The Sky Library · Mansion 1 of 28
Al Sharatain
Ash-Sharatan · The Two Signs
Span0°00′00″ Aries – 12°51′26″ Aries (tropical)
Determinant starsBeta Arietis (Sheratan) and Gamma Arietis (Mesarthim), the horns of the Ram
Two horns lowered at the year's gate, pushing into the new.
The first mansion opens at the spring point, and everything about it is departure. Agrippa lists it as Alnath, the horns of Aries, and gives it to journeys and to quarrels, a headstrong hour that starts things it does not stay to finish.
The Spirit of the Mansion
the square of Jupiter, 34 in every line
a small fire keeps the sill; on the far side, the pin at the heart of the plate answers a touch
Agrippa and the Picatrix transmit different names for the mansion spirits; both are given.
What the number square means
The grid is a kamea, one of the planetary magic squares from Agrippa's second book; every planet has one, from Saturn's three by three to the Moon's nine by nine. In a true square every row, every column, and both diagonals add to the same number, and Jupiter's adds to 34 in every line. Count any line and see. Practitioners engraved these on talismans as the planet's signature written in number, and the gilded cell marks this mansion's own number.
Elections in this mansion
- setting out on journeys
- swift departures and bold starts
- work that needs a strong first push
Contraries
Breeds discord. A poor hour for peacemaking, partnership, or any bond you hope will hold.
Agrippa's name Alnath shares its name with a star in Taurus; here it stands for the Ram's horns at 0° Aries. Agrippa and Picatrix both count from this station, so their numbering agrees throughout.