Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Irish Corpus Astronomiae, being Manus O'Donnell's seventeenth century version of the Lunario of Geronymo Cortès (Author: [unknown])

Chapter 3

THE THIRD CHAPTER

CONCERNING THE CELESTIAL REGION

Hitherto we have treated of the elemental region as triefly as possible: now it is proper to treat of the celestial region, which is called by Aristotle, Lib. 1. De Caelo, C. 8, quinta essentia, with the same brevity; because there is a distinction between itself and the other four elements. The celestial region (or as it is otherwise called the region of the spheres) is divided into eleven heavens, according to the opinion most approved by all astronomers. The first sphere, or the first heaven according to the natural order, and the eleventh from us as the divines say, is the abode of God, the angels, and the holy souls; and this heaven is not subject to movement like the other heavens. After this is the tenth sphere, or the tenth heaven according to us, and the second heaven according to natural order, which is called primum mobile, i.e., first movement (as King Alphonsus discovered) and by its motion all the heavens from it down are moved about the earth in the space of twenty-four hours. After this is the ninth heaven which Ptolemy discovered, which is called Crystallinum, where were (as learned folk say) the waters of which the book of Genesis makes mention, and Bede says C. 1, De natura rerum, C. 4, that they were so kept for the purpose of drowning the world, as was done at the time of the deluge. After this is the eighth sphere, which is called the starry sphere, in which all the stars are fixed. Moreover, the stars which are called planets are in the other lower heavens from that down. They are called planets, or wandering stars, because they are not [always] at the same distance one from the other as the other stars are. Of these we shall treat in their own place, and of each planet in turn.


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ANOTHER RULE BY WHICH THE HOUR OF THE CLOCK AT NIGHT MAY BE KNOWN BY THE NORTH STAR

The north star is a star in the eighth sphere and near the point over which all the heavens move. This star is in the north, and one may recognize it by turning one's face to the east and looking towards the left shoulder; the north star is the brightest one he will see then. It is by it further that pilots and mariners steer; by it and by two other stars which are close to each other and are at the point of the head of the Bocina, or the mouth of the horn (i.e., the stars which are so called), and by the brightest star of those (which is called Horologialis) the time of the night may be known every time in the year.

The table or diagram on this page has been omitted.


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Having thus recognized the north star, one should face it so that one's left shoulder is towards the west and one's right shoulder towards the east exactly. Being so placed, one should imagine a cross in the air opposite one such that its centre or middle point is the north star: and one of the four points of the cross to one's head, and another point of the cross (the one opposite to that) towards one's feet, and the other two points which make the centre line of the cross one of them to the West in the direction of the left shoulder, and the other to the East in the direction of the right shoulder. After this, one should imagine likewise a circular ring around the cross, as is seen in the following page, and one should observe that the star horologialis (which one sees drawn in the diagram) moves round the north star in the space of twenty-four hours; so that it traverses each quarter of the cross successively in six hours: and since each quarter is divided into six parts: each part of these means an hour, as it is in the diagram. Having understood what we have said, one should bear in mind the season of the year in which one is, or the season in which one desires to find out the time of night, because the star horologialis being a moveable star is at the upper point of the cross on the first day of the month of May at midnight, and on the first day of August at midnight it is at the point of the cross which is towards the West and the left shoulder; likewise it happens that it is midnight on the first day of November when the same star is at the lower point of the cross, and on the first day of February it is midnight when that star comes to be at the other point of the cross which is towards the East and the right shoulder. Further be it observed that these points of midnight vary by one hour at the end of fifteen days: for example, on the first day of May this star horologialis is at


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the upper point of the cross at midnight (as we have said), and fifteen days afterwards it is an hour in advance at midnight, i.e., at the second point of the first quarter of the cross towards the West and the left shoulder, and in another fifteen days the star makes an advance of another hour, being at the third point of the same quarter, and so in succession throughout the year. Having noted carefully these four points of the cross where the star horologialis is at midnight, one should observe on the first of May the distance the same star is from the point in which it makes midnight, and that towards the right shoulder, and if that makes three points it is evident that it is nine o'clock, since it wants three points of the six points which are in the quarter of the cross toward midnight, and if the same star moves three more points in advance from the upper end of the cross westwards towards the left shoulder, it is certain that it will be three o'clock in the morning and after midnight. By this means it is possible to find out every hour of the night every time in the year with certainty and without a point of error.

