Skyscript Newsletter extract: Al Qabisi: Nature of Jupiter

8 THE NATURE OF JUPITER Al-Qabisi Translated from Latin by Morgan Le Gall & Deb Houlding

h= Full Latin text available online at www.loc.gov/item/2021666822/

JUPITER is a benefic, masculine planet and the significator of wealth. It produces temperate warmth and moisture, and sanguine airs.1

Of the ages, it signifies youth up to the fullness of age. Of professions, it signifies those pertaining to the law, such as the arbitration of trials and the settling of peace amongst men with a striving for justice,2 and it signifies an abundance of prosperity. And of business transactions, it represents those without corruption.3 And it signifies the spiritual soul, joy, trustworthiness, religion, tolerance, all noble and valuable precepts and much reverence.4 1 Sanguine describing the humoral quality of something warm and moist but not extreme in either heat or humidity.

2 The Latin bonis literally means ‘good / honest / right’.

3 The Latin seductione literally means ‘seduction’, but here refers to business deals where no bribing is necessary.

4 Abundantia veneris could mean ‘abundance of Venus’ (hence the Warburg edition translates this as “frequent sexual

intercourse”) but veneris is also a subjunctive form of venerar (‘veneration’) which is obviously intended here.

Extract from Skyscript Newsletter #7; March, 2023

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If connected to Saturn, it signifies necromancy,5 incantations, exorcisms, &c.

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If connected to Venus, it signifies the composition of melodies and other knowledge concerning entertainment.

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If connected to Mercury, it signifies the knowledge of arithmetic, writing, astronomy, philosophy and geometry.

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If connected to the Moon, it signifies skill in the management of waters, and their measurement, and also that of the land.

If connected to Mars, it signifies the knowledge of medicine.

If connected to the Sun, it signifies religious knowledge and wisdom in contentions and disputes.

Of the quality of the mind, it signifies generosity, modesty and judiciousness. And of religions, many beliefs, and such.6 Some have said that it signifies the liver and the stomach, the left ear, the arms, and also what is below the abdomen, even the pubic area, and the intestines.

Of colours, it is an ashen colour, green and such like,7 and as for savours, it has the sweet.

The size of its orb is nine degrees, and of the days it has Thursday, and of the nights, Monday. The years of its rulership of firdaria are 12, and its greatest years are 427;8 the greater years are 79, the mean years are 45½ and the lesser years are 12. Its power in the zone of the zodiac is in the west.

And Masha’allah said of human appearance: it signifies a pale man with ruddiness in the face, eyes not too dark,9 short, crooked nose,10 bald, with some blackness in the teeth; of a fine stature, an honest soul, good manners and a beautiful body. And Dorotheus said that it signifies a man with big eyes and wide pupils, and a curly beard.

5 The practice of magic or ‘black magic’ involving communication with the dead (or the ‘black arts’ in general).

6 This sentence is tricky because it is so open to interpretation. The Warburg edition translates as “Of religions, it

indicates polytheism and idolatry” (p.67), but that doesn’t fit the general treatment of Jupiter in other historical texts.

The Latin reads Et ex sectis, pluralitatem et simulationem – although polytheism may be implied by pluritatem this is more likely to be describing much belief, or a multitude of beliefs, rather than a belief in many gods. The word simultationem means ‘something similar’ or ‘some such’, but or it can mean a simulated thing (which, in religious matters might suggest idolatry), or it can mean pretence, insincerity, feigned belief or hypocrisy. The latter sense of the word might explain why Lilly characterises an afflicted Jupiter as someone “hypocritically religious, tenacious, and stiff in maintaining false tenets in religion” (CA, p.63). This seems to contradict the broader principle that Jupiter signifies someone who is judicious and wise; however, as Ptolemy explains, the worthy character traits become the source of character faults when that planet is afflicted. He tells us of Jupiter’s association with soul matters: If Jupiter alone has the domination of the soul, in honourable positions he makes his subjects magnanimous, generous, god-fearing, honourable, pleasure-loving, kind, magnificent, liberal, just, high-minded, dignified, minding their own business, compassionate, fond of discussion, beneficent, affectionate, with qualities of leadership. If he chances to be in the opposite kind of position, he makes their souls seem similar, to be sure, but with a difference in the direction of greater humility, less conspicuousness, and poorer judgement.

For example, instead of magnanimity, he endows them with prodigality; instead of reverence for the gods, with superstition; instead of modesty, with cowardice; instead of dignity, with conceit; instead of kindness, with foolish simplicity; instead of the love of beauty, with love of pleasure; instead of high-mindedness, with stupidity; instead of liberality, with indifference, and the like. (Tetrabiblos, III.13) 7 It is worth noting that there is little formal recognition of the colour blue, or purple, at the time of Al-Qabisi, so what we think of blue was often referred to as a tone of green: “The colours red, black and white are mentioned many times in the ancient manuscripts. In the later ones, such as the Bible and the Koran, green and yellow are mentioned as well. … And so is green: olive green, grass green. But not a hint of blue”. This is partly due to the rarity of those colour pigments in nature, which led to a lack of descriptive terminology, and also meant that “the purple stuff was so expensive, only kings and emperors could afford it”. (See ‘History of the Colors Blue and Purple’ by Dov Michaeli, https://thedoctorweighsin.com/history-purple-blue/ and also David McCann’s article on colour symbolism in astrology, at https://www.skyscript.co.uk/colour.html).

