Or An
Introduction to Elections,
Fully comprehending the RULES of the Ancients in Electing a time for any manner of Work.
Section One
Comprehending an Introduction to Elections,
or necessary Instructions for electing any manner of work,
by the secret operations of the Heavens, by the nature of the Signs,
Planets, and Aspects of the Moon
We have found most of the Ancients to be very curious in
this manner of Judicature, but some more excellent then others; wherefore since
the knowledge thereof is not only delectable and rare, but also very usefull and
profitable, both for eschewing evil, and choosing the good; as also for that the
verity thereof is wonderfull, if the Rules of Art be diligently observed, and with
care and discretion practised; as also for that I earnestly desire the Students in
this noble Art may daily more and more increase in knowledge (as I have said)
I have thought good here to give
you without either fraud or deceit, the most Judicious and Rational Rules of the
Ancients, concerning the electing or choosing a time for any Work incident to the
affairs of mankinde, whether particularly appertaining to a mans own particular person,
or his estate, friends, or enemies, &c.
In all Authors that ever I yet met with,
I finde there can be no time elected
(in this our Astrological way of electing) advantagious to anyone whose
nativity or
time of birth is not exactly known; for according unto it must you frame your
election, together with respect to the revolution of the year; and Zahel, Bonatus,
Messahalla and Dariot say that in case the nativity of a man cannot be attained,
respect must be had to the time of the question; the reason is (as I conceive) for
that (if the question be radical) the Querent shall have the same significator or
one of the same nature in the question as he hath in his Nativity;
And this I
have ever found true in all that ever I met with that could produce their Nativities;
wherefore it is that the Antients conclude (as well indeed they may) that GOD the
omnipotent and omiscient Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, and all things therein,
hath made the earth of the four Elements, but the Heavens being the quintessence of
them, he hath made to surround and inclose it, that by the secret working of the Anima
Mundi, or soul of the World, which Zahel calleth Rem subtilem, the which (saith he)
sciunt sapientes, a subtile or spiritual quality which is known to the wise, which
occasioneth such a sympathy as between the Iron and Load-stone, as that all Inferiour
things and actions have their dependency and government from the Superiour.
But although this be the Judgement of the
Antients who say, Look to the ascendent of
the Nativity or Question and make your Election accordingly: Yet I say (as most
agreeable to truth and reason) Let the Figure of the
Revolution of the years of the world for that year
be regarded, and therefore or according thereunto Elect
your busines, as being the True Radix, root or ground thereof. But Note that if
the ascendent and its Lord be unfortunate in your radix, or the Revolution of the world,
there is no Election can be made any wise to advantage the body or the party for whom
you would elect an advantagious time; and so consider and understand of any Election
whatsoever, viz.
If the chief significator of
any businesse be unfortunate in the radix,
ther can be no time Elected to prevent the mischief threatned; for whom the Lord hath
ordained to destruction or punishment, he causeth one thing or other to be incident
unto that party so ordained to punishment, either by inclination or casualty
(according to his Divine wil and preordination and the harmonious concordancy of
Astrology with Divinity &c.) that it might come to pass; (and so on the contrary
for a mans happiness, but this comes to pass through repentance) for I have ever
found men in this condition either to go on still in their ways without reproof,
or being reproved, will take so small notice thereof, as that they will hardly
believe it, or have an inclination to study amendment or prevention of the evil;
wherefore these particular things in Elections ought to have their dependency on
the generall fates.
But as I have but now said, the figure of the
Revolution of the world for that year
ought to be regarded and concluded the radix or ground-work of all your Elections;
for according to the nature ofth significator therein must your Election be framed,
or you shall never be perfect in this Art. Hence it is that often we shall finde
some kind of men and occupations thrive and prosper some years more then in others;
and again on the contrary, do all what they can, their business still and endeavours
go backward; The reason is, their significator is more fortified or debilitated in
the Radix;
and we see that such shall in an Election by Saturn and Mars have a good and
prosperous day, and upon the square or opposition of the Moon to Saturn or Mars,
although on a mischievous day; because these malevolents were chiefe rulers or
significators of the business in hand, things or persons, &c. in the Radix.
