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Accidental Dignity:
When a planet is placed in an angle its effect is much more powerful than in the succedent or cadent houses. In this respect a position in the Tenth House is strongest on account of elevation (see Elevation), the First House is next, then the Seventh, and the Fourth House is weakest.
A date at which the noon positions of the planets culminate when used in the Progressed Horoscope.
It is obtained by a simple calculation, and with it predictions may be made in any horoscope for life, without further mathematical computations; for a full explanation the student is referred to "The Message of the Stars."
A planet is afflicted when it is parallel, conjunction, square or opposition to Mars, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune, or in square or opposition to any of the other planets (See Combust).
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are called Airy signs. Their influence is mostly mental and intellectual.
The First, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Houses.
The Eastern angle with Aries, where Mars is the ruler, suggests the Sun rising to the material activities of the day. As the Sun, denoting spirit, is under the cross denoting matter, but rising toward it, therefore it denotes the beginning of Life in the material world, and Mars, the ruler, stands for the desire nature, which draws the spirit towards material existence in order that it may conquer matter.
The Southern angle, Capricorn, with Saturn as ruler, suggests the Sun crossing the meridian as it does at noon. It has traversed half its prescribed journey across the heavens, therefore the half-circle is omitted, and the other half-circle is retained under the cross in the symbol of Saturn. Hence Saturn denotes persistence, mechanical ability, etc., and the Tenth House the worldly achievements of the human being.
The Western angle with Libra in the balance where the material activities turn to the spiritual, divides the day from the night; the busy summer from the inactive winter. It turns the waking hours devoted to the active material life, into the night where man contacts the unseen world. Therefore the circle, spirit, is above the cross of matter, the desire nature has been conquered, and the symbol of Mars turned upside down so that it becomes the symbol of Venus, the planet of love which rules this house, and which is therefore also the house of unions, of partnerships, the house that denotes the one nearest and dearest to us.
The Northern angle, with the sign Cancer, marks the time when the Sun is at its lowest point. The sign consists of two suns, with the line of force proceeding from each one, but in opposite directions. The line from the sun which points to the East denotes the direction in which the physical Sun moves. The sun with the line of force going towards the West denotes the path in which the spiritual influences turn after the physical Sun has ceased its activity. This angle, therefore, is the angle of mystery, esotericism, and of the dark and unseen side of man's nature; therefore it has for its ruler the orb of night, the Moon.
A planet is said to be angular when it is placed in the angles of the horoscope. This position strengthens the influence of the planet considerably for good or ill according to the nature of the planet and its aspects.
Apply: When a swift moving planet approaches an aspect with a slower, it is said to apply to a square, trine etc. of that planet. As the applying planet must be speedier than the one it applies to, it is evident that the Moon applies in turn to the aspects of all the other planets each month when she passes around the zodiac, but Saturn who takes thirty years to make the circle can only apply to Uranus which uses eighty-four years, and to Neptune which takes a hundred and sixty-five years.
That rule holds good when the planets move Direct in the Zodiac (from Aries to Taurus etc.), but if the slower moving planet is Retrograde (moving from Taurus to Aries etc.), both the planets may be applying to the aspect. (See Direct and Retrograde.)
The influence of the planets is always stronger when they are applying than when they are separating.
The degree of the zodiac which is on the eastern horizon at a certain time. A new degree rises every four minutes, a new sign about every two hours, and the twelve signs rise in every place on earth in twenty-four hours. Whatever sign is on the Ascendant is called the Rising sign. See 'Hyleg'.
Under this heading will be grouped, Signs of Long Ascension, Signs of Short Ascension, Right Ascension and Oblique Ascension. Signs of Long Ascension are: Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.
Signs of Short Ascension are: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini.
They are so called because the signs of Long Ascension rise slowly in Northern latitudes, taking a much longer time than the two hours required if all the twelve signs rose at a uniform rate during the twenty-four hours. Leo takes about two hours and forty-five minutes in latitude 40 North where New York is, and Pisces and Aries, two signs of Short Ascension, take only one hour and ten minutes. The reason lies in the obliquity of the Ecliptic. The effect is that most people in the Northern Hemisphere are born under the signs of Long Ascension.
In the Southern Hemisphere the signs listed as of Short Ascension in the foregoing classification, are signs of Long Ascension, and most people are born under them, while the Northern signs of Long Ascension rise quickly in the South and relatively few are born under them. Thus the people of the opposite hemispheres are also opposite in their inner natures, and show different characteristics.
Right Ascension and Oblique Ascension are not used in the system of Astrology generally in vogue, except in the calculation of the houses, with which the average student has no concern. Longitude is measured on the ecliptic or Sun's path from the first point of Aries, but Right Ascension is measured on the equinoctial or celestial equator.
The distance apart of planets, which determines their influence for good or ill.
The Square is 90 degrees and the Opposition is 180 degrees. These are called evil aspects.
The Sextile is 60 degrees and the Trine is 120 degrees. They are called good aspects.
The Conjunction occurs when two planets are in the same degree of the Zodiac, and the Parallel is the position of two planets in the same degree of declination, regardless of whether they are both North or South of the Equator, or whether one is in North and the other in South declination.
These aspects are variable. If between benefics (the Sun, Venus and Jupiter), they are good, or if the planets of variable nature (the Moon and Mercury), are aspected by conjunction or parallel with the benefics it is good, but if the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus or Jupiter are in conjunction or parallel with one of the malefics (Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune), it is evil; the conjunction of two malefics is more so, but the parallel of two malefics is exceedingly strong in its detrimental influence. Conversely, of course, the parallel between two benefics is extraordinarily fortunate.
If we were to pierce an apple through the center with a knitting-needle, that would be the axis of the apple, and on this axis it may be rotated. The earth's axis is an imaginary line on which the earth rotates, and this motion of the earth on its axis produces the phenomena of day and night. The axis of the earth always points to a certain star in the constellation Ursa Minor, which on that account is called the pole star; the only one in the heavens which seems never to move. It is not quite stationary however, but has an exceedingly slow vibratory motion called nutation, causing the pole star to change in the course of millenniums. See 'Nutation' and 'Intellectual Zodiac.'
The axes of all the planets are inclined to their orbits.
All the planets rotate upon their axes the same as the earth, but the time in which they make a rotation differs widely. See 'diurnal rotation of the planets'.
Barren Or Unfruitful Signs: Gemini, Leo and Virgo.
The Sun, Venus and Jupiter. For a thorough synthetic explanation of the terms 'Benefic' and 'Malefic,' see 'Good And Bad'.
The third, sixth, ninth and twelfth houses are called cadent, and so are planets placed in these houses. This position weakens the influence of planets, so that benefics are not so helpful and malefics not so harmful when placed in cadent houses.
Aries, the Eastern sign entered by the Sun at the vernal equinox; Cancer, where the Sun reaches its highest degree of Northern declination at the Summer Solstice; Libra, the Western sign where the Sun goes into South declination at the Fall equinox; and Capricorn, where it is in the lowest South declination at the Winter Solstice.
The Cardinal Signs are promotive, they further activity in whatever is undertaken under their influence.
Any planet within three degrees of the Sun is said to be combust, or burned up by the Sun's rays. If Mercury or the Moon are so placed, it weakens the mind: if Venus or Jupiter, it takes away their help and if one of the malefics (Mars, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune) is so placed, it is evil. See 'Affliction.'
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. They are flexible and vacillating in nature.
When two planets are within six degrees of each other they are in conjunction. See 'Aspects' and 'Orb.'
See table and description of Critical Degrees. These degrees mark approximately the end of each day's travel of the Moon through the twelve signs. The Moon occupies about 27 1/2 days in its passage around the Zodiac, averaging about 13 degrees each day. Thus, starting with the first degree of Aries, the first day's travel will end at the 13th degree, the second day's travel at the 26th degree and so on. Following this out, we find that the Critical Degrees are the 1st, 13th and 26th degrees of the Cardinal Signs, the 9th and 21st degrees of the Fixed Signs, and the 4th and 17th degrees of the Common Signs.
When a planet reaches Zenith it is said to culminate, for it has then reached its highest altitude and then begins to descent toward the Western Node. This expression is also used concerning aspects. When a planet comes within orb of another the influence is at first weak, but it becomes stronger and stronger the nearer the applying planet comes to the exact aspect, and at that time it culminates or reaches its maximum strength. Then when the planets begin to separate and the aspect is gradually dissolved, the influence is correspondingly weakened, and finally ceases altogether.
The first degree of a house or sign. When the Sun leaves the 30th degree of Cancer and is in Leo 0 degree, 1 min., it is said to be on the cusp of Leo, the same with respect to the other signs. If Aries 10 degrees is on the Midheaven, as the cusp or dividing line between the ninth and tenth houses is called, and Neptune is in Aries 9 degrees 55 minutes, it is placed in the Ninth House on the cusp of the tenth. If it is in Aries 10 degrees 5 minutes, it is placed in the tenth house on the cusp.
As the influence of planets having direct motion is always forward in the Zodiac, a planet on the cusp of a house will always have a stronger influence on the affairs signified by that house than a planet which is placed in the latter degrees of a house.
The distance a planet is north or south of the Celestial Equator. The highest north declination of the Sun is 23 degrees 27 minutes, which it attains at the summer solstice the 21st of June, and at the winter solstice on the 21st of December it is in the corresponding degree, 23 degrees 27 minutes south declination. Mars, Mercury and the Moon reach declinations 27 degrees north, and on rare occasions Venus attains 28 degrees, but the other planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, have approximately the same declination as the Sun.
Astronomy teaches that the declination of the Sun is due to the inclination of the earth's axis.
A degree is the 360th part of a circle. There are 30 degrees in each of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and the motion of the planets through these signs is stated in degrees and minutes of Longitude, commencing with the first degree of Aries.
The Sun's path is called the Ecliptic, and is taken as the standard line of celestial motion so far as our solar system is concerned. The planets zigzag along the ecliptic sometimes a little to the north of the Sun's path, at other times a little to the south. The distance of a planet north or south of the Sun's path is called Latitude, and is also measured in terms of degrees and minutes.
For an explanation of degrees of declination, see 'Declination,' and for the use of degrees to measure Right Ascension, see 'Midheaven.'
The foregoing explanations embody the use of the degree as a unit of measurement to fix the position of the planets on the celestial sphere containing the fixed stars; but degrees are also used in geography to determine the exact position of any city or place on the surface of the earth. Latitude is then reckoned in degrees from the Earth's equator, which has 0 degrees latitude, to the poles, which have respectively 90 degrees North and South latitude.
