THE END OF LIFE
The end of life is judged from the planets occupying the 8th and 4th
Houses, for the 8th denotes Death, and the 4th denotes the final
resting-place of man. When benefic planets, or the Luminaries well
aspected, occupy these Houses, you may judge that the end will be
peaceful, normal, and that death will take place in the midst of
congenial and even exceptionally agreeable surroundings.
When, however, the malefic planets hold these Houses, or afflict the
luminaries therein, you may judge greater stress and privation.
Uranus in the 8th House denotes a sudden death, and the same result is
observed when the Luminaries therein are afflicted by Uranus. Neptune
in the 8th denotes danger of trance, coma, and simulated death, and
when this position is observed it is necessary that all the signs of
mortification should be present before interment is effected. Saturn
produces death by privation and obstructions, by chills and colds. Mars
induces death by fevers and inflammatory action, and frequently by
hæmorrhage.
Planets in Fixed signs in the 8th House show death from heart or throat
affections, affections of the excretory system and the blood. In
Cardinal signs, the head, stomach, kidneys, or skin are the seats of the
fatal disease. In Flexed signs, the lungs, bowels, and nervous system
become fatally affected.
Violent or unnatural deaths are shown when either of the luminaries is
simultaneously afflicted by the evil aspects of more than one of the
malefic planets, or when both luminaries are separately afflicted by the
malefic aspects of malefic planets, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, or Mars.
When these testimonies occur, it will be found that Neptune produces
death by assassination, Uranus by sudden catastrophes, explosions,
hurts by electricity and machinery, Saturn by blows and falls, and Mars
by cuts, burns, scalds, and effusion of blood. Particular judgment is
drawn from the nature of the signs in which the significant planets are
placed. Thus Saturn in Watery signs would produce drowning; in Taurus,
strangling or decapitation; in Aries by the blow of a truncheon, &c.
Similarly, Uranus in Gemini would produce accidents on short journeys,
railway collisions, bicycle or motor accidents, and the like effects.
It is impossible to cite all the effects due to the several planets in
the different signs, but if the simple natures of the planets, signs and
Houses are thoroughly understood, a combination of their significations
will readily lead to an appreciation of exact effects. If I say that a
certain fluid is H₂SO₄, any one having a knowledge of elementary
chemistry will know that it is sulphuric acid, and similarly, if I say
that a certain horoscope contains Saturn in Cancer in the 3rd, which is
astrologically expressed ♄ ♋ 3, any one
who has read the first pages of this book with attention will be able
to say: Let the Subject beware of short journeys by water! It is all
chemistry of a kind.
When the 4th House contains benefic planets, or planets that throw good
aspects to the luminaries, there will be peace and comfort in old age,
or in the end of life whensoever it may be determined. Neptune therein
shows retirement and sequestration, and when afflicting the luminaries
or itself afflicted, it denotes death in an asylum, hospital, or other
place of detention. Uranus in the 4th, in similar conditions, denotes
a sudden and remarkable death. Saturn similarly placed and aspected
shows death in exile, privation or great trouble. Mars in the 4th House
afflicting the luminaries or itself afflicted by other adverse planets,
denotes a violent death by gunshot or wound and in the midst of strife,
or on the field of battle.
Before any catastrophic death be predicted, it should be carefully
decided whether or not the death is compassed with uncommon and violent
indications, not that one need have fear of the mere going out or coming
into the world, but there is some choice of gates, and rather than
affright the weak-minded with a sinister judgment, it is better to leave
them to find their own way.
SECTION IV
THE STARS IN THEIR COURSES
CHAPTER I
THE TIME-MEASURE
The planets, in their motions after birth, come into certain relations
with the planets in the horoscope of birth, and also form aspects among
themselves owing to the diversities of their motions in the Zodiac.
In Astrological science there are two separate means of calculating
the time of events, but both methods consist of bringing the body of
one planet to the body or aspect of another, which process is called
“Directing,” and the arc described by the moving body is called an “Arc
of Direction.”
The first of these methods is the discovery of Claudius Ptolemy, the
famous mathematician and geographer, the author of the Syntaxis, as set
forth in his work the Tetrabiblos, or Four Books on the influence of the
Stars. This method had the support and confirmation of the great Kepler.
It has respect to the rising, setting, and meridian passage of the
planets after birth, whereby they are brought to the places or aspects
of the planets in the Radix (the Root), which is the horoscope of birth.
The limits and nature of this work do not permit of a thorough
exposition of this method, which entails some little knowledge of
spherical trigonometry, but the reader who desires to perfect himself
therein is referred to the author’s work, entitled “Prognostic
Astronomy.” A facile application of the method is here given, by which
any one may, by the aid of the Tables of Houses, make certain of the
more important calculations by rule of thumb, and predict thence the
times of remarkable events.
The principle involved is this: The number of degrees which pass over
the meridian between the moment of birth and the rising or culminating
of a planet, will equal the number of years which must elapse from birth
until the influence of that planet becomes dominant.
Thus, if Jupiter at birth is coming to the meridian, that is to say,
if it be in the 10th, 11th, or 12th House, count the number of degrees
between the meridian and Jupiter, and in so many years from the time
of birth there will be an access of good fortune. Similarly, if Saturn
or other of the malefic planets be coming to the meridian, the number
of degrees between it and the Midheaven will indicate the age at which
troubles will abound.
Also, when the planets have passed the meridian, the measure is made
in the same way, by bringing the Midheaven to the place of the planet,
counting the degrees between the planet and Midheaven for the number of
years at which it will operate.
But the same and other planets may be directed to the horizon, by taking
the Table of Houses for the latitude of the birthplace (Sect. I., chap.
iii.) and finding therein under the column marked “Ascen.” (Ascendant)
the longitude held by any of the planets. Observe then what degree is
on the Midheaven in the column marked 10 (10th House), and count the
number of degrees between this Midheaven and the Midheaven at birth. The
result will give the age at which the effects of such planets will be
experienced.
Thus, for a person born in or near Liverpool or in the same latitude,
suppose the Midheaven at birth to be in Scorpio 0, and Saturn to be
in the 2nd House in Aquarius 8 degrees. I wish to bring Saturn to
the horizon. In the Table of Houses I find that Aquarius 8 is on the
Ascendant when Sagittarius 9 is on the Midheaven, and I therefore count
from Scorpio 0 to Sagittarius 9. This gives the age of 39 years, and as
Saturn is in the 2nd House at birth, I say that at 39 years of age the
Subject would experience financial disaster, and because Saturn comes
then to the Ascendant, I also say there would be serious illness and
depression of spirits.
When planets are setting at birth they are brought to the opposition
of the Ascendant in a similar manner, only the opposite point of the
zodiac must be found in the Tables under the Ascendant. Thus, if Mars
were in the 7th House at birth in the 11th degree of Cancer, I find the
opposite point (Capricornus 11) under the column of the Ascendant, and
I note that Scorpio 19 is then on the Midheaven, so that from Scorpio
0 to Scorpio 19 gives 19 years, at which age the Subject would have a
serious illness due to inflammatory action in the stomach and probably
produced by overwork and worry, as indicated by the sign Cancer and the
planet Mars, or if there be indications of an accident, then an accident
by scalding with hot water or acids would be predicted.
Planets are brought to the opposition of the Midheaven by counting the
degrees which intervene between the longitude on the lower meridian at
birth and that held by the planet.
In all such directions the conjunctions of benefic planets are
advantageous when directed to the Midheaven or Ascendant, and the
conjunctions of the malefics are indicated of periods of bad fortune.
The oppositions are uniformly evil, whether the planet involved in the
direction be a benefic or malefic. (Sect. I., chap. iv.)
These are the directions of the planets to the two Significators, the
Midheaven and Ascendant. The Midheaven appertains to honours and credit,
while the Ascendant has relation to the personal and bodily welfare and
the general fortunes.
To direct the Midheaven or Ascendant to the other aspects of the
planets, such as the sextile, trine, semisquare or square, it is only
necessary to note the degrees in which these aspects fall and bring them
to the Midheaven or Ascendant as if the body of the planet were itself
there, and in the manner already indicated.
