Morinus miscalculates a chart

Recently, while reading Book 15 of Astrologia Gallica, I came across the chart of Philippus Bandeyra de Mello (Latin name), aka Felipe Bandeira de Mello, a noted Brazilian solider of the 17th century. Morin tells us that he got the birth information from the Commander of the Fleet of the King of Portugal. Morin used the birth chart of de Mello to show how the signs of the zodiac retain their nature and power regardless of whether the chart is cast for a location above or below the equator.

Felipe, born in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil, was the son of Antonio Bandeira de Melo and Jeronima de Mesquita de Azevedo. He had at least one sister (Maria) who was born before circa September 14, 1608. According to Morin’s source, Felipe was born on April 15, 1612 (Palm Sunday) one hour before sunrise. Unfortunately, Morin did not know how to calculate charts for locations below the equator, so the chart he presents in Book 15 has incorrect Angles and house cusps. The correct chart, calculated in Solar Fire, is as follows:

This is the correct chart, based on Morin’s data for de Mello. Morin did not know how to calculate charts for locations below the equator, and the chart he presented in Book 15 has the Asc in 10 Aries and the MC in 8 Capricorn.

Morin describes the native’s characteristics and some of his life history to show how the birth chart fits the personality and life events of de Mello. Felipe was always interested in arms and military matters. He frequently got into quarrels and, in 1635 at age 22, actually killed a man in a dispute on a riotous evening. Although born in Brazil, he traveled to various parts of Europe. In his travels he experienced severe storms at sea and several shipwrecks, including one in 1638 in which he was able to swim to safety. He was captured three times by the Dutch.

According to Morin, Felipe’s interest in a military career and his combative nature are indicated by Mars ruling Aries in the 1st house, with the Sun exalted in Aries in the 1st house of one’s character and temperament. In addition, Mars rules Scorpio which lies partly in the 7th and partly in the 8th houses — symbolizing quarrels, disputes, wars and risk of death. Furthermore, Mars in exalted in Capricorn which occupies most of the 10th house of actions and career. Mars also applies to conjoin Saturn, which rules Capricorn in the 10th of profession.

Because Morin miscalculated the chart, he believed that the Ascendant sign was Aries. In fact, the Ascendant sign is Pisces ruled by Jupiter in Leo, which is disposed by the exalted Sun in Aries in the 1st — certainly descriptive of this native’s combative personality and interest in military matters.

The shipwrecks and danger of death at sea are shown by Mars ruling Aries in the 1st and the cusp of the 8th of death in the water sign Scorpio. Mars, the exalted ruler of Capricorn and Saturn, the domicile ruler of the 10th house Capricorn, both occupy the water sign Pisces in the 12th house of evils and misfortune. He escaped death on his sea voyages because Jupiter rules the 9th of long journeys, disposes both Mars and Saturn, and trines the Sun in Aries in the 1st house.

Felipe was captured several times, as indicated by the two Malefics, Mars and Saturn, occupying the 12th house of imprisonment and confinement.

Morin felt that Felipe would encounter perpetual difficulties through his life because the Sun and Moon were in opposition across the 1st (the native) and 7th houses (open enemies, conflicts). He also saw a risk of violent death because the 7th house Moon, ruling part of the 4th house of the end of life, was besieged between the antiscions of Mars and Saturn in the 12th. The antiscion of Saturn lies in 16 Libra, and the antiscion of Mars in 28 Libra. Alternatively, one might say that the antiscion of the Moon, which lies at 9 Pisces 02′, is between and conjunct both 8th-ruler Mars and 12th-ruler Saturn in the 12th house.

As Morin predicted, Felipe de Mello died in combat in the Captaincy of Pernambuco, Brazil, in October of 1655 at age 43.