Longitude is measured along the Earth's equator, 180 degrees East and West from the Meridian of Greenwich, which was accepted as a starting point in 1884 by delegates from all leading nations, France excepted. [Note: France accepted the Greenwich Meridian, March 10, 1911. ]
For the effect of distances measured in terms of longitude on the influence of the planets see 'Aspects.'
For the influence of Latitude and Declination on the effect of the planetary aspects, see 'Latitude.'
The opposite of Ascendant, the point on the western horizon where the Sun and the planets set, so called, because from thence the heavenly bodies commence their 'descent' towards the nadir of the celestial sphere.
The opposite of 'Dignity,' which see.
A planet is said to be in its dignity, or to be 'Essentially Dignified,' or to 'Rule,' when it is in certain signs which agree with it in nature, for then the power of the sign and the power of the planet are compounded. The influence of the planet is thus strengthened. Conversely, a planet is said to be in its detriment when it is in the sign opposite to the one it rules for then the nature of the sign and the nature of the planet are incompatible and antagonistic, and as a result the influence of the planet is weakened.
The table shows the rulership of the planets over the various signs and a study thereof will bring out the underlying system and philosophy.
The Sun is the center of our solar system, the giver of life and heat, and the Moon is (so far as our earth is concerned), the collector and reflector of its vitalizing rays. The solar ray attains its greatest intensity in midsummer* when the Sun is in Cancer and Leo, during June and July, and so Leo, the lion, being a masculine sign of a fiery nature is in essential agreement with the nature of the Sun and therefore helps to dignify and strengthen it.
The effect of the feminine Moon on the earth's tides shows its inherent affinity for water, which brings it into essential agreement with the feminine watery sign Cancer. On that account Cancer is its home where it is strongest and most dignified.
The keyword of the Sun is life, and that of the Moon is fecundation. The germ of life which comes from the Sun is planted and watered by the Moon which measures the period of gestation and brings all things to birth. Saturn is the planet of obstruction and decay, the reaper with hour-glass and scythe who cuts off the life given by the Sun and fostered by the Moon, when his hour-glass shows that the fruits of life's experience are ripe for harvest. Thus he is the planet of death, and moves in an orbit on the outskirts of the solar system, which is the boundary of Chaos, where all things are dissolved and transmuted by spiritual alchemy to finer and finer textures.
Therefore Saturn is in essential agreement with Capricorn and Aquarius, the signs occupied by the Sun during the cold months of mid-winter, December and January. When placed in these signs his cold, clammy hand makes itself felt as a powerful force that crushes life and joy, that covers the life with the gloom of death.
Between the orbits of Saturn and the Sun are the orbits of the other planets, and when arranged in order of their distance from the Sun, with the signs of the zodiac so placed that Leo and Cancer are in the center with their rulers, the Sun and Moon, and Saturn's signs, Capricorn and Aquarius, one on each wing, it appears that Jupiter, whose orbit is inside Saturn's, rules the two signs next to Saturn's, namely, Sagittarius and Pisces.
Mars' orbit is inside of Jupiter's, therefore he rules the signs next to Jupiter's, namely Aries and Scorpio.
Venus is inside Mars' orbit, so she is dignified in the signs next to Mars' signs, namely, Taurus and Libra.
Mercury, which is nearest to the Sun, rules the signs between those of Venus and the Sun, namely Gemini and Virgo. See 'Exaltation.'
When planets move with the order of the signs (from Aries to Taurus etc.), they are said to be direct, but when they appear to move contrary to the order of the signs (from Aries to Pisces), they are said to be retrograde. In the ephemeris a capital 'R' at the top of the monthly page is placed with the degrees and minutes of the planet's longitude on the day when it begins to retrograde, and at the top of its column while this motion continues. When the planet resumes its direct motion, this is indicated by a capital 'D,' but there are no 'D's' at the top of columns in the ephemeris to indicate that the planets are 'direct' for that is their natural line of progression. The 'R's' are only used to mark that which is an anomaly.
The Sun and Moon are always direct in their motion, they are never stationary or retrograde. See section on Retrogradation.
When a child is born it is immersed in an atmosphere charged with the stellar vibrations peculiar to that moment, which are stamped upon each atom of the sensitive organism by the air inhaled with the first breath. This planetary baptism is the basic cause of all the child's characteristics and idiosyncrasies; it gives certain tendencies which remain through life. This is the Radix or Radical Horoscope which we carry about in our bodies and, whether we know it or not, it is the root of all events in life.
But the planets do not remain stationary in the positions they occupied at the time of our birth; their progress is eternal as is that of our Father in Heaven, and in time they form aspects other than those which they made at birth. These progressed configurations are called Directions, and they mark the time in life when events are due to occur.
Directions are of two kinds, Primary and Secondary.
Primary Directions are formed between the progressed planets and their positions at birth. If, for instance, the Sun was in no degrees of Aries and Jupiter in 25 degrees of Leo at the birth of an individual, then, as the Sun moves forward in the Zodiac at about one degree a day, it will be trine with Jupiter about twenty-five days after birth. The system of time measurement of the planetary progression in general use reckons each day after birth equal to a year of life. Thus the said individual will meet with a very fortunate event in the twenty-fifth year.
Aspects may also be formed between two progressed planets; to follow out the example given in the last paragraph, Jupiter would progress one or two degrees in the twenty-five days. It would then be in 26 or 27 degrees of Leo, and after the Sun had passed the trine with the radical Jupiter and it would come to the trine of the progressed Jupiter and this would prolong the fortunate influence for several years, though it should be borne in mind that the effect of aspects between two progressed planets is not so strong as when the configuration is between a progressed and a radical planet.
Secondary Directions are formed by the progression of the Moon to aspects with the planets, particularly the radical. These lunar aspects are of vital importance, for unless the primary directions are supported by aspects of the progressed Moon which are of a similar nature, they come to naught. To illustrate by reference to the example of the Sun trine Jupiter. If at the time when that culminated, the progressed Moon had been in Gemini 25, sextile to both the Sun and Jupiter, that would have given a wonderfully favorable impetus to the event signified by the direction, but had the Moon been in Taurus 25, square to Jupiter it would have prevented the event and caused trouble instead. Had there been no secondary lunar direction at the time the event would have remained latent until the next lunar aspect of the progressed Moon either brought it out to life or withered it.
Lunations (New Moons) are also powerful factors in energizing directions, particularly if they are eclipses. See 'Lunations' and 'Eclipses,' also 'Transits'.
Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces. So called because in the pictorial Zodiac Gemini is represented as a pair of twins, Sagittarius as a Centaur, part man and part horse, and Pisces as two fishes. They are of a dual, vacillating nature, and it is remarkable that events in the lives of people having these signs prominent are repeated. They marry several times, their misfortunes never come singly, but their good fortunes also come in multiples.
The Moon's North Node. The Nodes are points in the orbit of a planet where it crosses the ecliptic, or Sun's path. The one where it crosses from south to north is called its ascending or North node; the other point where it crosses from north to south is called its descending or South node.
When the Sun is in the East and crosses the celestial equator from the south to the north, it enters its martial exaltation sign Aries as a conquering king at the vernal equinox, and all nature wakens to the life, love and labor of another year. Therefore the point where the lesser Light crosses into the north declination is also subject to a benign life-giving influence, such as that ascribed to the Dragon's Head. It fosters and promotes all matters within its influence.
But in the Fall, Saturn, Satan, or the adversary, stands in his exaltation-sign Libra ready to vanquish with his cold clammy hand the life-giving Sun and usher it across its descending node, leaving the Northern Hemisphere to mourn and die. Therefore the Moon's South Node, called the Dragon's Tail, is deemed to be Saturnine in its effect and obstructs all things wherewith it is connected.
The Moon's South Node. See Dragon's Head.
Earthy Signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.
Ecliptic: The Sun's path among the constellations of the firmament.
Election: See 'Horary Astrology.'
The zenith which is occupied by the Sun at Noon, is the highest point in the heavens. The nearer that position a planet is, the more Elevated it is said to be. Thus a planet in the Eleventh House is elevated above another which is in the Twelfth House, and a planet in the Tenth House is elevated above all other planets.
Elevation is very important, for it adds considerably to the influence of a planet for good or ill. If Mars, the planet of dynamic energy, is elevated and in its own sign Aries, it endows the person with an almost inexhaustible fund of energy and an indomitable courage, which will be found lacking if he is placed in a weak sign and position like Virgo and the Sixth House. Similarly with the other signs and planets.
Ephemeris, Plural — Ephemerides:
An ephemeris is a twin sister of the Almanac, and gives the geocentric Longitudes and Declinations for the current year. It is absolutely necessary in astrological calculations. But just as it is necessary to get a new almanac for each year to see when the Moon is New and Full, when it is Easter or Christmas, etc., so also is it necessary to have an ephemeris for every year when we want to cast horoscopes for people. True, the planets circle about the Sun, but each has its own specific speed, and they do not come into the same position relative to one another that they have while you are reading this, until a period which is called the Great Sidereal Year (25,868 ordinary years), has elapsed. Therefore all horoscopes, even the horoscopes of twins differ, and it is necessary to have an ephemeris for the birth year of any person before you can cast his horoscope.
The earth's equator is an imaginary line in a plane at right angles to the axis of the earth, and midway between the North and South poles. It divides the earth into two hemispheres, the Northern and Southern. If a pole hundreds of millions of miles in length were thrust through the earth from the equator to the center of the earth, the outer end would inscribe a line on the firmament, when the earth rotates on its axis, and this imaginary line is called the Celestial Equator, or Equinoctial. The latter name is given it because when the Sun is at the points where the ecliptic or Sun's path crosses the celestial equator we have the equinoxes, the times when the days and nights are of equal duration.
The equinoxes occur on the 21st of March when the Sun enters Aries, and the 21st of September when the Sun enters Libra. At those times the day and night are of equal length all over the earth. See 'Equator,' and 'Precession Of The Equinox.'
A planet is strengthened or essentially dignified when it is in a sign which agrees with its own nature. This is thoroughly explained under 'Dignity,' which see.
It is explained under 'Dignity,' that when a planet is in a sign of similar nature, it is thus strengthened or Dignified, but when another planet of the same nature as the ruler enters that sign it compounds its own qualities with those of the ruler and the sign, and becomes Exalted or powerfully strengthened. For instance, Aries is a dry, fiery sign. It is ruled by Mars, a dry, fiery planet, and when the Sun, the source of heart and the giver of Life enters this sign it is exalted to the superlative degree of power, and forthwith Life begins to manifest in all departments of nature. The point to be borne in mind concerning what constitutes exaltation is that it requires the compounding of three similar natures. Scorpio is also a martial sign, but it is water and not in as complete agreement with the nature of the Sun as Aries, therefore the Sun could not be exalted in Scorpio as it is in Aries.
