Treatise of Shem

. . . [If the New Year falls] in the constellation of Aries, every person [in whose name there is a letter mem], or an alef or bet or kaf, should be apprehensive of harm and illness for three months apart from . . . [at the beginning of the year, and three] at its end. And some say for [three months] before and after, and likewise . . . all that this qanisra [probably related to the Greek kynos aster, meaning “dog star”: Sirius] harms before it enters and after it exits. [This is the account of Jannes] and Jambres [two of Pharaoh’s Egyptian magicians; see Targum Pseudo-Jonathan on Exodus]. One can conclude that when it [i.e., the New Year] comes out in [the constellation of] Aries, lambs and [trees will die, the king] of the Romans will move on, the stars will blow forth fire, and the new moon [will be diminutive]. [The early harvests] will not be good, but the later ones will thrive, indicating an increase in prices from Shavuot. There will be plunder among the people and murder in the land of Thebes. Many ships will be [wrecked] in storm. . . . Oil will become cheaper in Ifriqiya [north Africa]; wheat will become more expensive. There will be satiety in Palestine. Illness will strike most people, but whoever escapes [it] will [see] good.

Taurus: When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Taurus, everyone [in] whose name there is a bet or kaf should [be apprehensive] of illness and harm. He should flee from iron, and through him the apheliotes [i.e., the east wind] will come forth from the lower Nile and pass through inhabited land. The year is good, and the fish will [fall after] three months. After that, rain will fall, and then prices will go up [for thirty] days a year. Many will die on account of their throats, and the small livestock will suffer greatly. The early seeds and the late ones will be good, [but] the middle ones will be [bad]. Barley, vetches, and sesame will be weak, [and] demons and evil [spirits] will attack people, but they will not die. One king will lead an attack against [another] king. The Nile will rise high and well, and ships will crash. Childbearing women will be in danger when they give birth, but there will be prosperity at the end of the year.

Gemini: When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Gemini, the new moon will be beautiful. The [north] wind will guide the world. [Anyone] who has a gimel [in his name] will suffer at the beginning of the year, and he will become angry . . . at the [start] of the year. The rain will come early; the seeds will be bad, but the late harvest will [thrive]. Mice will come out, and [there will be war] between the Saracens and the Romans. They will go out in [ships] and sink into the sea. Harsh decrees will be put out into the world and after that . . . the Nile will rise high and well, and whoever escapes and saves himself [will] see much good.

Cancer: When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Cancer, [there will be, at the beginning of the year, satiety] and affordability—from the beginning of the year [until the middle of autumn], roughly until Purim. The stars [will] be like [fire], [and the moon will be diminutive]. Many ships will [sink]. . . . Wine will become inexpensive, and ninety days at the end of [autumn] and the [end of the year will be blessed with rain]. The late harvest at the end of the year will be blessed. Whoever remains alive will go to meet [good people]. . . .

[Leo:] When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Leo, the rains will be blessed and the year will be guided by the north wind. [Fruit will be quite tasty,] and [barley] will be expensive. Rice will continue to be weak, without grain, and [legumes] . . . and flax will flourish. Oil and wine will be expensive. [People will become sick]; lambs and pigs will die, and pregnant women will suffer. One king will fight another [king]. There will be a breakout of locusts, but they will do no harm. The Saracens will depart from those places [and will take] many captives. The Nile will rise as it should; there will be plenty of milk, and people will suffer from headaches. There will be rain at the end of the year, and those who remain alive will succeed.

[Virgo:] When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Virgo, whoever has a yod or a samekh in their name [will] become weak and sick, and such a one will be thrown out of his [house and] expelled to another place. [At] the beginning [of the year], there will be a shortage of water, and the early rains will [not] be good. The early seeds will not thrive, and all people will be [healthy] during autumn [but] sick during the harvest. The late seeds will be good, and there will be an increase in prices from [the beginning of] the year and a reduction in prices at the end [of the year]. Wine will be light and good, [dates] will thrive, and they will be plentiful and cheap. Oil will be expensive, wheat and barley will prosper, [while legumes] will not be good. There will be no rain from Purim to Passover, [and people will] fast and abstain. One king will fight another, and there will be hunger. Many [ships] will [sink] in the sea. The Nile will be deficient, but the end of the year will be good. [ . . . ]

[Libra:] When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Libra, the year’s rain will be blessed, and the earth will be guided by the south wind. [Figs] will be plentiful, dates will thrive, wine will be expensive, and there will be low prices and satiety in the world. There will be scabs on people and on the fruits of the earth in the middle of the year. . . . The rain will stay away for twenty days. Wheat in Arabia [will be beautiful], and the rest of the crops will [also] prosper. Whoever has a tet . . . or a samekh in their name will [suffer a loss], leave his house, and fall ill. The wine will go bad, [and the state] will demand large sums. Many nations will go out to sea, and they will fall. [There will be a great war with] the Saracens, and there will be [a rebellion] in Galilee and a revolt in Arabia. The Nile . . . There will be a plague in Egypt, and there will be eye infections; fruit will be light, and there will be [plenty] and satiety, while people will suffer greatly from the rain.

[Scorpio:] When [it] comes out in [the constellation of] Scorpio, the year will be guided by the north wind, things will be [inexpensive] at the start of the year [but expensive at its end. Rainfall will] be abundant at the beginning but absent at the [end of the year. One should remain celibate and fast]. Many animals will die on their breeders. . . . The exiles [will come from Babylonia to the land of Israel.] . . . [Wheat] and barley will [be lacking,] and legumes will thrive . . . [will be inexpensive].

Source: CUL T-S K1.149.