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323 views220 pagesToaz - Info Abu Mashar and Al Qabisi by Benjamin Dykes Introductions To Traditional Astrol PR
Abu Ma'shar & Al Qabisi
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dearisjakiCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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/ 220
INTRODUCTIONS
TO
TRADITIONAL
ASTROLOGY:
Abt Ma’shar ¢” al-Qabisi
‘TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY
BENJAMIN N. DyKEs, PHD Published and printed in the United States of America
by the Cazimi Press
621 5" Avenue SE #25, Minneapolis, MN_ 55414
© 2010 by Benjamin N. Dykes, Ph.D.
[All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
Stored in of introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by aay means (electronic, mechanical, phetocopying,
recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of
both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the
Internet or via any other means without the permission of the pub-
lisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only
quthorized editions and do not participate in or encourage elec-
tronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’
rights is appreciated.
ISBN-13: 978-1-934586-15.0
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
1 wot ke to thank the following fends and colleagucs, in alphabetic
baler Chis Brena, Fak Cfo, Maren Gansem Demet Gores
Philip Graves, Richard Schacht, and Robest Schmidt. ee TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1: Purposes ofthis book.
52: The prima
3: Stevcture of TEA
&: Planetary elationships: Book iI
§5: Planetary conditions: Book IV’
§6: Whole sign versus quadeant-based houses
FT: Otbs :
§8: Lots Book VI...
BOOK I: SIGNS AND HOUSES.
§LL: Introductory comments
$1.2: List of signs and planets and Nodes.
513: Sigaitications of the signs.
SLA: The signs in pain and illnesses: al ab.
515: The faces: al-Qabisi
‘16 Exaltation, detriment, al
‘17: The tiple.
18: Analogies of the dignities:al-Qabist and others
§1.9: Classifications of the signs: Abu Masha.
8122 Conan oes es fp ei
G19: Agring in strength or power
{G1.9:4: Commanding obeying im conser and esto
1.9.5: Agrcing inthe cee and ascension.
1.9.6: Aerocing in the jure.
S110: Classifications of the signs al: Qabist
G1.IO.A: Northern sober
{G1.10.2: Soler nar babes ofthe pia:
{§.10.3: Hot] old habs ofthe sot
1104: Quarters of the cade
$1105: Quadruple
$110.6: Futter casas of the gn: a abs
$1107 Se he pts yt bi
SLI: Quarters of the cirle
§1.12: Angularty ofthe houses.
51:13: Signitications ofthe houses
{$1.14 House meanings according to angulacty: al
GLAS: The Lords of angles in the angles al-Qabisi
S16: Planetary joys by house.
SLIT: The colors of the places al-Qabis
5118: The victor (mubtags) of a topic: al Qabisi.
80 fi IxTROPUCTIONS TO ASTROLOGY: ABU Ma'sHLAR ALQABIST
Contents
‘BOOK Il: PLANETS IN THE! .R PHASES...83
ee os SIL Digi i
Sere een eran) hE it mt 2 ™
‘M12: Increasing/decreasing in sumbet. 86 GLI: Rewming 173
113: Inereasing/decreasing in computation, : 7 GIIL20: Revoking. 176
S113: tnweasng/ decreasing in speeder 87 toe 180
S115: Planetagy nodes, orth snd southern aide.. 9 tee 182
S1v6: Planetary obs = od 510123: Caring oF
GIB: Right and left of the Sun. . 93 a ae
‘AL. The mays and combustion —al-Qat 95 ree ae
u11.10: cle, casterniness and westernness = ST Fong ceamtwl
He esi een : adic
10.25 Th fiir plo : “ion SII. 25 Recep
L103: Anatges of eaters and eters 5 SiL26 Generosity and beac
Sik s0.k Ama 0 ttn and reer. eat Sit: Piendch aod con
Ilia: Tei 108 HILZT: senshi and emi: a Qi
: SUL28: Bodyguatting order.
