This essay examines how early moderns used birth horoscopes (genitures) to assess the compatibility of prospective spouses before marriage. Astrologers could probe the horoscope of an individual to investigate his or her present and future physical and moral qualities or compare charts to reveal the personal compatibility of a couple and help establish the best time to consummate their marriage. These practices aimed at ensuring a fruitful marriage and the harmony and happiness of the couple and their families. Focusing on a few key examples, the essay outlines both the astrological theories and the social politics that propelled astrological matching, suggesting that its appeal lay in the promise of informed choice while also preserving free will. Finally, the author suggests ways in which astrological practices and the use of vast amounts of astronomical data share affinities with data-driven matching in our own time.

中文翻译：

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星星对齐了吗？早期现代意大利的婚介和占星术

这篇文章探讨了早期现代人如何使用出生星座（生殖器）来评估未来配偶在婚前的兼容性。占星家可以探查一个人的星座，以调查他或她现在和未来的身体和道德品质，或比较图表以揭示一对夫妇的个人兼容性，并帮助确定完成婚姻的最佳时间。这些做法旨在确保富有成果的婚姻以及夫妻及其家庭的和谐与幸福。本文着重于几个关键示例，概述了推动占星匹配的占星学理论和社会政治，表明其吸引力在于对知情选择的承诺，同时也保留了自由意志。最后，