1 Introduction
Julian of Laodicea (ca. 500 CE?) is one of the lesser known Hellenistic astrologers, but hardly devoid of interest. In one of the fragments surviving from his work (fr. 11 = CCAG 8.4, pp. 252–253), he describes the astrological conditions that should obtain when gods are consecrated. By this, he means the hidrysis or kathidrysis, i.e., installation or enshrining of a cult statue (agalma). This is of course fascinating information in itself, but just as interesting is the underlying taxonomy of the gods.
For obvious reasons, he connects the seven planetary gods (Kronos, Zeus, Ares, Helios, Aphrodite, Hermes, Selene) to the planets (in English, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon). He also makes a straightforward distinction between male and female gods, and treats underworld gods and those depicted symbolically (ainigmatikôs), that is, non-anthropomorphically, as separate classes.
But there is also an elemental/spatial division into aerial, celestial, terrrestrial and marshy/marine gods. A look to Artemidorus’ Taxonomy will indicate who belongs to the latter three categories, but Artemidorus omits the aerial class. From the use of compound epithets including the word “air” in the Orphic Hymns, the following deities may be assigned to it: Hera, Rhea, Zeus Astrapaeus, the Fates and Erinyes, the Nymphs, the Curetes/Corybantes, the Winds and the Clouds.
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2 Translation
On the Consecration of the Gods.
If they are female, consecrations of gods shall be done while the Moon is in the Goddess and in a feminine or fixed zodiac sign, and Venus is in Good Fortune. Only in Scorpio must they (?) not stand.
If they are subterrestrial gods let Selene, Aphrodite and Zeus be witnessed (?) by each other when the consecrations take place, and let Kronos be witnessed in harmony with them.
When the gods are male, we shall set them up while we have Helios in the God.
And if it is a cult statue of Ares, we shall look to Ares, if of Kronos, to Kronos, and analogously for each.
Further, if the gods are aerial, the spring quadrant should be seen;
if they are celestial, the summarly;
if terrestrial, the autumnal;
and if marshy or marine, the winterly.
And the dedications (anadeixeis) of the objects of consecration shall be done in this manner, in accordance with the aligned risings.
If the cult statue is symbolic, like a ram-faced Zeus, a cow-headed Isis, or an image that is lion-shaped, purely spherical or unhewn, such as the wise symbolic inventions of the Egyptians are, then look to the concealed or overshadowed stars, because they will correspond to what is sought, or to Hermes when averse and signifying the same thing.
Consecrations of gods shall be done, when they are female, while Selene is in the Goddess1 and in a feminine or fixed zodiac sign,2 and Venus is in Good Fortune.3 Only in Scorpio must they not stand.
When there are consecrations, if they are subterrestial gods, let Selene, Aphrodite and Zeus be witnessed by each other, and let Kronos be witnessed in harmony with them.4
When the gods are male, we shall set them up while we have Helios in the God.5
And if it is a cult statue of Ares, we shall look to Ares, if of Kronos, to Kronos, and analogously for each.
Further, when the gods are aerial, the spring quadrant6 should be seen;
when they are celestial, the summerly;
when terrestrial, the autumnual;
and when marshy or marine, the winterly.
And the dedications (anadeixeis) of the objects of consecration shall be done in this manner, in accordance with the aligned risings.
When the cult statue is enigmatic, like a ram-faced Zeus, cow-headed Isis, or a lion-shaped,7 purely spherical or unhewn image, such as the enigmatic wise inventions of the Egyptians, look to the concealed or overshadowed stars,8 because they will correspond to what is sought, or to Hermes when averse9 and signifying the same thing.
Now, delay the consecration when καὶ στερεὰ ᾗ τὰ ζῴδια καὶ πολυανάφορα καὶ οἱ μαρτυροῦντες στηρίζωσι καὶ αἱ συναφαὶ τῆς Σελήνης πολλαὶ καὶ καλαὶ τυγχάνωσιν.
But when ὑπὸ δορυφόρων ὁρῶνται οἱ τόποι ἢ οἱ σημαίνοντες τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἄξει ὁ ἱδρυθεὶς καὶ ἕτερον θεόν.
δορυφορηθεὶς δὲ ἐπὶ τοῦ μεσουρανήματος ὑπὸ Ἡλίου καὶ Ἑρμοῦ ἐν τῷ θ’ ὄντων, τῆς Σελήνης ἐνούσης, it shall be great in its predictions; but when Ἑρμοῦ δὲ ἀπορρέοντος αὐτοῦ ἢ ἀναποδίζοντος ἢ ἐν ἀφώνοις κακουμένου ἢ κακοῦσθαι μέλλοντος, it indicates that its oracular activity must be paused.
When Ares is opposed to them, the cult statue will burn in fires; when Hermes is added to him, it καλπήσεται by soldiers or robbers; when they are ἐν ἰδίοις ὄντες ἢ οἱ κακοῦντες ἢ οἱ κακούμενοι ὑπὸ οἰκείων ταῦτα τολμηθέσεσθαι μαντεύονται. οὐ μόνον αὐτοὶ σκεπτέοι ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ δεσπόται αὐτῶν· τὸ γὰρ ὅμοιον ἀποτελέσουσιν.
ἐπὶ πάντων δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ὁ τῆς τύχης κλῆρος ὁράσθω.
1 The third ‘place’ or ‘house’, two positions after the ascendant.
2 Literally, ‘feminine and fixed’, but since this would leave only Taurus and Scorpio, and Scorpio is expressly forbidden, the intended list must be longer. Feminine signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces; fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
3 The eleventh place, two positions before the ascendant.
4 ???
5 The ninth place, four positions before the ascendant.
6 The first three signs (Aries, Taurus, Gemini), and so on with the other quadrants.
SARTRIX 