The Magus/Book 1/Part 2/Chapter 35

BUT the celeftial images, according to whofe likenefs images of this kind are framed, are many in the heavens; fome viſible and confpicuous, others only imaginary, conceived and fet down by the Egyptians, Indians, and Chaldeans; and their parts are fo ordered, that even the figures of fome of them are diftinguifhed from others; for this reafon they place in the circle of the Zodiac twelve general images, according to the number of the figns; of thefe, they conftituting Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, for the fiery and oriental triplicity, report that it is profitable againft fevers, palfy, dropfy, gout, and all cold and phlegmatic infirmities; and that it makes him who carries it to be acceptable, eloquent, ingenious, and honourable; becaufe they are the houfes of Mars, Sol, and Jupiter. They made, alfo, the image of a lion againft melancholy phantafies, dropfy, plague, and fevers, and to expel difeafes, at the hour of the Sun, the firft degree of the fign Leo afcending, which is the face and decanate of Jupiter; but againſt the ftone, and difeafes of the reins, and againſt hurts of beafts, they made the fame image when Sol, in the heart of the lion, obtained the midft of heaven. And again, becaufe Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, do conftitute the ærial and occidental triplicity, and are the houfes of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, they are faid to put to flight difeafes, to conduce to friendship and concord, to prevail againft melancholy, and to caufe health; and they report that Aquarius efpecially frees from the quartan. Alſo, that Cancer, Scorpio, and Pifces, becauſe they conftitute the watery and northern triplicity, do prevail againft hot and dry fevers, alfo against the hectic, and all choleric paffions; but Scorpio, becauſe among the members it refpects the privy parts, doth provoke to luft; but thefe did frame it for this purpofe, his third face afcending, which belongs to Venus; and they made the fame, againſt ferpents and fcorpions, poifons and evil fpirits, his fecond face afcending, which is the face of the Sun, and decanate of ​Jupiter; and they report that it maketh him who carries it wife, of a good colour; and they fay that the image of Cancer is moft efficacious againſt ferpents and poifon, when Sol and Luna are in conjunction in it, and afcend in the firft and third face; for this is the face of Venus, and the decanate of Luna; but the fecond face of Luna the decanate of Jupiter. They report, alfo, that ferpents are tormented when the Sun is in Cancer; alfo, that Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, becaufe they conftitute the earthly and fouthern triplicity, do cure hot infirmities, and prevail againft the fynocal fever; it makes thofe who carry it grateful, acceptable, eloquent, devout, and religious; becaufe they are the houfes of Venus, Mars, and Saturn. Capricorn alfo is reported to keep men in fafety, and alfo places in fecurity, becauſe it is the exaltation of Mars.