As the Lord of life and heat, the Sun, is always opposed by Saturn in the rulership of their signs, Leo and Aquarius, so also the cold and deathly Saturn opposes the Sun from its exaltation-sign Libra. Venus and Mars are the planets of attraction from the point of sex, and as all that is generated by sex is under the sway of death, Mars has thus a right to rule Scorpio, the eighth-house sign denoting death; it is also properly exalted in the Saturnine sign Capricorn, and Saturn, the Lord of Death is justly ascribed exaltation-power in Libra, the cardinal masculine sign of Venus.
Cancer, the moist and feminine sign ruled by the Moon is next to Leo, the hot and dry sign ruled by the Sun. It is therefore required by the law of analogy that the exaltation-sign of the Moon should be next to that of the Sun, in Taurus. Venus, the planet of Love, offers an avenue for the expression of the lunar forces of fecundation, and the moist feminine and fruitful sign Taurus is in entire agreement with these tendencies, hence this sign offers the most powerful expression for the force working though the Moon, and she may therefore rightfully be called exalted in Taurus. Venus binds us in the bonds of love for the perpetuation of the race, therefore that love is essentially selfish, hence productive of sorrow. Who has loved much, has suffered much, hence the tear-stained Venus is exalted in the watery twelfth-house-sign Pisces, the sign of sorrow. There, by the purifying effect of grief, the earthly, sensual love is transmuted to Altruism under the benefic ray of Jupiter, the ruler, for it is not the will of our Father that we should suffer beyond what we can bear, but He will with every temptation provide a way of escape.
Cancer was pictured on the ancient Egyptian Zodiac as a beetle or scarab, which was their emblem of the soul, and it is an esoteric truth that all souls enter terrestrial life through the sphere of the Moon, Cancer. Conception depends upon the place of the Moon and the angle of its ray. Sagittarius, the Centaur, is the symbol of aspiration, the man coming out of the animal, and pointing his bow heavenward. This sign is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of Benevolence, which is now the seed ground where our future home is being prepared, where we shall sometime dwell when we have learned the lessons to be taught in the Earth Period and are ready to take up higher work of the Jupiter Period as taught in The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception.
Thus, as the solar forces reflected through Cancer and the Moon result in generation, so the spiritual ray of the Sun reflected through Cancer and Jupiter act as a regenerative power strengthening the psychic and religious nature, and therefore Jupiter is truly said to be exalted in Cancer.
Mercury is a planet of a variable nature; it takes on the color and characteristics of any sign or planet with which it is configurated; therefore it has no particular affinity with any of the other planets or signs ruled by the other planets, and hence must seek exaltation in its own signs. And as Gemini is masculine it is not so well in accord with Mercury as is the listless negative sign Virgo, hence that is the sign of Mercury's exaltation.
When a planet is in the sign opposite its exaltation-sign it is said to be in its 'fall,' for that sign, its Lord and exaltation-ruler are all of exactly the opposite nature. Thus, when the glorious Sun which is exalted in Aries, is in the opposite sign Libra where the cold and dreary Saturn has domain, it is weakened and afflicted thereby. Conversely, when Saturn is in the sign Aries, the Sun's exaltation-sign, it shrivels and shrinks under the heat rays. When the benefic amiable Jupiter, exalted in Cancer, is placed on the opposite sign Capricorn, the sign of the surly Saturn, and the exaltation-sign of the brusque Mars it is surely afflicted and in its fall. Similarly with the other planets.
The feminine signs comprise the six signs with even numbers: Taurus, the second sign, Cancer the fourth sign, etc. This includes the earthy signs, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; and the watery signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Earth and water are the two attributes of 'Mother' Nature. Given them she is able to bring forth, and so the signs which have affinity with these essential elements may well be called 'feminine.' Even Virgo, which is essentially barren is perhaps the most important of the feminine signs for when the Sun is in Virgo during September, the spiritual wave of rejuvenating life commences its descent into the earth where it centers at Christmas and then commences to radiate the germinal life which springs forth and blooms at Easter. [This applies to Northern Hemisphere only. Six months later in the Southern Hemisphere.] Then the Savior having given his life once for all, once more ascends to the Father.
Fiery Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius are called 'fixed' signs because when they are on the angles of a horoscope and many planets are in them, they make the person very 'set,' and give him an unusual amount of perseverance so that he will nearly always achieve whatever he attempts to do if it is humanly possible.
The twelve constellations of the Zodiac are composed of a large number of stars, and all over the firmament we see clusters of luminous bodies, which seem to preserve the same position relative to one another, differing in this respect from the Sun, Moon and planets which we see moving among the star clusters. Therefore the star clusters composing the zodiacal constellations are called 'fixed stars.' It is a matter of knowledge however, that their immobility is only apparent because of their vast distance from us, and that they are really rushing through space at an enormous speed.
In astrology we deal principally with the twelve constellations of fixed stars composing the Zodiac. There is no doubt that other fixed stars have an influence on human affairs, but our minds are still too weak to grasp the full significance of zodiacal signs, the planets and houses in all their multitudinous combinations, and if we attempt to mix in the other fixed stars and their aspects we shall surely be lost in the maze. Therefore the student is advised to consider only the following fixed stars: Pleiades, located in 29 degrees of Taurus; Ascelli, in 6 degrees of Leo; and Antares, in 8 degrees of Sagittarius. These stars, it has been observed, have a decidedly detrimental effect upon the eyes. When the Sun or Moon is in these degrees and afflicted by one of the malefics, or when one of the malefics is in one of these degrees, and the Sun or Moon afflicted anywhere in the horoscope, trouble with the eyes result.
The horoscope, or map of the heavens cast by astrologers is usually spoken of as a 'figure.'
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, the signs comprising the watery Triplicity, are the particular vehicles of the fertilizing function in nature. When the Moon is in these signs she pours out with specially free hand the Water of Life, the fecundating principle, and it is a matter of observation that seeds planted when the Moon is in these signs bear more bounteously than when planted under less favorable conditions.
Geocentric System Of Astrology:
When Copernicus proved that the earth and the other planets revolve around the Sun, he is said by scoffers and skeptics to have exploded the system of Astrology which regards the earth as the center around which the Sun, Moon and planets circle. That is a mistaken idea, which may perhaps be shown by an illustration. We still continue to say that the Sun rises, though we know that it is the earth that moves while the Sun remains stationary; but whether the Sun moves in a circle around the earth, and illuminates each portion of its surface in turn, or the earth moves upon its axis and thus exposes one part after another to the rays of the stationary Sun, the effect upon the earth is the same, namely, we get light and sunshine during part of the twenty-four hours. Similarly with the other planets, astrology judges their effects when in certain positions relative to the Earth, regardless of how they came there. Besides, it is so much more convenient to speak from the geocentric standpoint and say "the Sun rises at six," than to say "the axial rotation of the earth will bring us in line with the Sun's rays tomorrow at six o'clock." Even the most arrogant ranter against the so-called geocentric fallacy would probably balk at taking his medicine in that way.
'Good' and 'bad' are terms one often hears applied to horoscopes, aspects and planets, and it therefore seems necessary to emphasize that in reality all is good. In the Father's Kingdom, the Universe, there can be nothing permanently 'bad,' and that which we so designate is really only good in the making.
It may also be said that a horoscope is not necessarily good because the aspects of the planets are by trines and sextiles. Sometimes it is the very reverse, for it is in the struggle of life that we develop strength; very few are strong enough to stand prosperity. Chances are that in a horoscope full of good aspects there lurks the snare of indolence so that the person does not exert himself and becomes driftwood upon the ocean of life, while another who has what we call a very afflicted horoscope is roused by the adverse conditions generated by squares and oppositions, and by sheer force of will conquers his stars and masters his destiny. In that case, and there are many, the 'bad' horoscope is surely a greater blessing than a good one. It is no use to have an automobile if we are too lazy to keep it oiled and cleaned, for it will give us a lot of trouble, and unless we keep the wheels of fortune oiled by constant attention to the opportunities of life, the horoscope will not help us no matter how 'good' it is. But if we have what is called a 'good' horoscope and do our part, it will prove a triumphal chariot in which we may ride the royal road of life. And the best axle oil is called helpfulness. The heavier you load your car down with lame and weary ones, the easier it will ride.
And Saturn! Yes, it is true that he is responsible for most of the whiplashes of fate, but he can give us nothing that we have not earned, and the purpose is not vengeance, but education. The moment we realize that deep down in our hearts, we shall cease to murmur, and ask: Why is this happening to me, what have I done to deserve it? Then, seeking prayerfully for the reason, that we may learn to mend our ways in that respect and so escape kindred trials in future, we shall draw nearer to our Father, and learn to kiss the cross. Thus, instead of being an unmitigated evil, the visitations of Saturn are opportunities to correct our wrongdoings and learn wisdom.
It is similar with the so-called Malefics. At present their influence seems evil to us because we have not learned to work in harmony with them for the highest good.
But even today, the aspects of Saturn to the Moon and Mercury give depth to the mind and power of concentration, which are decidedly good. Mars in aspect with these planets energizes the mind and makes it more alert; Uranus in aspect to them gives a spiritual perception to those who can express this faculty, but they are very few.
On the other hand, the so-called good planets may be decidedly detrimental by fostering self-indulgence, and therefore the appellation 'good' or 'bad' is ambiguous. The true esoteric student will carefully cultivate this mode of mind with regard to the factors in Astrology, and always base his judgment on this conception of the planets and their aspects.
A malefic that is well placed and aspected will prove of more help than a benefic that is weak and afflicted.
Great Sidereal Year: See 'Intellectual Zodiac.'
A system introduced by certain modern astrologers in an effort to conform to the Copernican conception of the solar system with the Sun as the center. It is not satisfactory however, for while those who practice geocentric Astrology have the records and observations of past ages to guide them, the votaries of the new system have mainly speculation.
