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The Astrological Physician

Reading Witchcraft in the Stars: Astrological Diagnosis of Enchantment

A historical astrological guide outlines how to judge whether an illness stems from witchcraft by examining the lord of the twelfth house, its aspects to the ascendant or its lord, and other planetary configurations. It also provides rules for identifying the suspected witch by describing the lord of the twelfth house and its house placement.

By Sage Turner2 min read

Judging Whether a Sickness Is Preternatural

When the question arises whether a person is bewitched, the astrologer should first examine the lord of the twelfth house. If that lord is in a malevolent aspect with the lord of the ascendant, or is placed in the ascendant itself, this is a sign. Specifically, if the lord of the twelfth afflicts the ascendant or its lord—whether by bodily presence, square, or opposition—or if they are afflicted or oppressed by any malevolent planet in the twelfth, then the disease is more than natural. Likewise, the lord of the ascendant positioned in the twelfth argues the same. In delivering judgment on this matter, the following aphorisms are to be observed.

  1. If the ascendant is oppressed by the lord of the twelfth, or if the lord of the ascendant is afflicted in the twelfth, then there is reason to fear the sick party is bewitched.
  2. The Moon in the twelfth, or any other planet there in opposition to the lord of the ascendant, argues that an evil spirit has power over the sick party.
  3. The lord of the ascendant combust in the twelfth intimates the same.
  4. The lord of the ascendant in the sixth, in opposition to the lord of the twelfth house, gives suspicion of witchcraft.
  5. The lord of the ascendant also being lord of the twelfth and unfortunate declares that the sick party is under an ill tongue; likewise, the sign of the ascendant and the sign of the twelfth being the same intimates the same.
  6. The lord of the eighth in the twelfth, or applying to its lord and then immediately joining the lord of the ascendant—thereby translating the influence of the twelfth house and its lord to the ascendant—signifies the death of the sick party by witchcraft.
  7. The lord of the sixth house in the eighth, twelfth, or sixth signifies a secret and occult disease, more than natural.

These aphorisms, or any of them, signify and declare the most approved and assured way of judging witchcraft.

Identifying the Witch

Now, in judging or discovering what party it is that bewitches the sick person or has enchanted him, describe the planet that is lord of the twelfth house. From this you shall have the complexion, stature, and condition of the witch. Always consider in what house of heaven this lord is posited, out of what house it afflicts the ascendant or its lord, and what house it rules besides the twelfth. With due consideration, you shall then have the cause of the witch's enchanting the sick party.

If the lord of the third is also lord of the twelfth, or is posited therein, or afflicts the ascendant or its lord, or if the lord of the twelfth is in the third house afflicting the ascendant or its lord, this shows the witch to be a near neighbor to the sick party, etc. And so, if we consider in what house the lord of the twelfth is in, and out of what house it afflicts the lord of the ascendant, we shall also have the cause of the enchantment, etc.

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