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An Irish Zodiac Preserved in a Library at Basel - page 3

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Predictions written in the central divisions of the Zodiac. [Comment]

Ho.I - In Libra he who fleeth by sea shall come into peril; they that shall be born shall encounter peril: they that withdraw themselves shall no be found; he who falls into danger . , . a lantern. . .

Ho.II - In Scorpio it is advantageous to arrange marriages and to take a wife; they that shall be born are likely to live; he who takes to his bed shall be healed quickly, and his backbone suffers most.

Ho.III - In Sagittarius they that shall be born shall suffer danger to their youth; he who takes to his bed is healed slowly and his . .. especially suffer.

Ho.IIII - In Capricorn they who shall be born are likely to live; he who takes to his bed is quickly healed and his knees mostly suffer; he who is in chains is quickly loosed. Lunar days cccliii ihs Amen.

Ho.V - In Aquarius the sick man shall come into danger of his life and his bladder and genitals suffer most; those who shall be born are likely to live and the bladder suffers. Solar days ccclxv .... Domini.

Ho.VI - In Pisces they who shall be born shall have enmity; he who takes to his bed is healed and his feet and soles suffer most; he who takes to flight finds not cause.

Ho.VII - In Aries he who goes to bed shall be long distressed, and his head mostly suffers; they that shall be born are likely to live; he who takes flight will return of his own accord. The Moon's leap.

Ho.VIII - In Taurus it is advantageous to converse on . . . business with a person of influence; they who shall be borm are likely to live; he who takes to his bed shall quickly be healed. The sun's intercalary day.

Ho.IX - In Gemini he who falls into bonds shall be speedily loosed; they that shall be born are likely to live; he who taketh to his bed is quickly healed and his arms will especially suffer. DCXX ... age.

Ho.X - In Cancer they that shall be born are likely to live; he who takes to his bed is cured slowly and his sides mostly suffer; he who takes to flight shall hide in damp places. A lunar day.

Ho.XI - In Leo the messenger who shall arrive is trustworthy; they that shall be born are likely to live; he who takes to his bed is quickly healed and his breast suffers most; he who takes to flight shall get through. VlI of the great Sun.

Ho.XIl - In Virgo they who shall be born are likely to live; he who takes to his bed is quickly healed and his navel and stomach suffer most; he who takes to flight you shall not discover; he who is in chains shall not be loosed.

References

(1) Translated by Dr. Reeves and published in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, l860)

(2) Marked FF. 111. l 5. a.

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Comment: I have only included the translation from the Latin into English. It's perhaps worth mentioning, in case it is not clear from the illustration of the Zodiac, that while the text is written in Irish characters, the language is Latin.   back

Some further commentary from myself
Although there are some correspondences which ring true according to traditional astrology (e.g. Aries and headaches), these predictions are difficult to comprehend in terms of their value to anyone. At this stage it is well nigh impossible to guess how they were used. The date of the manuscript is not mentioned in the article. In History Ireland Vol 1, No.1 1993, there is an article that mentions the works of Isidore of Seville. It mentions that the Irish monks were the earliest scholars outside Spain to use his works. Adomnan, who died in 704 AD, quoted from Isidore's De Rerum Natura in his work. To quote the article:

"Ireland was of great importance in spreading knowledge of Isidore through Europe. A large proportion of the oldest manuscripts of these works, as they are now found in continental libraries, show signs of contact with Ireland. An example is one of the principal manuscripts of De Rerum Natura, written under Irish influence in Verona around 795 AD and now held in Paris. It also has direct links with two other Irish centres - St Gallen (Switzerland) and Salzburg (Austria)."

It's probably fair to assume that the manuscript which contains the Irish zodiac drawing comes from the 8th or 9th century at the latest. The manuscript indicates that judicial astrology was not unknown within 9th century lrish centres of learning. The co-existence of biblical and Graeco-Roman mythological references is noteworthy.

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