GEMINI--THE HOUSE OF THE TWINS
Period--The Twins, Castor and Pollux--The Argonauts--King
Solomon’s Pillars--Maia--Ovid and Wedding of Mary Queen of
Scots--Gemini Number--Characteristics--Agates and their
Virtues--Orpheus--Chrysoprase--Alexander the Great--Virtues of the
Stone.
Gemini, the Zodiacal House of the Twins, is occupied by the Sun from
the 22nd of May until the 21st of June approximately, and is ruled by
the planet Mercury. In the earliest Zodiacs this House was symbolised
by two kids, for which the Greeks substituted twin children, the sons
of Jupiter, represented by two bright stars, Castor and Pollux.
Gemini is also symbolised by two Pillars joined at the top and base
(II), which is a diagrammatic representation of the Twins seated side
by side with embracing arms. Castor was killed in battle, and Pollux,
overwhelmed at his loss, entreated Jupiter to restore his brother to
life, or make them both immortal. As a reward for this great affection,
and in recognition of their noble deeds when on earth, Jupiter
translated the two brothers, thus forming the Constellation _Gemini_
in the heavens. It was believed that among other achievements they
cleared the neighbouring seas of pirates, and when the Argonauts were
in distress from a violent tempest, two lambent flames descended from
the clouds and settled upon the heads of Castor and Pollux, a calm
immediately ensuing.
From these circumstances they were regarded as protectors of
navigation, it being inferred that whenever both stars were visible
it was a harbinger of fine weather, the appearance of one star only
signifying storms and tempests.
It may be noted that as a rule the seas are calm when the Sun is in
Gemini, and it was at this period of the year that the forty days’ rain
of the Deluge ceased.
The symbol of the two Pillars joined at the top and base, already
referred to, were also believed to typify the two pillars set up by
King Solomon in the porch of the Temple, which were quite distinct and
apart from the building itself and were not for any structural purpose,
their use being entirely symbolical.
One was named “Jachin,” meaning “He will establish,” and the other
“Boaz,” signifying “In Him is strength”; also they denoted the union of
Intellect and Intuition.
The symbols of the Twins and Pillars are shown in No. 3 of the coloured
Frontispiece.
Amongst the Romans the month of May was sacred to Maia the goddess of
Sterility, and this month was, therefore, considered by them a most
unfavourable time for marriages. Ovid in his _Fasti_ tells us that--
“Neither are the times suitable for the marriage of the widow nor the
virgin. She who was married was not so for long. Also for this cause
(if proverbs affect you) they commonly say evil things for marrying
in the month of Mai.”
This last sentence (in its original Latin) was affixed to the gates of
Holyrood Palace after the wedding of Mary Queen of Scots to Bothwell
on the 15th of May, 1567. Another old writer says that the day of the
week on which the 14th of May falls is not only unlucky for marriage in
this unfortunate month, but that throughout the remainder of the year
that particular day will bring ill-luck to those who marry on it; and
another old proverb runs: “May never was ye month of love.” Even now it
is stated fewer marriages take place in this month than in any other.
The fortunate number of the Gemini type is 5, which was considered
to have peculiar virtues as a Talisman by the Ancient Egyptians and
Greeks because it unites the first even and odd numbers 2 and 3. It
was often inscribed over doors to keep out evil spirits. In connection
with this, it is interesting to note that in Roman ceremonies of
marriage it was usual to light five tapers and to admit the guests
by five; Jewish history records a frequent use of this number, five
gifts to the priests, five things only to be eaten in camp. Joseph
gave five suits of raiment to Benjamin, and presented only five of his
brothers to Pharaoh. David took five pebbles when he went to fight
Goliath, and Joshua hanged five kings on five trees; further, every
important measurement of the Tabernacle was five or a multiple of five;
also there were five wise and five foolish virgins. In the Mohammedan
religion there are five articles of belief, namely in Allah, in the
Prophets, in Angels, the Day of Judgment, and Predestination.
In Astrology there are five principal aspects of the planets which
rule the good, or bad fortunes of the subject; also in Masonry the
grand scheme is five points of fellowship, also five brethren can hold
a fellow-craft’s lodge. The fifth son of Jacob, Issachar, represents
Gemini, and, in naming him, Leah expresses the leading qualities of the
symbol--that is, reward and recompense which its mental qualities bring.
