In this section you can read more detailed study of planets. For short description see Planets in Basic astrology chapter
The personality of the transiting planet affecting a person is a significant indicator of the type of influence that person is likely to experience. So a review of planetary personalities is warranted. In all instances, the duration of an aspect is measured from 1.58 degree approaching to .42 degree separating - also during retrograde motion.
Here is brief description and analysis of the planets. For more details and deeper analysis please read also:
The symbology of twelve in chapter page
Planetary in chapter page
Planetary behavior in chapter page
Retrograde Motion in chapter page
Cycles in chapter page
and sections Guidelines-how to interpret (chapter page), Predictive techniques (chapter page) and Interpretations (chapter page)
The Moon - is the fastest moving body in astrology. It transits an entire sign in about two to three days - at a rate of about 12 to 15 degrees per day. The Moon’s aspects last a few hours only, although its presence in a sign is felt for the entire duration. This is especially true once a month when the Moon transits the signs and houses occupied by the natal Sun, Moon, and Venus. In general, these occasions are experienced very favorably. Lunar cycles can affect one’s mood, perception, and sensitivity, and cause behavioral changes.
The Sun - transits a sign in about 30 days - at a rate of about one degree per day. The Sun highlights the sign characteristics and house affairs it transits. The influence of its aspect lasts about a day or two, although the Sun’s presence in a sign and house is felt for the entire month. If the influence of its aspect is positive, it enhances one’s level confidence, courage, and assertiveness. Sun cycles may bring about events involving employers and authority figures.
Mercury - is regarded as the messenger. It transits a sign usually in 20 to 30 days, when it is in direct motion. It may remain in a sign longer, if it turns retrograde and then direct again in the same sign - Mercury is retrograde three to four times every year, each retrograde period lasting usually 15 to 25 days. Mercury is always in the vicinity of the Sun, sometimes following, other times ahead.
Mercury’s influence is neither positive nor adverse. The quality of the influence depends on the pattern it forms. Mercury cycles last about a day or two. The influence may be experienced as improved or blocked communications, harmonious or irritating daily events, optimistic or pessimistic outlook, pleasant or unpleasant messages and/or correspondence. The positive cycles signal a period when the mind is sharp and constructive. They also bestow a "I got away with it" luck, even though astrologically "luck" is associated more with Venus. There is a correlation between adverse Mercury cycles - especially when Mercury is retrograde - and accidents, traffic problems, and other unhappy events.
Venus - is the planet of harmony and beauty, and is considered as an inherently "benefic" (i.e., positive nature) planet. It transits a sign usually in 25 to 30 days. Venus is retrograde once about every two years, the retrograde period lasting between one to two months. Venus’ aspect cycles last a day or two, although Venus’ presence in a sign and house is felt for the entire duration. This is especially true on occasions when Venus is transiting the signs and houses of the natal Sun. Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars, if these signs are not afflicted in the chart. The influence bestows inner peace, warmth, harmony, and indeed, radiance and magnetism. Artistic pursuits, creative urge, romantic encounters, pleasant experiences... enter one’s diary.
Mars - is the most potent and dynamic planet in the zodiac, and is considered as inherently "malefic" (i.e., adverse nature). It transits a sign usually in about 60 days. Mars may remain in a sign up to about six months, if it turns retrograde and then direct again in the same sign - it is retrograde once about every two years. Like the Sun, Mars energizes the house affairs it transits. However, while the Sun is dynamic and energetic, Mars can be these and also aggressive, challenging, and confronting. The aspect cycles last 4 days, although Mars’ presence in a sign and house is felt for the entire duration. This is especially true if Mars is transiting the natal Sun-sign (i.e., a tight feeling), over volatile planets (i.e., "stormy"), or over the Moon or Venus (i.e., magnetic). If positive, it adds zest to one’s life. Projects and ambitions which were "on hold" are reactivated. However, it is also easy for Mars to become nasty. Adverse aspects by Mars can bring about frustration, tension, tightness, arguments, anger, violence, violent accidents, and danger.
Jupiter - is the planet of expansion, excess, good fortune, and finances, and is considered as inherently benefic. It transits a sign in 12 months, including a retrograde period of about 140 days every year. The aspect cycles last 9 days. A positive Jupiter cycle bestows an optimistic outlook on life. And why not? "Things turn out just right..." under its "fortunate" influence. Possibilities abound: financial gains; a desire to expand in some form (e.g., attend "adult education" classes); an urge to broaden one’s horizons through travel... Of course, Jupiter may also deny all of these. The conjunction by Jupiter is usually accompanied by an excess: weight gain, excessive spending, talkativeness...
Saturn - is regarded as a sober, limiting, testing, restricting, teaching, restructuring... planet. It is considered as inherently malefic. Saturn transits a sign in about two-and-half years, including a retrograde period of approximately 160 days every year. The aspect cycles last 22 days. However, the planet also works in the background, restructuring the house affairs it transits. Saturn’s transits of the natal Sun, Moon, and Venus can be an ordeal that lasts, on and off, for the entire duration. Problems in major affairs - marriage, a job situation, career... - that were ignored, surface and confront, demanding a solution. The situation resolves in one way or another (e.g., a stronger marriage or a divorce), and usually for the better after the fact, but the cycle is a trying experience while events unfold. Saturn’s rewards are also substantive, but they must be earned through hard work. For example, if Saturn is transiting 9th house (publications...) and approaching a trine with the natal Sun, a writer should have a manuscript ready for publication. Otherwise, a wonderful cycle of opportunity is wasted. This waste also explains why traditional astrology does not ascribe major importance to positive Saturn cycles. Most people simply waste it, and then observe that nothing really important happened to them.
Comment: People who do not believe in astrology need only to jot down the dates of severe experiences in their lives that lasted a year or two (e.g., divorce proceedings, illness, joblessness...). They should then mark the positions of transiting Saturn on those dates in their natal chart. In almost all instances, Saturn will be found transiting (or square, or opposing) a house that is associated with the problem (e.g., 7th, divorce; 6th, illness or joblessness; 10th, career problems; 12th, hospitalization...)
Uranus - is the planet that is associated with sudden and unexpected major developments in life. These events include sudden gains or losses, uprooting changes, a prolonged period of creativity or eccentricity... Uranus is considered as inherently malefic. It transits a sign in about seven years, including a retrograde period of approximately 160 days every year. The aspect cycles last 38 days. However, Uranus’ transits (or square or opposing) of the natal Sun, Moon, and Mars can be an uprooting ordeal that lasts, on and off, for more than a year. In contrast, Uranus’ transit of natal Venus (or trine or sextile to natal Moon) are one of the most stimulating - romantic and creative - cycles ever experienced.
Neptune - is the planet that is associated with emotional, spiritual, and psychic experiences and phenomena. Neptune is considered as an inherently malefic planet. A positive Neptune cycle is a wonderful experience. It bestows a prolonged period of creativity, illumination, imagination, and inspiration. However, Neptune’s influences are nebulous. Adverse Neptune cycles are accompanied by treachery, deception, self-deception, illusions, delusions, false hopes and expectations, dreams, severe regret, and heightened telephatic senses. Many "I was reborn" experiences can be traced directly to influences by Neptune. Severe natal patterns involving Neptune are probably the cause why some of the most renown artists, musicians, poets, writers... suffer from manic depression. Neptune’s transit of a sign may last almost two decades, including a retrograde period of about 160 days every year. The aspect cycles last 76 days.
Pluto - is the planet of regeneration. Its cycles mark major phases of "endings and new beginnings" in life. Pluto is considered as an inherently malefic planet. On the surface, Pluto’s impact appears similar to a "restructuring" process by Saturn. However, one recognizes - usually a few years after the fact - that the change Pluto wrought is permanent. Thus, if a Saturn process may be viewed as a bump on one’s existing path, a Pluto process is indeed a new path, not a continuation on the previous track. In some ways the transformation is also similar to "I was reborn" experience that is associated with Neptune, but in this case the change is tangible and visible: a new and different life-style. Pluto’s transit of a sign may last up to two decades, including a retrograde period of about 160 days every year. Aspects formed by Pluto last 76 days.
North Node - is not understood well as a transiting influence. It may have something to do with experiences involving special groups with which a person is associated. The node is always retrograde. Its aspects last about 38 days.
Retrograde Cycles - Traditional astrology interprets retrograde periods as cycles during which the impact of positive aspects are diminished, while the effect of adverse aspects are exacerbated. I disagree! I interpret retrograde periods strictly as cycles of transition, during which a person is preoccupied with unfinished business from the last cycle. This is true of all planets with long retrograde cycles, but it is especially the case with Pluto and Saturn. These two planets can reshape the circumstances of one’s life. In general, the type of transition one experiences depends on the planet. For example, if it is a retrograde cycle of Mercury, the "unfinished" tasks may involve only something minor, like "putting the finishing touches" on a previous project before starting a new project. In turn, the transition phase associated with a Pluto cycle may mean a move from Washington, DC to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to begin a new life. On the surface the transition is arduous, for there is an unending list of things to do. However, this does not mean that adversity is enhanced, nor that the promise of the opportunity is diminished.
AGES OF MAN. By the ancients the planets were caned chronocrators, or markers of time. It was presumed that different periods of life are ruled by different planets, as:
| Planet | Period | Ages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moon: growth | 4 years | 1-4 | the mewling babe |
| Mercury: education | 10 years | 5-14 | the scholar |
| Venus: emotion | 8 years | 15-22 | the lover |
| Sun: virility | 19 years | 23-42 | the citizen |
| Mars: ambition | 15 years | 43-57 | the soldier |
| Jupiter: reflection | 12 years | 58-69 | the judge |
| Saturn: resignation | 30 years | 70-99 | slippers |
These appear to correspond to the Seven Ages of Man, as listed by Shakespeare in "As You Like It," which he apparently took from the Chaldeans.
Sepharial suggests a slightly altered set of measures, to include the planets of recent discovery:
| Planet | Duration of Years | Age Period |
|---|---|---|
| Moon | 7 | 0-7 |
| Mercury | 8 | 7-15 |
| Venus | 9 | 15-24 |
| Sun | 10 | 24-34 |
| Mars | 11 | 35-45 |
| Jupiter | 12 | 46-57 |
| Saturn | 13 | 57-70 |
| Uranus | 14 | 70-84 |
| Neptune | 15 | 84-99 |
| Pluto | 16 | 99-115 |
From the sign position and aspects to the chronocrators, judgment was formed as to the fortunes of the native and his environment during the period ruled by each planet. Thus an afflicted Moon indicates ill health and an adverse environment in infancy; an afflicted Mercury, retarded education; an afflicted Mars, unfortunate in love; and so on.
Literally, that quality or condition in virtue of which a body exhibits opposite, or contrasted, properties or powers, in opposite or contrasted, parts or directions.
Maurice Weymss classifies the polarities as follows:
| Sign Pair | Root Instinct | Simple Instinct | |
| Electric: |  and  | Food obtaining | Acquisitiveness |
| Crystalline: |  and  | Reproductive | Constructiveness |
| Energy: |  and  | Imitative | Mimicry |
| Solid: |  and  | Precautionary | Acquisitive |
| Gaseous: |  and  | Communicative | Sympathy |
| Liquid: |  and  | Herd | Service |
Friendly planets
Potlemy appeared to believe that those planets which have rulership, exaltation or triplicity in each other’s Signs should be classed as friendly planets.
Other authorities class them as follows:
Just how Saturn can be friendly to the Sun when the latter is unfriendly to him is nowhere explained, and James Wilson says the entire concept is nonsense. However, a little thought will discern its basic truth when the qualities of the various vibrations are considered, and as regards the Sun-Saturn objection what Ptolemy probably meant was Saturn’s application in beneficent aspect to the solar orb, for no one can deny that a sextile or trine from Saturn to the Sun mightily strengthens the latter and agrees with its purpose.
Malefic (Infortunes)
Applied to certain planets deemed to exert a harmful influence; chiefly Mars and Saturn.
