life, censures and shameful ailments. And in the case
of the places and degrees of Hennes, lawsuits and spiteful treatment
on account of documents or mo netary or myst ical mailers, or deaths
of siblings or relatives or slaves. And in the case of the places and
degrees o f Zeus, reputation, inheritances, acquisitions, begetting o f
Children, advances, alliances with superiors. Similarly also, each star
will be be active according to its own power and according to those
lying upon it or hurling the ir rays. Also, in the prospering u5idin or
those upon pivots, they will become steadier and more taut in

I It is not clear what sense: the word ' wi nd' has in this context; but it

Yo-ould seem 10 have to do with the retrogradation cycle. and its analogy to the
lunar phases.
l See a few lines below for the meaning of substratum . (RH]

28
relation to the effects, but in the declines less. Yet , if a sta r should
be fo und to be retrograde , we will not make the releasing according
to the next (z6idion j, but upwards.1 Also, by exam ining the degree
up to whieh it retrogrades, we will judge what star is able to hurl
rays at that degree at that lime. For if at present il chances in any
way to be in aversio n to any slar or pivot whatever, but it does hurl
rays when it comes from o ne z6idion into a nother according to the
time-description of the retrogradatio n, it will be act ive for good or
foul.
Nevertheless, o ne must examine the mo tio ns according to
degree ~ by means of careful study of the canons relating to the
phenomena; fo r, the general support s a nd time-descript ions a re
maintained by all the releasings. Whence if the majority are not
known, since the issues are brought to completion Ihrough many
releasings, they consider the knowledge to be unrea l or incomple te
or hard to grasp when they have cont inually attended to one sense
of a teaching, but those who have introduced many senses of
releasing with all exactitude and who will make use of a new nat ural
teaching in accordance with the applicable sect of a nativity will
have gained an actuality of effects which was easily grasped. Just as
fo reigners, when coming down to cert ain cities and especially to a
royal area, sometimes make their arrival o therwise than through a
single path, but some arrive from the farthest quarters by crossing
deserts and hard roads and running afo ul of frightful dange rs, others
by making use of the highways in an unconce rned manner and
without danger, others, though oft en imagining a death in the salt
seas and by fo rce of winds, achieve the ir purpose; and no eage r
rival ry for them or prize of contest fo r a sho rtened o r stubborn
arrival lies befo re, but rather each meets with benefit or reputa tion
or things purposed in accordance with the activity o f the times at
that moment, o r else, afte r falling afoul of accusations o r after be ing
condemned, he loses life as well ; others endure after ruina tion,
some by be ing ready for an unexpected benevolence, albe it the
quickest way out- in the same fashion also it is necessary fo r us to

I This is a curious variation on direc tive procedure.

2 moirilos. The word usually meaning ' partile '.

) Probably or "general supports lind time·descriptions·· as men tioned in the
previous scntence.

29
pay aUention to the instruction in diverse ways and to keep it
strai6ht as i, through many paths, in order to arrive at the outcome.
For many and countless are the contingencies for huma n beings,
which are established nOI through one teaching or through o ne star,
but mther through many. And since the 12 places are signified for
each nativity, and most things will be discovered through these and
the nature of the stars, one must obse rve the pivot-positioning and
the changes of the places; for orten two places coincide on one
z6idwI1, I or else a pivotal figure is shown in the manner of a
declining rigure. And this happens by the opportunities for the
f/6roskopos.
As with the Horoskopos in Gemini, the Mid heaven in Aquarius
by degree . This place. then, possesses the relation concerning
activity and reputation and children, and also that conce rning a
fo reign land and god since zodiacally it is found in the 9t h from the
H6roskopos; and also, in its case the handing over through 4 and 5
z6idia to the f/6roskopos is found to be prospering, and the handing
over from the H6roskopos through 9 and 10 zoidia to the Midheaven
itself prospers. Similarly also, the diameter of Aquarius (that is,
Leo), whieh is the subterraneous piVOI, possesses the relation
concerning founda tions, buildings, and parents, as well as that
concerning god and siblings and a foreign land; and the handing
over through 3 or 4 z6idia from the Horoskopos to the subterra-
neous pivot itself is laut, and also that from it through 10 o r II
z6idia to the Horoskopos. Similarly also, let the same be conceived
in the case of the remaining z6idio of long asccnsio n2 when the
Midheaven falls in the hexagon.) Whence if we examine the places
or the intervals to the degree, we will not make a false step.
As with Arcs, the H6roskopos in Virgo; the Moon, the subterra-

I We see the precise meaning of th is in the next paragraph. The Midhe:ave:n

and I.e. computed by degree make: the signs in which they fall bear the
significations of the the Midheaven and the I.e . along with the Signs which are:
actu3l1y the tenth and founh signs from the Ascendant. Thus, when this happens
the signs involved have a double signification. This makes the: M.e. and I.e.
somewhat like lots in that they : stablish a sign as a house having a signi fi cation
quite aside from the sign's relationship to the Asce ndan t. [RBl
1 poluo11(lph oros.
) That is. the scxtile on the ri ght of the HQroykopO$. or the 11 th zOidion.

)0
neous pivot in Scorpio; the Midheaven in Taurus. It is necessary to
investigate the 34 th year. Subtracting two twelves, 10 are left over.
The handing ove r is from the Moon to Arcs by means of the pivot ,
and from the 1/6roskopos and Ares to Taurus (which is the Mid-
heaven). For at the time he fared well upon a foreign land and had
friendships with his superio rs, and he was in danger of be ing ruined
by a femal e person, and he encountered cuts and bloodshed. Also,
other handings over were prospering at this time, except I was not
clarifying the causes. In this manner, then, even though the time is
not held suspect, the causes of evil arc often found to be estab-
lished; or again, even though the time is not awaited expectantly,
great reputat ion and benefits will follow.

31
 Illustrations of the Fore lying Teachingsl

We will also give some

illustrative c ~mpl es to
clarify this study in a ma-
'" n
nner thai may readily be
taken in at a glance for
those who chance 10 read
it .
Such a5,2 the Sun,
Moon, Aphrodite, Her-
mes, the H6roskopos in
Scorpio; Kronos in Sagit-
tarius; Zeus in Capricorn;
Ares in Leo. In the 20th
year the handing over
was of Zeus in Capricorn
to Ares in Leo through 8 Widia. Now. Zeus has handed over to
Ares from the 3rd to the 10th roitfion (which is the Midheaven). A
petition was made to the king regarding rank and it did not indeed
happen, for Zeus handing over to Ares is difficult.} Also, the
division through 4 z6idia (that is, from Ares to the Sun and Moon
and H6roskofJOS and Hermes and Aphrodite) is also strong. 4 He was
ill, then. in the 20th yea r, and falling from a quadruped he was
dragged so as to nearly cause his vision to disappear. And also,
censure and deception and penalties occurred in relation to a

I T itl e originally imbedded in the text.

1 This is No. L 134,XI in Grtd Horoscopts, p. 12S, dated to about sunrise
on Nov. 4, 134 C.E.
I From Book IV Chapter 2 1 we have:
~Zcus 10 Ares-the year is hannful and full of trouble, hav ing enmities and
slanders in relat ion to superiors, condemnations and betrayals, dangers and
travel abroad and precarious illnesses, crises or deaths of one's own, irregulari-
ties of livelihood and expenditures. If the nativity should be found to be public
or military and the figure is well, it produces all iances and advancements with
expeditions, gins and promises: but they are IhQSC who spend the time in great
fear or suspicion. K

4 Anything four zOidio apart will also operate at eight years. IRHI

32
female person so that each of the stars effected its own propcrty
whcn taking over fro m the malefics. In the 23rd year Zeus, handing
over to the lights and Aphrodite and the H oro.fkopos and Hermes
from the royal place (for thc 3rd and 9th place from the H oroskopos
indica te god and king),1 provided a powe rful co un e il ~ through gifts.
Noth ing, then, is able to make a ma n be possessed of the fri endship
o f kings and superiors if the times work against it.
A nother.1The Sun in $ n ts
Taurus; the Moon, Her- 9 0
mes in Aries; Kronos in
Pisces; Zeus, Ares in Aq-
uarius; Aphrodi te in Ge-
mini; the H6roskopos in
Virgo. In the 42nd year nFH
he was heir fo r a female
person; for, the handing
over was through 6 z6i(/ia
from the Moon and Her-
mes, these being in Aries,
the place of death, to m.. ~ 'r1
Virgo, domicile of Her-
mes, and it was from an
exalt ative z6itlion to an exaltative z6idion. 4 In the 45th year he held
a dist ingu ished magistracy for publ ic affairs; for, Aphrodite handed
over from the Midheaven to Ares, indicat ing that there was trouble,
and it handed over to Zeus, indicating reputation. There was also

1 Valens does indeed associate king with the lrd and 9th places, and not
the 10th. Cf Book IV, chap. 12.
l sUlU!drion. Neugebauer has "pro\'ided by way of gifts a powerful
colleague." BUI sunedriOl'ldoesnot mean 'colleague', but 'meeting' or 'council ' .
The sense seems to be that the native was given control of some council in
rctum for gifts. The word can also mean 'council chamber' as a place of
meeting, due to the ' ion' ending; possibly it could also be constructed as
' council scat '.
l This is No. L I I 1.1 v in Greek. lIoroscopes. p. 107, dated to aboul2 P.M.
on April 24, III C.E.
4 Evidently this means a l oidiOrl in which there is an exalta tion of any

planet. not necessarily one thllt involves the planels in question.

33
the releasing from the Horoskopos to the Sun, whence he also
became known to the king at that timc. In the same year he also
freed his concubines because the taking over of Zeus from Aphro-
dite was with regard to the place concerning slaves. In the 46t h year
he had troublesome business l and the dismantling of such of his
businesses as could be dissolved! and disturbances due to female
persons and the death of two concubines; fo r, the handing over was
from Aphrodite to Kronos in the place pertaining to marriage
determination, and from the Sun to Ares and Zeus, though then
there was a cessa tion of troubles.

Another.l The Sun in

Taurus; Moon, Aphro- )(
dite, Horoskopos in Aries;
Kronos In Capricorn;
Zeus in Virgo; Ares in
Scorpio; Hermes in T H D9 ~
Gemini. In the 51st year
he travelled in a foreign
country, and coming be· 0 It.
fore the king, he won a tj lIP
lawsuit for the priesthood y
on behalfofa friend; for, n $ f2
the handing over was
from the Moon and Aph-
rodite and the Horoskopos to Hermes, whieh was in the place of god
and king.· In the same yea r the death of a child also occurred; for,

I pragmD.
1 anasuuasmous tillon pragmatiin. This seems to refer to bankruptcy and
the liquidation of assets. Neugebauer, by emending li h on to kJi tQn, has
"revcrses in affairs of property," but this seems too fuzzy a translation.
anasuuazodoes not mcan ' reve rses', but 'dismantling', and Isa com mon legal
bank.ruptcy term.
I This is No. L 107 in Greek Horoscopes, p. 103, dated to about 4 A.M.
on May 8. 107 C.E.
• See page 33, note I.

34
Arcs handed ove r from the place of death to Kronos in the place of
ch ildren.'

Anot her.: The Sun,

Hermes in Scorpio; the
Moon, Arcs in Sagittar-
ius; Kronos in Caprico rn ;
d'D
Zeus in Aquarius; Aph-
rodite In Virgo; the
H6rosJwpos in Taurus.
The son was indicated in
re lation to the judgment
o f the foregoing theme.
And by this division here,
it conce rns the fath er in n
the 22rd year; for, Zeus
made the handing over
to the Sun, indicating the
father, and the handing
over from Arcs in the place of death to Aphrodite was the ca use of
death.

I In Valens, the 10th is one of the houses of children, along with the 4th.
5th, and 11 th o
1 This is No. L 135 ,X in Creek Horoscopes. p. 126. dated \0 about sunset
on Oct. 27, 135 C.E.

35
 Another.1 The Sun,
Arcs, Aphrodite in Leo;
the Moon in Aquarius; iJ
'" ~
II

Kronos in Aries; Zeus in 90

Pisces; Hermes in Can-
cer; the Horoskopos in
Virgo. In the 24th year I11'H
"
he was benefited by lega-
eiesl and fr iends. j In the
26th yea r there was mar-
riage and benefits from a
woman.' In the 29t h
year he had a difficult m. /' 'r1
matter and disturbances
owing to the death of
another's slave and an allegation of poison. For, Kronos made a
handing over to the Sun, Ares, Aphrodite, which was in the place
of slaves. He met with help through the friendship of superiors,
male and female .s In the 31st year he travelled in a foreign country,
and he jntially spent his time in this country in a sweet and
advantageous fashion; but later, after ruining a maidselVant, he had
jealousies and disturbances. For, the handing over was from the Sun
and Aphrodite and Ares, being in the place of slaves, to the Moon;
and from the Horoskopos to Zeus in the place of marriage determi-
natio n. In the 33rd year he was condemned for having cast a slave
from a ship, except in the sentence he received clemency th rough
the handing ove r from Hermes 10 Zeus; nevertheless, the confine-
men t was clear ahead of time from the position of the lunar
hexagon in relat ion to Kronos, as we have shown in the earlier
Ichapte rs),6 but the time occurring from Arcs and the Sun to the

I This is No. L 112,VII in Greek Horoscopes, p. J08, dated to about 8

A.M. on July 27, 112 C.E.
2 Kronos in the 8th to Zeus.
J Maybe Aphrodite to Hermes in the 11th .

• !loth indicated by Moon to Zeus in the 7th.

S Perhaps by Zeus to Hermes in 111h.
6 See cha p. I.