SUC; Facing: a abi = 109 ca
‘TUL: Solae phases and elemental qualities: aL Qabisi vo 10 Fit 202: Mekend Whur ope en
BOOK IIL: PLANETARY CONFIGURATIONS. 112 ena bona Ope
SI283: Maia
SIL List of configurations 12 Sit 2h Neda aha pe 3
SII: Domain. == 13 2 ke rie 3
GIIN3: Advancement : 118 ook We PLAneaanv cane
en : ae OK V: PLANETARY CONDITIONS
ALS. Assembly 124 ive eee
SHIT: Aspect ox regard. a . 127 Rvs tee:
ek cps eri in i AE eee ried
Sil. 2 Te Thoma Mond ad wet 30 Nee
(§H11.7: Connection v 133, ee
(UL. 1:Conmaton yogi . 133 ee
17.2 Connon 135 emcees
SI1L.8: Disregard or separation, 137 pg
Sit9:Empenes of couse 12 on Eee
ALO. Widnes. seer Di eoeteemat ~
(§1111; Transfer. = 149 i
SIL: Collection 2mm = 152,
SUL; Reteton. : aos
L131: Rein of ie #1 : “ise is vane
Ul. 13.2: Refetonof gi 2. = 155 iG Mercury
1114; Baring or blocking zs 160 Ree
IL Ut: Baring 160 ai
Mi ret ‘e Na Relies lic Dap
HL: Pashing nate on : Not 10 Macetine tad temo pl
{11116 Poshing power - 167 §V11; Dinmnal and nocturnal planets.
SIT.17 Posing 190 gates 470 §V.12: Additonal notes on the planets al. Qabi. jg INTRODUCTIONS TO ASTROLOGY: ABU MA'SHAR& ALQABIST
Conran
§V.15: Planetary days and hours. a8 $V12.32: The Lat of rrigiton
114 Maseuline and fersinine hours: al-Qabi 280 $V12.33 The Lot of mele and poo tong
BOOK VE: LOTS. 281 GUIZ 34 The Lat of wid
WLI: The seven planetary Lo. 281 U12:35: The Lat of th rth adi of mor
GUILT The Lat of Fortune rte Moon 281 GUA2 36 Te Lat of cin
GULI2 The La of Spit othe Sat. 284 SUI2 37: The Lot of tity
FUL1 3: The Lat of Eos or Venus Vales) 285 JU12 38: The Lavo the hing ad ctor,
GUI The Lot of Bais. a 285 U12.39: The Lat of pover or kino or uprima
GUIIS: The Lat of Nesey or Mey (Vale) 286 SUI2-0: The Lat of toy ad wht a native doe
$VLIG; The La of Carag or Mars 287 SUI241: The Latof the mole. :
GUL 7 The Lat of Vio Jape. 288 SVL2A2: The Lat ofa and ator (V ake)
SUL: Th Lat of Nemesis or Star. 288 GVI2-83: The Lat of theca of Kno
5V12: Lots of the hous ss 290 GVI24 The Lot of op.
(GI21 The Lat of fe : 290 GVIZA5: Th Lot of frend.
512.2: The Lat of trae hl 290 ‘GV12.46: The Lavo making res and ees.
FVI2 3: The Lot of origins ord contin. 292 GUI207- The Lot of emis (eta aciets)
V1.2: The La of sets - 292 GV12.48: The Lovo ees (rm).
§V1.25: The Lato oes 293 §VL3: Other miscellaneous Lots: a Qebis
V1.2: The Lat of the death of te bathers 294 §V13.1 The La of bro
§V12 7: Te Lat ofthe aber. 294 V3.2: The Lae of eri and bravery.
VT28: The Lato th death ofthe pare. 295 UI Te Lat of eas among ti
$V129: The Lat of rnd 236 SUI3:A: Th Lot of the luton of the or.
‘GV12.10¢ The Loto real ext. 207 SVL4: Mondane Lots: a abi
GVI2 I The Lot fain 298 SVAAI: Th Lo of th Kingdom ad command #1
$V12.12: The Lat ofthe ed of mates 298 VIA2: Lat ofthe kingdom and somnand #2
$V1213; Te Lat of chile 299 VIA: Te Lar the king and command 13.
JU/L2.14 The Lot of te ti of child 300 JUIAH: The Lat of the darton of he hingdom #1
VI2.15: Th Lat of male bile 301 JUIAS: The Lava the drton of te kno #2.
