[Astrological and magical treatises].

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Contributor:

Adler, Cyrus, 1863-1940, former owner, donor.

Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning, former owner.

ابو معشر، -886.

Language:

Arabic

Subjects (All):

Astrology--Early works to 1800.

Astrology.

Astronomy, Arab--Early works to 1800.

Astronomy, Arab.

Islamic magic--Early works to 1800.

Islamic magic.

Genre:

Manuscripts, Arabic.

codices (bound manuscripts)

diagrams

tables (documents)

Early works.

Penn Provenance:

Presented to the Library of the Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning by Dr. Cyrus Adler (bookplate front pastedown).

Physical Description:

iii, 192, ii paginated leaves : paper, illustrations ; 195 x 146 (163 x 115) mm bound to 194 x 150 mm

Language Note:

Arabic.

Summary:

A collection of anonymous astrological and magical treatises. Also bound together with this manuscript is a lithographed copy of Kitāb fī al-tamām wa-al-kamāl by Abū Maʻshar. This book is in two parts, the first dealing with horoscopes of men and their signs the second with women. Each part has 12 sections.

Contents:

1. pp. 1-6: Questions and answers concerning the influence of the zodiacal signs and the 12 planets. Ten questions under each planet.

2. pp. 7-25: Divinations and omens based on the names of 34 patriarchs and prophets from Adam to Muhammad.

3. pp. 25-27: Divination by means of figures (16) traced in the sand according to Ali ibn Abi Talib.

4. pp. 28-31: Calculations of the two tables by means of which one may find out the state of a sick man and the course of his illness.

5. pp. 31-33: Information concerning marriage and its success.

6. pp. 32-35: Instructions for washing the dead.

7. pp. 35-38: Directions for what should be left done or undone on given days.

8. pp. 38-39: Unlucky days in the roman months.

9. p. 40: Concerning the hours of the day and night.

10. pp. 40-45: Mansions of the moon.

11. pp. 45-46: Horoscopes of the days.

12. pp. 46-49: Prognostications from the involuntary movement of body parts according to the prophet Alexander.

13. pp. 49-50: Interpretation of dreams.

14. p. 52: Table for the 28 mansions of the moon and a calendar for Arabic and Roman years.

15. pp. 55-83: Prayers to ward off calamity, disease, evil spirits, etc.

16. pp. 83-153: Invocations. pp. 147-151: blank.

17. pp. 153-154: Magic squares.

18. pp. 155-179: Diseases and their cures.

19. pp. 179-203: Formula of the seven spheres to say over someone who is possessed by a demon.

20. pp. 203-204: Divination by means of the Qur'an.

21. pp. 205-210: Epileptics.

22. pp. 210-212: Charms for protection from evil spirits and disease.

23. pp. 212-228: Concerning the book of magic squares attributed to the Imam Jaʻfar al-Ṣādiq.

24. pp. 231-240: Wisdom of the prophet Daniel.

25. pp. 240-245: Diagnosis and cure of the sick by means of numerical formulas derived from the letters in his name and the name of his mother.

26. p. 245: Future of small children.

27. pp. 245-252: Commentary from al-Ghazzālī.

28. pp. 252-255: Seven spheres.

29. pp. 255-262: Wisdom of Sulaymān ibn Dawūd.

30. pp. 262-266: Choosing children's names according to the zodiac.

31. pp. 266-288: Amulets.

32. pp. 289-298: The Names of God.

33. pp. 298-303: Amulets and enchantments.

34. pp. 303-306: Curing persons possessed by demons.

35. pp. 306-313: Recitation of incantations.

36. pp. 313-324: Concerning the wonders of major, middle, and minor magic.

37. pp. 331-358: Riyāḍah of various magicians.

38. pp. 359-377: Directions for the construction of various magic squares and formulas.

Notes:

Ms. codex.

Pagination: Paginated in Hindu-Arabic numerals in ink, upper center: [1]-328, iii, 329-378.

Layout: Written in 27 lines per page in red and black ink; text area border-ruled in black ink with double bounding lines. Pages 2-6 in double columns (56 mm. in width) separated by a single vertical rule in black ink. Numerous tables and diagrams.

Script: Written in naskh, with partial vocalization, written in a minute hand. Some pages by a later hand.

Decoration: Rubrications in red. Headings in red, framed in black rectangles with red dome-shaped finials in the margins; some have black and red geometric fill. Numerous diagrams and tables in red and black throughout.

Binding: Full dark leather with fore-edge flap and envelope flap (Type II); boards and flaps blind tooled; remains of red-and-black patterned cloth lining spine and flaps; remains of colored illustration of military officer used as binder's waste. Upper board, spine and flaps damaged; lower board visibly mended.

Origin: Item is undated, possibly of Egyptian provenance, specifically Christian, possibly 19th century based on the use of some machine-made paper.

Watermark: Bird with head turned to side and wings outstretched (p. 229-230); other indistinct watermarks also appear.

Cited as:

CAJS Rar Ms 164.

Contains:

Abū Maʻshar, -886. Muḥaqqiq al-mudaqqiq al-Yūnānī al-faylasūf al-shahīr bi-Abī Maʻshar al-Falakī al-kabīr bi-al-tamām wa-al-kamāl .

ابو معشر، -886. محقق المدقق اليوناني الفيلسوف الشهير بأبي معشر الفلكي الكبير بالتمام والكمال.

OCLC:

276879747

Bound With:

Bound with: Hādhā kitāb al-Muḥaqqiq al-mudaqqiq al-Yūnānī al-faylasūf al-shahīr bi-Abī Maʻshar al-Falakī al-kabīr bi-al-tamām wa-al-kamāl / Abū Maʻshar. Lithograph copy, no publication information available.