卷二·第二十四至二十五章　十二星座的名号与次序

CHAP. XXIV. Demonstrating the Reasons of the names of the twelve signs; and why there are just twelve, and neither more nor less.

第二十四章　说明十二星座名字的由来；以及为什么恰好是十二个，不多也不少。

LEt us now descend to the several divisions of the signs: it resteth now you know why they are so called, and wherefore there are no more nor less then twelve, which according to Albumazer and Bonatus, is for these Reasons:

现在让我们进入星座的种种划分：剩下的是要你知道它们为何这样称呼，又为何不多不少恰好十二个，照阿布马撒尔与博纳提，理由如下：

First, as all things are made of the four Elements, which are subject to the signs, every sign through the whole Circle of Heaven ruling one element or other: now there are four elements, every sign-being over them; and they divided into three parts, as having relation to beginning, middle and end, as there is in all works, make just the number of 12.

第一，因为万物都由四元素构成，四元素隶属于诸星座，整个天圈上的每个星座都主管这种或那种元素：元素有四种，每个星座都在它们之上；它们又分为三部分，对应开始、中间与终结，一切事功都是如此，这就正好构成十二之数。

Besides the number 12. is so compleat a number, as none is to compare with it; it having more particular divisions then any other number, there being therein three fours, and four threes; two sixes and six twoes: besides they are so constituted from the division of the Heaven (as you have heard already) divided into twelve parts, every part being a sign; the first called Aries, the second Taurus, the third Gemini, &c.

此外，十二这个数是如此完备，没有哪个数能与它相比；它的分法比其他任何数都多，其中有三个四、四个三；两个六、六个二：此外它们是由天的划分而构成的（如你已经听过的），天分成十二份，每份一个星座；第一个叫白羊，第二个叫金牛，第三个叫双子，等等。

The reason why they are called by these names, are briefly thus; the first sign is called Aries (signifying a Ram,) because when the Sun is therein, he approacheth to his highest point; heat thereby being increased, yet being mixed with the humidity of the preceding Winter, makes the temperature of the ayr hot and moyst, which is according to the complexion of the Ram: but there are some of the Ancients say that the stars in the signs being particularly observed, and as it were measured with a line the one from the other, they resemble each the thing they are nominated.

它们为何叫这些名字，理由简言之如下；第一个星座叫白羊（意为公羊），因为太阳在其中时，正趋近他的最高点；热因此增加，但又与前一个冬天的湿气相混，使空气的气质热而湿，这正合公羊的体质：但有些古人说，把星座里的星一颗颗观察，仿佛用一根线把它们一个连一个量过，它们就各自像它们所得名的那样东西。

The second sign is called Taurus (signifying a Bull) because the Sun being therein, the heat is more fixt and fortified, and the moisture consumed or expelled; the temperature of the ayr tending rather to dryness, which resembleth the nature of a Bull.

第二个星座叫金牛（意为公牛），因为太阳在其中时，热更加固定、更加坚强，湿气被消耗或驱走；空气的气质倾向于燥，这像公牛的本性。

The third sign is named Gemini (signifying Twins) because the Sun therein causeth a reduplication of heat; and all Creatures couple and ingender, every thing delighting in its mate.

第三个星座名叫双子（意为孪生子），因为太阳在其中使热加倍；一切生灵交配生殖，万物都喜爱自己的配偶。

The fourth sign is called Cancer (signifying a Crab) because the Sun being therein, goeth, as it were, backward, (after the nature of the Crab) retiring towards the Equinoctial from whence he came, declining contrary to that of the Twins.

第四个星座叫巨蟹（意为螃蟹），因为太阳在其中时，仿佛倒退而行（照螃蟹的本性），退回他所来自的赤道，偏行的方向与双子相反。

The fifth sign is called Leo (signifying a Lion) because the Sun being therein, the heat is increased in great strength and dryness, after the nature of the Lion, which is of a strong, hot and dry nature.

第五个星座叫狮子（意为狮子），因为太阳在其中时，热大大增强、更加干燥，照狮子的本性，狮子本性强壮、热而燥。

The sixth sign is called Virgo (signifying a maid) because the Sun therein hath his heat diminished, and dryness ruleth, so that things cease to increase, and the earth becometh barren; being of the nature of a Virgin, who is naturally tending to cold rather then heat, and is of her self barren.

第六个星座叫处女（意为少女），因为太阳在其中时热减弱，燥占上风，于是万物停止生长，大地变得不育；这像处女的本性，她本性倾向于冷而非热，本身是不生育的。

The seventh sign is called Libra (signifying Balance) for that the Sun being therein, both the length of the days and nights, as also the temper of the ayr, are in balance, as it were neither inclining one way nor other; the days and nights being of an equal length through the whole World; and the temperature of the ayr between the decayed heat of Summer, and the approaching cold of winter, is neither tending one way or other, but as it were in a balance.

