Libro de Astromagia, folio 1v

Part A of the manuscript (folios 1-36) contains the Libro de Astromagia, created between 1276 and 1279 for King Alfonso X of Castile. It opens with full-page zodiac miniatures (folios 1v-9v).

The miniature on folio 1v depicts the zodiac sign of Taurus (a bull) at the centre of an intricate dual-ring diagram illustrating Moirogenesis. The outer ring of the diagram contains images representing each degree of the given zodiac sign (Taurus); the inner ring includes a brief description of the fate of anyone born in that degree. For Taurus, the first degree shows a man leading a bull. Whoever is born in this degree of Taurus will be unhappy and unlucky. If, however, they are born in the second degree, represented by a woman holding a tambourine in her hand, they will love entertainment, musical instruments and all that brings joy.