By R. K. MILLER.
A very interesting portion in the study of planetary astronomy is
the mysterious influence which these bodies were supposed to have
had on the affairs of men. Astrology comprehended the other heavenly
bodies as well as the planets, but the simple regularity of their
movements rendered them far less interesting than the “wanderers.”
The seemingly arbitrary and irregular course of these bodies caused
them to be selected to represent the varying turns of fortune’s wheel.
The father of the written science of astrology was Ptolemy, who seems
to have studied astronomy for astrological purposes. According to
him, the planet in the ascendant at the time of birth was the chief
ruler of the character and fortune of the “native,” as the person was
technically called. Mercury presided over the mental faculties and
literary and scientific pursuits; he caused a desire of change. Venus
was called the Lesser Fortune. She produced a mild disposition, with
an inclination to pleasure, and brought good fortune to the native in
his or her relations to the other sex. Mars was the Lesser Infortune:
his influence was decidedly risky, and needed to be well aspected by
the other planets to lead to good. He, of course, presided over war
and over trades connected with iron and steel. Jupiter was regarded
as by far the most propitious of the heavenly orbs. He ruled all high
offices. The mortal born under him would be high-minded, liberal, just
and devout. Happy the kingdom ruled by a sovereign on whose birth he
shone. English astrologers tell with pride that Queen Victoria was born
when Jupiter rode high in the heavens. Next to him we have the grim
and ill-omened Saturn, the Greater Infortune. Those born under him are
gloomy and reserved—faithful in friendship but bitter toward an enemy.
Failure, disease, disgrace and death beset the steps of the child of
Saturn. Uranus causes abruptness of manners and general eccentricity,
while astrologers have not made up their minds about Neptune. The signs
of the Zodiac were supposed to have a good deal to do with personal
appearance. Thus Pisces produced a short person, with round face
and slow gait; Taurus, a well-set person, with broad face and thick
neck. Different parts of the human life were allotted to different
luminaries, as infancy to the Moon, youth to Venus, and so on. Lastly
the visible firmament was divided into twelve equal portions. The
first was the house of health; the second, that of wealth; the third,
brothers and sisters; the fourth, parents; the fifth, children and
amusements; the sixth, sickness; and so on up to the twelfth. The
connection is, of course, obvious, as $1 in the fifth house foretells
misfortune with one’s children.
Probably few persons have their horoscopes erected now-a-days, but we
have before us that of the Prince of Wales, calculated at the time of
his birth of Zadkiel, according to the rules of Ptolemy. The sign in
ascendant was Sagittarius, which produces “a tall, upright body, an
oval face, ruddy complexion and chestnut hair, good eye, courteous,
just, a lover of horses, accomplished and deserving of respect.” The
Sun, being well aspected, foretold honors, and as he was in Cancer, in
sextile with Mars, the Prince was to be partial to maritime affairs,
and win naval glory. The house of wealth was held by Jupiter, and this
betokened great wealth through inheritance—a prognostication which,
in spite of republican shoemakers and baronets, is not unlikely to
come true. The house of marriage was inhabited by Venus, Mars and
Saturn, but fortunately the first was to predominate, and the Prince,
“after some trouble in his matrimonial speculations,” was to marry a
princess of high birth. A few particulars of history are given, but
we are overwhelmed with information about his character, over fifty
characteristics actually being enumerated, and the horoscope ends, “All
things considered, though firm and sometimes decided in opinion, this
royal native, if he lives to mount the throne, will sway the scepter of
these realms in moderation and justice, and be a pious and benevolent
man and a merciful sovereign.”