The Sun is directed after birth by its motion in the zodiac, which can
be found in the Ephemeris for the year of birth, and the aspects it
forms to the planets in the horoscope and in the daily progress should
be tabulated. In most Ephemerides they are already calculated, so
that the labour is considerably lightened. Each day after birth will
represent one year of life, the mean motion of the Sun being about 1
degree per day. All that is necessary, therefore, is to count the number
of days from birth to the date when the Sun forms an aspect, and that
will give the age at which the planet aspected will produce its effects.
As the Sun goes through the zodiac the other bodies make progress along
with it, in which course they form aspects to the Midheaven, Ascendant,
the Sun and Moon in the horoscope of birth. These are called “Secondary”
directions, and in connection with the Sun’s aspects after birth,
constituted the system in use among the Arabian astrologers.
Minor periods of good and bad fortune, subsidiary to the above
periodic influences, are taken from the Moon’s progress after birth,
in which one day equals one year of life, and two hours equal one
month. These directions of the Moon afford a monthly prognosis of the
course of events, and are useful in the conduct of minor affairs in
life. When they are contrary to the general trend and import of the
periodic directions made to the Midheaven, Ascendant and Sun, they
act indifferently, and frequently produce only passing benefits or
annoyances; but when they are in agreement with the Primary Directions
cited above, then they accentuate and define the nature and time of
events. As if the Primaries be good and the Lunar directions evil,
then there will be a predominance of good fortune with some current
disturbances; but both being good there will be abundant success and
satisfaction; while if the Primaries be evil and the Lunar directions
good, the latter will serve only to moderate the effects for the time
being of the Primary evil indications.
An intelligent apercu of the principles of directing will greatly
enhance the value of any prognostications made from the horoscope of
birth, as it will enable the student to select those periods in the life
when the effects due to any planet are most likely to eventuate. Thus,
if Saturn be in the 2nd House at birth, it may be said that there would
follow some periods of great financial stress, and the rising of Saturn
by direction after birth would show the time when one, at all events, of
such periods would be experienced.
And here is the great fact upon which astrologers the world over are
prepared to stand or fall. If the planets have no effect in the lives of
men, their directions to the angles of the horoscope can have no effect;
but never was it found that a man had evil fortunes at the period when
the planet Jupiter was directed to the Midheaven or Ascendant, or
anything but bad fortune when Saturn was similarly directed. The fact is
there, and we cannot get away from it. The only question is as to how
far we can intelligently carry our investigations beyond that point, and
intelligibly convey our discoveries to the world by their application
to the affairs of daily life. The reader may judge for himself from a
perusal of these pages.
The directions being calculated and tabulated in order of their
occurrence, the time and general nature of the influences operating
in successive periods of the life will stand revealed. The particular
nature of the events indicated by the several directions may be known
from (_a_) the House in which the directed planet is situated; (_b_)
the Sign it occupies; and (_c_) the aspect it forms, considered in
relation to the nature of the planet. For example: If Uranus at birth
were in the 9th House and the sign Gemini, its direction to the
Midheaven would be the index of litigation in connection with writings,
publications, or means of transit; because the 9th House, among other
things, has relation to litigation and legal affairs, and Gemini (the
3rd House sign) to communications, writings, &c., while Uranus denotes
sudden and unexpected events, ruptures, alienations, and complexities.
So if Saturn were in the 6th House in the sign Aquarius, its direction
to the opposition of the Ascendant would indicate chills to the blood,
anemia, &c., constituting a serious illness with probability of low
fever; because the 6th House rules sickness, and Aquarius rules the
blood, while Saturn is the cause of chills, paucity, and impediments.
Thus the time and nature of events may be known with great certainty.
CHAPTER II
THE EFFECTS OF TRANSITS
Among the number of important indicators to which Astrologers refer in
making a forecast of concurrent events, there are the transits of the
planets over the places of the Significators at birth, the positions of
Eclipses, and those of the lunations.
The first of these chronocrators depends upon the revolutions of the
planets in their orbits. Each planet has a period in which it completes
its revolution in the heavens, in the course of which it passes the
places of the Sun, Moon, Midheaven, and Ascendant of the horoscope.
This passage over the radical Significators is technically termed its
“transit,” and it will be found that such transits afford a very precise
and reliable source of prognostication, for the time of a planet’s
transit is known in advance of its occurrence (see Sect. II., chap.
iv.), and the effects of such transit are in exact terms of the nature
of the planet concerned. It is only necessary to add that the Midheaven
and the Sun have relation to the position and honour of the Subject,
while the Moon and Ascendant have relation to the personal health and
general fortunes. The Sun and Midheaven also signify the father, and
the Moon has general signification of the mother. Venus signifies
domestic and love affairs, the affections and sentiments; while Mercury
signifies the mental disposition. So Uranus in transit over the place
of Venus will give a love affair, a romantic attachment. Mars over the
place of Venus will engender passionate love. Saturn over Venus will
give disappointment or bereavement; and Neptune thereover will bring
entanglements and complications, with danger of being led astray. Saturn
over Mercury will produce melancholy and many errors of judgment. Mars
over the same planet will excite the mind and dispose to impulse and
unreasoning anger, quarrels and disputation. Uranus over Mercury will
render the mind wayward and headstrong, disposed to erratic courses
and egotistic methods. Neptune passing the place of Mercury produces
deceits, treacheries, and apprehension of impending evil, a sense of
espionage and ambush. It involves the mind in tortuous and complicated
schemes, and disposes to secrecy and wariness.
The transits of the major planets are of chief significance, and
their effects are rendered more weighty and lasting when at the time
of transit they are retrograde in the zodiac; while their stationary
positions on the places of the Significators have almost the same power
as Primary Directions.
Of Eclipses.
An Eclipse of the Sun or Moon falling on the place of any Significator
in the horoscope of birth is of a sinister import, and cannot be too
seriously considered. Falling on the Ascendant or the Moon they affect
the health and general fortunes very seriously, and only a series of
subsequent good directions can avail to restore the Subject to his
normal condition. On the Midheaven or the Sun, the honour and fortunes
may both be affected, and in the same serious degree. The Eclipses
falling on the places of the other planets will produce effects in
accord with the nature of those planets and the Houses they occupy. To
have any appreciable effect, the Eclipses must be within two degrees of
any of the radical positions, or of their opposition aspects.
Of Lunations.
The Lunations recur in the same part of the Ecliptic every nineteen
years. Considered in relation to the current indications they afford the
means of a monthly forecast of events. Thus, if the lunation for the
month falls on the place of Jupiter in the horoscope of birth, it will
produce good effects in that department of life which is governed by the
House in which Jupiter is situated; as if in the 11th, through friends;
in the 4th, through property or rental; in the 6th, through servants and
health; in the 8th, through a financial colleague, &c.
The effects of Lunations are subsidiary to the current Lunar directions,
and these in turn are subsidiary to the transits, and the transits
to the Primary Directions. By this it is not meant that they are
inoperative, nor that they fail to indicate the events of the month, but
their power and degree of influence is subject to the greater influence
of superior causes. And as a general observation it may be affirmed that
the less frequently any celestial position occurs in a horoscope, the
greater is its influence. This fact gives to primary directions their
great influence in the life, for they can only occur once in a lifetime;
and for the same reason Eclipses have a major significance, for the same
Eclipse only recurs after an interval of 649 years. The transits of
Neptune, of Uranus, of Saturn and Jupiter and Mars follow in their order
of frequency. Neptune has a revolution of about 165 years, Uranus 84
years, Saturn 30 years, Jupiter 12 years, and Mars 1-1/4 years.
Major effects must not therefore be referred to inferior causes, and
minor effects must not be referred to superior causes. In universal or
even national cataclysms, individual fortunes are submerged.
CHAPTER III
HOW TO SUMMARISE A HOROSCOPE
Before leaving the exposition of this subject, it may be of advantage
to the reader if I give some idea of the method to be pursued in the
complete handling of a horoscope.
First, then, erect the figure of birth, taking care to use the Ephemeris
of the year of birth, and also the correct Table of Houses for the
latitude of the place of birth.
Next proceed to attempt a description of the chief personal traits of
the Subject, following in succession with a well-considered judgment on
the constitution, hereditary tendencies, the health and pathological
predispositions, the mental traits and disposition, considering these
latter in relation to the state of health indicated. Then pass to a
consideration of the environing conditions of life; the financial
condition and outlook; the position in life; the occupation; prospects
and conditions of marriage; of progeny. Judge next concerning voyages
and journeys. Finish with a statement regarding the predominance of
friends or enemies, and select dates by Solar positions, as already
instructed. In cases where it is not objected to, an approximation may
be made to the time and nature of death.
