Let us now descend to the several divisions of the signs:
it resteth now you know why they
are so called, and wherefore there are no more nor less then twelve, which according
to Albumnazer and Bonatus, is for these Reasons:
First, as all things are made of the four Elements,
which are subject to the signs,
every sign through the whole Circle of Heaven ruling one element or other: now
there are four elements, every sign being over them; and they divided into three parts,
as having relation to beginning, middle and end, as there is in all works, make just the
number of 12. Besides the number 12. is so compleat a number, as none is to compare
with it; it . having more particular divisions then any other number, there being
therein three fours, and four threes; two sixes and six twoes: besides they
are so constituted from the division of the Heaven (as you have heard already)
divided into twelve parts, every part being a sign; the first called Aries,
the second Taurus, the third Gemini, &c.
The reason why they are called by these names,
are briefly thus; the first
sign is called Aries (signifying a Ram,) because when the Sun is therein, he
approacheth to his highest point; heat ( thereby being increased, yet being
mixed with the humidity of the preceding Winter, makes the fi temperature of
the ayr hot and moyst, which is according to the complexion of the Ram: but
there are some of the Ancients say that the stars in the signs being
particularly observed, and as it were measured with a line the one
from the other, they resemble each the thing they are nominated.
The second sign is called
Taurus (signifying a Bull) because the Sun
being therein, the heat is more fixt and fortified, and the moisture
consumed or expelled; the temperature of the ayr tending rather to
dryness, which resembleth the nature of a Bull.
The third sign is named Gemini
(signifying Twins) because the Sun
therein causeth a reduplication of heat; and all Creatures couple
and ingender, every thing delighting in its mate.
The fourth sign is called Cancer
(signifying a Crab) because the Sun
being therein, goeth, as it were, backward, (after the nature of the
Crab) retiring towards the Equinoctial from whence he came, declining
contrary to that of the Twins .
The fifth sign is called Leo
(signifying a Lion) because the Sun being
therein, the heat is there increased in great strength and dryness,
after the nature of the Lion, which is of a strong, hot and dry nature.
The fifth sign is called Virgo
(signifying a maid) because the Sun
therein hath his heat diminished, and dryness ruleth, so that things
cease to increase, and the earth becometh barren; being of the nature
of a Virgin, who is naturally tending to cold rather then heat, and is
of her self barren.
The seventh sign is called Libra
(signifying Balance) for that the Sun
being therein, both the length of the days and nights, as also the temper
of the ayr, are in balance. as it were neither inclining one way nor other;
the days and nights being of an equal length through the whole World; and the
temperature of the ayr between the decayed heat of Summer, and the
approaching cold of winter, is neither tending one way or other, but
as it were in a balance.
The eighth is called Scorpio
(signifying a Scorpion) because when
the Sun is therein, cold and dryness is predominate, which are
obnoxious to nature, and by reason
the natural temper of the ayr is hot and moyst; the ayr is thereby corrupted,
so that dangerous diseases are ingendred thereby, as pestilential Feavers,
Plagues and the like.
The ninth sign is called Sagittarius
(signifying an Archer or one using
to cast darts) because the Sun being therein, the heat is overcome by cold,
whereupon ensue Fogs and Frosts, and such like, being (for the nature of the
mischief and hurt they do) as obnoxious, or equivalent to venemous Arrows or
Darts.
The tenth sign is named Capricornius
(signifying a Goat) because the
Sun being therein is farthest from the vertical point; so that by reason
of the cold mixed with dryness, and the want of heat, which at that to time is,
the nature and disposition of the ayr is melancholy, after the nature of the Goat.
The eleventh sign is called Aquarius
(signifying a Waterman, or one pouring water)
because when the Sun is in this sign, dryness is overcome by moisture beginning,
yet the cold remaining which causeth the temper of the ayr to be cold and moist,
after the nature of water .
The twelfth sign is named Pisces
(signifying Fishes) for that when
the Sun is therein, the ayr it is inclined to cold and moisture, yet
having some small heat, after the nature of Fishes who are cold and
moyst by reason of their Element the water, yet they retain some little
natural heat; so the ayr is then somewhat participating of some small quantity
of heat, by reason of the Suns approach to the equinoctial point.
And thus much concerning the Reasons of the names of
the twelve Celestial signs...