第七个星座叫天秤（意为秤），因为太阳在其中时，昼夜的长短与空气的气质都在平衡之中，仿佛不偏向哪一边；全世界昼夜等长；空气的气质介于夏天消退的热与冬天将临的冷之间，不偏向任何一边，仿佛在秤上一样。

The eighth is called Scorpio (signifying a Scorpion) because when the Sun is therein, cold and dryness is predominate, which are obnoxious to nature, and by reason the natural temper of the ayr is hot and moyst; the ayr is thereby corrupted, so that dangerous diseases are ingendred thereby, as pestilential Feavers, Plagues and the like.

第八个叫天蝎（意为蝎子），因为太阳在其中时，冷与燥占上风，二者对自然有害，又因空气的自然气质是热而湿；空气就因此败坏，于是生出危险的疾病，如瘟疫热病、鼠疫之类。

The ninth sign is called Sagittarius (signifying an Archer or one using to cast darts) because the Sun being therein, the heat is overcome by cold, whereupon ensue Fogs and Frosts, and such like, being (for the nature of the mischief and hurt they do) as obnoxious, or equivalent to venemous Arrows or Darts.

第九个星座叫射手（意为弓箭手，或惯于投掷标枪的人），因为太阳在其中时，热被冷所压倒，随之而来的是雾、霜之类，它们（就其为害伤人的本性而言）有害，如同有毒的箭矢或标枪。

The tenth sign is named Capricornus (signifying a Goat) because the Sun being therein is farthest from the vertical point: so that by reason of the cold mixed with dryness, and the want of heat, which at that time is, the nature and disposition of the ayr is melancholy, after the nature of the Goat.

第十个星座名叫摩羯（意为山羊），因为太阳在其中时离天顶最远：所以由于冷与燥相混，又缺乏热（那时正是如此），空气的本性与性情是忧郁的，照山羊的本性。

The eleventh sign is called Aquaries (signifying a Waterman, or one pouring water) because when the Sun is in this sign, dryness is overcome by moisture beginning, yet the cold remaining, which causeth the temper of the ayr to be cold and moist, after the nature of water.

第十一个星座叫水瓶（意为持水人，或倒水的人），因为太阳在这个星座时，燥被开始的湿所压倒，而冷仍在，使空气的气质冷而湿，照水的本性。

The twelfth sign is named Pisces (signifying Fishes) for that when the Sun is therein, the ayr is inclined to cold and moisture, yet having some small heat, after the nature of Fishes who are cold and moyst by reason of their Element the water, yet they retain some little natural heat; so the ayr is then somewhat participating of some small quantity of heat, by reason of the Suns approach to the equinoctial point.

第十二个星座名叫双鱼（意为鱼），因为太阳在其中时，空气倾向于冷而湿，但还有一点热，照鱼的本性，鱼因为它们的元素是水而冷湿，却仍保留一点自然的热；空气那时也就分有少许热，因为太阳正趋近分点。

And thus much concerning the Reasons of the names of the twelve Coelestial signs; we come now to shew the Reason s why the signs are reckoned from Aries, and so in order to Pisces, and not from Taurus or any other sign; as also the Reasons why they are not placed according to the order of the four Elements, viz. Fire Ayr, Water and Earth, but first a fiery sign, next an earthy, then an aëry, and lastly a watry, &c.

关于十二个天上星座名字的由来，就讲这么多；我们现在来说明为什么星座从白羊数起，依次到双鱼，而不从金牛或其他任何星座数起；还有为什么它们不按四元素的次序即火、风、水、土排列，而是先火象星座，其次土象，然后风象，最后水象，等等。

CHAP. XXV. Shewing the Reasons why the signs are reckoned from Aries, and not from any other sign; as also why they are not placed according to the order of the four Elements.

第二十五章　说明为什么星座从白羊数起，而不从其他任何星座数起；以及为什么不按四元素的次序排列。

I Have said before, my intention in all these my Writings, is not to treat of any thing that hath been already delivered to the Students of this noble Art by the wel-willers thereof, in a plain manner, and our vulgar tongue, farther then to give me occasion for what is my drift, viz. to render to my loving Countreymen and wel-willers of this Science, the reasons and grounds of the Art, according to the most rational of the Antients, that they may be both confirmed in their way, as also the better able to answer the weak Arguments, or rather cavils of their puny Antagonists, I mean the vain-glorious ignorant praters and scriblers against this Heavenly Science.