Consider also the places of any Eclipse or Great conjunction in every year.
So that when your true significator is known,
and his essential and accidental
fortitudes and debilities, you cannot erre, the following Rules being diligently
and warily observed, there being an harmony and such a concordancy betwixt the
Celestial Creatures, and our Terrestrial affairs, according to that excellent
saying of Hermes, there is nothing here beneath that is not governed and ruled
by what is above.
Know then that in judging of the stars in
Elections, special care must be had
unto the business in hand; for according unto the nature thereof must your
business be ordered, and your time chosen; as for earthy businesses, as
planting and sowing and the like, an earthy sign is to be chosen or placed
in the ascendent; if appertaining to fire, a fiery sign; if to the water,
a watry one, &c.
As for example, if you would elect a time to plant,
you must prefer Virgo before any other of the signs, because she is an
earthy sign, and such an one too as is participating more of the nature
of the fruits of the earth then any other, viz. Taurus or Capricorn; and
so understand of any business; be sure you still elect a sign proper for
your business, and agreeable to the nature thereof.
And for the speedy dispatch of any business,
let a moveable sign be chosen;
if for permanency you would elect any time, take a fixed sign; if you be
indifferent, or desire your business shall neither be of long or short
continuance, prefer a common sign, &c.
But still look to the
fundamental grounds of Elections, viz. to fortify
your chief significators, and he chiefly the Moon,
because she hath a
general signification in all things, in journeys, times, places and all
businesses whatsoever; also the Sun, he being as it were chief Ruler or
King amongst the other Planets; but more particularly the Planet
signifying
the business in hand:
As if your Election be concerning war or fireworks,
you must fortify Mars; if to speak to the King, the Sun; to gain money,
Jupiter; if concerning marriage or love-matters, Venus; because these
significations these Planets are generally of; the and so understand of
any business whatsoever; still have a care to fortify the Planet signifying
your business, in general as well as particular, if you can.
In like manner you must choose and
fortify the Sign signifying your business
in general (for as I have sayd, as is the nature of your business, such must
the Sign be you choose and fortify) as if you would goe by water as to Sea, &c.
you must fortify a watry Sign, and more especially Cancer, for that she is the
house of the Moon; if by land, as a journey, &c an earth Sign, &c. viz. free
from misfortune or for affliction of the malevolent aspects of the Infortunes,
and place it in the Ascendent of your Election, or the Lord of the Ascendent
therein, or the Moon, or both, if possible; and this is necessary in all Elections
and the Antients moreover have for men elected a masculine sign, for women a
feminine; but this is to needless, &c.
The sign also and house signifying
your business in your Radix ought to be regarded
and well dignifyed; also fortify the house and sign signifying the business in your
Election; as if you would elect a time for profit, you must fortify (in the figure
of your Election) the second house in the Radix, its sign and the Lord thereof, as
well as the second in your Election, &c. In all Elections, remember to fortify the
Ascendent, its Lord and Disposer of him, and the fourth, and the Lord of the fourth
and also his Dispositor; for by fortifying the Ascendent, the Lord thereof and
his Dispositor, the health and safety of the Parties body electing is promised:
by fortifying the fourth, its Lord and his Dispositor, a good and safe conclusion
and end of the business.
But note (as aforesayd) that if a malevolent Planet
be significator in any thing in the Radix, you must fortify it, and not think
the making a fortune: viz. Jupiter or Venus (which are but generally so)
significators, will be
beneficial: for it will often prove contrary : for all men are not ruled by Jupiter
and Venus; neither (as I say) are they always fortunes: for accidentally they may
be infortunes: and when they are Lords of the eighth, twelfth and sixth, they are
occasions of sickness, poverty, imprisonment, mischief and death as effectually as
Saturn or Mars;
For every Planet must doe the office whereunto
it is ordained:
and so by the same rule may Saturn and Mars be fortunes, and so they are to those
they chiefly rule, and to such things as are properly under their dominion either
naturally or accidentally; wherefore the true knowledge of your significator
(in Elections) of the business intended is of great value, and worthy serious
consideration.
