John Partridge: Hermes, his Centiloquium, or his hundred Aphorisms Rendred into English (1679)
Text Copyright 2007 J. Lee Lehman
Partridge, like many authors, was in the habit of compiling earlier authors into his books. This wasn’t literally by Hermes; this was from the period when authors preferred to ascribe their work to earlier personannges, real or mythological, than to themselves. I have included this list here because of the number of aphorisms that are useful in electional.
This material is excerpted from pages 293-307 of Partridge’s work:
Partridge, John. 1679. Mikropanastron, or an Astrological Vade Mecum, briefly Teaching the whole Art of Astrology – viz., Questions, Nativities, with all its parts, and the whole Doctrine of Elections never so comprised nor compiled before, &c. William Bromwich: London.
Hermes, his Centiloquium, or his hundred Aphorisms Rendred into English.
1.
The Sun and Moon next under God are the life of all things living; yet many Nativities have no Hylech; yet because the Sun and Moon friendly behold their Ascendant, or be therein free from affliction, their lives shall be the longer continued.
2.
All diurnal Nativities are strengthened by the Sun, when well beheld of the Fortunes, Nocturnal of the Moon, when she is so fortified; if this happen not, yet of good Planets are found in Angles, the Nativity shall be good.
3.
When Mars shall be Lord of the Ascendant, and posited in the tenth, it confers on the Native Dignity and Power, which will be accompanied with Injury and Cruelty, and may be therefore called an Infortune, rather than a Happiness.
4.
Jupiter in good Aspect of the Infortunes, changeth the Malevolency into good; Venus cannot effect any such thing unless Jupiter assist her; therefore in procuring good and prohibiting evil, Jupiter is found much better than Venus.
5.
An Artist cannot make a Commixion of the Significations of the Stars, before he know their Friendships and Enmities, which is threefold: First, according to their Nature; Secondly, according to their Houses; And Thirdly, according to their Aspects.
6.
Venus is opposite to Mercury, he imbraceth Languages and Discipline, she, delights and Pleasures, Jupiter the like of Mars, he loves Mercy and Justice, Mars Impiety and Cruelty.
7.
Make the Sun or one of the Superiours to signifie Princes and great Men, Scribes and Rusticks the Inferiour Planets, and chief the Moon.
8.
The Signification of the conjunction is not lessened by an Aspect, but an Aspect is by a conjunction; as having lesser force.
9.
Give no Judgment, neither Elect any thing, while Scorpio is ascending; neither when the Angles are oblique and crooked; of if Mars be in the Ascendant, the event will prove cross, and the matter come to no good end; for Scorpio is a Sign of falsity.
10.
Good Planets afflicted of the Infortunes from the sixth or twelfth Houses bode ill.
11.
Rumours spread when the Moon is in the first face of Scorpio, is false and knavishly forged.
12.
The Judgments of Astrologers are not many times true, by reason of the error of their Instruments, or the Querents Ignorance, or when the Sun is near the M.C. or when the Arguments of promise and denial of the thing are equal in the Figure.
13.
When the Moon shall be South, descending in Scorpio or Pisces, begin not then to Build; for a Fabrick then Erected, quickly comes to ruine.
14.
Mercury being strong and in proper places of the Heavens, well Configurated of other Stars or Planets in Nativities, denotes convenient Dignity to the Native thereby; but Mercury of himself is a Planet weak.
15.
Whoso contendeth with another, and overcomes when the Significators are in by Corporeal Sign, gets a great Victory; but if overcome, loseth much; for then the good or evil is doubled.
16.
Give no Judgment before thou knowest the intent of the Querent; for many ask they know not what, nor can they express what they intend.
17.
When thou shalt be Interrogated for a Father, behold the fourth House; for Brother, the third House; for a Son, the fifth House; for a Wife, the seventh; but if for a Sick person, behold the Ascendant only.
18.
When the Moon shall come to the Quadrate of the Fortunes of the Infortunes, and the Testimonies of the helps or hindrances of the matter doubtful, it is to be doubted that the strength of the bad Planets will more impede than the others can assist.
19.
In the beginning of Journeys, and returns therefrom, let not the Moon be in the Ascendant, fourth, or ninth Houses, although she be not afflicted; in the entring of a City place her neither in the Ascendant, second, or fourth Houses.
