The thing (80v & 82r)

[Davidsch]

There is apparently an image in the Wiener Genesis of someone holding up a spindle to the stars.

Upper left Potiphar's wife reclines in colonnaded bedroom trying to lure Joseph who is turning to leave. Next Joseph looks back on the scene of the temptation he has resisted. An astrologer wearing a starry cape holds up a spindle and between him and Joseph, Potiphar's wife tends a baby. One woman tends a baby and two others spin on the bottom.

Titel: Cod. theol. gr. 31 (Faks.), fol. 16r: Wiener Genesis
Beschreibung: Ganze Seite: Text und Miniatur (Josephs Flucht vor der Frau des Potifar)

Is that custom referred to in the bible, perhaps?

Based on the bible story
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Explanation of the scene can be found here:

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Holding a spindle to the stars seems to be symbolic for an astrologer doing something.