ANOTHER RULE BY WHICH THE TIME OF DAY MAY BE KNOWN BY MEANS OF THE SUN AND THE HUMAN HAND

Just as a rule is given by which every hour of the night may be known without a time-piece, a rule is also given by which the time of day, may be known by means of the hand: thus every man can have his own time-keeper with him constantly. I say then, that he who wishes to know the time of day must turn his back exactly to the sun. and in order that he may do so with certainty let him


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place a small upright stick standing in a perfectly level ground and let him take the shadow of it between his feet, and being thus stationed let him put a straw of the length of his index finger standing in the line of life (so called) which goes round the thumb, and let him stretch his left hand straight out from him in a line with his left foot, and it must not be any higher or any lower than his shoulder, and let him arrange the left side of his palm in such a way that the thumb does not make a shadow in it, and it is certain that the shadow of that straw will be somewhere on the index finger at every period of the year. Let us suppose now that the sun rises at five o'clock; then the shadow of the straw will be at the tip of the index finger: and if it is on the tip of the middle finger it will then be six o'clock; and if it is on the tip of the next finger it will be seven o'clock, and if it is on the tip of the little finger it will be eight o'clock, and if it is on the line nearest the tip of the little finger it will be nine o'clock, and if it is on the middle line or joint it will be ten o'clock, and if it is on the joint at the bottom of the same little finger it will be eleven o'clock, and if the shadow enters the (palm of the) hand opposite the straw it will be twelve. Now in order that one may find out the hours after mid-day, be it noted that the shadow returns over the same joints and places which it traversed in the morning; accordingly when the shadow has returned to the third joint at the bottom of the little finger it is then one o'clock p.m., and on the middle joint it is two, and at the third joint it is three, and at the tip of the little finger it is four, and at the tip of the fourth finger it is five, and at the tip of the middle finger it is six, and at the tip of the index finger it is seven o'clock. In addition to this, be it noted that if the sun rises at six o'clock in the morning it is on the joints nearest the tips of

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the same fingers that the reckoning is made, descending on the little finger to the line of twelve in accordance with the example aforementioned, and returning on the same joints after midday. If the sun rises at seven o'clock in the morning, the same reckoning is made on the middle joints of the same fingers, always commencing with the index finger: and as experience makes everything easy, it is unnecessary to add more, except that the sun rises in the months of May, June, July, and August at five or near it; at six in March, April, September, and October; and in Xovember, December, January, and February at seven or near it. But be it understood that this book is according to the reckoning of the Pope; nevertheless it may be used in every land that is not under his jurisdiction.

INFORMATION OF THE HUSBANDRY OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO PLINY

January

With the crescent moon of this month husbandmen should prune early-flowering trees such as almond-trees, plum-trees and the like. The bitter pips of oranges and lemons, and (the kernels) of bullaces and walnuts should be sown at this time in warm ground. From full moon till new again is the best time for cutting every kind of timber so that it may be more durable; but the best trees for that purpose are the trees that have lost their foliage. It is well here to put manure on the land and to dress it with it, and to sow garlic and onions. Pliny says, Lib. 18, that the time to cut anything so that it may keep a long time, and also for castrating and grubbing, is after the full


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of each moon. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, fruits will be plentiful, woods will yield a bad return, there will be abundance of water, unwholesome winds, disturbances among peoples, and deaths of men and cattle in the land in which it is heard, according to the statements of the learned author and distinguished astronomer Leopold of Austria. And the first thunder is the first thunder that occurs after New Year's Day or on that very day itself.

HUSBANDRY AND PROGNOSTICATION FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

From the new moon of this month until it is full, it is well to sow hemp and flax, mustard and melons, that they may be early. From the full of this moon until the new moon, it is well to cut the rods for baskets and such like (but Palladius says that it is better to cut them about this time of the moon in the month of January). The vines may be pruned. Disease of the feet is dangerous at this time. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it signifies the death of powerful people, diseases of the head, pain in the ears, great frost and little fruit, according to Leopold.

MARCH ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

With the crescent moon of this month melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins should be sown, and hemp and flax in warm ground: and it is better to sow them now than in the month of February; and likewise the chickpeas and all bitter pips, and the young fig-trees in a moderately warm ground. With the full of this moon it


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is well to weed the gardens and the wheat, and to plough the fields so that the weeds may not grow, and to clean beneath the trees which bud late, viz., the mulberry-tree and the pomegranate, &c. The pruning of the vines should not be put off from this time, because just now they are beginning to bud. Evil humours are engendered in this month, and diseases of the head are dangerous. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes great winds, plenty of grain and grass, dissensions, terrors and death in the land in which it is heard, according to Leopold.

THE WORKS OF APRIL ACCORDING TO ABENCENIF

From the crescent moon of this month until full moon it is well to plant all kitchen-gardens, though it is a good plan likewise to do so in any month from January to August. From the full of this moon until new moon again, it is well to irrigate the tilled fields which are dry and hot. This is a good month for ridding the bee-hives of spiders and grubs which are produced in them. This time is very wholesome for taking a purge, and diseases in the neck and throat are dangerous. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes that the year will be very fruitful; plenty of wine and wheat and cattle, especially of wheat in dry stony grounds; but it likewise denotes perils on the sea in the kingdoms in which it is heard, according to Leopold.

