The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
Now whereas there be many observations concerning East, and divers
considerations of Art which seem to extol the quality of that point, if
rightly understood they do not really promote it. That the Astrologer
takes account of nativities from the Ascendent, that is, the first house
of the heavens, whose beginning is toward the East, it doth not
advantage the conceit. For, he establisheth not his Judgment upon the
orientality thereof, but considereth therein his first ascent above the
Horizon; at which time its efficacy becomes observable, and is conceived
to have the signification of life, and to respect the condition of all
things, which at the same time arise from their causes, and ascend to
their Horizon with it. Now this ascension indeed falls out respectively
in the East: but as we have delivered before, in some positions there is
no Eastern point from whence to compute these ascentions. So is it in a
parallel sphere: for unto them six houses are continually depressed, and
six never elevated: and the planets themselves, whose revolutions are
of more speed, and influences of higher consideration, must find in that
place a very imperfect regard; for half their period they absolve above,
and half beneath the Horizon. And so for six years, no man can have the
happiness to be born under _Jupiter_: and for fifteen together all must
escape the ascendent dominion of _Saturn_.
That _Aristotle_ in his Politicks, commends the situation of a City
which is open towards the East, and admitteth the raies of the rising
Sun, thereby is implied no more particular efficacy than in the West:
But that position is commended, in regard the damps and vaporous
exhalations ingendered in the absence of the Sun, are by his returning
raies the sooner dispelled; and men thereby more early enjoy a clear and
healthy habitation. Upon the like considerations it is, that _Marcus
Varro_ [SN: De re Rustica.] commendeth the same situation, and exposeth
his farm unto the equinoxial ascent of the Sun, and that _Palladius_
adviseth the front of his edifice should so respect the South, that in
the first angle it receive the rising raies of the Winter Sun, and
decline a little from the Winter setting thereof. And concordant
hereunto is the instruction of _Columella De positione villæ_: which he
contriveth into Summer and Winter habitations, ordering that the Winter
lodgings regard the Winter ascent of the Sun, that is South-East; and
the rooms of repast at supper, the Æquinoxial setting thereof, that is
the West: that the Summer lodgings regard the Æquinoxial Meridian: but
the rooms of cænation in the Summer, he obverts unto the Winter ascent,
that is, South-East; and the Balnearies or bathing places, that they may
remain under the Sun until evening, he exposeth unto the Summer
setting, that is, North-West, in all which although the Cardinal points
be introduced, yet is the consideration Solary, and only determined unto
the aspect or visible reception of the Sun.
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