Hi all.

When Lilly speaks of one planet 'giving virtue' to another, does he simply mean applying contact via aspect? 'Virtue' implies something good, so does this refer only to trine and sextile aspects?

Here is an example of him using the term in context:

'For this, behold if the signifier of the Thief be in the ascendant, or give his virtue to the Moon or the Moon to him, it is Stolen;'.

What exactly does Lilly mean by 'give his virtue' in this context?

I am presuming that Lilly means the Moon applying aspect or having reception with the significant planet, but I ask about this in case I am wrong.

I looked up the word "virtue" in the American Heritage Dictionary and it gives the standard "quality of moral excellence, righteousness, and responsibility. A sub definition is "A particular efficacious or beneficial quality."

It also gives a definition that it considers obsolete:

Manly courage; valor

It gives the etymology as Middle English vertu, from Old French, from Latin virtus, manliness strength, capacity from vir meaning man (think virility).

This last may have been closer to Lilly's meaning, i.e. adding srength.

Tom

I thought it meant something more like a mutual reception with a benefic; a well-placed Moon would strengthen the other planet and somesuch, but I may be wrong...

In the sense that Lilly uses it here it does mean reception with another planet. So if the significator of the thief gives its virtue to the Moon, i.e. the Moon is in one of the significator's dignities, or if the Moon gives virtue to the significator of the thief, then the thing enquired about was stolen. Most authors did not see that squares or oppositions were prohibitive of giving virtue. Generally, the planets can only partake of reception when there is an aspect between them. It makes sense that there has to be contact between them in the first place in order to be able to benefit from the virtue being offered.

I think Bonatus has a very interesting take on the giving of virtue, which, in my opinion, gives a more comprehensive and deeper concept of the idea of planets exchanging their influence. If anyone is interested it can be found in Chapter XC of Liber Astronomiae.