Latin — 1533, repaired
Quae vero res cui stellae vel signo subsint, cognoscere difficile est valde: cognoscuntur tamen per imitationem radiorum, vel motus, vel figurae superioris, quaedam etiam per colores et odores, quaedam etiam per suarum operationum effectus, quibusdam stellis consonantes. Sic solaria sunt inter elementa ignis, et lucida flamma: in humoribus sanguis purior, et spiritus vitae: inter sapores, qui est acutus, dulcedini mixtus. Inter metalla aurum propter splendorem: habetque a sole, quod sit cordis confortativum. Inter lapides vero qui aureis guttis solares radios imitantur: sicut lapis actites aureis guttis solem imitans, virtutem habet contra morbum caducum, et contra venena: sic lapis, qui dicitur solis oculus, figuram habens similem pupillae oculi, ex cuius medio radius emicat, confortat cerebrum, confert visui: sic carbunculus noctu lucens, virtutem habet contra omne venenum aereum et vaporosum: sic chrysolithus lapis, habens in colore tenuem et lucidam viriditatem, in qua quando soli opponitur stella aurea emicat, confortat spiritualia, confert asthmaticis: et quando perforatur, et setis asini in foramen repletus, sinistro brachio alligatus, fugat phantasmata, et terrores melancholicos stultitiamque repellit: sic lapis iris, similis in colore crystallo, qui, ut frequenter reperitur, hexagonus, quando sub tecto pars eius radiis solis opponitur, et pars altera in umbra tenetur, colligit radios in se solares, quos proiiciens reflectendo facit apparere irim in opposito pariete. Item heliotropius lapis, viridis ad modum iaspidis vel smaragdi, guttis rubeis stellatus, facit constantem, gloriosum et bonae famae, confert ad vitae longitudinem: et est virtus eius mirabilis, quia habet in radios solares, quos in sanguinem convertere dicitur, hoc est apparere sanguineos, quasi sol pateretur eclipsim, quando videlicet immergitur succo herbae eiusdem nominis, et in vas plenum aquae ponitur: et est alia virtus eius mirabilior in oculos hominum, quorum aciem ita perstringit, atque ita obcaecat visum hominum, ut videri non permittat gestantem se — quod tamen non facit sine adiutorio herbae eiusdem nominis, quae etiam heliotropium vocatur, hoc est solsequium. Has virtutes et Albertus Magnus, et Gulielmus Parisiensis in scripturis suis confirmant. Hyacinthus etiam habet virtutem a sole contra venena, et pestis foetores, reddit gestantem tutum et gratum, confert ad divitias, et ingenium, confortat cor: retentus in ore, vehementer animum exhilarat. Item pyrophilos, lapis rubicundus permixtus, de hoc teste Alberto refert Aesculapius in una epistolarum suarum ad Octavianum Augustum, quod aliquod venenum est tantae frigiditatis, quod cor hominis interempti conservat ab ustione, ita quod, si aliquadiu ponatur in igne, convertitur in lapidem, et hic est ille, qui vocatur pyrophilos ab igne. Habet mirabilem virtutem contra venena, et reddit gestantem gloriosum, et formidolosum adversariis. Prae omnibus autem solaris est lapis, quem invenisse fertur Apollonius, nomine pantaura, qui alios lapides ad se trahit, quemadmodum magnes ferrum, contra omnia venena efficacissimus, ab aliis pantherus dictus, quia panthera animali maculoso adsimilatur: ideo etiam pantochras dicitur, quia omnes colores continet: Aaron illum euanthum nuncupat. Solares praeterea sunt topazius, chrysoprasus, rubinus, balagius. Item solaria sunt auripigmentum, aureique coloris, et luminis plurimi. Ex plantis vero et arboribus sunt solares, quae vertuntur ad solem, ut heliotropium, et quae implicant in se folia recedente sole, mane vero explicant paulatim, ut lotos, quam quidam arbusculam solarem esse et fructuum et foliorum figura testatur. Sic paeonia, chelidonia, citraria, zinziber, gentiana, dictamnus, verbena — quoque praestans divinationem et expiationem, fugans cacodaemones. Laurus etiam Phoebo sacer, ac cedrus, palma, et fraxinus, et hedera, et vitis: et quaecunque venena et fulgura repellunt, et perpetuo virentes hiemis rigores non verentur. Item solaria sunt myrtha, mastix, zedoaria, crocus, balsamus, ambra, muscus, mel flavum, lignum aloes, gariophyllum, cinnamomum, calamus aromaticus, piper, thus, amaracus, et libanotis, quod Orpheus vocat solis thymiama. Inter animalia vero solaria sunt magnanima, animosa, studiosa victoriae et gloriae, ut leo, ferarum rex, crocodilus, lynx, aries, caper, taurus armentorum rex, ab Aegyptiis apud Heliopolim sacratus, quem Mnevin nominant, et bos Apis in Memphi, et in Hermintho taurus nomine Pathim. Lupus etiam Apollini et Latonae sacer est. Praeterea solaris est cynocephalus, qui per singulas horas duodecies in die latrat, et aequinoctii tempore duodecies per singulas horas mingit, idem et in nocte: unde illum in horologiis sculpebant Aegyptii. Item solares sunt inter aves