As usually employed, it is loosely applied to an inharmonious aspect with any planet, and to a conjunction with any malefic planet.
Afflicted by; in affliction with. Applied to certain aspects deemed to be inharmonious.
Fall
A planet in the Sign opposite that in which it is said to be Exalted.
(see also Dignities and Debilities)
Exaltation
The exaltations of the planets are specific benefic position (sign and degree) wherein planets function well. Traditional exaltations are assigned to the planets Sun through Saturn as follows; a planet is exalted in a particular sign, and especially exalted at a particular degree of that sign:
Culmination
(a) The arrival of a planet at the Midheaven (M.C.) or the cusp of the Tenth house, by progression, direction, or transit.
(b) Sometimes used to indicate the completion of an aspect - the arrival of a planet at the exact degree where a partile aspect becomes platic.
Dispositor
The Ruler of the Sign on the cusp of a House disposes of, or is the dispositor of, a planet posited in that House. When the dispositor of any planet taken as a significator, is itself disposed of by the Ruler of the Ascendant, it is deemed a strongly favorable indication. In a Solar Figure, the Ruler of the Sign is the Dispositor of a planet posited therein. The assumption is that when a planet is in a Sign that is ruled by another planet, it is supposed to be so influenced by the planet that rules the Sign in which it is placed, as in effect to alter its nature. Thus, if Saturn is in a Sign ruled by Jupiter, the Jupiterian influence is presumed so to permeate the Saturn influence as to render it more Jupiterian and less Saturnian. This idea is expressed by saying either that "Saturn is disposed of by Jupiter," or that "Jupiter is the dispositor of Saturn." Definitions of various authorities are somewhat vague and apparently contradictory, but a study of older texts appears to justify the simple explanation here given. of course the term must not be interpreted too literally, for most authorities argue that a planet actually in-a-House is more potent in its influence over the affairs of that House than is the Ruler of the Sign on its cusp, or of a Sign intercepted within the House. The extent to which the Dispositor nullifies the influence of the planet of which it disposes, is a matter of judgment based upon the strength of aspects and the character of the aspecting planets as affecting both the Dispositor and the planet of which it disposes.
In his dictionary Alan Leo gives a reverse definition to that offered by Sepharial, but evades the issue by remarking that "it is probably of more importance in Horary Astrology, though it must have some value in Nativities." However, too many ancient texts base judgments on the "dispositor of Mercury" to admit of Mercury not having a Dispositor - which under Leo’s definition that "a planet in the House of another disposes of that planet," would occur if no planets were in Gemini or Virgo. However, since Mercury must always be in some Sign, the designation of the Ruler of that Sign as Mercury’s Dispositor becomes a logical application of the term. The Ruler of the Sign Mercury posits is thus a determining factor in the qualities of disposition that the fluctuating Mercury will develop.
Stationary
A planet appears to be stationary in its orbit at that point, or station, from which it reverses its motion from direct to retrograde, or the reverse. The Sun and Moon are never stationary.
Those points in the orbit of a planet where it becomes either retrograde or direct; so termed because it remains stationary there for a few days before it changes its course. The first station is where it becomes retrograde; the second station, where it abandons retrograde and resumes direct motion. From these Stations orientality is reckoned. From apogee to the first station it is matutine, because it rises in the morning before the Sun, hence is in the first degree of orientality. From the first station to perigee, the lowest apsis, it is vespertine, because it rises in the evening before Sunset, hence is in the first degree of occidentality. Stationer of the Moon. The Moon is never retrograde, but in a different sense her first and second dichotomes are often loosely termed her first and second stations.
Frustration
A term used in Horary Astrology when one planet is applying to an aspect of another, which aspect would tend to signify some event; but before such aspect culminates, a third planet, by its swifter motion, interposes to anticipate the culmination of the forming aspect by completing one of its own. It is said to produce an Abscission of Light that will frustrate the promised effect of the slower-moving aspect, constituting a prohibition (q.v.) against its operation. The indication is that the matter thus subjected to the prohibition will be retarded or utterly prevented, through influences connected with the House of which the frustrating planet is Ruler, or in which it was posited at birth. In his "Arcana of Astrology" Simmonite gives this illustration of its application to an Horary Figure: "If Venus, Lady of the Ascendant, were hastening to the trine of Mars, Lord of the Seventh, in a question of marriage, it might denote that the match would take place; but if Mercury were to form an opposition to Mars before Venus reached her trine of that planet, it would be a frustration and would show that the hopes of the querent would be cut off, and if he were Lord of the Twelfth, it might denote that it would be done by a private enemy; if Lord of the 3rd, by means of relations, and so on."
Dignities and Debilities
Conditions of placement wherein a planet’s influence is strengthened, are termed Dignities; if weakened they are termed Debilities. These are of two varieties: Essential and Accidental.
A planet in a Sign in which it is strengthened, is in one of its Essential Dignities; in a House in which it is strengthened, in its Accidental Dignity.
The Essential Dignities are:
Relative values were computed by points as follows: Sign 5; Mutual reception by house, 5; Exaltation 4; mutual reception by Exaltation 4; Triplicity 3; Term 2; Face 1.
In the opposite Sign to that which it rules, a planet is said to be in its Detriment; which is to say, in opposition to its most congenial environment, hence materially weakened.
In the opposite Sign to that in which it would be in its Exaltation, it is said to be in its Fall. The scale of Essential Debilities arc: Detriment 5; Fall 4; Peregrine 5.
A planet in its Debility is generally to be interpreted as an indi- cation of weakness in that it increases the bad effects of malefic, and lessens the possibilities for good of a benefic.
Of the Accidental Dignities the strongest is placement in Angular Houses: firstly, the Tenth; then, in order, the First, Seventh and Fourth Houses. The Succedent Houses come next, with the Cadent Houses weakest.
Other Accidental Dignities, according to older authorities, are: favorable aspects to Fortune; freedom from combustion; favorable aspects from benefics; swift in motion and increasing in light; and in a House which corresponds to the Sign of its Essential Dignity - as the Sun in the Fifth House, corresponding to Leo; Moon in the Fourth House, corresponding to Cancer; Mercury in the Third or Sixth House, corresponding to Gemini and Virgo; and so on.
Modern authorities, however, usually confine the use of the term to House placement or Elevation. Accidental Dignities arc not necessarily benevolent. The increased strength may result harmfully if expressed through unfavorable aspects. The number of planets which are accidentally dignified is a character - index of importance.
A planet so placed as to gain strength by way of Essential or Accidental dignity, does not necessarily confer a benevolent disposition. For example, a significator that is exalted, angular, and not afflicted indicates a person of haughty arrogant nature, assuming more than is his due. Charles E.0. Carter considers that a planet in its own sign benefits quantitatively, but not qualitatively; i.e., its strength is increased, but not necessarily rendered benefic.
Point values by which to judge the relative strength of the Accidental Dignities, as listed y Wilson, are:
| Ascendant or Midheaven | 5 | Swift of motion | 2 |
| Not Combust | 5 | Increasing in light | 2 |
| Cazimi | 5 | Saturn, oriental | 2 |
| Besieged by Jupiter and Venus | 6 | Jupiter, oriental | 2 |
| Partile conj. with Jupiter and Venus | 5 | Mars, oriental | 2 |
| Conj Cor Leonis | 6 | Moon, occidental | 2 |
| Conj Spica | 5 | Mercury, occidental | 2 |
| 4th, 7th or 11th House | 4 | Venus, occidental | 2 |
| Direct motion | 4 | 3rd House | 1 |
| Partile conj., North Node | 4 | Hayze | 1 |
| Partile trine, Jupiter and Venus | 4 | In the Term of Jupiter or Venus | 1 |
| Partile sextile, Jupiter and Venus | 3 | ||
| 2nd or 5th House | 2 | ||
| 9th House | 2 | ||
Point values of the Accidental Debilities are: |
|||
| Besieged by Mars and Saturn | 6 | Partile square, Mars or Saturn | 3 |
| Partile conj, Mars and Saturn | 5 | Decreasing in light | 2 |
| Conj Caput Algol | 6 | Decreasing in motion, or slow | 2 |
| Combust | 5 | Saturn occidental | 2 |
| Retrograde | 5 | Jupiter occidental | 2 |
| 12th House | 5 | Moon oriental | 2 |
| Under the Sunbeams | 4 | Mercury oriental | 2 |
| 6th or 8th House | 4 | Venus oriental | 2 |
| Partile conj, South Node | 4 | In term of Mars or Saturn | 1 |
| Partile opposition, Mars or Saturn | 4 | ||
Certain Dignities specifically ascribed to Fortuna are: |
|||
| Conj., Cor Leonis | 6 | Part;le trine, Venus or Jupiter | 4 |
| Asc. or Midheaven | 5 | Partile conj., North Node | 4 |
| Partile conj., Jupiter or Venus | 5 | In Gemini | 3 |
| Conj., Spica | 5 | 2nd or 5th House | 3 |
| Not Combust | 5 | Partile sextile, Jupiter or Venus | 3 |
| In Taurus or Pisces | 5 | In Virgo | 2 |
| Besieged by Jupiter and Venus | 6 | 9th House | 2 |
| In Cancer, Leo, Libra, or Sagittarius | 4 | 3rd House | 1 |
| 4th, 7th, or 11th House | 4 | In Term of Venus or Jupiter | 1 |
The Debilities ascribed to Fortuna are: |
|||
| Conj., Caput Algol | 6 | 6th or 8th House | 4 |
| Besieged by Mars and Saturn | 6 | Opposition, Mars or Jupiter | 4 |
| 12th House | 5 | Partile conj., South Node | 4 |
| In Scorpio, Capricorn, or Aquarius | 5 | In Aries | 3 |
| Combust | 5 | Partile square, Mars or Saturn | 3 |
| Partile conj., Mars or Saturn | 5 | Term of Mars or Saturn | 1 |
The totals of the Dignities in comparison to the totals of the Debilities affords a determination of the potential strength of the planet.
According to the strength each assumes in a nativity, will its power to activate become manifest:
| Sun | builds |
| Moon | nourishes |
| Mercury | communicates |
| Venus | allures |
| Mars | energizes |
| Jupiter | expands |
| Saturn | endures |
| Uranus | perceives |
| Neptune | dissolves |
| Pluto | consolidates |
A fixed star is in conjunction with a planet when not more distant than 5° of longitude and 2° of latitude.
Of Dignities Calvin in "Scientific Astrology" says: "A planet in its own Sign, unless retrograde or seriously afflicted by the malefics, is as one who is master of his own house and goods. In its Exaltation it is strong, but less so than were he his own master. In its Detriment it is weak, as one in his neighbor’s house and not master thereof. In its Fall it is as one who is poverty-stricken and without power."
Of Mutual Reception he says: "When two planets are in each other’s Signs, even though in evil aspect to one another, the effect is beneficial, as of people exchanging courteous social amenities."
As to Accidental Dignities, he says: "A planet is strong if it is in an angle of the Figure, swift in motion, direct, and overwhelmingly in good aspect with other planets."
As to retrograde motion he says: "It tends to bring out the introspective rather than the objective qualities of the native, and is generally synonymous with belated or denied benefits."
Another generalization based upon the Accidental Dignities of the Geocentric Figure stipulates that "When the Moon is higher than the Sun, the personality and sensibilities usually rule. With their positions reversed the character will dominate the career. If both are below the horizon, the life will be correspondingly unfortunate."
James Wilson expressed doubt concerning the efficacy of some of the dignities, and cited the Ptolemy dictum that "Planets are strong in the world when they are oriental, swift in motion, direct, and increasing in light; and strong in the Nativity when angular or succedant, particularly in the south or cast angles."
