The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher: Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy
Aristotle · en
_Aries_, the Ram, which governs the head and face.
_Taurus_, the Bull, which governs the neck.
_Gemini_, the Twins, which governs the hands and arms.
_Cancer_, the Crab, governs the breast and stomach.
_Leo_, the Lion, governs the back and heart
_Virgo_, the Virgin, governs the belly and bowels.
_Libra_, the Balance, governs the veins and loins.
_Scorpio_, the Scorpion, governs the secret parts.
_Sagittary_, the Centaur, governs the thighs.
_Capricorn_, the Goat, governs the knees.
_Aquarius_, the Water-Bearer, governs the legs and ankles.
_Pisces_, the Fish, governs the feet.
It is here furthermore necessary to let the reader know, that the
ancients have divided the celestial sphere into twelve parts, according
to the number of these signs, which are termed houses; as in the first
house, Aries, in the second Taurus, in the third Gemini, etc. And
besides their assigning the twelve signs of the twelve houses, they
allot to each house its proper business.
To the first house they give the signification of life.
The second house has the signification of wealth, substances, or riches.
The third is the mansion of brethren.
The fourth, the house of parentage.
The fifth is the house of children.
The sixth is the house of sickness or disease.
The seventh is the house of wedlock, and also of enemies, because
oftentimes a wife or husband proves the worst enemy.
The eighth is the house of death.
The ninth is the house of religion.
The tenth is the signification of honours.
The eleventh of friendship.
The twelfth is the house of affliction and woe.
Now, astrologically speaking, a house is a certain place in the heaven
or firmament, divided by certain degrees, through which the planets have
their motion, and in which they have their residence and are situated.
And these houses are divided by thirty degrees, for every sign has so
many degrees. And these signs or houses are called the houses of such
and such planets as make their residence therein, and are such as
delight in them, and as they are deposited in such and such houses are
said to be either dignified or debilitated. For though the planets in
their several revolutions go through all the houses, yet there are some
houses which they are more properly said to delight in. As for instance,
Aries and Scorpio are the houses of Mars; Taurus and Libra of Venus;
Gemini and Virgo of Mercury; Sagittarius and Pisces are the houses of
Jupiter; Capricorn and Aquarius are the houses of Saturn; Leo is the
house of the Sun; and Cancer is the house of the Moon.