Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises

Belgium, Bruges, early 15th century, in or before 1403

MS M.785 fol. 7v

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Third Decanus of Taurus in three zones:

1) Sphaera Persica:

Lower half of figure, inscribed MEDIETAS CINCIPITIS (Astrological Sign: unidentified); Man, inscribed VIR ERECTUS ANGUEN TENENS IN MANU, holding coiled serpent in right hand (Constellation: Ophiuchus); man, inscribed VIR SUPRA CURRUM SEDENS MANU HIRCUM TENENS, holding ram, seated in cart pulled by two horses, inscribed EQUI DUO, above cart pulled by two oxen inscribed BOUES DUO (Constellation: Plaustrum ?).

2) Sphaera Indica:

Partially draped man-lion hybrid inscribed VIR CORPORE CONGESTO EX LEONE ET ELEFANTO (Astrological Sign: Hybrid Figure), facing bearded man, inscribed PUER IPREIUS (sic), seated with right hand extended toward the hybrid man (Astrological Sign: unidentified); bull, inscribed TAURUS PROSTRATUS, lying down (Constellation: Taurus); horse, inscribed EQUUS BOREALIS, wearing saddle and bridle (Astrological Sign: Equus Borealis).

3) Sphaera Graeca:

Perseus, inscribed PERSEUS TRAHENS HABENAS EQUI BOREALIS, holding cords in right hand (Constellation: Perseus); head of bull, inscribed CAPUT TAURI (Constellation: Taurus); stream of water inscribed FINIS FLUUII (Constellation: Eridanus).