Re: Astrology

[Rene Zandbergen <r_zandbergen@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- GC <glenclaston@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Does anyone have a working knowledge of the writings
> of an ancient
> astrologer named Masha'allah, known also as
> Messahala?

Working knowledge is more than what I have, but
I have read about him in the context of ancient
astrology.

> If so, I'd be particularly interested to ask a few
> private questions and
> seek a good source for this information.
> 
> Lion Hert is a reference I ran into on 34r, and it
> turns out to be from
> Messahala.  This particular brand of astrology
> apparently breaks signs into
> segments of rising and setting constellations, such
> as Alchamech, Shoulders
> of the Great Horse, Algol, Aldebaran, Lion Heart
> (king's star), Tail of the
> Great Bear, the Red Star (bull's eye), etc.  

What I remember reading about Masha'alla or however
his name is best transcribed, is, that his astrology
follows the Babylonian model made popular by 
Albumasar (also spelled in different ways) and
others, where a particular version of each 
constellation is ascribed to each and every degree
of the zodiac. Sometimes, in that degree a bright
star would rise, culminate or set. Sometimes,
an obscure one. Sometimes it cannot be traced back
at all. The astrological meaning of this event
was then somehow explained by a reference to the
part of the constellation it belonged to.
There are also anecdotes about predictions based
on incorrect translations of the original name.
Sources are Franz Boll: Sphaera and Saxl: Verzeichnis
der astrologischen und mythologischen illustrierten
Handschriften des lateinischen mittelalters.
Both are in German and have very little
specifically about Masahalla.
An internet search might be fruitfull. In fact, I
just quickly found this page with woodcuts from
'Flores Albumasaris' some of which are quite nice:
http://www.cieloeterra.it/testi.valente2/valente2.html


Cheers, Rene

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