Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos

Chapter 8: CHAPTER V BENEFICS AND MALEFICS

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About This Book

A systematic astrological treatise that explains how the sun, moon, planets and fixed stars are understood to affect weather, geography and human affairs. It lays out technical vocabulary and procedures—signs, houses, aspects, triplicities, exaltations and terms—then applies them across four parts: foundational principles and methods; climatic and regional forecasts including eclipses and atmospheric phenomena; rules for casting nativities and interpreting birth, temperament, health and longevity; and worked examples with tables and commentary. The work emphasizes a disciplined, observational approach to linking astronomical positions with types and timings of terrestrial events.

CHAPTER V
BENEFICS AND MALEFICS

Of the four temperaments or qualities above mentioned, two are nutritive and prolific, viz. heat and moisture; by these all matter coalesces and is nourished: the other two are noxious and destructive, viz. dryness and cold; by these all matter is decayed and dissipated.

Therefore, two of the planets, on account of their temperate quality, and because heat and moisture are predominant in them, are considered by the ancients as benefic, or causers of good: these are Jupiter and Venus. And the Moon also is so considered for the same reasons.

But Saturn and Mars are esteemed of a contrary nature, and malefic, or causers of evil: the first from his excess of cold, the other from his excess of dryness.

The Sun and Mercury are deemed of common influence, and productive either of good or evil in unison with whatever planets they may be connected with.