phoenix, alias unica, et aquila avium regina: item vultur, olor sive cygnus: et quae quasi quibusdam clamoribus applaudunt surgenti soli, atque quasi advocant, ut gallus et corvus: accipiter etiam, quia in Aegyptiorum theologia spiritus et lucis symbolum est, a Porphyrio inter solares numeratur. Praeterea solaria sunt quaecunque colligunt solis operum similitudinem, ut vermiculi nocte lucentes, scarabeus quoque, quem pilularius vocant, forma lucida, quem etiam cantharum dicunt, qui pilulam volvit, ac desuper incubat, aliosque generat — Apionis interpretatione hoc ipso solis operum similitudinem colligens, cuius oculos etiam iuxta solis cursum variari constat, solaris esse iudicatur: et qui ex eis sunt. Ex pisciculis autem maxime solaris est vitulus marinus, fulguri resistens, item dactylus, et pulmo, nocte lucentes, et stella ob adurentem fervorem, strombi regem secuti: similiter et margaritae regem habentes, exsiccatique in lapidem alterius coloris durescunt.
Close translation
Which thing belongs to which star or sign is exceedingly difficult to know; yet it is known through the imitation of the star's rays, or its motion, or its shape, and some things also through colors and odors, and some through the effects of their operations, which agree with certain stars. Thus solar things are, among the elements, fire and the bright flame; among the humors, the purer blood and the vital spirit; among the flavors, that which is sharp mixed with sweetness. Among metals, gold, on account of its splendor: and it has from the sun that it comforts the heart. Among stones, those which imitate the sun's rays with golden drops: as the stone actites, imitating the sun with golden drops, has power against the falling sickness and against poisons: so the stone called the sun's eye, having a shape like the pupil of an eye, from whose middle a ray shines forth, comforts the brain and aids the sight: so the carbuncle, shining by night, has power against every airy and vaporous poison: so the chrysolite, having in its color a fine and bright greenness, in which, when it is set against the sun, a golden star flashes, comforts the spirits and helps those with asthma; and when it is pierced and filled in the hole with ass's bristles, and bound on the left arm, it puts phantoms to flight and drives away melancholic terrors and folly: so the stone iris, similar in color to crystal, which, as is commonly found, is hexagonal, when part of it is placed under cover against the sun's rays and the other part is kept in shadow, gathers the solar rays into itself, which, casting them by reflection, make a rainbow appear on the opposite wall. Likewise the heliotrope stone, green after the manner of jasper or emerald, starred with red drops, makes one steadfast, glorious, and of good repute, and helps toward length of life: and its power is marvelous, for it holds within it solar rays which it is said to turn into blood — that is, to appear bloody, as if the sun were suffering an eclipse — namely when it is immersed in the juice of the herb of the same name and placed in a vessel full of water: and it has another, still more marvelous power over men's eyes, whose sight it so dazzles and so blinds that it does not permit the one wearing it to be seen — though it does not do this without the aid of the herb of the same name, which is also called heliotropium, that is, sun-follower. These powers both Albertus Magnus and William of Paris confirm in their writings. The hyacinth also has power from the sun against poisons and the stench of plague, renders the wearer safe and pleasing, contributes to riches and wit, comforts the heart: held in the mouth, it greatly cheers the spirit. Likewise the pyrophilus, a reddish mottled stone — concerning this, on Albertus's authority, Aesculapius reports in one of his letters to Octavian Augustus, that a certain poison is of such coldness that it preserves the heart of a slain man from burning, so that, if it is put in fire for some time, it turns into a stone, and this is the one called pyrophilus, from fire. It has a marvelous power against poisons, and renders the wearer glorious, and a terror to his adversaries. But above all others the solar stone is the one that Apollonius is said to have discovered, called pantaura, which draws other stones to itself as the magnet draws iron, and is most effective against all poisons; called by others pantherus, because it resembles the spotted panther in appearance: for this reason it is also called pantochras, because it contains all colors: Aaron calls it euanthes. Solar besides are the topaz, the chrysoprase, the ruby, the balas-ruby. Likewise solar are orpiment, and things of golden color and abundant light. Among plants and trees the