MS M.785, fol. 12r

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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 Cancer in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Virgo, inscribed PUELLA SECUNDA, stands beside rocks and trees and holds sheaf of wheat or feather or palm (Constellation: Virgo); head of ass, inscribed DIMIDIUM AURIUM ASINI SEPTENTRIONALIS (sic) (Constellation: Asinus); head and forequarters of dog, inscribed ANTERIOR MEDIETAS CANIS (Constellation: Canis); body of winged animal, inscribed MEDIUM ASPIDIS ZENABRAZ (sic) (Constellation: Serpens ?); body of animal (scarab ?), inscribed MEDIUM SCARA BONIS (Constellation: Cancer).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Crowned woman, inscribed PUELLA PLACIDA CORONATA UIRGAN MANU TENENS PERGENS AD TEMPLA DEORUM CANENS DE AMORE DEORUM ET LAUDIBUS ILLOROUM, holding rod in right hand, stands before building inscribed TEMPLUM, inside of which is altar inscribed ARA DEORUM (Astrological Sign: Woman).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Woman, inscribed CAPUT CALISTO CUM CORPORE (Constellation: Ursa Major); crab claws, inscribed FORCIPES CANCRI (Constellation: Cancer); stern of ship, inscribed FINIS PUPPIS ARGOS (Constellation: Argo Navis).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021