$12.16; Th La offal clen 302 SUA The to “att Lote"
§VI2I7: The Lat ofa ils se: 303 SUIAT: Viet Sat Lote" #2.
VI2.18: The La of et. 303 SVL5: Lots for Commodities a Qabis nn
5V1219: The Lave ironies. 303 BOOK VII: DEGREES OF THE SIGNS..
§V12.20: Te La of ae no 304 GVILA: The planetary firdariy.
$V12.21: The Lot of mr’ mamage (Heme) 305 SVIL2: The planetary yet onus
‘GU12.22: The Loto men's marae Vales) 806 {VIL3: Planets and the ages of man: ah Qube 333
$12.23: The Lot of women's merase (ere) 306, {VILA The Egyptian bounds aay
V12.24 The Lat of women’s mariage (Va) 307 {VU The ninth. an
GU 1225: The Lot ofthe time of mariage. ae §VT16 The darian: a. Qabis 338
V1.2 26: The Lat of deli and pase. = 308 EVIL: Dees in the signs. om
$V12.27: The La of eth. i nn 308 {VILE Masculine and feminine degeces..0o- 3
Sizes Lv ge hig pln 300 {Mls Weled,cerng fone eminent deguss as
$1229: To Lot fe mpd or eT GUILD Wael aes o
$V12.30: The Lot fh opps pa. oi (GU119.2: Dees toeaing rt. a ot
§V12.31; The Lat of a : 312 ‘GUILI.3: Dg of ronal eminene : ett vi INTRODUCTIONS 10 ASTROLOGY: ABU Ma'sHAR & AL-QABist
SVIL10: Degeces of cheonic illness al-Qabis 350
BOOK VIII: SPECIAL TECHNIQUES. : “351
SVIILA: Prognancy, bis, longevity: al-CQabi 331
SUITE A: Prepay aes
SUI 2: Bik ering mae set Avot si
VUES: Laney. : 353
SUIT Ate The wir er he nati ne
SV 1112: Anal echniques: ah Qabis “358;
UIA: Natl profess “358
GVIL22: Dineton : 3
§VI.23: The Lord thet. . 368
VILLA: Transit : 00
§VITLS: Mundane astrology: a-Qabi nT
GUVIN.A: Conjstions. ant
372
GVUL.2: Mandane prfetion
Sint 32es Pig om te onjanon of 371 AD to the Elna 622 AD)
: 372
V1.3 2b: Pring om the Hijo he ion of Yai (32 AD)
: Ss 7 vod
[SVIIL3 2c Profi fom the onion of 571 AD to the ein of
Yagil 373
VI 24 Dring rm te anesion of agg tbe Abad onal
(750 AD). penne 313
GV IMA 2 Proecng rom te canenton of 71 AD fo the it rt th fer)
triply (809 AD). : 374
§VINL3.3: Mundane drestons 7 374
375
SVINIA: Weatter.
SVL 4: Blections a-Qabist 7 Ssi6
GLOSSARY. . se 318
“APPENDIX A: TEXTS FOR TABLES OF DEG 392
‘APPENDIX B: RI. \VIONSIHS BETWEEN
DEHINTTIONS (BOOK THD) 395
AWpUNDIN C: RELATION BETWEEN ANHIOCTIUS/PORPYIIRY AND
‘ARAMIC AUTHORS “ v3 96
APPENDIX: LOTS B88.
