Kepler’s Astrological Interpretation of Rudolf II by Traditional Methods, 1602 - Part I, Section 2.2 - From a letter to the Emperor Rudolf

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Stanley

The section presents Johannes Kepler’s astrological interpretation of Emperor Rudolf II using traditional methods for the years 1602 and 1603. It explains how the solar return moment was sought, how planetary positions were determined using Tycho Brahe’s observations, and how directions and other standard techniques were applied. The text lists specific relationships among the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury, then interprets their combined effects as indicating weaknesses of native warmth and conditions affecting the second revolution.

LanguageEnglish

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Pages13

Reading Time5 min

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Part I.2.2 Kepler on Rudolf II, Traditional Methods

Kepler’s solar return method for 1602–1603

Directions among the Sun, Moon, and planets

Interpretive conclusions for native warmth and revolutions

CULTURE AND COSMOS A Journal of the History of Astrology and Cultural Astronomy Vol. 14 no 1 and 2, Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2010 Published by Culture and Cosmos and the Sophia Centre Press, in partnership with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, in association with the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Faculty of Humanities and the Performing Arts Lampeter, Ceredigion, Wales, SA48 7ED, UK. [www.cultureandcosmos.org](www.cultureandcosmos.org) Cornelia Linde (trans.) and Dorian Greenbaum (trans. and annotated), ‘Kepler’s Astrological Interpretation of Rudolf II by Traditional Methods, 1602’, Culture and Cosmos, Vol. 14 no 1 and 2, Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter, 2010 pp. 105-116. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue card for this book is available from the British Library All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publishers. ISSN 1368-6534 Printed in Great Britain by Lightning Source Copyright 􀀁 2018 Culture and Cosmos All rights reserved Translations of Kepler’s Astrological Writings Part I, Section 2.2. Kepler’s Astrological Interpretation of Rudolf II by Traditional Methods, 1602 Translated by Cornelia Linde and Dorian Greenbaum; annotated by Dorian Greenbaum This section actually precedes the material in the previous section, but has been put here because the techniques discussed are easier to understand when the other material has been introduced first. Kepler provides what he describes as the ‘common teaching of the more renowned astrologers’, i.e. standard astrological techniques, for interpreting Rudolf’s astrology in 1602 and 1603. Though he later adds his own, personal interpretation using techniques he considered valid (see Part I.2.1 above), Kepler did send Rudolf this delineation based on standard techniques (perhaps to cover all the bases?). At the end of this section I have added some of the preliminary notes Kepler made for himself about Rudolf’s astrology, including calculations, and the draft interpretation of the solar returns which was later incorporated into the letter to Rudolf. Taken from Opera Omnia 8.1, pp. 327-328; Gesammelte Werke 21, 2.2, pp. 423-424, 426-428. Note: Words or phrases appearing in GW, but not in OO, are added between forward slashes (/). Cornelia Linde (trans.) and Dorian Greenbaum (trans. and annotated), ‘Kepler’s Astrological Interpretation of Rudolf II by Traditional Methods, 1602’, Culture and Cosmos, Vol. 14 no 1 and 2, Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter, 2010 pp. 105-116. [www.CultureAndCosmos.com](www.CultureAndCosmos.com) 106 Part I. Kepler as Practising Astrologer 2. Clients [OO 8.1, p. 327; GW 21, 2.2, p. 423] From a letter to the Emperor Rudolf1 [Pulkovo XXII, 299r] /Also the Emperor’s/ As we were ordered, from the Progymnasmata2 of Tycho Brahe, which a short while ago were published and dedicated to Your Holy Imperial Majesty, and according to the instruction (doctrina) included on folios 105 and 112, we diligently sought out the moment in which the Sun returned to its natal point in the years 1602 and 1603; and with as much diligence as possible we established the positions of the planets from the same book and Tycho’s observations. We transcribed the directions from the nativity which he constructed for Your /Imperial/ Majesty, which he indeed measured out in a special way laid out on folio 113 of the said book, so that he has lightened our work on this part. From these ‘sounder fundamentals’ (certioribus fundamentis),3 we then judged according to the common teaching of the more renowned astrologers, since in this judging part we do not hold with Tycho’s special rules as he, who was not accustomed to attributing so mu

FAQs

How does the text establish the timing for the 1602 and 1603 interpretations?

It states that, as ordered, the authors sought the moment when the Sun returned to its natal point in 1602 and 1603, then determined planetary positions from the same source and Tycho’s observations.

Which traditional astrological technique is emphasized for judging Rudolf’s astrology?

The section emphasizes judging according to the common teaching of more renowned astrologers, specifically avoiding Tycho’s special rules about motion doctrine in this judging part.

What does the text conclude about the native’s condition from the solar-related directions?

Because the Sun is identified as the principal apheta and comes to its square (and then to the ascendant) according to astrologers’ interpretations, it signifies weakness of native warmth, especially in the second revolution in July 1603.

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Stanley