Of the Astrall Signes of Physiognomy in Man.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Sedziwój, Michal, Paracelsus, and French, John
Judgement by the haires either of the head, or beard, is not very certain, because use teacheth that they can be divers wayes varyed, as to bee made black, or yellow, or red, or white, and hoary, or curled, soft, or hard, as any one desires to have them.
Hence it will come to passe, that many who are otherwise skilfull enough in the Art of Physiognomy would be most shamefully deceived, whilst they should rashly judge by the hairs, imputing that to the stars, which should rather be ascribed to men themselves.
Yet it cannot bee denyed, but that haires firmly fastened on the head, doe signifie a good health of the head, as also of the whole body.
And this is the reason, why they that buy Horses pull their tails, that by this means they may judge of their soundnesse.
So Hogges are tryed by their bristles, Fish by their shells, and scales, a Bird by his feathers, &c.
Long Necks.
The necke, if it be too long, signifies a man to bee sollicitous, prudent, and attent, &c.
Broad Shoulders and backs.
Broad shoulders, and backe, signifie a man to bee strong, and able for carrying or removing, &c.
Musculous Armes.
Armes that are musculous, signifie a man to be strong and able for any exercise, as beating, pounding, shooting, &c.
Hard hands.
Hands that bee hard signifie a man to bee laborious, and a hireling, &c. Soft hands, the contrary.
A short Body.
A short body, and long legs signifie a man to be a good runner, to bee easily satisfied with meat, and drinke, and for the most part to bee of a short life.
Great and clear veines under the middle age of man signifie a man to be full of bloud and juice, but above the midle of his age to be commonly sick, yet long lived.
Nothing can be judged by the manners, and behaviour of Men.
As much as concerns the manners, gestures of men, nothing can be so easily known, and judged by them.
For experience teacheth that these can every moment bee changed, as to deceive the Signator, and make him erroneous in his judgement: And because it hath not been observed hitherto so accurately by all Astronomers; It is therefore the Signators part not alwayes to look to the manners and actions of men, but rather to other signs of the body, which are fixed, and can by no Art be counterfeited or changed.
For if red hairs, moving the forehead, and eyelids, a cheerfull, raised, and unmoveable countenance, a frequent agitation of the mouth, a stout mused walking, and a light mind, should necessarily declare a man to be a gallant souldier and stout, every one could by his industry and art make himselfe seem to be such an one; that hee might by his lookes bee the better approved of, and obtaine greater pay.
The like also may be judged of other kinds of behaviour, which pretend to wisdom, folly, truth, lying, fortune, victory, &c.