‘AIMINDIN E: ASCENSION TINS € PRIMARY DIRUICTIONS 402
“APPENDIX F STupy GulbI:10 PexstaN NanIVTTE. AB
‘APPENDIN Ge THE ESSENTT ME MEDILL ASTROLOGY CYCH 0A
BIBLIOGRAPHY. : Ty
INDEX. oa 420
Abbr
Auth
BRD
Bir
a
Gr Inn
Into
ndgente
On Ren
oR
PN
Te,
ws
convents vil
BOOK ABBREVIATIONS
ADE Ma‘shar: The Abbrenation ofthe Inrdution Attra
Vertis Valens: The Athol
Bonatti, Guido Book of Asirorony (now availabe a eeprints)
Abi Na'shar: Ow Historical Asolo be Book of Reon: and
Dayastios (On the Great Canjinsins)
ibe Fzea, Abra The Beginning of Wisiom
ham
Lilly, Wiliams Chitin Asrtgy
Docotheus of — Carmn Aarau
Sidon _—
ADU Ma‘shar: Great Inmucson to tbe Knol of th Judgments of
‘the Stars :
Sahl bin Bishe: The Jnrmdntion Ge WM)
Sahl bin Bishe: The Fify egrets in WSN)
Sahlbin Bishe On Beton: Gin WSM)
Mashitallah: On the Revltions of th Yeas of he World in
WM)
Mishiallahs Or Rosption in WM)
(Various) Persian Nasties (vos. LTT
"Umar aL Tabast Thre Books on Natives
Prolemmy, Ttraibs (Latin and Project Hindsight.
Proeoy, i Project Hindsight editions)
Sahl bin Bishe Works of Salle Mashaelb
> Mishiallah viii INTRODUCTIONS TO ASTROLOGY: ABD Ma'SHARE AL-QAaist
"TABLE OF FIGURES
Note: All figures by Benjamin Dykes (not in original Latin or Arabic texts)
eee F
es ——
ae 2
fee i te ace
tent Stet one
fe The og Op tore z
fee ree
eee
gure {1 Example of dren face Lov
Fiewe (2: Pane domices out) and exaason (nn)
Fue 13: Sgn sell by epeny
Figure 14: Dorothea pity Lord
Fare 15; Sg ascending diet indo
Fre 16: Commanding obeying signs (18r),antscion Sis
Fae 1: Commanding abenng smc and ve
Fire 1 Sgn ageing in asensons (0d Prlen's commanding!
e
Dl :
re pe whe ry
Fe Sn Seg hangs fo Pa Ch 8 :
Pre 21: Commanding/ obeying signs from Pal Ch 9 ae
PET tale ciea/ sonics?
Free 2s onrcn here : 2
Peed Guar oft oe a
eee ee ‘
Pee ae Rance ‘
Figure 27: Quarters ofthe circle
Figure 28 Angulasiy of houses. cs
Figure 29: chart with quadrant-based houses and cusps.
Figure 30: Basic meanings of the houses
Figure 31: Angular triads and ages of life (a-Qabis.
Figure 32: Planetary joss by house.
Figure 33: Deferent, epicyele, quant, and apogee (a)
Figure 34: Approximate apogees ofthe planets (2010), from a
Figure 35: Aveening/descending in he apoee as
Fun 3: Aepuments of anomaes and equnton ofthe argent 85
gure 3: Quine of the dferent a epee %
Fur 38 Average daly motions of te planes : :
Figure 39: Nodes and latitude of Moon. : 89
Contents ix
Figure 40: Size of planetary bodies/ozbs, in front andl behind. ot
Figure 4: Satuen in the body/orb of the Moon: Abii Ma'shar 92
Figure 42: The Moon in the bod /orb of Saturn: Abi Ma'shar. 92
Figure 43: Right and left of Sun (superiors): Abii Masha. 93.
