I. JUDGMENT must be regulated by thyself, as well as by the science; for it is not possible that particular forms of events should be declared by any person, however scientific; since the understanding conceives only a certain general idea of some sensible event, and not its particular form. It is, therefore, necessary for him who practices herein to adopt inference. They only who are inspired by the deity can predict particulars. II. When an enquirer shall make mature search into an expected event, there will be found no material difference between the event itself and his idea of it. III. Whosoever may be adapted to any particular event or pursuit, will assuredly have the star indicative thereof very potent in his nativity. IV. A mind apt in knowledge will discover truth more readily than one practised in the highest branches of science. V. A skilful person, acquainted with the nature of the stars, is enabled to avert many of their effects, and to prepare himself for those effects before they arrive. VI. It is advantageous to make choice of days and hours at a time well constituted by the nativity. Should the time be adverse, the choice will in no respect avail, however favourable an issue it may chance to promise. VII. The mingled influences of the stars can be understood by no one who has not previously acquired knowledge of the combinations and varieties existing in nature. VIII. A sagacious mind improves the operation of the heavens, as a skilful farmer, by cultivation, improves nature.
XIX. The efficacy of purgation is impeded by the Moon's conjunction with Jupiter. XX. Pierce not with iron that part of the body which may be governed by the sign actually occupied by the Moon. XXI. When the Moon may be in Scorpio or Pisces, purgation may be advantageously used, provided the lord of the ascendant be coupled with some star posited below the earth. If he be coupled with a star placed above the earth, the potion swallowed will be vomited up. XXII. Neither put on nor lay aside any garment for the first time, when the Moon may be located in Leo. And it will be still worse to do so, should she be badly affected.
LIII. The lords of nativity of slight or thin men have no latitude, but those of stout or fat men have; and, if the latitude be south, the native will be active; if north, inactive. LIV. In the construction of a building, the principal rulers, if coupled with a star below the earth, will impede the erection. LV. Mars' evil influence over ships is diminished if he be neither in the mid-heaven nor in the eleventh house; but if in either of those places, he renders the ship liable to be captured by pirates. And if the ascendant be afflicted by any fixed star of the nature of Mars, the ship will be burned. LVI. While the Moon is in her first quarter, withdrawing from her conjunction with the Sun, the bodily humours expand until her second quarter: in her other quarters they decrease. LVII. If, during a sickness, the seventh house and its lord be afflicted, change the physician. LVIII. Observe the place of an aspect, and its distance from the ascendant of the year; for the event will happen when the profection may arrive thither. LIX. Before pronouncing that an absent person shall die, observe whether he may not become intoxicated; before declaring that he shall receive a wound, see whether he may not be let blood; and before saying that he shall find treasure, examine whether he may not receive his own deposit; for the figures of all these things may be similar. LX. In cases of sickness, observe the critical days, and the Moon's progress in the angles of a figure of sixteen sides. If those angles be well affected, it is favourable for the invalid; if they be afflicted, unfavourable.
LXIII. In the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, pronounce according to the nature of that one which may be higher in elevation. Follow the same rule with other stars. LXIV. After ascertaining the lord of the inquiry, see what power he may have in the annual revolution, or in the ascendant of the new Moon; and pronounce accordingly. LXV. In the least conjunction, the difference of the mean conjunction, and in the mean conjunction the difference of the greatest conjunction. 2 LXVI. Consider no profection by itself alone, but make reference also to the qualifications and impediments of the stars. LXVII. Years are diminished by the imbecility of the receiver. LXVIII. A malefic, when matutine, signifies an accident; when vespertine, a disease. LXIX. The native's sight will be impaired if the Moon be opposed to the Sun, and joined with nebulous stars; and if the Moon be in the western angle, and both the malefic stars in the eastern angle, the Sun being in an angle also, the native will become blind. LXX. Insanity is produced if the Moon have no connection with Mercury; and, if neither of them be connected with the ascendant, Saturn being in occupation of the angle by night, but Mars by day, especially if in Cancer, Virgo, or Pisces, a dæmoniac affection will be produced. LXXI. If both luminaries may be in masculine signs, in the nativities of males, their actions will be consonant with nature; but if so placed in the nativities of females, they increase their action. And Mars and Venus, if matutine, incline to the masculine gender; if vespertine, to the feminine. LXXII. Matters of education are to be considered by the ascending lords of triplicity; matters of life, by the lords of the conditionary luminary's triplicity.
153:1 Moxon's Mathematical Dictionary says, that the "Centiloquium is a book containing one hundred astrological aphorisms, commonly ascribed to Ptolemy, as its author, but by some to Hermes Trismegistus." This account, however, seems to be inaccurate; for the Centiloquy attributed to Osiris's contemporary and counsellor (eulogized by Lilly as having been "one of the wisest of all mortal men, and as ancient as Moses"), is very different from that known by the name of the Καρπος, or "Fruit of the Tetrabiblos." Whether this latter Centiloquy be really the work of Ptolemy is another question: it has been usually edited as his, but some of the aphorisms seem to relate to horary questions only, which are not adverted to in the Tetrabiblos, and there are others also which do not appear to result from the doctrine of that book. 154:1 Of the same degree and sign. 157:1 Or in obscure situations. 158:1 Of the Sun and Moon. 158:2 On this aphorism Partridge has said, "how Ptolemy meant it to be understood, I know not; and so I leave it." 159:1 Or part of heaven indicating the grant.THE CENTILOQUY, OR HUNDRED APHORISMS OF CLAUDIUS PTOLEMY 1; OTHERWISE CALLED, THE FRUIT OF HIS FOUR BOOKS
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