[Astrological and magical treatises]

University of Pennsylvania digitized manuscript

Arabic.; 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.; 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.; 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.; iii, 192, ii paginated leaves : paper, illustrations ; 195 x 146 (163 x 115) mm bound to 194 x 150 mm; 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.; Ms. codex.; Origin: Item is undated, possibly of Egyptian provenance, specifically Christian, possibly 19th century based on the use of some machine-made paper.; Pagination: Paginated in Hindu-Arabic numerals in ink, upper center: [1]-328, iii, 329-378.; Related Work: 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 .; Script: Written in naskh, with partial vocalization, written in a minute hand. Some pages by a later hand.; Table of contents: 1. pp. 1-6: Questions and answers concerning the influence of the zodiacal signs and the 12 planets. Ten questions under each planet.; Table of contents: 10. pp. 40-45: Mansions of the moon.; Table of contents: 11. pp. 45-46: Horoscopes of the days.; Table of contents: 12. pp. 46-49: Prognostications from the involuntary movement of body parts according to the prophet Alexander.; Table of contents: 13. pp. 49-50: Interpretation of dreams.; Table of contents: 14. p. 52: Table for the 28 mansions of the moon and a calendar for Arabic and Roman years.; Table of contents: 15. pp. 55-83: Prayers to ward off calamity, disease, evil spirits, etc.; Table of contents: 16. pp. 83-153: Invocations. pp. 147-151: blank.; Table of contents: 17. pp. 153-154: Magic squares.; Table of contents: 18. pp. 155-179: Diseases and their cures.; Table of contents: 19. pp. 179-203: Formula of the seven spheres to say over someone who is possessed by a demon.; Table of contents: 2. pp. 7-25: Divinations and omens based on the names of 34 patriarchs and prophets from Adam to Muhammad.; Table of contents: 20. pp. 203-204: Divination by means of the Qur'an.; Table of contents: 21. pp. 205-210: Epileptics.; Table of contents: 22. pp. 210-212: Charms for protection from evil spirits and disease.; Table of contents: 23. pp. 212-228: Concerning the book of magic squares attributed to the Imam Jaʻfar al-Ṣādiq.; Table of contents: 24. pp. 231-240: Wisdom of the prophet Daniel.; Table of contents: 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.; Table of contents: 26. p. 245: Future of small children.; Table of contents: 27. pp. 245-252: Commentary from al-Ghazzālī.; Table of contents: 28. pp. 252-255: Seven spheres.; Table of contents: 29. pp. 255-262: Wisdom of Sulaymān ibn Dawūd.; Table of contents: 3. pp. 25-27: Divination by means of figures (16) traced in the sand according to Ali ibn Abi Talib.; Table of contents: 30. pp. 262-266: Choosing children's names according to the zodiac.; Table of contents: 31. pp. 266-288: Amulets.; Table of contents: 32. pp. 289-298: The Names of God.; Table of contents: 33. pp. 298-303: Amulets and enchantments.; Table of contents: 34. pp. 303-306: Curing persons possessed by demons.; Table of contents: 35. pp. 306-313: Recitation of incantations.; Table of contents: 36. pp. 313-324: Concerning the wonders of major, middle, and minor magic.; Table of contents: 37. pp. 331-358: Riyāḍah of various magicians.; Table of contents: 38. pp. 359-377: Directions for the construction of various magic squares and formulas.; Table of contents: 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.; Table of contents: 5. pp. 31-33: Information concerning marriage and its success.; Table of contents: 6. pp. 32-35: Instructions for washing the dead.; Table of contents: 7. pp. 35-38: Directions for what should be left done or undone on given days.; Table of contents: 8. pp. 38-39: Unlucky days in the roman months.; Table of contents: 9. p. 40: Concerning the hours of the day and night.; Watermark: Bird with head turned to side and wings outstretched (p. 229-230); other indistinct watermarks also appear.