Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises

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

MS M.785 fol. 12v

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Third Decanus of Cancer in three zones:

1) Sphaera Persica:

Woman, inscribed PUELLA TERCIA DE TRIBUS SORORIBUS, holding sheaf of grain (?) in right hand (Constellation: Virgo); ears of ass, inscribed AURES ASINI (Constellation: Asinus); hindquarters of dog, faintly inscribed POSTERIOR PARE CANIS (sic) (Constellation: Canis); ass, inscribed SECUNDUS ASINUS AUSTRALIS (Constellation: Asinus); tail of animal (scarab ?), inscribed FINIS SCARABONIS (Constellation: Cancer).

2) Sphaera Indica:

Man, inscribed VIR HABENS PEDES SIMILES TORTUCE, wearing hood, with animal feet, holding snake inscribed ANGUIS EXTENTUS, beside fringed cloth inscribed TELA LINI, gathered cloth inscribed PANNUS, filled pouch inscribed MARSUPIUM PLENA, cloth or garment hanging from rack inscribed INDUMENTUM NEGOCIATORIS, and ship, inscribed NAUIS ILLIUS CUM QUI COGITAT IRE NEGOCIATUM (Astrological Sign: Hybrid Figure).

3) Sphaera Graeca:

Head of bear, inscribed CAPUT URSE MINORIS (Constellation: Ursa Minor); headless, nude figure of Castor inscribed MANUS DEXTRA ET PES CASTORIS, only right side of body and right arm and leg shown (Constellation: Gemini); head of crab, inscribed AURES CANERI ET OCULI (Constellation: Cancer); sail inscribed, VELUM NAUIS ARGOS (Constellation: Argo Navis); serpent head, inscribed CAPUT ASSUA UEL COLUBRI (sic) (Constellation: Serpens).