36
accusat ive place (which is in relation to Kronos)1 supplied the
condemnation. In the 45th year he was freed as be ing diseased
through the zeal of superio r pe rsons; for, the handing ove r o f both
the first time and this one was mixed with bencfics and ma lefics.
And otherwise, the malcfics were subtractive" and became wea ker
under the sola r raysl and fell onto rather weak places.
Whence, it will be necessary to examine the handings over of all
the stars and whethe r those of the malcfics are more ple ntiful o r
those of the bencfics, or whether they arc mixed, and th us to make
the demonstration . We have given clarifica tions of these matters in
the precepts. And so as not to appear prolix, we will give the
summaries of the outcomes, but the reade r will have to gel the
places and causes fo r himself from the things already expla ined or
those that will be.

I In the Brd year the Sun and Ares in Leo hand ovcr to Kronos in Aries,
thus activating all the components of the indicator of accusation.
1 Presumably it is Kronos that is subtractive in motion. This does nol
necessari ly mcan retrograde, as Neugebauer assumes, but simply slower than the
ave rage planetary motion.
l Mars is clearly the combust malefic.

37
 Another.! The Sun, rrv '1
Hermes, Aphrodite in '"
y 9 d' D
Libra; Kronos in Aquar- rn, 0 $
ius; Zeus, the Horoskopos
m Sagittarius; Ares in
Virgo; the Moon in Leo.
In the 47th year he was '>Hl,- II
heir to a friend ,! but in
the same year he was
separated from his wife
due to jealousy and cen- 11 ~
sure.} t,
l'
'"

I This is No. L IID, IX in Greek. Horoscopes, p. 106, dated to about 10

AM. on Sept. 27, 110 C.E.
2 Kron os in the 3rd (one of Valen's places of friends) hands over to Zeus,
Iloroskopos; Kronos to Zeus is the indicator of inheritance.
J Possibly due to Aphrodite handing over to the Moon in the 10th (Yalen's
place of one's own woman), potentially a difficult time, and here opposed by
Kronos.

38
 Anothcr. 1 Th e Sun, = ,-
N es 00 T aurus; the
Moon , the HtJroskopos in )( IT\.
Aries; Kronos in Leo ; 9
Zeus in Cancer; Aph ro-
dite in Pisces; Hermes
on Gemini. In the 4th TH D
year the death of the fa - ""
ther took. place.!
d' 0
~

n
~ It-
I'D
. il lTV

I This is No. LI S] in Greek. Horoscopes. p. 128, dated 10 about 4 A. M.

on May. 8, 158 C. t::.
2 Sun, Arcs handing over to Kronos.

39
 )(
AnOlhcr. 1 The Sun, D '" ~
\'1

Hermes, Kronos in Sagit- l' ,-

tarius; the Moon in Pi- 0~
sees; Ares ;n Leo;
Aphrodite in Capricorn;
the H6ros-kopos, Zeus in ~ H "-
Taurus. In the 45th year
the birth of twin children
was non-effective ;l in the
same year also the high-- n
priesthood.) In the Sist <f '"
year, a distinguished ma- \'D il IlP
gistracy.4 In the 52nd
year, the death of a
child.s

! This is No. L 102,X II,4 in Greek Horoscopes, p. 100, dated to about 4

P.M . on Dec. 4, 102 CE.

2 The HiYoskopos, Zeus to Aphrodite for children, presumably rendered
ineffective by the Sun, Hennes, Kronos to Ares.
} Aphrodite is also in the 9th indicating the priesthood .
• The Moon 10 Zeus and Aphrodite 10 the Moon.
SThe Sun, Hermes, Kronos in the 8th handing over 10 Moon in 11th (one
of Vaten's houses of children). Also, the Hiiroslwpos. Zeus to Ares in the 4th
(another one of Vakn's places of children).

40
 Another.l The Sun,
Aph rodite in Taurus; the
Moon in Aries; Kro nos
in Cancer; Zeus in [Li-
bra); Ares in Virgo; Her-
mes in Gemin i; the Horo-
skopos in Sagittarius. In ,l'H
the 36th year he had law-
suits and troublesome
business man ers o n be- 09
half o f his wife and the
enmity of fricnds.2
l'

I This is No. L 120, V in Greek Horoscopes, p. 117, dated to about 8 P.M.

May 12. 120 CE.

I The primary indicators here would seem to be Kronos in the 8th (lawsuits
for Valcns) to Hermes in the 7th (place of marriage), a handing over which
itself indicates troubles over business mailers; and also, Zeus in the 11th
(friends) to Ares in the 10th (wife for Valcns), a handing over that itself
indicates most of the characteristics Valcns has me ntioned. Also, the Sun,
Aphrodite in the 6th (enemies) handing over to the Moon in the 5th (another
friendship place) emphasizes the enmities of friends.

41
 Another.! The Sun , n

/'
Aphrodite in Aquarius;
the Moon , Zeus in Sagit-
tarius; Kronos in Leo;
Hermes in Capricorn;
Ares. the Horoslwpos in
Libra . In the 35th year :!!:Hcf
he was in danger of being
imprisoned because of
sedition and violence;
for, the Moon had a hex·
agonal figure 10 Ares,
and Ares himself took
over the year from her
and handed ove r to Kro·
nos. These successive handings over are difficult and full of
disturbance. Bul Zeus was slrong, chancing to be with the Moon
and taking over the same year from the Sun and Aphrodite , which
were in the place of fri ends. Since it chanced to be in the place of
a foreign land, il brought about voluntary ye l risky travel in a
fore ign land, and alliances and help from friends.

I Thi s is No. L 122,1,22 in Greek Horoscopes, p. 119, dated to about 10

P.M. on Jan. 22 , 122 C.E.

42
 Another. 1 The Sun, ITP
Arcs, Hermes in Scorpio; D
Kronos in Aries; the IT\,
Moon in Virgo; Zeus in d'0~
Taurus; Aphrodite in
Libra ; the floroskopos in
Sagittarius. in the 42nd n
year there were distur-
bancesand unsettlemen ts
and scandals among th e
muil itude due to a worn-
an. 2 In the 44th year
there was the violent
death of a slave and a
crisis of the father and
accusatio ns about his descent being ignoble and about violence,
except that he met with help and gift s from his fri ends. Hc also got
into trouble for a statement about documents, and he experienced
penalties and imposts and false accusatio ns, and he was vexed at
treachery and distressed in body.} Each handing over, then, effc cts
its own property; similarly also, each place.

1This is No. L 114,X1 in Greek Hor-rucopes. p. I I I, dated to aooUi 8 A.M.

o n Nov. 10, 114 C.E.
1 The handings over for the 42nd year are the Sun, Ares, Hennes ( 12th)
to Kron os (5 th); Kronos (5t h) to Moon (10th); Zeus (6th) to Aphrodi te (II th).
) The hand ings over for the 44th yea r are Kronos (5th) to Sun, Ares,
Hermes ( 12th); the Moon ( 10th) to KronO$ (Sth); Zeus (6th) to l15roskopos ;
Aphrodite (11th) 10 Zeus (6th).

4)
 Another. 1 The Sun,
Zeus in Capricorn; the
Moon, Kronos in Leo;
Ares in Pisces; Aphro-
dite, the f16roskopos in
Scorpio; Hermes in Sagit-
tarius. The places of ac· m.H9
cusation were found in
Pisces and Scorpio.! But
Aphrodite was in Scor-
pio, Ares in Pisces. Being l'
a dancer, though he was
put into confinement in )(
the 20th year because of
sedition of the masses,
after having his defe nse made to the governor and getting released
through the help of friends and the entreaty of the masses, he
became quite famous; for, the handing ovcr of the year was from
Kronos and the Moon to Arcs and the accusative place, and from
Zeus and the Sun (which were in the place of authority)j to Kronos
and the Moon (which were in the Midheaven and place of action).
And in another manner, in accordance with the division through 4,
it sign ifies from Kronos and the Moon to Aphrodite and the
Horoskopos, in order that the sedition and love of strife and rivalry
should come about through the action; and also from Hcrmcs to
Arcs and the place of accusation. All the stars, then, were prosper-

I This is No. L 123. I in Greek Horoscopes, p. 121. dated to about 2 A.M .

on Jan. 3. 123 C.E.

1 [t is not entirely clear why Scorpio and Pisces arc singled out here as
places per1aining to accusation. Neither is the location orlhe Lot of Accusation
(see chap. I). II is true that we have the hexagonal relationship of Ares to Ihe
Sun also mentioned as an indicator of accusation, but never before have we seen
the zoidian occupied by such an Arcs or Kronos designated as a place of
accusation. However, this would be consistent with using Ares as a planetary
indicator of a topic. If this is the moliviation here, then we would have to
presume that Scorpio is also mentioned because Ares is its domicile ruler.
Ho .....ever, this all seems a bil far· fetched .
1 exollsia. Neugebauer has -proper1y" here, which is a possible translation
of this word but does not make good sense in this context

44
ing in the 20th yea r. The nativity was subject to risk with regard to
the ruin ing of reputa tion and condemnation and danger to life-brea-
th . But with Aphrodite found ill the Horoskopos and in the place of
accusation and Zeus wit h the Sun, he had a re lease (which was easy
to imagine) and was successful in regard to action; for, the Lot of
Fortune was in Aries while the lord of the ex.1ltation for the nativity,
the Sun, was found to be culminating with respect to the Lot and
Ares with respect to Spirit. Late r, in the 32nd year, having bee n
ruined in honor and reputation and live lihood, he lived in dishono:
because of the Lot chancing to be in decline and Kronos out of
sed being opposed to the place of acquisition in its own domicile ,
Aquarius, while culminating. Whence, he himse lf became a
contributing cause of his own ruination, having become overbearing
and a pretender; fo r, Hermes, the lo rd of Spirit and the intellectual
place was opposed to itself (t hat is, to Gemini).

I par ' hoiresin. This is the common Greek expression for 'out of sect' . For
some reason Neugebauer has translated it as "in sect," even though he footnotes
the Greek. With the Sun in Capricorn and the HOroskopos in Scorpio, this is II.
nocturnal chart. Thus, Kronos in Leo is out of sect with the chart and by
placement.

45
 Another.' Thc Sun.
thc Moon in Cance r;
Kro nos, Zeus, Ares in
Aries; Aphrodite, He r-
mes, the Horoskopos in
Gemini. In the 20th year
the parent s of this o ne II 1·1 ~ 9
we re both done away
with by an attack of rob-
bers at a celebration ;l 0D
now, the handing over $
was fro m thc Horoskopos
to the place of death, but
thc handing over through
4 fro m Kronos and Ares
to the Sun and the MoonJ was prospering more, which ha ppened to
show the fa ther a nd mother in the place of death.4 Neve rtheless,
though he himsclfwas in the disturbance, he escaped the danger, so
that the handing over of Zeus at the same time was a lso powe rful.

7. Concerning Releasing

The re leasings of the years, then, arc efficacious from all the stars,
but t hat releasing will be judged most active which is by day fro m
the Sun, by night from the Moon (especially if they should be
pivotal), then from the HoroskopOJ. And should the year given fro m
the fl6roskopos or from the Moon or from the Sun arrive at o ne of
the natal stars, one must use these effects. But if, then, o ne of the
transiting stars should also make an ingress into tha t place, it will

, Thi s is No. L II3.VIII in Greek Horoscopes, p. 109, dated 10 about 4

A.M . on July I, 113 C.E.
~ Neugebauer has ~ the parents of this person were both killed by a
guardsman in an assembly of robbers." This is simply a mistranslation on his
pan.
) That is, from a 5uccedent place to a succedent place, which is more
prosperous than from an angle to a decline .
• For VaJens, the 2nd is also a place of dcath as well as the 8th.

46
have handed over the time. l But if the zoidion at which the numbe r
leaves off chances to be void, one must pay oue the same number
from the lord of the natal zoidion and examine at which of the natal
or transiting planets it leaves off, and fo retell the effects of all the
places and stars;) should the number from a star leave off at a star,
one must usc the effects o f the stars; but if at a void, of the lords of
the places.
For example, if the releasing happening from the Moon should
arrive either at Aries o r at Scorpio, but no star is present the re, and
having given the same multitude of years from natal Ares itself, it
comes to Kronos, the year wil1 be ful1 of danger and upset,· and as
much as the handing over and the places should signify; similarly
also, the year given from the Sun and fro m the Horoskopos and
from the lots, with each producing its own property in accordance
with giving and taking over. And if in any way two should be
activated for the year ...$ especially that from the pivots, then that
from the [postj -asccnsio ns, next that from the declines. Also, the
bencfics giving or taking over from the pivots and exaltations or
prospering places are established as causes of great goods and
reputation ; from the post-ascensions they are middling; and from
the declines they are weaker; the diameters are less and ful1 of
upset. Similarly also, when the malefics arc pivotal, they are worst ;
upon the post-ascensions they are middling and introduce the causes
later; and in the declines they will become lesser in evil; the

I This sentence docs not make muc h sense here; it should havc mentioned
that the zOidion is void.
2 apodidomi . That is, at one zoidion per year.
J The manner in which ..... c must have recourse to the lord of the natal
zOidion was not at all clear from Book IV. There il appeared as if the lord was
the third choice for the time-lord after a planet in the profected zjjjdion and any
planet transiting that zoidiofl . Bere where the technique is fleshed out it appears
that we profect the lord instead of using it as the time-lord itself. Bowever, it
is still not clear whe ther the general time-lord is no ..... the lord of the void
zOidion or the original indicator (Sun, Moon, HOrosJeopos. etc.).
• Comparing the delineation of Moon to Kronos (middling bad) with that
of Ares to Kronos (quite bad), we might infer that this is considered a handi ng
over from Ares to Kronos even though it wasoccasioncd by Moon handing over
to a void zOidion.
, Lacuna in text.

