Bad Advertisement?
Are you a Christian?
Online Store:Visit Our Store
| The Horoscope the Foundation of Astrology; Indiscoverability of the Horoscope; Therefore the Futility of the Chaldean Art.
PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP 
Chapter III.—The Horoscope
the Foundation of Astrology; Indiscoverability of the Horoscope;
Therefore the Futility of the Chaldean Art.
The originating principle,151
| 151 This
passage occurs in Sextus Empiricus. | and, as it were, foundation, of the entire
art, is fixing152
the
horoscope.153
| 153 Horoscope
(from ὥρα σκοπός) is the
act of observing the aspect of the heavens at the moment of any
particular birth. Hereby the astrologer alleged his ability of
foretelling the future career of the person so born. The most
important part of the sky for the astrologer’s consideration was
that sign of the Zodiac which rose above the horizon at the moment of
parturition. This was the “horoscope ascendant,” or
“first house.” The circuit of the heavens was divided
into twelve “houses,” or zodiacal signs. | For from this are derived the rest of
the cardinal points, as well as the declinations and ascensions, the
triangles and squares, and the configurations of the stars in
accordance with these; and from all these the predictions are
taken. Whence, if the horoscope be removed, it necessarily
follows that neither any celestial object is recognisable in the
meridian, or at the horizon, or in the point of the heavens opposite
the meridian; but if these be not comprehended, the entire system of
the Chaldeans vanishes along with (them). But that the sign of
the horoscope is indiscoverable by them, we may show by a variety of
arguments. For in order that this (horoscope) may be found, it is
first requisite that the (time of) birth of the person falling under
inspection should be firmly fixed; and secondly, that the horoscope
which is to signify this should be infallible; and thirdly, that the
ascension154
of the zodiacal sign
should be observed with accuracy. For from155
(the moment) of birth156
| 156
ἀποτέξεως; some
would read ἀποτάξεως. | the ascension of the zodiacal sign rising in
the heaven should be closely watched,157
| 157 The
passage is given more explicitly in Sextus Empiricus. (See
Adversus Astrol., v. 53.) | since the Chaldeans, determining (from
this) the horoscope, frame the configuration of the stars in accordance
with the ascension (of the sign); and they term this—disposition,
in accordance with which they devise their predictions. But
neither is it possible to take the birth of persons, falling under
consideration, as I shall explain, nor is the horoscope infallible, nor
is the rising zodiacal sign apprehended with accuracy.
How it is, then, that the system of the
Chaldeans158
| 158 Sextus
uses almost these words. | is unstable, let
us now declare. Having, then, previously marked it out for
investigation, they draw the birth of persons falling under
consideration from, unquestionably, the depositing of the seed, and
(from) conception or from parturition. And if one will attempt to
take (the horoscope) from conception, the accurate account of this is
incomprehensible, the time (occupied) passing quickly, and naturally
(so). For we are not able to say whether conception takes place
upon the transference159
| 159 Or
“lodgment” (Sextus), or “deposition.” | of
the seed or not. For this can happen even as quick as thought,
just also as leaven, when put into heated jars, immediately is reduced
to a glutinous state. But conception can also (take place) after
a lapse of duration. For there being an interval from the mouth
of the womb to the fundament, where physicians160
say conceptions take place, it is altogether
the nature of the seed deposited to occupy some time in
traversing161
this interval.
The Chaldeans, therefore, being ignorant of the quantity of duration to
a nicety, never will comprehend the (moment of) conception; the seed at
one time being injected straight forward, and falling at one spot upon
actual parts of the womb well disposed for conception, and at another
time dropping into it dispersedly, and being collected into one place
by uterine energies. Now, while these matters are unknown,
(namely), as to when the first takes place, and when the second, and
how much time is spent in that particular conception, and how much in
this; while, I say, ignorance on these points prevails on the part of
these (astrologers), an accurate comprehension of conception is put out
of the question.162
And if, as
some natural philosophers have asserted, the seed, remaining stationary
first, and undergoing alteration in the womb, then enters the
(womb’s) opened blood-vessels, as the seeds of the earth163
| 163 Not in
Sextus Empiricus. | sink into the ground; from this it will
follow, that those who are not acquainted with the quantity of time
occupied by the change, will not be aware of the precise moment of
conception either. And, moreover, as women164
| 164 The
passage is more clearly given in Sextus. | differ from one another in the other parts
of the body, both as regards energy and in other respects, so also (it
is reasonable to suppose that they differ from one another) in respect
of energy of womb, some conceiving quicker, and others slower.
And this is not strange, since also women, when themselves compared
with themselves, at times are observed having a strong disposition
towards conception, but at times with no such tendency. And when
this is so, it is impossible to say with accuracy when the deposited
seed coalesces, in order that from this time the Chaldeans may fix the
horoscope of the birth.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