The following Table shows the Essential Dignities and Debilities:
[Abbreviations: AR (Aries), TA (Taurus), GE (Gemini), CA (Cancer), LE (Leo), VI (Virgo), LI (Libra), SC (Scorpio), SA (Sagittarius), CP (Capricorn), AQ (Aquarius), PI (Pisces), SU (Sun), MO (Moon), ME (Mercury), VE (Venus), MA (Mars), JU (Jupiter), SA (Saturn), UR (Uranus), NE (Neptune), PL (Pluto), NN (Moon’s North Node), SN (Moon’s South Node).]
| Planets | Ruler | Detriment | Exaltation | Fall |
| Sun | LEO | AQ | AR | LI |
| Moon | CAN | CAP | TA | SC |
| Mercury | GE-VI | SAG-PI | AQ** | LEO** |
| Venus | TA-LI | SC-AR | PI | VI |
| Mars | AR-SC | LI-TA | CP** | CA** |
| Jupiter | PI-SAG | VI-GE | CAN** | CAP** |
| Saturn | CP-AQ | CA-LE | LI | AR |
| Uranus | AQ* | LEO* | SC | TA |
| Neptune | PI* | CAN | VI* | CAP |
| Pluto | SC* | TA | AR | LI |
* Modern and arbitrary assignments.
** Some authorities give Virgo as the Exaltation of Mercury - as well as the Sign of its rulership; hence also Pisces as the Sign of its Fall. Others five Virgo as the Exaltation of Mars, and Capricorn as the Exaltation of Jupiter. A planet that is unfavorably aspected is sometimes loosely characterize as debilitated; also any Sign dessimilar in its nature to the Sign it rules - as Saturn in Pisces. Properly speaking, a planet is said to be in its Dignity solely by virtue of position, in distinction to any strength conferred by a supporting aspect.
The same table arranged in the order of the Signs follows:
| Signs | Ruler | Detriment | Exaltation | Fall |
| Aries | d.MARS | VE | SU | SA |
| Taurus | n.VE | MA-*PL | MO | *UR |
| Gemini | d.ME | JU | NN | SN |
| Cancer | MO | SA | JU-*NE | MA |
| Leo | SUN | SA-*UR | __ | ME |
| Virgo | n.MER | JU-*NE | MER | VE |
| Libra | d.VE | MA | SA | SU |
| Scorpio | n.MA-*PL | VE | *UR | MO |
| Sagittarius | d.JU | MER | SN | NN |
| Capricorn | n.SA | MO | MA | JU-*NE |
| Aquarius | d.SA-*UR | SU | ME | __ |
| Pisces | n.JU-*NE | MER | VE | MER |
*Modern designation d. Day; n. Night.
Some authorities limit the Exaltation and Fall to specific degrees:
| Planet | SU | MO | ME | VE | MA | JU | SA | NN | SN |
| Exalt. | AR19 | TA03 | VI15 | PI27 | CP28 | CA15 | LI21 | GE03 | SA03 |
| Fall | LI19 | SC03 | PI15 | VI27 | CA28 | CP15 | AR21 | SA03 | GE03 |
Wemyss attributes the rulership of Pisces to the asteroids; probably fragments of what once was or was intended to be a planet between the Earth and Mars. Thereby he explains the lack of a consciousness of Destiny which is an outstanding feature of the Pisces nature.
Most authorities attribute to an Essential Dignity the force of a harmonious aspect, and to a Debility that of an inharmonious aspect. Some authorities speak of congeniality of planet in clement as a species of Dignity; Moon and Neptune in the Water Signs; Sun and Mars in the Fire Signs; Mercury and Venus in the Air Signs; and Jupiter and Saturn in the Earth Signs. The basis on which these Exaltations were assigned is lost in antiquity. Certain correspondences are worthy of notice, as bearing on their selection. The Sun as giver of life, finds an important function in Aries, which rules the head@he scat of the mind. The changeable nature of the Moon is stabilized by the fixity of Taurus - the provider of the home. Venus finds its most ready servitor in the philanthropic Pisces. Mars is stabilized and harnessed in Saturn - ruled Capricorn. Saturn finds a noble outlet in Libra - the purveyor of justice. Jupiter in Cancer, representing the home, is there sublimated into devotion. This supposed dignity seems to have had its origin with the Arabians. Almansor, in his aphorisms, says "Saturn and the Sun have their exaltations opposite, because one loves darkness and the other light; Jupiter and Mars are opposite, because one is a lover of justice and the other of misrule; and Mercury and Venus have opposite places, because one loves learning and science, and the other sensual pleasures - which are mutual enemies to each other."
It can be noted that harmonious aspects join the signs of Rulership and Exaltation, as follows:
| Ruler | Exaltation |
| Sun Leo | trines Aries |
| Moon Cancer | sextiles Taurus |
| Mercury Gemini | trines Aquarius |
| Venus Taurus | sextiles Pisces |
| Mars Scorpio | sextiles Capricorn (or Virgo) |
| Jupiter Pisces | trines Cancer (or sextiles Capricorn) |
| Saturn Aquarius | trines Libra |
As explained by Ptolemy in the Tetrabiblos, the Moon and the Sun were assigned to the Rulership of Cancer and Leo because "these are the most Northerly of all the Signs, and approach nearer than any others to the Zenith of this part of the Earth: the Moon to Cancer because both are feminine, and the Sun to Leo, because both are masculine." This resulted in the division of the zodiac into a Solar semi-circle from Leo forward to Capricorn, and a Lunar Semi-circle from Cancer backward to Aquarius. In order that each planet might rule a Sign in each semi-circle, whereby it could be configurated with both Sun and Moon, Mercury, which is never more than one Sign distant from the Sun, was assigned to the rulership of Gemini and Virgo; Venus, which is never more than two Signs distant, to Taurus and Libra; Mars, because it is dry in nature, was assigned to two Signs of a similar nature, Aries and Scorpio, whose square relation to the respective Signs of the luminaries was appropriately discordant; Jupiter, whose fruitful nature deserved a harmonious relationship in which to operate for good, was assigned to the two trine Signs Pisces and Sagittarius; leaving Saturn, a cold planet in an orbit remote from the harmonious, to be assigned to Cancer and Aquarius, and for the added reason that their "configuration by opposition does not cooperate towards the production of good." As the basis on which the Exaltations were assigned is equally arbitrary it is no wonder that Wilson scoffs at and refuses to accept the entire doctrine of Essential Dignities.
To render matters worse confounded some of the moderns have endeavored to upset the scheme by assigning to Uranus the rulership of Aquarius, and to Neptune the rulership of Pisces, and are now in a battle royal as to whether Pluto shall be assigned to Aries or Scorpio. Looked at from a scientist’s viewpoint the entire Doctrine of Dignities appears to be a fortune-teller’s device whereby to find at least some answer to a question concerning a House which contains no planets, and is thus unable to give positive testimony regarding a question asked. Wilson seemed to think that Placidus side-stepped the doctrine as one with which he could not agree, but regarding which he dared not disagree. Marc Edmund Jones says that few modern practitioners pay much attention to the Essential Dignities and Debilities. v. Ptolemaic Astrology.
To distinguish between these dual rulerships, the positive signs were called Day Houses, and the negative signs, the Night Houses - although since they are signs not houses, the terms Day Home and Night Home would be preferable.
A person born by night, with the Sun below the horizon, looks to the Night Homes of the planets to be the stronger; if born with the Sun above the horizon, the Day Homes.
The moderns have thrown this into confusion in an effort to ascribe rulerships to the newly-discovered planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Many authorities prefer however to consider these as second-octave planets: Uranus of Mercury, Neptune of Venus, and Pluto of Mars.
Other systems of rulership have been variously proposed. v. Ruler. ship.
For further observations on the relative strength of the Dignities: v. Synthesis.
Triplicity, Rulers of. Another variety of Dignity, used in Mundane and Horary practice, is that of a planet posited in its own Triplicity. The rulerships of the Triplicities are, however, not always the rulers of the three signs which make up the Triplicity. For example, of the Fire Trigon, Mars as an enemy of the Sun is dethroned, and the Sun is made the ruler by day, and Jupiter by night. This was the Northern Triplicity, since because Jupiter brought to the Egyptians fruitful showers from out of the North he was said to rule the North; also the Northwest, because the outlawed Mars now and then brought in the West wind; and Southwest, because Mars is feminine, and the South is feminine. of the Earth Trigon Venus was its ruler by day and the Moon by night. This was the Southern Trigon, because "under the petticoat government of Venus and the Moon," as Wilson puts it, "they contrived to exclude Saturn - for what reason we are not informed." It rules the South because Venus brings South winds, and Southeast because Saturn brings East winds. of the Air Trigon Saturn rules by day and Mercury by night. It was the Eastern Trigon because Saturn brings East winds and persuaded Mercury to cooperate; and Northeast because Jupiter claimed a share since both are diurnal planets, hence related. The Water Trigon was ruled by Mars with the co-rulership of Venus by day and the Moon by night. It was the Western Trigon because Mars liked the West winds for the reason that they scorched the Egyptians; and the Southwest because of the share of Venus in the trigon. Concerning all this Wilson adds: "Its absurdity requires no comment; and since the doctrine that countries and cities are governed by certain signs and planets is solely founded on this folly, it is undeserving of the smallest attention."
In Horary practice a planet in its Triplicity denotes a respectable person who has a sufficiency of everything, hence is quite comfortable.
The apparent backward motion of a planet as viewed from the earth occurring when a planet makes its closest approach to the earth.
The term applied to an apparent backward motion in the Zodiac of certain planets when decreasing in longitude as viewed from the Earth. It can be compared to the effect of a slow-moving train as viewed from another train traveling parallel to it but at a more rapid rate, wherein the slower train appears to be moving backwards. However, in the case of the celestial bodies it is not a matter of their actual speed or travel, but of the rate at which they change their angular relationship.
Retrograde planets in a birth map were anciently said to be weak or debilitated, but a more logical interpretation would seem to indicate that the influence is rendered stronger, which in the case of a malefic planet is definitely unfortunate. That it continues to retrograde for a period after birth might detract from its capacity to incite progress, but if so the extent of retardation must be judged from its relative nearness to its second station.
It is averred by some astrologers that a planet in retrograde motion partakes of the nature of the Mars end of the spectrum. This hardly appears a safe generalization, for according to the laws of spectroscopy a planet moving away from us - the distance between it and the Earth increasing - produces a slight shift of frequences toward the red end of the spectrum, and with diminishing distance a relative shift towards the red end begins immediately after the opposition of a major planet to the Sun, and continues until just before the conjunction; and that it can hardly be said to apply at all to a minor planet.
It would appear that consideration of this factor involves the direction of the planet’s motion, whether toward or away from the Earth, rather than the character of the motion as either direct or retrograde. In fact it appears to have bearing on the doctrine of orientality. This Doppler displacement has been noted in observations of Venus, which indicated that a differentiation of influence should be studied as between Venus when in motion away from the Earth, and when moving toward it.
To be able to visualize and thus thoroughly understand the phenomenon of retrograde motion it is advisable to study the cycles of two groups of planets: the minor planets, those between the Earth and the Sun; and the major planets, those whose orbits lie outside that of the Earth.
Analyzing the cycle of Mercury, as typical of the orbits of the minor planets, shows this succession of phenomena:
Superior conjunction, when it passes on the far side of the Sun in direct motion, at which time it is invisible. Since thereafter it rises after the Sun and remains invisible during the daylight hours, it becomes visible only after the Sun has set in the west: the Evening Star. About fifteen days after the Superior conjunction it is at its smallest.
Greatest Elongation East: Some six months later it reaches the point of the greatest distance ahead of the Sun in its counterclockwise direct motion in orbit, hence East. At this time it passes out of its gibbous phase, showing only half of its surface illuminated, yet seemingly larger and brighter because it comes closer to the Earth.
Enters Retrograde Arc: Some two weeks later it enters the arc over which it will shortly retrograde.
Maximum Brilliance as Evening Star: Even though reduced to a crescent of illumination it appears still larger, and with its elevation it remains longer above the horizon and is at its greatest brilliance.