Hence, Lilly’s description that Jupiter signifies “Sea-green, or blue, purple, ash-colour, a mixed yellow and green” may draw more heavily from Al-Qabisi than immediately apparent. (CA, p.22). According to McCann, Marsilio Ficino also associated rich shades of purple with Jupiter and the Sun. 8 Correcting the error in the manuscript which says 428 (an error repeated by later authors including Lilly). To check this out: the greatest years count successive reunions with the Sun in a similar degree of the zodiac at a similar time of year. The Sun joined Jupiter at 15°ä=on 5 March 2022, and joins it at 19°ä=on 9 March 2449, 427 years later.

9 The Warburg edition here reads “a blue-grey colour in one of his eyes” (this is not in the Latin edition we use).

10 What we think of as a Roman nose, but shorter and not so sharp as to be beak-like, a trait associated with Mars.

Extract from Skyscript Newsletter #7; March, 2023

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Of the regions of the world, it has Iraq, Babylonia,11 Isfahan and Persia,12 Al-Ahwaz13 and Arcadia.14

h Al-Qabisi: characteristics of JUPITER

And of the parts, it has the Part of Prosperity, which signifies faith and the desire for good things, and wholesomeness, security and participation in works.15 Definitions: Principles: Traits:

Appearance:

People/professions: With Saturn: Mars: Sun: Venus Mercury: Moon: Age: Activities:

Minerals/resources: Illnesses: Anatomy: Colours: Savours: Orb: Days: Years: Associated Part Territories

Masculine | diurnal | benefic | temperate: warm and moist | sanguine Prosperity, growth, increase, tolerance, agreement, spirituality, faith, trust, wisdom, generosity, experience.

Spiritual, happy, trustworthy, noble, reverent (modest and judicious) generous, wise, honest and happy with good manners and good general understanding in all matters.

The complexion is tawny (i.e., pale with ruddiness), large eyes, of a colour that is not too dark, can suggest baldness or a curly beard, nose (or nostrils are uneven/hooked and short); good bearing and deportment.

Lawyers, arbitrators, judges, Necromancers, practitioners of dark arts or magical rites, exorcists.

Trained and knowledgeable medical practitioners.

Theologists (spiritual advisors?) Decision makers and mediators (counsellors?) in disputes.

Composers, producers; those skilled in the entertainment industries.

Philosophers, astrologers, mathematicians, writers, scholars, physicists.

Architects, managers in land and water resources.

Up to the “fullness of age” Involvement in theological matters or issues concerning the soul and spirit; advanced level of skill in many arenas and broad interests in many matters. Honest dealings and philanthropic inclinations.

Minerals not mentioned but generally associated with tin or bronze, and an abundance of resources.

Illnesses associated blood problems or increased blood pressure.

Liver, stomach, intestines, what is below the abdomen, including the pubic area; the left ear, the arms.

Pale green (or blue / purple?); ash-colour.

Sweet 9°.

Thursday / Monday night.

Firdaria: 12 |lesser 12 | mean 45½ | greater 79 | greatest 428.

Part of Prosperity Iraq. Babylonia (Baghdad), Isfahan, Persia, Al-Awaz, Arcadia (Rome?)

11 This would obviously include the well-established Jupiterean rulership of Baghdad. Lilly tells us that Jupiter governs “Babylon, Persia, Hungaria, Spain, Cullen” (CA, p.65).

12 The Latin text in our edition says Asen; variations in other Latin texts include Azpehem, Alpehem and Azoem which is identified as Isfahan in the Warburg edition (p.67, 272), an ancient city in Iran, once the capital of Persia.

13 The Latin text says Alaormes; variations in other Latin texts include Alahowez, identified as al-Ahwaz in the Warburg edition. In ancient times this was the area of the civilization known as Elam – one of the four major regions of Mesopotamia along with Sumer, Assyria and Babylonia. It is rich in oil and is today part of Iran but it is a hotly disputed region of political controversy, bordering Iran and Iraq, formally known as the Emirate of Arabistan.

14 The Latin text says Archadiam; variations in other Latin texts include Achadiciam and Alkadiam. I would assume this to be the Ancient Aracadia region in Southern Greece but the Warburg edition refers instead to Rome.

15 The Latin reads habitudinis profectus – literally ‘ the condition of growth/increase’. In chapter five this is referred to as the Part of Prosperity, Overcoming and Increase’ and is calculated by day by projecting from the ascendant the distance from the Part of Spirit to Jupiter, and by night “the opposite”.