20.
There are three ways of discovering the Accidents proper to Men, i.e. from the Nativity, from the birth of his first Child, or by a Question propounded, with which the mind was solicitous and affected.
21.
Every beginning when the Moon shall be joyned to a Retrograde Planet, will soon be destroyed, and if she shall be otherwise impedited, the mischief shall happen the sooner.
22.
Make Saturn and Sun Significators of Kings and Princes, with the Planet and Planets in the tenth; but their helpers take from the eleventh, and the assisters of vulgar persons from the second.
23.
When a King or Prince sets forth to a Journey, be sure you reject that time when Cancer ascends.
24.
Gemini and Sagittarius obey the Head and Tail of the Dragon more than other Signs, therefore do they work more mischief in those Signs, than in any other.
25.
When either Taurus or Libra ascend in Women’s Nativities, and Mars in them, she will be immodest and unchast; the same if Capricorn shall ascend.
26.
The virtues of the Planets are received by the Sun, when he is posited either in the Ascendant or M.C. in conjunction of them; the Moon in the night time receives them also, if in the aforesaid places she be joyned to them.
27.
Jupiter dissolves Saturn’s malice, and Venus dissolves Mars’s.
28.
When the Question is propounded of a Woman, take Venus as her natural Significatrix, but more particularly the seventh House; but if a Question be asked of an Enemy, respect the twelfth House; but, then more particularly the seventh House also.
29.
When any one goeth to a War, especially a King, let the Ascendant be one of the Houses of the Superiour Planets, or the Sun; and let the Lord of the Ascendant and the Sun be potent in the Figure, but the Lord of the seventh weak and unfortunate.
30.
The Moon increasing in light and motion, and in conjunction with Saturn and Jupiter, is generally good in all things; but if she be diminished in light, ’tis ill; understand the contrary wholly when she is in conjunction with Venus and Mars.
31.
Let not Jupiter be under the Suns beams or otherwise impedited, when you either Pawn or Lend Things; which if he shall so be, and not received of the impediting Planets, there will be but little or no hopes of Redemption.
32.
The fortunate Planets going to conjunction or Aspect of the Infortunes in any Figure diminish their evil Influence; if the Figure be good, the greater good they do; if ill, the less; but the Malevolents in square or opposition of the Benevolents, diminish and abate of their virtue, the other Aspects hinder not.
33.
Saturn passing out of one Sign into another, causeth strange Apparitions in the Heavens, which the Arabians call Assab; or certain other Signs of a fiery Nature.
34.
The conjunction of Jupiter and Sun, produceth a temperate air, chiefly when they are in aerial Signs, from a conjunction of Saturn and Sun comes cold, and from the conjunction of Mars and the Sun, in a Bicorporeal Sign, and in the Spring time proceeds a Cloudy air; whence Diseases very frequently follow.
35.
In the Summer, when the Sun enters the terms of Mars, Heat is caused; in the Winter drought, and scarcity of Rain and Waters.
36.
In the Nativities and Questions of Men, make Hylech and Alchocoden, and their directions, chiefly in questions concerning Kings and great Men, by which their accidents are chiefly known, let them be good or evil.
37.
If the Ascendant be fortunate, and the Lord thereof unfortunate, it shews a healthful Body, but an afflicted mind; but if the contrary happen, judge the contrary.
38.
Always note the Configurations of the Stars, not by their Signs, but Orbs.
39.
Let the Moon be increasing in Light, and free from the Aspects of the Infortunes, when you would Cure sore Eyes.
40.
The Part of Fortune will ill Planets in the fourth, ninth, or tenth Houses, denoteth death to the Sick.
41.
When the Significators of either good or evil shall be Stationary and Angular, it shall be the more durable; but it shall be the more mutable and variable, if the Significator shall be Cadent from Angles, and Retrograde.
42.
The lord of the second hath the same strength in hurting, as the Lord of the eighth, the Lord of the sixth, the same with the Lord of the twelfth.
43.
Mars Occidental in Cancer, not beheld of Saturn, Jupiter, Venus or the Sun, makes a good Phlebotomist; but if Mars shall be in Capricorn, it makes a destroyer of Men, and one that delights to shed blood.
44.
The best Artist in the world may err, if he mistakes the Significator.
45.
