In this series of articles, we bring you extracts from Firmicus Maternus’ Matheseos, in which he describes the destinies of natives born with particular rising signs. The rising sign—or, more precisely, the sign on the Ascendant—also implies the placement of the other angles (MC, Descendant and IC) in corresponding signs of the natal chart, so interpretations are given for these angles too. Those born with Capricorn rising, for example, will most often have the MC in Libra, the Descendant in Cancer and the IC in Aries. Since the descriptions are relatively brief yet very specific, the series is organised by the division of the zodiacal signs into the earth, air, water and fire triplicities. In this first instalment, we begin with the earth element and the cardinal sign of Capricorn, which also marks the beginning of the new astrological year, as the Sun is born anew after the longest night of the year.
If the Ascendant is in Capricorn, the native will always show sincere devotion to his friends. He will be shrewd and cheerful, and will lack nothing necessary for his livelihood. He will travel a great deal. Those whose livelihood he provides will always be ungrateful to him. He will be agreeable and pure of mind, and will continually weary the gods with long and elaborate prayers. He will be among those who possess abundant wealth. He will give himself over to his passion for women, yet will seek to disparage the very women with whom he has satisfied his desires. He will be among those who learn certain sacred mysteries or holy matters by heart, those who live apart from others, or those who observe secret religions.
If the MC is in Libra, he will be pious, learned and endowed with an eloquence worthy of respect. He will renew his vows to the gods after being delivered from some hardship or danger. He will succeed in his undertakings, but will afterwards be weighed down by wrongful deeds. His good fortune will come at the expense of others’ misfortunes; he will profit from another’s death or from certain ancient things, and will discover hidden opportunities for good fortune.
If the Descendant is in Cancer, his own relatives will cause him the greatest distress, and he will find himself in the gravest dangers. If the IC is in Aries, he will make the greatest mistakes, but after these troubles peace will come into his life, though its course will change through various deeds. At one time he will occupy the highest position, only to be brought down to the lowest rank, stripped of his dignity. This instability will arise from his friendships with the powerful. His wife and first son will be taken from him, or, certainly, any child born to him will be afflicted by a serious illness.
If the Ascendant is in Taurus, the native will be worn down by many successive periods of hard labour, and whatever he acquires in his youth he will invariably lose. Afterwards, however, what was lost will be amassed again, bringing increasing joy; he will be graced with good fortune and will see his enemies overthrown amid continual humiliations.
If the MC is in Aquarius, he will associate with people far more powerful [than himself], always on friendly terms. He will spend his life conducting public affairs and will always be involved in matters connected with water. He will be among those whom malicious accusations can never harm. His estate will certainly undergo both gains and losses.
If the Descendant is in Scorpio, he will be wise in all his dealings throughout life, and will raise other people’s children for positions of authority. His first wife will die. If, however, this is a woman’s nativity, she will lose both her husband and her son. If the IC is in Leo, the native will be among those who lay the foundations of their own wealth through their own efforts, and who can acquire the greatest abundance of riches through all manner of schemes; yet these schemes will sustain their lasting good fortune. These things, however, are signified according to the measure of the nativity.
If the Ascendant is in Virgo, the native will endure many labours and cares. He will be among those who foresee all things through dreams or certain omens, and certainly through divine messages and the casting of dice. He will also assuredly perpetuate his elaborate prayers to the gods for ever. Yet the lust of his eyes will drive him headlong into illicit love affairs, and, surrendering to his passions, he will desire intercourse with every woman. He will suffer from these faults, however, only until the rising of the sign is complete. He will certainly be cheerful and agreeable, with an enduring, sincere need for friendship, though certain losses will cause him anxiety. He will know many things and be versed in the secrets of every branch of learning, keeping them all within his own breast. He will always be praised for his honesty, will enjoy great good fortune, and will be granted abundant wealth, whether through the splendour of his pleasing speeches, the management of affairs, an inheritance or sacred matters.
If the MC is in Gemini, it will grant the native wealth of his own through public office or sacred matters, though this will come when he is on the threshold of old age. He will be devoted to religions and the gods, a straightforward person to whom the greater part of the citizenry will defer. He will also investigate hidden things through ceaseless enquiry, knowing many arts and branches of learning. In the latter part of his life, his commitment to a moral and upright life will serve as an example to many.
If the Descendant is in Pisces, he will travel through many foreign places and be known to many people, many of whom will court his favour with displays of earnest devotion. He will be agreeable, fortunate, joyful, energetic and noble, engaged in many affairs and always ready to enter into any association. If the IC is in Sagittarius, his own people will bestow wealth upon him, and many will seek his favour. He will be known to all, will give thanks to the gods for his good fortune, or will be entrusted with sacred matters. He will rejoice in the good fortune of his children, and his grief for those he has lost will be soothed after he happily begets further offspring. He will be skilful in all things. He will also be learned and unsurpassed in the speed with which he conducts his affairs.
Text taken from the articles The Ascendant in the Signs I (Aries–Virgo) and The Ascendant in the Signs II (Libra–Pisces), published on https://astroriznica.com/