Throughout the whole of this judgment, the periods when these predicted
effects will come into force should be made by reference to the rising,
setting, and meridian passage of the planets, the solar aspects, and
transits.
Care should be taken to weigh justly and impartially the evidence set
before you in the figure of the heavens for birth. Major importance
should be given to those planets which are in angles, and those which
are in elevation, for the nearer a planet may be to the Midheaven, the
greater is its influence for good or ill, according to its nature and
aspect.
Read what you see, not what you imagine should be the destiny of an
individual. If you are in complete ignorance of his person, position,
and environment, so much the better. If you follow carefully the various
rules which are contained in this book, you may at first make some
errors of judgment, but as you become familiar with the task, even these
errors will become few and far between, and in the end the language
of the horoscope will become so intelligible and clear that it will
interpret itself, and the whole trend and potentiality for good or ill
of any birth-figure will force itself upon you in just the same way as
when a man walks into your presence with his character clearly stamped
upon his face, so that you have only to look and know.
Having become proficient in the judgment of birth-figures, you will
do well to proceed to a closer study of the mathematics of astrology,
making yourself proficient in the various methods of directing, so that
you may at any time refine upon your general prognostics, and make
predictions which are clear, sharp, and to the point.
Undoubtedly there is a modicum of intuitive perception at work in
the judgment of any horoscope, which will enable you to seize upon
the small details and exact pointing of any matter, and this perhaps
constitutes the whole difference between the rule of thumb worker and
the inspirational reasoning of the intuitive worker. The one exhausts
the books and the other embellishes them. It is so with science in
every department. The books will take you up to a certain point of
proficiency, and a strict regard for the formulæ will keep you within
the bounds of safety. But if you are ever to make a discovery or become
a recognised exponent of any science, you must be naturally gifted
with what is called the “scientific imagination,” another name for
intuition. But at no point does true intuition part company with exact
reasoning. There is no lesion. The one is an extension of the other. It
is the higher reason, which argues from the known to the unknown. And
the Astrologer is in this respect as the poet, “born, not made.” But a
moment’s reflection will suffice to convince you that the more facile
you may become with the book-learning and technique of Astrology, the
more you will leave the intuition free to act. When a lad is struggling
with his multiplication tables, his appreciation of the binomial theorem
or the differential calculus cannot be said to amount to much. And, in
the same way, a person who is stuffing down the Alphabet of Astrology
cannot be expected to intuit anything concerning the potential of the
Sun’s direction to the quadrature of Saturn.
CHAPTER IV
HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ASTROLOGER
I take it that nobody nowadays can afford to fritter away time in the
study of subjects which are not likely to become a source of benefit
to himself and others. If there be such people among my readers, which
I consider unlikely, I may dismiss them offhand with the remark that
they will never become successful astrologers, for the first word of
practical astrology is Utility. If the science had not its practical
application to the affairs of everyday life, if its principles contained
no word of assurance and hope for the myriad toilers of this world, no
word of admonition for the self-indulgent parasites of modern social
life, if, in short, it did not make for the betterment of human life
and thought, it would never have attracted the attention of Aristotle,
Cicero, Galen, Claudius Ptolemy, Thales, and others of the old world,
and such men as Bacon, Cardan, Archbishop Usher, Naibod, Mercator,
Ashmole, Kenelm Digby, Sir Christopher Heydon, Dryden, Dr. John Butler,
Sir George Wharton, Vincent Wing, George Witchel, Tycho Brahe, Kepler,
and Flamstead of more recent biography. Indeed, in whatever age or
country we may elect to make our inquiries concerning Astrology, there
are to be found a host of intelligent and even illustrious advocates in
every department of life and learning. Suffice it to say that the modern
student of this most ancient of all sciences is at all times in very
good company.
Let it first be understood that there is an object to be attained in the
study of Astrology, and that the pursuit of it in the gratification of
an idle curiosity alone will inevitably entail the waste of time which
invariably attaches to idleness of all descriptions, and we may then
profitably consider whether or not the subject is worth the labour which
it will demand from the man who has something to do in the world and
little enough time in which to do it. These are stressful times, and we
have to be economical in our efforts. We have strength enough to carry
us through, but neither strength enough to thresh the wind nor time
enough to fish in puddles.
What, then, does Astrology offer to the patient worker, the man who
would become a successful Astrologer?
First and foremost it will enable him to gain an insight into individual
motive and character which no other science can possibly afford. It will
enable him to know himself, his own strength and weakness, and so fit
him to deal harmoniously and justly with others. It will enhance his
opportunities to the extent that he is able to foresee and make use of
all benefic influences operating through his own environment. It will
give him timely warning of his approach to the quicksands and pitfalls
which occur in his passage through life. He will discern his special
physical weaknesses, and the times of his predisposition to sickness,
the nature thereof, and the precautions which are necessary. He will
know whom to cultivate and whom to avoid, and in selecting a partner in
business or a wife for his home, he will be guided by a foreknowledge of
evils to be avoided and of good things to be gained. He will choose his
path in life with the confidence that it is for him the line of least
resistance and therefore that of greatest progress. He will not become
obsessed by ambitions beyond his power to achieve. He will learn the
power of adaptation to environment, and thereby effect his work in the
world with the least possible friction and waste of force. He will know
when to make provision against sickness, accident, and death. He will
not invest capital where interest is not to be gained. He will see the
end from the beginning. It may not make him a brilliant success in the
world, but it will assuredly save him from being a failure. He will find
causes for inexplicable things, and his mind will rest content in the
knowledge hat while he is working out the highest potentialities of his
own horoscope, the major problems and intricacies of life are not of his
making or needful of his solving. And finally, when his time comes to
“shuffle off this mortal coil,” he will be prepared, and will know that
it is the will of Heaven, expressed and determined from the moment of
his birth. Rightly employed, Astrology cannot fail to improve the man
who makes of it a serious study, fitting him to be of greater use to
others and of higher service to the race at large.
But to become a successful Astrologer he must study patiently for
several years, testing each statement that is made in the books by
reference to his own and several other horoscopes. He must be able
to erect a figure of the Heavens with mathematical accuracy for any
given time and place, work out directions by the use of the sphere or
trigonometrical tables, and have a competent knowledge of the motions
and periods of the various planetary bodies. When thus satisfied in his
own mind that Astrology is a dependable science, and that he is capable
of demonstrating it under test conditions, he must be generous in the
use of it. Here and there he will find one who is opposed to the belief
that the stars have any influence in human affairs. Let him not waste
logic with such a man, but go straight to the task of convincing him by
an appeal to facts.
For preference, select a period when the directional influences are such
as seem likely to hit the sceptic with considerable force, define the
event, make a careful calculation of the time of its fulfilment, and
put them on paper, which, being yet unread by the man of Common-sense,
should be placed under cover, sealed, and endorsed to be opened only
after a certain date.
Now a man who has been hammered rather severely and in quite an
unexpected manner, is usually open to conviction of truth when he
finds that the nature and date of his disaster have been accurately
foretold. Being a man of “common-sense” and not of intuition, he will
probably think that the Astrologer might even have saved him from
the consequences of his own lack of foresight. So indeed might the
Astrologer have done had he taken the management of affairs from the
beginning; but to step in half-way to arrest causes which are already in
operation and charged with inevitable effects, is requiring too much of
any man short of a Prime Minister!
There are certain things which even the most astute deductive reasoner
cannot foresee, and these are the points that should be utilised by the
Astrologer who seeks to convince others of the truth of his science. A
man cannot reason from his doorstep to a street accident. If he could
he would avoid it. All men are not subject to accidents, however.
But almost all are subject to bereavements, losses, sicknesses, and
changes of fortune. Those are the points which the Astrologer intent
on proselytising, usually makes use of. But events need not be in
futurity to carry conviction. If it can be shown that by mathematical
calculations the events of the past can be recited with precision
and exactness, it is evident to the meanest intellect that nothing
hinders from an extension of such calculations into the future. And
once convinced of the reliability of such claims to foreknowledge, the
practical man of the world is not slow to avail himself of its uses.
