Image from The New Marian Missal, 1962 printing.

Last night produced an interesting find. You might be aware I’m working on the “Magico-Liturgical Explorations” series for the Fellowship’s website, to be published once the writing is finished. In any case you’re definitely aware of it now.

As part of that, I read a comment in Fortescue’s The Mass: A Study of the Roman Liturgy that I needed to investigate, and that led me to the 1550 Roman Missal. This is the final “pre-Tridentine” Missal used by the Roman Curia and worthy of studying on the strength of that alone.

I didn’t find what I was expecting, which was any appreciably major difference from the Pius V Missal of 1570. But I did find something I was not expecting in an official publication from the Vatican. This is what I’m sharing with you today.

What did I find? It was in the very front of the book, inside the Kalendar. At the bottom of the page for each month was referenced a Zodiac sign, its elemental properties, and advice on par with a newspaper horoscope from the 80s and 90s.

This is too good not to share, so of course I’m sharing it! I’ll link to the Missal itself once the series is published. But I’ll make this up to you by sharing the full section where these occur along with translations of the relevant parts.

Now as a disclaimer: I’m not claiming any of this is accurate astrology or even good advice. And these translations are a rush-job that may need correction because I wanted to get this to you quickly.

However, it just hits different to find this sort of thing in an official Vatican publication. And it hits even more different when some that advice reads “let no one touch the genitals.”

In any case I’ve talked enough. Let’s get into this!

January: Aquarius

Aquarius is warm and moist: a good sign.
Beware to anoint the thighs: with the Moon he sees watery.
Then plant the fields [literally “insert plants”]: raise up high towers.
And if you take a journey: then go slowly to the place.

February (Pisces) and March (Aries)

Pisces is cold and moist: an indifferent sign.
Pisces holds the Moon: worry not about a trap for the feet.
Take a dirty journey: may the drink be healthy.
Gold should be bought: wives and husbands get together.

Aries is warm and dry: a good sign.
Let no harm come to the head: when the Moon shines on Aries.
Do not touch gold: but go into a bath with everything. [literally “of all”]
Do not cut hair: You should not shave the beard.

April (Taurus) and May (Gemini)

Taurus is cold and dry: a bad sign.
Let the tree be planted: when the Moon is held in Taurus.
Do not demolish or build: now sprinkle seeds.
And let the doctor beware of touching the neck with iron.

Gemini is warm and moist: a bad sign.
Don’t amputate [lit. “remove”] arms: when the Moon sprinkles the Twins.
For fingernails and hands: take care to keep away from iron.
You will never carry a promissory petition.

June (Cancer) and July (Leo)

Cancer is cold and moist: an indifferent sign.
Chest, lung, liver: let them not be removed in Cancer.
False dreams will you see: and let the things you buy be useful.
Let drink be had: go forth a safe traveler.

Leo is warm and dry: a bad sign.
The heart weighs down the stomach: when the Moon lights up in Leo.
Make no clothing: go not to gatherings.
And vomit nothing from the mouth: then take no medicine.

August (Virgo) and September (Libra)

Virgo is cold and dry: a bad sign.
The Moon holds Virgo: dare not to lead your wife.
Innards and sides: take care to stretch the thighs.
Seed is given in the field: hesitate to enter a ship.

Libra is warm and moist: a good sign.
Libra holds the Moon: let no one touch the genitals. [“nemo genitalia tangat”]
Or the kidneys or the buttocks: nor should he take a journey.
When the Moon shall have the furthest part of Libra.

October (Scorpio) and November (Sagittarius)

Scorpio is cold and moist: an indifferent sign.
Scorpio augments diseases: in the shameful parts.
Do not cure wounds: be wary of going into boats.
And if you take a journey: be fearful of ruin by death.

Sagittarius is warm and dry: a good sign.
The Moon harms the thighbone: shoot through the moving parts.
Fingernails or hair-strands: you can totally burn.
Keep away from waterways: and go to the bath more quickly.

December: Capricorn

Capricorn is cold and dry: a bad sign.
Capricorn harms the knees: when the Moon holds it.
Let the sailor go into the water: the sick man will be cured quickly.
Foundations fail: then endure a little together.

The Zodiac is no stranger to Catholic line art, as we can see from multiple works over the centuries. But to see astrological advice given, not in some underground grimoire but in an official publication, it helps us realize how different the pre-Tridentine period was from today.

“The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.”