Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises

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

MS M.785 fol. 16v

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First Decanus of Virgo in three zones:

1) Sphaera Persica:

Before house sits woman, inscribed SECLIODAMA ARABICE DEFAA SPICAM DEFERENS. SUPER SOLIUM SEDENS PUERUM NUTIENS (sic), holding spoon-like object in right hand and sheaf of grain (?) in left hand, beside boy, inscribed, FILIUS, with hands extended toward the sheaf of wheat and bearded man, inscribed VIR IBI SEDENS QUASI CUSTOS PUERI, seated on bench, all below star, inscribed STELLA (Astrological Sign: Holy Family); head of raven, inscribed CAPUT CORUI (Constellation: Corvus); lion head, inscribed CAPUT LEONIS (Constellation: Leo).

2) Sphaera Indica:

Crowned woman, inscribed PUELLA UIRGO PORTANS FACIENS HOMINIS IN MANU SUA VOLENS DOMOS PARENTUM IRE, holds bearded head in draped hands, standing beside building, inscribed HEREDITATES PUERI, in which are vessels and cloths hanging from rod (Astrological Sign: Woman).

3) Sphaera Graeca:

Animal tail, inscribed CUSPIS (Constellation: Draco); body of serpent, inscribed PARS COLUBRI (Constellation: Serpens); hindquarters of bear, inscribed CAUDA CUM PEDE ET CLUNIS URSE (Constellation: Ursa Major); hindquarters of lion, inscribed LEONIS PEDES ET CAUDA (Constellation: Leo); wooden vessel with spout, inscribed CRATER (Constellation: Crater); head of serpent inscribed CAPUT COLUBRI (Constellation: Serpens).