Extract from Skyscript Newsletter #7; March, 2023

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GET THE LOOK HOW YOU TOO CAN GET AL-QABISI’S h STYLE Pale but ruddy face, short hooked nose, baldness, thick beard, beautiful body, black teeth (wot ?)

Deborah Houlding

Al-Qabisi draws some details of Jupiter’s physical description from Dorotheus, Carmen Astrologicum, V: “If the indicator of the characteristics of the thief is Jupiter, then the thief will be white, fat, great in his eyes, the whites of his eyes will be smaller than what is necessary for it to be because of the measure of that eye [i.e., large pupils]; and their beards will be rounded and curly, and their natures and their gentleness will be good” (Pingree translation, p.302) I sometimes wonder if such ‘points of art’ were founded on a statistical survey of one? Did Dorotheus cast a chart where a thief signified by Jupiter looked like this, and then this got captured as a principle? We are told to expect ruddiness in the face, a crooked nose, baldness and blackness in the teeth –combined with fine stature and a beautiful body! This caricature invokes very comical images in my naughty mind.

Alongside a very Jupiter-looking bearded lady in a 19th-century text on physiognomy and temperament is the explanation that thick curly beards symbolise virility and masculinity. The text reports a well-used saying that nature disabled the female of the species from growing beards to keep the reproductive member of society safe from the dangers of shaving, “she [Moon-like and restless] not being able to keep herself still long enough to undergo the process”.16 Hmmm. Treading between the sexist and racist remarks in these old texts, we find passages that reveal historical views on the symbolism of appearance. The text explains why baldness was “believed by some to indicate power and activity of mind” since … “undue mental exertion, by producing a febrile condition of the head, affects the hair in the same way that a fever does”. In other words, too much mind-power was thought to wear the hair away.

I have never lingered over this association between Jupiter and baldness before. I know baldness to be associated with solar symbolism and heat, and historically linked to masculinity (there is a relationship between baldness and higher testosterone levels) because Lilly tells us the corporature of the solar man is “full of heat, the hair yellowish, and therefore quickly bald, much hair on their beard” (CA, p.70). However, for Jupiter, the baldness is only “about the Temple or Forehead” when Jupiter is occidental, so associated with the latter part of life (p.63).

This exposure of the ‘temples’ with age is obviously linked to the notion of gaining wisdom as the mind expands with maturity, a very Jupiterian theme. Etymologists are not in agreement as to whether the origin of the word ‘temple’, to describe a side of the forehead, comes from the Old English tempel meaning “a place occupied by divine presence” or the 16 Samuel Wells, New Physiognomy : or signs of character, as manifested through temperament and external forms (1820-1875) pp. 2848; 292-3 – online at https://archive.org/details/newphysiognomyor00well/page/292/mode/2up

Extract from Skyscript Newsletter #7; March, 2023

Latin tempus meaning a mark to a passage of time. Both principles connect in my understanding; the latter supposedly reflecting that hair in this region is the first to go grey or recede with age. Whilst there is a proven (though somewhat complex) tendency towards baldness in men who can grow thick beards,17 there are lots of ancient cultural variances that range between untamed beards being indicative of wildness and tailored beards being seen as control over passions. But without doubt, as Well reports, the majority of historical philosophers “wore the beard, considering it a symbol of wisdom”.

But blackness in the teeth – why so? If we were talking about gold in the teeth, that would make more sense. Blackness in the teeth evokes notions of rottenness with the oracular organ; not a principle that befits the characteristics of speaking wisdom. I look at details like that and think, “give me more evidence, or more reasoning Al-Qabisi, before you expect me to adopt points like that in my practice!”. Lilly (whose accounts of planetary physiognomy surpass those of any other historical astrologer) may have felt the same. He generally incorporates all of A-Qabisi’s points, but not this one.

In fact, there may have been some ancient sense of ‘nobility’ behind what strikes us as an unpleasant image. Ohaguro, literally ‘black teeth’, according to Wikipedia, is an ancient custom of dyeing teeth black with a solution of iron filings and vinegar, which has been practised since prehistoric times. Mainly carried out in south-east Asia, China, and Japan, it was considered a sign of beauty and associated with acts of loyalty; hence, in Japan, in order to do this women had to be married, and men had to be of high aristocratic standing, or samurai. It was also known to be beneficial healthwise, as it prevented tooth decay in a similar way to modern dental sealants. So there could have been some wider employment of this kind of ‘care’ that only the wealthy could afford, making this detail emblematic of privilege and prosperity in Al-Qabisi’s text (or his sources), rather than reflective of poverty and decay as it would be today.

Either way, I don’t intend to be adopting this one in my own chart readings.

In ancient Asia, black teeth in men were the mark to true nobility, they are still seen as a mark of beauty by those who practice ohaguro 17

https://www.mantl.co/blogs/skin-care/does-growing-a-beard-make-your-head-go-bald Extract from Skyscript Newsletter #7; March, 2023

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