Geomancy · Correspondences

Disputed attributions

The 1655 text gives two incompatible zodiacal lists and three elemental arrangements. They are not variants hidden behind one answer: every list is shown in its own column, with its own source passage.

The two zodiacal lists

And these are the infallible comparisons of the Figures, and from these wee may easily discerne the equality of their signes; therefore the greater and lesser Fortunes have the signes of Leo, which is the House of the Sun: Via and Populus have the signe of Cancer, which is the House of the Moone: Acquisitio hath for his signe Pisces; and Laetitia, Sagitary, which are both the Houses of Jupiter: Puella hath the signe of Taurus, and Amissio of Libra, which are the Houses of Venus: Conjunctio hath for its signe Virgo, and Albus the signe Gemini, the Houses of Mercury: Puella and Rubeus have for their signe Scorpio, the House of Mars: Carcer hath the signe of Capricorne, and Tristitia Aquary, the Houses of Saturn: The Dragons head and taile are thus divided, the head to Capricorne, and the Dragons taile adhereth to Scorpio;
Of Geomancy, scan p. 4; Signs inferred from planetary houses — in the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, Robert Turner's English, London 1655

In plain English This is the first sign list. It prints Puella twice and does not assign Puer; the table preserves that problem instead of silently adopting an emendation.

They doe likewise distribute these Figures to the twelve signes of the Zodiack, after this manner, Acquisitio is given to Aries; Fortuna, both major and minor to Taurus; Laetitia to the signe Gemini; Puella and Rubeus to Cancer; Albus is assigned to Leo, Via to Virgo; the Dragons head, and Conjunctio to Libra; Puer is submitted to Scorpio; Tristitia and Amissio are assigned to Sagitary; the Dragons taile to Capricorne; Populus to Aquarius; and Carcer is assigned the signe Pisces.
Of Geomancy, scan p. 5; Later zodiacal list — in the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, Robert Turner's English, London 1655

In plain English A second list printed only a paragraph later. It is shown beside the first, not reconciled with it.

The three elemental schemes

Puer therefore, both Fortunes, and Laetitia do govern the fiery triplicity; Puella, Conjunctio, Carcer, and the Dragons head the doe make the Airy triplicity: and Via, Populus, and Rubeus, with the Dragons taile, and Acquisitio do rule the watry triplicity, and this order is taken according to the course or manner of the signes.
Of Geomancy, scan pp. 4–5; Triplicities from sign order — in the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, Robert Turner's English, London 1655

In plain English The passage names fire, air, and water, but gives no earth list. Amissio, Albus, and Tristitia are therefore marked unassigned rather than inferred.

But if any one will constitute these triplicities according to the natures of the Planets, and the Figures themselves, let him observe this Rule, that Fortuna major, Rubeus, Puer, and Amissio doe make the fiery triplicity: Fortuna minor, Puella, Laetitia, and Conjunctio triplicity of Ayre: Acquisitio, the Dragons taile, Via, and Populus doe governe the watry triplicity; and the earthly triplicity is ruled by Carcer, Tristitia, Albus, and the Dragons head. And this way is rather to be observed then the first which we have set forth; because it is constituted according to the Rule and manner of the signes.
Of Geomancy, scan p. 5; Triplicities from planets and figures — in the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, Robert Turner's English, London 1655

In plain English Turner says this scheme is to be observed rather than the preceding one.

This order is also far more true and rationall then that which vulgarly is used, which is described after this manner: of the Fiery triplicity are, Cauda, Fortuna minor, Amissio, and Rubeus: of the Airy triplicity are, Acquisitio, Laetitia, Puer, and Conjunctio: of the watry triplicity are, Populus, Via, Albus, and Puella: And Caput, Fortuna major, Carcer, and Tristitia are of the earthly triplicity.
Of Geomancy, scan p. 5; The list Turner calls vulgar — in the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, Robert Turner's English, London 1655

In plain English The source records this third scheme while rejecting it as the vulgar usage.

FigureTriplicities from sign orderTriplicities from planets and figuresThe list Turner calls vulgar
The greater Fortune Fire Fire Earth
The lesser Fortune Fire Air Fire
Via Water Water Water
Populus Water Water Water
Aquisitio Water Water Air
Lætitia Fire Air Air
Puella Air Air Water
Amissio Not assigned in this passage Fire Fire
Conjunctio Air Air Air
Albus Not assigned in this passage Earth Water
Puer Fire Fire Air
Rubeus Water Fire Fire
Carcer Air Earth Earth
Tristitia Not assigned in this passage Earth Earth
☊ Dragons head Air Earth Earth
☋ Dragons taile Water Water Fire