The Magus/Book 1/Part 2/Chapter 31

THERE is the like confideration to be had in all things concerning the fixed ftars. Know this, that all the fixed ftars are of the fignification and nature of the feven planets; but fome are of the nature of one planet, and fome of two. Hence, as often as any planet is joined with any of the fixed ftars of its own nature, the fignification of that ftar is made more powerful, and the nature of the planet augmented; but if it be a ftar of two natures, the nature of that which shall be the ftronger with it, fhall overcome in fignification: as for example, if it be of the nature of Mars and Venus, if Mars fhall be the ftronger with it, the nature of Mars fhall overcome; but if Venus, the nature of Venus fhall overcome. Now the natures of fixed ftars are difcovered by their colours, as they agree with certain planets, and are afcribed to them. Now the colours of the planets are thefe :---of Saturn, blue, and leaden, and fhining with this of Jupiter, citrine, near to a palenefs, and clear with this; of Mars, red and fiery; of the Sun, yellow, and when it rifes red, afterwards glittering; of Venus, white and fhining---white in the morning, and reddish in the evening; of Mercury, glittering; of the Moon, fair. Know, alfo, that of the fixed ftars, by how much the greater, and brighter, and apparent they are, fo much the greater and ftronger is the fignification: fuch are thofe ftars called by the aftrologers of the firft and fecond magnitude. I will tell thee fome of thefe which are more potent to this faculty, viz. the navel of Andromeda, in the twenty-fecond degree of Aries, of the nature of Venus and Mercury---fome call it jovial and faturnine; the head of Algol, in the eighteenth degree of Taurus, of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter; the Pleiades are alfo in the twenty-fecond degree, a lunary ftar by nature, and complexion martial; alfo Aldeboram, in the third degree of Gemini, is of the nature of Mars, and complexion of Venus---but Hermes places this in the twenty-fifth degree of Aries; the Goat ftar, in the thirteenth degree of Gemini, is of the nature of Jupiter and Saturn; the Great Dog ftar is in the feventh degree of Cancer and Venereal; ​the Little Dog ftar is in the feventeenth degree of the fame, and is of the nature of Mercury, and complexion of Mars; the King ftar, which is called the Heart of the Lion, is in the twenty-firft degree of Leo, and of the nature of Jupiter and Mars; the tail of the Great Bear is in the nineteenth degree of Virgo, and is venereal and lunary. The ftar which is called the Right Wing of the Crow, is in the feventh degree of Libra; and in the thirteenth degree of the fame, is the left wing of the fame, and both of the nature of Saturn and Mars. The ftar called Spica, is in the fixteenth degree of the fame, and is venereal and mercurial. In the feventeenth degree of the fame is Alcameth, of the nature of Mars and Jupiter; but of this, when the Sun's afpect is full towards it---of that, when on the contrary. Elepheia, in the fourth degree of Scorpio, of the nature of Venus and Mars. The Heart of the Scorpion is in the third degree of Sagittarius, of the nature of Mars and Jupiter. The falling Vulture is in the feventh degree of Capricorn, temperate, mercurial, and venereal. The tail of Capricorn is in the fixteenth degree of Aquarius, of the nature of Saturn and Mercury. The ftar called the Shoulder of the Horfe, is in the third degree of Pifces, of the nature of Jupiter and Mars.---And it fhall be a general rule for you to expect the proper gifts of the ftars, whilft they rule---to be prevented of them, they being unfortunate, as is above fhewed ; for celeftial bodies, inafmuch as they are affected fortunately or unfortunately, fo much do they affect us, our works, and thofe things which we ufe, fortunately or unhappily. And although many effects proceed from the fixed ftars, yet they are attributed to the planets; as becaufe being more near to us, and more diftinct and known, fo becauſe they execute whatever the fuperior ftars communicate to them.