But Astrology is not exhausted in the study of individual horoscopes,
for there are other departments of this extensive science. The influence
of the planets upon the weather, as embodied in Astro-meteorology; the
rise and fall of Empires, political changes, the outbreak of wars,
of revolutions, of epidemics, as defined by State Astrology so much
in repute among the Oriental rulers; the occurrence of tidal waves,
earthquakes, and other seismic phenomena, all form a part of the
complete equipment of the practical Astrologer.
It would be superfluous to recite here the numerous and strikingly
accurate forecasts which have been made by modern exponents of the
science, but it is only right to say that they reflect considerable
credit upon their authors, for the above-mentioned departments of
astrological learning are by no means in the same efficient state as
Genethliacal Astrology, to an outline of which this work is devoted.
Anciently it was otherwise, and even in the East at this day they hold
some secrets of traditional knowledge, concerning which they are unduly
mysterious and of which we have only the evidence afforded by more exact
prediction upon certain points.
Prejudice and Ignorance are the twin giants which bar the path of the
world’s progress to-day, even as they have ever done. Step by step they
have been beaten back, baffled by the light of Reason, harassed by the
arrows of Truth. The world is redeeming its ancient heritage. All that
is now required to establish the paramount truth of Astrology as a
science is an impartial and thorough investigation, preferably at the
hands of scientific men, of its methods and principles. Not that the
truth is to be ratified at the hands of modern scientists, seeing that
their own teaching constitutes a mere shifting orthodoxy, liable at
any moment to undergo a fundamental change in theory by the discovery
of a single new fact--but that to such men rightly belongs the duty
of disproving the claims of Astrology to be considered as a science,
for it is a fact to be regretted that certain members of their body
have written against the subject in a spirit of prejudice and without
adducing any data in support of their contention, which ill becomes any
man of scientific pretensions and is above all things detrimental to the
cause of Truth.
CHAPTER V
A POPULAR ILLUSTRATION
In order to summarise and illustrate the principles which have been
enunciated in the course of this work, I shall avail myself of the
horoscope of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, who was born on the 8th of July,
1836, at Highbury, the time of birth being stated to have been at about
2.30 in the morning. Calculations have since enabled us to fix the exact
time of birth as at 2 h. 36 m. a.m. I subjoin the horoscopical figure
for that time, the calculation of which is as follows:--
H. M. S.
Midheaven in R.A. at Noon 7th July, 1836 7 1 58
Add time elapsed since 14 36 0
Equation for 14h. 33m. at 10 secs. 2 25
---------
Midheaven in Right Ascension at Birth 21 40 23
=========
The Constitution.
Born under the sign Gemini, with Mercury rising in the sign Cancer, the
Sun near the conjunction with Jupiter and in close sextile to the Moon,
there is little doubt that the late Colonial Secretary is by nature
gifted with an excellent constitution. The sextile of the luminaries is
a powerful co-ordinator, and whenever sickness supervenes there will be
a speedy recovery. The semisquare aspect of Mars, while disposing to
gouty affections of the hands and feet, will contribute vital energy
and power to throw off diseases, while at the same time predisposing to
accidents and wounds to the right shoulder or clavicle.
[Illustration]
The rising sign gives nervous energy and enormous capacity for work,
which is due to high nervous tension supported by a sound vitality. The
only hereditary predisposition is that indicated by Mars, which induces
to fevers, and gouty affections due to acidity.
The Health.
The Moon is strong in the sign Taurus, but not particularly well placed
in the 12th House. It has, moreover, the square aspects of Neptune and
Venus from fixed signs. These indications point to functional disorders
of the heart, throat and excretory system. On the other hand, there are
the good aspects of the Sun, Jupiter and Uranus to counteract these
adverse tendencies, and it is certain that strong recuperative powers
together with a normally good co-ordination of functions would induce a
speedy recovery from any illness to which he may be liable. Considerable
immunity from sickness of all sorts may therefore be predicated.
Character and Disposition.
The majority of the planets being in Cardinal signs, with three
planets (including the Moon) in Fixed signs, indicates a character
that is energetic, ambitious, active, sharp, ingenious, lively, and
persevering; capable of cutting out a line in life for himself and
making headway against obstacles; disposed to ride roughshod over
the weaknesses and prejudices of those who oppose him; gifted with a
pioneer spirit, incisive manner, and disposed at times to effect his
ends regardless of the feelings and opinions of others. At the same
time there is sufficient patience, method, caution, and watchfulness
to make this extreme definition of purpose very effective. Laborious,
firm (at times obstinate), systematic, and self-reliant, he is capable
of waiting for opportunities. But finally he carries his purpose with a
_tour de force_.
That which he lacks is adaptability, suavity, and ability to enter into
the feelings of others. He is too ambitious to be self-centred, but yet
too intent to be sympathetic.
The rising of Mercury in trine aspect to Saturn and Uranus gives
considerable mental capacity, a wide grasp of facts, a well-informed,
apt and business-like mind; some originality, constructiveness, and
power of marshalling facts and figures; patience, caution, and secrecy.
There is not much imagination, and the sympathies are not wide. His
methods and actions are governed by literal fact and mathematical
certainty. He is an omnivorous devourer of the accessible. He takes the
small fish by the handful and makes a meal of them; but he leaves the
ponderous whales for those of greater imagination and more leisurely
habit.
The quadrature of Mars to Uranus will induce momentary outbursts
of temper and some irritability of nature, but the character I am
delineating is not such as can easily be played upon, for it is
remarkably lacking in emotional susceptibility. Nevertheless, the
inspirational faculty is by no means absent, and the presence of
Neptune in the 9th House in trine to the rising Mercury, is an index of
considerable inventive genius, extreme range of mental perception, and
telescopic discernment of future events. Venus in the 3rd House shows
some artistic tastes and fancies, considerable appreciation of art and
culture, a fondness for flowers, bright lights, &c. But dominant above
all are the two angular influences of Uranus and Mercury, which render
the mind mathematical and precise, commercial, apt, business-like,
energetic, and eminently magnetic.
Finance.
The position of the Sun in conjunction with Jupiter in the sign Cancer,
in sextile to the Moon, is the index of a high fortune and means
exceeding a competence. It is here worthy of note that Cancer, which in
this horoscope holds the Sun, Jupiter, and Mercury, is the ruling sign
of South Africa, with which Colony Mr. Chamberlain’s fortunes have been
for a long time so intimately associated. It is also worthy of note that
both Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato were born on the same day of the
year, the 5th of July, with the Sun in the 14th degree of Cancer. In
the former case the Sun was conjoined with Moon and Venus, in sextile
to Uranus and trine to Neptune, while in the latter case the Sun was in
trine to Jupiter. In regard to Mr. Chamberlain’s horoscope, it will be
observed that Jupiter, which holds such effective power for increase in
the 2nd House, is also the ruler of the 7th, and it is to be remembered
that all partnerships, commercial or social, which he has contracted
have so far proved highly satisfactory from a merely monetary point of
view. Further, the Moon is affected with the good aspect of the Sun in
the 2nd House, which is a further indication that on a purely financial
basis Mr. Chamberlain is a man worth going into partnership with.
Position.
All the planets except Neptune and Saturn are rising, and this at once
indicates a man ambitious of independence and honours, one who is
confessedly a candidate for responsibility.
Uranus in the Midheaven and close to the meridian indicates that
association with civic and governmental bodies in which Mr. Chamberlain
has rendered himself so conspicuous a figure, and whereas the trine
aspect of Mercury in the Ascendant to Uranus in the Midheaven and
the sextile of the Moon to Uranus also are sure indications of a
wide popularity, the square aspect of Mars to Uranus from the 12th
House, will not fail to engender many veiled enmities, machinations,
and inimical plots, which have for their object the overthrow of Mr.
Chamberlain’s prestige, and which, failing, will find expression in
vituperative abuse and bitter animosity. But those who understand the
virtue of the orientality of planets in a horoscope will retain their
confidence in Mr. Chamberlain’s ability to hold his own against all
opponents.
