Extracts from 'Persian Nativities vol. One', by Benjamin Dykes

Extracts from:

Extracts from 'Persian Nativities Vol. I' by Benjamin N. Dykes

Persian Nativities Vol. I is the first of a two volume paperback set, which features five works on natal astrology and predictive techniques by leading and famous astrologers from the early Arabic period (especially the late 750s - 850s AD). All of these astrologers were Persian or drew on the key Sassanian Persian texts and methods. They were important for transmitting traditional astrology not only to the Arabs but also to the Latins centuries later.

Volume I is due to be released in January 2010 and is currently available at a special pre-sale rate for orders placed during the New Year period. The content includes:

The Book of Aristotle, a lost work by Masha'allah, translated into Latin in the 12th Century and immediately forgotten, the only two surviving copies were saved by the astrologer-magician John Dee. Now available in translation for the first time in 900 years, this presents a full treatment of nativities drawing extensively on Valens, Rhetorius, Mash'allah's more complete version of Dorotheus, a lost work by al-Andarzaghar on annual predictions, and more. Has previously unknown material from Dorotheus on Lots, friendship, and travel. Takes the source material and breaks it down into highly-organized and digestible chunks.
On the Judgments of Nativities by Abu 'Ali, a student of Masha'allah's. This is a new English translation which corrects problems in Holden's edition. The relationship of Abu 'Ali to Mash'allah's works (including the Book of Aristotle) is explained in detail.
The Introduction gives a historical and textual introduction to the Book of Arisotle, a description of new material, some cosmological ideas of Mash'allah, a possible alternative Rhetorius, a new interpretation of sect and its delineation, an outline of the annual predictive methods, and extensive notes on Latin, Arabic and Persian vocabulary.

(See below for details of the contents of volume II).

The PDF offered here has been kindly put together by Ben Dykes to offer Skyscript readers a generous helping of introductory material and translated extracts. Included in the 36-page PDF are portions of the Introduction, portions of Mash'allah's treatment of wealth in the Book of Aristotle, and portions of Abu 'Ali's treatment of prosperity and wealth from the Judgments of Nativities.

Read or download the extracts

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More about the Book:

The 2-volume set will be published in a short-run of 500 copies. The RRP of volume 1 is $45.95, and is currently offered at a pre-sale discount price (15% off) of $39.00. Order via Ben Dykes' personal website.

Volume II (forthcoming paperback, spring 2010) will include:

Three Books on Nativities, by 'Umar al-Tabari, a colleague of Mash'allah's. This will be a new translation of the Latin. It supersedes the out-of-print, Project Hindsight edition which had only a limited number of partially-translated texts to compare it with. This edition will highlight the innovations and alternative emphases of 'Umar's approach.
On Nativities by Abu Bakr. The first English translation of this famous and lengthy work from the 9th Century. Much detail on professions which are hard to find anywhere else.
On the Revolutions of Nativities by Abu Ma'shar. First complete English translation, from the Latin edition attributed to "Hermes" and another version in a 13th Century manuscript. Project Hindsight's out-of-print edition had only been of the latter half, translated from Greek. This work also describes a complete method of annual predictions, with many extras and hints about how to distinguish events affecting the mind from those affecting the body.

Benjamin N. Dykes PhD received his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has eight years' experience as a college instructor, concentrating on the ancient and medieval philosophy that informs much ancient and medieval astrology, and many years' experience in ritual practice in the Western Mystery Tradition, including the Golden Dawn, Wicca, and Thelema.

Since earning his Diploma of Medieval Astrology studying with Robert Zoller, Ben has been active in translating and publishing works that focus upon medieval astrological techniques. His own text, Using Medieval Astrology is available through his website at www.bendykes.com. He has also recently translated The Book of Astronomy by Guido Bonatti and The Works of Sahl and Masha'allah.

The article made available for download is copyrighted to Benjamin N. Dykes PhD and is offered here for private, non-commercial use. It may not be reproduced without permission. Published online December, 2009.

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