47
diameters arc indicative of oppositions and dangers. Whenever
malefics in superior position take the times from those which have
them in superior position, they produce evils of the worst sort, also
if they arc diametrical to benefies and take the times from them;
but when they are trining [bencficsj , they make the effects more
agreeable and milder. I
The stars taking and giving over will be judged to be highly
active. The giving over of a benefic to a benefic is better than a
malefic to a benefic, and a malefic to a malefic is worst. If the
releasing should in any way arrive at a z6idion void for the present,
but a star should make an ingress to this place later, that will be the
one that has taken over the time. Either a benefic o r a malefic will
be judged more taut l for an effect if it should make an appearance
in the same z6idion; but if it should pass through,) it will be slack;'
if at any time the releasing should fai l altogether' on a void place.
the releasing in the 1st year will prevail until anot her should concur.
The settings and retrogradations of the stars, then, will become
slack, but the risings and the stations taut, with the effects being
mixed togethe r in many ways. In relation to the support' of the
nativity, then , ...1 for those who are wealthy, of moderate means,
witho ut leisure, poor, working at handicrafts. And the effects will be
judged more steady in relation to practical matters and the climac-
teric reckonings when the same stars possess the same figure,

I This is one of the rather rare instances in which Valens secms to attribute
a benefic quality to the trine. [RHI
1 tuionor.
J Without riSing in the same zOidion?
• monos.
J suneicpiplo. Usually dpipto means to fall out; the slIn prefix would
ordinarily mean 'together' . Ilowever. Valens does not seem 10 be speaking of
two releasings; funhermore , he has al ready lold us whallo do if the releasing
fall s out on an empty loidion. Therefore. I have to assume that he is telling us
what to do if none of his auxiliary devices works. According 10 the lex icon,
slInekpjpto ean also mean 'to fail together'. This would also nOI make sense in
this context. But SUfi can also mean 'althogether'. Thus I have translated the
word as 'fail altogether', whiCh, even Ihough this usage is undocumented, is
plausible in this context.
6 hupwtasis.
7 Lacuna in texi.

48
whatever it was at the nativity. For, the most divine Critodemos has
made mention of this. We will explicate the ncxt figu re th rough a
ca non and a teaching.

Canon l
M Ta Ge Ca Le Vi Li Sc Sa Ca Aq Pi
M 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Ta 2 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
Gc 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
Ca 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
Lc 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6
Vi 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7
L; 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8
Sc 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9
Sa 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10
Ca 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11
Aq 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12
Pi 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

The forelying canon is for the intervals and interweavings of the stars
by joint recurrence. 2

1 The above table is missing in the manuscri pls. It is presented here as

reco nstructed by Pingree. To use ii, place the pl ane ts in thei r respective zOidia
in the headings of the columns and rows. I f a planet heads a certai n column,
look down Ihe column and see if there is a planet in ont of the rows; if so,
there will be a handing over of the fi rst planet to the second after a number of
years signified by the number at the intersection of the column and row.
Conversely, if you wish to know which planets are handing and laking over
after a certain number of years, locale the numbe r in question in the table and
see if it is tile inlerseetion of a column and row whose ; t5tdia conlain planets;
consider alilhe entries of the same number.
2 srm apuMlaslasis . Presumably Ihis means that after twelve years all the
slars recur to Iheir inilial zOidia by profeclion at a ;Oidion per year.

49
 As, for example/ the Sun , Arcs, Hermes, /Iuroskopos in
Sagitta rius; the Moon in Leo; Krooos in Virgo; Zeus in Scorpio;
Aphrodite in ClIpricorn, The Moon has been allolled the dyad sincc
it is dista nt from Kronos by 2; similarly also, (Zeus,in relation to the
Sun, Ares, Hermes, the H6roskopos];1 and the Sun, Ares, Hermes,
the H6roskopos, in rela-
tion to Aphrodite. Kro-
nos and Zeusl have been
allotted the triad. Krono-
s, also the tetrad and pe-
ntad; the Moon, too,
(and ] the hexad. The he- V
bdomad is void for all. ,J'H0 II
Aphrodite, the ogdoad d
land the ennead].' The
Sun, Ares, Hennes, the
Horoskopos, the ennead
and decad; and Zeus the
decad, too, and the l'
hendecad; and Aphrodite
the [hendecad, toof and
the dodecad; [and Kronos the dodecad, tool. 6
The t heme ca rries 31 years. The prospering stars and and those
wh ich arc climacteric are fou nd as follows. The beginning of the
fore lying cl imacterics is for the 3rd row of the triad; for, the
fo relying 2 (numbers], the monad and the dyad, arc unprosperous
because the monad prospers up until 12, the dyad up until 24, the
triad up unt il 36, and similarly in succession.'

I This is No. L 37 in Greek l/oroscopes, p. 79, dated to about sunrise on

0«. 15,37 CE.
IOm itted from text, which appears to be an error.
IText has "and Aphrodite," which appears to be an error.
4 Evidently omitted from text in error.

S Evidently omitted from text in error.

6 Evidently omit1ed from lext in error.

1 That is, when counting by "ones," it takes 12 years to reach t2: when
counting by "twos," it takes 24 years; etc. In other words, this procedure wi ll
consider an interval in the natal chart as a factor in a composite number of years

50
 And it is studied as follows. Since the 31st year falls within the
hendecad of the triad,l while Kronos and Zeusl have been allotted
the triad for the nativity, you inquire o f the stars transiting at the
time lest ever they should hand ove r the II to another or to each
other. As in the case of the forelying nativity, at the time,) the stars
Sun, Zeus, Hennes were in Gemini; Kronos in Virgo; Arcs,
Aphrodite in Taurus; the Moon in Pisces. The stars allotted the II
were Zeus and' Aphrodite ; but we find the Moon delivered o ver to
Aphrodite, Zeus to nothing.' I straightaway pass ove r to the tetrad ;
I find the 32 in the octad; none of the stars having authority over
the tetrad is cl imacte ric. I pass over to the pentad; the Moon and
Kronos [of the pent ad) prosper and these are found to be delivered
over to each other.6 I come to the hexad; no planet is distant by 6
[z6idiaj . I pass over to the row of the hebdomad, but the hebdomad
is fou nd to be void of all stars, as was said; Ares and Aphrodite are
delivered over to Kronos. I come to the canon of the octad, and
Aphrodite has authority over the octad by 4 (z6idia ); it is delivered
ove r to no star. Next is for the climacterical [interval) of the ennead;
the Sun, Ares, Hermes, H 6roskopos, Aphrodite have autho rity ove r
the ennead; and the 36 is in this row. For the four year [term) the
Sun, Zeus, Hermes are found to be delivered over to Kronos.

(and as an alternati ve eandidate for handing over when the : oidion is void, as
above) only until the native has reached 12 times that interval. It is as if the
units in the above table are replaced successi\'ely by the d)'ad, triad, etc., so that
in the case of the dyad substitution the fi rst row would read I dyad. 2 dyads (or
fOUTyears), 3 dyads (or 6 years), etc. This way we can continue to usc the same
table.
I That is. wi thin thc 11th triad of years. or between 30 and 33 years.

J The text continues to have Aphrodite here in addition, perpetuating the

error of the preceding paragraph.
J Neugebauer hasn't the faintest idea of what is going on in Ih is argume nt .
• Text has Kronos here, which is an error.
~ That is, in the transit chan for the interval of 3, which is the other factor
along with II . The handings over that occur by transit for the 31 st year are
different from the ones occurring in the natal chan for the same year when the
profeetion is made in accordance with the triad- that is. three years per zoidiofl;
so in this case there is no additional confirmation by transi t.

6 In the case of the transits.

51
Aga in, I pass over to the decad; the Su n. Arcs, Hermes. Zeus, th e
f/oroskopos have authority over the decad; four arc fou nd in this
row, whereby the Sun, Hermes, Zeus are found to be handing over
to Kronos.
These times of the intervals, then, become invariably energetic
and prospering whenever the stars having authority over them in the
nativity have the interval in the temporal transits which they had in
the nativity.

52
8. OthelWi se in the MaUer of Climaduic [Tinles], accordingly as
Critodemus Makes the Releasing from tbe Moon

As ' the Sun in Aqua- ~ ,-

rius; Moon in Leo; Kron- 0 '"
os in Cance r; Zeus in )( IT\,
Gemini; Ares in Scorpio ; y ~
Aphrodite in Aries; Her-
mes in Pisces. The 162
years, then, are to the T HY
distance of Arcs through ""
4 (zoidw).J The climac-
teric [year) is simple; for ,
four times the 4 years
become 16. That is, the
squares are simple n
. "'
[numbers), those of dif-
fe rent lengths are com-
posite! The 18 years are to Aphrodite, composite by twice 9; the 2
years, then, are in Virgo; but nothing is in Virgo, though Aphrodite
is in the 9th. If somet hing had been in Virgo, it would co-recur
through an addit ional one z6 idiofl .$ And since 18 is likewise thrice
6, we inquire into these as well; but there is no star in Libra the 3rd
nor in Capricorn the 6th. Again, the 20 years are composite; for
four times 5 become 20, and five times 4 likewise. Ares is what
prospers in Scorpio, but nothing in Sagiuarius the 5th. The 2 1 years

I This is No. 92, II in Greek Iforoscopes, p. 97. Thi s chatt has no

flQrosk. opos and therefore no time. We have put Aries in the fi rst house for the
sake of the chart. This should no t be interpreted as an Ascendant. The date
appears to Feb. 11, 92 C.E.
l Text has 12 years, which seems to be a mistake.
l That is. the releasing from the Moon in Leo to Ares in Scorpio is through
4 zQidia. And so forth for the entries in this paragraph.
~ The factors of a composite number are unequal.
S The text is a bit corrupt at th is point. I have conjectured a suitable
correction.

53
have thrice 7; nothing in Libra, the Sun in Aquarius; these years arc
in relation to the Sun, then . The 24 years have four time 6; again,
Ares in Scorpio, nothing in Capricorn. The 25 years have a simple
squa re number; but nothing is in Sagittarius. The 27 years arc
composed of 3, 9; nothing is through 3 z6idia, Aphrodite alone
through 9. The number 28 is to Ares through 4 zoidia and in
relation to the Sun through 7. The number 40 has 4 and 10, and 5
and 8; it agrees with Ares through 4 widia, to Hermes through 8.
The number 44 is to Ares and Zeus. And sometim(!s several also
co-recur at some time, as in the case of the 40th year; just as Ares
is in the 4th and Hermes in the 8th, if something had been in the
10th and in the 5th, it would co-recur with them.
He says that the results become more taut 1 and more conspicu-
ous if the number of the years should be a special 2 number of the
star agreeing with the distance, as thus: the 3 years are of Kronos,
the 5 of Aphrodite, the 7 of Ares, the 8 of Hermes, the 9 of Zeus,
the 13 of the Moon, the 18 of the Sun.l If then this number and the
interval for the same star should concur at the same time, a
prospering [starJ is in a prospering [intervaIJ.4 And if the year should
not concur with regard some star when the interval extends to it,S
an unprospering [starJ is in an unprospering [place]. And if some
interval is found to be prospering, but years in between should not
be found [to be prosperingJ, one must make use of the first
[interval] until another is found. For example, for the forelying
theme, the number 28 is for Ares, the Sun; the number 29 has no
interval; the number 30 has 3 and 5 and 6 and 10, but these z6idia
are void; the number 31 again does not fit with any interval. These
years, those of Ares and the Sun, which arc those which arc
prospering in the 28th year, prevail until the 32nd year, for which
co-recur Ares through 4 [z6idia] and Hermes through 8.

I eutonoteros. Literally, more well-strung.

1 idios.
J We do not know the source of thcse special numbers .
• ginelai chremalizim en chrimatislikbi. By gender, this could also mean
'a prospering (number] is in a prospering (intervalI' .
j ' IOU diaslemolO$ ep' aLilon pheronlos. Perhaps this means that we arc

dealing with a prime number of years, where there are no factors and the
interval of profection stretches all the way to the prime number itself.

54
 And we will append Ihe differe nces of the cl imacteric [yea rs] in
accordance with the time-description of the stars and the ir recur-
rence in relation to each other.

1. {The native ] will be weak and full o f fear .

2. He will be in dange r th rough watery conditions! or spasms.
3. Climacte ric of Kronos; prone to fa ll .
5. Climacteric of Plu5sphoros;2 he will be weak .
6. 2nd climacteric of Kronos.
7. First of Arcs; fu ll o f da nger; being upset with fevers, bloodshed ,
traumas, fa lls, ulcerations, or cuts from iron.
8. First of Hermes; lack of congestio n.)
9. First of Zeus, 3rd of Kronos; full of danger; he will be wea k o r
in distress with agues and troubles from his innards or with
bowels.
10. 2nd o f Aphrodite; he will be weak from satiety.
12. 4th cl imacteric o f Kronos; (he will be weak] unexpectedly or
through watery conditions.
13. 1st of the Moon; an int ractable fever will come d ue o r a
collapse and troubles with inn ards o r midsection.
14. 2nd of Arcs; full of danger, unpleasant.
15. 5th of Kronos, 3rd of Aphrodite ; relaxed.
16. 2nd climacteric o f Hermes; congestive through cho lera or
bronchial tubes o r diffi cult convalescence .
18. 2nd of Zeus, 6th o f Kronos; exceedingly difficul t.
20. 4th of Aphrodite; without danger for the most part, but disease
will follow upon satiety or fa tique. t
21. 3rd of Ares, 7th o f Kronos; unpleasant and full of danger.
24. 8th of Kronos. 3rd of Hermes; unpleasant through melancho ly
and watery conditions.
25. 5th of Aphrodite; congestive.
26. (2nd of the Moon; full of da nger].!
27. 3rd of Zeus, 9th of Kronos; middling.

Idi ' hugriPf.

2 TorCh- bearer; poetic name for Ap hrodi te.
J asunthetos.
4 kopru .

, Supplied from U ber Jlermeli:; text.