solar ones are those that turn toward the sun, like the heliotrope, and those that fold their leaves as the sun withdraws but gradually unfold them in the morning, like the lotus, which some attest to be a solar shrub both by the shape of its fruit and of its leaves. So too peony, celandine, citron, ginger, gentian, dittany, and vervain — which also grants divination and purification, putting evil spirits to flight. The laurel too, sacred to Phoebus, and the cedar, the palm, the ash, the ivy, and the vine: and whatever repels poisons and lightning, and, being evergreen, does not fear winter's harshness. Likewise solar are myrrh, mastic, zedoary, saffron, balsam, amber, musk, yellow honey, aloeswood, clove, cinnamon, sweet flag, pepper, frankincense, marjoram, and rosemary, which Orpheus calls the sun's incense. Among animals the solar ones are the great-souled, the spirited, those eager for victory and glory: as the lion, king of beasts; the crocodile; the lynx; the ram; the he-goat; the bull, king of the herds, held sacred by the Egyptians at Heliopolis, whom they name Mnevis; and the Apis bull at Memphis, and at Hermonthis the bull named Pathim. The wolf too is sacred to Apollo and Latona. Solar besides is the dog-headed baboon, which barks twelve times in each daylight hour, and at the equinox urinates twelve times in each hour, and likewise at night: for which reason the Egyptians sculpted it upon their clocks. Among birds, solar are the phoenix, otherwise called the unique bird, and the eagle, queen of birds; likewise the vulture, and the swan; and those which greet the rising sun with a kind of applauding cry, as if calling it forth, such as the cock and the raven; the hawk too, since in the theology of the Egyptians it is the symbol of spirit and of light, is counted by Porphyry among the solar creatures. Solar besides are whatever gathers a likeness of the sun's works, as the glow-worms shining by night, and the beetle called the roller, of bright form, also called the scarab, which rolls its little ball, broods over it, and thereby generates others — according to Apion's interpretation, gathering in this very act a likeness of the sun's works; its eyes too are known to change with the sun's course, and for this reason it is judged solar, as are its kind. Among small fish the most solar is the seal, which resists lightning; likewise the date-mussel, and the sea-lung, which shine at night, and the sea-star, on account of its scorching heat, followers of the king of the strombi; and likewise those bearing the king of pearls, which, dried out, harden into a stone of another color.
Modern rendering
It's genuinely hard to know which thing belongs to which star or sign. Still, you can tell by how a thing echoes the star's rays, its motion, or its shape; sometimes by color or scent; sometimes by the effects it produces, which match up with a given star. So among the elements, fire and bright flame are solar; among the bodily fluids, purer blood and the vital spirit; among tastes, sharpness mixed with sweetness. Among metals, gold — for its brilliance, and because the sun gives it the power to strengthen the heart. Among stones, those that mirror the sun's rays with golden flecks: the stone called actites, flecked with gold like the sun, protects against epilepsy and poison. The stone called the sun's eye, shaped like a pupil with a ray shining from its center, strengthens the brain and aids sight. The carbuncle, glowing at night, protects against every airborne or vapor-borne poison. Chrysolite, a fine bright green stone that flashes gold when held to the sun, strengthens the spirits and helps asthma sufferers; pierced, packed with donkey bristle, and worn on the left arm, it drives off hallucinations, melancholic terrors, and foolishness. The stone called iris, crystal-colored and usually six-sided, gathers sunlight when part of it is shaded and part exposed, then throws it back as a rainbow on the opposite wall. Heliotrope, a green stone like jasper or emerald flecked with red, makes its wearer steady, admired, and long-lived; remarkably, it's said to turn its captured sunlight blood-red — as if the sun were eclipsed — when dipped in the juice of the plant of the same name and set in a bowl of water. An even stranger power: it can dazzle and blind onlookers so the wearer becomes invisible — though only with the help of the same-named plant, also called heliotrope, or 'sun-follower.' Both Albertus Magnus and William of Paris back up these claims in their writings. Hyacinth stone likewise draws solar power against poison and plague-stench, keeps its wearer safe and well-liked, brings wealth and wit, and strengthens the heart; held in the mouth, it lifts the spirits dramatically. Then