Modern astrologers remember Ptolemy as the author of one of the oldest complete manuals of astrology, - the Tetrabiblos (Greek) or Quadripartitium (Latin) meaning 'Four Books’. Although it is known that Ptolemy did not invent his methods of astrology, we recognize his works as being one of the orchestrating numbers in the mass of Eastern star lore into an organized and reasoned collection.

 

Most of his philosophy rests upon the belief that planetary influences derive from the planets’ relationship with the Sun (heat and light) and the Earth (Moisture). The moon is regarded as a ‘cool and moist’ planet due to the lack of warmth from the sun and it’s proximity to the Earth. While Mars is ‘hot and dry’ and Saturn is ‘cold and dry’, both due to it’s relationship to the Earth and Sun. Planetary characteristics are defined by these humourous nature where, as in the natural world, warmth and moisture promote health and vitality while cold and dryness are signs of decay. Thus Saturn becomes the principal agent of destruction and death; the ‘Greater Malefic’.