The science of judging how a certain matter will turn out from a figure set up for the time the question was asked. The philosophy is that the same stellar influence which makes a person sufficiently anxious to ask the question contains also the answer. Therefore, if the person who wants to know is an astrologer, he erects a horoscope for the time when he first thought of consulting the stars. If a person who cannot set up a figure applies personally to an astrologer, the latter sets up a figure for the time when the question is asked of him, and if the question comes through the mail, he casts a horoscope for the time he actually read the question in the letter. This is very important, for if the figure be set up for a wrong time, the judgment is certain to be wrong. It sometimes happens that the matter asked about has not reached such a state of completion that the issue is settled, and a definite answer can be given. Therefore the first thing to do after the figure has been cast, is to see if it is 'radical,' and can be judged.
If the first or second degree of any sign is rising, or if one of the three last degrees of any sign rises, or if the Moon is in the last three degrees of any sign, or void of course, it is not safe to judge but the inquirer should wait a more favorable time and ask the question again.
When Saturn is on the Ascendant or in the First House he always obstructs the matter, and if he is in the Seventh House the astrologer's judgment fails.
If none of these things hinder, the figure may be judged by the following method:
The Lord of the Ascendant, planets in the First House, if any, and the Moon represent the inquirer. Determine next by what House the thing asked about is ruled, then consider whether the Lord of that House is favorably aspected with the Lord of the Ascendant, the planets in the First House, and the Moon. If so, the matter will come to a favorable conclusion, but if these significators are aspected by square or opposition, the matter will come to naught.
But if someone else comes to you with a proposition, and you set up a figure to aid you in forming an idea of what to do, be sure to remember that he is the prime mover in the matter, and that therefore the Moon, Ascendant and First House are his significators, while you are represented by the seventh house and its lord. It does not matter that you ask the question, the proposition that you ask about is his; and lack of this knowledge has been a stumbling block to many who have given a wrong judgment on that account.
The things signified by the Houses are briefly as follows:
First House: Matters of an intimate personal nature.
Second House: Financial gain.
Third House: Matters concerning brothers and sisters, short journeys.
Fourth House: Houses and lands, patrimony and removals.
Fifth House: Children, messengers and newspapers.
Sixth House: Servants and disease.
Seventh House: Marriage, partnership, lawsuits.
Eighth House: Legacies.
Ninth House: Travel, mental state and capacity.
Tenth House: Social standing.
Eleventh House: Friends, hopes and wishes.
Twelfth House: Enemies and trouble.
The planets which aspect your significators favorably show whence you may find help to obtain your wish, and the planets which afflict your stars indicate what hinders, and by blending these augurs you may know what to expect and how to proceed. Study these rules carefully and pay strict attention to them, then you will know how to answer all questions that may be asked.
Horary Astrology may also be used to select a favorable time for commencing an important undertaking, for the starting point of an enterprise is its birth, and the influences then governing will be powerful determinators of success or failure. It is said that the Royal Astronomer who laid the corner-stone for the Observatory at Greenwich used this method, and that has certainly been a very useful and successful institution.
To thus select a time for an undertaking is called "making an election."
The birthplace is, in Astrology, always considered the highest point on earth, and the principal circle seem from there is the horizon. This is either sensible or rational.
The Sensible Horizon is the circle which bounds our view, where heaven and earth seem to meet.
The Rational Horizon is below the sensible horizon, in the plane of the Earth's center.
The houses are divisions of the heavens relative to the birthplace, and the signs are divisions of the heavens relative to the Vernal Equinox. The Zodiac appears to move at the rate of one degree in every four minutes, but the Houses are considered stationary relative to the birthplace.
The birthplace is always considered the highest place on earth. And from that point four imaginary lines are drawn to the four cardinal points, North, East, South and West. Imagine a line drawn from your birthplace to the point directly overhead where the Sun is at noon. That would be directly South, and this line is regarded as the cusp of the Tenth House, which for that reason is called the Midheaven. If this line is extended through the center of the earth, to the opposite side of the earth and thence into space, that lower part would point North, and form the cusp of the Fourth House called the Nadir, which is opposite the Tenth.
These two points are invested by the same degrees of the Zodiac, at any given time regardless of whether the birthplace is near the pole or the equator. In the latter case, we may also imagine a line drawn at right angles across the Meridian, (as the line in the horoscope from the Midheaven to the Nadir is called), from East to West, and that would then form the cusps of the First and Seventh Houses. By dividing each of the four sections into three we would have twelve compartments of equal size, namely thirty degrees each.
But all birthplaces are not on the equator, and owing to the spherical shape of the earth and the inclination of the earth's axis, the sizes of the houses vary more and more as we approach the poles, so that some houses may have only twelve or fifteen degrees, while others have more than sixty. See more detailed analysis.
The reason for this division of the earth into houses may be comprehended when we consider that the Sun's rays affect us differently in the morning, at noon and at night, also in summer and winter; and if we study the cause, we shall readily see that it is the angle at which the ray strikes us or the earth which produces the difference in effect. Similarly with the stellar rays, Astrologers have observed that a child born at or near noon, when the Sun's rays strike the birthplace from the Tenth House, has a better chance of advancement in life, other things being equal, than one born after Sundown, for the latter generally remains a servant. Therefore they say that the Tenth House determines social position and honor, but the Sixth House, which is just below the Western horizon rules service and employment. By similar observations and tabulations it has been found that the other planetary rays affect the various departments of life when their ray is projected through the other houses, and therefore each house is said to 'rule' certain things. The student will find a diagram of the houses and the affairs ruled by each.
The divisions of houses are sometimes called 'Mundane' Houses; and the signs of the Zodiac are also loosely spoken of as the 'houses' or 'homes,' of the planets which rule them, for instance, Virgo is the 'house' of Mercury, Capricorn is the 'home'of Saturn.
A term used by ancient Arabian Astrologers to designate the points in the horoscope which are the principal foci of vitality and healthy, namely the Sun, Moon and Ascendant.
It needs but little argument to show that the great and glorious reservoir of life which we call the Sun is an important factor in the matter of health, and that the lesser Light, the Moon, has dominion in this respect, for she collects and reflects the solar ray. And it is a matter of common knowledge that she is in some way connected with gestation, and parturition, therefore, the Moon is the particular significator of health in a woman's horoscope while the Sun has the strongest influence in a man's figure. Both are important however, for if, in a man's figure, Saturn is square to the Moon he will feel it, but if this configuration happens in a woman's horoscope, she will feel it more; and conversely, Saturn square to the Sun in a woman's horoscope will affect her health, but not in the same degree as it will that of a man when occurring in his figure.
The reason why the Ascendant is designated as a factor in health and vitality is not so apparent upon the surface, but when we realize that the Ascendant at birth is the Moon's place at conception, the reason is obvious, for the Moon is the planet of fecundation, the focus and reflector of the solar Life-forces, and if, at the time of conception, when the human seed-atom was planted, she was in a weak sign like Virgo, there is a fundamental lack of energy and vitality at the very start of life, and a consequent lassitude which affects through all the years of its existence, the body then beginning to germinate.
Thus, to sum up, the Sun, Moon and Ascendant are all important significators of health and vitality for both sexes, but the position and aspects of the Moon are more important to a woman than those of the Sun and Ascendant, and the position and aspects of the Sun are more vital to the health of a man than the two other factors.
In modern times the word 'Hyleg,' and the designation of the vital parts of the horoscope as 'hylegiacal' places are not generally used. The writer always speaks of them as 'significators of health,' then everybody understands what is meant, and it seems senseless to befog the subject with mysterious terms when good, plain English conveys our meaning so much better. It should also be understood that to judge any subject, be it health, wealth, joy or sorrow or any other thing that may befall, the special significators give only a limited amount of information. To obtain a really comprehensive knowledge each subject must be judged from the horoscope as a whole.
Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, for explanation see 'Good' and 'Bad.'
Astronomers so designate Venus and Mercury, because they always remain very close to the Sun, and are never seen in parts of the heavens opposite the Sun. The idea in the minds of the astronomers seems to be that these planets are in leading strings so to speak. The esoteric reason for their proximity to the Sun will be found elsewhere in this work.
On either side of the ecliptic or Sun's path are a number of fixed stars which form twelve groups or constellations, that are called 'signs of the Zodiac,' not because they resemble the animals they are supposed to represent, but because their influence has developed, or is still engaged in bringing out in us the main characteristics embodied in the animal symbol. The bombastic arrogance, the energy and courage which come from Aries could not be better symbolized than by the ram, neither could the quiet, but prodigious strength and the stubborn persistence which come from the divine Hierarchs who work with us from the constellation Taurus be more aptly described than by the symbolic 'Bull.' The characteristics of the other signs must be interpreted in similar terms, for the Zodiac is the womb of the Solar System; and sometime when we and the myriads of other beings who are now evolving in our solar system have learned all the lessons of this phase of existence, we also shall form a Zodiac and perform a similar service for others as the twelve Great Creative Hierarchies are now doing for us.
These twelve constellations are called the 'Natural' Zodiac; they remain always in the same relative positions, at least their movement is so slight that centuries elapse without appreciable change in their position. Hence we may use a table of houses our whole life, but we must buy an ephemeris of the planets' places every year.
Every year on the 21st of March the Sun leaves the Southern Hemisphere, crosses the celestial equator, and enters the Northern degrees of latitude where he remains during the summer. But owing to a vibratory motion of the poles of the earth, called 'nutation' by astronomers, the Sun crosses the celestial equator a little earlier (precedes) than it did the year before, and as day and night are of equal length at the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator or equinoctial, this precedent crossing is called 'the precession of the equinox.'
If there were no precession of the equinox the Sun would always enter the constellation Aries at the vernal equinox, but on account of this backward motion of one degree in about seventy-two years, the vernal equinox occurs in the first degree of Pisces about 2156 years later. After a similar period of time it recedes to the first degree of Aquarius, and so on through the circle of the twelve signs in about 25,868 years. At the time when the Sun was in Taurus, the sign of the 'Bull,' at the vernal equinox, the ancient Egyptians worshiped the sacred 'Bull Apis' and their priests wore the Uraeus or Serpent Symbol belonging to Scorpio, the serpent sign opposite Taurus, to indicate their possession of the esoteric wisdom. When the Sun went into Aries by precession it became idolatry for 'the chosen people' to worship the 'Bull,' or golden calf; they left 'Egypt' and pinned their faith to the 'lamb' or 'ram' which was then 'slain'. But according to the esoteric symbol of Libra, the scales of justice, which is opposite Aries, he shall come again as judge. In A.D. 498 the Sun was in the first degree of Aries at the equinox, and in the 1418 years which have since elapsed it has receded nineteen degrees, forty-two minutes, so that in 1916 the Sun crosses the equator in ten degrees, eighteen minutes of Pisces, and in the year 2654 it will be on the cusp of Aquarius. During the 2000 years which have elapsed since the equinox came within orb of Pisces, the Fishes, the religious rites have required that the people anoint themselves with the Piscean water at the door of the church, the Service was performed by a priest whose headgear was made to resemble the head of a fish, and they were commanded to abstain from the eating of meat at certain times, and bade eat fish instead. They were also taught to worship an Immaculate Virgin because Virgo is the sign opposite Pisces; and this worship will continue, though in a decreasing degree until the new ideal embodied in the sign Aquarius and its opposite sign Leo has superseded orthodox Christianity as that has taken the place of the earlier religions.