It will be observed that the direction of the Ascendant to the place
of Uranus in the horoscope coincides with the age of Mr. Chamberlain
at the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa, while the direction
of Midheaven opposition Saturn coincides with the progress of the Boer
War. Did space permit it would be possible to adduce a long list of
directional arcs coinciding with the time and nature of all the more
important epochs in Mr. Chamberlain’s career. The student is invited to
make some test of this matter by the aid of the rules already given in
these pages.
Marriage.
Mr. Chamberlain has been thrice married. It will be observed that not
only is there a double-bodied sign on the cusp of the 7th House, but
the Moon also applies to both the Sun and Jupiter in the sign Cancer.
(See Sect. III., chap. 8.) The aspect of the Moon being benefic to
both the Sun and Jupiter, the marital state would be both harmonious
and fortunate. It is, of course, well known that Mr. Chamberlain has,
from a merely worldly point of view, married most advantageously. This
observation may be called “wise after the event,” but I would observe
that this geniture preceded my judgment of it, and the rules from which
I judge are to be found in the Tetrabiblos of Ptolemy, written in the
second century, and since tested and found reliable by successive
astrologers during some seventeen centuries. Saturn’s aspect to Jupiter,
the ruler of the 7th House, and the Moon’s quadrature to Venus must be
held accountable for the successive bereavements which have disturbed
the conjugal life in this case.
Progeny.
The position of Saturn in the 5th House, and the affliction of Venus
by Neptune and the Moon, will serve to account, in connection with the
marriage conditions, for the small family which has been born to Mr.
Chamberlain, for observe that Venus is the ruler, jointly with Mercury,
of the 5th House, while Saturn is in the 5th and ruler of the 8th House.
The same positions and aspects threaten to curtail the succession.
The position of Mercury, joint ruler of the 5th, in the sign Cancer, and
just about to rise in the horoscope, promises honours and distinctions
to the first-born.
Travelling.
The Moon and Mars are cadent in the Horoscope, and Mercury, the
“winged messenger” (symbol of the trading-ship), is rising. These are
indications of many journeys and changes and constant unrest. But fixed
signs being on the cusps of the 3rd and 9th Houses, and the Moon also in
a fixed sign, will suffice to account for the fact that Mr. Chamberlain
is not a great long-distance traveller. Cancer and Leo holding the
benefics and the Sun also well aspected in Cancer, the Moon being in
Taurus, shows at once that France, South Africa, Holland, Scotland,
and Ireland are parts of the world in which the operations of Mr.
Chamberlain would meet with success, if it be not superfluous to detail
specific territories in face of the abundant evidence of general success
which this horoscope affords.
Friends and Enemies.
It was the boast of Bismarck that he was the “best-hated man in Europe,”
and it would be strange indeed if Mr. Chamberlain had passed through
life and attained so prominent a position without incurring the enmity,
or arousing the envy and malice of a considerable number of individuals.
Nevertheless, there are only two aspects in this horoscope which seem
to point to any sort of trouble from such causes. The points are those
of Neptune, which afflicts both the Moon and Venus, and of Mars which
afflicts Uranus in the Midheaven and the Sun in the 2nd House.
By referring these two points to the Ecliptic we find they correspond
to the Sun’s position on or about the 24th of May, and the 26th of
January, and I shall leave the reader to look up his Almanac and find
the individuals (illustrious they must needs be to find chronicle in
Whittaker) who were capable of filling the requirements of the case.
As to friends, Mr. Chamberlain should lack nothing. With the Moon in
sextile to the Sun and Jupiter, the ruler of the 11th House, in the same
benefic relations with the Moon, he would always be able to count upon
a strong adherence, and the only adverse indication in this matter is
that Mars, part ruler of the 11th House, holds the 12th House in square
aspect to Uranus in the Midheaven. This would be interpreted to mean
that some of his friends will be disposed to become his enemies, and to
militate, although ineffectually, against his credit and position. Why
ineffectually? Because Mercury, the ruler of the Ascendant and prime
significator of Mr. Chamberlain, is angular and well aspected, while
Mars is weak and afflicted by Uranus which is in elevation above it.
Conclusion.
Let it not be thought that the fame and position which Mr. Chamberlain
has attained in the political world is due entirely to the benefic
position of the principal planets in his horoscope of birth. Opportunity
is not everything. The ability to use it counts for much, and only a
man of exceptional industry, firmness, and decision, could have won for
himself such peculiar distinction; and only a man of singular faculty
could have sustained his position in the face of so much determined
opposition. It will doubtless be a matter of extreme interest to the
student of this horoscope, as to every one interested in the political
situation of to-day, to observe the concurrent influences at work in
the year 1904-5. Mr. Chamberlain attained his sixty-eighth birthday
anniversary on the 8th of July, 1904, and by adding that number of
degrees to the 22nd degree of Aquarius we obtain Taurus 0 as the
point which has attained the meridian by “direction.” This is called
the Progressed Midheaven. Referring this point of the Zodiac to the
places of the planets at birth, it is observed that the Midheaven is
approaching the sextile aspect of Mercury, having recently passed the
opposition of Saturn, and having attained that aspect in 1905, it passes
in 1908 to the sextile of Uranus, the planet which holds the greatest
elevation in the horoscope of birth. The Ascendant under the Midheaven
of Taurus 0 is Leo 16° 28′, which is the Progressed Ascendant for the
year 1904. It is in semisquare aspect to Mercury, and is the occasion of
many anxieties, worries, and annoyances, and some journeys by water.
It also indicates some derangement of the health due to nervous strain,
and affecting the stomach (ruled by Cancer). The Sun is directed in
similar manner to the 24th degree of the sign Virgo, where it meets
the sextile aspect of Jupiter in the 2nd House, in the sign of its
exaltation, Cancer. This gives access of good fortune, increase of honor
and prestige, and as Jupiter rules the 11th House, many adherents and
supporters. But being also in semisquare to Venus, Mr. Chamberlain is in
danger of losing a brother or other near male relative. The Moon by the
same measure is within 4 degrees of the place of Jupiter, again marking
the year 1908 as one of exceptional advantage, and in July of that year
Jupiter passes over the Progressed Ascendant.
* * * * *
During the year 1904 Saturn has been close to the Midheaven of the
radical horoscope, being in Aquarius 21, and stationary therein,
during the month of June. In March, and again in October, it transits
the opposition of the Progressed Ascendant in Aquarius 16, while in
February, June, and December Uranus is in transit over the opposition of
the radical Ascendant in Sagittarius 28° 16′.
* * * * *
In 1905, Saturn will transit the Midheaven in the horoscope of
birth, and in the summer of the same year Mars will be Stationary in
opposition to the place of the Moon at birth. Both these periods will
be fraught with cares and anxieties, and the latter influence will
act detrimentally on the health, disposing to attacks of gout and
inflammatory action in the system.
* * * * *
But while the approaching and concurrent Primary directions are of a
highly benefic nature, there will be no hint of a breakdown either in
health or reputation, and it needs only the additional good influence
of a transit or Secondary Lunar direction to carry Mr. Chamberlain at
full swing to the summit of popular esteem and political power.
The curious who seek for coincidences will not be surprised and may be
gratified to note that Merx, the root of the name of Mercury, signifies
trade, and that the planet Mercury is rising in this horoscope of Mr.
Chamberlain, who won great distinction for himself as President of the
Board of Trade. Those who in more earnest vein seek for causes will do
well to trace the transits of the major planets through this horoscope
over the places of the Significators, the Sun, Moon, Midheaven, and
Ascendant at all the important epochs in the life of the late Colonial
Secretary. The working out of the more important directional arcs
for the same period I can safely leave to the reader whose desire to
thoroughly test the claims of Astrology has been sufficiently aroused by
the perusal of these pages. It is at all times easier to dispute than to
disprove, and this apparently is the reason for so much that is said,
and so little that is shown, against Astrology.
As to the _modus operandi_ of planetary influence I conceive that
the brain cells are infilled with a nervous pabulum of such delicate
nature as to be capable of responding to the finer etheric vibrations
instituted by the planets; that the electrostatic condition of the
earth’s atmosphere at the moment of birth determines the particular mode
or modes of vibration to which the individual brain is syntonically
responsive; and I could, did space permit, immediately adduce hundreds
of instances to show that whenever the same positions or planetary
aspects recur in the heavens as were in existence at the moment of a
birth, the individual immediately responds to the excitation, and gives
instant evidence of such excitation by actions in agreement with the
nature of the planets involved.
