Chapter XIII. The Influence ofi the Four Angles

Taek angles are the four cardinal points of the horizon, whence are derived the general names of the winds. With

* This sentence shews the futility of the objection raised against astrology (and mentioned in the Preface to this translation) that the signs have changed and are changing “places. It is clear from this sentence that Ptolemy ascribes to the 30 degrees after the vernal equinox, that influence which he has herein mentioned to belong to Aries; to the next 30 degrees, the influence herein said to belong to Taurus; and so of the rest of the zodiac. We should rather say that the stars have changed places, than that the parts of Heaven, in which they were once situated, have done so. Ptolemy himself seems to have foreseen this groundless objection of the moderns, and has written, in the 25th chapter of this book, what ought completely to have prevented it. It has certainly been one of the misfortunes of astrology te be attacked by people entirely ignorant of its principles.

._Chap. XIII.] pro_emy’s. TETRABIBLOS. 33

- respect to their qualities, tt is to be observed that the eastern point, or angle of the ascendant, is chiefly dry in its nature ;

- because, on the Sun’s arrival therein, the damps occasioned by the night begin to be dried up: and all winds blowing from that quarter, under the common name of east winds, are arid and free from moisture.

The southern point, or angle of the itd heaven: is the -most hot ; because the Sun’s meridian position, which produces greater warmth and heat, declines (in this part of the earth,) towards the south. The -winds, therefore, which blow from that quarter, and are commonly called south winds, are hot and rarefying.

The western point, or occidental angle, is moist ; because, when the Sun is there, the moisture, which had heen overpowered during the day, recommences its operation : and the winds proceeding from thence, and commonly called west winds, are light and damp. |

The northern point, or angle of the lower heaven, is the most cold; for the Sun’s meridian position in this part of the earth i far removed from it in declination: and all winds thence proceeding, under the common name of north winds, are cold and frosty.

It will, of course, be seen that a thorough acquaintance with the foregoing matters is essential in order to acquire the faculty of distinguishing’ temperaments in every shape and variation : since it is sufficiently obvious that the effective influence of the stars must be greatly diversified by the constitutions of the seasons, as well as those of the ages of life, and of the angles ; and also that the stars have a much stronger influence on any constitution, when there may not be in it any tendency contrary to their own, as the whole influence is then entire and unalloyed. . For example, stars effecting: heat operate more vigorously in constitutions of heat; and those effecting moisture in constitutions of moisture. -On the other hand, should

ad PYOLEMY’SR TETRABIBLOS, [ Beok I. a tendency, contrary ta their own, exist in any constitution, the stars accordingly become less efficaciéus; in consequence of being attempered and mixed with that contrary tendency: and this happens, for instance, when stars effeeting heat are attempered by constitutions of cold, or stars producing moisture by constitutions of dryness. The influence of every star is thus modified hy the proportionate admisture presented by. constitutions of a nature different from its own. . Jn succession to the previous instructions, the following deacription of the natural and peenliar properties of the signs of the zodiac is annexed: the general temperaments

_ Of the signs are analogous te those of the seasons, which

are respectively established under each sign, but they have, algo, vertain peculiar energies, arising from their familiarity with the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, which shall be hereafter specified ;—and the simple and unmixed influences existing ia the signs, as considered only in themselves and with segard to each other, will be first stated.