The categories of this historical astrology study are derived from the actions of projection and reflexion of sociomorphic models (E. Topisch): Which earthly example of doryphory ("speer bearing") is projected on the heavens? Which celestial phenomena are described as doryphory, and where lie the analogies of earthly example and heavenly effigy.

The author systematically translates and analyses all Greek and Roman sources on planetary doryphory up to the 7th century, as well as selected later sources up to Kepler.