CHAPTER VI
PLANETARY PERIODS, ETC.
We now come to the point where it will be necessary to explain more
fully the various elements with which so far the reader has only been
dealing in a more or less mechanical way. It is, of course, of first
importance that the student of Astrology should have a correct method,
and this has been given as fully as space will permit in the preceding
pages. But it is also necessary that one should know why he is doing
a thing, as well as how to do it. Henry Ward Beecher once said that
if a man turned soil with a spade knowing why he did it, the work was
more effectively done than if he did not know. For this reason it will
be convenient for the student to have a general view of the cosmical
elements that he employs in his calculations and of the factors that
enter into his consideration when studying a horoscope.
For purposes of calculation, the astronomer regards the planets as
moving around the Sun in circular orbits at a uniform rate, and the
positions thus obtained are called the mean longitudes of the planets.
But it is known that the orbit of a planet answers to the functions of
an ellipse, of which the Sun is presumed to occupy one of the foci.
Then it becomes necessary to correct the Mean Longitude of the planet by
an equation which is called the Centre equation.
Let us make this quite clear. The circular orbit supposed in the first
instance is what may be called the Mean Orbit of the planet, as compared
with its true orbit, which is elliptical. Similarly, the motion of the
planet in the circular orbit is called the Mean Motion, as compared with
the true motion, which is variable, being quickest at the perihelion and
slowest at the aphelion.
The difference between the Mean longitude and the True longitude is
determined by the Anomaly, which is the distance of the planet from its
Aphelion, or farthest distance from the Sun. The anomaly is thus L-A, i.
e., longitude minus aphelion.
But it will be seen that ellipses may be of greater or less
eccentricity, and the equation to centre depends on the eccentricity.
This may need a word of explanation. Suppose a circular orbit. Draw the
two diameters at right angles to one another; they are of equal length.
Now suppose another figure in which the one diameter is longer than the
other. The circumference of this figure will be an ellipse. The greater
diameter is called the Major Axis, and the diameter at right angles to
it is the Minor Axis. The proportion of one to the other axis determines
the amount of eccentricity. Twice the eccentricity gives the equation
to centre, and to reduce this to degrees and minutes of a circle it has
to be multiplied by the chord of 60 degrees, which is 57°·29578. This
gives the maximum equation to centre when the planet is 3 signs or 90
degrees from its aphelion, and therefore on the Minor Axis.
The eccentricity of the various planets may be here stated: Mercury,
0.2055; Mars, 0.0931; Jupiter, 0.0482; Saturn, 0.9562; Uranus, 0.9467;
Earth, 0.0168; Venus, 0.0068. These quantities undergo a gradual change.
Thus it is found that Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury are increasing the
eccentricity of their orbits, while Venus, the Earth, and Saturn are
reducing it. The orbit of Venus is now almost circular, and it affords
an example of the perfect astronomical paradigm.
Thus by the mean motions and the equation to centre the true longitudes
of the planets in their heliocentric orbits are obtained. But inasmuch
as the orbits of the planets do not lie in the same plane as the Sun,
but cross its apparent path at various angles of inclination, a further
equation is due to reduce the orbital longitudes of the planets to the
ecliptic.
To further reduce these true longitudes into their geocentric
equivalents, i. e., as seen from the Earth’s centre, we have to employ
the angle of Parallax, which is the angle of difference as seen from
two different points in space. This will vary according to the relative
distances of the bodies from one another. The Moon’s longitude is always
taken geocentrically. When approximate longitudes are required, the
employment of a mean vector, which is equal to half the minor axis of
the planet, is found convenient. For the convenience of astronomical
students I may here give the constant logarithms of the values of the
tangent, which, being added to the logarithm of the tangent of half the
distance of the planet from the Sun in longitude, will give the tangent
of the complement.
LOGARITHMS
Neptune, 9.97107; Uranus, 9.95479; Saturn, 9.90858; Jupiter, 9.83114;
Mars, 9.32457; Venus, 9.20812; Mercury, 9.63210.
To these add the bog, tangent of half the angle between the planet and
Sun, taken by heliocentric longitude, which call A. Call the result B.
For major planets add A and B, and for minor planets subtract B from A.
In either case the result will be the angle of longitude between the
planet and the Sun as seen from the Earth, and hence its geocentric
longitude may be known.
But a more convenient method of obtaining the approximate longitudes
of the planets geocentrically is by means of the Planetary Geocentric
periods. Thus Uranus has a period of 84 years, after which it returns
to the same longitude on the same day of the year and will be further
advanced in its orbit by 1° 5′. Saturn has a period of 59 years, after
which it comes to the same place in the zodiac and will be further
advanced by 1° 53′. Jupiter has a period of 83 years, when it is found
to be only 4′ advanced upon its former longitude. Mars’ period is 79
years plus an advance of 2° 4′. Mercury’s period is also 79 years, and
its advance is 5° 32′. Venus has a period of 8 years, when it is further
advanced in the zodiac by 1° 32′.
For the calculation of the approximate geocentric longitude of the major
planets these periods are very useful, but are of less value in regard
to the minor planets Venus and Mercury.
Suppose I want the longitude of Uranus in the year A. D. 827. I have
its longitude on the first of January, 1912, in Capricorn 28° 17′.
Then 1912-827 gives 1,085 years, which being divided by the period of
Uranus (84 years), yields 12 periods and 77 years. The increment for 1
period being 1° 5′, that for 12 will be 13°, and 77-84ths of 1° 5′ will
be another degree, making 14 degrees. As the date is anterior, this
amount must be subtracted from its longitude on the first of January,
A. D. 827, and in effect we obtain Capricorn 14 degs. 17 mins. as the
longitude of Uranus on the first of January, 827, as seen from the
Earth.
For the purpose of determining the effects, if any, due to the presence
of a planet in its Aphelion, Perihelion, or Node, the following values
are given for the year 1800 A. D.:
Planet. Aphelion. Perihelion. Node.
S. ° ′ S. ° ′ S. ° ′
Mercury 8 14 21 2 14 21 1 15 57
Venus 10 8 36 4 8 36 2 14 52
Mars 5 2 23 11 2 23 1 18 1
Jupiter 6 11 8 0 11 8 3 8 24
Saturn 8 29 4 2 29 4 3 21 57
Uranus 11 17 21 5 17 21 2 12 51
Neptune 7 12 22 2 12 22 4 9 35
The longitudes of the Aphelia are increased in 100 years by the
following quantities: Neptune, 1° 25′; Uranus, 1° 28′; Saturn, 1° 50′;
Jupiter, 1° 35′; Mars, 1° 52′; Venus, 1° 43′; Mercury, 1° 34′. These
quantities are additive for years after 1800, and subtractive for years
before that epoch.
In the present state of astronomical science it is not certain that
these values are absolutely correct. Calculated from the Tables of
Kepler, the differences are only slight, but still sufficient to make
considerable error in testing for exact conjunctions or ingresses.
Lilly, who predicted the Great Plague and Fire of London some years
previous to the event from the ingress of the Aphelion of Mars to the
sign Virgo, evidently made use of the Rudolphine Tables constructed
by Tycho and Kepler, and according to these the ingress took place in
1654, while according to more modern Tables it did not take place
until 1672. It is probable, however, that the positions of the Aphelia
here given will be sufficiently close for all practical purposes.
A word or two may now be said regarding the periodic conjunctions of the
planets.
As will be seen from the periods given, five periods of Jupiter are
nearly equal to two of Saturn. It is found that the two planets form
their conjunctions every 20 years. Thus there was a conjunction in Virgo
in 1861, another in Taurus in 1881, and another in Capricornus in 1901.
The next will be in Virgo in 1921. The two planets are thus now forming
their successive conjunctions in the Earthly Tripicity; but in 1981 will
make their mutation conjunction by falling together in the Airy sign
Libra.
Uranus and Jupiter form their conjunctions every 14 years. Thus there
was a conjunction in Sagittarius in 1900, and there will be another in
Aquarius in 1914, another in Aries in 1928, and so on.
The conjunctions of Neptune with the other major planets are necessarily
in terms of the periods of the latter, those of Neptune and Uranus being
very infrequent, while those with Jupiter will be proportionately more
frequent. For the period of Jupiter is only 12 years, while Neptune
remains in the same sign for 15 years. The conjunction of Jupiter and
Neptune in Cancer in 1907 will be followed by another in Leo in 1919,
and this again by another in Virgo in 1932.