First Station: Another two weeks and it becomes stationary, in preparation for retrograde (S.R.) motion. In another two weeks, about six days before the Inferior conjunction, it becomes a slender crescent.
Inferior Conjunction, when it passes in retrograde between the Earth and the Sun and is lost from sight in the Sun’s rays. This conjunction is shorter in duration. They separate faster because Mercury’s motion is opposite to the apparent motion of the Sun. In another five days it again becomes visible on the other side of the Sun, the West, when as the Morning Star it appears before sunrise as a slender crescent, but turned in the opposite direction.
Second Station: Another six days and it again becomes stationary, in preparation to resume its direct, or re-direct motion.
Maximum Brilliance as Morning Star: Some fifteen days later it is reduced to a broad crescent and is again at its brightest, now as a morning star.
Emerges from Retrograde Arc: As it advances beyond the degree of its First Station it leaves the retrograde arc and enters territory over which it will not retrograde during this cycle.
Greatest Elongation West: Although no longer in retrograde it has not yet accelerated to the extent that it equals the Sun’s motion, hence it continues to increase behind the Sun in elongation and elevation for some ten or twelve days to the point of greatest elevation West just before it commences its gibbous phase.
Smallest Phase: Some seven months later, about fifteen days before the superior conjunction, it has decreased in visible size until it appears as a small but fully illuminated disc of less than one-third the diameter it had at its brightest phase. Then comes the next superior conjunction and invisibility, completing one cycle from one superior conjunction to the next.
Venus’ motion is entirely similar, although the intervals are longer. Where the Mercury sidereal period is approx. 88 d. and its synodic period is 116 d. the Venus orbit of 225 days has a synodic period of 584 days.
The cycle of the major planets is not greatly different, except that at the opposition, the Sun and the planet arc on opposite sides of the Earth. Figure 2, a comparative illustration of the motion of Venus as an inside planet and Mars as an outside planet, in reference to the motion of the Earth, facilitates a ready understanding of the relationship of the orbits which produces the phenomenon known as retrograde motion.
While the Inferior Conjunctions with a minor planet, and the oppositions to a major planet always occur during the retrograde; the similarity ceases when gravitation is considered, since at the opposition of the major planet the Earth is in between, hence the planet and the Sun are exercising a gravitational pull upon the Earth from opposite sides; while at both conjunctions of a minor planet the gravitational pull from the Sun and the planet are always in the same direction.
It is generally considered that a transiting planet is more likely to develop its negative qualities when it is in retrograde. That it is turning back for a recheck of ground already covered need not necessarily be bad, except for the fact that the future is held in abeyance. Some people look upon any delay as a tragedy, but the real difference has to do with whose neck is in the noose when the postponement of execution is decreed. In some cases it may mean only a temporary delay that is compensated for when the planet resumes its direct motion.
This proximity of Mars to the Earth may be one of the most important of considerations, since it considerably augments the strength of its reception - what the radio engineer calls signal strength. Wilson speaks of Mars Retrograde as Mars perigee, and attributes to it a wave of robberies, vicious murders and calamities. At the Sun-Mars opposition of August 1924 Mars was closer to the Earth than it had been for 800 years.
It should be found, however, that the period of slower motion and of increasing intensity when the transiting planet is approaching its First Station, and of slower but accelerating motion after it passes its Second Station, are important arcs, because any birth planet which falls within the arc over which the transiting planet will retrograde will receive three separate and successive accents, of the combined nature of the radical and the transiting planet.
When Mars in transit retrogrades over a birth Saturn position, it means that this is already the second transit of Mars over the birth Saturn position, and that when it resumes Redirect motion there will occur a third contact. If a contact can be expected to crystalize into an event, then three contacts can mean three events. Even if one resists the temptations, three are certainly worse than one - particularly three slow ones that linger and thus burn more deeply. There is the further and important consideration of declination to be taken into account, and a parallel of Latitude reinforcing the first or third contact may render one of them more effective even than the retrograde contact. Thus it would appear that the impor- tant differentiation of a transiting planet’s influence requires the dividing of its apparent orbit into two arcs: that over which the planet will traverse but once, and that which it will traverse three times in one cycle. These two arcs might be termed the Arc of Advance, and the Arc of Retrograde. This distinction emphasizes the fact that it is not merely the slow motion of the Retrograde which is involved, or the matter of replacing steps over territory previously traversed, but that there will be three separate contacts with each degree within the Arc of Retrograde, as compared to one brief contact with each degree within the Arc of Advance.
The Arc of Retrograde is thus marked by four points: (a) the Pre-First-Station point at which the arc begins, when it first passes the degree which later marks the Second Station; (b) the First Station, where the motion turns Retrograde; (c) the Second Station, where the motion turns direct; and (d) the Post-Second-Station point, where the arc ends, marked by the passing of the degree of the First Station.
A further consideration is in the fact that with the major planets the opposition to the Sun occurs always in the middle of the Arc of Retrograde, while the conjunction occurs in the middle of the Arc of Advance. Also, that at the opposition the Earth is nearer to the planet, by the length of the diameter of its own orbit. This is for the reason that at any planet’s opposition to the Sun, the Earth is between that planet and the Sun: while at the conjunction the Earth is on the far side of the Sun opposite the planet.
In the case of the minor planets, the Earth never passes between them and the Sun, hence they never oppose the Sun. However, the Superior conjunction which occurs when the earth and the planet are on opposite sides of the Sun, falls in the middle of the Arc of Advance, and the Inferior Conjunction,
Modern students take these factors into consideration in analyzing the influence of a transiting planet in different portions of its orbit, and in different relationships to the position of the Earth in its orbit. By way of illustrating the Retrograde Arc, the data on two cycles of Mars is given:
| Enters Arc | 1945 | 10-3 | 14° 6' | |
| First Station SR | 12-5 | 3°14' | |
|
| Second Station SD | 1946 | 2-22 | 14° 6' | |
| Leaves Arc. | 4-30 | 3°14' | |
|
| 1947 | 11-3 | 18° 6' | |
|
| 1948 | 1-9 | 7° 36' | |
|
| 3-30 | 18° 6' | |
||
| 6-5 | 7° 36' | |
ANATOMY
Sun: Operates chiefly through the anterior pituitary gland, to affect the circulation of the blood through the heart and the arteries; the tear ducts; the spinal cord.
Moon: The substance of the body, as distinguished from the vitality flowing through it; the alimentary canal; the child-bearing female organs and functions; the lymphs; the sympathetic nervous system; the cerebellum, the lower ganglia.
Mercury: The thyroid gland; the brain and the cerebro-spinal nervous system; the sense of sight; the tongue and the organs of speech; the hands as instruments of intelligence.
Venus: The thymus gland, the sense of touch; the throat, kidneys, and to some extent the generative system. Its influence has been said to operate through the solar plexus, upon the functions of digestion and nutrition. It has an indirect influence upon features, complexion, hair - in so far as those express beauty.
Mars: The cortex, or cortical portion of the adrenal gland; the head, externally; the sense of taste; the breasts and the maternal functions, and in part the generative organs; the motor nerves; the excretory organs; the red corpuscles of the blood.
Jupiter: The posterior pituitary gland; feet, thighs, liver, intestines, blood plasma, muscles, growth; also control of shoulders and arms, in motions that for effectiveness depend upon good timing.
Saturn: The medullary portion of the adrenal gland; the skin and the secretive system; teeth; bones, joints and tendons-particularly the knee and the calf of the leg; the spleen; the organs and sense of hearing.
Uranus: The parathyroid gland; the brain and nervous system; the electric and magnetic emanations.
Neptune: The pineal gland, the organs of extra-sensory perception; intuitive and psychic receptivity.
Pluto. The Pancreas, and the digestive glands; the enzymes which effect catalytic and hydrolitic transformations essential to proper metabolism.
ANGELS
Sun, Michael; Moon, Gabriel; Mercury, Raphael; Venus, Arnad; Mars, Samael; Jupiter, Zadkiel; Saturn, Cassiel; Uranus, Arvath.
COLORS
All authorities, though variously, associate the colors of the spectrum with specific planets. In fact there are almost as many versions as there are authorities. Nevertheless the following planetary associations represent a concensus of opinion:
Sun: Orange, gold, deep yellows.
Moon: White, pearl, opal, light, pale blues; iridescent and silvery hues.
Mercury: Insofar as Mercury can be said to have any appropriate colors of its own, slate color, spotted mixtures. Most authorities agree that Mercury generally assumes the color of that planet with which it is in nearest aspect.
Venus: Sky-blue to pale green, lemon yellow; and tints in general as contrasted to colors.
Mars: Red, scarlet, carmine.
Jupiter: Royal purple, violet, some blends of red and indigo, deep blue.
Uranus: Streaked mixtures, checks and plaids like Joseph's coat "of many colors."
Neptune: Lavender, sea-green, mauve, smoke-blue and possibly peculiar shades of gray.
Pluto. Luminous pigments, in unusual shades containing a large percentage of red.
FLAVORS
According to Sepharial, these are:
Sun: Sweet, pungent.
Moon: Odorless, insipid.
Mercury: Cold, mildly astringent.
Venus: Warm, sweet.
Mars: Sharp astringents, acids, pungent odors.
Jupiter: Fragrant, bland.
Saturn: Cold, sour, astringent.
Uranus: Cold, brackish, astringent.
Neptune: Subtile, seductive.
Pluto. The so-called aromatic flavors, in which solubility releases both taste and aroma.
SENSES
Generally accepted as the significators of the five physical senses, are:
| Mercury | sight |
| Venus | touch |
| Mars | taste |
| Jupiter | smell |
| Saturn | hearing |
FORMS
According to Sepharial, these are:
Sun: Circles, full curves, helical scrolls.
Moon: Irregular curves, crooked lines.
Mercury: Slender curves, short incisive lines.
Venus: Curved lines, rhythmic scrolls.
Mars: Sharp angles and barbs; fine straight lines.
Jupiter: Full generous curves.
Saturn: Cramped forms, straight short lines, sharp, clear-cut outlines.
Uranus: Mixed forms, broken lines.
Neptune: Curved lines, rhythmic curves, nebulous and chaotic forms.
Pluto. Heavy straight lines and sharp angles, in complex combinations.
YEARS
The ancients presumed the planets to have definite periods of rulership, at the end of which changes of constitution or environment might be expected to occur to persons or in the places ruled by them. What they called "the shortest years" can be traced to the orbital motions in most cases; but it is difficult to trace a justification for the other groups. They are:
| Planet | Short | Mean | Greater | Greatest |
| Saturn | 30 | 43.5 | 57 | 465 |
| Jupiter | 12 | 45 | 79 | 428 |
| Mars | 15 | 40 | 66 | 264 |
| Sun | 19 | 69 | 120 | 1460 |
| Venus | 8 | 45 | 82 | 151 |
| Mercury | 20 | 48 | 76 | 450 |
| Moon | 25 | 66 | 108 | 320 |
By the use of the short years one deduces that, for example, if Saturn conjoins the Moon at birth, its opposition will occur at 15 years of age; if Jupiter conjoins any planet it will form its sextile in 2 years from birth. In other words, it was a method whereby, without the aid of an ephemeris, to determine when the planets wig form aspects or directions to the radical places of the Sun and Moon, and they to the radical places of the planets-called "periodical directions." It is principally of value in mundane astrology, when considering world-trends over long epochs.
