1. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia

2. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
Hannah Astarte
Amongst the Hermetic literature en vogue in the Renaissance, «there is an extremely comprehensive treatise on sympathetic and astral magic, with particular reference
to talismans, which goes under the name of Picatrix»1, although its original title was ‫ — ال ح ك يم غاي ة‬Ġāyat al-Ḥakīm. Written in Arabic, it is commonly dated between mid11th and 12th centuries, and is reputed to have had a considerable influx of Gnostic ideas «particularly among the Arabs of Harran»2.
Although it was never printed, the Latin version of this grimoire seems to have had «a considerable circulation in manuscript during the fifteenth and sixteenth
centuries»3. Besides the attention given to it by Marsilio Ficino (most eminent translator of the Corpus Hermeticum), Pico della Mirandola kept a copy in his library, Peter of
Abano was accused of plagiarising it, Cornelius Agrippa found some inspiration there, Rabelais thundered against such devilish work in Pantagruel («le reuerend père en
Diable Picatris, recteur de la faculté diabologique»), and the list could go on forever.
However, it is not our intention to probe deeply into such matter, only enough so as to enlighten the connections between the descriptions featuring in Book II, Chapter
11 of Picatrix and the frescoes shown in the middle fringe of the «Salone dei Mesi» of the Palazzo Schifanoia, in Ferrara.
Following the Egyptian system of dividing the year into thirty-six sections, over which thirty-six gods ruled, the philosophers of the Hermetica attributed the same
partition to the zodiac: «The decans, as they came to be called in Hellenistic times, were really Egyptian sidereal gods of time who had become absorbed in the Chaldean
astrology and affiliated to the zodiac. They all had images, which vary in different lists of them, and these lists of the powerful images of the decans had come out of the
archives of the Egyptian temples. The decans had various aspects. They had definite astrological significance, as "Horoscopes" presiding over the forms of life born within the
time periods over which they presided, and they were assimilated to the planets domiciled in their domain, and to the signs of the zodiac, three decans going with each sign as
its three "faces". But they were also gods, and powerful Egyptian gods, and this side of them was never forgotten, giving them a mysterious importance»4.
In the afore-mentioned chapter of the Picatrix, its author describes the three-fold fantasia of the twelve signs of the zodiac, and we may see, from the following table,
how closely they were converted into images by the painters hired by Borso d’Este to decorate the four walls of his «Salone dei Mesi» at Palazzo Schifanoia.
Francis A. Yates, Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic tradition, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1964, p. 49.
Francis A. Yates, idem, p. 49.
3 Francis A. Yates, idem, p. 51.
4 Francis A. Yates, idem, p. 46.
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2
2

3. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
ARIES
Hannah Astarte
«According to the leader of this science, the
image of a large and distinguished black mad
man with red eyes and an ax in his hand, a white
rope wrapped around his waist, emerges in the
first phase of Aries. This is the phase of Mars; it is
a phase of cruelty, aggression, haughtiness and
insolence. This phase is complete in its essence,
character and instinct.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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4. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
ARIES
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a woman with only one leg,
wearing a red rope and a dress, and probing
diligently for dresses, jewelry and children
appears in the second phase of Aries. It is the
phase of Venus, which denotes femininity,
delicateness, cleanliness, kindness, entertainment
and beauty.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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5. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
ARIES
Hannah Astarte
«Furthermore, the image of an angry reddish man
with red hair, unyielding look, holding a sword and
a wooden bracelet in his hand, wearing red
clothes, skillful in iron fabrication and wants to do
good but cannot, is the phase for Venus.»
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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6. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
TAURUS
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a woman with curly hair and
wearing fiery clothes with a son whose clothes
look like smothering embers appears in the first
phase of Taurus. This is the phase of Mercury. It
is complete by nature and it is a phase of planting
and cultivation, building and development, ethics
and wisdom, as well as dividing land and
engineering.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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7. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
TAURUS
Hannah Astarte
«In the second phase of Taurus, we find the
image of a man whose body and face look like
those of a camel, his nails similar to the hoof of a
cow, wearing an old garment, interested in
developing land and buildings, and using cows for
planting and cultivation. This is the phase of the
Moon; it is a phase of ability, honor, vice-regency,
destruction and oppression of constituency.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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8. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
TAURUS
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a red man with extremely white
teeth appearing between his lips, with the body of
an elephant and with long legs emerges in the
third phase of Taurus. Also, the image of a horse,
a dog and a resting calf appears in the same
phase. This is the phase of Saturn and a phase of
humiliation, servitude, torture, cruelty and
disgrace.»
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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9. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
GEMINI
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a beautiful woman, experienced in
dressmaking, with two calves and two horses
emerges in the first phase of Gemini. This phase
is also for Jupiter and it is complete in nature. It
indicates recording and accountability, giving and
taking, knowledge itself and seeking knowledge.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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10. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
GEMINI
Hannah Astarte
«Then there is the image of a man with the face of
a griffin tied with a turban, wearing a shield made
of lead and armed with a helmet of iron on his
head. On the top of the helmet is a crown made of
brocade. He is holding a bow and an arrow in his
hand. This image appears in the second phase of
Gemini. This is the phase of Mars and it indicates
trudging, motivation, speed, violence and
unprofitable haste.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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11. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
GEMINI
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man wearing a shield and
carrying a bow and an arrow in its case emerges
in its third phase. This is the phase of the Sun,
and it indicates overlooking and missing what
should be noticed, fun and entertainment and
unemployment.»
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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12. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
CANCER
Hannah Astarte
«Consider the image of a man with curved face
and fingers that looks like a horse. He has white
feet and tree leaves are attached to his body. This
image appears in the first phase of Cancer. It is
the phase of Venus, and it indicates wittiness,
mindfulness,
friendliness,
delicacy
and
cleanliness.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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13. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
CANCER
Hannah Astarte
«There is also the image of a beautiful woman
longing for pleasure and singing, wearing a
wreath made of green basil on her head and
holding a rod of water lily in her hand. This image
appears in its second phase. This is the phase of
Mercury, and it denotes entertainment and
enjoyment of music as well as grace, honour and
wealth.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
13

14. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
CANCER
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man holding a snake in his hand,
having a foot similar to the foot of a turtle, and
possessing golden jewelry appears in the third
phase of Cancer. This phase is for the Moon; it is
a phase of tricks and driving away by force,
achieving objectives by fighting, struggle and
repulsion.»
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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15. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
LEO
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man wearing dirty clothes along
with the image of a cavalryman who looks like a
wolf and a dog is looking to the north, appear in
the first phase of Leo. This image is for Saturn,
and it is complete in form and nature. This is a
phase of strength, rescue, stamina, action, attack
and triumph.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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16. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
LEO
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man wearing a wreath made of
white basil on his head and holding an arrow in
his hand appears in its second phase. This is the
phase of Jupiter, and it indicates heresy,
ignorance, perplexity, idleness of idiots, pulling
out swords and fighting.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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17. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
LEO
Hannah Astarte
«The image of an ugly man who looks like a
Negro with a fruit and a piece of meat in his
mouth and a kettle in his hand appears in its third
phase. This is the phase of Mars, and it indicates
friendliness, rewards, affection, participation and
harmony.»
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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18. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
VIRGO
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a virgin maid wearing an old dress
and holding a pomegranate in her hand appears
in the first phase of Virgo. This is the phase of the
Sun, and it denotes plowing and planting, grass
and plants, buildings and wealth and
righteousness.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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19. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
VIRGO
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man with a nice colour wearing
clothes made of animal skins and another made
of iron appears in the second phase. This phase if
also for Venus. It is a phase depicting working,
making a living, saving, stinginess, niggardliness
and depriving others of their rights.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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20. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
VIRGO
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a large white man wrapped in a
rope and a woman holding in her hand a black
fawn, which is offered by the Magus for sacrifice,
appears in its third phase. This is also the phase
of Mercury; it is a phase of old age, weakness,
immobility, chronic illness, uprooting trees and
destruction of buildings.»
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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21. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
LIBRA
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man holding an arrow in his right
hand and the picture of an upside down bird in the
left hand appears in the first phase of Libra. This
is the phase of the Moon; it is a phase of
legitimacy, justice, fairness, protection of the weak
and the needy from tyrants and people in powerful
positions. This phase is complete in form and
nature.»
1st decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
21

22. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
LIBRA
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a black man leading a wedding
emerges in its second phase. This is the phase of
Saturn. It is a phase of relaxation, wealth, good
living, security, peacefulness and easy living.»
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
22

23. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
LIBRA
Hannah Astarte
«The image of a man riding on a donkey and a
predatory animal in front of him appears in its third
phase. This is the phase of Jupiter and it indicates
sinfulness, impudence, sodomy, singing,
entertainment and enjoyment.»
3rd decan
SCORPIO
1st decan
«The image of a man with an arrow in his right
hand and an arrow in his left hand appears in the
first phase of Scorpio. This is also the phase of
Mars, which is complete in form and nature. It
indicates honor and glory, cunning and triumph.»
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
IMAGE DELETED
23

24. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
Hannah Astarte
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
SCORPIO
«The image of a man riding on a camel and
holding a Scorpion in his hand appears in its
second phase. This is the phase of the Sun, and it
indicates disgrace, scandal, tragedy and anger.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of a horse and a snake appears in its
third phase, and this is the phase of Venus. It
indicates sinfulness, impudence and disdainful
forceful marital sex achieved by subduing and
anger.»
IMAGE DELETED
«Consider the picture of three bodies; the first is
red, the second is white, and the third is red. This
image appears in the first phase of Sagittarius. It
is also the phase of Mercury, and it indicates
valor, activity, pleasure, patience and chivalry.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of a man driving cows, a monkey and
a wolf in front of him appears in its second phase.
This is a phase of the Moon, and it indicates
fright, loss, weeping, fear, sadness and violence.»
IMAGE DELETED
2nd decan
SCORPIO
3rd decan
SAGITTARIUS
1st decan
SAGITTARIUS
2nd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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25. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
Hannah Astarte
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
SAGITTARIUS
«The image of a man wearing a cap of gold on his
head killing another man appears in its third
phase. This phase is for Saturn, and it indicates
taking risks, unwarranted involvement, exerting
efforts in disgraceful, shameful and harmful
actions.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of a man holding a cane in his right
hand and a hoop in his left hand appears in the
first phase of Capricorn. This is also the phase of
Jupiter, and it indicates pleasure, activity, going
back and forth, incapability, weakness and
humility.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of a man with a monkey in front of
him appears in the second phase and this is the
phase of Mars. This phase delineates seeking
what it known but unobtainable.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of a man opening and closing the
Qur’an, with the tail of a fish before him, appears
in its third phase. This is also the phase of Jupiter
IMAGE DELETED
3rd decan
CAPRICORN
1st decan
CAPRICORN
2nd decan
CAPRICORN
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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26. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
Hannah Astarte
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
3rd decan
and it indicates intensity, desire, monopoly,
accumulation and greed.»
AQUARIUS
«The image of a beheaded man holding a
peacock appears in the first phase of Aquarius,
and this is the phase of Venus. It is the phase of
hard and tiring work, poverty, need, few means of
subsistence or lack of it.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of a tenacious man who looks like a
powerful king emerges in its second phase, and
this is the phase of Mercury. It portrays beauty,
nobility, goodness, complete form, complete
religion and manhood.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The figure of a beheaded man with an old
woman in front of him appears in its third phase,
which is the phase of the Moon. This phase
denotes ugliness, bad reputation and a scandal.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The picture of a man with two bodies pointing
with his fingers appears in the first phase of
IMAGE DELETED
1st decan
AQUARIUS
2nd decan
AQUARIUS
3rd decan
PISCES
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
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27. Picatrix and the decans of the «Salone dei Mesi» in Palazzo Schifanoia
Hannah Astarte
SIGN OF THE
ZODIAC
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
DECANS
DECAN
PICATRIX
1st decan
Pisces, and this is the phase of Saturn. It
demonstrates little attacking with violence,
weakness, extensive travelling, suffering, tiring,
looking for wealth and earning a living.»
PISCES
«The image of an upside down man holding food
in his hand appears in its second phase, and this
is also a phase of Jupiter. It indicates dignity,
inspiration and the capability of dealing with
matters of great importance.»
IMAGE DELETED
«The image of an evil man with a woman in front
of him who has a donkey above her and a bird in
her hand appears in the third phase. This phase is
for Mars. It indicates marital sexual relations,
hugging, lust, intimacy, sensuous desire and a
tendency to have leisure and relaxation time.»
IMAGE DELETED
2nd decan
PISCES
3rd decan
FRESCOES OF THE DECANS
«SALONE DEI MESI» IN PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA
As can be seen, there are close affinities between the descriptions in the Picatrix and their illustration in the frescoes that have remained untarnished, showing the
influence of Hermetic literature in Italian Renaissance art and how their patrons highly praised this ancient knowledge, judging it worthy of representing their will and enhancing
their power.
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