Obviously, if the planets by their transits effect anything whatsoever,
the double transit of major planets must have a correspondingly greater
effect. The careful student of Astrology will institute a number of
tests in order to find what effects are due to the combined action of
the planets when in conjunction at transit, and also when in opposition
or quadrature. The chief points to be noticed in connection with the
transits of the planets are the Midheaven, Ascendant, and the places of
the Sun and Moon, as already mentioned in Chapter II of this section.
The ancients also included the places of the Moon’s Nodes, and it
is usually found that the transit of the South Node over any of the
Significators is attended by unfortunate results.
With these observations as a general guide to the cosmical factors
involved in the planetary motions, the reader will be able to take a
more intelligent interest in the foundations of his study than is the
usual case from the pursuit of the subject by rule-of-thumb methods.
When we come to the consideration of the Moon as a cosmical factor we
are face to face with one of the most difficult and evasive problems.
For many centuries astronomers grappled with this inconstant factor
with small success, and at the present day the problems attaching
to the vagaries of lunar motion are in anything but a satisfactory
condition. Prior to the time of Ptolemy nothing was known of the Moon
except that it had a certain mean motion and formed its syzygies at
definite periods, the mean values of which were very closely known.
But certainly nothing was known regarding the inequalities of motion
which are found to exist. Ptolemy discovered the equation due to the
action of the Sun upon the Moon in its orbit. This is called the
Evection. Tycho later discovered that a further equation was due to the
disturbance caused by the Sun along the vector. Both these equations
were employed by Kepler. But of these, later astronomers have added
one after another equation, going so far as to employ the action due
to Venus and Jupiter, while ignoring that due to the action of the
other planets upon the Moon. Buckhardt, whose formulae were used in
the calculation of the Nautical Almanac for many years, employs no
less than 37 equations of the Moon’s mean longitude. Indeed, the whole
business has become farcical. The fact is that only three of these
equations are necessary in order to obtain the Moon’s true place in
the ecliptic at any time, and for the syzygy only one equation is
necessary. The trouble has arisen from the fact that the eccentricity
of the Moon’s orbit has been wrongly estimated, and most of these
equations now employed by astronomers are effectual only in correcting
this false estimate. Kepler gives the maximum equation to centre as
4° 59′ 59″, while modern astronomers have given it as 6° 18′ 28″.
Neither of these is quite correct, though Kepler is much nearer the
truth.
Another problem in connection with the Moon that has puzzled astronomers
for a long time and is still in the region of experimental science is
what is known as the Secular equation. It is found that by taking the
present mean motion of the Moon and applying the various equations,
found necessary to bring the calculations into line with observations of
the Moon’s position in the zodiac, a considerable difference is found to
exist between the calculated place of the Moon and its recorded position
at the time of ancient eclipses. According to our modern Tables, ancient
eclipses happened sooner than they should have done, or, in other words,
the Moon was more advanced in its orbit than our Tables require. The
inference is that the Moon was formerly moving quicker in a smaller
orbit than now, or conversely, the Moon is now receding and getting
farther from the Earth. Consequently its action on the tides must be
diminishing, and also its action on the equatorial mass of the Earth,
which is considered to be the chief factor in the production of what is
called the Precession of the Equinoxes. Yet whereas by one statement the
disturbance due to the Moon is diminishing, another statement shows that
the Precession of the Equinoxes is increasing! =Voila le debacle.=
All these anomalies and contradictions are due, as I shall show in my
new Tables and Thesis, to the importation of false factors into the
problem of the Moon’s motion, which, in fact, is extremely simple,
perfectly regular, and affected only by its anomaly or distance from the
aphelion and, where the time equation is employed, by the increase of
radius. Jupiter and Venus have no more action on the Moon than have Mars
and Saturn, in fact none at all, and the only body that has any action
upon the lunar orb is the Sun, which it exerts indirectly through its
action on the Earth.
These problems need not, however, vex the minds of the student of
Astrology. It is sufficient for him that he has the place of the Moon
calculated for him in the ephemeris reduced from the Nautical or other
official Almanac. It is important, however, that he should know that
such problems exist.
Sir Isaac Newton was first led to the subject of Astronomy by his
thoroughness and scientific propensity. He studied Astrology, and
proceeded to the study of Astronomy the better to understand and deal
with the problems that the predictive science presented. For it is
to be observed that Astrology in his day was entirely in the hands
of astronomers, who calculated their own ephemerides and pursued
the higher methods of astrological calculation as presented in my
“Profnostic Astronomy.” Kepler avowed himself to be convinced of
the truth of the science of Astrology, and showed himself to be a
competent critic as much by his understanding of the astronomical
problems involved as by his marvellous forecast of the rise and fall
of Wallenstein. Tycho, his colleague and collaborator, also a great
astronomical discoverer, was a professed Astrologer, and added to his
stipend by the calculation of horoscopes. Astrology is quite a reputable
study, and needs but to be emancipated from the service of a horde of
half-educated plagiarists and parasites in order to take its place once
more among subjects of serious consideration by the learned. Astronomy
is interesting, but to be made useful it must find interpretation in
terms of our daily life and common needs. It is in this connection that
Astrology has played Cinderella since the days of official science. The
day is not far off when it will come into its own.
CHAPTER VII
REVOLUTIONS, ECLIPSES, INGRESSES, ETC.
Beyond the various time measures and indicators mentioned in Section
IV, Chapter II, there are others which have a certain reputation among
astrological students. The chief of these, and one that has been in
vogue for many centuries, is the
Solar Revolution,
or Birthday Figure, as it is sometimes called. It consists in a map of
the heavens for the return of the Sun to the exact zodiacal position
that it held at birth, and this sidereal revolution is made the basis of
an annual forecast of the general trend of affairs in the life of the
subject. To find the time of the Sun’s return to its own place in the
zodiac is, of course, a simple matter of proportion from the ephemeris
for the current year. This is effected by comparing the radical or
birthplace of the Sun with the longitude of the Sun in the Ephemeris
on the anniversary day, which will give the increment more or less
required to be equated. Then with this difference of the two positions
of the Sun (a) at birth and (b) at noon of the anniversary, find the
diurnal proportional logarithm and subtract from this the logarithm for
the Sun’s motion in 24 hours. The result will be the logarithm for the
hours and minutes from Noon at which the Sun was in the exact position
it held at the birth. Thus you have the time of the solar return, and
all that is necessary is to erect a horoscope for this time and set the
planets in the figure.
Then, if the benefic planets are in elevation and the Lord or Ruler of
the Ascendant is well placed and aspected, there will be commensurate
results, and a beneficial year may be predicted; but if, on the
contrary, the malefic planets are elevated and the ruler of the
horoscope is badly aspected, the year ensuing will be fraught with many
troubles and vexatious events.
But inasmuch as the time-factor is here the return of the Sun to its
radical place, chief attention must be paid to the aspects of the Sun,
and conclusions agreeable to the nature of the afflicting planets or
those that favourably aspect the luminary may be made accordingly.
As regards the time at which events signified by the aspects may be
expected to transpire, I have found that they usually occur during
the transit of the Sun over the places of the planets in the annual
horoscope. Thus a person born in August may have the Sun in the annual
horoscope in square aspect to Saturn, the Sun being in Leo and Saturn in
Taurus. Then the evil signified by the aspect of Saturn to the Sun would
transpire about the date that the Sun passed the opposition of Saturn in
the sign Scorpio some time in November, or again in May of the following
year when the Sun was in conjunction with the place of Saturn in the
horoscope for the Solar return.
Events that are benefic in nature may be produced from the transit of
the Sun over the places of the benefics in the Solar figure, or over the
good aspects of the planet which in the annual horoscope gives promise
of benefit.
In similar manner the return of the Moon to its own place may be taken
as a monthly guide to the nature of ensuing events, but it is to be
observed that the Moon’s place cannot be taken with the same degree
of accuracy as that of the Sun, owing to the varied acceleration of
the Moon from hour to hour. The Nautical Almanac gives this hourly
acceleration, so that by means of it the Moon’s longitude can be
arrived at with great accuracy for any time of the day, but the cheaper
ephemerides do not contain more than the longitude for noon and
midnight. The student will find, however, that the general purposes of a
Lunar horoscope may be served with sufficient accuracy from this source
if chief regard be had to the aspects of the Moon at its return and not
to the mundane positions of the planets.
