Serapio of Alexandria Translation Project

Translation

Title: THE PARANOMASIA OF SERAPION ALEXANDRINUS

The four pivots and their epanaphoras are called Χρηματιστικὰ (profitable) Zoidia. Those <stars> (that come to be) strongly placed upon pivots, or on Lots, or those making a phasis, or the trigons of the Sun, are called Χρηματίζοντες (operative, effectual). συγχρηματίζοντες (Cooperating) stars are those found together upon pivots, or on Lots, or making a phasis. ἀχρημάτιστοι (Inefficient) stars are those that do not fulfill these conditions.

Βοηθοὶ (benefactors) are those stars assisting/in agreement with one another (συλλαμβανόμενοι) those bearing witness (on the right), and those intervening (μεσεμβολοῦντες). Those stars jointly moving are “Συνεργοί” (co-workers). Those that contribute with each other, “ὑπουργοὶ” (contributors).

Συμπαθεῖς (Sympathetic) are those (stars) lying at the same distance (from an equipartite point?), harmonious on account of their seeing each other (κατ’ ἐπιθεώρησιν ἀλλήλων σύμφωνοι, or "on account of their looking ahead to each other"). ἀσυμπαθεῖς (unsympathetic) are those (stars) in no way looking ahead to/contemplating each other, which results from the aversion of the unconnected Zoidia. ἀσύνδετα (Unconnected) Zoidia are those counting 6 and 8 zoidia between each other.

A star is said to command (Προστάσσειν) when it turns out to be in its own house, upon a pivot and above the horizon, and sees both Lights, thus being effectual. Consequently, a star is said to command when it happens to be in its own house, upon pivots, and configured with the Moon. When one of the five stars is on a pivot, (even) if it does not bear witness to the Moon, it commands. If it also bears witness to the Moon by trigon, or square, or diameter, it commands. If the Sun marks the hour, it commands. If the Moon also turns out to be in trigon with it, it commands as well, and the Sun is also effectual.

The stars that happen to be on advantageous places of the birth, that is, when they are found upon pivots, and making a phasis, on Lots, and exactly on synodic conjunctions, are said to be powerful/in a dominating position (᾿Ισχύοντες).

A star is said to be afflicted (Κακοῦται) when it does not happen to be in fitting places, when it is besieged by malefics, or in opposition, or in a tenth-house relationship (ἐπιδέκατον). For the benefic Zoidia are the Horoskopos, the MC, 11th, 5th, God, Goddess. The 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, <8th>, 12th (zoidia from the Horoskopos) are malefic.

A (star) following (another) one that goes ahead, is said to “lean towards” (that star) (Προσνεύων).

The Zoidion pre-ascending the Moon, towards which the Moon is taken, is said to “rise together” (῾Ομοροοῦν), for which it is also said to “fasten to it” (παράκολλον, or located on the same meridian). The Zoidion below the Moon, which does not rise together with it, is said to “keep aloof” from it (ἀποσαλεῦον).

When a star is on the 9th zoidion, it is said to hold “superiority” (καθυπερτέρησιν “Superior Vision”) as regards strength. If no star is present on the 9th, then it prevails/has a dominant position. Superiorities occur by degree, in this fashion: when two stars happen to be in the same zoidion, the one having the lesser number of degrees holds Superiority over the one with a greater number of degrees. Be it as example, Mercury 10º Aries, Saturn 25º of the same zoidion: it is clear that Mercury holds superiority by degree over Saturn.

When the stars happen to be in their own exaltations, they are said to be “in their own chariots"

Spear-bearing stars (Δορυφόροι) are said to be "oriental" when they rise before the Sun; "occidental", when they pre-ascend the Sun, and post-ascend the Moon.

The 15 degrees ahead of the Sun are called εὐσεβῶν ("pious"), for (the stars) there have been released from the beams of the Sun; the 15 degrees past the Sun are called ἀσεβῶν ("unholy"), because the stars there found, become weaker, as they have fallen under the beams of the Sun.

When the Moon is taken from the conjunction towards its fullness, this is called ἑσπερία ἀνατολὴ (Occidental Rising). When taken from Full Moon towards the conjunction, this is called ἑῴα ἀνατολὴ ("Oriental Rising").

The so-called Lot of Fortune is called ᾿Αρχέτυπος ("Archetype, first pattern"); the sides of the square from it, ὑπόστασις ("Support").

Saturn, Jupiter and Mars are called Κραταιοὶ ἀστέρες ("Mighty Stars"). The ζῴδιον κραταιὸν ("Mighty Zoidion") of each birth is the tenth and ninth zoidion from the Moon, that is, the right side of the square, and of the triangle.

The first side of the triangle, and of the square, and of the hexagon are said to be the left....(corrupt text)... to which of the stars the Moon first goes into conjunction.