55
28. 4th climacteric of Arcs; prone to fa ll .
30. 10th of Kronos, 6th of Aphrodite; lacking in danger for the most
part .
32. 4th of Hermes; vexatious.
33. I I th of Kronos; unpleasant.
35. 5th of Arcs, 7th of Aphrodite; full of danger and vulnerable to
treachery.
36. 4th of Zeus, 12th o f Kronos, (2nd of the Sunl ; difficuil and full
of danger.
39. 3rd of the Moon, 13th of Kronos; pro ne to fall and full of
danger.
40. 8th of Aphrodite, 5th of Hermes; no t bad .
42. 6th of Arcs, 14th of Kronos; dirficult and full of danger.
45. 5th of Zeus, 9th of Aphrodite, 15th of Kronos; this climacteric
is ca lled SlilbOn" It is necessary to pay attention lest by some
means an ailment should happen to the fe et at t his time , if
Hermes is prospering in the nativity; for it brings dangers to the
ankle-joints and weakness and mortal symptoms and nausea.
48. 6th of Hermes, 16th o f Kronos; exceedingly difficult and full of
da nger.
49. 7th of Ares; full of danger or sudden danger due to fevers o r
bloodshed and a violent cause.
50. 10th of Aphrodite; full of da nger.
51. 17th of Kronos; it brings diseases, wounds. misfo rtune.
52. 4th of the Moon ; not good.
54. 18th of Kronos, 6th of Zeus, 7th of the Sun; diffi cult and
dangerous.
55. lIth of Aphrodite; nOI bad.
56. 8th of Ares, 71h of Hermes; painfu l, harsh.
57. 191 h of Kronos; most difficult.
60. 20t h of Kronos, 121h of Aphrodite; prone to fall .
63. 21st of Kronos, 7th of Zeus, 9th of Arcs; man-breaking,2 difficult
and death-bearing.
64. (8th of Hermes; nOI exceedingly bad.

1 This is the poetic name of Hermes. It is nol clear why this year should
be associated with this god.
2 androk/rute.s.

56
65. 5th of the Moon, 13 th of Aphrodite; as usual.]
66. 22nd of Kronos; ...
69. 23th of Kronos; difficult .
70. 10th of Ares, 14th of Aphrodite; unpleasant and difficult.]2
72. 24th of Kronos, 8th of Zeus, 9th of H ermes, [4th of the Sun] ;]
difficult and death-bearing.
75. 25th o f Kronos, 15th of Aphrodite; full of danger.
77. 11th of Ares; unpleasant and death-bearing.
78. 36th of Kronos, 6th o f the Moon; difficult.
80. 16th of Aphrodite, 10th of Hermes; mixed.
8 1. 27th of Kronos, 9th of Zeus; full of danger.
84. 28th of Kronos, 12th of Arcs; unpleasant and malefic.
85. 17th of Aphrodite; as usuaL
87. 29th of Kronos; fu ll o f danger.
88. [1 1th of Hermes; ... ]4
90. 30t h of Kronos, 18th of Aphrodite, 10th of Zeus, [5th of Sun] ;
difficu lt.
91. 13th of Ares, 7th of the Moon; unpleasant.
93. 31st of Kronos; difficult.
95. 19th of Aphrodite; nOI good.
96. 32nd of Kronos, [1 2th of Hermes]; unpleasant.
98. 14th o f Ares; difficult.
99. 33rd of Kronos, [I lIh of Zeus ]; middling.
100. 20th of Aphrodite; not bad.
102. 34th of Kronos; d:fficult.
104. [8th of Ihe Moon, 131h of Hermes; nOI exceedingly bad .ls
105. 35th of Kronos, 21st of Aphrodite, 151h of Ares; unpleasant.
108. 36th of Kronos, {l21h of Zeus, 61h of th e Sun] ; death-bearing.
110. 22nd of Aphrodite; nOI bad.
Ill. 371h of Kronos; prone to fall.
11 2. 16th of Ares, 14th of Hermes; unpleasant and lerrible.
114. 38th of Kronos; fu ll of danger.
115. 23rd of Aphrodite; as usual.

I koinos.
2 Entries 64 10 70 have been supplied by the Liber Hermetis lexl.
J Supplied from U ber Humelis.
4 II . Supplied from Liber Hermetis.
S Supplied from Uber Hermelis.

57
117. 39th of Kronos, 9t h of the Moon, 131h of Ze us; ful l of danger,
119. 17t h of Ares; prone to fall.
120, 40th of Kronos, 24th of Aphrodite, [15 1h of Hermes l;
death-bearing.

Fo r the sake of an l'

illustration, I let Ihe Sun,
Zeus, Ares be in Cancer;
the Moon in Libra; Kro-
nos in Sagittarius; Aphro-
dite. Hermes in Leo; the
H6roskopos in Gemini. nH
He died in his 54th year;
it was the 18th cycle of
Kronos, the 6th of Zeus,
the 3Id of the Sun. There
is a co-recurrence of the
sc. Also, the Sun and
Zeus are found in the
death-bea ring mon th
(that is, Sagittarius). And o therwise, the Sun and Zeus and Ares
hand over the year to Kronos in Sagillarius from the place pertain-
ing to death. The handing ove r, then, was harsh.
For every nativity, then , it seemed good to make the releasing
of the climacterics not only from the Moon, but also from all the
stars from which the death-bearing times and life's vexations are
comprehended. And should the time one is likely to live concur with
the forelying divisions; the climacteric will invariably fo llow closely
thereon. And if the supportl should have an intelVal , and the
climacteric time falls together with it, (events) will happe l'1 in regard
to actions and life's resources, as with laek of reputation, destruc-
tions, violence, adverse judgments, shipwrecks, trials, confinements,
exiles, fears, losses, pena lties, sudden da nge rs, inSUlts, plundering
and whatever other causes are ordained for the life o f man, injuries

I This is No. L 104,VII in Gred HoroscopeJ, p. 102. dated to about 4

A.M. on Jul y 17, 104 CE.
1 iwireJiJ
J hupostwiJ.

58
and ailments and amp utations, burns, cuts, weaknesses, preca rious
plo ts. And if, when they are recurring, the stars which become
cl imacteric should be found. in the nativity to be opposing or
scrutinized by malefics and fa lling out of sect, they show beforehand
a time that is precarious and subject to disturbance. But if they
should have a fa miliar figure, they will weaken the bringing to bear
o f the ca uses and supply a climacteric that is milder. The givings
and takings ovcr from the equi-ascensional z6uiia, then, will also be
judged taut,1 as from Ares to Pisces and from Taurus to Aquarius
and from Gemini to Capricorn and fro m Ca ncer to Sagittarius and
from Leo to Scorpio and from Virgo to Libra ; likewise a lso t he
reverse?
And after testing these matters with sober recko ning and
painstaking care, we have taken much trouble to set t hem o ut for
those who can pay attentio n, and just as the an cients also did when
they were busying themselves with these matters, at the same time
having the capacity to be like (them) and to be sympathetic. Now,
however, one) of those who adulterate the knowledge of these
Ihings wilh embellished discourse and d ive rse teachings about the
methods wo uld facilely persuade nOI o nly those uninitiated into the
study, but also those who boast o r who stand in high repute, by
means of the incomprehensibility of the bewitchery and boldness
surrounding him. For, as he does not judge mi sfo rtune s~ to bc
obstacles, he is successful through his audacity, nOI being embar-
rassed in a cross examination for ignorance; and just as one wea ring
the tragic o r com ic mask, he acts the part, possessing the character
of error rather than truth.

1 eulollos.
2 The reader should note the fo llowing: Even though Neugebauer and other
authors are of the opinion that Valens' longitudes are sidereal, it is clear that he
was not aware of it. These signs are equi-ascensional only in a tropical zodiac
except that unique period when the two zodiacs prcdsc ly coincided. (RHI
J This seems to be anot her polemic direc ted against Cri todemus.
~ apoptOma. This word also means 'errors'. This seems to be a subtle
comment that Critooemus did not conside r his errors to be any obstacle to
writing his book.
S plane. This word also means ' wanderer'. Critodemus cast himself in the
role of wanderer at the beginning of his book.

59
 But hc who is carricd along by doctrines and theorems, not
wishing to overthrow knowledge of long sta nding, by Icaning upon
experience just as upon a staff makes pronouncements slowly and
in fear , and is smitten with his purpose, reckoning error to be
worthy of flight and death, but success the heart of virt ue achieved
by toil.
T his happens with those who are igno rant o r those who do not
produce the time or hour with exactitude; whence it is always
needful, for those who especially wish to hea r with assurance about
what is and what will be, to fight on the same side as those who
zealously make judgments for any man whatever, and confirm one
of the matters, in ordcr that the prognostica tor, aft er taking the
pivot-positioning accurate ly or the sovereign places, l may make
revelations concerning what is (so j by means of calculations and the
teaching. For often, as we have said before, not only they them-
selves but also their parents wrong the knowlcdge by being mistaken
in the hour; for sim ilarly also, I myself was held up by my ancestors.
However, they do not do these things, while wishing to hear in a
moment abou t the things on their mind and not that in which they
arc deeply involved ; and wishing to have impossible things happen
by so me mystical villa iny, they hear from the unlearned and those
who perform with eagerness what is not righ t; delighting in
immediate approval and honors they get enemies in exchangc, and
they revile the noble and experienced as not being able to eit her
make revelat ions easily in Ihis manner o r perform in a more
dctailed manner, not knowing that the circumstances o f eaeh
nalivity are taken with much effort and inquiry. later, when they
are (themselvesj causing some of their expect ions to fail and notice
this late, they not only misleadingly and destructively lay blame for
the frauds, but they also spread the report that the discipline is
unreal, and they conside r those who practice it to be enemies. And
it results that many are dishonored by the few and those unworthy
of knowledge.

I That is, computi ng lhe angles of a chart correclly. fR ill

60
 Book VI of the Anthology of Vettius Valens

l. Prooemium

Every science and art is pleasing in accordance with the practical

ability and intelligence of the one applying [it), o r in accordance
with a bodily disposition either congenial or unsuitable to the
practical activity. Whence, many censure their neighbors and scoff
at them since they have not taken part in same activity. For which
very thing it is impossible and inexpedient that all know the same
things, but since each undertakes a peculiar good, it seems best to
consent to, and be mindful of, what he possesses. For many times
someone is found to be a skilled workman, and methodical in the
way in which he att acks his activities, and successful even if he
chances be inexperienced with letters, while one who is well
educated is foun d out to be inexpe rienced in the things that must
be done, being bet rayed by unworldliness and inability to manage,
and in his suffering he supposes the application of education to be
useless and judges the one who is unlearned to be happy. I
These are the workings of fate and fortun e/ which, in their
silent dealings with men, ineffably produce some who are happy,
and some who are possessed by an evil daimon in an irrat io nal and
unsee mly manner. And thus life. as it travels through error and
villainy, enhances and magnifies some Iworkings]. and leads to
prosperity and eminence, and brings it about that many become
fond of such (arts and sciences]. But life aggrieves and destroys and
wastes other Iworkings). and carries them over to oblivion and
da nger and hate; and aher turning some to the arts and sciences
most hateful to them, it unrcpentantly adapted an opinion and
activity and fortune Ito them). And all these are fulfilled and come
about with pleasure and harmo ny and pain, in accordance with the
changing of the seasons and the revolution of the times.
Now. I have written about these matters earlier, and I myself
am exalted with the heavenly theory that has been sprinkled over

I lltis lasl bil of phi losophizing is quile applicable in a variety of ways!

IRHI
1 heimarmene kai lucht.

61
me by the spirit. This theory is now dishonored and banished, eve n
though it was in existence and arranging everything in life previ-
ously, without which nothing either is or will be. But oncc it
possessed a name that was looked upon with envy, when those
before us were proudly confide nt in Ihis and were made blessed (by
it] . I then am making a beginning and happen to be a ardent
emulator of the ancient kings and tyrants who applied themse lves
dilige ntly to these matters, since I did not have the good fort une 10
live in those times, whieh possessed an air that was fi t for free
speech and investigation without jealousy. Fo r in such an [air ] of
desire and virtue they were anxious to walk in heaven when they
abandoned the affairs of earth, when they would share in priestly
knowledge with a soul immortal and divine, just as Nechepso bore
testimony when he said,

"He seemed to me the whole night toward the air

,
And some cry of heaven sounds fo rth to me,
Here a veil lays round the fl esh.
As the black darkness was reaching fort h, etc."

For, who would not judge this study to surpass all and to be the
most blessed, in wh ich the coursings of the Sun , which are orde red
in accordance with the addition and subtraction of numbers, signify
ahead of time changes of the seasons when they make ingresses into
the tropica l zoiliia, risings and settings, days and nights, icy cold and
heat of the hours and seasons, mildness of the atmosphere? And
furthe rmore, it being a study in which it is possible to survey the
irregular courses of the Moon, its approaches and withdrawals,!
increases and decreases, heights and depths, motions of (its] winds,'
applications and separations, eclipses and shadows, and all the

I Conjectured lacuna in tex.\.

1 prosneusis te /wi anachijrisis. In the contex.t of th is paragraph the
approaches and withdrawals would seem to refer to the distanee of the Moon
from the earth.
) Thi s probably refers to the latitudinal variations of the moon as dclim ited
by the nodes and the "bcndings" 90 degrees from them, as it has in other
contexts.