When Saturn shall be elevated above Venus, and in square to her, it makes the Native shameless, and a perfect Woman-hater; but if Venus is elevated above Saturn, he shall be a great friend to Women.
46.
If in any Nativity Mercury shall be in the Ascendant Oriental and swift, the Native will be Eloquent and Learned in the liberal Science; the same happeneth, if he shall be in Sagittarius in his own terms.
47.
The first of the Angles is the Ascendant, the second the M.C. the third the seventh House, and the fourth the I.C. but of the rest, the eleventh is first, then the second, then the fifth, then the ninth, then the third; but the sixth, eighth, and twelfth Houses are accounted the worst.
48.
Mars his Influence is never abated, unless by the imposture of a Benevolent Planet.
49.
Let your Significator agree with his whom you mean to supplicate.
50.
The Ascendant, or a Planet found in the last degree of a Sign, the Signification must be taken from the Sign following; but if in 29 degrees in the same Sign; the strength of a Planet is considered three ways, viz. in the degree where it is found, the next preceeding, and succeeding.
51.
Who should consider of future Contingents from the Conjunction of the Planets, but things past or present, by their separations.
52.
When Jupiter shall be in Cancer, removed from the Ascendant, and no way impedited of any other Star, the Native will be Rational and very Expert in Science; but delighting to lead a Recluse life, he shall not have the applause of his Learning.
53.
In the world many evils will happen, when in one month there shall be an Eclipse of both Luminaries; chiefly in those places subject to the Signs they are in.
54.
When the Moon shall be in the Combust way, or Peregrine in the beginning of a Journey; the person will either fall Sick in his Journey, or shall be otherwise grievously troubled and molested.
55.
It behoves the Astrologer to consider the time in Directions of the Planets; but in the Fixed Stars it is not so needful.
56.
The Father’s Estate shall pass to the Son, if Saturn shall be fortunate, and in friendly Aspect of the Lord of the Ascendant; but this is more freely, if Saturn shall be Lord of the fourth.
57.
Fortunate Planets being in Signs where they have no Dignity, their Benignity is translated another way.
58.
Mars Almuten of a Nativity and not joyned to good Planets, signifies the Native to suffer by envy and hatred.
59.
The fortunate Stars confer great felicity, when they shall be received of each other in their proper Houses; and when the evil Planets are to be received, they refrain from doing much mischief.
60.
The Native will be sickly and weak, when Saturn is elevated above Mars; but if Mars shall be elevated above Saturn, he shall be fat and lust.
61.
In Mens Nativities, if the Part of Marriage shall fall in Signs obedient, and in Womens in Signs Imperant, the Woman shall rule the Man, and he shall obey; if it fall otherwise, say the contrary.
62.
If the lords of the Triplicity of the conjunction of the Lights shall friendly respect each other, the first to the second, the second to the third; it bodes eminent prosperity, and a freedom from sorrow.
63.
Mercury in Pisces in deep or pitted degrees, makes the Native foolish and slow of Speech, and if Jupiter shall be in the Houses of Mars, he will be sordid and needy, and receive hurt from Souldiers; but if in the Houses of Saturn, chiefly Capricorn, and in such degrees, he will be morose, rigid, and odious to all men.
64.
Mercury in Reception of Mars by Houses, or if he shall be in Aspect with him, falling from an Angle, the Native will be a Lover of Hunting, and play at Dice and Tables; but if they shall not be Cadent, he shall prove an excellent Souldier.
65.
Planets under the Sun beames, or within 12 degrees thereof, are unfortunate, unless in the same degree with him; but when they are passed 13 degrees from him, they are fortunate.
66.
The North Node with the Infortunes, denote terrible mischiefs, for that increaseth their malice; but with the Fortunes its works good, and Increaseth their Benignity; but the Significations of the South Node are to be taken the contrary way.
67.
Mercury in the sixth House of a Nativity, the Native will change from one Religion to another, and will have his felicity partly impedited by the reason of his Inconstancy.
68.
The first Sign hath preheminence in Signification, when two Signs have to do in the matter.
69.
Accept the beginning of every thing from the Moon; but the end from her dispositor.
70.
If Jupiter in the Revolution of the world shall be in his House, Exaltation, or oriental in an Angle, and otherwise free from evil; he signifies plenty of all things.
71.
