Translations of Kepler’s Astrological Writings Part I, Section 3.2. Kepler’s Nativity of Augustus

Abstract

This section translates two reports, with calculations, that Kepler wrote to Emperor Rudolf II on the topic of the Emperor Augustus’s nativity. The reports are undated, but the second wishes the Emperor a Happy New Year. This was not the only time that Kepler attempted to recreate the birthchart of Augustus. In a series of 1599 letters to Herwart von Hohenburg, Kepler discusses what the nativity of Augustus might be, basing his research on ancient authors. In those letters, he supposes that sub Capricorno’ means a Capricorn Ascendant. In the following analysis, however, he advocates a Capricorn Moon.