62
remainder? From these the lconditions] upon the earth and sea
and heave n seem to be established, and the beginning and end of
what comes to be. And the passages and inconstant coursings and
diverse phases of the 5 remaining stars, though these stars are
named irregular and wandering, possess a nat ure which is fixed, and
they recur to the same places through orderly revolutions and
periods.
Now the tracking down and straightening out of matt ers is made
weak and worn out by fear; and when the intellect denies (itself]
and is unstable l in calculation, it does not stay in the sa me (regions],
but rather, as soon as it leaps elsewhere, it accepts the first oblivion .
And though someone is of good purpose and fond of what is good ,
he easily becomes alarmed and chooses ignorance rather tha n a
dangerous virtue, but for all that desire holds sway over all ; and
though chastened and in pain, he stays with the same things. But
neither did the diverse coursings of horses and quiek craeks of the
whip excite me,l nor did the rhythmic movemen ts of dancers and
the enchantments of flute s and the Muse and modulated song
deligh t me since it was idle, nor did whatever instructs those who
are listening through tricks or jest; truly I was not concerned with
harmful and be neficial practices which are portioned out with
pleasure and pain, nor did I have loathsome and offen sive (compan·
ions]. However, when I met with the divine and vene rable theory of
the heavens, I wished to purge my character of all evil and all stain
and form a conception in advance of the soul as immortal. And
from this point on, things divine seemed to coll"lerse with me, and
the int ellective part of me gained a sober (manner) of invest igation .
Since, the n, I have arranged together many and asto nishing
things from the ancients. which have the power to persuade those
who read them. repeating that the ancients set forth many teachings
which are hard to solve and enigmatical, in this collect io n I
necessarily had to set at the beginning teachings that were mystical
and ineffable, concerned with both the propitious times and the
future . For, knowledge that comes to light in this manncr is easily
grasped, and knowledge supported by the truth will chase away
hatred ; and though it exhibits much afterthought, sacred and

1 asli rilcJos. Probably also a pun on asler , meaning Slar.

2 anapleroo. Literally, ' 10 raise one 's feathers'.

63
reverend knowledge will be foreshown . And if the knowledge seems
to be often adressed to the same (issues ], it is not d ifferen t; for I
arranged together some things when I was reading my progenitors
with desire and sudden discovery (for lhe compiler is in ecstasy,
especially ooncerning thesc matters, and seems to converse with a
god), but other things I did arrange de liberately, so that if some
indignant person should be outraged when he approaches my
composition, (the same matters] will be also be found composed in
other places.

2, Concerning the Propitious and 1m propitious Times according

to the Partile Interval or the Times, and Application

The division of the times in accordance with a zodiaca l and platic l

outcome-description has been clarified by us in what has come
before; now we must speak about the partilel interval and applica-
tion/ which I also hinted at earlier,4 but experience has led me to
give a further explanation. In the case of every nativity, for those
who ste llarize the time accurately' in a partile manner from the
treatise of the Canon of Eternity,6 it is requisite to take degrees
from each one of the stars up to [a star] one wishes (whether near
or distant), in accordance with the time allowed1 and the sequence
of widia up to the partile meeting with another star. And aft er
recko ning up the multitude of degrees, it is requisite to refer these
degrees to the periodic hours, days, months, and years of each star.'

I plalik,os. Literally, ' pertaining to breadth '.

2 moirik,os. Literally. ' pertaining to degree ',
1 sunaphi. Literally, 'combination', 'junction', 'connection',
4 Presumabl y this refers to the brief discussion of partile releasing in the

midd le of chapte r 6, Book Y, whe re Valens says that there shou ld not only be
a releasing corresponding to the number 12 for the 12 signs, but also for the
numbe r 7 for the 7 planets.
j akribOs asler;santas.

6 ek. lis Ion Aion;on kanonon pragm(}.tei(ls .

7 ton epidechomenon chronon.
I From the upcoming conte xt, these are probably the minor years, months,
etc., of the planets.

64
And it is possible to forctcllth e effects of the stars, in accordance
wi~h the complete time ,l from their own natural act ivity and from
the effect-description of the handings over to each star. If the lo tal
number should be in any way less than the time/ by considering
how much is lacking, it is possible to fo retell that the effect will
come about after just so much time; but if the numbe r should
exceed the time, after we subtract the chief time,' lit is necessary]
to aga in set free the remaining degrees from the degree of releasing
and consider whether some of the stars should no t incline the ir rays
to (t his] degree 4 either in accordance with the nativity o r by ingress.
For in this manner exceptional and great outcomes are accustomed
to come about. For often, if the plat ic division should nOt reveal
anyt hing even sometime after the chief lime, o ncc we refer the left
over time to a lesser numbe r of months and days, lit is nec.:!ssary l
to set free [numbers] which are suitable by revolution up to the
sought time.'

I kala 10fl SlI.flleleiiithento chronol1 . II is not entirely dear what this refers
to. The paniciplc translated here as "completed" is used onl y once more in
Valens in a passage referring to the completion of the mi nor period of a planet.
1 Presumably this refers to the ~eomple te ti me" j ust mentioned.
l tOI1 sunechonta. I'resumably this refers to the block of time specified by
the time-lord method .
• Presumably this is the degree at which the projection of the excess from
the degree of releasing ends.
, I am by no means sure about my translation of the procedure outlined
in this paragraph. There is considerable ambiguity in the
designations ~complete time. w "total number. wand "ch ief time. ~ It seems clear
enough that the degree interval between the releasing planet and any other
planet is (0 be multiplied by the minor period in days (for example)
of the releasing planet. In the appendix material (XIX, p. 432) to Val ens there
is an example to bear this out. It reads as follows.

"As for the panik inH~rval and application. suppose the Moon to be at 2 1
degrees, 30 minutes of Virgo, Kronos al Ihe 41h degree of Libra. 12 In
degrees result. These (ate referredl to the period of the Moon, 25; they make
3 12 112, which we may make days Of months or hours or years. And I say that
the Moon handed over to Kronos after 312 112 days; also, I show fonh the
effects that ma), be discovered from the handing over of Ihe Moon to Kronos .~

What I am not quite sure or is how to compare these limes to the "complete

65
 And also in another manner, when diverse rclcasings lind
cont acts of the bencfics and rnalefics occur, they fo reshow the
outcomes to be dive rse and variable and changeable. For, it is
possible to survey many who during one period attempted many
things when the releasings were in agreement or were collectively
prospering in accordance with the concordance of the sought times.
A few did not entirely have a change of good and bad, but rather
good and bad stayed with them. But some who were d istinguished
or who had advanced to an unsurpassable fo rtune in accordance
with the original foundation [of the nat ivity [ and who we re congrat-
ulated by many, encoun tered death or danger. And others who
came into a difficult situation or missed the mark in life and did no t
have any good expectations, but rather fel t pain to no purpose, ran
again into the same [good [ fortun e and gained a greater prestige.
For the re arc times when some handing over that has se t in will fail,
and though it showed a great threat, it was weakened by the time
in accordance with the concordance of another handing over of a
benefic; and similarly also, there are limes when the [handing over)
of benefics is hindered by another afflicting cause. And the chief
partile numbers,1which themselves endure from the beginning, are
set free when they revolve back to such la place}, to the extent that
the sought time should have room for them. And in lhe case o f the
propitious and yearly relcasings in accordance wit h the concordant
numbers with regard to the same places or stars, the divisions agree
and show beforehand the se nse of the outcomes; but in the case of
(his [handing overj, when at another time ano ther handing over is
commingled in accordance with the succession of the limes, it alters
mailers and establishes lhe causes of good or bad things. One must
in addition, then, usc the numbers wit h discretion , and examine the
pivots and the post-ascensions and the declines, and exam ine
whether the z6idia arc associated with the presence of the stars, and
the risings and settings and sects and the rest, all the things that
have been explained ill the books previo usly composed, not to be
speaking at length Ihere] ; for I have not made my arguments for the
unlearned or the uninit iated. And it is necessary to exam ine the
ingresses at the time; fo r they contribute much to the upsetting and

time."
I hoi men s unechontes moirik.oi arithmoi.

66
setting aright of matt ers, and especially whenever they make
ingresses upon the prosperous places by co-presence o r testimony
o r opposit io n, or whenever they should scrut inize the star having
mastery over the limes.
It is necessary not o nly 10 reckon the degree itsel f at which Ihe
application is established, but also the o ther degrees up to 3 o n
either side, just as was made clear by us in what has prececded. For
the time prefigured from these will be anticipative o r continua tive
of the effect, as also for eclipses it is possible to survey the time of
duration or of clearing up; and it is necessary to exam ine if the star
handing over the time looks upon the one taking over in a fami liar
and prospering manner. Also, the onset of the applica tion shows the
occurrence to be imminent, but it will persist up until the time that
another which begins to be involved breaks down its power. To eaeh
of the stars [the application] distributes a subordinated time. For
example, the Sun divides 19 months by z6idiofl, bu t 19 days by
degree; the monthly cycle is associated with the Moon, and it
naturally divides 2 years, 1 mo nth by z6idion, but 25 days by degree;
Kronos divides 2 years, 6 months by z(J idioll, but 30 days by degree ;
Zeus I year by zoidion, but 12 days by degree; Ares divides IS
months by widion, but IS days by degree; Aphrodite 8 mon ths by
z6idiofl, but 8 days by degree; Hermes 20 mo nths by zlJidion, but 20
days by degree. And in this way the zodiacal ]circle ] is bounded in
accordance with the period and revolution of each star. 1 Whenso-
ever someone sho uld make a releasing from one star to ano ther, let
him describe the numbers according to its own [period]. and one in
relation to the other; for neither the same numbers nor the same
powers occur with the stars handing ove r and the ones taking over.
For example. if someone should fi nd the handing over to be from
Zeus to Ares or from Ares to Zeus, there will not be the same
numbers for the times because of their periods, nor the same
effects. For, Ares handing over the time to Zeus is better than Zeus

I The reasoning in this time· lord method is to equate one complete

re volution around the zodiac to the minor years of the planet. Then each sign
corresponds to the minor period of the planet in months (the minor years
divided by 12 signs per revolution), and each degree corresponds to the minor
period in days (the minor period in months divided by 30 degrees per sign).

67
to Ares. Nevertheless, whensoever the releasing should be described
from all the stars in relat ion 10 each other, it is neccssary to judge
Ihem together, and fo r the effect to foretell whether the [releasings)
of mald ics exceed those of benefics.
However, someone might ask, in the case of twin siblings thcre
will be the same times since the stars fa ll on the same degrees. But
fo r these, though the H6roskopos alone changes, it alte rs the pivots
and t he fortune and state of the offspring, and there are times when
it has brought about the end. For these reasons it is necessary to
reckon the divisions th rougho ut in relat ion both to the p ivot-positio-
ning and the mutual testimonies, even if t hey should chance not to
be upon pi,'Ots in relation to the cosmic [figure I, but [they arc
pivotall in a different man ner, when the degree upon which any
[star] stands should have at that time a star in supe rior posit ion or
testifying in a pivotal interva ll-if, for example, when that [degree )
is marking the hour, the [degree ) of the other ca n be culm inating in
accordance with a difference of the z6idia, or al tema tely in relation
to another pivot ; for in t his manner thc testimo ny will become
suitably ta ut.
Someone might port ray Ihis tcaching as resembling the
testimony with white and black counters; for life and error and
celebration are a game. For, some victory-loving men, when
contriving a wicked trick for each other wh ile moving the counters
across many lines, lay down when they are cha llenged to fight as
champions in some area. And to the extent that the place chances
10 be unguarded, the stone is carried wit ho ut impediment in
accordance with the wishes of the one who ma kes th e move, and it
flees and remains and chases and opposes and conquers and again
yields. But \\nen it is blockaded on all sides in the manner o f a net,
having lines with no outlet, it is destroyed afler being seized. And
in th is manner each pair, pleasure and delight, joke and pain,
overpower in a transitory manner. For he who has suffered Ihat

l That is, If two planets do not have a pivotal interval :wdiacalt y, but th ey
do according Ie mu ndane aspecl. As we saw in V.6 .• lhe me ridian can mark the
Midheaven pivot just as muc h as the tenth ZQidiofl. Th us, a handing over which
for one twin is not pivotal, may become pivotal a shun time late r in accordance
with the diu rnal motion, which would radi cally alter the c haracter of the
corres ponding time.

68
which is painful, by taking on joy through some method, before lo ng
hands over in return the burden of the pain to the one who handed
it over first.
Let it be conceived in the same fas hion in t he case of the power
of the stars. For as lo ng as a be ndic holds sway over the times, with
no malefic being brought in besides, since it happens to be effective
and healthy and provides with ease and hits the mark, it spreads
abroad a report of the subject as fortu nate and confid ent and
intelligent, even if he should be unacquainted with education. O r
also, if he should not be worthy of the happiness that has been
poured over him by the time, though giving himself airs and exulting
in what he possesses and no t considering t he changes of the times.
[it] will send grievous pain to ma ny Isuch pe rsons). But when a
malefic aft erwards controls the time. being impro pitious and subject
to sickness, hard to overcome , fu ll of opposit ions, it is the case t hat
the subject is also proclaimed (even if he is wort hy) to be impotent
and cowardly and knavish in the fa ce of evils. and one who by
himself transforms hopes into rejectio n through the affliction of the
times, one who is drawn in a co ntrary d irection through his
reckoning to establish himself as noble and easily consoled in
relation to the paradoxes of fate. And when the benefics hold sway
over the times while being affl icted, in both ways harm results with
benefit; exposure, destruction, accusations. dangerous fears, cu rable
diseases, with rep utat ion. Whence, those who are subject in this way.
when they have become deeply involved in p leasure and in pain, do
not continue in possession of what is totally foul or totally good.
And it is necessary to compare the powers of the handings over,
to which star may belong the handing over that is mo re suitably
tau I. Fo r if it is a handing over of the malefics, those who art::
begou en , being frustrated in their expectations, cheated by empty
hopes, rece ive grievous pains. But if it is that of benefies. they
survive after delays and afflictions and oppositions and banishments,
escaping injury and ailment s and afflictive o ccasions, and believing
th is itself to be a good advan tage, they submit to retribution of
necessity. Let the entire manner of the handings over be conceived
in accordance with support of the nativity and in accordance with

69
the division of the general times,1just as we have explained in what
has preceded, and examine whether the nativity is one of a notable
[type ), o r middling or raised to a height or being reduced or subject
to legal dispute, etc. For, the stars take on such a power in
accordance with the revolution of the times as the foundation shows
beforehand.
Nevertheless, the distant intervals possess a slower effect-
description , the nearby int ervals onc tha t is brief. But somc
(intervals),! when they are travelling in company with the times/
produce somelhing similar; being prosperous throughout the whole
time in accordance with the handing over of a benefic for a short
time, they exhibited advancement and trust and benefit, and
blessedness and well-doing and ...~ ; but when the interval is greater
and different, with a malefic taking ove r the time instead , it turned
to destruction and dishonor and misfortune, or sudden danger, due
to accusation and jealousy. And sometimes, though it concurred
with somc, if a (benefic) again took over for a long time, it caused
a restoration of fo rtune and reputation .
And it is also necessary to make a judgment about the
meetingsS with the degree of the Horoskopos; for from these
climacteric times arc taken, as well as times subject to sickness and
injury, and dange rous times. And in a different manner, healthy
timcs are taken, as well as delightful and lovely times, and times
consistent with one's wishes-in accordance with the presence of
benefics and malcfi cs; for thus, when the soul is undisturbed and
strong, it seems to be prudent and perform its duties, and it
st retches out to many things and establishes itself as beneficent, and

t Which di visions arc these? We do not know what system of time-lords

or whatever is being referred to here .