When the Moon and the Lord of the Ascendant shall be impedited by the Lord of the eighth, the Sick person hath cause to fear.
72.
‘Tis ill to begin any Law-Suits, or other Controversies, when the Moon is ill dignified;
the Plaintiff without doubt will be overcome.
73.
All Rebellions breaking out at the beginning of the year, are not easily Suppressed.
74.
The Moon in ruminating Signs, joyned to Retrograde Planets, it is not then good to Purge, the Physick will work upward to the Patients Injury.
75.
Oriental Planets signifying either good or evil, perform their work speedily: Occidental, more slowly.
76.
The middle stay of a Solar Eclipse is by the degree of the Conjunction of the Lights.
77.
There will happen many Wars and Difficulties, when in a Revolutional Figure of the world, Saturn and Jupiter shall be in their Exaltations.
78.
Be wary and Circumspect in your Judgment when a Fortune is with a Malevolent, nor be you over-confident that the malice of the Infortunate will be averted.
79.
There are twelve Signs, one of which is constantly ascending, the Ascendant signifies the Body, and the Lord thereof the Mind; let not that Sign ascend for your purpose whose Lord is impedimented.
80.
Planets in Fixed Signs shew the matter durable, in Bicorporeal Signs doubtful, in Moveable Signs convertible to good or evil.
81.
In matters of Secresie, let not the Moon be Combust, but going from Combustion.
82.
When the Moon is in a Fixed Sign, neither cut out, or put on any new Garment, chiefly in Leo, for ’tis extream dangerous; it is the same if she be in conjunction or opposition to the Sun, or impedimented of the Infortunes.
83.
The Moon hath great Power in all Questions, except when Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius ascend; for either of those Signs abate of her Signification, chiefly Leo and Aquarius.
84.
Saturn is under the Sun beams, until he be 15 degrees from him; understand the same of Jupiter.
85.
Refuse the Moon in Cancer or Virgo for Marriages, unless it be in Marrying of Widows.
86.
An Infortune in his own House or Exaltation and Oriental, is better than a Fortune who is Retrograde or impedited.
87.
There will be some Impediment in that part of the Body, represented by the Sign afflicted at Birth.
88.
Immense Prosperity is portended, when the Lords of the Triplicity of the Luminaries shall have virtue in an Angle or Succedent House, and be their proper places, remote from the Aspects of the Infortunes; and if the Lord of the Ascendant shall be well seated also, the happiness shall be the more and the greater.
89.
The sextile and trine Aspects have the same quality in effect; but the sextile is less forcible than the trine, either in good or evil.
90.
Saturn performs evil slowly, but Mars swift; and therefore Mars is reputed to hurt more than Saturn.
91.
When the three Superiour Planets shall be joyned in a Regal Sign, it is termed great Conjunction, and when the Sun beholds them, they make most potent and flourishing Kingdoms.
92.
Those doubts are soon resolved that are propounded, when the Moon and the Planet to whom she applies, are in Signs having voice, and in the fifth or third Houses, or in opposition to them.
93.
The Infortunes in the eighth House have their malice increased; but the Benevolents there portend neither good not evil.
94.
There will be neither good or evil be performed, but when the good or and Planets in a Nativity or Revolution shall Aspect the Moon by a Quadrat.
95.
If Mercury be afflicted in the sixth House, the Native will die in Prison; if Saturn shall be in the twelfth, and Venus in the eighth, he shall end his days by Precipitation.
96.
When the Sun by day, and the Moon by night shall be impedited, the person is to be feared.
97.
The Significations of the Stars are always varied, as they vary in their Configuration and Latitude.
98.
The Moon in the fourth, seventh, ninth, or twelfth, shews the true cause of the Question propounded, the same is known by her separation from Mercury; and if the Ascendant and Moon shall be in double-bodied Signs, the cause of the Question is confirmed.
99.
An Infortune in his House or Exaltation, denotes the matter signified by him to come to a good end, but with delays; but if he shall be impedited in the Ascendant, though in his own House or Exaltation the matter will be obstructed, and come to an ill end.
100.
The Event of every Enterprize that is doubtful, is termed by the Significators, viz. by the fourth House and his Lord, and the Planet strong in the same; also by the Light of the time, and his Lord, and by the Planet and his Dispositor to whom the light of the time is joyned.