The right side of the square is called ᾿Επιδέκατον ("Position from the Tenth")

When the Moon has drawn away 15º from the Sun, and rises, this is called Φωσφορίαι ("Shining"). <The same rule holds for the other stars, which is called Φωσφορίαι as well>.

Of the Epanaphoras, the second place; and of the apoklimas, the 6th place, are said to be better, because of their being in trigon to the Midheaven. (...because they stand in a triangle-side relationship with the Midheaven).

When Jupiter and Saturn are conjunct in the Water-bearer, there will be ... (corrupt text) turbulent indications along the Northern regions neighboring our Sea.

The Midheaven and each pivot in particular give the acquisition, the (stars) on the Apoklimas indicate the quality of the acquisition. For example, Jupiter culminating, Mars in the sixth place: the acquisition is from Jupiter, the quality from Mars, that is, through military <characters>; the causing agent is Jupiter, the quality, Mars, whose influence is shown by means of such kind of persons.

The Malefics on the Apoklimas are more powerful if one stands close to a pivot, for the cause of the evil (influence) will be through them, mainly if they are on the sixth place; the unprofitable of the declining (cadent) stars are always inefficacious.

Many times Spirit (Daimon) becomes Fortune: for when the Light of the Sect is found in bounds of (a star) out of Sect; or, according to the masculine and feminine - that is, when the Sun is in a feminine Zoidion by day, or when the Moon in a masculine Zoidion by night; or when the Light of the Sect is not Eastern in the Hemisphere of the Sect; or when both Lights happen to be in the hemisphere under the Earth, and the other stars are found (in an uncongenial condition) because of the Light in Overseeing/prevailing position, that is, in the anteceding zoidia, then Fortune is taken in the direction of the following zoidia.

The disposition in triangles are friendlier, even if they are malefics, they damage less. The squares have the greatest strength, the hexagons a lesser one. The diameters of the benefics create rivalry, those of the malefics turn evil things more powerful. When they are upon pivots, the conjunction of the benefics rejoicing in their own places are the best, those of the malefics soften the evil influence.

These diametres are more powerful: Moon in Taurus - Mars in Scorpio, Sun in Leo - Saturn in Aquarius, Jupiter in Sagitarius < -Mercury in Gemini............(corrupt text) > Saturn in the Balance. This is so because the gods are in their own domiciles and their own thrones, for then they become dominant. But, on the contrary, the worst configuration is, in general, when a star is in opposition to its own bounds, and has the Overseeing and diametrical position of a star of an opposite condition. Many times , the convexity of the Earth impedes and injures the diametres, for instance the Fish and the Virgin, except that Jupiter and Saturn are not injured by the convexity of the Earth, nor the Moon in the Bull, nor Mars in the Scorpion. All the other Stars, being in diametres, are invisible to each other, due to the convexity of the Earth.

Of whatever bounds the Moon is in, it is made the Oikodespotes, when the Lord of the bounds happens to be in its own Zoidion, or degree, bearing witness to the Moon. The degrees from which the Moon is carried, make a Separation; and the degrees towards which the Moon is moving, those the Moon is said to conjoin. If the Lord approaches the degrees of the bounds, and the Moon is present with Him in her own bounds, if the Moon conjoins Him, then the Conjunction has authority. In the same way, if she separates, then the Separation has authority. If this is not the case, but the Moon is about to conjoin any star, be it bodily or by testimony (aspect), of the degrees the Moon is going through, it is necessary to observe towards which bounds the Moon is moving. Those bounds are of the star to which the Moon casts rays. If this is not so, say otherwise (corrupt text). If the bounds towards which the Moon is coming do not turn out to be the same bounds as those of the star to which the rays are cast (the aspected planet), the conjunction will not be dominant. Observe the same also as regards separations.

The Moon, being full, rejoices when it is joined to the sect of the Sun; if it is waning, to its own sect.

The Moon, when it moves away from its reduction of light towards its half (that is, when the Moon moves from the conjunction, thus increasing in light, TN) makes those of moderate means; (when it moves) from its half towards the diminishing of its light (makes) those who are humbled/abased. (When it moves) from its half towards the increasing of its light, it makes those who are happy, and (when it moves) from the fulness of its light towards its half, (it makes) those of moderate means. These increase and loosen according to the waxing and waning of its light, for, when it is waning, it is as if her strength were taken away. But…… (corrupt text) even when from the other configurations, it becomes cause of happiness or banishment; when it is not witnessed by Jupiter or Venus, and it is void of course, it makes those who are average/temperate, and lovers of solitude; and if it is also waning, those who are banished. But if they are declining (cadent), or under the beams of the Sun, then (it makes) those who are inferior.