Since the middle of last century the Aquarian influence, focused by the equinox, has made itself felt because the Sun's orb is so large that it touches the cusp of Aquarius, and as a consequence we have had an unprecedented awakening of thought and a galaxy of inventions previously undreamed of as remotest possibilities. But as the years go on, the equinoctial Sun will illuminate our minds in such a manner as to justify our grandchildren in speaking of this as "the dark age"; and when, in the year 2654, the Sun's actual entrance into Aquarius ushers in a new age, they will be justified in thinking of the Piscean age as we do of the time B.C.
We see then, that there is a Natural Zodiac composed of the stationary star clusters, Aries, Taurus, etc., and a shifting Zodiac, which starts at the equinoctial point, no matter where in the constellations that occurs; and the first thirty degrees from that point are called Aries, the next thirty degrees are called Taurus, and so on. This is the Intellectual Zodiac.
This may seem an arbitrary manner of division but it is a matter of observation that though the equinox actually occurs in Pisces ten degrees at the present time, the Spring activities ascribed to the Sun in Aries commence at once after the equinox. There is, however, a blending of Aries and Pisces which accounts for certain evolutionary changes. In this connection the student is referred to related articles.
See article on 'Houses' before reading this. In the article on 'Houses,' it is stated that owing to the spherical shape of the earth and the inclination of the earth's axis, some of the mundane houses in the higher Northern latitudes are only twelve or fifteen degrees, while others are forty, fifty, or sixty degrees long. But the signs of the Zodiac are only thirty degrees, and it therefore follows that in cases where a mundane house is very long, one or even two whole signs may be included within its cusps. In the horoscope of Erman C. born January 25th, 1912 at 3 A.M. in Ogden, IA, we find 24 degrees of Sagittarius on the second cusp, and Aquarius 11 on the third. Thus the second house is forty-seven degrees long, including the whole sign Capricorn with the planets Mercury and Uranus, and an astrologer would describe the situation by saying that Capricorn is 'intercepted' in the second house. When he speaks of the planets in this intercepted sign he says that Mercury and Uranus are intercepted in Capricorn in the second house.
When a sign is intercepted in a house, the opposite sign is also intercepted in the opposite house; consequently we find Cancer intercepted in the eighth house with Neptune in it.
Regarding the influence of interception, we find that when a planet is in an intercepted sign its influence is held in abeyance or latency until by progression it moves out of the intercepted sign. This tendency may be somewhat modified by a strong aspect, or a number of minor or weak ones, but an intercepted planet never has the same power over the life as one that is free.
In Astronomy, the distance a planet is North or South of the ecliptic, or Sun's path.
In Geography, the distance a city or place is North or South of the Equator. Note — The distance of the heavenly bodies north or south of the Celestial Equator is not called Latitude, but Declination. When the Sun is at its highest Northern point in the tropic of Cancer, we do not say that it is in twenty-three degrees of North latitude, but that it is in twenty-three degrees of North Declination. See 'Declination.'
Were originally invented by Lord Napier to make arithmetical calculations easy. They were later adapted to the decimal system, and are used by astronomers who calculate directions by arc. But for calculation of the planets' places by Longitude and in relation to the day of twenty-four hours, it is necessary to calculate a special set, which will be found in the back of our ephemeris. By use of them multiplication is performed by addition, and division by subtraction.
Long Ascension: Signs of, See 'Ascension.'
In Geography, Longitude is measured from the Meridian of Greenwich, East or West on the Equator. In Astronomy, the Longitude of the planets is measured on the ecliptic or Sun's path starting with the first point of Aries at the vernal equinox. When the distance is reckoned on the equinoctial, or celestial equator it is called Right Ascension.
A planet is said to be 'Lord' of the signs it rules; e. g. Mars is Lord of Aries and Scorpio; Venus is 'Lady' of Taurus and Libra. See 'Dignity' and 'Exaltation.'
Lunar: Pertaining to 'Luna,' the Moon.
A Lunation is a conjunction of the Sun and Moon, a 'New Moon.' In our ephemeris all New Moons, Full Moons, and eclipses are plainly marked at the head of the pages.
When a lunation falls within three degrees of an aspect to any of the planets or other vital points in the radical horoscope it has a marked effect upon affairs during the current month, and will easily take the place of an aspect of the progressed Moon which is needed to fructify the planetary indications then in force. Even apart from primary directions, if a New Moon falls in close conjunction with a malefic, it will produce trouble in minor matters, and conversely, a lunation which falls on the place of Jupiter or Venus will make things pleasant.
When a New Moon is a solar eclipse it produces first, the usual effect of a lunation during its current month, if in aspect with any of the radical planets, and secondly, similar effects during the months of the following year when aspects of the same nature are formed with the place of the eclipse. That is to say, if the eclipse fell in the twelfth house in Leo, square to Mars in Scorpio, in the third house, then it would produce enmity with brothers and sisters during the month of August when the eclipse was formed. In November when the lunation occurs in Scorpio more fuel will be added to the fire by the square with the eclipse. In February when the Sun is in opposition to the eclipse there will be more trouble from the same source, and also in May when the last square occurs. Conversely, if the initial aspect of the eclipse is good, more benefit will be experienced during the months when sextiles and trines are formed.
The cycle of lunations is nineteen years; for example, in July 1900 the lunation occurred on the 26th of July in three degrees of Leo, and in 1919 another lunation will occur on the 26th of July in three degrees of Leo. Thus the student may calculate the lunations of future years with sufficient accuracy for all practical purposes.
Eclipses may also be calculated for future years in a similarly easy rough and ready manner if the student has the ephemerides for past years.
During her monthly course the Moon zigzags across the ecliptic, and at the conjunctions, or New Moons, is generally a number of degrees away from the ecliptic. Under such conditions we have just an ordinary New Moon. In order to have a total solar eclipse the Moon must be directly in the Sun's path as seen from the earth, and the declination of the Sun and Moon must be practically the same; also the moon must have practically no latitude.
There are never less than two eclipses in a year, and they are solar, nor are there ever more than seven, but these extreme numbers happen very seldom. The usual number of eclipses is four; two solar and two lunar eclipses, and they usually come in pairs and six months apart. The Full Moon preceding or following a solar eclipse is usually a lunar eclipse. Also if on pair of eclipses occurs in February, look for the other pair in August.
Bearing the above in mind, eclipses in any year may be found with fair success by the following simple rule:
(1.) From the year for which eclipses are wanted, subtract 18. The resulting year we will call the 'Eclipse Year.'
(2.) Search the 'Eclipse Year' for New and Full Moons which are eclipses. Note their dates only.
(3.) In the year previous to the 'Eclipse Year,' note the dates and zodiacal places of the lunations which occur about eleven days after the dates obtained in the 'Eclipse Year.' These are dates and places of eclipses in the year wanted.
In order to test the simple rules of thumb here given, let us imagine this is the year 1910, and that we want to find the first solar eclipse occurring in 1915. We take an ephemeris for 1897 which is eighteen years earlier than 1915, and look for the first solar eclipse.
We find a solar eclipse on the 1st of February 1897.
To ascertain the date and degree of the Zodiac in which this eclipse will fall in 1915, we look for information in the ephemeris for 1896, which is one year earlier than the 'Eclipse Year' 1897.
There we find that the first New Moon which occurred after February 1st, fell in the afternoon of the 13th of February, in twenty-four degrees, nineteen minutes of Aquarius, and we therefore judge that there will be a solar eclipse on the 13th of February 1915 in twenty-four degrees, nineteen minutes of Aquarius.
After completing our calculations we cease to make believe about living in 1910, and take up the ephemeris for 1915 to see if our rules have given the right result; and we find that a solar eclipse did occur on the morning of the 14th of February 1915, in Aquarius, twenty-four degrees, forty-two minutes, proving the rule to have given an essentially correct result. See 'Transits.'
Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. See 'Good and Bad.'
Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius are called Masculine. These include the fiery triplicity, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, and the airy triplicity, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The feminine signs include the earthly and watery triplicities.
Earth and water are negative and inert, but are acted upon by the Positive elements. The winds stir the waters of the ocean and volcanic fires shake the earth. Therefore the fiery and airy signs are called masculine. See 'Feminine Signs.'
An imaginary circle drawn between the North and South poles over the face of the earth. As this line runs directly North and South, all places located thereon have noon at the same time. See 'Houses.'
The point in the sky, directly overhead. When it is noon, the Sun is in the Midheaven. It is usually written M. C. See 'Houses.'
Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. See 'Cardinal Signs.'
Mundane Houses, And Mundane Aspects:
Mutual Reception: See 'Reception.'
Nadir, Or Immum Coeli, Usually Written I. C.
The point in the heavens directly beneath the birthplace opposite the other side of the earth. It is the point opposite to the Midheaven. The Sun is there at Midnight. See 'Midheaven' and 'Houses.'
The same as 'Horoscope,' and 'Radix;' a map of the heavens cast for the moment of birth. See 'Figure.'
Natural Zodiac: See 'Intellectual Zodiac.'
Cloudy star clusters, worlds in the making. Three of them are known to have an inimical effect on the eyesight. See 'Fixed Stars.'
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. So called because the Sun is in these signs when he is above the equator in the Spring and Summer.
A vibratory motion of the axis of the earth which is responsible for the precession of the equinox. See 'Intellectual Zodiac.' Oblique Ascension: See 'Ascension.'
Western. When the Sun or planets have passed the Zenith, Midheaven or noon mark, they begin to set towards the Western horizon, therefore the planets in the ninth, eighth and seventh houses of the horoscope are said to be 'occidental' or Western, and planets in the twelfth, eleventh and tenth houses which are ascending from the Eastern horizon to the Midheaven, as the Sun does in the forenoon, are said to be 'oriental' or Eastern.