Arguing from analogy, one would suppose that a similar horoscope could
be made for the return of any of the planets to their radical places,
but until we have a popular publication in which the planets’ places
are given with a greater degree of accuracy than at present, we cannot
pretend to indicate the true time of the revolutions of these bodies.
Another means of prognosis to which some astrologers have attached
considerable importance is what is known as
The Synodical Revolution.
This consists of a horoscope set for the time of the Moon’s return to
the same distance from the Sun that it held at birth, which distance is
called the elongation. This measure is based upon the relative motions
of the Sun and Moon in the zodiac after birth. Thus if the mean motion
of the Sun for one day be taken as 59′ and that of the Moon as 13° 11′,
then the mean elongation of the Moon will be 12° 12′. But the Sun and
Moon are both subject to a variation from the mean motion, and thus the
elongation of the Moon is an inconstant quantity. The only means of
effecting the calculation, therefore, is by reference to the ephemeris
for the year of birth. Then, having the Moon’s radical elongation, the
successive dates at which this elongation is repeated are to be noted,
and each of them is accounted as one year of life. Thus for the 20th
year of life one must count 19 synods or conjunctions of the Sun and
Moon after birth, and thereafter proceed to fix the date after the last
synod at which the Moon’s elongation is the same as that of birth. This
idea seems to give grounds for the ancient belief in effects attaching
to the Moon’s age. For the Moon’s age denotes the distance of the Moon
from the last conjunction with the Sun, and if a person was born on the
tenth day of the Moon, then every tenth day of the Moon in successive
revolutions will be of importance, since the Moon will be in the same
relations with the Sun as at birth. The aspects that the Moon bears
to the other celestial bodies at these times is held to be a guide to
the nature of succeeding events. But more attention is paid to such
horoscopes thus calculated wherein the Moon falls on the place of any of
the planets at birth.
Ingresses
are of two kinds, mundane and zodiacal. A mundane ingress is made when
a planet in the heavens comes to the cusp of one of the Houses in the
horoscope of birth--that is to say, to the degree of the zodiac which
held the cusp of such House. Thus if the 8th degree of the sign Aquarius
were on the cusp of the 2nd House of the horoscope and Saturn in the
heavens made transit of that degree of the zodiac, then the Ingress of
Saturn to the 2nd House would be effected and would be followed by a
period of considerable financial stress. Similarly with other planets in
the horoscope. Each will make its periodical transit through the several
Houses of the horoscope of birth, and these will be attended by events
in terms of the nature of the planet, the House it transits and its
affections at birth.
Zodiacal ingresses are those that are made by the planets into the signs
of the zodiac successively, and it is held that a change in the trend
of affairs will take place in that department of the life ruled by the
House wherein that sign is placed at birth. This, however, appears to
be an extension of the former kind of ingress, and should be taken with
some reserve. Certainly it will be found that very marked effects are
due to the transits of the planets through the Houses of the horoscope,
and if the aspects of these planets in the ephemeris are taken into
account, it will be found that a very accurate basis for a forecast of
the various incidents of individual life is thereby afforded.
In this connection the periodical synods of the planets should be
observed, for it is evident that if we ascribe an influence to the
transit of Saturn we must set a still more important value upon the
transit of that planet when in conjunction or opposition with any
other body in the heavens. Thus the planets Mars and Saturn form their
conjunctions in successive signs after an interval of about two
years, during which period it may be said that the effects of the
last conjunction are in play. Thus Saturn and Mars formed their last
conjunction in August, 1911, in the sign Taurus, and, according to
the position of that sign in various horoscopes, effects more or less
detrimental and disturbing would be experienced during the course of two
years after that date.
Jupiter’s period of 12 years will be watched with interest by those who
are studying the effects due to its action, for it passes through one
sign or one House every year on an average, and therefore constitutes
a good chronocrator or time-marker. But Jupiter can effect little for
good if at the time of its transit it is afflicted in the heavens by
the adverse aspect or conjunction of another planet. Similarly, Saturn
or Uranus or Neptune has to be judged according to its condition and
aspects at the time of transit or ingress.
Eclipses,
whether of the Sun or Moon, are significant of evil according to their
positions and aspects in the horoscope. For if an eclipse of the Sun
happens it will afflict male members of the family, and an eclipse of
the Moon will denote evil to female members. Eclipses falling in the
sign occupying the 10th or 4th Houses will afflict the parents, and
those which fall in the 3rd House will similarly affect collateral
relatives, such as brothers and sisters, according to the sex indicated.
The effects of eclipses last for eighteen months, and will be great or
small according to the magnitude of the eclipse and considerations due
to aspects. When falling on the places of benefic planets or those well
aspected in the horoscope, the eclipse will portend good arising out of
some catastrophe or bereavement. But when falling on the places of the
malefics, or on places in the horoscope that are badly aspected by the
planets at birth, they portend nothing but evil.
Falling in other parts of the figure, they are not of such significance,
but generally it may be said that eclipses have a detrimental effect on
such affairs as are governed by the House wherein the eclipse falls.
It has been said that unless an eclipse is visible in that part of the
world where the subject was born, it will have no effect upon his health
or fortunes. But this cannot be the case, for then those planets that
are beneath the horizon at the time of birth could with equal reason be
exempt from any share in our consideration, whereas, on the contrary, we
know full well that in whatever part of the circle the planets may be
situated at the moment of birth they will affect the life and fortunes
in equal degree, but especially such department of the life as may be
ruled by the House a planet occupies.
The following is a list of the visible eclipses that will be witnessed
in Great Britain during the next ten years:
1914.--12th March, Moon eclipsed in the third hour of the morning,
nearly total.
21st August, the Sun eclipsed about noon, two-thirds of the disc
eclipsed. Total in Sweden and Norway.
1916.--9th January, Moon sets in contact with the shadow.
3rd February, the Sun sets about half eclipsed. Total across the
Atlantic.
15th July, Moon eclipsed about three-quarters of its disc in the
fifth hour of the morning.
1917.--8th January, Moon eclipsed in the eighth hour of the
morning, just before sunrise. Total.
4th July, Moon totally eclipsed in the eleventh hour of the evening.
28th December, Moon begins to be eclipsed just before setting.
1919.--7th November, in the twelfth hour at night the Moon is
partially eclipsed.
22nd November, the Sun has one-fifth of its disc obscured near
sunset. Annular in the South Atlantic.
1920.--3rd May, Moon totally eclipsed in the second hour of the
morning.
10th November, Sun sets half eclipsed.
1921.--8th April, in the ninth hour of the morning the Sun is
eclipsed, about five-sixths of the disc being obscured. Annular
eclipse in the north.
16th October, the Moon has five-sixths of its disc overshadowed at
eleventh hour of the evening.
1922.--28th March, Sun eclipsed in the third hour of the afternoon,
about one-sixth being obscured. Annular in Africa.
The years 1805 and 1917 are great eclipse years, for in both those
years there are no less than seven eclipses. From like causes we argue
like effects, and therefore we may anticipate a great convulsion in the
political world during the year 1917 and thereafter. At that time Mars
and Saturn will form their conjunction in the sign Leo together with
Neptune, and these successive conjunctions of the three major planets
cannot fail to produce great mutations, more especially in those
countries that are ruled by the sign Leo.
* * * * *
So far as individual horoscopes are concerned the effects of these
conjunctions and the eclipses which fall in the sign Capricornus and
Cancer must be judged by the particular Houses of the horoscopes in
which they occur. The general effects due to any eclipse or conjunction
of the larger planets are distributed and find their expression through
individual horoscopes, the influence filtrating as it were through a
variety of channels for the ultimate purpose of human evolution and
government.
* * * * *
Thus by many lines of evidence the patient student may confirm his
belief in the influence of the stars in human life, which involves
the yet higher concept of the government of humanity by the greater
Intelligences according to preordained laws, divine in their origin and
cosmical in their expression. To this concept as a final expression of
faith and of scientific experience we must eventually submit our beliefs
and opinions, and haply our willing compliance.