Astrologia restaurata, or, Astrologie restored being an introduction to the general and chief part of the language of the stars : in four books ... / by VVilliam Ramesey, Gent. ...

SECTION III. Of Rules for Electing matters appertaining to the second House.

CHAP. I. Of receiving and borrowing of Money.

* 1.1IN things of this Nature, you must be very carefull to fortifie the Lord of the second, the Lord of the sign in which he is, the cusp of the se∣cond in your time of borrowing or receiving, and the cusp of the se∣cond in your Radix, the Lord of the second, and the Lord also of the house in which he is, if you can; Jupiter also ought to be fortified, for that he is a general significator of wealth, &c.

Let the Moon be also decreasing in light, and in Leo, Scorpio, Sagittary, Aquaries or Pisces; and let Jupiter or Venus behold the ascendent, or the Moon, and if you can both; yet look that the Moon be not impedited of any of the Infortunes, nor Mer∣cury, especially by Conjunction or Square; neither let the Fortunes be cadent; for the Moon by Mars afflicted causeth much sollicitation, pains and labour, also much dif∣ficulty in the procuring, and perhaps anger; If by Saturn, it causeth much protracti∣on and delays, and oftentimes after much pains and travel, causeth the business to come to no good, or frustrateth the borrowers expectation.

* 1.2Take this for an approved Rule, that when the Moon is in the first degree of Gemini, Leo, or Sagittary, or they on the cusp of the ascendent, it is not safe either to bor∣row or lend, for that much inconveniency will come thereof.

* 1.3And if you would borrow money privately that it might not be known or divul∣ged, let the Moon (when you borrow it or receive it) be under the Sun beams, and going to Conjunction of the Fortunes when she is separate from the Sun, or some other good aspect of the Fortunes no ways impedited; this causeth the business to be kept private and close: But if the Moon be joyned, or apply by any aspect to Mars when she separates from the Sun his beams, the business will be divulged abroad, and known by many, and those too that you desire should be ignorant thereof; look also that the Moon be free from Via Combusta, or the conjunction of Dragons Head, and and Dragons Tail.

CHAP. II. Containing other Rules concerning borrowing and lending of money.

UNless you know the true significators, you can herein do nothing.

The Ascendent and its Lord, are the significators of the Borrower or Pe∣titioner: the seventh and his Lord, are significators of the Lender; Mer∣cury and the Moon signifie the Thing to be lent. When therefore you finde the Lord of the Ascendent and the Lord of the seventh in any good Aspect of each other, or in reception, or the Lord of the seventh in any good Aspect of each other, or in reception, or the Lord of the seventh in the ascendent, or Mercury, or Mercury joyned to the Lord of the Ascendent by body or aspect, or in reception of each other, the business shall be accomplished:* 1.4 But if the Moon be under the Sun beams, the Sun shall signifie the thing demanded in stead of the Moon.

And Haly saith, If the Moon be in Via Combusta, or in the ascendent at noon, or in the first degrees of Gemini, Leo, or Sagittary, or if they be in the degree or cusp of the ascendent, it signifieth no good to the Lender; but to the Borrower; this is Halies opinion; you have but just now heard it is neither good for the Borrower or Lender at such a time; you may follow which you please, and in your curiosity try them both, and follow which you finde most true; a little experience will soon clear the doubt: however it is no ways good to lend any thing in the hour of Saturn.

* 1.5But if you desire that the received money remain long with you, not desiring any ways to imploy it; let the ascendent at the time of the receit thereof be a fixed sign, and the Lord of the ascendent, the Moon and the Lord of the second in fixed signs, free from misfortune or impediment, as also the angles of your figure.

But if (for some occasions you have) you would speedily disburse, turn, and winde your money (which perhaps may be advantagious) let the ascendent be a movable sign, or a common: but a movable in such a case is much better;* 1.6 let also the Lord of the ascendent, the Moon, and the Lord of the second in your Radix, and at the time (if you can) of the receit of the money be a movable sign free from

impediment, as also the Angles of your Figures; and remember that in all Elections you fortifie (if possible) your chief significators; as also in your Radix, as well as at the time of the Election.