2 This is a feminine participle agreeing with an implicit feminine noun. The
word ' intervals' in the prev ious sentence is the most likely antecedent.
J Presumably this means the ge neral tim es as mentioned in the previous
paragra ph since this paragraph begins with the word 'nevertheless', and Valens
has not ye t elaborated on the judgment of the handings over in relation to the
general ti mes.
4 Short lacuna here.

S katantiJiJ. Th is word ge nerally refers to encounters that ha ppen by the

direction of a planet 10 another degree, in this case the Ascendant.

70
il is applauded and blessed, and the body is also soothed. And from
these things I suppose that those who are occasionally false are both
good and knavish men, the judgment of which thc na tural laslfolo-
ger) obscrvcHarcfully fro m the bcginning. But whcncver [t hc soul]
is afflictcd, si nce it is beguilcd, it becomcs unintelligent; for if it is
also apprehended as bcing much hated , villainous and knavish and
mad, even though intcnding the opposite, as cont riving by itself
something dangerous, and thus weighed down, not submiting to a
vital time which is opposite to the end, be ing held in contempt fo r
the distress, it separates from the body, and travelling in company
with the necessita ting daimon, it is carried wherever that daimon
wishes.

3. The Reason Why the Ancient s Typified the 5 Planets a nd the

Sun and Moon with Such Colors

One must exami ne of what sort of color the stars chance to be. For
in the very same fa shion that in the case o f the colors of painting'
each happens to be very norid or very tran slucent according to the
nature it possesses in itself, and delights those who are seeing and
becomes useful for many things, but when another color should be
kneaded together [with iI], it alters by becoming tu rbid , a nd it is
neither what it was by nature nor does it preserve the form of the
one being mixed in, but it is falsified on bo th sides, assuming a colo r
that is plastered ove r and constrained, obscured and unpleasing,
though there are times when this accomplishes a blend which is
harmonious, a mixture and beauty that is fo rtunate (but, for all that ,
the craftsman fa shio ns a man with many and diverse (colors),
showing a shadow of deed and truth)-so also the stars at times
maintain their origin al nature when they are alone; but when one
is commingled with another, it will also fuse the properly of its
nature together (with it] . And bridling a man in this manner. they
lead [him ) to the troublesome businessl of life wit h pain and
fouln ess and a ce rta in commixture, in which, after struggling
through in va rious ways and receiving the garland of se lf-co ntrol. the

I zOgraphiios.
~ pragma.

71
very thing that he was not, this he becomes.
Whence the ancien ts appropriately likened the stars to colors.
{They made I the star of Kronos dark since it is a sign of time (for
the god is slow); hence the Babylonians also named it Phainlm since
all things become manifest in time: IThey madel the star of Zeus
bright; for, it is a bestower of life and good things. The star of Ares,
tawny-orange, for the god is fiery and sharp and effective; the
Egyptians also named it Ani since he is the depriver of good things
and of life. The Sun , most transparent, through the pure and eternal
light in him. Aphrodite, multi-colored in body since she has sway
over desire (wh ich is st retched out to many good and foul things),
and she alone seems to have authority over many things fulfilled in
life, both <,.ppropriate and unsuitable, since she is allotted the circle
after the middle defining zone of the Sun, and taking up the
effl uents of the stars above her and under her, she brings the
diverse desires and activities to completion. And they made the star
of Hermes pale-yellow resembling bile (for it has mastery over
speech and bitterness); whence also those born under il chance to
be similar in nature and in color. The Moon, airy; for her oourse is
unstable and irregular, and sim ilarly the actions and cogitations
subject to her. And in order that we should not seem to repeat ,
their natures are set forth in the first book.

4. Why the Malefics Seem To Be More Active than the Benefics

The malcfics seem to have more stre ngth than the beneHes. Fo r
indeed, when a drop of what is black and dirty has spread out into
a bright essence of a color, it dims the beauty of the form; but the
translucent in small quantity is too slack to cover over any staining.
In the same fash ion also in the case of malefics, since, in those
things in which some seem to be fortunate-in race, life , body,
reputation, beauty of fo rm, or in the remaining matters in which
therc is a lack-lhc)' cause disgrace, and by depriving them of their
acqu isit ions, involving nativities in accusations or injuries and
ailmen ts, they stain them . Good men, then, believing everyone to be

1 I think this is thi: first instance in which we halle seen Kronos gillen a
special rulership oller time .

72
of the same mind as they are, behaving in a simple manner, trusting
and showing kindness, are easily overcome; if indeed they sho uld
no t be so, they arc for all that still celebrated fo r their goodness.
But fo ul men, likewise supposing everyone to be such, trust neither
their own [relativesJ no r those whom they ought, but rathe r arc
greedy in an irrational manne r, and when they arc deprived of
things, they still bring much pleasure to an end. For [Fortune}
watches some men closely, even aga inst their will, up to the point
at which it desires to tum them upside down, some to a height,
others to the worst. So, for example, many who vainly pray to live,
yielding to the evils, aggrieved at the circumstances, blame death for
being slow and con trive some thing for themselves or submit to a
violent end ; and by nature all mockers and fault -find ers quietly fall
in with each o lher, and most surely those who take delight in evil
and in the accusations of one's fellows, and even though they repent
in what they have done, they are established as advocates of the
fa ults.
Now, just as the preconccptions l on account of which one may
make decisions display a false nolion of truth, not only to those who
themselves have con fidence (in them). but also to many (others
who) , even if they wo uld wish to do other (things) , arc led by the
error--in the same fa shion also in the case of the framing in the
construction of the canons, some canons thaI arc handy a nd
anraet ive, to which the unlearned are drawn, are accepted as the
truth, bUI those that are natura l and accurate arc dismissed and
judged unfavorably through envy o r the ind irectness of the method.
Whence it is requisite for those who lest the accuracy to heed the
natural theory eveDfor that which is near. For indeed, Apollinarios,
as he is treating of the phenomena in accordance with the ancient
observations and demonstrations of diverse recurrences and spheres,
and when he concludes his introduction with the censure of many
things, agrees Ihat (they) are useless to within o ne o r two degrees.
And the (fault] of miscalculation is easily understood in th is manner,
and accordingly I myself have tried to place the degree of the star
accurately from the vcry effects that have taken place earlier in

I p,.Qlepsis.

73
accordance with their natural activity, as the ancient one also said.'
And as the narrative proceeds, all the matters (set] under your eyes
themselves will make what is said clear to you. Whenever then the
degree should be found, the showing fo rth of the fu ture is secure.
For, the degree is hard to lay hold of, but it is no t unattainable.

5. Concerning Ingresses

Ingresses of the stars, then, will be judged to be sufficiently taut

whenever they should ingress upon the [prosperingj2 places wh ile
they are masters of the times; or also whenever rthey are]] squares
or diameters of these [masters]: in which very manner each of the
stars also has sufficient tautness to preserve or destroy when making
its ingress upon those stars that have obtained the sove reignty or
leade rship at the hour allotted. Also, no [ingressing] star can
prevent the threat of this {time-lord] or its good service, even if the
ingressing star should happen to be much stronger for family, life,
or reputation, but it yields to the laws of the life-

I It would seem that given the approximate nature of planetary and other

tables used by astrologer, Valens felt it necessary to correct the results of the
calculations from such tables by " rectifying" in a manner similar to that which
later and modem astrologers have used to correct approximate birthti mes. Thus
it may be that charts came into existence in which the planetary positions,
having been " rectified" in this manner, would not be consistent with either
ancient or modem planetary tables. This is another issue with which those who
would deal wilh the zodiac and ayanamsa issue of ancient times have to to deal.
IRHI
2 We are supplying this word to be consistent with the passage at the end
of the second paragraph of section 2.
J Following Kroll's has emendation of epi to eisi .
• If the emendations suggested in the first two notes are correct, then the
noun im plied by toulon here could not be places (for what need would there be
to speak of squares and diameters to the prospering places), so the only other
candidate is the masters of the times. Also note that only square and diame trical
aspects arc mentioned here; we would expect co-presence to be added in
consistency with the passage in the second paragraph of section 2.

74
period unt il the [time-lord I lays aside th e sovereignty.' Whe n the
(time-Iordj co mpletes its time, handing over the leadership to
another, it reverts to being slack in relatio n to good or bad. The ef·
(ect-descriptions of the handings over, the n, and testimo nies and
co-presences that are comm ingled with each other, have bee n
explained by us in what has preceded, of which we must make
further usc, with each Slar, when it is active in accordance with its
own nature and in accordance with the applicable time, showing the
species of the effcct. 2

I This is a completely unambi guous statement proving what we have

already seen. For Valens and his contemporaries transit (ingresses) are less
potent than time-lords and cannot aller their basic effects. If this can be shown
to hold up in practice, then we ha ve a major change in thc modem nOlion ofth e
strength of transits. (Rill
1 As the texIS stand. there is a fair amount of inconsistency in Valens'
various statements about ingresses. The second to the last paragraph of Book
IV, sect ion II says "for when the stars at that time make natal ingresses to the
ones handing or taking over, or onto the pivots." Here Valens seems to bring
in transits to the pivo ts. However, we could bring this into line with the present
passage if we read this as "or onto fheir pivots." The passage in the second
paragraph of section 2 reads "and iI is necessary to examine the ingresses althe
time; for they contribute much to the upsetting and setting aright of matters, and
especially whenever they make ingresses upon the prosperous places by
co-presence or testimony or opposition, or whenever they should scrutinize the
Slar having mastery over the times." II docs not make sense to talk about
ingresses by aspeCI to the prospering places beeause that would include all the
places. However, if this passage read "and especially whenever they make
ingfesses upon the prospering places, or whenever they should scrutinize the star
having mastery over the times by co-presence or testimony or opposition," we
would again be in agreement with the prescnt passage. This seems to be a very
possible scribal crror.
In general, the interpretation that makes best sense overall is thai the
lime-lords themselves become more "taut" when they make ingresses into the
prospering places (Ihe angles and the succedent places excluding the 8th, wilh
some disagreement about allowing the second and rejecting the ninth), but other
planets become taut when they make ingresses into the places or the lime-lords
bodily or by aspccl-olherwise these ingressing or transiting planets are
powerless.

75
6. Concerning tbe Division of I'ropitious and Impropitious Times
with regard to 10 Years a nd 9 Months '

Indeed, this division, which was tossed aside in a stupid and careless
manner for having murky procedures,l I appended after having
tested it and thought it out and gathered it together, in order that
those fond of elegance, when they comc down to onc sense of an
outcome through many {routesJ, may wo rship this nature, though
they may reckon on arriving at a single land through many straight
and impassable paths.}
Let my account, then, be to ta ke Sun for the releaser in the
case of diurnal nativities if it is well situated, but for nocturnal
nativities the Moon, since (as has been described by us above in the
(section on] governership)4 it is requisite to determ ine that each
releaser o f the diurnal and nocturnal nativities is well situated. But
if both the lights should fall amiss, the first star found after the
Horoskopos will divide the times, and the second one lying after it,
and the remainder in order.
For the purpose of ill ustrating the to year, 9 mont h division, let
the Sun be the releaser. It takes 10 years, 9 months, and the star
lying next after it in the nativity takes to years, 9 months in
accordance with the ci rcle of the zodiac, and as long as the number
of years should allow of giving yearly times.
In addition to these [times], it is requisite to take up the
periodic (times] of each star-the hourly, daily, monthly
[t imesJ-along with the yearly times and bring into combination the
general master of the times and the maste r of the monthly times
and that of the daily and hourly times, and (it is requisite to
examine J how much the cycles were, and what star accepts the cycle
and the week from what star. For in this manner, as the times are
revolving, they also encounter the same stars, though not from the

I This is the method later and somewhat misleadingl y called decennials in

the Medieval Latin tradition.

l eisodos. This more properly means 'entrance ' and may refer to the fac t
that Valens disproved of how some always used the Sun by day and the Moon
by night as their starting point. Sec next paragraph.
J , am not entirely confident of my translation in this paragraph.
• Sec Book III, chapter I.

76
same weeks nor from the same cycles; but when one star harmo·
nizes with another cycle in accordance with the successio n of time ,
it alters the powers of the stars, and the same star becomes at one
time a cause of good but at another time foul , in acco rdance with
the activity and situation (familiar or the opposite) of the star
handing over and the onc taking over. And it is necessary to look
at the present and future times and to make an examinat io n: should
they make way for benefies, forete ll that which is good even if the
malefic should st ill be in possession for a very sho rt time; for, the
power of the malefic is wo rn out by the be neficence of the star
taking over, which prepares beforehand diverse resources, fr iend-
ships, sympathies, alliances, prosperity, reputation , be nefits,
consummations of wha t is o n one's mind ; and at times, the n, it also
worked a sullied good fo rtune with mysterious or forbidde n or
deceitful act ions, as in being del ighted at having children (or
moderately so), with whom [the natives] first were burdened, and to
have a change of mind that it was useless when the chi ldren were
lost in an impropitious time. And similarly also, whenever the times
of benefies should make way for malcfics, [the nat ives ] arc taken
beforehand I into enmity and dishonor and betrayal and loss and
danger, and into sudden and unexpected charges and destruction;
whence many repent if they do not take reta liatory measures against
their enemies before hand, but also va inly keep their trust and
sympathy, and not prevailing over those whom they wish, they suffe r
pain at the goods of others, and though they are unwill ing they arc
are subordinated.