THE HUSBANDRY OF MAY ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

From new moon until full moon, it is well to clip the saffron (-beds), and to admit the he-goats to the goats. About this time all sorts of pot-herbs may be planted. From full


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moon until new moon is better than any other time for burning and baking bricks, and for all kinds of earthenware work, for this is the best time in the year for that purpose. At this time it is well to plough the fields which are sown in Autumn, and in cold ground. Calves, boars and male lambs may be castrated. Any disease in the shoulders and in the hands is more dangerous than at any other time, and especially a wound from iron. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, i.e., from the beginning of the year, it denotes abundance of water, injury to the birds, plenty of bread and all sorts of legumes in the kingdoms in which it is beard, according to Leopold.

THE WORKS OF THE MONTH OF JUNE ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

From new moon until full moon it is well to prune the trees which have a sappy bark — viz., orange-trees, fig-trees, and olive-trees, and other such trees; also to plant cabbage and all other pot-herbs so that they may be early. From full moon until new moon it is well to cut and thresh beans and every other sort of legume if they are dry. Palladius says that if the fig-trees are irrigated at this time they will ripen the earlier, and as a result they will be better and more tasty. The wool which is shorn from the sheep at this time is better than at any other time, because it is more sudoriferous. In this month diseases of the chest and stonirach and lungs are dangerous. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes plenty of bread and fish, loss of fruits, unrest among the peoples, and inundations of rivers in the land in which it is heard, according to Leopold.


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THE WORKS OF THE MONTH OF JULY ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

From the new of this moon until it is full, it is usual to plant curly cabbage, turnips, onions, carrots and mustard; and to cut the brambles from the ground so that they may not grow. From the full of this moon until new moon, it is profitable to reap the wheat, so that it may be good and last longer. Disease of the heart is injurious in this month. Further, purgings, blood-letting, swimming, bathing and mid-day sleep are injurious in this month. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes great trouble in the kingdoms, troublous commotion in the towns, scarcity of bread, but plentiful fruit, in the land in which it is heard, as Leopold says.

THE WORKS OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

From the new of this moon until full moon, it is well to put the manure on the fields for the wheat, to dig the onions for storing; and, after rain, to sow the radishes, the turnips and the late cabbage. From the full of this moon until new moon, it is usual to dry grapes, prunes and figs, so that use may be made of them at some other time; and to sow the seed of cabbages and beans. In this month the company of women, midday sleep and the bath are very dangerous; and purging is not good, nor blood-letting, except in a case of urgent necessity. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes death to the fishes of the sea and to four-footed animals, quietude for the peoples, and many diseases in the kingdoms in which it is heard, according to Leopold of Austria.


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THE WORKS OF SEPTEMBER ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

From the new of this moon until full moon, it is well to sow the rye, the barley and the beans in a warm ground; for it is in cold ground that it is best to sow them before this. This is a very good time for sowing flax. From the full of this moon until new moon is the natural time for gathering the grapes and making wine. It is well to plough and dig the ground now, and to dress it with manure, in order to sow all kinds of garden herbs in it. Throughout this month the blood is in good condition for letting, and every disease in the kidneys and the hips is very dangerous. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes drought at the beginning of the year, and moisture at its end; abundance of bread, but dear; and much menace of death to the populace in the land in which it is heard, according to Leopold.

THE WORKS OF OCTOBER ACCORDING TO ABENCENIF

From the beginning of this month until the end, in a late soil, it is proper to make oil and wine, and it is well to sow now all kinds of grain, such as wheat, rye, barley, and such like. Filberts, chestnuts, pomegranates and walnuts should be gathered, and the late fruit likewise: and cherry, pear and apple tress should be planted. All wounds are difficult to heal in this month, and disease of the private parts is dangerous. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes storms of wind and commotion of the airs, scarcity of bread and fruit and wine, death of cattle and fish in the land in which it is heard, according to Leopold.


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THE WORKS OF NOVEMBER ACCORDING TO ABENCENIF

From the beginning of this month it is well to plough the fields, and the ground in which weeds are, so that they may not grow; and to cut the decayed wood from the trees, and dress them with manure. At the full of this moon, and at the full of the moon after it, it is well to salt meat, and to cut timber for work. This is a good month for blood letting, and for bathing, and for healing every kind of disease. And diseases in the legs are dangerous. If it is in this month that the first thunder is heard, it denotes damage to the sheep, abundance of wheat, joyousness in the people. The weather will come in well. It will not rain except a very profitable amount; nevertheless, the fruit will fall from the trees sooner than is right in the land in which it is heard, according to Leopold.

THE WORKS OF DECEMBER ACCORDING TO PALLADIUS

Although there is little field work in this month, still it is possible to sow garden herbs for the spring, and the timber which is cut at this time is very durable, and the zealous and careful husbandman will not lack something to do, even at this time (as Palladius says), namely, to collect the manure in heaps, to make ropes and cords for the time to come, to clean the cellars, and to do every other work which belongs to the character of the season. There are many other things which might be said about each month which we have not said because we do not wish to be prolix. It is now that disease of the knees is dangerous. If it is now that the first thunder is heard, it denotes a good year, wholesomeness, and peace among the tribes in the land in which it is heard, according to Leopold of Austria.


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