The Moon separating from Mercury gives indications on character and disposition of mind; from Venus, it <makes desires of pleasures> and the like; from Jupiter, (it gives indications) <on> passionate people, and on changes in heart/mind/will; from Saturn, on the chilling of the bodies, degeneration of the nerves and disturbances with the fluids/bowels. If the Moon separates from the Sun and Mars, <it causes> burnings and whatever comes from fire.

He takes the phasis of the stars following the divine Ptolemy, and not Dorotheus.

The stars that are in square or diametre relationship with the Sun are powerful, even if they are in unprofitable places.

Whatever gifts Saturn gives, no other star can take away.

The Full Moon in square or diametre relationship towards Mars, and the waning Moon towards Saturn, especially when it is on a pivot, causes disgrace and banishment.

When a star happens to be within the first three degrees of a Zoidion, it has its influence towards the preceding zoidion, in the same manner if – on the contrary – it is within the last three degrees of a Zoidion, it has the strength of its effects towards the following Zoidion, mainly when it is the Sun or the Moon. If a star turns out to be on the division of two zoidia, its effects become stronger and more immoderate.

The Horoskopos, those (planets) in the East(ern quadrant), and the morning risers signify the prime of age. The Midheaven, the morning risers and those on the first hexagon show the youth, and it is also part of the prime of age because of the pivot. The Descendant, the evening risers, those on……(corrupt text) hexagon, and the stars on the epanaphoras (succedent places) show middle age, and it is also part of the prime of age because of the pivot. Those (stars) under the Earth, the evening risers, those on the second hexagon, and those on the epanaphoras indicate the old age, though it is also part of the youth and middle age because of the pivot.

The (stars) under the beams of the Sun are themselves weak: the Sun, taking hold of their strength, return/give away its effects in appropriate times, the good ones to Venus and Jupiter, the bad ones to Mars and Saturn, particularly when they are in profitable Zoidia. If they are conjunct (synodic), in some way they gain strength due to their having their share of the light of the Sun, and they return their effects in later times, if they are in profitable zoidia. Mercury particularly rejoices being conjunct (synodic) and gets effectual. The acronycal (stars) are more powerful, especially by night, due to their being above the Earth.

The stars that are oriental to the Sun, but occidental to the Horoskopos, are (called) “᾿Αμφόριστοι”.

The stars rejoice in benefic places belonging to their own sect, just as when they are occupying congenial positions, for then even the stars that cause destruction (malefics) do good.

The diurnal stars rejoice in masculine zoidia, and when they are oriental to the Sun, those of the nocturnal sect (rejoice) in feminine (zoidia) and when they are occidental to the Moon.

The benefics in malefic places, and contrary to the sect, do bad.

The stars rejoice in masculine births when they are in masculine zoidia; and in feminine (births) when in feminine (zoidia).

The stars opposing their own places do bad.

In the division of the times, when we do the circumambulation of the stars, it is necessary to know that the contacts of the stars, Horoscope, Midheaven, and the Lots, with one another, have the effects according to their blending (<of the Midheaven>: corrupt), especially if both move through the same quarter (lit. “if both run the same wind”).

Before anything, it is necessary to look for the ruler of the year, its mixtures/combinations, (the stars) casting a (right) aspect to it, its position –both according to its fixed position (in the radix) and its transit (parodos)- and how it is placed in the nativity.

It is also necessary to accurately place the Horoscopos of the year in the Antigenesis (Solar Return), and (the stars) seeing it (that is, in aspect with it), and its ruler, both according to its fixed position and its transit.

The planets in their own thrones rejoice, even if they are under the beams, for the benefics increase the good things, and the malefics change into benefics.

The stars rejoice (this way): Saturn, Jupiter and Mars when they are oriental and configured (with each other), the Moon and Venus when they follow (eastern?) and are occidental. Besides, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars rejoice when they are configured in the oriental quadrants of the Zodiac; the Moon and Venus when crosswise. The diurnal (stars) rejoice above the earth by day, the nocturnal, when under the earth. And contrariwise, the diurnal stars rejoice under the earth by night, the nocturnal, above the earth. Mercury, on account of its being common, changes in the usual manner, according to the sect (it belongs to in the nativity).

The Horoskopos shows the first/early age, and the 12th (place) from it, the things before the birth. The second (place) the extreme (last) part of the first age; the MC shows the middle years of the whole life, and of this, the 9th (indicates) the beginning of the middle; the 10th, the middle of the middle; the 11th, the last part of the middle years. The Descendant shows the last period of life, but the 6th (shows) the beginning (of this last priod), the 7th, the middle; the 8th, the last years of the last period, for which reason it is called “fatal” (thanatikos). The IC shows death itself, and of this, the 3rd. (shows) the things before death; the 4th, death itself; the 5th, the things after death.

For Mastership of the Rulership, the astrologers do not admit (a star) under the beams, one in aversion, one that is retrograde, or depressed, in opposition, and a star having a bad phasis.

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