But when the Sun sets in the place where we live, it rises on another part of the world represented by the sixth, fifth, fourth, third, second and first houses of our horoscope, and during that time it is also oriental, and occidental to their Midheaven, which corresponds to our Nadir. When it rises from their Eastern horizon, which is our descendant, through the sixth, fifth and fourth houses, it is called oriental, and when it gradually sets towards their Western Horizon, which is our Ascendant, it is called occidental.
Therefore, planets in the twelfth, eleventh, tenth, sixth, fifth, and fourth houses are called oriental, and the planets in the other six houses are called occidental or Western.
When two planets are in the same degree of opposite signs, they are said to be in 'Opposition.' See 'Aspect' and 'Orb.'
Planets form aspects which influence human affairs when they are in the same degree of the Zodiac, or a certain number of degrees apart. But it has been found that the influence is felt even when planets are not exactly the required number of degrees apart. Thus a planet has a subtle sphere which makes it effective before an exact aspect is formed, and after it has been dissolved, and this is called its orb.
Orbit: The path or a planet around the Sun.
The revolution of a planet in its orbit around the Sun. The time occupied by the orbital revolutions of all the planets is given in related articles.
Eastern, see 'Occidental' for explanation.
The aspect formed between two planets when they are in the same degree of declination, either North or South of the celestial equator.
A point in the horoscope which opposes or favors the financial fortunes according to the aspects it receives from the planets. The philosophy and the method of calculating it are given in related articles. To prove whether the 'Part of Fortune' is rightly calculated, observe whether the distance from the Sun to the Moon equals the distance from the Ascendant to the 'Part of Fortune.'
The physical type is determined by four principal factors. These are the Ascendant or Rising Sign, which represents the body, the Lord of the Ascendant, Rising Planets, namely planets in the first house, particularly when they are in the sign on its cusp, and the Sign containing the Sun. Note however, that the Sun must have some strength in the matters of position and aspects in order to bring into evidence the physical characteristics of its sign. The above elements are arranged in the usual order of their importance. Their blending determines whether a person be tall or short, dark or fair, and all his other physical peculiarities. See "Message of the Stars" for a more detailed explanation of this matter.
The heavenly bodies of God's Ambassadors which circle about the Sun. As man is made in the image of God, who is threefold in manifestation, so astrologically, the higher self in man is represented by a circle with the central point denoting the highest spiritual aspect, the Divine Spirit whose faculty is Will. Therefore, the Sun stands in the horoscope as the highest expression of the individual self. It denotes the positive outgoing influence in man, his character in the highest sense of the word.
The symbol of the planet Venus is a circle above the cross. It denotes wisdom which is not mere intellectuality, but Intuition and Imagination. Hence, the nature of Venus is essentially love, and it is the cementing influence in the life whereby we are attracted to others for mutual benefit; although Venus in and of herself is not concerned with mutual benefit, it being her nature to attract others, and that good comes by her is only an incident.
The planet Jupiter is symbolized by the half-circle above the cross. It denotes the Human Spirit, whose faculty is abstract thought. Therefore the planet Jupiter stands for the higher mind, the mind that is unconcerned with material things, and expresses itself in abstract thought, as religion, philosophy and the higher sciences.
Mars is the opposite of Venus. It is symbolized by the cross above the circle, so that while it is Venus's nature to unselfishly love, and to give to others, it is the nature of Mars to desire for selfish ends. It therefore denotes all the outgoing energy of the lower nature, the desire body, the passional an emotional aspect of man, which causes him to work outwards in the world, to overcome obstacles and to gather experience.
Saturn is the opposite of Jupiter, the cross of matter above the half-circle denoting the brain mind. It is that which gives persistence to the impulses of Mars, and symbolizes the relatively permanent part of the lower nature, that which has been weighed and found to be of use. It is, therefore, symbolical of the seed-atoms of Man's lower vehicles, wherein are stored the experience of all past lives. Hence, Saturn denotes the mechanical ability, the chastity and justice; the perseverance and material attainments which have been made into virtues through his purging influence. He stands as the reaper of the things that have been sown in the body, and as such he appears often in the life to chastise us for the wrong we have done; not vandalistically, but in order that we may learn the lessons of how to act rightly.
The Moon is the reflection of the Sun. That together with the Ascendant, denotes the formation of the physical body, and the Ascendant the significator of the dense body. Hence, these two stand for that which is man's tool in action; the most perfect part of his nature, but at the same time, the most evanescent. The Moon is, therefore, the very antithesis of the Sun. The latter is a fixed star while the Moon is the most migratory of the heavenly bodies.
The three last named planets are the significators of the lower nature in man, the personality, as opposed to the individuality symbolized by the three first named planets; and these two triangles are connected by the planet signifying the lower concrete mind, namely Mercury. The symbol of that planet has in it all three constituents of planetary symbolism, the circle, the half-circle and the cross, showing it to have no nature of its own, but to be a vehicle for the expression of the other planets. When Mercury is well posited with reference to Venus, we have the artistic, poetical, musical and literary type of mind. For it is from Venus that the vibrations come which express themselves in all art.
When Mercury is well placed in relation to Jupiter, we have the philosophical and scientific mind, the ruler and the law-giver, both in church and state who works for the good of all.
When Mercury is well posited with regard to Mars, we have the man of action; the man who aims at the material development of the world's resources in a small or large way, as a shopkeeper, storekeeper and all other ways wherein others are exploited for personal benefit, for Mars is, as already said, the antithesis of Venus, and the embodiment of selfish desire.
Mercury in aspect to the Moon has no significance, as the Moon itself is a reflector; except where it is an evil aspect coming from a cardinal sign or elevation. There it may produce flighty thinking.
In the foregoing, only the essential natures of the planets have been given. Where they are well aspected by another planet these natural characteristics are enhanced so far as the benefic planets are concerned, but when evilly aspected, the nature of Venus, which is wisdom, love and rhythm, will become folly, licentiousness, and sloth; the philosophy, law-abiding tendencies mercy and lofty aspirations of Jupiter will turn into lawlessness, disregard of others, and low pursuits; the lofty spirituality of the Sun will express itself as just animal spirits and physical health. In regard to the planets of the lower nature, good aspects to Mars turn the desires towards constructive objects and well regulated activities while the evil aspects are responsible for the destructive expression of the desire nature. Saturn, when well aspected, gives the mechanical and executive ability that is capable of directing the desire nature. It shows the brainy, persevering man who is able to cope with and conquer material obstacles; the organizer and promoter; the scientific investigator, who follows along material lines. As it is the antithesis of Jupiter, it will be readily seen that as Jupiter, well aspected, denotes the high-minded philosopher, the worthy law-giver, the sincere and ardent priest, in fact, all who have high and lofty aspirations, so Saturn, when evilly aspected, denotes the narrow-minded, creed-bound sectarian, the materialist, the anarchist and the enemy of society, whether of the church or state. As Jupiter gives the lofty, expansive and benevolent mind, so Saturn, evilly aspected, gives the sarcastic, concrete and narrow tendencies.
Uranus: Besides the seven planets already mentioned, two others are in our system, Uranus and Neptune. Uranus may be said to be the octave of Venus, having her nature in a much more subtle degree; its attractions are so spiritual that they cannot be felt by the ordinary man in the proper manner, and he therefore, more readily responds to the evil side of Uranus. It is the planet which rules the ether, and when in aspect to Mercury, or in the Ascendant, or with the Moon, it produces a touch with the force we know as electricity. Its operations are always very sudden, and as mankind responds to its evil side, as already stated, these effects show themselves particularly in the form of disaster.
Neptune is the octave of Mercury. As mercury is the light-bearer for the physical Sun, so is Neptune the light-bearer of the spiritual Sun, called Vulcan among esotericists, which is seen back of the visible Sun. Naturally, therefore, still fewer among humanity are capable at all of being affected by it, save that it produces a chaotic state of mind when placed in evil aspect. When placed in angles, and particularly in elevations near the Midheaven, it produces Intellectual Esotericists and Mystics of the highest stamp; but when placed in cadent houses, it may bring mediumship, cunning, emotionalism. It is the highest string in the lyre of the soul of God, and is therefore the least used, and the one to get most easily out of tune. Astrologers are the most affected by it, and those musicians who use stringed instruments.
That the planets have dominion over the days of the week which represent the seven creative days, (Periods) is taught by the Rosicrucians.
Saturday is Saturn's day and corresponds to the Saturn Period.
Sunday is the Sun's day and corresponds to the Sun Period.
Monday is the Moon's day and corresponds to the Moon Period.
Tuesday is the day of the Norse war-god, Tyr, and corresponds to the Mars-half of the Earth Period.
Wednesday is the day of the Norse Mercury, Wotan, and corresponds to the Mercury-half to the Earth Period.
Thursday is the day of Thor, the Norse Jupiter, and corresponds to the Jupiter Period.
Friday is the day of the Norse Venus, Freia, and corresponds to the Venus Period.
In addition to the rulership over the days of the week, the planets have dominion in turn over the hours of the day, and the underlying system, order and connection between the rulership of the days and hours become apparent when it is noted that: The planet for which any day is named rules the first hour after sunrise on that day.
Starting with the hour of sunrise on Sunday which is ruled by the Sun, the next hour is allotted to Venus, the third to Mercury. Next come the hours of the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars. Then come other hours ruled by the Sun, by Venus and all the other planets in the order given: Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars. This succession is followed in unbroken sequence to the next Sunday morning when Mars rules the last hour of the week in his proper order and the Sun opens the new week with his beneficent ray.
Under this arrangement of succession started at sunrise on Sunday, the Moon rules the first hour of Monday, which is the twenty-fifth from the hour of the Sun which ruled Sunday morning.
Mars rules the first hour on Tuesday which is the twenty-fifth hour from the hour of the Moon which ruled Monday morning. And so on, through the other days of the week. This shows how the method of naming the days for the Planetary Spirits which have dominion over them, dovetails with the system of planetary hours, and both are rooted in a foundation of esoteric knowledge.
When we speak of planetary 'hours,' it must be understood that these hours are not sixty minutes in length, but vary in a wide measure, with the time of the year, and the place of your residence. Near the equator the divergence is least; and it increases the further North we go because a planetary hour is one twelfth part of the time between Sunset on a particular day and Sunrise the next morning, or it is one twelfth part of a particular day beginning at Sunrise and ending at Sunset.