Also in electing any work,
have especial care to fortifie the Part of Fortune,
the Lord thereof and its Dispositor, so that they be either in body or aspect
helped by the fortunes, and free from the configurations of the Malevolents.
Let not the Lord of your Ascendent by any means be retrograde, for it will
occasion tardity and hindrance in any thing, although all the other significators
were essentially strong and promising the effecting of the business; it causeth
also much trouble and pains in the business, although naturally never so easy to be
accomplished.
In the beginning of any work also see that the
Dragons Tayl be not with either of the
Luminaries when they are in conjunction or opposition, or in the Ascendent, or house
signifying the business in hand; but place in those places some fortunate Planet, or
in the house of the business in Election, or in the Angles of the Figure at the time
of Election. But have a special care in all Elections you put not the Moon in the
Ascendent; for she is an enemy thereunto; so also is the Sun; for he therein
dissolves and undoes what is accomplished and done.
And let not an Infortune
be placed in the Ascendent, nor in any of the Angles,
especially if he have
dominion in the sixth, eighth or twelfth; also look that in a diurnal Election
you have a diurnal sign ascending; in a nocturnal, a nocturnal sign: and if you
can, that the Luminaries be in the same signs (I mean of the same nature,
especially that of the time.
Avoid Elections at such time as
the Moon separates from the Conjunction or
Opposition of the Sun, and immediately goes to the configuration of an infortune:
for it shews that if the place of the Conjunction or Opposition be unfortunate,
the business then began shall come to no good end or conclusion; but if the
place of the Conjunction or Opposition be fortunate, it shews that the beginning
of the business then in agitation shall be good, but it shall ill succeed in the end.
But if the Moon separate from
Conjunction or Opposition, and apply to a fortune, and
the place of the Conjunction or Opposition be unfortunate, it signifieth that the
beginning of the business shall be bad, and the end thereof good; and when the place
of the Conjunction or Opposition is fortunate, and the Moon applieth immediately to
a fortune, it denotes that both the beginning and the end of the work then began
shall come to good or be fortunate.
And so on the contrary, if she apply to an
infortune when the places of the Conjunction or Opposition are unfortunate:
when the place of the Conjunction or Opposition, or their Lord or Disposer
of them, be in a succedent house, it signifieth that the profit and good to
be expected by the business shall be in the end accomplished, though with some
trouble and pains; but if they be in a Cadent house, viz. Cadent from the
ascendent of the beginning of the thing or business, or from the ascendent of
the Election, or Radix, it shall be broken off, and come to naught.
Albumazer a most learned Arabian in this Art,
saith, that when the Lord of
the Election (which is the Planet signifying your business) is Lord of the
sign of the Luminaries ( especially that of the time) in the Revolution of
the year of the World, or Lord of the year, or Lord of the Ascendent at the
time of the Revolution and be fortunate therein, and also in the Election; it
signifyeth and denoteth extraordinary success and fortune in the business then
began, and in all the affairs thereof.
When the place of the
Conjunction or Opposition, and their Dispositors be
will dignified and placed, the business then began or done shall be firm
and of continuance and fortunate. Also accomplishment and good success of
the business is signified when the Dispositor or Lord of the house of the
Conjunction or Opposition before
the beginning of the work or business, is oriental in the hour of the
beginning of the thing, and be in his own house beholding those places
with a Sextile or Trine; but if he do not behold the aforesaid places of
the Conjunction or Opposition, he profiteth not.
You may also make your Elections for the
beginning of any work from the
Lord of the Triplicity of the Moon at the time of the Conjunction or
Opposition; for they have power in the beginning of by businesses; for when
they are received and fortunate at the time of the beginning of any work,
it signifieth good; but that which doth the more confirm it, is, that the
ascendent of the Election be a sign in which he or they be well dignified,
or have dominion in the revolution of the year, and that the fortunes be in
Angles, and chiefly in the ascendent and mid-heaven, also in succedent, and
in the place of the thing, or business intended, or in agitation.