我前面说过，我在这些著作里的用意，不是要讲那些已经由这门高贵学问的爱好者以平实的方式、用我们的通俗语言传授给学者的东西，除非借此引出我的本意，即：按古人中最有理性者之说，把这门学问的理由与根据交给我亲爱的同胞和这门学问的爱好者，好让他们在自己的路上更加坚定，也更能回答那些渺小论敌的软弱论证，或者说是吹毛求疵，我是说那些虚荣无知、对这门天上之学喋喋不休、乱写一气的人。

I come therefore now, God enabling me, to shew you the Reasons of the Ancients why the signs are still reckoned from Aries, and so forward, since the Zodiack as well as the Heavens is round; and what is round hath no beginning, and what hath no beginning must needs have no ending; and what wanteth beginning and ending, must needs have no middle: yet the twelve Coelestial signs are said to begin at Aries, which is called the first, and so forward to Taurus, which is the second, to Pisces which is the twelfth and last, for these reasons.

所以我现在（神使我有能力）要给你说明古人为什么总是从白羊起数星座，并依次往前，因为黄道和诸天一样是圆的；圆的东西没有开头，没有开头的东西必定没有结尾；缺少开头和结尾的东西，必定没有中间：然而十二个天上星座却被说成从白羊开始，白羊称为第一，依次往前到第二的金牛，直到第十二也是最后的双鱼，理由如下。

First, because the Equator cutteth and divideth the Circle of the Zodiack in the beginning of Aries, and also the opposite sign Libra; so that six signs are Northern, and six Southern; but the reason why the beginning is from Aries, and not from Libra, is for that that part which is Northern is stronger and of more force, efficacy and power, and is more noble then that which is Southern; and Aries is the first Northern sign, and so are all to the latter end of Virgo; the rest are Southern, or declining Southward; wherefore since by all in general, the Northern signs are accounted stronger, and more noble then the Southern, did the Ancients appoint Aries the first of the signs, it being the first of them.

第一，因为赤道在白羊的开头切开、分割黄道之圈，对面的天秤也是如此；所以有六个星座是北方的，六个是南方的；但之所以从白羊而不从天秤开始，是因为北方的那一部分更强，有更多的力量、效能与权能，也比南方的那一部分更高贵；白羊是第一个北方星座，直到处女末尾都是北方的；其余是南方的，即向南偏的；所以既然普遍都认为北方星座比南方星座更强、更高贵，古人就定白羊为星座之首，因为它是北方星座的第一个。

Secondly, the Ancients began to number the signs from Aries, for that when the Sun enters into Aries, all things increase and multiply; the days increase in length, the Trees flourish, the earth brings forth fruit, and all things are as it were revived or raised from death, being to outward appearance (as it were) by the preceding Winter barren and dead; also when Sol enters Aries, it is the beginning or chief principium of the Seasons, causing every thing to receive vigour and strength, resembling youth, which is the prime and most pleasant time, and beginning of life, &c. which are the reasons why the Ancient have named Aries the first of the signs.

第二，古人从白羊起数星座，是因为太阳进入白羊时，万物都增长繁衍；白昼变长，树木繁茂，大地生出果实，万物都仿佛复活了，或从死中复起，因为它们（从外表看）经过前一个冬天似乎不育而死去；又，太阳进入白羊时，是四季的开头即首要的起点，使万物得到活力与力量，就像青春，那是生命最盛、最愉快的时候，也是生命的开头，等等；这些就是古人称白羊为星座之首的理由。

Aries is a fiery sign, and next unto him they have placed Taurus which is an earthy sign; after him Gemini which is aëry, and then Cancer which is a watry sign; and then again beginning with a fiery sign, then an earthy one, after an aëry, and lastly a watry, and so following the same order throughout the twelve signs, and not according to the order of the four Elements, viz.

白羊是火象星座，紧挨着他，他们放了土象星座金牛；在他之后是风象的双子，然后是水象星座巨蟹；然后又从一个火象星座开始，然后一个土象，然后一个风象，最后一个水象，照同样的次序贯穿十二星座，而不照四元素的次序，即——

Fire, Ayr, Water and Earth; but the reasons hereof are briefly these, and we will hasten to conclude this our first Treatise, being meerly an Introductory Discourse before we come to peruse the following Tracts.

火、风、水、土；但其中的理由简言之如下，我们要赶紧结束我们的这第一篇论述，它只是在我们阅读后面诸篇之前的一篇入门之论。

Yet if you finde any benefit there by, I shall be very glad, and esteem my pains well bestowed; for my intent is to benefit young Students, that they may give reasons and grounds for the Art, as I said before; I write not to the learned, but to such as these, for whom I took these pains, knowing they may happily (by some ignorant Antagonist and enemy to the Art) be questioned wherefore such and such things are held by them, &c.