HOURS
Egyptian astronomy had only seven planets, arranged in this order: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon - based seemingly on the apparent velocities of the bodies. In rotation, each hour of the 24-hour day was consecrated to a planet. If Saturn ruled the first hour, it also ruled the 8th, 15th and 22nd. As Jupiter would then rule the 23rd, and Mars the 24th hour, the first hour of the following day would be ruled by the Sun; and so on. The days thus came to be known by the ruler of the first hour, resulting in our present order of the days of the week. Thus the order of the days of the week, which can be hormonized with no observable cosmic plan, are explainable only by a student of astrology. The hatred of the Jews for the Egyptians after their flight from Egypt is said to have caused them to "demote" Saturn from the rulership of the first day, by beginning the week on Sunday, making Saturn's day the last day of the week. Probably some symbolical association of the Sun with the Hebrew idea of Jehovah, had something to do with it. The evolution of the English names of the days, from the Latin, through the Saxon, resulted as follows:
| Norse | Latin | French | Saxon | English |
| Sol | Le Dimanche | Sun's day | Sunday | |
| Luna | Lundi | Moon's day | Monday | |
| Tyr | Martis (Mars) | Mardi | Tiw's day | Tuesday |
| Wotan | Mercurius | Mercredi | Woden's day | Wednesday |
| Thor | Jove (Jupiter) | Jeudi | Thor's day | Thursday |
| Freya | Veneris (Venus) | Vendredi | Frigg's day | Friday |
| Saturni | Samedi | Seterne's day | Saturday |
Under this system an hour was not uniformly 60 minutes, except at the equinoxes. It was one-twelfth of the interval between sunrise and sunset, by day; and the reverse, by night. A planet favorably aspected suggests that action be initiated during that planet's hour; or if unfavorably aspected, that one should wait for others to act.
Wilson goes to some length in expressing doubt as to the efficacy and logic of this system.
The astonishing thing about this sequence is the placing of the Sun between Venus and Mars, showing that the ancients realized that in speaking of the Sun they were actually making reference to the position of the Earth as determined by the apparent position of the Sun.
JEWELS OR PRECIOUS STONES
Here, again, there are almost as many opinions as there are authorities, but the following list expresses a concensus:
Sun: Diamond, ruby, carbuncle.
Moon: Crystal, pearl, opal, moonstone; all milk-white stones.
Mercury: Quicksilver, loadstone.
Venus: Emerald and, possibly, sapphire.
Mars: Bloodstone, flint, malachite, red haematite.
Jupiter: Amethyst, turquoise.
Saturn: Garnet, jet, all black stones.
Uranus: Chalcedony, lapis lazuli, jacinth, amber.
Neptune: Coral, aquamarine, ivory.
Pluto: Beryl and, presumably, sardonyx; jade, cloissone enamels, ceramics.
It should be realized that all stones, precious and semi-precious, as stones, come more or less directly under Saturn, the overall ruler of all hard minerals. As for many, authorities differ so widely that to settle the question each stone would have to be examined with respect to its mineral components before deciding the planet to which it should rightfully be assigned.
METALS
| Sun: | Gold | Jupiter: | Tin |
| Moon: | Silver, aluminum | Saturn: | Lead. |
| Mercury: | Quicksilver | Uranus: | Radium, uranium. |
| Venus: | Copper, brass | Neptune: | Lithium, platinum. |
| Mars: | Iron, steel. | Pluto: | Tungsten, plutonium. |
DAYS
Sunday - ruled by the Sun
Monday - ruled by the Moon
Tuesday - ruled by Mars
Wednesday - ruled by Mercury
Thursday - ruled by Jupiter
Friday - ruled by Venus
Saturday - ruled by Saturn
MOTIONS
Converse
Said of a progressed or directed motion to a point of aspect, in a clockwise direction or opposite to the order of the Signs. The term is frequently employed in a contradictory man- ner, in the sense of the reverse of the accustomed motion. In the case of a Secondary Progression that would mean a clockwise motion, since the accustomed motion of a planet in orbit is counter-clockwise.
In Primary Directions the apparent motion of the planets and the House-cusps is clockwise, resulting from the counter-clockwise motion of the Earth’s periphery. The entire doctrine of converse motion is debatable.
Direct
The true motion of the planets in the order of the Signs, or counter-clockwise, within the Zodiac: a narrow band that parallels the Earth’s path around the Sun. As applied to progressed or directed motion it is the opposite of converse motion. As to transits, it is the opposite of retrograde.
Retrograde
The apparent motion in the Zodiac of certain planets, as viewed from the Earth during certain portions of the year.
Stations in retrograde
Each planet has two stations, or stationary points:
Re-direct
Said of the reversal to direct motion following the second station of the retrograde.
Diurnal (by day)
A diurnal planet is one that was above the horizon at the time for which the Figure was cast. Such planets are said to be less passive. The Diurnal arc of a planet is the time it remains above the Earth, measured either in degrees of Right Ascension, or in Sidereal Time. The opposition arc is the Nocturnal arc. The declination of the body, or its distance from the Equator, is the controlling factor: the greater the declination the higher the body will ascend in the heavens and the longer it will remain above the horizon.
Hourly
Subtracting a planet’s position on one day, as shown in the ephemeris, from its position on the preceding or following day yields its daily motion. The daily motion known, this Table reveals at a glance the hourly motion:
| DAILY MOTION | HOURLY MOTION | ||||
| 1h | 2h | 5h | 6h | 12h | |
| 0° 12' | 0'30" | 1' | 2'30" | 3' | 6' |
| 0° 24' | 1'30" | 2' | 5' | 6' | 12' |
| 0° 36' | 0'30" | 3' | 7'30" | 9' | 8' |
| 0° 48' | 2'00" | 4' | 10' | 12' | 24' |
| 0° 58' | 2'25" | 4'50" | 12'5" | 14'30" | 29' |
| 1° 00' | 2'30" | 5' | 12'30" | 15' | 30' |
| 1° 02' | 2'35" | 5'10" | 12'55" | 15'30" | 31' |
| 1° 12' | 3'00" | 6' | 5' | 18' | 36' |
| 1° 24' | 3'30" | 7' | 17'30" | 21' | 42' |
| 1° 36' | 4'00" | 8' | 20' | 24' | 48' |
| 1° 48' | 4'30" | 9' | 22'30" | 27' | 54' |
| 2° 00' | 5'00" | 10' | 25' | 30' | 1°00' |
Applicable to the Moon, are the following:
| DAILY MOTION | HOURLY MOTION | |||||||
| 1h | 2h | 5h | 8h | 11h | 15h | 18h | 23h | |
| 11°48' | 29'30" | 0°59'' | 2°27'30" | 3°56' | 5°24'30" | 7°22'30" | 8°51' | 11°18'30" |
| 12°00' | 30' | 1°00' | 2°30'' | 4° | 5°30' | 7°30' | 9° | 11°30' |
| 12°12' | 30'30" | 1°1' | 2°32'30" | 4°4' | 5°35'30" | 7°37'30" | 9°09' | 11°41'30" |
| 12°24' | 31' | 1°2' | 2°35' | 4°8' | 5°41' | 7°45' | 9°18' | 11°53' |
| 12°36' | 31'30" | 1°3' | 2°37'30" | 4°12' | 5°46'30" | 7°52'30" | 9°27' | 12°04'30" |
| 12°48' | 32' | 1°4' | 2°40' | 4°16' | 5°52' | 8° | 9°36' | 12°16' |
| 13°00' | 32'30" | 1°5' | 2°42'30" | 4°20' | 5°57'30" | 8°07'30" | 9°45' | 12°27'30" |
| 13°12' | 33' | 1°6' | 2°45' | 4°24' | 6°03' | 8°15' | 9°54' | 12°39' |
| DAILY MOTION | HOURLY MOTION | |||||||
| 1h | 2h | 5h | 8h | 11h | 15h | 18h | 23h | |
| 3°24' | 33'30" | 1°7' | 2°47'30" | 4°28' | 6°00'30" | 8°22'30" | 10°13' | 12°50'30" |
| 13°36' | 34' | 1°8' | 2°50' | 4°32' | 6°14' | 8°30' | 10°22' | 13°02' |
| 13°48' | 34'30" | 1°9' | 2°52'30" | 4°36' | 6°19'30" | 8°37'30" | 10°31' | 11°13'30" |
| 14°00' | 35' | 1°10' | 2°55' | 4°40' | 6°25' | 8°45' | 10°40' | 13°25' |
| 14°12' | 35'30" | 1°11' | 2°57'30" | 4°44' | 6°30'30" | 8°52'30" | 10°49' | 13°36'30" |
| 14°24' | 36' | 1°12' | 3° | 4°48' | 6°36' | 9° | 10°58' | 13°48' |
| 14°36' | 36'30" | 1°13' | 3°02'30' | 4°52' | 6°41'30" | 9°07'30" | 11°07' | 13°59'30" |
| 14°48' | 37' | 1°14' | 3°05' | 4°56' | 6°47' | 9°15' | 11°16' | 14°11' |
| 15°00' | 37'30" | 1°15' | 3°07'30" | 5° | 6°52'30" | 9°22'30" | 11°25' | 14°22'30" |
| 15°12' | 38" | 1°16' | 3°10' | 5°4' | 6°58' | 9°30' | 11°34' | 14°34' |
Rapt. Raptus
Carried away. The apparent diurnal motion of the heavens, in consequence of the Earth’s axial rotation; the manner in which the fixed stars and the planetary bodies are caused to make one complete revolution in 24 hours, is termed their Rapt Motion, in accordance with the ancient theory of the Primum Mobile.
Slow of Course
Slow in motion. Said of any planet whose travel in 24 hours is less than its mean motion. It is reckoned a debility, especially in horary astrology.
Stationary
When a planet appears to have no motion, as when changing from retrograde to direct or the reverse, it is said to bc stationary.
Swift in Motion
Planets that at the moment are moving at a speed in excess of their mean motion, are said to be "swift in motion."
OBJECTS AND SUBSTANCES
Sun: Precious metals, diamonds-things valuable and scarce; glis- tening substances.
Moon: Utensils in common use in the laundry; or in the silversmith’s trade. Soft, smooth substances.
Mercury: Papers connected with money; legal documents; books, pictures, writing materials, anything connected with education and communications. Flowing and veined substances.
Venus: Jewelry and ornaments; women’s wearing apparel; bcd linens; polished reflecting substances.
Mars: Steel; cutlery, and anything that is sharp; instruments of war; sparkling substances.
Jupiter: Men’s wearing apparel, merchandisable sweets; horses, domestic pets; common and useful substances, cloth, paper.
Saturn: Land, minerals, agriculture and garden implements; heavy materials; dull and heavy substances; dross.
Uranus: Machinery, old coins and antiques, baths, public institutions; everything uncommon and unusual; radioactive and magnetic substances.
Neptune: Poison, liquids, habit-forming drugs; mysterious and unidentifiable substances.
Pluto: Synthetics, through splitting and recondensing processes; plastics; atomic fission.
In external affairs
In external affairs the solar system bodies exercise influence as follows:
Sun
Leaders and persons of authority in government, religious and industrial organizations.
Moon
Public life and the fickleness of the public; fluctuations of popularity, changing fortunes; the common people, and the transportation and distribution systems that serve them; the home and home life; the place of residence; the mother, and women generally; in the State, women of title; the ocean, and voyages by water; water and liquids in general, and persons who follow occupations connected with them; places and houses near water; removals, mystery, romance.
Mercury
Business matters, letter writing, short travels, the neigh- bors and their gossip; schools, colleges, and all places where teaching and learning are pursued; scientific and literary organizations; printing-works, publishing offices, and all who are occupied at these places; buying, selling, bargaining, trading.
Venus
Social activities; women, especially those younger; art, music, literature; beautiful objects, and anything that is prized for its beauty; ornaments; things of luxury and pleasure; jewels, toys, fine clothes, articles of adornment; pictures, flowers, dancing, singing, acting in so far as these express beauty or pleasure, apart from skill or intelligence; all places where these things belong, and where such occupations are carried on; sweethearts, wives, the home and household; conjugal love, as embodying affection rather than passion.
Mars
Steel, cutlery, weapons of war, sharp tools, and those who use them, fires, slaughter houses, mortuaries; brick and lime kilns; athletics and sports, in so far as they express courage, enterprise, strength and dexterity.
Jupiter
Expansion and growth, and their expression in terms of material wealth; occupations, persons, and places associated with religion, law, and education; public functions and assemblies of a state or official character; charitable and philanthropic movements and institutions; social gatherings, theatres and clothing.