I Reading profambano for pros/ambono.

77
 Let there be a na tivity fo r us as an illustration in order that we
may mo re concisely exh ibit the method. I The Moon in the 18th
degree o f Pisces; Aphroditc in Aries; Zeus in Libra; Kronas, the
HoroskofJOs in Sagittarius; Ares at the beginning [degrees I of
Aquarius;l the Sun in Aquarius; Hermes in Pisces. For they we re
orde red in this manner. W e seek 52 years and the 15th of Pauni of
the 53 rd year. Since then the days and the cycles have their
treatmen t in relation to 360 daysl in the case o f this division, wh ile
the yea rs from the birthday are in relat ion to 365 1/ 4 days, ft ook days
of the 52 whole years at 5 1/ 4 apiece; they become 273. And from Ihe
12th of Mechir up to the 15th
of Pauni 124 days come
about. Togethe r they bcome
397. I subtractcd the 360 day
cyclc; 37 days remain . It
being a nocturnal nativity,
then, the Moon was judged to
I n be the re lease r of the general

I times, s in ce i t w as
subte rraneous in a feminine

~
z6idiQn, lying familiarly in the
trigon of a sect-mate . Of the
forelying yea rs, then, she first
look 10 years, 9 months; then
Aph rodite in Aries took 10
years, 9 months; then next in
order Zeus in Libra 10 years, 9 months; then next Kronos in
Sagittarius 10 years, 9 months; the 4 cycles come to 43 ycars. After
these Ares follows next; the cycle of this one is 10 years, 9 months
to the filling up of 53 years 9 months.
Since th en the yearly time exceeds the time wh ich is lying above
and being sought, f wen t down to the month ly time . Then I gave to

I This is No. L 132 in Greek. I/oroscopes. p. 124. dated to about 2 A.M.

on Feb. 7. 132 C.E.
l Emending the text so that the zodiacal order or the planets gives Arcs
first , then the Sun, as is the cllse wi th the exposition of the example.
J Notice tllat Valens uses a 360 day year in this division. as he did in the
case of zodiacal releasing in Book IV.

78
Ares himself, the lo rd of thc cycle, 15 mo nths, adding to the numbe r
of years totalled with the number 43 after the fourth cycle; and they
came to 44 yea rs, 3 months. Then I gave to the Sun I yea r, 7
months; then to Hermes 20 months; then to the Moon 25 mo nths;
then to Aphrodite 8 months; then to Zeus 12 months. And thcy
come to 51 years, 3 months. Next Kronos takes 30 months (or the
filling up o f the cycle belonging to Arcs, up to 53 years a nd 9
months.
Since then this time exceeds the fore lying lime, I resolved it
into days in the following manner. Up to Zeus 5 1 yea rs, 3 months
were totalled . I took the remaining 270 days of the 52nd yea r and
thc 360 days of the 53rd year and 37 days of the 54t h year, and
togcther they come to 667 days, of Kronos while taking ovcr from
Arcs. From these, he handed over to himself and to those lying in
order a first cycle of 129 days, then he yields a 2nd cycle of 129 days
to Arcs (and it distributes to each its own days), and the Sun
rece ives the 3rd cycle from Kronos (and it distributes 129 days),
Hermes the 4th , the Moon the 5th (and she distributes 129 days).
22 days of the 6th cycle are left over, wh ich is the cycle of Aphro-
dite; she distributes to herself 8 days, then 12 dnys to Zeus. The
remaining 2 days come to the sought day, which arc the first days
of Kronos. Arcs bccame the general timc-Iord of the years, :aking
ove r from the Moon; Kronos became the monthly time- lord taking
over from Arcs; and Aphrodite the time-lord of the days, taking
over from Kronos.
In the 52nd year, then, the death of the wife was full of pain,
and dange rous diseases and losses pursued him. In the forcJying
days, the nativity had a judgment passed on it, having a lawsu it on
account of a woman; and it was oppressed by matters pertaining to
legacies and old business in relation to women, and by superiors.
AJso, it was in danger of being in some want,1 and it suffered such
pain from relatives and strangers as will happen in rejection, and
was entangled in other affairs, dangers and punishments. For,
Kronos still had sway over the time, marking the hour while out of
sect and in superior position over the Moon , the releaser, and ove r
Hermes; whence also, very many forgeries and falsehoods andcrrors
attended him, and very many expcditions and dangerous diseases.

1 mikrou dein .

79
 Concerning the subord ina te divisions of the fo rclying teaching.
The 3rd further division comes about in the fo llowing manne r.
Kronos has mastery over 2 years and 6 mon ths; he gives over to
himself 6 months, 29 days, 7 1/ , hours; to Zeus 2 mont hs, 23 days,
17 1/J hours; to Ares 3 months, 14 days, 1511tzl & 1/6 hou rs; to the Sun
4 months, 12 days, 13 [1/,( & II, hours; to Aphrodite I month, 25
days, 19 1/2 hours; to Hermes 4 months, 19 days, 12112 & '/6 hours; to
the Moon 5 months, 24 days, 10 hours. And in this manne r the 2
years, 6 months of Kronos are fille d.
Zeus has a year. He hands over to himself I month, 3 days,
lli ltz & I/.( hours; to Ares, 1 month, 11 days, 20I l/J) hours; to the
Sun 1 month, 23 days, 'I: hour; to a Aphrodite 22 days, 7'12 & '/J
hours; to Hermes I month, 25 days, 19 1h hours; to the Moon 12
months, 9 days, 181/J hours; to Kronos 2 months, 23 days, 17 1/ 4
hours.
Ares has 1 year, 3 months. He hands over to himse lf 1 month ,
3 days, 22 days, 72/J hours; to the Sun 2 months, 6 days, 6111 hours;
10 Aphrodite 27 days, 21 112 & I/J hours; to Hermes 2 mo nths, 9 days,
18 I/J hours; to the Moon 12 monthsJ 27 days, 5 hou rs; to Kronos 3
months, 14 days, 15(2/3) hours; 10 Zeus I mo nth , II days, 20[ z/J]
hours.
The Sun has 1 yea r, 7 months. He hands ovcr 10 himself 2
months, 23 days, 22['/2\ & 'I, hours; 10 Aphrodite 1 month , 5 days,
81h hours; to Hermes 2 monlhs, 28 days, 8(2/3J & II, hours; to the
Moon 3 months, 20 days, 11 1/, hours; to Kronos 4 months, 12 days,
13 l b hours; to Zeus 1 month, 23 days, (8(l/z hours; to Arcs 2
months. 6 days, 62/J hours.
Aphrodite has mastery over 8 months. From thesc she hands
over to herself 14 days, 121 115) hours; to Hermes 1 mo nth,7 days,
41/, hours; to the Moon 1 month, 16 days, 121/ , hours; to Kronos I
month, 25 days, 19['h ) ho urs; to Zeus 22 days, (7'12 ] & ii, hours; to
Ares 27 days, 21 (112] & i/. hours; to the Sun I month,5 days, 8['/3)
hours.
Hermes has I year, 8 months. From these he hands over to
himself 3 months, 3 days, [91 1tz hours; to the Moon 3 mo nths, 26
days, 6['12] & ',. hours; to Kronos 4 months, 19 days, 12(1/2) & i/.
hours; to Zeus 1 month, 25 days, 19['121 hours; to Arcs 2 months, 9
days, 18'/. & [1/.1 hours; to the Sun 2 months, 28 days, 8[2/J & i/.
hours; to Aphrodite I month, 7 days, 5 hours.
The Moon has mastery over 2 years, I mon th. From these she

80
distributes to herself 4 months, 25 days, 811/J1hours; to Kronos 5
mOnl hs, 24 days, 10 hours; to Zeus 12 months], 9 days, 18(1/. & 1/6)
hours; to Arcs 2 months, 27 days, 5 hours; to the Sun 3 months, 20
days, 11(1'61 hours; to Aphrodite I month, 16 days, 121/4 hours; to
Hermes 3 months, 26 days, 61 1h ] & 1/4 hours.

7. To uam to Which Star the Currenl Years Belong in tbe

Fo~going Teaching

Should we wish to know in another manner to which star the

curren t years belong, we will do as follows. Multiplying the current
years into 365 1/4, and adding together the days fro m the birthday to
the day sought and summing them up, we subtr;Jct as many cycles
as we can at 129 days per cycle, and we examine how may cycles
have been made, from which we aga in project the weekly cycles.
And the cycle left over within a period of seven [1 29 year intervalsr
will make clea r ahead of time to which star the days belong.
As in the case of the forelying theme, multiplying the full 52
years into 365 1/., 18993 days are made. And from the 12th of
Mechir up to the sought day of the 15th of Pauni there are 123
days. Together they become 19 116 days, from which I subtracted
cycles at 129 days per cycle. 148 cycles are made, and there are 24
days remain ing of the 149th cycle. Again , from these we subtract 21
periods of seve n (1 29 year intelValsj (that is, from the 149). There
are 2 cycles rema ining. Since then, just as above, the Moon was
found to be the releaser, I again gave the 1st of these cycles of
seven to the Moon herself as the first. Aphrodite after her had the
2nd cycle, possessing 24 days, from which she gives 8 days to herself,
then 12 days to Zeus; the 4 remaining days IcCt over are o f Kronos,
in which (the native) was condemned.2

1 Irebdomas. Generally, Ihis word refers to a period of seven days (that is.

a week) or seven years. Here. however, it is clear that it refers to a period of

seven 129 year intervals.
1 This paragraph details a procedure for directly establishing time-lords on
the basis of 129 days instead of 129 months; Ihis is wh y the total number of
days from the nativity is di vided by 129, establishing the numbe r of 129 day
cycles. Out since seven of these cycles takes us back to the

81
 Or aga in , one must try se tting free c.:ycles of seven from the
release r after referring them to 49 year-like ' cycles of 11 29 daysj at
one interval per cycle, and at whatever star it leaves o ff, that will
rule ove r the time of 52 years and the first of the cycles of seven;
then you will hand over the cycles to the othe rs in order. As in the
case of the forely ing theme, since 149 cycles were found, 1 subtract
3 cycles of 49; 2 cycles of the 4th 49 cycle remain left over. I
subtracted the 4 [starting) from the Moon and I Jeave off at Kronos,
so that Kronos rules over the 4th cycle of 49. And after distribut ing
the first cycle of seven to himse lf, he handed over the 2nd to Ares
after him, having 24 days, from which he distributed 15 days to
himself. And the remaining 9 days arc the Sun 's.l

releaser. we can quickly determine the commencement of a new round of seven

129 day cycles by dividing the total number of such cycles si nce the nati vi ty by
seven. The remainder of this division is then altoted to the
planets in zodiacal ordcr from thc releaser, giving each its minor pcriod in days,
in compkte analogy to the method of subdi viding the 129 month period. Of
course, these ti me·lords will in ge neral be different from those obtained by
subdividing 129 months.
1 4geleriJ. This word would mean a49 year interval, which makes no sense

in the present context. It is no more a year interval than the

~se\'e nsw are week inten 'als. Perhaps this is a scribal error resulting from
reading the written form (possibly abbreviated) of the number 49, suggested by
a misunderstanding of the wsevensw as weeks.
2 This proccdure is a hierarchical version of the o ne above, employing
seven c)'cles of seven cycles (or 49 cycles) of 129 days. It thus turns on
"weeks" of "weeks" of 129 days. Each of the 49 cycles of 129 days is itself
assigned a time-lord commencing from the releaser. The remainder of the
division by 49 cycles is then evidently disuibUied from the lord of the current
cycle of 49 129 day intervals according to cycles of 7 129 day intervals.
However, in the example, since only 2 cycles of 129 days remain.
we would still be in the fi rst cycle of "sevens." which according to the usual
rationale should be distributed first to the lord of the 49's (Kronos) and not yct
handed over to Ares.

82
That some do not perform the releasing in the fo relying leaching
as it sho uld be done .l

Nevertheless, most distribute the times for every nativity in accor·

dance with the seven·zoned sphere, start ing from Kronos; t hen to
Zeus, then to Ares, then to the Sun, after which to Aphrodite, t hen
to Hermes, and nelet to the Moon. And they examine in a simila r
fashion the planet that has mastery over the cycle of seven and over
the days in accordance with the revolution of the times. But such an
approach docs not satisfy me since the same time·lords will be
found fo r a large number of nativit ies. Rather, as laid down before,
the releaser will be judged from the Sun and the Moon, or the star
found after the H6roskopos, and in order accordingly as they cha nce
to be situated zodiacally and to the degree in the nativity.

8. Concerning Length of Life f.-om th e Rule of the Whole Moon

and HiJroskopos

Since I possessed a (m ethodJ of fin ding the things sought that was
easy through continuous practice and through the resources o f a
diverse teaching, while judgme nt and clear cross·examinatio n
required time, and the time remaining 10 me was short (for the life
of man is no lo nger than a po int even if something should seem to
be very overdue), as a fat her near the end of his life, weighed down
by disease, leaves behind a concise behest to his children before
preceding them to the silencing [of deathj. so also I myself, aft er
re neclion, have noted down with all diligence the summaries of
theories that have befallen me, making the present of a beginning
o f a method to those who are fond of elaboratio n. And if the mind
were long· lived or immo rtal, judgment would be incontrovertible
and uniform ; but gods equalize everything. Since, then, the most
essential heading is that o f length of life, this has been collected
together in a d iverse ma nne r in what has preceded. And in coming
into collisio n with one who makes boasts concerning another
teaching, I have found after much e rror that the division is diversi·
fi ed with many methodical numbers, which I myself knew quite

, This incomplete sentence was imbedded in the text. We are treating as

a title.

