The Expulsion of Triumphant Beast

During my philosophy class we read a dialogue, using the same title for today's post, from Giordiano Bruno, Italian philosopher and martyr from the 1500s. Below is the part of the dialogue that I thought was the most interesting: Bruno goes on to explain the vices of each of the astrological signs, as well as the virtues that should replace them. I think you will find this as cool as I do. In order to help give a better understanding of the more complicated words/explanations for some of the signs, I tried to translate what he says and make it easier to read.

Aries: At the former palace of the Ram, you have placed Episcopacy (bishop-likeness), Duchy (qualities of a Duke, or leader), Exemplariness, Demonstration, Counsel, and Indication, which are happy in the area of Respect, Obedience, Consentience, Virtuous Emulation, and Imitation; [you should stay away from your vices, which are:] Bad Example, Scandal, and Alienation, which are tormented in the area of Dispersion, Bewilderment, Apostasy, Schism, and Heresy.

Taurus: Taurus demonstrates that he has been the embodiment of Patience, Tolerance, Controlled, and Just Rage, which are [useful] in the area of Government, Ministry, Service, Labor, Work, Respect, and others. With him depart Unrestrained Ire (rage), Anger, Spite, Disdain, Reluctance, Impatience, Lament, Complaint, and Wrath, which are found almost in the same areas. Looks like someone has an anger problem...

Gemini: Whence depart the Gemini, ascend Figuritive Love (not sure what he means by that...maybe it has something to do with finding you other half since it is a symbol of twins?), Friendship, and Peace, which delight themselves in their own areas; and those banished ones drage along with themselves Unworthy Partiality, which obstinately fixes its foot on the area of Iniquitous (definition: characterized by injustice or wickedness; wicked; sinful) and Perverse Desire.

Cancer: Cancer drags along with himself Wicked Repression, Unworthy Retrogression, Lowly Deformity, and Unpraiseworthy Restraint, the Lowering of the Claws and the Retraction of the Feet from good thinking and doing...which withdraw and keep themselves in the area of Inconstancy, Poverty of Spirit, Ignorance and many others; and to the stars ascend Righteous Conversation, Repression of Evil, Retraction from the false and iniquitous (definition: characterized by injustice or wickedness; wicked; sinful).

Leo: Leo drags with himself Tyrannical Terror (ouch!), Fear, Formidability, Perilous and Hateful Authority, the Glory of the Presumption (ability to assume), and pleasure of being feared rather than loved. [These vices] move in the area of Rigor, Cruelty, Violence, and Suppression, which there, are tormented by the shadows of Fear and Suspicion. [However, your vices are:] Magnanimity, Generosity, Splendor, Nobility, Pre-eminence, which administer within the area of Justice, Mercy, Just Conquest, and Worthy Condoning; and there they are consoled by Security, Tranquility of Spirit, and their families.

Virgo: To join Virgo, go Continence, Pudency, Chastity, Modesty, Shyness, and Honesty, which triumph in the area of Purity and Honor, despised by Impudence, Incontinence (definition: lacking in moderation or self-control, esp. of sexual desire; unceasing or unrestrained), and other mothers of hostile families.

Libra: The Scales have always been the archetype of Expected Equality, Justice, Grace, Gratitude, Respect, and other companions, administrators, and followers, which move about in the area of Distribution, Commutation, and Retribution, where Injustice, Disgrace, Ingratitude, Arrogance, and other of their companions, daughters, and administrators do not set foot.

Scorpio: Where Scorpio used to curve his hooked tail and spread his claws, there no longer appear Fraud, Iniquitious Applause (unjust or wicked criticism), Feigned Love, Deception, and Betrayal, but the contrary virtues, daughters of Simplicity, Sincerity, and Truth, which move about in the area of the mothers. Someone has trust issues...

Sagittarius (my sign): We see that Sagittarius was the emblem of Contemplation, Study, and Good Applause (praising), with [these virtues'] followers and servants, which have as object and subject the area of the Truth and the Good in order to form the Intellect and Will, [from which] are far removed Affected Ignorance and Lowly Unconcern (not taking notice when someone is trying to do good).

Capricorn: This one is pretty complicated, so I'll paraphrase it: You live the life of a hermit, which in your case is virtuous. You seek Solitude, Dissengagement, and Contemplation. This interior life will bring you liberty, in which are not secure Conversation, [Business]...and Feasting (partying, or gluttony). Get out of the public area because it will keep you away from your hermit life, which will bring you Absolution and Liberty.

Aquarius: In the place of humid and distempered Aquarius, you see Temperance, teh mother of many and innumberable virtues, who particularly shows herself there with her daughters, Civility and Urbanity, from whose area escape Intermperance of Affects, with Wildness, Harshness, and Barbarity.

Pisces: Whence, Unworthy Silence, Envy of Knowledge, and Defraudation of Doctorine, which move in the area of Misanthropy and Baseness of Mind, the Pisces are removed, there are placed Worthy Silence and Taciturnity, which move in the area of Prudence, Continence, Patience, Moderation, and others, from which flee to contrary shelters, Loquacity (characterized by excessive talk), Garrulity (synonym for Loquacious, but more like rambling or wordy), Buffoonery (burn!), Levity of Intentions, Vain Talk, Whispering, Complaint, Murmuring. Seems like someone doesn't know when to stop talking, and is fond of gossip.

I hope you found this as interesting as I did. Albeit, I don't really believe in all this astronomical hocus pokus, but it's cool for fun and it always surprises me how things like this can sometimes be very insightful and even correct in some assumptions.

As you may know, Bruno is later tortured and burned at the stake for his many heretical comments. In this particular essay, Bruno satirically attacks religion in general, proclaming that religion is abstract, when it should be practical and applied to real life...or maybe Queen Elizabeth I (the person he gave this text to), as the head of the church and state at that time, did not like the fact that she was being called an "Immodest" Heretic...ironic isn't it?