Working Paper on Astrological Physiognomy: History and Sources

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<strong>Working</strong> <strong>Paper</strong> on Astrological Physiognomy: History and Sources Secondary modifications of significators given by whether the figure is diurnal or nocturnal, the season of the year, and whether significators fall in luminous, smokey, or dark degrees. Additional rules for height (p. 29) and weight (pp. 30-31) are given (similar to Schoener). Rules for Judgment (similar to Haly) Any planet conjunct the Ascendant degree holding essential dignities in that degree (or whose orb contacts the Ascendant degree) is a primary significator of the form of the body. Combine these three factors: (1) form of the Ascendant al-mubtazz in the sign in which it is, (2) form of the place of the Moon, and (3) every planet which aspects the Ascendant [and Moon?]. If there is no planet in the Ascendant, consider the Ascending sign itself (especially if the Ascendant Al-mubtazz aspects the Ascendant) in addition to the aforesaid factors. Consider which forms of the images of the fixed stars may be in the Ascendant or in the place of the Al-mubtazz of the Ascendant. Consider the following factors which may increase or remit the above testimonies: latitude, retrogradation/directness, diurnal/nocturnal figure, season of year, and whether significators fall in luminous, smokey, or dark degrees. Comment: As translated, this passage is fairly garbled. In general, I think that Montulmo’s constant reference to ‘forms’ and ‘signs’ shows a bias towards emphasizing the sign placement of the planet over the planet itself. I believe ‘forms’ refers to the image depicted in the glyph associated with each zodiacal sign. Accordingly, when Montulmo says consider the ‘form of the place of the Moon’ he wants us to first identify the Moon’s sign and second to examine the symbol of the respective sign as an indicator of physical appearance. Take for example Moon in Capricorn. We should defer to sign-based rules for Capricorn instead of planet-based rules for the Moon. Next we should consider the image of Capricorn (e.g., the goat) as an indicator of physical appearance. Following his system, Montulmo includes the findings of Haly regarding the rising decan: In seems according to Haly that for the most part you ought to judge of the form of the native according to the lord of the face of the Ascendant, mixing together the significators of which I have spoken above. Indeed, know that Ascendant signifies the body, and that the Almuten of the Ascendant chiefly signifies the face of the native according to its state of being, etc. 47 Comment: Montulmo states the physical body is delineated by the rising sign and the face is delineated by the rising decan. The implication is that should the rulers of the rising sign and 47 Antonius de Montulmo, On the Judgment of Nativities Part 2, Project Hindsight, Latin Track Vol. XII, Berkeley Springs, Wv.: Golden Hind Press, 1995, p. 28. www.regulus-astrology.com 46
<strong>Working</strong> <strong>Paper</strong> on Astrological Physiognomy: History and Sources decan be in different signs or otherwise poorly integrated that a person’s head and body may not ‘match’ in a physiognomic sense. c. Johannes Schoener (1477-1547) On the Judgments of Nativities: Book I. (1545) trans. by Robert Hand. Reston, Va.: Arhat Publications, 2001. Opusculum Astrologicum, trans and ed. by Robert Hand, Project Hindsight, Latin Track, Vol IV, Berkeley Springs, Wv.: Golden Hind Press, 1996. For listing of Hindu decans, see Canon XXXVII, pp. 54-55 Building Blocks Sign-based rules (pp. 82-83) Planet-based rules (pp. 83-86) Rules for height and weight (pp. 86-87) Rules for Judgment After recapitulating Ptolemy’s method, Schoener recommends this procedure: Considerations Before Judgment: parents and ancestors; country, state, town. In a separate section (p. 88), Schoener assesses whether the native resembles his mother or father by comparing the Ascendant’s decan ruler to the ruler of the 4 th , Sun, and Moon (Hindu decans used). He also compares the Lot of Stability (or Lot of Eros using Bonatti’s formula) with significators for the father and mother as a gauge of either parent’s genetic influence. Ascendant degree Ruler (al-mubtazz) of Ascendant, the planet as well as its sign (indicator of the face) Moon Planets placed in or aspecting the Ascendant, ranked in importance by exactitude of aspectual relationship to the Ascendant degree. Should be combined with the ruler (al-mubtazz) of the Ascendant. Fixed stars conjunct Ascendant degree or Ascendant ruler. Sun’s season interpreted as a secondary modification to the constitution (as in Ptolemy). d. Lucas Gaurico (1476 – 1558) Aristotelis physiognomia adamantio interprete (ed.) (Bologna, 1551) Tractatus Astrologicus (1552) Astrologer to Catherine de’Medici, Gaurico is known for his 1552 astrological text. Lesser known is his physiognomy text published the prior year, a collection of essays on physiognomy theory including work of his brother, the poet Pompeo Gaurico, who had previously published his ideas on physiognomy and sculpture in 1502. Have not yet reviewed. e. Girolamo Cardano (1501 – 1576 AD) Opera Omnia, ed. Charles Sponi, 10 vols, Lyons, 1663. ©Regulus Astrology LLC, 2010. All Rights Reserved. 47
Page 1 and 2: Working Pa
Page 31 and 32: k. William Sheldon (1898-1977) <str
Page 37 and 38: e. Ptolemy (2 nd Century AD) <stron
Page 41 and 42: 2. Medieval Arab/Jewish/Persian a.
Page 43 and 44: f. Abū Ma’shar (c. 787 - c. 886)
Page 45: 3. Medieval Latin West a. Guido Bon
Page 53 and 54: Temperament (p. 854) Workin
Page 55 and 56: j. John Willner (1925-2004) <strong
Page 59 and 60: Decan System of Manilius Sign 1 st
Page 61 and 62: Hindu Decans (Varahamihira) Sign 1
Page 77 and 78: The Vital Temperament, pp. 103-106.
Page 81 and 82: The Mercurial Type Working<
Page 83 and 84: The Martial Type Working</s
Page 85: The Solar Type Working</str

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