Chapter XVI. Mutual Configurations of the Signs

THERE are certain familiarities or connections between different parts of the zodiac ; and the chief of these is that which exists between such parts as are configurated with each other.

Chap. XVI.] —s- PTOLEMY’s TETRABIBLOS, © 37 This mutual configuration attaches to all parts diametrically distant from each other, containing between them two right angles, or six signs, or a hundred and eighty degrees: it also exists in all parts at the triangular distance -

from each other, containing between-them one right angle and a third, or four signs, or a hundred and twenty degrees ; also, in all parts: at the quadrate distance from each other,

containing between them exactly one right angle, or three:

signs, or ninety degrees ; and, also, in all parts at the hexagonal distance from each other, containing between them two-thirds of a right angle, or two signs, or sixty degrees*.

* Whalley, ip his note upon this chapter, seems to have been surprised that no mention is made here by Ptolemy of the conjunction ; but he overlooked the fact that the chapter treats only of parts of the zodiac configurated with eaeh other; and that it was not possible for Ptolemy to conceive how any part could be configurated with itself. It is, therefore, by no means wonderful that the conjunction is not inserted here along with the rest of the aspects ; although it is frequently adverted to in subsequent are: and its =e particularly described.

38 ‘ PTOLEMY’S TETRABIBLOG. - [Book 1. These several distances are taken for the following, reasons : —the distance by diameter, however, is in itself sufficiently clear, and requires no further explanation ;—but, as to the rest, after the diametrical points have been connected by a straight line, AB; the space of the two right angles, con~ tained on the diameter, is then to be divided into aliquot parts of the two greatest denominations ; that is to say, into halves, AFC, CFB, and into thirds, AFD, DFE, EFB: there will then be provided for the third part (AD) a. super proportion (DC), equal to its own half; and for the half (AC) a super-proportion (CE), equal to its own third part ; .so that the division into two aliquot parts, AC, CB, will make the quartile distance AC; and the division into three aliquot parts, AD, DE, EB, will make the sextile distance AD, and the trinal distance AE. The respective superproportions (on either side of the intermediate quartile AC, formed by the one right angle AFC), will also again make the quartile AC, (if there be added to the sextile, AD, the . super-proportion DC, equal to the half of the sextile), and the trine AE (if there be added to the quartile AC the superproportion CE, equal to the third part of the quartile).

Of these configurations, the trine and the sextile are each called harmonious, because they are constituted between signs of the same kind; being formed between either all feminine or al] masculine signs. The opposition and quar- | tile are considered to be discordant, because they are configurations made between signs not of the same kind, but of different natures and sexes*,

* From the tenor of this chapter it was formerly doubted whether the author intended to admit in his theery only zodiacal aspects, and to ré= ject those which are called mundane; but Placidus has referred to the 4th Chapter of the 8th Book of the Almagest (which will be found in the Appendix to this translation) to prove that Ptolemy distinctly taught two kinds of aspect ; one in the zodiac and one inthe werkd