At the equinoxes when the day and night are of equal length, the planetary hours are also sixty minutes each, but at midsummer and in latitude sixty where the Sun rises at 3 A.M. and sets at 8 P.M. giving a day of seventeen and a night of only seven hours, the planetary hours of the day are ninety-two minutes long against twenty-seven minutes for the night hours. This is reversed in December, for then the Sun does not rise till 9:15 A.M. in latitude sixty North and it sets at 2:45 P.M. with the result that the planetary hours of the day are twenty-seven minutes long, and the night hours ninety-two minutes.
For the convenience of students we give in the back of this book six tables, and each usable for two months in the year by all who live in latitude 25 to 55 North or South, this being practically the whole civilized world. They are perpetual and may be used a lifetime.
To find which planet rules a certain hour, look at your timepiece and consult the table for the current month. Run your index-finger down the column for the latitude in which you live. Stop when you come to the first time which is later than the time indicated by your watch. Move up one step. The figure found there indicates that the planetary ruler commenced to rule at that time and will continue in power till the time at which you first stopped.
The Hour-rulers are found at the intersection of the line containing the time at which they commenced to rule and the column of the proper day of the week.
To illustrate, if we want to find which planet rules in latitude 40 on Thursday at 2 P.M. during December, we run our index finger down the middle column of latitudes in the table for December, and stop at 2:18 P.M., which is the first figure that is later than we desire. We then move up a step to 1:32 P.M., and thence to the left stopping at the column of Thursday. There we find Mars, and know that that planet rules from 1:32 to 2:18 P.M. on Thursdays, during December and January, in latitudes 35 to 45.
Regarding the use of the planetary hours, anyone who has studied the nature and influence of the various planets on the affairs of life may readily form an opinion. Experiment and observation will soon make anyone proficient in the choice of the best times for doing the thing desired with the best chance of success. There are many who drag the stars in the gutter by perverted use of their influence for selfish ends, and endeavor to obtain an undue advantage thereby, but students of our literature will not expect to find advice on how to proceed with such a purpose. We have not studied the matter from that angle and would not teach others how, if we knew. But on certain occasions the planetary hours may be justly and beneficently used, and we shall try to indicate how they may be of service.
Suppose we want to help a friend to obtain employment, and know a place where he would fit in. We remember that the Sun is a significator of those in authority and therefore the hours of the Sun are good in which to transact business with and ask favors of such people; and you will have the best chance of success if you apply at those times.
But it also is important to remember that the planet which rules the first hour of a given day has prime rulership during that entire day, and that the other planets are only subsidiary rulers with the day ruler. They are weakened or strengthened in proportion to the agreement or disagreement of their natures with the nature of the day-ruler. Thus if you select a Sun-hour on Saturday, which is tinged with the obstructive Saturnine influence, your chances of success are not nearly as good as if you select a Sun-hour on a Thursday, which is tinged throughout with the benevolent ray of its day-ruler, Jupiter.
Or, if you have occasion as a matter of duty, to reason with someone who has a very short temper who, you know, is apt to resent it and say or do something that you will both wish to avoid, use the cold wet blanket of the Saturn-hour on Saturn's day if possible, to put down and quench the martial spirit. The danger of a rupture will then be minimized to a wonderful extent, and you will probably both wonder with pleasant retrospection how well it went off.
Or, if it becomes necessary to stir someone who has fallen into habits of idleness wherefrom others are made to suffer, if it seems almost necessary to build a fire under him to make him move, compound the fire and energy of Mars as a day-ruler with his influence as an hour-ruler, by talking to him on Tuesday. He will heed then if it is at all possible to get him started.
By using the planetary hours on the lines here laid down, for the purpose of unselfish service, you may confer a great many blessings on others and lay up much treasure for yourself in heaven where neither moth nor rust will corrupt; and it is well worth remembering that however much material advantage you may gain by using such knowledge, that material gain, power, position, money and all other things that pertain to this world are left behind when death calls, and that our good deeds alone stand by us in that hour. Therefore do not scoff, but if you want to use these stellar influences, use them so that they will bring you everlasting instead of only temporary gain.
A backward movement of the vernal equinox, which is a very important factor in human affairs. See 'Intellectual Zodiac.'
Progression: See 'Directions and Transits.'
Primary Directions: See 'Directions and Transits.'
Pertaining to the horoscope at birth. See 'Transits.'
Radix: The horoscope at birth. See 'Transits.'
Planets are in 'mutual reception' when each occupies the house ruled by the other; as Venus in Aries and Mars in Taurus. The effect depends on the agreement between the natures of the planets. When Mars is in the Mercurial signs Gemini or Virgo and Mercury in the Martial signs Aries or Scorpio, the dynamic energy of Mars is infused into the mental organization of that person who on that account becomes more alert mentally. Whether this alertness manifests erratically or along orderly lines depends upon the aspects of course; all the 'mutual reception' does is to give the energy. If Saturn is in the Mercurial signs Gemini or Virgo, and Mercury in the Saturnine signs Capricorn or Aquarius, the restraining hand of Saturn is laid upon the flighty Mercury with the result that the mind gains in depth and power of concentration, but whether this mental capacity will be used for good or ill, depends on the aspects the same as in the case of Mars. When Venus and Jupiter are in 'mutual reception' and well aspected, it smooths the path of life most wonderfully. Everywhere the person who has this configuration will find people ready to help, and many friends, but conversely, when Saturn and Mars are in 'mutual reception' and afflicted, he who is so unfortunate will meet rebuff and enmity on every hand.
It should never be forgotten, however, that our horoscope shows what we have made of ourselves in past lives, and he who has the configuration that attracts friends must have been kind and obliging, while he who draws out the mean side of human nature and makes enemies is himself selfish and unfriendly. But if he will strive to turn from his ways and make some sacrifice for others, he will also in time overcome the undesirable aspects, for the Star Angels are not maliciously bent upon scourging anyone. They only scourge to subdue and correct our faults and make us better. Sometime we shall all be loving and lovable, and then there will be for us no malefic influence.
See section on Retrogradation And Its Effects.
Right Ascension: See 'Ascension.'
The Ruler of a horoscope is that planet which has greatest dominion and influence over the life, and to which the native most readily responds.
Other things being equal, the Lord of the Ascendant is the Ruler. But if another planet is stronger in the matters of Elevation, Dignity or Exaltation, Position in an Angle, and Aspects, then that planet must be regarded as the Ruler. But for this to hold, the aspects must be close and strong, regardless of whether they are good or bad. Good aspects will make a good Ruler, bad aspects a bad one, and without affecting the fact of rulership in either case. When two planets are about equal in strength and position, they must be classed as co-rulers.
In the case of a House, the Lord of the sign on the cusp is its Ruler. Where there is an intercepted sign, its Lord has also partial rulership over the house, although it is inferior in this respect to the planet which rules the sign on the cusp. This rulership of an intercepted sign is latent and is not brought out until by progression of the angles the intercepted sign arrives at the cusp of the house. Planets in a house, if aspected, will ordinarily have a greater influence upon its affairs than the rulers of the signs before mentioned. In this case, such planets may be termed co-rulers of the house.
See 'Directions and Transits.'
When a planet which has been in aspect with another moves onward and thus dissolves the aspect, it is said to be separating from that aspect. See 'Apply.'
When two planets are sixty degrees apart they are said to be in sextile, so called because sixty degrees are one sixth part of the circle which has 360 degrees. It is considered a 'good' aspect. See 'Good And Bad,' also 'Aspect.'
Short Ascension: See 'Ascension.'
Is the time which elapses between two successive passages of a fixed star over the meridian of a given place. See section on 'Time'.
Is the period of time which elapses between a conjunction of the Sun with any fixed star and its return again to the same conjunction.
The Planets, Ascendant, Midheaven, Part of Fortune and the Dragon's Head and Tail are called 'Significators,' because their places and aspects in the horoscope have a certain significant bearing upon the affairs of life.
The signs of the Zodiac are divisions of the heavens beginning at the vernal equinox. The first thirty degrees are called Aries, the next Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
These signs are, as said, measured from the vernal equinox, a fluctuating point, and are not to be confused with the twelve constellations of fixed stars which bear the same names, nor with the twelve houses of the horoscope which are divisions of the earth. See 'Intellectual Zodiac' and 'Houses.'
Is the time which elapses between two successive passages of the Sun over the meridian of a given place. See section on 'Time'.
This word is compounded of the two words, 'sol,' the Sun, and 'sistere,' to make to stand; thus understood, it describes nicely what happens at the solstice, for a solstice is a point at which the Sun is in its highest point of declination and furthest from the celestial equator. There it stands or remains for three days in the twenty-third degree of declination before it begins to descend towards its node.
There are two solstices. One in midsummer, the 21st of June, which is the longest day in the year, another on the 21st of December, which is the shortest. They are called respectively, the summer and the winter solstice.
Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces are called Southern Signs because when the Sun is in them, he is South of the celestial equator, and as a result we in the Northern hemisphere have winter.
When two planets are ninety degrees apart they are said to be in square or quartile, because ninety degrees are one-fourth, or quarter of the circle. This aspect is said to be 'bad,' the planetary rays striking each other at a right angle, and therefore being at 'cross' purposes as it were. See 'Aspects,' and 'Good And Bad.'
At times planets move obliquely with reference to the earth's orbit, in such a manner as to appear stationary, though, as a matter of fact they are always moving. See section on 'Retrogradation'.
The second, fifth, eighth and eleventh houses are called succedent, because they 'succeed' or follow the 'Angles.'
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, are so called by Astronomers because they move in orbits which take them to parts of the heavens far from the Sun. The term is used in contradistinction to that of 'inferior planets' as applied to Venus and Mercury which always remain near the Sun.
The symbols of the planets consist of a circle, a half circle and a cross variously grouped. The circle is the symbol of the spirit, the half-circle is the emblem of the soul, and the cross represents matter. Thus the elements of the human constitution, Spirit, Soul and Body are enfolded in the component parts of the planetary symbols to show to the Mystic their mission with respect to humanity. These elementary parts are variously grouped to indicate the nature of the planet for which they stand, and its office in the Great School of Life where God has placed us under the Planetary Spirits who are endeavoring to educate us in the Divine Wisdom.
The Sun, as its symbol indicates is the center of all spiritual faculties, the fountain of all life.
The Moon's symbol is a half-circle, showing that we have completed the arc of involution where bodies were built, and that now the essence of experience extracted from these vehicles must be transmuted into spiritual qualities by the alchemy of soul-growth, so that we may rise on the arc of evolution.
Mars' symbol is a cross above the circle, showing the unregenerate man, where the cross of personality is above the circle of spirit. But by trampling the higher nature under foot the martial character engenders war and strife, during which he necessarily suffers even when he is victorious. Thus, by rebuffs the nature is gradually softened.
