Chapter VII. The Genus, Class, or Kind, liable to be affected

Tae third division of these observations relates to the mode of distinguishing the genus, or species, of ‘animals or. things

about to sustain the expected effect. This distinction is

made by means of the conformation and peculiar properties of those signs in which the place of the eclipse, and the

‘places of such fixed stars and planets, as are in dominion according to the actual sign of the eclipse, and that of the angle before it, may be found. And a planet, or fixed star,

is to be considered as holding dominion when circumstanced as follows.

Whalley, with his usual inaccuracy, has asserted, that “in eclipses “< of the Moon, two days, or thereabouts, are equal to the four months” here reckoned in eclipses of the Sun. He adds, however, what per-_. haps may be true, that “ lunar eclipses are by no means so powerful “* as those of the Sun, although more so than any other lunation.”

* That is to say, from any combinations of the Sun and Moon which

may take place after the date of the eclipse, but before the. close of its effect.

If there be found ene planet having more numerous clqims than any other to the place of the eclipse, as well as to that of the angle, being also in the immediate vicinity of those places, and visibly applying to, or receding frona theis, and having likewige more rights over other places connected with them by configuration; the said. planet being, at the same time, lord by house, triplicity, exaltation, and terms 5 in such a case, only that single planet is entitled to dominion, But, if the Jord of the eclipse and the Jord of the angle be pot identical, then those two planets which have most connections with each plage are to be noted; and, of these two, the lord of the. eclipse is to be preferred to the chief dominion, * although the other is to be considered as

“6 bearing rule conjointly*.”’ And if more than two should be fonnd, having equal pretensions to each place, that particular ong among them which may be nearest to an angls, ox mest Concerned with the places in question, by the nature of its condition, is to be selected for dominiont.

But, among the fixed stars, the chief bright one, (which, during the time of the eclipse, may hold connection, in any of the nine modes of apparent configuration detailed in the First Syntaxist with the angles then actually in passage), 48 to be admitted to dominion ; as also that one which, at the eoliptical boyr, may be in an eminent situation, either having Tien, or having culminated with the angle following tee - _ Place of the eclipse}j.

* 'The edition of Allatius does not contain the words here, marked by inverted commas; but Shey are found in other copies of the text, Mind soem necessary kd Complete the seune of the passage. _. ¢ “ When planets, in election for Lords of the eclipse, are found “ of equal strength and dignity, those which are direct are to he pre- “ famed before those which are retrograde; and the oriental before “ the accidental.” —W halley’s * Annotations.”

I That is to any, in the Almagest, Book 8, Chap. 4; wiiek abapter is given, entire, in the

¥ “In electigg Gxed stars, Carden direets to observe the angle

82 PTOLEMY’S TRTRABIBLOS. ' (Book It. | Having coitsidered, according to the foregoing rules, what stars‘ co-operate in regulating: the coming event, the conformation and figure of the signs, in which the-eclipse takes place and the said. ruling stars may be posited; dre also to'be observed; and, from the properties and .charaeteristies: of ‘those signs, the genus or species, to be comprehended i in ‘the et is. chiefly to be inferred. rs . For instance, should the zodiacal constellations, and those ‘of the ruling fixed stars out of the zodiac, be of human shape, the effect will fall upon’ the human nice. If the ‘signs be not of human shape, but yet terrestrial, or quadru- ‘pedal, the event would be indicated to happen to animals of ‘githilar form: the signs shaped. like reptiles signify that -gerpents and creatures of that description will be affected ; those bearing the figure of ferocious beasts denote that ‘the event will affect savage and destructive animals; and those figured like tame beasts show that it will operate on animals serviceable to mankind, and of domestic character; as inti- ‘mated by the shape and figure ofthe signs, whether resembling horses, oxen, sheep, or any other useful animals.—In ‘addition to this, the terrestrial signs situated in the north, ‘about the Arctic circle, indicate sudden earthquakes ; and those in the'south, sudden deluges of rain. And, should the ruling places be. situated in signs shaped like. winged animals, as in that of Aquila, or in others of similar form, the event will take effect on birds; and will chiefly attach to those which afford food to man. If the said places should be in signs formed like creatures which swim, and in marine signs, such as Delphinus, the effect will be felt by marine

“ which ‘the eclipse follows, and that which it precedes: as, if the . . © eclipse be between the seventh house” (or occidental angle) “ and “ the mid-heaven, the stars which are in the seventh shall be preferred; * and next, those in the mid-heaven ; but, if between the mid-heaven ‘* and the ascendant, those in the mid-heaven shall have the prefer- “ ence; and next, those in the ascendant.” — Whalley’s “ Annotations.”

— Chap. VIL] = protemy’s TETRABIBLOs. , 83 animals, and in the navigation’ of fleets ; if in river. signs, such as Aquarius and Pisces, it will attach to animals living. in rivers and in fresh water: and, if.in Argo, both sea. and fresh-water animals will be affected by it*.

Again, should the ruling places be situated in tropical 1 or: in equinoctial signs, in either case alike they presignify changes in the: state of the atmosphere, at the respective. season to which each sign is appropriated. For. example,: with regard to the season of spring and the productions of - the earth, if the said places should be in the sign of the vernal equinox, they will produce an effect on the buds of the vine and fig, and of such other trees as sprout forth at that season. Should they be in the sign of the summer tropic, the event will affect the gathering and depositing. of fruits; and, with. respect to Egypt in particular, it will impede the rising of the Nile. If they should be in the sign of the autumnal equinox, they foreshow that it will operate on grain and on various sorts of herbs; if in the sign of the winter tropic, on potherbs, esculent ‘vegetables, and such birds and fishes as arrive in that season. |

The equinoctial signs further indicate the circumstances liable to happen in ecclesiastical concerns, and in religious matters: the tropical signs give warning of changes in the atmosphere and in political affairs; the fixed signs, of changes in institutions and in buildings ; and the bicorporeal . signs show that the future event will fall alike on princes and their subjects.

Again, the ruling places situated in the east, during the. ‘time of the eclipse, signify that fruits and seeds, incipient institutions, and the age of youth, will be affected ; those

ee Ee re eae ee eee 5 ee een ne © It is perhaps unnecessary to remark, that, in speaking of ruling places, as liable to be situated in Aquila, Delphinus or Argo, Ptolemy alludes only to the places of the fixed stars in dominion: since the ecliptical place and the planets must be confined to the zodiacal signs.

whieh : may be in the mid-beaven above the earth announce. that the coming event will relate to ecclesiastical affairs, to. kings and princes, and to the middle age; these in the west, that at will influence the laws, old age, and persons about to die.

The proportion liable to be affected, of that penus or kind on which the event will fall, js to be ascertained by the mag~ nitude of the obscuration caused by the eclipse, and by the positions held by the operative stars in regard to the ecliptical place; as, in vespertine position to a solar eclipse, of in’ matutine position to a lunar eclipse, the said-stara will most usually much dimimish the effect ;—in opposition they render it moderate ;—but in matatine position to ‘a solar eclipse, or in vespertine to a lunar, they = augment aad extend it*.