there's pyrophilus, a mottled reddish stone: citing Albertus, the story goes that Aesculapius told Emperor Octavian Augustus that a certain poison is so intensely cold it keeps a dead man's heart from burning — and if left in fire long enough, it turns to stone, becoming what's called pyrophilus, 'fire-loving.' It guards powerfully against poison and makes its wearer both glorious and intimidating to enemies. Above all these stands the stone Apollonius is said to have discovered, called pantaura — it draws other stones to itself the way a magnet draws iron, and is the most effective stone against every poison. Others call it pantherus, since it resembles the spotted panther, or pantochras, because it holds every color; Aaron calls it euanthes. Also solar: topaz, chrysoprase, ruby, and balas-ruby, plus orpiment and anything golden and radiant. Among plants, the solar ones turn to face the sun, like the heliotrope, or fold their leaves as the sun sets and slowly reopen them at dawn, like the lotus — which some call a solar plant based on both its fruit and leaf shape. Also solar: peony, celandine, citron, ginger, gentian, dittany, and vervain, which also grants prophetic insight, purifies, and drives off evil spirits. The laurel, sacred to Apollo; the cedar, palm, ash, ivy, and grapevine; and generally anything that repels poison and lightning and stays green through winter without fading. Also solar: myrrh, mastic, zedoary, saffron, balsam, amber, musk, golden honey, aloeswood, clove, cinnamon, sweet flag, pepper, frankincense, marjoram, and rosemary — what Orpheus calls the sun's incense. Among animals, the solar ones are the noble, spirited, glory-seeking types: the lion, king of beasts; the crocodile; the lynx; the ram; the goat; the bull, king of herds — worshipped by the Egyptians at Heliopolis under the name Mnevis, along with the Apis bull at Memphis and the bull called Pathim at Hermonthis. The wolf, too, is sacred to Apollo and Latona. Also solar: the baboon, which barks twelve times an hour through the day and, at the equinox, urinates twelve times an hour both day and night — which is why the Egyptians carved it onto their clocks. Among birds: the phoenix (the one-of-a-kind bird), the eagle (queen of birds), the vulture, the swan, and any bird that greets sunrise with a cry, as if calling it up, like the rooster and the raven; the hawk too counts as solar for Porphyry, since Egyptian theology treats it as a symbol of spirit and light. Also solar: anything that mimics what the sun does — glow-worms shining at night, and the dung beetle (also called the scarab), a bright-shelled insect that rolls its ball, broods over it, and produces offspring from it. Following Apion's reading, this ball-rolling itself echoes the sun's work, and the beetle's eyes are known to change with the sun's course — which is why it's judged solar, along with its relatives. Among small sea creatures, the most solar is the seal, which resists lightning, along with the date-mussel and the sea-lung, both of which glow at night, and the starfish, for its scorching heat, said to follow the king of the strombs; likewise the mussels that host the king of pearls, which, once dried out, harden into a differently colored stone.
Editorial flags — draft status
- list: Entire chapter is the solar correspondence catalogue: metals (gold), gemstones (actites, sun's-eye stone, carbuncle, chrysolite, iris-stone, heliotrope, hyacinth, pyrophilus, pantaura/pantherus/pantochras, topaz, chrysoprase, ruby, balas-ruby, orpiment), plants/trees (heliotrope, lotus, peony, celandine, citron, ginger, gentian, dittany, vervain, laurel, cedar, palm, ash, ivy, vine, myrrh, mastic, zedoary, saffron, balsam, amber, musk, honey, aloeswood, clove, cinnamon, calamus, pepper, frankincense, marjoram, libanotis), animals (lion, crocodile, lynx, ram, goat, bull/Mnevis/Apis/Pathim, wolf, baboon/cynocephalus, phoenix, eagle, vulture, swan, cock, raven, hawk, glow-worm, scarab beetle, seal, date-mussel, sea-lung, starfish, strombus, pearl-mussel). Flagging the WHOLE list per spec rule 3 — every stone/plant/animal attribution here needs manual verification against page images; several rest on badly run-together OCR (e.g. 'Mnevin' reconstructed from an unreadable fragment).
- uncertain: 'Mnevin' (name of the sacred Heliopolis bull) reconstructed from an OCR fragment ('quem veritc nominat') too damaged to confirm directly — flagged for manual check, not high-confidence like the standard-proper-name restorations in rule 4.
- uncertain: 'pantherus'/'pantochras'/'euanthes' names for the pantaura-stone are legible but their exact spellings in the 1533 print should be checked against page image; OCR was moderately damaged around this cluster.