Chapter 1 From Book 6 of Judgment of The Stars

Translated from Spanish by Norah Nasturas

He was an Arab astrologer of the late 10^th and early 11^th centuries, best known for his Kitāb al-bāri’ fi ahkām an-nujūm.  He was a court astrologer to the Tunisian prince Al-Mu’izz Ibn Bâdis in the first half of the 11^th century. His book was translated by Yehudā ben Moshe into Old Castilian for Alfonso X of Castile in 1254 under the title El libro conplido en los iudizios de las estrellas (“The complete book on the judgment of the stars”).  The only surviving manuscript of the Old Castilian translation is MS 3605 at the National Library in Madrid, which however contains only 5 of the 8 books of the complete Old Castilian translation.

In 1485 at Venice a complete copy of the Old Castilian manuscript was translated into Latin and published by Erhard Ratdolt as Praeclarissimus liber completus in judiciis astrorum (“The very famous complete book on the judgment of the stars”). This printing (and later Latin versions) is commonly known as De iudiciis astrorum (or De judiciis astrorum).

Book 6 – Chapter 1

This is about the years of each planet, in relation with the age of a person, during the whole lifespan of a person.

In this chapter, the explanation about the Age when a planet is active in a chart is given as follows:

We will start with this information following the first years of the person, taking the first sphere nearer to us that is the Moon.  Moon rules the first 4 years of life, and represents the years the baby needs help for nutrition, to walk, etc.  The body of the baby is wet, is not totally formed, is growing – this is the reason why it is weak and soft, the limbs are not strong enough to do all movements or to avoid accidents.

After four years, the Government moves to the 2^nd planet, naturally to Mercury, who rules a total of 10 of the childhood years, when the limbs are strengthened, the intelligence awakens, begins the speech, and reflection – at this age the child also begins to awaken out of the customs and traditions, and the real learning begins.

After Mercury’s 10 years comes Venus Governing during adolescence, during 8 years.  At this time, operating of the hormones in the two sexes begins, and this is when the person starts to be interested in everything related with to love and sex.

Original page from Ali Ben Ragel’s book

After Venus is the Government of the Sun for 22 years, during the youth’s years to the middle of the life – and for 19 years out these revolutions, it operates in conjunction with the Moon.  In this period of time, the person is strong in his physical body, conscious of one’s actions, bold, begins to work, to earn a living, imposing on himself the rules for his future living, the personality is better defined, one’s mistakes are corrected and this is the time to seek honor and fame.

At 41 years old, begins the Government of the 5^th planet which is Mars, and it rules for 15 years.  At this time difficulties with the work and livelihood may be experienced, illnesses, sorrows of the spirit, the body begins to become tired and, in general, the person will keep companies which he would be better off leaving alone, will be hoping to increase monetary income and will participle in dangerous enterprises, sometimes risking his life.

At 56 years old, starts the Government of the 6^th planet Jupiter, which corresponds to maturity and will last for 12 years.  At that time, he will obtain the outcome of efforts and difficulties, will remain at rest not wanting to expose himself to more dangers and work; the person will return to the law and all that is correct, reflecting on life, separating from shameful words or actions, trying to constantly be honorable, discreet and a philosopher.

After will be the Government of the last planet, the 7^th, until the end of life and decrepitude.  At this time the body is weakened, the movements become slower, the joy and material desires are eliminated, impulses are controlled and he is inspired, does not trust in beliefs and becomes cold as Saturn.

The zodiac signs linked as linked to the body – from the same work

he real lifespan of a subject depends on the positions in general, if they are favorable or not, how the years in the Government for each of the planets will be in relationship to the hierarchy, power, and if the planet is lucky or not.  Following the position in Sign and House, actions or status of the person are judged following the years each planet rules, according to nature’s order.  On the other hand we have begun the Governments of the “Years of Life” by the Moon and we have given the minimum between the major and minor cycles of years from all the planets – 4 years, in relation with the 4 weeks it takes the Moon to come back to the conjunctions with the Sun – for Jupiter it get the 12 years it requires for one circle of the Zodiac while Saturn takes almost 30 years  for  the  same.   To  Mercury  half of its childhood years are given after which we gave the other planets their complete juvenile years.  According to this calculation following the order of the planets, the total Years of Life result is 98 years.  If the person exceeded these years, we would return to the years of the Moon – and if these also exceeded we will return to the years of Mercury exceeding which we’ll come to the years of life of Venus, thus obtaining a total of 120 years which is the largest number obtainable in relation with the Sun and what is considered a full life.

 Translator’s Note – as you see here, the Medieval Astrologers, European or Arabic, don’t give “Years of Life” to Rahu or Ketu, but they did work with them under the name of Caput Draconis or Cauda Draconis in some other methods and other calculations as Fridaria (similar to Dashas calculation) giving 3 years to the Head – Rahu – and 2 years to the Tail – Ketu.

About: Professional Astrologer since 1978, and Tarot teacher since 1981. She has studied Astrology with Guy Jurdan in France, as well as Mme Emery and Mme Mars in Geneva, and Alexander Ruperti in Lausane Switzerland. Dinorah is currently teaching Astrology and Tarot in Canada and working with a group of psychologists in Geneva, Switzerland applying Astrology knowledge to find the young children and babies cause of personality’s trouble. She regularly receive request for consultations, especially from Italy, France, Brasil, Uruguay- South America, USA, Canada and Switzerland via phone, fax or email, countries where she was living and traveling.