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Book 9 On the Signature of Natural Things
Latin witness: Frankfurt 1605, printed pp. 248–271, SUB Göttingen PPN578052199. Source facsimile: https://gdz.sub.uni-goettingen.de/id/PPN578052199?tify=%7B%22pages%22%3A%5B232%5D%7D
BOOK NINE ON THE SIGNATURE OF NATURAL THINGS.
Three kinds of signs and signators.
As we philosophise in this book about the signature of things, we must first explain by whom things are signed, who the signator is, and how many kinds of signs there are. Know, then, that there are three kinds of signs. The first are signed by the human being, the second by the Archaeus, and the third by the stars of supernatural things. In this way there are three signators: the human being, the Archaeus and the stars. Observe further that signs made by human beings bring with them complete knowledge and judgement of hidden things, and impart knowledge of their concealed powers and faculties.
The signs of the stars give prophecies and foretellings, indicate the supernatural powers of things, and produce true judgements and indications in geomancy, chiromancy, physiognomy, hydromancy, pyromancy, necromancy, astronomy, beryllistics and other astral sciences.
To explain all signs as correctly and briefly as possible, we must first set out those of which the human being is himself the signator. Once these are understood, you will grasp the other signs, both natural and supernatural, more correctly. It is known that Jews carry a yellow sign on their cloak or tunic. What else is this but a sign by which anyone meeting a person knows him to be Jewish? So a beadle is recognised by a parti-coloured tunic or sleeve, and a magistrate adorns his officers with his own colours and insignia. A craftsman marks his work with a special sign so that anyone may know who made it. Why does a messenger wear the insignia of his lord or city on his cloak, unless to make clear that he is a messenger, whom he serves, where he comes from, and thus obtain safe passage?
A soldier likewise wears a black, white, yellow, green, blue or red badge or emblem, so that he can be distinguished from the enemy. By it one can recognise one man as imperial, another as belonging to kings, one as Italian and another as French. These signs concern rank and office, and many more could be listed. Since, however, we have proposed to describe other signs, those of natural and supernatural things, we shall not stuff this little book with signs foreign to its purpose.
As for those signs made by human beings, which reveal not only rank, office or name but also distinction, identity, age, dignity and degree, know next concerning coinage that each coin has its own particular proof and mark. By it one knows its value, whose lordship it belongs to, and where it is used and accepted. Hence the German proverb: “Nowhere is a coin more welcome than where it was struck.”
The same is understood of inspected goods, which sworn officers appointed for the purpose mark after due examination. Cloth bearing special marks provides an example: the marks show that it was found good and sound under inspection. Why is a seal attached to a document unless to give it a force which nobody may violate? A seal confirms the document, so that it is held valid by all people and courts. Without a seal a receipt is dead, void and empty.
Many things are likewise designated by a few letters, names or words: books, for instance, which, with a single word written outside, immediately disclose what they contain. The same applies to glass vessels and boxes in apothecaries’ shops, all distinguished by particular names or attached labels. Without this, who could distinguish so many different waters, liquors, syrups, oils, powders, seeds, ointments and, finally, all the simple ingredients? In the same way the alchemist in his laboratory marks all waters, liquors, spirits, oils, phlegms, crocuses, alkalis, powders and every material individually with its name and label, so that when needed he can choose what he wishes. Without this aid it is impossible to remember each distinctly. All rooms and human buildings can likewise be marked with a number, so that the age of each can be known at the first sight of the number written on it.
I wished to set these and other signs before you so that, once you grasp them, you may understand me more readily in the remaining matters, and the meaning of each may become plainer and more evident.
On Monstrous Signs in Human Beings.
Monstrous signs are of various kinds.