Figure 44: Right and left of Sun (inferoes), AbG Masha. 94
Figure 45: Right and left of Sun (Moon), Abi Masha. vo D8
Figure 46: Generic synodic eycle with Sun (superior). nT
Figure 47: Synodic cycle of superiors: Abii Ma’shar, 9
Figure 48: Syaodic cycle of superiors l-Qabis von 0
igure 49: Generic spnodic eyele of inferior, 102
Figure 50: Synodic cycle of inferios (ABS Ma'sha). 103
Figure 51: Synodic cycle of inferiors(al-Qabis). 104
Figure 52: Synodic eycle of Moon (Aba Na’shat). 108
Figure 53: Mercury, Jupiter, Sturn in facing of Sun; Mars in facing of Moon,
a 109
Figure 54 Lunar phases and elemental qualities: alQabis. 110
Figure 55: (Supetion) planets’ eyeles and elemental qualities aQabist.. 111
‘Figure 56: Planets in theie domains in a diucnal chat. M4
‘Figure 57: Planets in thei domains in a noctusnal char. 115
Figure 58: Bight advantageous places: Nechepso, Abi Masha, a-Qabist 119
Figure 59: Seven advantageous places (gray): Timacus, Dorothets, Sahl. 120
Figure 60; Planets assembled in sme sign and within 15°. 125
Figure 61: Sturn regarding the Moon and Suter 129
Figure 62: The Thema Mundi and aspects Bt
Figure 63: Moon connecting to Jupiter, Jupiter connecting t0 Satur. 134
Figure 64: The Moon disregarding/ separating from Jupiter 138
Figure 65: The Moon crossing over and diverting/separating from Jupiter 40
Figure 66: Medieval emptiness of couese 13
Figure 67: Mote restrictive Hellenistic emptiness of course 144
Figure 68: Example of a medieval wild Moon. = 146
igre 69: Transfer — 150
igure 70: Collection of light - 152
Figuce 71: Reflecting the light #1 = 155
Figure 72: Reflecting the light #2. : v6
igure 73: Potential pesection proper (gray) and reflection (white), 38
Figure 74: Baring #1 (by assembly) 161
Figuee 75: Baring #2 (by aspect). 162
Figure 76: Barzing as breaking an enclosure besieging, 163,
Figure 77: Mars pushing his narue to Jupiter. vn GS
Figure 78 Mars pushing his power to Jupiter 168
Figure 79: Pushing two natures rype #1 im
Figure 80: Pushing evo natures ype #2 172
[Figure 81: The Moon pushing management to Mars : a7
Figure 82: Returning with fitness or usefulness, re x INTRODUCTIONS To ASTROLOGY: ABU MAHAR € ALQAB
Figuee 83: Returning with corruption ox destruction. 79 INTRODUCTION
Frigate 8: Revoking. : ae
Figure 85: Obstruction. . nS
Figute 86: Escape "
Figure 87: Cating of ight #1 a i 188 Sf: Paps f isbn
Figure 88: Cutting of ihe #2. a sd
tau Cag ie : ae Inumétsions 19 Triton! Aug (FTA is a0 introduction and resource
gore 9 Two receptions by connection 107 text for students of tational astrology. I is not exactly a cure, but would
Fear 92 Tw receptions by whole sgn ao 198 bie invaluable for those taking a course as well ax studying alone, whether ax
Figuee 93: Thee receptions by sign agreement set 9 ew o¢coatinuing students. I covers mater spanning all areas of the adi
gute 94 Example of bodyguarding according t0 a: Qabish om siomal period: Helenstic, medieval Arabic and Lavi, Rensissance and carly
Figure 95: Medieval bodyguading Pe oo dO eee :
Figure 96; Medieval bodyguarding type 2 (nocturnal) 01 erm-es 208 Atits two short works by fi 10 * *
gute 97: Medieval bodsgusrding se 2 (Bena .o---nnonnnn 09 core ar two shore work by fous astrologer ofthe and 10
Figure 98. Medieval bodyguard ype 3 (diusoa 210 Centuries: Abi Ma'sha's Abit of etrduton ad Qabias Inada
gute 99: Medieval bodjguarding type 3 (noetzaa 210 ion tthe Ses of Ate x many sections, have also added material from
Figure 100: Malic enclosure besieging by sgn soon [Abi Ma'shac's Great Intmdhton 0 the Scone of the Sts and. from other
‘Figure 101: Malefic enclosure/ besieging by degree - sources.! These texts also provide a unifying historical and conceptual center
Fjgute 102: Breaking an enclosure by degree seas eee eee
Figure 103; Tale of llth pats. menno nase for the tational period gencely, a an elaboration of Hellenic practice,
Figure 104 Strength of plants in caedinal dtectons: Qa one 239 and 48 the foundation of late European astrology. JT thos covers funda