Venus: When the martial nature has suffered sufficiently, the spirit circle gradually ascends above the cross of the personality and thus becomes the symbol of Venus, the planet of love.
Saturn and Jupiter have symbols which are similarly indicative of the manner in which soul-growth is fostered. In the symbol of Saturn the cross of personality is exalted above the signature of the soul, the half-circle. Soul-growth is attained by Service, but the symbol of Saturn shows plainly that the person under his rule is more ready to be served than to serve, and is selfish and obstructive of the common good. Naturally others resent this trait of character, and therefore Saturn brings sorrow, trouble, worry and disappointment in order to teach us that we can never really serve ourselves by selfishness, but only by sacrifice.
Jupiter: When it has gradually dawned upon us through much sorrow, that selfishness is as a shell around the soul which shuts us off from others, we begin slowly to cultivate the quality of benevolence, and gradually the half-circle of the soul rises above the cross of matter and becomes the symbol of Jupiter, the philanthropist and friend of man. It then signifies one who loves all and one who is equally the favorite of gods and men.
Mercury: Though the least in the Kingdom of God, the Solar System, it is nevertheless of the greatest importance, on account of its influence upon body, soul and spirit, which is shown by the fact that its symbol contains all the component parts of the planetary symbolism, namely, the circle, half-circle and cross. This is because in the mind all are linked together in one whole physico-spiritual organism called man. Without Mercury this could not be.
Mercury is neutral however, and it depends upon the indwelling Ego represented by the centrally placed circle whether it will use its divine attributes of choice and free-will to aspire heavenward for soul-growth as symbolized by the signature of the soul, the half-circle, placed above the circle of spirit, or whether it will stoop towards the cross of personality below the circle and wallow in the mire of worldliness. No creature has such divine possibilities as man, none many aspire higher, and conversely, none may fall lower. This struggle between the higher and the lower natures for mastery, symbolized by the half-circle and the cross which are placed above and below the circle in the symbol of Mercury, was well voiced by Goethe in the lines of his immortal "Faust" where the hero says:
"Thou by one sole impulse art posses'd,
Unconscious of the other still remain.
Two souls alas are housed within my breast,
And struggle there for undivided reign.
One to the earth with passionate desire,
And closely clinging organs still adheres,
Above the mists the other doth aspire,
With sacred ardor unto purer spheres."
A table calculated to show what signs and degrees of the Zodiac are on each of the cusps of the twelve mundane houses at any time during any day or night in the year.
A table of houses is always the same for a certain degree of latitude, and it may be used for a lifetime as it deals with the fixed stars which show no appreciable motion in a hundred years.
At the moment a child is born the positions of the planets show the tendencies of the life. Those positions constitute the 'Radix,' and anything that has reference to that 'Root' of all events is called 'radical.' Thus, 'the radical Jupiter' refers to the position of Jupiter at a certain person's birth.
During the next twenty, thirty or sixty days after birth the planets move on and make certain aspects to the positions held by them at birth. Each of these days corresponds to a year of life, and the aspects formed by the 'progression' on the twentieth day after birth will operate to bring about events in the twentieth year. The aspects formed on the thirty-fifth day after birth will determine the influences in the thirty-fifth year and so on. These are called 'Progressed' positions and Aspects. Thus, if someone says "My progressed Sun will be trine to my radical Jupiter when I am forty," he means that forty days after his birth the Sun had progressed to a trine aspect with the position of Jupiter at his birth, and that therefore this will operate in his fortieth year to bring about events of a fortunate nature, because the aspect and the planets are what is called good.
As the span of life is usually not more than seventy years, the planetary positions after seventy days from birth do not have as marked an effect as described in the foregoing paragraph, but they have nevertheless an appreciable influence on the lives of mankind, according to their natures. But because of the rapid transit made, the effects are ephemeral, even in the case of the slower planets. These movements of the planets are called 'Transits.'
They are found in the ephemeris for the current year. That is to say, if you want to know what planets transit the different houses of your horoscope in 1916, you can find them only in the ephemeris for that year. The 'radical' and 'progressed' planets are all in the ephemeris for the year you were born, but the 'transits' for 1920, for instance, can only be found in the ephemeris for 1920.
Lunations, or New Moons, and eclipses are among the most important transits. Their effect is described under 'lunations,' which see. Next in importance are the transits of the superior planets through the houses. The tenth house signifies social honor. When Jupiter transits it every twelfth year, there will be opportunities for social advancement; when Saturn comes there once in thirty years, look out for setbacks and exert your will to overcome them; and you may judge in like manner about the other planets and houses.
When two planets are 120 degrees apart, they are said to be in trine, because 120 degrees is one third part of a circle. This is considered the most harmonious of all aspects.
The signs of the Zodiac are variously grouped to show certain of their qualities. One method segregates them into four groups of three signs each, each group having affinity for one of the elements: Thus Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are fiery. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are earthly. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are airy, and Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are watery. These four groups constitute the four Triplicities.
The fiery triplicity has its apex in the Eastern angle, Aries, where the creative fire commences to produce a body for the spirit to function in the material world. The second angle of this trinity is in the fifth house, which denotes the manner in which the creative force will be used on the physical plane for procreation. It is, therefore, the house of children, occupied by the fiery sign Leo. The line of force running from the Eastern angle in the other direction shows the use to which the creative force is put in the mind. It is, therefore, occupied by the fiery sign Sagittarius and placed in the ninth house, which denotes the higher mind.
The earthy triangle has its rise, its apex, in the cardinal sign Capricorn, which corresponds to the tenth house, denoting the external environment, the professional and social standing of the person; and as this triplicity is earthy, it deals entirely with the material affairs of the native. Therefore, one line of force goes from it to the sixth house, which is under Virgo, a business sign; hence this house denotes the service which it is expected that the person should perform in the world. Since this service is as much dependent upon bodily health as mental capacity, this house is also the house of sickness. The other line of force, proceeding from Capricorn to the third sign of the earthy triplicity, denotes the emoluments which will be received for the service rendered according to the sixth house, and in the capacity denoted by the tenth house. Therefore the second house ruled by the sign Taurus is the house of finance; and as one's freedom of action depends to a degree upon the state of his finances, this house is also called the House of Liberty.
The apex of the airy triplicity is in the Western angle occupied by the cardinal sign Libra, which is ruled by the planet of love, Venus. This triplicity is therefore concerned with the different unions possible in human life. The seventh house where it rises properly denotes the most intimate of all those unions, marriage. From that union, other relationships result, and therefore one line of force goes from the seventh house to the third house, occupied by Gemini, the twins. This house therefore denotes brothers and sisters. The other line of force connects the seventh house with the eleventh, signifying the unions of friendship.
The watery triplicity takes its rise in the northern angle occupied by the cardinal sign Cancer, which is the house of mystery, denoting the latter part of life, the point where the spirit is getting ready to withdraw itself from material existence to take up the activity of the spiritual worlds. It is therefore connected with the eighth house, the house of death, which is occupied by the sign Scorpio. It is significant in the highest degree that this is the negative house of Mars, and that it rules the creative organs. It points out in the most thorough manner, the evanescence of all that is created in the physical world. The other line of force proceeding from the fourth house goes to the sign Pisces, occupying the twelfth house. Pisces, which is composed of two half-circles and a band, shows well the dual nature of man that has run its course in the physical world, but has another evolution to be taken up in unseen realms. This house, therefore, denotes the confinement in which the spirit realizes that it is at the end of life, the sorrow it feels and the self-undoing to which it is sometimes prompted.
'Tropikos' is a Greek word which has a meaning relative to turning, and the tropics of Astronomy are the turning points of the Sun. At the summer solstice the Sun reaches its highest degree of Northern Declination in the sign Cancer; this then is its tropic, for from that point it begins to turn downwards to its Western node, and goes into Southern Declination. It reaches the lowest point of that arc in December at the winter Solstice in the sign Capricorn. This is the other tropic, for there again it turns and commences its next ascent towards the Northern heavens.
When the planets are so placed that the Moon makes no aspect before leaving the sign she is in at birth, she is said to be 'void of course.' As the Moon is the planet of fecundation which nourishes and nurses the latent potentialities into actualities, the above is an unfortunate condition, for with it, if the Moon is in the beginning of a sign at birth, it leaves the life vapid and void of incentive.
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are called 'watery' signs. Water is the Universal Solvent, and the Universal Coagulant in the alchemical laboratory of nature. In related articles it is shown how the Sun of Life, the Ego, passes through the waters of parturition in three definite stages symbolized by the watery signs.
When the Sun is at the highest point of its declination in the psychic watery sign Cancer, designated by the ancient Egyptian priests the sphere of the souls awaiting rebirth, it is at the Throne of the Father, the Fountain of Life. There it draws from that inexhaustible well a new supply of the Elixir Vitae for the coming year, and forthwith commences its descent to bring the treasure to the waiting world.
But to do this it must first pass through the fire of its own sign Leo, and blend fire and water. Upon the successful performance of this alchemical feat depends all manifested life.
In October the Sun enters the second of the watery signs, Scorpio, where the energetic Lucifer Spirits of Mars are endeavoring to amalgamate the two antagonistic elements, but not with complete success, for the fire of passion and the waters of emotion seethe, boil and foam in war and strife. Thus the pure essence of life received from our Father in Heaven becomes tainted with passion when dragged through the pool of Scorpio, and to offset this taint it is bathed in the fire of aspiration when the Sun reaches the fiery sign Sagittarius at Christmas.
In March the Sun's passage through the last of the watery signs, Pisces, raises the sap in the trees, swells the seeds and buds by the expansive ray of the benefic Jupiter till they are ready to burst, and when the Sun of Life enters in exaltation of power the fiery sign Aries, it utters the creative flat and all nature bursts forth in glorious splendor. The Flame of Divine Life germinated and gestated in the watery womb of nature is then manifest in the world.
The highest point in the heavens above the birthplace, where the Sun is at noon, also called the Midheaven. This is the same for all latitudes at a given sidereal time. Thus, if two children were born at the same sidereal time, one in Alaska, the other in Mexico, both would have the same degree of the Zodiac on the Midheaven, but their Ascendants and other cusps would be materially different, causing the planets to be placed in different houses, and making the lives dissimilar in every other respect. See 'Midheaven' and 'Houses.'
A narrow belt in the heavens extending about eight degrees on either side of the ecliptic or Sun's path. See 'Intellectual Zodiac.'
November and February in North Latitude
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Contemporary Mystic Christianity |
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