Hi Papretis,
In 1941 Morton W. Bloomfield wrote a short paper called ?The Origin of the Concept of the Seven Cardinal Sins? (The Harvard Theological Review, Vol. 34, No. 2. (Apr., 1941), pp. 121-128).
Within his introductory remarks he wrote:
It has been clear that the medieval and modern Catholic teaching of the seven cardinal sins, sometimes called the deadly sins, had a Hellenistic astrological origin.
Although he says ?Hellenistic? he actually considers this to have a much more ancient heritage, being rooted in Chaldean philosophy which is reflected in Biblical passages.
At a very early stage there were variations on the names and attributes of the sins, which is why it is difficult to see the direct comparison between early references and lists such as deVore?s. In fact it is likely that there were 8 sins to begin with, and that these were reduced down to seven to make a better planetary correspondence.
Morton quotes an early astrological reference found in the Hermetic texts. He is referring to the same passage as that discussed by Denis Laboure in his article on the ?The Seven Bodies of Man in Hermetic Astrology? here:
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/7bodies.html
This relates to the 7 virtues that are acquired by the soul on its descent into physical form, and the 7 corruptions that must be relinquished on its ascent after death.
And thereupon the man mounts upward through the structure of the heavens.
And to the first zone of heaven (Moon) he gives up the force which works increase and that which works decrease;
to the second zone (Mercury), the machinations of evil cunning;
to the third zone (Venus),the lust whereby men are deceived;
to the fourth zone (Sun), domineering arrogance;
to the fifth zone (Mars), unholy daring and rash audacity;
to the sixth zone (Jupiter), evil strivings after wealth;
and to the seventh zone (Saturn), the falsehood which lies in wait to work harm;
And thereupon the man mounts upward through the structure of the heavens.
I think you may be right about gluttony being a moral greed rather than simply a physical one. Thomas Aquinas said of it "Gluttony denotes, not any desire of eating and drinking, but an inordinate desire... leaving the order of reason, wherein the good of moral virtue consists." (2, 148, ad 1)
But I?m not confident in deVore?s association of indolence to the Sun. The ?domineering arrogance? related to the Sun?s sphere makes a much more natural association with the sin of pride and arrogance.