Saturn
Restrictions, delay, poverty, defects, darkness, decay; the father; stability in friendship; secrets, misfortunes, sorrows, fatalities; the ultimate uncombined atomic condition of matter; also the state of matter called "earth," and those whose occupations are concerned with it; ascetics of every description, whether religious or not; hermits, misers, and those who fast or starve; workers employed by municipalities or the State; older people; old plans, matters already started; del)ts and their payment; karma; practicality; good advice; widows and widowers; mountainous and hilly places, or open country, especially rocky and uncultivated; caves, ruins; corpses, graves, and churchyards.
Uranus
Those who have power and authority over others, either on a large or small scale-from King, Parliament and Prime Minister downwards; the chief, the ruler, the wielder of authority; inventors, discoverers, pioneers and antiquarians.
Neptune
Democratic and popular movements, mobs, the common people; mystics, dreamers, visionaries, psychics, mediums; perhaps hospitals and charities.
Pluto
Idealistic organizations that attack the social ills; social organizations designed to combat groups of individuals who believe they belong to a privileged class. Ideas that are ahead of their time, that will not bear fruit until readvocated by some disciple thereof in the next generation.
In Horary Astrology
In Horary Astrology the solar system bodies are subject to the following interpretations
Sun
The querent - if a man. Rich and powerful relations; the person in authority, from whom an honor or favor is desired; the one capable of saving the querent from embarrassment; goldsmiths, jewelers, reformers, educators.
Moon
The querent - if a woman. The mother, or the woman in the case; servants, sailors, navigators, and those in contact with fluids or liquids.
Mercury
The bringer of tidings; news of that which is lost; artificers, thieves, ingenious and clever persons, who live by their wits; mathematicians, secretaries, merchants, travelers, teachers, orators, ambassadors.
Venus
The person in whom the querent may be interested, particularly if a young woman; embroiderers, perfumers, entertainers, artists, dealers in ornamentation, designers of clothing, interior decorators, lovers of pleasure, managers of places of amusement.
Mars
If favorably aspected, a strong and aggressive friend; if unfavorably aspected, a revengeful enemy; surgeons, chemists, soldiers, munition manufacturers; all who use sharp instruments; rough and uncultured persons; thieves, and such as live by violence.
Jupiter
The wise friend of the querent upon whom he depends for protection or assistance; a person of advanced years noted for integrity; rich and generous friends or relations; clothiers and dealers in essential commodities; mountebanks, dissipated relatives or friends; the black sheep of the family; counsellors, ecclesiastical dignitaries, judges, lawyers.
Saturn
Persons who, through narrowness of outlook, endanger the success of querent; aged and conservative or indigent friends or relatives; day laborers, religious recluses, those engaged in agriculture and mining, paupers, beggars, clowns; sometimes prudent counsellors; if unfavorably aspected, a person with ulterior motive.
Uranus
The querent’s friend in an emergency; unexpected elements, persons from afar, inventors, electricians, indicators of change; astrologers, humanitarians, psychologists, mental specialists. If favorably aspected, a person bringing new and important propositions. If unfavorably aspected, losses through impostors or unwise speculation.
Neptune
Those concerned with the investigation of scientific or metaphysical secrets; profoundly wise and eccentric individuals geniuses, prophets, spiritual counsellors; persons of mysterious origin; those engaged in water pursuits.
Pluto
The leader of an organization waging a strike, boycott or lockout, to establish a precedent for some principle; the writer who instigates a reform movement or mass reaction.
In Mundane Astrology
In Mundane Astrology, the significance of the solar system bodies is as follows
In a consideration of world affairs, the planets supply the initiating factor, whether personalities or environment; the aspects, its favorable or unfavorable action; the signs, the geographical divisions of the earth’s surface to be affected; and the houses, the economic or political conditions of the people to be affected or activated.
Sun
Executive heads; governmental and legislative.
Moon
The proletariat, particularly the women; crowds; subjects or objects of popular interest; water transport conditions and occupations; land and crops.
Mercury
The intelligentsia, the literary world; the transportation and communications industry; the press, educators, speakers, news commentators; change.
Venus
Ambassadors of good will and preservers of the peace; artists, musicians; theatres and festivals; births, children; courtship and marriage. Unfavoring aspects bring plagues and pestilences.
Mars
Military leaders; surgeons; persons liable to die; engineers; agitators, incendiaries, criminals and crimes of violence; epidemics of infectious and contagious diseases; wars. Commotions are stirred up by Mars aspects to the Sun.
Jupiter
judiciary; ecclesiastical heads; industrialists and capitalists; philanthropists and philanthropic movements; influences in support of order; peace, prosperity and plenty. If afflicted, over-production.
Saturn
The minor state executives and law enforcement authorities; Civil Service employees; land owners and mine operators; elderly persons; public buildings, national calamities, scarcities.
Uranus
Air and rail transport; labor organizations, strikes and riots; civic organizations; anarchy, explosions, inventions; the electrical and radio industry.
Neptune
The little people; social movements; socialized medicine and hospitalization; charities; seditions; socialistic political movements; widespread unrest.
Pluto
Organized labor; chain store syndicates; group activities; mob psychology - whether the mob be capitalists drunk with power or unemployed crazed by hunger.
Associated with planetary influences are the ailments affecting the portion of the body represented by the Sign position of the planet - at birth, in transit, or by direction; and by the Signs and Houses ruled by the planet.
Sun: Ailments of heart and upper spinal region; fevers and breaking down of tissues; organic ailments; fainting spells; diseases of the spleen.
Moon: Endocrine imbalance resulting in inflamed glands and defective eyesight; functional ailments and irregularities; allergies; mental instabilities; female disorders; emotional depression that impairs normal functioning; dropsy and excess fluidity; catarrhal infection of the mucous membranes.
In matters of health it is generally the significator of the bodily afflictions of its Sign position, as follows:
| Aries, head | Libra, loins, kidneys |
| Taurus, neck | Scorpio, organs of generation |
| Gemini, arms | Sagittarius, thighs |
| Cancer, chest | Capricorn, knees |
| Leo, back and heart | Aquarius, legs |
| Virgo, abdomen | Pisces, feet |
Mercury: Nervous disorders or debility from excitement, stress, overwork or worry; headaches; losses of memory; salivation; goitre; impaired respiration and sluggish elimination.
Venus: Blood impurities that poison the system, resulting in tonsilitis; pustural diseases, as measles or smallpox; sloughing sores and susceptibility to contagion; kidney disease; venereal diseases; poisoning; impaired functioning, resulting from uncontrolled eroticism.
Mars: Infectious, contagious and cruptive diseases; fevers, high blood pressure, internal hemorrhages, inflammations producing sharp pains; burns, scalds; inflammatory conditions requiring surgical treatment; hysterical outbursts producing violent reactions due to high temperatures.
Jupiter: Maladies arising from surfeit; congestion; chronic acidity and hyperfluidity of functional activity; subnormal blood pressure; apoplexy.
Saturn: Inhibited functioning due to fears and morbid conditions; debilities due to accidental falls or subnormal temperatures; depressed vital activity or impaired circulation due to inhibited emotions; rheumatism; melancholia; decayed and abscessed teeth; malnutrition, often from sheer miserliness; skin diseases; atrophy; spinal ailments.
Uranus: Inflammations resulting from deposit of precipitated min- erals; fractures, ruptures, lesions, spasmodic disorders.
Neptune: Oxygen deficiency; glandular imbalance from unexplainable causes; energy depletion and wasting diseases; anaemia; neuroses; catalepsy, often the result of undirected or undisciplined psychic activity; hypochrondriasis; drug addiction.
Pluto. Ailments resulting from deposits of precipitated mineral products in consequence of chronic acidosis; arthritic and arteriosclerotic afflictions.
Periods or Cycles
The mean symbolical periods of the various bodies are the length of time between two successive conjunctions of that body with the Sun at the same geocentric longitude, i.e, falling on the same day of a year. In other words the Sun in its apparent annual revolution forms conjunctions with each of the other bodies as viewed from the Earth, each successive annual conjunction with the same body taking place at an advanced point in the Zodiac. After a time these conjunctions themselves form a cycle of conjunctions, beginning on approximately the same degree of the Zodiac, or days of the year. The length of this cycle with reference to a par- ticular planet constitutes the planetary periods. These are:
| Moon: | 19 years, the Cycle of Meton |
| Mercury: | 79 years, with an inconstant mean advance of 1° 37' each cycle. |
| Venus: | 8 years, with an inconstant mean advance of 1°32' each cycle. |
| Mars: | 79 years, with an inconstant mean advance of 1°34' each cycle. |
| Jupiter: | 83 years exact. |
| Saturn: | 59 years, with a mean advance of 1°53' |
| Uranus: | 84 years, with a mean advance of 40' |
| Neptune: | 164 years, 280 days; a mean annual motion of 2°10'54" |
| Pluto: | 247.7 years, with a mean annual motion that, because of the extreme ellipticity of its orbit, varies from 1° in Pisces through Gemini, to 2.5° in Virgo through Sagittarius. |
Ptolemy cites these time-measures as follows: Moon 4y, Mercury 10y, Venus 8y, Sun 19y, Mars 15y, Jupiter 12y, Saturn 30y. Those moderns who usc his system add Uranus 90y, Neptune 18oy, Pluto 360y. Lilley alters this, as regards the Moon to 25y, and Mercury to 20y; others assign 27y to Mercury.
By means of these periods one is able to arrive at a rough approximation of a planet’s position at a given date in a year for which an ephemeris is unavailable; as follows:
Example: To determine the longitude of Uranus on October 15th, 1672 (new style), add multiples of 84y and subtract the mean advance. To do this in one operation: assume any year in this epoch, say 1902. From this subtract 1672. This gives an interval of 230 years. Divide this by 84; the result, 2 periods and 62 years. Subtract 62 from 1902, which gives the year 1840: two Uranus periods subsequent to the desired date. To illustrate: the longitude of Uranus, as perceived in the ephemeris for 1940, on October 15th, is 17°09' Pisces. The 40' advance, times the two periods, is 1°20'. Subtract this from 17°09' and you have 15°19' Pisces as the longitude of Uranus on October 15th, 1672 (N.S.).
These and additional periods, arranged in tabular form for reference use, are as follows:
| Planet | Revolutions | Years | Remainder | Other Periods in Years |
| Moon | 254 | 19 | Cycle of Meton | 8-372-1040(b)(c) |
| Mercury | 318 | 79 | +1°37'(a) | 7-13-33-46-204(b) |
| Venus | 13 | 8 | +1°32'(a) | 235-243 |
| Mars | 42 | 79 | +1°34' | 16-32147-205(b) |
| Jupiter | 7 | 83 | +0°1'(c) | |
| Saturn | 2 | 59 | +1°53'(c) | 206(c) |
The three outer planets are usually computed by other methods: either
(a) the first return, in even years, with a plus or minus correction showing excess over 360 degrees;
or
(b) the net mean annual motion.
| Planet | Period | Remainder | Advance* |
| Uranus | 84y | +1° 4 | 4°17'55" |
| Neptune | 164y | +03° 34' | 2°11'55" |
| Pluto | 245y | -0° 29 | 1°28'03" |
*Mean annual advance, based on mean precession.
Consideration of the ruling planet, the Ruler of the ascending Decanate and its aspects, assists at arriving at a judgment as to sub-active and hyperactive functioning, as follows:
Sun: Generation of vital force, circulation, physical growth, expansion of areas of sensitivity.
Moon: Impregnation, generation, flow of secretions.
Mercury: Nerve functions, nerve reflexes, volition, coordination of motivity.
Venus: Exosmosis, filtration, venereal functions.
Mars: Rapid energy combustion under stress, bodily distribution of metallic elements.
Jupiter: Cell nutrition and development, flesh building, formation of hemoglobin and red corpuscles.
Saturn: Calcification, congestion, conditions affecting tendons, cartilages and articulation of bones.