Furthermore if you desire to keep what you get or receive, that it may be im∣ployed by you to your best advantage, fortifie the ascendent and its Lord at the time of the receit of the money; fortifie also Jupiter, and let not Mars behold the Moon, Ascendent, Part of substance, or part of Fortune, or their houses, or any of their Lords, especially of the Moon or Ascendent; how to take part of substance, or any other part you shall have hereafter, as I have leisure.

CHAP. III. Of buying to profit again by the sale thereof.

DOst not thou know there are many men make a Trade of buying Commo∣dities, and selling them again to their best advantage? yet there are many again confess they have often sold their Wares at disadvantage; the reason was, they bought them at hap-hazard, without respect to any peculiar or particular time (as our ignorant Physitians prescribe Vomits, Purges and Phlebotomie, at any time,* 1.7 procuring thereby much mischief to their Patients (as I have by several known) so that they had need again (the remedy being or proving (by the ignorance of the prescriber) worse then the disease) to take Physick to expel that Physick they have already taken; and this sometimes cannot but indanger the Patients life; for that nature being far spent before, must needs by this rash act of the unskilfull Physitian (who is rather (as Galen and Hippocrates say) to be termed a Fool, then to be ho∣noured with that noble term of Physitian) in prescribing their remedies at such im∣proper times that they work contrary effects (as Purges vomet,* 1.8 and Vomets purge) be more weakened and prejudiced; nay and it doth often fall out so, that nature to∣gether with the life is wholly extinguished; wherefore anon in its due place more shall be said hereon, and the true & real times for administring of physick be cordially deli∣vered unto you; but to the busines in hand) wherefore let them observe what followeth.

* 1.9In buying therefore any thing to make advantage or gain of the sail thereof, for∣tifie the Moon especially, for that she hath most power of any of the Planets in the ordinary course of the life of man; Fortifie also Mercury who hath also much in∣fluence in such matters; also the Lord of the second, and (if possible) the Lord of the Ascendent: let the Moon also be joyned to Mercury by body or a benevolent aspect, free from impediment, either accidental or essential, as also from the affliction of Mars as much as you can.

But if you cannot fortifie Mercury, fortifie the Moon, the eleventh house and the Lord thereof; but yet let Mercury be free from the body or Aspect of Mars; and if you can by any means, let him be in Conjunction or good aspect of Venus, or the Lord of the eleventh or both. Now be sure you observe these rules well; for by how much the more you fortifie Mercury (next to the Moon being to be regarded) by so much the more may you be confident and assured of benefit and profit; for Mer∣cury, the Moon, the second and the eleventh are chief significators herein, and they still cause gain, if well dignified or disposed; but then be sure they be free from the body or aspect good or bad of Mars.

CHAP. IV. Of selling to advantage.

* 1.10EVen thus must you do if you would Elect a time to sell thy commodity at any high rate. Let the Moon be in Taurus, Cancer, Virgo or Pisces, free from mis∣fortune and separating from the Conjunction or aspect of the fortunes and ap∣plying to the aspect, not Conjunction, of the infortunes; for this is good for the Sel∣ler, but the clean contrary for the Buyer.

CHAP. V. Father concerning Buying and Selling in the ordinary course of the World.

* 1.11THus in the daily and ordinary way of trade must you do, fortifie ⊗ and place it in one of the houses of Iupiter, and let Iupiter or some other of the fortunes behold it with a good aspect; for this will be advantagious to the Buyer, but not to the Seller; Also if the Moon be in signs of short or oblique ascentions, decrea∣sing in light, it is good for the Buyer.

But if she be in signs of right or long ascentions, increasing in light, number or motion, and joyned with the fortunes, it shall be more advantagious for the Seller and it shall seldom be, but at such a time the Buyer shall lose by the bargain.

But note, that in all this, the Moon and Mercury be free from the body or aspect of Mars, for that he ever hinders buying and selling, and causes discord and wrang∣ling; also see they be free from the presence of ☋, for he is little worse then it.

