MS M.785, fol. 22r

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Abū Maʻshar
-886

Astrological treatises

Bruges, Belgium
early 15th century, in or before 1403
254 x 175 mm

Purchased in 1935

MS M.785
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Second Decanus of Scorpio in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Nude man, inscribed VIR NUDUS CUI NOMEN ASFALIUS (Astrological Sign: Vir Nudus); hindquarters of horse, inscribed MEDIUM EQUI (Constellation: Centaurus); body of bull, inscribed MEDIUM TAURI (Constellation: Taurus).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Draped, nude (?) woman, inscribed MULIER PLANETA NOMINE PECUNIAM HABENS IN MARI CUM PEDE ASTRICTO ESTUAMS IN FLUCTUAMS ET TAMQUAM LITORA CAPTANS, wearing veil, holding pouch-like object in left hand, stands beside stream, trees, and tower, inscribed TURRIS (Astrological Sign: Woman).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Bear paw, inscribed LACERTUM URSE MINORIS (Constellation: Ursa Minor); dragon's tail, inscribed CAUDA DRACONIS (Constellation: Draco); shoulders of male (?) figure, inscribed PECTUS GORGONIS QUOD ALAUE DICITUR (Constellation: Caput Medusa); body of wolf, inscribed DORSUM LUPI (Constellation: Lupus); crown, inscribed CORONA SEPTENTRIONAL (Constellation: Corona); leg, inscribed COXA LIBRE (Constellation: Libra ?); animal head, inscribed CAPUT SERPENTIS (Constellation: Serpens); scorpion claws, inscribed CHELES SCORPIONIS (Constellation: Scorpio).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021