Uranus: Electro-magnetic forces, growth of long bones.
Neptune: Functioning of telepathic, psychic or occult faculties; formation of white corpuscles.
Pluto: Balance between the anabolistic and katabolistic phases of metabolism.
Planetary influences upon the unfolding psyche, are as follows:
Sun
Individual faculties; consciousness of Ego, the Individuality as distinguished from the Personality. The vital energy that flows from the Sun through the solar system, enabling life to exist and its activities to be pursued; inspiring men to the consciousness of a destiny to be achieved: the sense of purpose that is recognized by MacDougal and the psychologists of the Purposivistic School; ambitious, with good organizing and executive ability. The solar influence is reflected in an impression of power in reserve; an outspoken and worldly-wise counselor; a strong individuality with an urge toward acquisition of power. Emanates an impression of dignity, grandeur, wisdom, authority, will and lofty spirituality. Restless under restraint, it operates more through inspiration than intellect. A strong paternal instinct. Generous, masterful, honest, truthful and creative; vital, forceful, sanguine, dignified. Power, honor, fame, pride, influence. When frustrated may become ostentatious, despotic, ceremonious, and fond of pomp and ritual.
Moon
Higher emotional faculties such as faith, hope and charity, veneration, peace-loving. The instinctive mind, the desire-nature with respect to material things; the external reactions to every-day affairs and to those pertaining to the home and domestic life; moods that fluctuate between the extremes of optimism and pessimism; ideas that are not abstract; ingenuity applicable to concrete purposes and practical ends; a mind that fluctuates and that lacks the ability to concentrate, hence easily influenced; sympathy, not compassion; respect for the old and regard for the young; suavity, kindness; love for animals; strong protective sense, and an inclination to defend those incapable of self-defense; acute maternal instinct not based on sex; modesty, timidity, economy, receptivity, imagination, impres- sionability, changeableness; fond of travel; personal magnetism; psychic qualities; extra-sensory receptivity; lymphatic, changeful, plastic, wandering, romantic, visionary, frivolous, capricious, fanciful, unstable, procrastinating, lazy.
Mercury
Concrete mental faculties: perception of size, weight, form, color, order, position, motion; memory, speech, intonation, phonetic inflection; thought, understanding, reason, intelligence; vacillation, hesitancy to face issues; mental waywardness; brilliant and facile but not profound; intellect in the abstract but not the concrete; industrious in acquiring knowledge for its own sake, apart from any practical application or any question of right or wrong; amasses evidence and eloquently cites statistics in support of his thesis; loves argument and debate; cunning, crafty, subtle; a skilled technician enjoying a superficial proficiency; literary, though not a ready writer. Mercury’s highest application appears to be in the realm of "pure reason," which, however, knows so much on both sides of a subject it experiences difficulty in drawing a conclusion, or in holding to a conclusion once arrived at. From the planet Mercury we have the word for the element Mercury, and its deriva- tive effect, mercurial. Its mental direction is largely determined by aspecting planets. v. Aspects, planetary.
Mercury
Active, excitable, impressionable, nervous, gossipy, worrisome, witty, dextrous. Mercury expressions: Literature, writings, oratory, study, memory. If frustrated may become conceited, profane, unprincipled, tale- bearing, forgetful, addicted to gambling.
Venus
Physical faculties: friendship, romantic amativeness; the affections, particularly love and the emotions derived therefrom; aesthetic sense, but not analytical; responsive to beauty whether of person, adornment, art or environment; enjoys elegance, comfort and pleasure; good taste; sex sensitivity, but discriminating; parental instinct; a youthful, almost childlike simplicity of approach and viewpoint; a gracious yet almost patronizing attitude; subject to negative moods and extremes of feeling; given to self-pity in moments of depression; mind highly receptive but largely concerned with social affairs; memory sense frequently unreliable; gentle, amiable, pacific, graceful, cheerful, temperate, passive. When thwarted, inclines to extravagance in self-indulgence; slothful, licentious, sensual, vain, dissolute, and generally abandoned; fond of gaudy apparel. Evolved venusian sensibilities incline to art, music, peace, justice, grace, faithfulness, fruitfulness.
Mars
The vital faculties: combativeness, acquisitiveness, desire, enthusiasm, passionate amativeness, courage, ardor in pursuit, not easily rebuffed and seldom discouraged, indiscriminate sexuality, haste, anger, intolerance, fretfulness; a centre of power and energy, whether for good or ill; acute, penetrative mind, largely concerned with physical accomplishment, through direct-action methods, rather than aims, and fitted for enterprises requiring seer-assurance; dynamic force, whether applied constructively or destructively; domineering, brooks no interference and is often ruthless in disregard of others; fearless and unhesitating as to hazardous undertakings and occupations; love of family-and on a wider plane, patriotism; ever ready to protect its own, whether family, country or organization; strong sense of brotherhood with humanity at large, though appearing to be self-centered. Mars is forceful, active, inflammatory, generally careless and destructive, expert, high-spirited. Normally synon- ymous with force, activity, ambition, pluck, endurance, desire, strife. When thwarted, Mars becomes cruel, egotistical, sarcastic, quarrelsome, coarse, vulgar.
Jupiter
The abstract and creative faculties: comparison applied in generalizations upon the broader aspects; idealism; powerful sense of the dramatic, and obsessed with the desire to be of service to society; symbolizes a person of sound judgment with an ample store of common sense; optimism, order, harmony; the principle of expansion and growth as expressed in the accumulation of material wealth, but without the miserliness of a marked Saturnian trait. Idealism generosity; a balance of feeling and thought, of heart and mind, that yields optimism, devotion, benevolence, good nature, generosity, temperateness, sociability, hopefulness; peace-loving, law-abiding, philosophical; usually of marked religious tendencies, especially of a ritu- alistic order; convinced of the integrity of his motives and that his judgments are tempered with mercy; love of beauty as applied to grandeur and the sublime, with a leaning toward art, especially sculpture; the ability to overcome opposition with forceful but im- personal arguments; broad vision, open-mindedness; listens to reason.
Jupiter creates conditions through which these qualities can bc expressed: health, as physical harmony; law, as social harmony; religion, as spiritual harmony-not as channels of intellect, or the means of making money. It represents judgment, power in the benevolent sense, profit, good fortune, honesty, dignity-or just plain respectability. At its best Jupiter is generous, expansive, genial, temperate, vital, benevolent, respectful, self-controlled; but when frustrated it inclines to pride, dissipation, boastfulness, gambling, extravagance, procrastination, complacency, hypocrisy.
Saturn
The concrete creative faculties: asceticism; practical ability to achieve the external expression of thought forms; well ordered mind for the technical and concrete with an emphasis on detail; inclined toward scientific research involving mathematics; the conservative realist who asserts the authority of experience; secretive, noncommittal, noncommunicative; cautious, inhibited and reserved; laconic in expression; apostle of justice meted out with a firm hand, yet fair and impartial, a strong sense of justice - particularly injustice; a slave to customs and conventions, even when railing against them; patient, prudent, constant but jealous, yet not easily offended. Its emphasis on the personal ego and inability to give outward expression to affection, tends to separation and isolation; a serious outlook on life; inclined to learn everything the hard way; avoids strenuous effort or exertion-but generally finds more than his share of it to do. Its strong sense of self-preservation is deliberately purposeful and holds the emotions in check through the exercise of thought and will power, more completely than does any other planet. Where Uranus makes a show of strength when freedom is threatened, and Mars when the passions are aroused, Saturn is cold, slow and deliberate, but inexorable when fully aroused. Plots his way to positions of authority, wherein he discharges his duties with tyran- nical conservatism; generally a reactionary, but faithful. Normally fearful, secretive, cautious, defensive, binding, cold, hard, persevering, steadfast; when frustrated Saturn develops avarice, ma- terialism, ultra-conservatism, tradition-bound narrow-mindedness, pessimism and fatalism.
Uranus
The iconoclastic tendency: characterized by an aloof, offhand manner and approach; imagination, constructive or otherwise; reacts violently against anything that would deprive him of his free and conscious choice of thought and action. Unbending will, insistent upon independence at any price; not readily amenable to any sort of control, much less to arbitrary authority; strong sense of power and authority; assertiveness, with crushing positiveness; self-reliant; inventive; interest in scientific and religious principles; unconventional, altruistic; perseverance to cope with and conquer material obstacles, yet subject to sudden changes of attitude; organizer, promoter, scientific investigator along materialistic lines; originality, with a tendency to break new ground, start new occupations, advance new ideas, utilize new methods, depart from established customs, and hold in disdain the arbitrary restrictions of conventional morality; strong mechanical sense and executive ability that leans toward construction engineering; unerring ability to sense people’s motives, hence often becomes a refractory spirit, more or less alienated from his relatives; moves spontaneously from an inner urgehence impulsive and generally classed as eccentric. Uranus is deemed a higher octave of Mercury. often fails to know his own mind, but is moved by providential circumstances; often a fatalist who considers his destiny beyond his control. Naturally inclined to be variable, spasmodic, impulsive, prophetic, and heroic, under restriction - even that of an inferiority complex - it becomes eccentric, refractory, bohemian, fanatical, anarchistic, and given to hurling sarcastic invectives at anybody or anything on any pretext and without provocation. Uranus is eminently the planet of science and invention, particularly aviation, electricity, and astrology.
Neptune
The Social Unrest; follow-the-trend illusive and intangible emotions, of which we know so little; entertains false hopes and indulges in tricky schemes, yet is highest in human sympathy; loves mystery; acts dictated by powerful but inexplicable motives, directed toward invisible, intangible ends; reacts to harmony, sympathy, symmetry, rhythm, poetry, and the dance, which is the poetry of motion, with a partiality for stringed instruments; also for the morbid and erotic. Neptune pertains to feeling, desire, emotion, imagination. aesthetics, intuition, the psychic faculties or extra-sensory perceptions. When thwarted it becomes psycho-neurotic, theatric, and susceptible to flattery, the power of suggestion, and appearances. On the merest whim it will break a bargain or go back on its word. It exhibits a high regard for uniformity yet often succeeds in enterprises that require more than the average measure of mental effort. Neptune is deemed a higher octave of Venus.
Pluto
Sociological Urge. The organized group as the instrument with which to amputate parasitic growths on the body politic, in order to reconstruct society along more altruistic lines. Depending upon the spiritual development they have attained, these individuals become leaders of eleemosynary organizations. Foundations for the advancement of human welfare and relations, professional associations or trade unions through which to achieve better social conditions, or mere racketeers and gang leaders. It affords incentive to great literary or dramatic geniuses who inculcate in their works Plutonian doctrines calculated to bear fruit through the succeeding generation; total disregard for constituted authority or vested rights, except as administered for the good of all; and even at its worst, more likely to be activated by a sense of righteous indignation on behalf of society than by personal vindictiveness.
Sun
Powerful, well formed body, with large bones; large face and forehead, clear complexion; hair, light but inclined to baldness; commanding eyes.
Moon
of middle stature, inclined to heaviness; round face, pale complexion; large, soft eyes; short but thick hands and feet; and usually small boned.
Mercury
Slender body and face; full forehead, long nose, thin lips; slender, expressive hands; dark hair, thin beard, poor com- plexion, penetrating eyes.
Venus
Short but graceful body; inclined to stoutness in advancing years; round face, dark hair, large and wandering eyes; soft voice and vivacious manner.
Mars
Strong, stocky body, but not overly tall, military deportment; black or red hair; often curly or wiry; sharp, quick eyes; often very ruddy complexion; when angry face is livid.
Jupiter
Large, well-formed body, inclined to become portly in advancing years; wide chest; high forehead; kindly and widely spaced eyes; dark, wavy hair; paternal attitude.
Saturn
Slender, angular body, with large bones - back bends with increasing years; stern features; small, beady eyes; dark, curly hair; indifferent complexion.
Uranus
Slender body, pleasing appearance; irregular but prepossessing features; usually large light eyes, brilliant and keen; some types ascetic in appearance, often giving the impression of being effeminate.