* 1.12 Some of the Ancients have delivered these Rules for buying and selling; but others have taught that the Ascendent and its Lord are for the Seller, the seventh and the Lord thereof for the Buyer, and the Moon for the thing to be bought and sold; Althabarus [from whom I cannot descent herein] saith, that when the Buyer is the first propounder or mover of the business, or doth first speak to the Seller concerning the thing he would buy, the Ascendent and its Lord is for the Seller; the seventh and the Lord thereof for the Buyer: And if the Seller be the first mover of the business to the Buyer, the contrary is to be understood: The mid-heaven and its Lord is to signifie the price of the thing; the fourth and its Lord the thing to be sold; and also the Planet from whom the Moon last separated is given to signifie the Seller; the Pla∣net to whom she next applies, the Buyer; and the ג the thing to be bought and sold.

Some hold that the Moon in the Ascendent, either in buying or selling is good, yet in a* 1.13 journey is very bad. But note that in selling it will not be amiss for thee to place the Moon in her exaltation or triplicity separated from the Fortunes, and beholding the Infortunes, but not joyned to them by body.

CHAP. VI. Of buying clothing, or putting on of Apparel.

HEar now what is observable in putting on or buying of Apparel; fortifie the Ascendent and its Lord, and the Moon and let the Ascendent and the sign wherein the Lord of the ascendent is, be movable; and if possible, let the Moon be in Aries, except the seventh degree; or in Cancer, excepting the first six degrees; or in Libra, or the first eighteen degrees of Virgo, or in the first nineteen

degrees of Sagittary, or the twenty first degrees of Pisces; and by all means avoid fixed signs, except the first twenty degrees of Taurus; for that there (it being the house of Venus and exaltation of the Moon) it signifyeth great joy and delight; but by all means let her not be in Leo or Scorpio, Leo especially, &c. And if possible, let the Moon be in Sextile or Trine of the Sun, for it will be then so much the better; but if in thy Election thou canst not observe all this, place the Moon out of Leo, Scorpio and Capricorn, and Via Combusta, and look that she be no wise impedited or beheld of the Malevolents.

Fortifie also the cusp of the second house and its Lord, especially in buying of Ha∣bit, and let the Moon be increasing in light; however if thou canst not in every par∣ticular remember, or be able to follow every particular of this that hath been said, in putting on of new garments, fortifie the Moon, and place the Sun in the tenth house, or place the Moon in the mid-heaven free from all misfortune; but of putting on of apparel, more anon in the Elections appertaining to the fifth house.

CHAP. VII. Of flitting, or removing from one place to another.

REmember this election (I mean its scope and nature) doth more properly belong to the third house, it being the house of journeys or short removes; but the antient Arabians most skilfull and lear∣ned in this Art, have placed this election in this house, as most agreeing or belonging to it; but the reason thereof I suppose was, because seldom any remove their habitation but for their own gain or profit in one kind or other; and for that the second house hath signification thereof (as you may see in the second Treatise) they have placed this election in this house; wherefore since it is and hath been so or∣dered by them, I shall (as becomes a good disciple) follow as neer as I can (especial∣ly in such things as are indifferent) my Masters directions and documents.

Wherefore then in electing a fit time for such a matter, know that if the house be your own, the Ascendent at that time must be a fixed sign, and the Moon in a fixed sign; but if it be a hired house, let the Ascendent be a common sign, and the Moon in a com∣mon sign.

Fortifie the Ascendent, the Moon, the Lord of the Ascendent, and the Lord of the place of the Moon, the second house and its Lord, the fourth and its Lord, and Part of Fortune and its Lord, the Ascendent and its Lord, and the Moon and its Dispositor to receive or have good and civill entertainment; but to increase in substance and to augment what is gotten in a thriving way, fortifie the cusp of the second, its Lord, and Part of Fortune and its Lord; and also it will be the better if you can then also place Jupiter in the second house, free from impediment or affliction; but however it advantageth much if Jupiter be so placed.