In the beginning of any work
(also) when the Luminaries behold each other
with a good aspect, it signifieth success in any business then began; the business
[also know] in hand is foreshewed by the Moon, her being in the day-time under
the earth, and in the night above:
And in an Election wherein a speedy dispatch
of any business is required, fortifie not the Moon, but put Jupiter or Venus
in the ascendent or in the mid heaven; but have regard unto the Moon in things
of long continuance, as
Marriage, Building and the like; and when she is impedited,
put her in an Angle
or succedent, but let her then not behold the ascendent nor its Lord, nor the
Lord of the house of the thing, or his Dispositor, nor the Planet which hath
signification of the thing either generally or particularly; but if you cannot
observe exactly all these, look that you observe as many of them as you can.
Some Authors hold it more
necessary to fortifie the Lord of the Ascendent then
the Moon, others to fortifie the Lord of the house dignifying the business,
and others the general significators, &c. For my part, I hold it most necessary
to fortifie the significators of the business, the house and also if possible
the Moon, rather then the Ascendent or its Lord, except they be proper significators.
When the >Moon is slow in motion,
viz. not exceeding 12. degrees in 24. hours
she signifieth slowness and tediousness in the business in hand; but if your
business require haste, and the Moon apply to an infortune, make your infortune
Lord of your Ascendent, and if then he be free from misfortune it will be the
better, but if infortunate and afflicted and receive the Moon out of the ascendent
it is much better.
But still look that your chief significators be
free from misfortune and the Quartile
and Opposition of the of malevolents, as also of the Sun, and of combustion, and
that they be not under the Sun beams; a Planet is under the Sun beams when he is
not fully elongated from the body of the Sun 17. degrees; he is in the combustion
when he is within 8 degrees 30.min. of his body, &c. as you have already heard in
the 43. chapter of the second Book of this Volumn.
Have regard also unto your ascendent, that
there be no infortune therein, & that
it be not infortunate in the Revolution of the years of the World for that year,
which you have bin taught is the Radix of your Work: have also a special care
that you bring not your Radix backward, viz. from the ascendent to the second,
but rather forward, viz. to the twelfth: and see that the Lord of your ascendent
be not Occidental, especially if the Moon bejoyned with him.
Know also, that the
Sun in the ascendent
is not good (as hath been said) except
he be in Leo or Aries; the Sun in the ascendent with Saturn hindreth the business
in Election, and causeth an end with much labour and difficulty: Saturn with the
Moon in the ascendent signifieth much sadness, long and tedious diseases, mischief
and death, evil from Kings and great men, loss of substance and kindred, friends
and companions.
Jupiter with the Sun in the ascendent,
signifieth sadness, grief and little good,
and change out of one place into another; with the Moon he signifieth many waters,
and young children, concubines, marriage and honours.
Mars with the Sun in the ascendent
signifieth also much grief and dammage by enemies,
small friendship from friends, destruction and sudden death by iron or fire; with the
Moon, he denotes power and strength for mischief and deceit.
Venus with the Sun in the ascendent
signifieth much pain and travel, discords
and accusations by; friends and alliance; also the appurtinance of women; with
the Moon she denotes health and safety of the body, gain also and profit by women, &c.
Mercury in the Ascendent with the Sun
also signifieth grief and sadness; with the
Moon he signifieth many imployments and occasions, and that often with friends and
alliance.
The Moon in the ascendent with the Sun
signifieth destruction, mischief, grief
and trouble, instability also, and griefs in the eyes, &c. but the knowledge
of these is more for curiosity then practice or use in my opinion.
Also have a care in businesses of continuance,
of movable signs; in such as
require haste, of fixed; and in such as are indifferent, prefer common signs,
as hath been said, still remembring that according to the business in hand and
agitation a sign must accordingly ( viz. of its nature) be chosen; and thus much
shall suffice for the first chapter being introductory; therefore let us now proceed.