re 105: Planetary hours from suns nD ‘mental astologicl concepts and methods from about 100 BC to 1700 AD,
Figure 106: Plane swith ts center in 9® Century Baghdad,
Fur 1 Love Forane aelation Dye 28 TTA s othe echnieaingoduction and ene pint o my Esa Me
Fe 18 Tit of lane pa mm ial Aang (EMA) seis? 4 eye of tsaons in al branches of
Fees 1 pen bn nn a teonal solgy (pi, focusing on Persian snd Abie writer). Receaty
Pe tt Depts in the igs sco GI oe 310 "completed the antl instalment ofthe ejele 5 Peon Natty FM, and
Fur 12: epee inthe eps scoring at Qa ‘sat will soon reese the hoary installments Bu no mate which Branch ite
Fp 1: sine emnne dees rg0 n 383 ests you, al techniques in tional astrology come down to the primary
Fp 14 The weed dpe acoting 0 a oA principles, concepts, and methods presented inthis book. The othe int
gure U5: The wll ges eorig 3. ——l ee acl hel erste
Figure 116: The degrees of eminences according © Gi If 7 the EMA series will be a9 “invitation” to traditional astrology,
Fa Ife degen of personal eminence scoring Gi Ta 348 directed at cuiows moder students Ie wil ofer 4 mote phsophial look
Pee {teste depees of mores forone scoring 0a Qa. 309 at ky apprcaches and desi adona soo, icuding ater of fe
ge 19 Te des fon es a, 30 and freedom, prediction techniques and time, how we look at signs, and so
FRE ton, Fear degrees of chron css) ; on. wl als include hepfl reading lists, astologe biogaphis, and mote
Fibre 121; Example of profeeions: Abi Mahar. 359 pf reading lists, astrologer biographies, and
Fine 122 Discos from te depres of the angle eae
Figure 123: Egypian bound : Sooo
"Ako 1 have waned the Gi Int except om Latin, ave reviewed the Arabic
‘eens ofthe for cot and cvtcetons. Te cae to me mow that we very much ed
mpl dts nf ir lat ety fom the sbi
ce Nmpenn 2 INTRODUCTIONS To ASTROLOGY: ABU MASHARE ALQABIST
IF we think of these two introductions in terms of guadrupicites, TTA is
the "fixed book, a concentration of instructions and invormation for use in
all branches of astrology. ‘The invitaional book will have 2 “mov:
fble/cacdinal” and “mutable/common” function: it will offer some
challenges to modern astrology, stimulate a deeper experience of traditional
strology and thought generally, provoke more sophisticated conversations
bout issues astrologers care about, and expose people toa variety of alterna:
tive outlooks and practical methods.
$2 The primary autars and texts
In this section, et me deseribe the lives and works of several of the au»
thors represented in IT; in the nest section I will describe the overall
organization and special features ofthe book ;
“Aba Ma’shar. Nbii Ma'shar Jafar bin Muhammad bin ‘Umar alBalkhi
vas one of the most significant astrologers of the mecieval period. He was
born on August 10, 787 AD, ia medieval Khurisin, tay near Balkh, AF
hanistan According to ibn al-Nadim, he ied on March 8 oF 99, 886 AD.
He lived in Baghdad and fist took up astrology at age 47, allegedly in re-
sponse to a challenge from the Arb astrologer and scientist, abKindl
“According to a famous story, AbG Ma'shar had had a scoffing atitade to-
‘wards astrology and those who practiced it, uni al-Kind challenged him to
learn something about it first. He was soon converted to astrology and be
came a peolific and highly influential author in several banches of astrology,
sy in manda ecg
amarok whe Gem eit he Str el
sedis Lat by bt Jon of Span G15) ad Herman of Cao
thn gn aT gt boos bpn wth some plop a sci
jet for solos sich her formed te aekbne of Bons
OLLI Subeqpnt bok ener al ares of bas coeep fom ab
thos of the agonal phn and honey C0 dies, nea
reRtgusonapcal degen the rn some pve mata ad
Lines Ath mes ns mine by Bona er fr cena
3Sce PNA. pp Lan 134
1h ek cing copy of Ge Jin abc fr 999 AD: Istanbul Cart 1508,
bled cra by Srgin 1988 Ge Ae.)
Py DOTT 2 pam om else sation of Jl atin ves
Inropuctiox 3
IA, Uhave liberally inserted sections from this book (using Lemays eitical
‘edition of John’s tansation).