83
clearly befOle, but which I will now also explain through a love of
compe titio n. Fo r when evcry tcaching is compared with anothc r and
receives a cross-examinat io n, it shows itself to be nat ural and
accurate.
Let my account, then, be in relation to the light-bea ring Moon
and the Horoskopos; for when these mix with themselves in
accordance with the timelyl mo tions, they make the releasing in
relatio n to their occasiona l Slates· and their natural
[degree-positioning l, and they show the beginning and the e nd ; fo r
they have been allottcd conception and birth in a mystical manner,
and ne ither Ares nor Kro nos will be judged to be destroyers, no r
the beneficsbenefactors. However, whenever the Moon should be
found as rekaser, it is requisite to watch carefully the contacts and
hexago nal and square and diametrical sides in rela tio n to the
H6roskopos, especially in the zoidia of equal rising or equal
ascension or equal power (those z6idia ~hat hear and see [one
anot her]), or in antiscial) degrees; and similarly, even if the
Horoskopos IS the releaser, it is likewise requisite to examine the
intervals to the Moon in accorda nce with ascension .
And by experie nce it seemed better to me to j udge degrees to
be falal, and the testimon ies of the Horoskopos and the Moon to
e ach other and the square and diameters of these to be sovereign ;
for in their pivot-positioning these possess no o rdinary [powe r) . And
since much error is also included each time concern ing the re leasing
and destructive places, and since some also provide for themselves
limpasses)' to the theory (because when a cross-examination of a
truth is not present, it accomplishes censure and d issuasion), when
I have found out an error, I hold it to be necessary to explain it. For
whc never the releasings should be fo und to be in disagreement with
an apparcnt destruction, it is necessary to examine both the
numbers, and to conduct this [de te rmination) of length of lifc by

1 hdria;. This is also Ihe word for the seasonal hours based on a division
of day or nigll into 12 cqual parts. II is oot clear whether it is used in this
technical senst hcre. Thc word gcnerally means ' al the proper timc ' .
1 pros tas ep;k.a;raus staseis.
J antiskiois moira;' Literally, degrees ' throwing a shadow the opposite
way' .
• Following Pingree 's conjectural restoration of this passagc.

84
ascension, if indeed it should not exceed the greatest time by much;
for (nat ives) rarely live to a full life spa n. Or also in another way,
whenever an interval of releasing was found to be much, with the
Moon and the Horoskopos being in the samc zoidion, or if it should
not happen by some other releasing, it is necessary to nnd the
interval in zoidia of long-ascension, so as to draw the places of
releasing closer together, when we have counted out the times by
ascension and ta ken half of them to lead to the (determination) of
the vital lime. And it is necessary to exam inc the releasing not only
for the grea test interval or the ztidia of long ascension, but also for
the least interval and when the re leasings are additionally united in
relation to z6idia of short ascension. And for the purpose of judging
the releasing of the times, when the partile phases of the Moon arc
calculated for eaeh widioll in relation to the releasings, and when
they fit together with the time -description of the interval. they
fores how destruction, and especially those from the Moon. For
when this releasing itself occurs, it will be destroyed by itself; and
they arc the phases of conjunction or whole moon and those of the
two half-moons, the Moon being active when it is first carried to the
Descendant .
Whence, one must not suppose that we have made this
co mposition in a manifold and diverse manner; for I am content to
have indicated beforehand every position of a quest ion. And it is
also possible fo r those who in time read the teaching to be prepared
bdore band and for those who have been escorted past much to
return to the natural and strict path. For I said in what has
preceded th at I have explained what was composed by the ancients
in an obscure manner, and what seemed to be so as it seemed to
some (in order that I will not seem uninit iated in the study). and
what I myself have composed through my own discoveries; those
trusting in these things will gain a procedure that does not stand in
need of correction.
And one must observe carefully to what stars the places that
pertain to releasing and destruction in the zoidia and the bounds
belong; for from these the causes and deaths are apprehended in
accordance with their natural activity. It is requisite, then, to
e~m ine what star is affl icted or helped by what other star, and what
star chances to be sympathetic or alie n, and in such a manner that
their figure-descriptions in relation to each other happen to be in

85
accordance with the nat ivity and ingress and the tllkings over o f the
times.
Also, our previous account has cla rified much about zod iacal
and part ile hour-markers and prospering degrees that fi ts in with
the manifold and diverse account of the length of life, eve n if they
are not grasped in the same approximate manner in accordance with
the same degrees and the same z6idia (which is rare and considercd
untrustworthy by many), but rather everything possible and attain-
able and reverend and true fall s to the cosmic revolution, and
advances to such through myriad and diverse teachings, in as much
as one who seeks may find not through error l but thro ugh natural
workmanship. For also, the cosmos itself happens to be non-wander-
ing, and the good and reverend matters it possesses are shown
plainly to all without prejudice by day and by night; and they arc
not grasped1 by being looked at ,l but they arc recognized with
intelligent Ihoughe as each understands'. And since what is visible
and comes to be and can be said is also something graspable from
Ihis, I also rece ived notice of what they might be and whence and
how, as I myself was being escorted; fo r, others have given inexperi-
enced accounts of such things. At any rate, I wrote my composition
by making judgments o n what has been found and tested by the
careful observations of times, and as I was becoming an initiate,
though I may seem to have set a beginning for a child in the
writings, I am transformed, and working with pleasure, I do not
intermit ; for the workmanship of the cosmic (revolut ionsl guides me,
also the finding out of what is sought when il is interwoven with
new theories.

10. The Finding of the Moon and H liros/u)pos of Conception

For every nativity, the Moon is calculated by longitude and latitude,6

and w e examine at what sort of [place] the latitude of the Moon

I dia planon. The word pla ne means both ' wandering' and ·error'.

l lwtalambano. Literally, ' take down'.

J blepo.
4 nO€o.

S hllpolambano. Literally, 'take from under'.

6 meu i hli plalei.

86
fa lls out; and wherever we should find it , there it will have the
Moon of conception. Fo r in the case of every nativity the latitude
of Ithe Moon of} the birth falls out at the same degree which it had
at the conception; for , it is no t possible, when the lime is fulfilled ,
fo r the Moon to overstep its own mark. I
For, retrace the days, and standing the Moon on the degree, see
on what Iday) the prenatal conjunction occurred, and add the days
from it; and you will know at what day and hour it was conceived,
and whether the ch ild was born at 8 or 10 months. For if the Sun
of conception, for instance , should be in Aries, with the Moon being
carried from conjunction as far as 120 degrees, (the native) will have
a perfect concept ion of 270 degrees (for it is not possible to
overstep 120 degrees because in the same [degrees] the perfect
H6roskopos is fulfilled), and he is born in the 10th month. If the n
it should overstep the 120 degrees, always add the days in the 9t h
month , and by summing up you will know in how many days he was
conceived.
Always, then, afte r hunting for the degree of the latitude, see
after how many days and hours the Moon possesses the same mark,
tha t is, just as when a wheel was spinning, it came to a stop when
it came to its own occu pancy.2
I have not, then, composed these things poetically as some
would perform an attractive lecture, beguiling the listeners with the
composition of speeches o r with the harmony of meter, bringing to
bear fabulous and mock obscure utterance. But I have wriHen after
having made tests, without the use of of fi ne speech, and toiling and
experiencing much while being an eyewitness of things. For,
experiencing is better and truer than hearing; that is, Ihe listene r has
an acquaintance that is hard to trust and doubtful, while the one
with expe rience, having been presen t at many (events] , may confirm
the experience through his remembrance. However, some who are
naturally slanderous and contentious and contrary are easily caught
and visited with revenge. Nature is not able to be trained, but after
havi ng been compelled with shame and pain, it may be tamed,
though it protests when it is being cross-examined and becomes
more daring when it is provoked. And especially in the case o f the

I skopos.
1 The significance of this passage on the Moon's latitude is not clear.

87
young, it is possible to see how they belicvc the doings of anothe r
and givt. 0vcr the authority of bad and good to him , and if they arc
inclined to consent, they are forced to take the lead and react and
be emboldened in evel)'thing, and beroming est ranged from fri ends
and family , they are pleased with enemies, and if they beat the odds,
t hey despise evel)'thing, taking delight in the evils o f others as
tho ugh donning this dangerous affliction themselves and taki ng
pride in it through the enemics. lllose who suffer to no end
experience the opposite , and not honoring the gods, they do not
fea r death, bul they are guided by a daimon; for such, the end is
sudden and fu ll of danger, and life is easily broken. It is beller,
then, thai as best as they can men willingly lay aside from the soul
a neck held high and not be over-ronfident, and that they give
thcmselves entirely up to their reasoning power as they are divesting
themselves of (their prideJ; for no one is free, and all are slaves o f
fat c, and if they become acolytes to it, they will live their lives on
the whole without disturbance and pain, having trained the soul to
bc of good courage. But should one who does not accept a truthful
purpose assign the authority for the things that are done to himself,
being confuted by inability and becoming ridiculous for no reason,
he will imitate the tragedian Euripidcs, saying,

Guidc me, Oh Zeus, and you arc Dest iny,

Withersoever I am appointed by you,
As I will seethe should I hesitate; eve n if I should not wish,
If I become wicked, I will suffer this itself.

However, Nemesis, who guides with bit and bridle, is set over every
kind of rational art or irrat ional pursuit, and over any o ther cause
whateve r, holding back its arm accord ing to the mythical account ,
presenting the appearance of doing nothing beyond what is due; and
it possesses a bridle ring lying under the ankle, indicating that what
is said is inconstant and unstable, since indeed the bridle ring has
no support in its revolutions. In the same fashion also, those who
censure and boast, who possess an intellect subject to relapse and
obst inate reasoning, when they encounter the same experiences, go
through life in a sweat , unable to succeed in things of which they
first thought slightingly but later caused ( 0 fail through their own
intentions.
End or Book VI

88
 REPRINTS* of the The Astrological Record of the Early Sages
Project Hindsight Greek Track
(aka “TARES”)
VOL. I. Paulus Alexandrinus: Introduction to Astrology.
We used this title once before for VOLUME X of our original
VOL. II A. Anonymous of 379: On the Bright Fixed Stars. GREEK TRACK, which contains fragments from many ancient
authors; now we have chosen it again for a much larger role as
VOL. II B. Antiochus of Athens: Fragments From His Thesaurus. as the overarching name for a projected 30-volume set that will
represent the work of ALL the Hellenistic astrologers of whom
VOL. III. Ptolemy: Phases of the Fixed Stars. any trace yet survives.
VOL.VI. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book I. When complete, TARES will contain not only the entirety of
the original GREEK TRACK in Robert Schmidt’s revised trans-
VOL.V. Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos, Book I.
lations, but much more: virtually the entire surviving corpus of
VOL.VI. Hephaestio of Thebes: Compendium, Book I. Hellenistic astrological treatises and fragments, accompanied
by Schmidt’s extensive notes and commentary.
VOL.VII. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book II.

VOL.VIII. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book III.

VOL. IX. Teachings on Transits.

VOL. X. The Astrological Record of the Early Sages in Greek.

VOL. XI. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book IV.

~TARES~
VOL. XII. Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos, Book III.

VOL. XIII. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Books V & VI.

VOL. XIV. Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos, Book IV.

VOL. XV. Hephaistio of Thebes: Compendium, Book II. Definitions and Foundations is the first translation in the new
series. As you can see from the picture of its front cover on the
VOL. XVI. Vettius Valens: Anthology, Book VII. final page of this book, the “provisional look” has vanished, but
there is still a family resemblance to these older editions which
PROJECT HINDSIGHT Companion to the Greek Track
were the beginning of the entire enterprise.

Visit our website WWW.PROJECTHINDSIGHT.COM for

*Available at WWW.PROJECTHINDSIGHT.COM the latest information about our new TARES series.
 This booklet is a facsimile reprint of one volume from
PROJECT HINDSIGHT’S GREEK TRACK, Robert Schmidt’s
early provisional translations of various Hellenistic
astrological texts done from 1993 through 2000.
We say provisional because it was a cardinal principle of
PROJECT HINDSIGHT from its outset that no one in the world
– however learned in the Greek language – was in a position
to do a final translation of any single item from this large
body of work that had lain essentially unread for centuries.
Hence, this translation was not published as a final edition,
but only as provisional; this word was stressed and it was
hoped that the homemade character of the original book,
duplicated in this reprint, would serve to reinforce the idea
of the “temporary” character of the translation inside.
But now the situation is different. After spending the past
seventeen years studying the entire surviving corpus of
Hellenistic astrological writings, Robert Schmidt is now
ready to publish his final translations of all the selections
first presented in this and other GREEK TRACK volumes.
Accompanied by extensive notes and commentary, these
new translations are just beginning to be issued in attractive
hardcover format in a new series called THE ASTROLOGICAL
RECORD OF THE EARLY SAGES * (acronym TARES). It will
take several years to get all the material into print.
Meanwhile, at the request of numerous students we are
making these older provisional versions available. Some
may find it useful to compare the old versions with the new
You’ll have to visit our website to see how beautiful our
and see with hindsight how much was overlooked the first
TARES books actually are. We sharpened up the old frame
time around. It is gratifying to realize that we planned from
(originally created by a Victorian artist) and preserved the the very outset to make such later experiences possible.
same light blue color; the central white rectangle gives a
bright new look. The new page size is 6.14 x 9.21 inches, It will also be useful to keep this old version of the GREEK
and there are 400 pages in Definitions & Foundations. Find TRACK available in our archives for the permanent record,
out about the new TARES subscription plan at our website: since some seem to have forgotten who did what and when.

www.ProjectHindsight.com * See the final pages of this booklet for more information.
The Golden Hind Press