The subjects born during this period are invariably of an intellectual
disposition, and when well-educated their ideals and aspirations are
high, with an intense desire to do useful work. When inclined to
religion they favour the intellectual and idealistic. In family life
they are very loyal and faithful, helping their relations however
undeserving. Though generous to their families or when prompted by
personal influence, these subjects are not lavish in their expenditure.
Being fond of money and ingenious in their schemes and methods of
making it, they like to secure a good return for money spent and their
natural shrewdness enables them to get the better of their fellows.
They have a quick comprehension of human nature which assists them in
their schemes, enabling them to weigh up any one they may be dealing
with, and consequently to get the best of a bargain. Their success, or
otherwise, will depend to a great extent on the positions occupied and
the aspects in relation to each other of the Moon and planets at the
time of their birth.
Under harmonious circumstances they possess keen judgment, quick wit,
ability in artistic directions, and the faculty of acquiring knowledge
without much apparent effort, their capabilities carrying them to the
highest mental attainments, but, when ill-balanced, they sink to the
extreme of clever trickery and fraud.
Their characteristics are often contradictory. Being peculiarly
undecided in their dispositions and invariably of two minds, the
constant influx of new ideas causes much innate restlessness, the
realisation of their plans seldom coming up to anticipations. Owing
to the antagonism between their feelings and their reason, they are
seldom able to concentrate on any one thing for any length of time,
thus they start many schemes and enterprises which they abandon before
completion. In consequence, Intuition and its forces, (as opposed to
Impulse and individual inclination,) strain and perplex the versatile
mind of this type, making them capricious and irritable, although their
anger is easily appeased. They are highly strung, vivacious, restless,
and fond of change and variety in their friends and associates, having
great dislike to monotonous work and ever seeking fresh outlets for
their effervescence.
In argument, from their facility of expression and dual nature, they
are the most difficult of opponents to overcome. Many of our most
clever advocates and solicitors have been born during this period,
and as illustrative of the duality of this House, it produces, when
favourably aspected, the best physicians, authors, orators, actors,
schoolmasters, journalists, merchants, accountants, secretaries, and
linguists; also our smartest detectives; but when the worst side
of their character is developed, the subjects of this House become
the craftiest of law-breakers. The cleverest of criminals come from
this type, ranging from fraudulent company promoters to thieves and
pickpockets.
Gemini rules the arms, shoulders, and hands; and ailments such as
sprains and displacements attack Gemini subjects in their limbs. The
lungs, too, are sometimes afflicted, generally through defections
in breathing; also a tendency to rheumatic and gouty pains in those
portions of the body ruled by this sign, and when Mercury, the ruling
planet, is badly aspected, digestive trouble, nervous ailments, and
imperfect action of the liver are indicated.
In marriage and business relations those born during the Gemini period
will agree best with Aries, Leo, Libra, and Aquarius characters, and
it is a curious fact that in the lives of those born whilst the Sun
occupies the House of the Twins, nearly all important events, fortunate
or unfortunate, happen twice, and incidents in the career are repeated
in a similar way.
The fortunate stones of this House are all varieties of Agates and the
Chrysoprase.
THE AGATE.--The Agate is a variety of quartz found in different
colours, often with alternate layers of red and white known as “ribbon”
Agate, also of a milky white. The latter can be artificially coloured
and, in consequence, is obtainable in bright greens and blues as well
as in various tones of greyish purple.
The Moss or Tree Agate is a variety ornamented by Nature in a most
remarkable manner with lines, spots, and frequently with natural
objects taking the distinct forms of ferns, trees, clouds, and moss,
giving a very mysterious effect to the stone. In the days of the Romans
this variety was held in high repute as possessing both medicinal and
talismanic virtues, it being claimed that the wonderful markings formed
in this stone indicated that it had been specially singled out by the
Creator to receive wondrous occult power. According to Orpheus, “If
thou wear a piece of Tree Agate upon thine hand the Immortal Gods shall
be well pleased with thee; if the same be tied to the harness of thy
oxen when ploughing, or about the ploughman’s sturdy arm, wheat-crowned
Ceres shall descend from heaven with full lap upon thy furrows.”
The Moss Agate was also considered good for the sight and was used by
physicians for palettes on which they ground down the ingredients used
in making up lotions and ointments.