‘After writing Gr Init, Abii Ma’shar turned extracts from it into a shorter
textbook called the Abbriaton of the Ietraducion bb). This book was trans-
lated in the 12 Century by Adelard of Bath, who paired it with material on
astrological talismans and pseudo-Prolemy’s famous Cents. According
to Burnett of al, Abbr. was never popular ia ether the Arabic East of Latin
West, “perhaps because of competition from several other popular short
introduetions."* But it might aso have remained on the margins because it
‘was included with magical material rather than with the standard astrological
compendia. As of 1994, when Burnett ef al published the ertical edition of
the Arabic and Latin, only wo Arabie manuseripts of it were known, In
forming thei edition, Buenet’s group compared thei Arabic /1bbn. against
the oldest copy of Gr. In, bur also found that Adela’ Latin was helpful—
‘even in establishing the correct reading of competing or uncleat Arabic pas-
sages. Since Adela’ Latin ako contains more material than the Atabic
Abr, it may reflect fulle version of Abr now lost.” My new tanslaion of
AAdelard forms one of the ro key texts of ITA, supplemented by sections
from John’s Latin version of Gr. In
Ab Qubis, The second core text is a-Qabis's Introduston f the Scene of
Auto, Nb aSage ‘Aba al'Aziz bin ‘Udhmn bin ‘AH al-Qabist (@ 967)
\was a mathematician and astronomer ative inthe fiendship circle of Sayfa
Datla (the Emir of Aleppo from 945-67 AD), who also composed some
astrological works. According to the historian al-Nadim, alQabisi was the
student of the astrologer alin}, who wrote a famous work on elections
In a treatise on the testing of astronomers and astrologers, al-Qabis outlined
1 fivefold division of astrology (which he called the “Crafe of Judgments”)
this is simply the four traditional branches (tmundane, nativites, questions,
ections), with annual natal techaiques? as a separate category. He believed
‘that astrology should be kept from dilettantes, nd in his book on testing he
Sep
Tor example, ce LSS, 1.936, and VILETS, alo iniemtion sts a
lane tr
T plant tana ans bak fm the Latin vseion forthe eesonal pion of
seEN och
$cc VIL bel for ab Qai re acount ofthe, and Append For othe wee
ions inthe hae nsf my Pron Nai 4 INTRODUCTIONS To AsTROLOGY: AB Ma'sHaR & AL-Qasis)
Alivided asteologets into four categories: from the filly competent astzologer
‘who understands the mathematics involved and the reasoning behind inter
pretations, to those who can only perform mechanical tasks (ike wsing
astrolabes and suet)
AL-Qabis’sIntedution was translated by John of Spain, and became one
‘ofthe most popula introductions to astrology for many centuries, Important
portions of it ae clearly drawn from Abu Ma'shar's “bir or the Gr. Ir but
there is plenty more material a it, including brief reviews of several natal and
mundane predictive techniques: these reviews may help students who have
snot already been acquainted with the lengthier treatments in Peviaw Natit
Burnett eal proxhiced a critieal edition ofthe Arabic and Latin in 2004, and
TTA contains my own translation of the Latin, with corrections and adjust
ments bared on the Arabic edition
“Adelaed of Bath. ‘Toe more popular translations of astrological works
from the 124 Century were by John of Spain, whose literal and simple Latin
style makes them very easy t0 read. In my Introduction to PNY, I describe
hhow Joho’s terminology supplanted those of competitors such as Hugo of
Santlla and Hermann of Carinthia: dhus we speak today of planetary “exalta-
tions” (John), not “ 1s" oF “supremacis” (Hugo) The same thing
may be std about Adelard of Bath (ca, 1080-1152 AD), whose translation of
“Abin. alls the planetary falls or descensions “slavesies” (emits) and the Sig
fof dettiment an “estrangement” or “alienation” (aitrati). Although Ade-
lant’s tanslaions of astronomical and mathematical material were initially
fluent, ultimately both his terminology and works were neglected,
“Adelatdl was from Bath!" born just after the Norman Conquest and a few
yeas before the Fist Cruside. His father was likely Fastred (a Germanic
fname), a tenant of the Bishop of Wells (and his successor, John of Tours),
both continental bishops. Adela scems to have been an educated countey
gentleman rather than an academic, suggested in part by his familiarity with
‘now-lost English methods of hawking (preserved in his Treatise on Bid). He
is known to have studied at Touts, and had an easly interest in astronomical
and mathematical sciences. Some of his works are constructed as dialogues
with a (Hctional’) nephew, who is supposed t0 represent less sophisticated
northern European leaming, while Adelans own persona is up to dare on
the new and exotic Atabie and eastern contributions to learing—of which
{en what falls [draw om weve he acs in Burnet 1987
IxtRopucrioN 5
Adelard himself would be aa early translator, But in order to write such
works, he also had to know traditional Latin learning
Around 1112, Adclrd began his encounter with eastern learning in south-
fem Italy (particularly Salerno), where he was exposed to and discussed
various scientific questions with unnamed Greek scholars. After Italy he
traveled to France, and probably before 1116 he wrote a work called On te
Same and the Different. Although the tide is a cleat reference to Plato's Timacus
(oehich was enjoying scholarly popularity at the time), the book is really a
description of the seven liberal arts modeled on earlier Latin literature
Probably around this same time, he wrote On th Rus ofthe Abas, possibly
also in France.
