Vettius Valens - Anthology - Book 9 - Chapter 5

Translation by Christopher Scott.

5. Concerning the time a person takes to bed ill and the inception of events:

Now then, one must also judge the time when a person takes to bed ill in the same way. From the dawn of the natal conjunction of the generative day, having learned the multitude of days we cut away, as much as we are able, from the 4­year period, having noted the excess of the quarter (¼) numbers. We take from the dawn of the conjunction of the current year of the natal day, and having cut away (by division) from the 4­year period, we interpret what remains. In the third computation, it is necessary to take from the dawn of the conjunction leading toward the time a person takes to bed of the falling­-ill (κατακλιτικῆς) day , and having cut away (by division) the 4­year period it is necessary to interpret the remaining number with the preceding numbers. If at any time three signs (γραφαὶ) should leave off (καταλήξωσιν) at the same number, a deadly time shall be judged; on the other hand, if different, then judge the danger having suddenly come on account of either a disease or an accident or an injury.

Through experiment it seems to us to guide us not only to effective inceptions of taking­to­bed­ ill, but also of all matters whichever of which happen at that time – of a lesser event, of a notable event, of an introductory event, of a blameworthy event, of a social event – and, singularly, not only those things coming to an end for men, but also events from men such as the establishment of things, the preparations of votive offerings, voyages, the appointing of generals, the beginnings of wars, and of bad and good undertakings. And according to this course (of action), if we would wish to say, much of my reckoning concerning these matters will be born out.

From which according to the time of the inception and the time of the occasion and only this, the final interpretation of the form (class/nature) will be judged truly good or even when cross­wise or long­-lasting or unstable or beneficial or of a harmful nature, and not as some sorcerers who may try to tabulate all matters from one inception, not only concerning events but also the times of life, they are willing to cheat the souls of those who approach (them). For, if desirable, since the horoscope was set, with a sober reckoning according to an event of a formation in combination and belonging to a cardinal point, some would begin to interpret not by multitudes of calculations but of those which are being directing through brevity into the truth. Such a one would seem a steersman of life and to have become a good counselor and a genuine prophet of fate. But some according to these are ignorant and becoming lovers of wealth: for being flatterers and false, bringing in pleasures, make obscure the reasoning and maintaining inflated souls cast them down from heaven into the earth, when those taking more agonizing (options?) furnish fully an irresistible prognostication.