which it diversely issueth forth in these Inferiors, according to
the diverse complexion, motion, situation, and different aspects
to the planets and others Stars; and though it receiveth powers
from all the Stars, yet especially from the Sun; as oft as it is in
conjunction with the same, it is replenished with vivifying vertue, and according to the aspect thereof it borroweth its complexion;
for in the first quarter, as the Peripatetickes deliver, it is hot and moist; in the second hot and dry; in the third, cold and dry; in the fourth cold and moist; and although it is the lowest of the stars, yet it bringeth forth all the conceptions of the superiors; for from it in the
heavenly bodies beginneth
that series of things which Plato calleth the Golden Chain, by
the which every thing and cause being linked one to an other,
do depend on the superior, even untill it may be brought to
the supreme cause of all, from which all things depend; from
hence is it, that without the Moon intermediating, we cannot
at any time attract the power of the superiors. Therefore
Thebit adviseth vs, for the taking of the vertue of any Star, to
take the stone and herb of that plant, when the Moon doth
either fortunately get under or hath a good aspect on that
Star.
Chap. xxxiii. Of the twenty eight Mansions of the Moon, and their vertues.
And seeing the Moon measureth the whole Zodiack in the space of twenty eight dayes; hence is it, that the wise-men of the Indians and ancientest Astrologians have granted twenty eight Mansions to the Moon, which being fixed in the eight sphere, do enjoy (as Alpharus saith) diverse names and proprieties from the diverse Signs and Stars which are contained in them, through which while the Moon wandreth, it obtaineth other and other powers and vertues; but every one of these Mansions, according to the opinion of Abraham, containth twelve degrees, and one and fifty minutes, and almost twenty six seconds, whose
