The Anatomy of Melancholy

In Burton. Burton describes Mars in partile conjunction with his ascendant in his self-portrait. In the account of love, mutual aspects of the Moon and Venus figure among remote causes. Elsewhere conjunctions, oppositions and quartiles form part of the threatening celestial order. The examples show the vocabulary operating in personal description, causal theory and admonition.

The places. Mars and the ascendant are placed in partile conjunction. (p. 3; DJR-002-03.) The Moon and Venus are described as mutually aspected. (p. 447; DJR-116-02.) Oppositions and quartiles are included among hostile aspects. (p. 4; DJR-021-28.)

In this edition. “partile conjunction” → “exact conjunction” (DJR-002-03); “mutually aspected” → “in mutual aspect” (DJR-116-02); “Oppositions, Quartiles” → “oppositions, quartiles” (DJR-021-28). The technical names remain where they organize the source account. “Aspect” here does not merely mean outward appearance.

See also. Astrology.

Astrological significators

Source forms: Horoscope; significators; Mercurialists; combust; Hylech; promissors

The word. Significators are astrological indicators of the matter judged. A horoscope can mean the ascendant in context; the hyleg signifies life, and promissors are natal positions or aspects used in predicting events.

In Burton. Burton’s reported rules connect chart positions with melancholy and distinguish the points being directed from positions said to promise events. He also calls people governed by Mercury Mercurialists and records unusual abilities attributed to a combust Moon. These expressions belong to a technical system of interpretation, whose terms must be understood before its claims can be followed.

The places. Horoscope denotes the ascendant in a rule about Mercury. (p. 58; DJR-032-10.) Significators, hyleg and promissors occur in timing an event. (p. 59; DJR-032-16.) The heavens supply indicators of character and disease. (p. 190 [first occurrence]; DJR-060-02.) Mercurialists are people said to be governed by Mercury. (p. 190 [second occurrence]; DJR-060-08.) Combust describes the Moon’s proximity to the Sun in an anecdote. (p. 192; DJR-060-24.)

In this edition. “Horoscope” → “ascendant” (DJR-032-10); “Hylech” → “hyleg” (DJR-032-16); “radical promissors” → “natal promissors” (DJR-032-16); “significators” → “astrological indicators” (DJR-060-02); “Mercurialists” → “Those governed by Mercury” (DJR-060-08); “combust” → “combust” (DJR-060-24). The modern text expands some labels and retains others. Combust means astrologically obscured by proximity to the Sun; it does not describe literal burning.

See also. Astrology.

Astrology

Source forms: judicial astrology; Iatromathematicall

The word. Judicial astrology judges human dispositions and events from celestial configurations. Iatromathematical describes the combination of medicine with astrology.

In Burton. Burton introduces heavenly influences as causes according to astrologers while declining to settle whether stars are causes or signs. In the discussion of treatment, he objects to the certainty of those who prescribe a match between particular healer and patient and regulate gathering and administration astrologically. Reporting astrological categories therefore does not mean that he endorses every use or claim made for them.

The places. Burton postpones the dispute over stars as causes or signs. (p. 57; DJR-032-02.) He criticizes the certainty claimed by some astrological physicians. (p. 227; DJR-069-08.)

In this edition. “judicial Astrology” → “judicial astrology” (DJR-032-02); “Iatromathematicall professors” → “practitioners of astrological medicine” (DJR-069-08). The familiar label remains in the first passage; the specialized compound is explained in the second.

See also. Geniture; Astrological aspects; Astrological significators; Jovial and martial; Election; Judicial and judicious.

Aurum potabile

Source forms: aurum potabile