And for a good success and end (as in all other undertakings) fortifie the sign and cusp of the fourth and its Lord; and if possible let Taurus or Leo be on the cusp of the fourth; for that denoteth the goodness of the place, and that the house or place shall be clean and sweet, free from venemous and obnoxious beasts and vermin: but Scor∣pio on the cusp of the fourth, causeth multiplicity and increase of such animals, and so much the more if it be any wise beheld of Saturn; also be carefull that the aforenamed places and significators be free from the Aspects of the Malevolents, and, if possible not only so, but in configuration of the Fortunes.

However see that you fortifie your chiefest significators, and your business order according to the intentions of the party removing or flitting his habitation, and thou shalt not erre.

CHAP. VIII. Containing Rules for Electing any Work in the Art of Distillation, or Alchymie.

A Man shall, if he have regard to the writings of the Antients, find, that there hath ever been in former Ages some, and indeed most of the more learned sort of men, who have applied their study to this heavenly mysterie: and truly it cannot be by me believed, that ever there was an Age since the World had its first original that was so stupid and void of understanding, as not to have some sons of the Hermetick Art produced therein; and as by the more learned and refined spirits of all Ages it hath been ever in great esteem and practise; so is it still in this we live, and by very many both studied and cherished, it being notwithstanding by the muck∣worms and sottish Asinego's of the World slighted and contemned, and no more va∣lued then a Diamond is with Hogs, both slighting that unspeakable and never to be enough valued and esteemed knowledge, and the Students or Searchers thereof, in∣somuch that they account nothing more ridiculous, then that which they vulgarly call THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE, thus giving way to folly to condemn and not esteem that great blessing they are in no wise thought worthy of; nay not so much as worthy the honour to be accounted in the number of those that believe there is such a thing in Nature: but it mattereth not what such stupid Dolts conceive out of their shallow and conceited brains, that can admit of nothing but ignorance; wherefore let it be still unto them a STONE and rock of offence; both it, and all those hea∣venly souls, the Lovers thereof, shall by me be ever in great esteem, and be more dear unto me then any worldly felicity: but I fear I transgress, let us therefore to our matter in hand.

Since then, I say, there are many in this our Age who apply themselves to the study of this most heavenly revelation, and they subject to miss of their intentions,* 1.14 and be (as many have) frustrated of their expectation, let them observe what followeth; and though some have erred through ignorance and want of a through understand∣ing of what they have sought, and others for want of proportionating the matter; and again others for want of governing it in working according to Art; some through one defect, and some through another, yet most must needs fail of their desires, for want of a through intellect and right use of Elect∣ing a position of the Heavens fit for the same; for as the Elements and all thereof composed are [without dispute] regulated and disposed by the influence and vertue of the Coelestial Planets and Stars; it must necessarily follow then, that all Metals and Minerals whatsoever, have their dependency and efficacy from the superiour configu∣rations of those bodies: wherefore it cannot but be very efficacious in all such works as tend to Alchymie (as well as the temporal affairs otherways of men) and the great Hermetick Work.

Wherefore when thou beginnest any work of this nature, place the Moon in a com∣mon sign, free from all manner of impediment and misfortune; also the Lord of the Ascendent; and let the sign ascending be a common sign; fortifie also that Planet which ruleth the matter you work upon; as, if it be Lead, fortifie Saturn; if Tin, Jupiter; if Iron, Mars; if Gold, the Sun; if Brass or Copper, Venus; if Quick∣silver, Mercury; if Silver, the Moon, &c. still remember to dispose of them (viz. your significators) according to this rule, and that in the beginning of your Work, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  To borrow or receive money.
• * 1.2

  Neither bor∣row nor lend.
• * 1.3

  That none may know of thy borrowing of money▪
• * 1.4

  The money to be borrowed shall be had.
• * 1.5

  That the bor∣rowed money may long last.
• * 1.6

  Of laying out money to ad∣vantage.
• * 1.7

  A great error in the genera∣lity of our Physitians.
• * 1.8

  Ignorance the author of mis∣chief.
• * 1.9

  Of buying to profit again by the sale thereof.
• * 1.10

  Of selling to advantage.
• * 1.11

  Advantage to the buyer.
• * 1.12

  To know the significators of buyer and sel∣ler the thing to be bought and the price.
• * 1.13

  Note.
• * 1.14

  Why so many miss of their hopes in this study of the Blessed Elixer.