Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises

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

MS M.785 fol. 4r

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First Decanus of Aries in three zones:

1) Sphaera Persica:

Virgo, inscribed FEMINA FILIA SPLENDORIS, crowned, holding skirts (Constellation: Virgo); fish tail, inscribed CAUDA PISCIS MARINI (Constellation: Pisces); draped three-legged object, inscribed TRIGONI PRINCIPIUM THRONI, supported by three columns (Constellation: Triangulum); hybrid stag-bull head, inscribed CAPUT CERUOTAURI (Astrological Sign: Cervotaurus); standing figure, inscribed CINOCEPHALUS, with dog head, holding unlit torch in left hand and key in right hand (Astrological Sign: Cynocephalus); and nude man, inscribed VIR NIGER, partially draped with mantle over his head (Astrological Sign: Vir Niger).

2) Sphaera Indica:

Cepheus, inscribed DORSUM CEPHEI ET CLUNIS EIUSDEM, nude, shown from rear with one arm and leg (Constellation: Cepheus); Andromeda, inscribed DORSUM ANDROMADE, partially draped, shown only with back and one leg (Constellation: Andromeda); bridle with trailing reins, inscribed FINIS FRENI; fish, inscribed PISCIS SECUNDUS, enclosed in cloud of water (Constellation: Pisces).

3)Sphaera Graeca:

Fish head, inscribed MEDIUM PISCIS MARINI (Constellation: Pisces); draped triangle supported by two columns, inscribed MEDIUM TRIGONI (Constellation: Triangulum); head and forequarters of stag-bull, inscribed MEDIUM CERUOTAURI (Astrological Sign: Cervotaurus).