The vegetable representations in the Tree Agates are supposed to
have been produced by particles of metallic substances, such as iron
and magnesium; the name Mocha Stone, sometimes used to indicate this
variety, is derived from Mocha in Arabia, where it was found.
In the British Museum there is a striking specimen of Moss Agate
representing a likeness of the poet Chaucer; and the Strawberry Hill
Collection has another with a portrait of Voltaire, and a third showing
the profile of a woman. There are also numerous varieties of Agate
dependent upon the arrangement of the layers; sometimes the stone shows
parallel lines of light and dark tints, when it is called banded or
ribbon Agate. When the colours are very sharp and defined it becomes
Onyx Agate, and when the stripes converge towards the centre of the
stone it is known as Eye Agate; whilst another variety showing many
colours becomes Rainbow or Iris Agate.
According to Mr. Streeter, Agates in their natural state are formed in
the cavities of rocks, and it is conjectured that when the rocks were
in a fluid state the Agates were formed by the escape of gas or steam.
These cavities were afterwards filled with some mineral substance, such
as silica, held in solution and deposited on the interior walls of
these receptacles, forming a kind of geode.
In addition to the Moss or Tree Agate, the Greeks and Romans had great
faith in the talismanic and medicinal virtues of all other Agates,
wearing them to avert sickness, regarding them particularly as an
antidote to the bite of an Asp, if taken powdered in wine, or as an
infallible cure for the sting of a Scorpion if tied over the wound.
They also brought success in love and friendship, great gain, and the
favours of the great, if strung on a hair taken from a lion’s mane.
Pliny was a great believer in the virtues of the Agate, and writes that
storms may be averted by burning these stones; whilst Camillo Leonardo,
in addition to their power to avert lightning and tempest, says they
bring strength, vigour, and great success to their wearers. Marbodus,
Bishop of Rennes, ascribes the escape of Æneas from all his perils to
the virtue of an Agate Talisman which he always carried with him.
Although these stones eventually ceased to be in much demand for
signets amongst the Romans, they never lost their popularity as
Talismans, and were in great request, not only amongst the Latin
races, but also among the Persians and peoples of the Orient, amongst
whom it was universally believed to confer eloquence, to enlighten the
mind, to allay fevers, also to bring luck in connection with wills and
legacies, to sharpen the sight, aid in the discovery of treasure, and
make its wearer amiable and agreeable.
Amongst Mohammedans it was believed to cure insanity if taken powdered
in apple juice. In Elizabethan days our forefathers had great faith in
its talismanic virtues, the Queen having amongst her jewels a large
oval Agate engraved with scenes representing Vulcan at his forge with
Venus looking on. This jewel was presented to her by Archbishop Parker,
and was accompanied by a parchment giving in Latin a long list of
its properties, concluding to the effect that as long as Her Majesty
possessed this jewel she would ever have a trusty friend.
Agates of all kinds were much esteemed by the Greeks, particularly
those specimens in which could be traced resemblances to natural
objects. The following verse poetically describes its many qualities:
“Who comes with summer to this earth
And owes to June her day of birth,
With ring of Agate on her hand
Can Health, Wealth and long life command.”
THE CHRYSOPRASE.--The Chrysoprase, like the Agate, is a variety of
quartz and takes its name from two Greek words meaning “golden leek,”
in reference to its colour, which varies from an opaque yellowish green
to a very light dirty white-green. The colour has a tendency to fade
from long exposure to the light and sun, but can be restored if the
stone is dipped in a solution of nitrate of nickel.
The finest specimens come from Silesia, and when the stone was in
demand it used to be customary to close the mines for every two years
out of three.
According to Albertus Magnus, a Chrysoprase formed the Amulet of
Alexander the Great, and Chrysoprase was much used by the ancient
Greeks and Romans for signet rings and cameos; and also by the
Egyptians, who set it with lapis lazuli.
The virtues attributed to the Chrysoprase were that it imparted
cheerfulness, making the heart glad by removing uneasiness, protecting
its wearers from evil dreams and the assaults of demons.
It also bestowed all kinds of blessings on its owner, giving assiduity
in good works, and taking away all greedy and covetous desires,
bringing success in new enterprises, and true and faithful friends:
and it was also worn as an Amulet against rheumatism and gout.
The Agates and Chrysoprase stones will not, however, be fortunate for
those born during the time that the Sun occupies the Houses of Virgo
and Pisces.