然而如果你从中得到什么益处，我会很高兴，认为我的辛劳没有白费；因为我的用意是使年轻学者受益，好让他们能为这门学问说出理由与根据，如我前面所说；我不是写给博学之士看的，而是写给这样的人，我为他们下了这番功夫，因为我知道他们很可能（被某个无知的论敌、这门学问的敌人）质问，他们为什么持守这样那样的主张，等等。

But let us proceed; the Ancients then (as abovesaid) have placed first a fiery sign, then an earthy sign, after an aëry, and lastly a watry sign for divers good Reasons; first then, for that the four Elements receive an alteration and corruption one with the other by the incessant motion of the Coelestial signs, of which corruption and alteration there are generated four special qualities incident to elementary bodies, viz. Generation, Conservation, Corruption and Destruction.

但让我们往下讲；那么古人（如上所说）出于种种好理由，先放火象星座，然后土象星座，之后风象，最后水象星座；那么第一，因为四元素由于天上星座不停的运动而彼此变化、彼此腐坏，从这种腐坏与变化中，产生元素之体特有的四种性质，即生成、保存、腐坏与毁灭。

Now for that Generation is the chief and more noble quality, they began with that sign which is the author of Generation; viz. a fiery; Next unto which quality is conservation, fixation, durability or continuance, which is caused by those signs by which nature is moved to constancy or duration, as corruptible things receive permanency and fixation, and they are earthy; After which is corruption the more inferiour quality; wherefore they placed in the third place that sign which is author thereof (according to that of Aristotle, Aer vita est vivorum, destructio mortuorum:

由于生成是首要而更高贵的性质，他们就从那个作为生成之因的星座即火象开始；紧接这个性质的是保存、固定、持久或延续，这是由那些使自然趋于恒常或持久的星座所造成的，正如可朽之物得到持久与固定，这些就是土象星座；其后是腐坏，这是较低的性质；所以他们把造成腐坏的那个星座放在第三位（照亚里士多德那句拉丁话所说：「空气是生者之生命，死者之毁灭」：

Ayr is the life of every living thing, but the death or corruption of every dead thing) viz. an Aëry sign. Lastly, the most ignoble and rejected is destruction, which is caused by the watry signs, wherefore they placed in the fourth place a watry sign.

空气是一切活物的生命，却是一切死物的死亡或腐坏），即风象星座。最后，最卑下、最被弃绝的是毁灭，它由水象星座造成，所以他们把水象星座放在第四位。

Secondly, they have placed the signs in this manner, for that heat and cold are active: Drought and moisture passive; and heat being strong and more noble then cold, signifying or causing generation, as most deserving, is placed first, viz. a fiery sign; so likewise for that dryness is the stronger of the Patients. it is put first of them, and next after heat, being an earthy sign, cause of durability, and therefore placed next to generation; and because corruption goeth before, destruction is an aëry sign placed before the watry; and because generation is the first beginning of any living thing, and therefore first placed, so is destruction being the last, placed last; continuation and corruption in the middle, &c.

第二，他们这样排列星座，是因为热与冷是主动的：燥与湿是被动的；热比冷强、更高贵，表示或造成生成，最为配得，所以放在第一，即火象星座；同样因为燥是被动者中较强的。所以它被放在被动者之首，紧随热之后，那是土象星座，持久之因，所以放在生成之后；又因为腐坏在毁灭之前，风象星座就放在水象之前；又因为生成是任何活物最初的开始，所以放在第一，毁灭是最后的，就放在最后；延续与腐坏在中间，等等。

They have also thus appointed the order of the signs, and placed a fiery sign first, for that heat ruleth in fire, by which all things are quickned and vivifyed, and therefore being the more noble quality (as abovesaid) they place it first; and next unto it an earthy sign, by reason of the nearness of its quality with heat, it being a dry substance: after it they place an aëry sign, and preceding the watry, as participating with the humidity thereof; and lastly, is the watry sign placed last, as the fiery is first, being contrary thereunto in nature and quality; the passives being placed in the middle between the actives, which are placed in the extreams.

他们这样定下星座的次序，把火象星座放在第一，又是因为热在火中为主，万物借它得到生气与活力，所以它是较高贵的性质（如上所说），他们把它放在第一；紧挨它放土象星座，因为它的性质与热相近，它是干燥的实体：其后放风象星座，在水象之前，因为它分有水的湿：最后，水象星座放在最后，正如火象放在第一，因为它在本性与性质上与火相反；被动者放在中间，主动者放在两端。

There are several other reasons may be produced for this order of the signs, but one or two may suffice to put to silence any caviller against this most noble Art: let us therefore now look into the natures and significations of the signs.

为星座的这种次序还可以举出好几个别的理由，但一两个就足以让任何吹毛求疵、攻击这门最高贵学问的人闭口：所以让我们现在来看星座的本性与所主。