Page:Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus Vol I (IA cu31924092287121).djvu/196

 until there comes a sort of bounding, in which the stars of the imagination produce an influence and an impression on the pregnant woman, just as though one should impress a seal or stamp a piece of money. Whence those signs and birthmarks derived from the lower stars are called "impressions." About these matters many men have philosophised and tried to form from them a solid judgment, without being able to do so. For these things adhere to, and are impressed on, the fœtus in proportion as the stars of the mother press frequently or with violence on the fœtus, or the desire of the mother is not satisfied. If the mother, for instance, longs for this or that kind of food, and is unable to get it, the stars are, as it were, suffocated in themselves, and perish. That desire abides with the unborn child throughout all its life, so that it is impossible ever to satisfy it. The same reason explains other matters, too, which we must not discuss here at too great length.

The signs of physiognomy derive their origin from the higher stars. This science of physiognomy was held in the highest esteem by our ancestors, and among the first by the heathens, Tartars, Turks, and the rest, whose custom it is to sell men and slaves; nor was it altogether lost among Christians. Many errors, however, which had not yet been perceived by anyone, crept in with it when every fool and every clown took upon himself to judge offhand about everything. It is marvellous that these mistakes were not found out from the evil deeds and limited powers of the men themselves.

Now if anyone at this point argues against us, saying, "The signs of physiognomy are from the stars, but no one has the power of compelling or urging on the stars," he does not speak amiss. Yet, this difference must be noted at the outset, that the stars compel one and do not compel another. This ought to be known, who it is that can rule and coerce the stars, and also who is governed by the stars. The wise man can dominate the stars, and is not subject to them. Nay, the stars are subject to the wise man, and are forced to obey him, not he the stars. The stars compel and coerce the animal man, so that where they lead he must follow, just as a thief does the gallows, a robber the wheel, a fisher the fishes, a fowler the birds, and a hunter the wild beasts. What other reason is there for this, save that man does not know or estimate himself or his own powers, or reflect that he is a lesser universe, and has the whole firmament with its powers hidden within himself? Thus man is called animal and unwise and the slave of all earthly things, when, nevertheless, he received from God in Paradise the privilege of ruling over and dominating all other creatures, and not of obeying them. So it was that God created man last, when all other things had been made before him. This right was afterwards lost by the Fall. Yet, the wisdom of man was not made servile, nor did he lose his freedom. It is right, then, that the stars should follow him and obey him, not he the stars. And although he is the son of Saturn, and Saturn is his parent, still he can withdraw himself from him and