In che early 11205, Adelard returned to England and participated in the in
tellectal circle of the Bishop of Hereford and Prioe of Malvern. Here he
translated three astrological works, which apparently tended ro be included
together: (1) Abir, 2) an incomplete version of pseudo-Prolemy’s Cen
‘ui, anh (3) Thai's Book of Taman, along toy and Hermes, This latter
work includes a description of magical imapes, prayers and incenses, the ma-
terial bases for talismans and rings, and so on, Adelat’s translation of Abr
remained virtually unknown for reasons suggested above, but with the work
‘on talismans he may also have helped jump-saet the medieval magical tradi
tion of carved gems and astro-magical images, some of which were “even on
episcopal croziers”"! Burnett suggests! that Adland’ translation shows he
‘was not fully confident with Arabie at the time, but in my own view Ade-
land’s choice of Latin words was sometimes more perceptive than that of
fully Auent Arabists such as John of Spain
Around 1126, Adelad translated the astronomical tables of al-Khwitizmi,
and between 1125-50 he weat on to translate Euclid’s Emons from an Acts
bic source." Near the end of his life he wrote On the Wark of te Aaa (a
1150), and, if Noth i right, Adelard was a tutor of sorts tothe farare Hlenty
1, and is responsible for casting most of the ten astcologial charts on royal
matters described in his article, covering years from the 1130s to about
1150.4 IF true, it would show that sortheen European and English royalty
© Marat Giban, “Aland oF Bath," in Burt 1987p 6.
"2 Barme 187, p38
Do There are the versions ofthe Eat atte solo of hich “land is
conse the most ene
"Noth Some NoumanHoaconc” a Burnet 1987, 160 6 INTRODUCTIONS TO ASTROLOGY? AB MASHAR & ALQABIST
were solidly committed to Arabic-era astrology just a few decades into the
iase Crusade
‘Other works pretty solidly atrbured to Adelard include Nati! Qrestins
and Ow Music (ia which Adelatd notes that teenage boys of his day just want
to sit around and listen to music: some things never change).
$8 Stature of TA
In otder to take the best advantage of ITA, readers must understand how
1 have structured it, Since Abin is composed largely of excerpts from Gr
Inte, andl al Qabists book is often based on Abi, it makes sense to pu pat
allel discussions in these three works into the same sections of IT, One
‘could reconstruct br. and al Qabisi entirely by putting these sections in
numerical order, but for my purposes | have followed the organization of
“blr, foe Books LVI, and pat al-Qubis’s matesal on predictive and inter
pretive methods atthe end as Book VILL, Each section heading is my on,
followed by the relevant sections of the core works, almost always in the
following over: Abin, Gr. Inte, alQabis, other astrologess—occasionally
swith my own comments following, Below is an example of the structure
swith further descriptions of each type of excerpt
{§XXcA: Dykes’s section numbering and heading
[Abir, XX-1] Leading excerpts from Aba Ma’shar’s Ali, almost com-
pletely in numerical order based on Burnet