Neptune
Finely organized, slender body; long head, sharp features, often cruel expression; always mysterious; hypnotic eyes; hair retreats from temples.
Pluto
Medium stature, of rugged and sturdy build, yet with a delicate skin; soft fine hair on the scalp, but little hair elsewhere on the body.
The ruling planet, and the signs in which posited, considered with reference to occupational aptitude, gives the following testimony.
Sun
Positions of power, dignity, authority and responsibility, judges, magistrates, law observance authorities; superintendents and directors of public utilities, banks and businesses where huge sums of money are handled; goldsmiths, money lenders, writers, makers of ornaments, as luxuries and for display.
Moon
All common employments; persons dealing with public commodities, or holding.inferior positions chiefly in the transit industry; women officials and female occupations, as maids, children’s nurses, midwives; those having to do with water, as seamen, fishermen, beavers, longshoremen; dealers in liquids; bath attendants; traveling salesmen, tradesmen, purveyors of food.
Mercury
Authors, actors, orators, teachers, inventors, men of science, journalists and those engaged in gathering and disseminating information and in basing of judgment thereon; merchants, book sellers, postal workers, telegraph operators and messengers, or clerks engaged in the communications industry; artisans who exercise skill and intelligence; accountants, civil engineers, lawyers.
Venus
All professions connected with music and the fine arts; jewellers, embroiderers, perfumers, botanists; all businesses connected with women and their adornment: domestic servants, dancers and actors who impersonate beauty or grace, apart from skill or intelligence; painters, clothing designers, makers and dealers in toilet accessories.
Mars
All military professions; surgeons, chemists, blacksmiths, engineers, merchants, butchers, barbers, carpenters, and those who use cutlery or sharp instruments; workers in iron and steel, and those who make implements of war; bakers, dyers, and au common employments.
Jupiter
All professions connected with religion and the law; legislators, physicians, bankers, philanthropists, clothiers and businesses connected with woollen clothing; restaurant workers.
Saturn
All conservative businesses and all who deal in land, or in commodities produced by or taken out of the earth; those having to do with places of confinement, or of the dead; common laborers, and those who undertake laborious tasks, or who work underground, or by night. Employments where much labor is necessary to acquire gain. Builders, bridge makers, potters, plumbers, bricklayers, dyers, cattlemen, policemen, scavengers.
Uranus
Public figures, not holding office; travelers, inventors, pioneers, discoverers, original thinkers, lecturers; aviators, and those in the development of air transport; electricians, radio technicians, astrologists, scientists, psychologists, psychoanalysts, physical researchers and all new and uncommon occupations.
Neptune
Artistic and literary geniuses, philosophers, occultists, occupations connected with water, or liquids.
Pluto
Leaders in large organizations and movements, whether socialistic or capitalistic. Writers along sociological lines, or of works in which sociological doctrines are disguised; activities conducted anonymously or under a pseudonym.
In Occultism, the seven highest hierarchies, corresponding to the Christian archangels, which have passed through states of evolution in past cycles.
Vegetation and Herbs
According to Alan Leo, herbs are classified according to planetary influences as follows:
Sun
Almond, angelica, ash tree, bay tree, celandine, centaury, chamomile, corn hornwort, eyebright, frankincense and other aromatic herbs, heart trefoil, juniper, male peony, poppy, marigold, mistletoe, olive, pimpernel, rice, rosemary, rue, saffron, St. John’s wort, sun dew, tormentil, turnsole, vine, wiper’s bugloss; also bay, citrus, and walnut trees.
Moon
Adder’s tongue, cabbage, chickweed, clary, coral-wort, cuckoo flowers, cucumber, dog-tooth, duck’s meat, gourd, hyssop, iris, lettuce, melon, mercury, moonwort, mouse-car, mushrooms, pearlwort, privet, pumpkin, purslain, rattle grass, rosemary, seaweed, spunk, turnips, wallflowers, water arrowhead, watercress, water lily, water violet, white lily, white poppy, white rose, white saxifrage, whitlow grass, wild wallflower, willow, winter green, and all night blooming plants; also maple, olive, palm, and other trees rich in sap.
Mercury
Azaleas, bitter sweet, calamint, caraway, carrots, cascara, coraline, dill, elecampane, endive, fennel, hare’s foot, hazel, horehound, hound’s tongue, lavender, lily of the valley, liquorice, male fern, mandrake, majoram, mulberry, myrtle, olive spurger parsley, pellitory, southernwood, star-wort, trefoil, valerian, wild carrots, winter savory; also hazel, and filbert trees.
Venus
Apples, archangel, artichoke, beans, bearberry, bishop’s weed, black alder, bubbleholly, burdock, cloves, cock’s head, couch grass, cowslip, cranebill, cudweed, daffodils, elder, featherfew, ferns, foxgloves, goldenrod, gooseberry, grapes and other vines, groundsel, kidneywort, lily, little daisy, marshmallows, mint, pennyroyal, pennywort, peppermint, red cherries, roses, sanicle, sea holly, sorrel, spearmint, tansy, throatwort, vervain, violets, wheat; also almond, apple, apricot, ash, cypress, pecan and pomegranate trees.
Mars
All-heal, aloes, anemone, arsmart, barberry, basil, box tree, broom, butcher’s broom, cactus, capers, catmint, coriander, crowfoot, flax-weed, furze-bush, garden cress, garlic, gentian, ginger, hawthorn, honeysuckle, hops, horse radish, horsetongue, hyssop, leadwort, leeks, madder, masterwort, mousetail, mustard, nettles, onions, peppers, plantain, radish, savin, tobacco, wake-robin, wormwood, and all briars and thistles; also trees with thorns.
Jupiter
Agrimony, aniseed, apricots, asparagus, balm, balsam, betony, bloodwort, borage, chestnut, cinquefoil, cloves, currants, daisy, dandelion, hart’s tongue, house leek, jessamine, liver wort, mint, myrrh, nailwort, nutmeg, polypody, rhubarb, sage, scurvy grass, small samphire swallow wort, strawberry, sugar cane, thorn apple, wild pinks, wild succory; also ash, almond, birch, fig, lime, linden, mulberry and oak trees.
Saturn
Aconite, barley, barren wort, beech, black hellebore, blue bottle, comfrey, crosswort, flaxweed, fleawort, fumitory, gladwin, ground moss, hemlock, hemp, henbane, holly, horsetail, ivy, jew’s ear, knap-weed, knotgrass, mandrake, mangel, medlar, moss, navelwort, nightshade, pansies, parsnips, quince, rue, rupture wort, rushes, rye, sciatica wort, senna, shepherd’s purse, sloes, Solomon’s seal, spinach, tamarisk, vervain, wintergreen. Also cypress, elm, pine, willow and yew trees.
Pluto
Modern astrology seldom concerns itself with adding to or even using these classifications. Furthermore, the second-octave planets externalize more on the mental and spiritual plane than the physical, hence no additions to these ancient lists have been made as applicable to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
Moon Nodes
In general, the nodes of the Moon symbolize one’s personal connections in life. Many astrologers interpret the north lunar node as an indicator of one’s future and the south as an indicator of one’s past; in such a context, the north node is often associated with potential (what one can overcome) and the south node with challenges (what one has to overcome).
Nodes in general: Connection; communication; union; the limits of things. North Node: vocation or application point; right-of-way. South Node: Frame of reference; harkening point; wake.
Variously called the Ascending and Descending Nodes, the North and South Nodes, Caput Draconis or the Dragon’s Head, Cauda Draconis, the Katababazon, or the Dragon’s Tail. The Nodes regress about 3° of arc per diem. There is much argument as to whether any intrinsic influences repose in the Nodes comparable to the radiation emitted by reflection of a planet. In all probability the ancients read more from a Celestial Figure by virtue of a greater comprehension of the astronomical mechanics it represents, than do most moderns. The position of the Node can show whether there was an eclipse condition shortly before or after birth, whether a planet near the Node would shortly be accented by the Moon’s transit, or that of the Sun, and similar and sundry factors which the modern astrologer can trace from the ephemeris but often does not. The Nodes of themselves merely point to places where something may happen at such and such a time - which of itself is no small matter. Things happen because of the time, the place and the planet, and the Node is often the middle factor in that formula.
In 18 years and 10 or 11 days the Node regresses 349 degrees, hence in that period at a point 11 degrees in advance, an eclipse or a series of eclipses recurs under similar conditions. Astronomers calculate eclipses by means of the Saros Cycle rather than by the use of the ephemeris.
Placement of the Ascending Node oriental of the Line of Advantage is deemed preferable, as stimulating, among other things, increased stature. The Line of advantage joins the third decans of the Third and Ninth Houses.
The position of the Sun on the North Node in the Nativity of H. P. Blavatsky is supposed to have profoundly influenced her life. It might well be for it indicates a prenatal solar eclipse at that point only a matter of days before her birth. The ancients held that the Moon’s North Node partook of the nature of Venus and Jupiter, while the South Node partook of the nature of Mars and Saturn. Probably more helpful would be the observation that a planet in close conjunction to the North Node at birth would bring honors or riches; at the South Node, poverty and afflictions and a cruel or usurious nature-according to the character of the planet so placed, as modified by the Houses thus tenanted. It is doubtless also of significance in connection with transit and progressions, particularly those of the Moon, only this would appear to involve the regressed position of the Node at the date for which the transit or progression is computed.
Transpluto
The following keywords are from John Hawkins’ book TRANSPLUTO and are written in the style of Rheinhold Ebertin’s COMBINATION OF STELLAR INFLUENCES:
-Generous, kind, fertile, riches, merry, joy, comical, warm, solid and steady, free, prophetic, calm/tranquil, artistic (precious metals and stones), melodious music, deliberate, charismatic, true self, accomplishes above normal capacity, manages personal finances with honesty, rebirth, transformation to higher spiritual levels, merciful, possessions (spiritual character or moveable material objects), silent.
-Obstinate, unruly, cantankerous, stubborn, bully, savage, brutal, insensitive, decapitation, bloody, masochistic, ferocious, tremendous release of destructive energy, somber, mad, anger, demolish, bullheaded, delayed action, inability to be true self, clumbsy, chaos, pandemonium, boisterous, bestial acts, orgies, unclear, muddled, underestimation of self, possessive.
Lilith
A name sometimes given to asteroid No. 1181, a minor planet, of magnitude 14.1. It is too faint to be seen other than with the aid of a telescope. It is not a "dark moon," but a planet that shines by reflected light from the Sun - as does the Earth. Lilith is mentioned in the apocryphal writings, as the "other woman" in the original triangle that rendered the Garden of Eden no longer a paradise.
Vertex
Also a sensitive point, it relates to fate. Key words for vertex are relationship, "can’t help myself," impersonally fated contact, situations of no choice, lot in life, part to play, karmic development, unmovable force; also, situations in which the flow of development is unusually smooth, with seemingly no obstacles.
ROLE
Astronomically, the vertex is the intersection of the prime vertical and the ecliptic in the west; the anti-vertex is the same intersection in the east. The vertex can also be described as the ascendant of the imum coeli at the co-latitude of birth.
Parallax Moon
Parallax Moon is a correction for the difference in the position of the Moon as measured from two points on Earth from the center of the Earth (standard calculation) and from the actual altitude of a particular location on Earth.
The Moon manifests the largest difference between parallax and standard position due to its proximity to the Earth; the other planets manifests increasingly less parallax according to their distance from the Earth.
Vernal Point
Also called the Aries point. One of the two points where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic, it denotes the beginning of the tropical zodiac. The vernal point marks the beginning of measurement of RIGHT ASCENSION on the celestial equator (OhrO’O", or 0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds) or of CELESTIAL LONGITUDE on the ecliptic (0hr0’0"). It is continuously moving backward in relation to the constellations (see PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES), and the equatorial and ecliptic CELESTIAL COORDINATES move along with it.
Vulcan
An hypothetical planet, much conjectured among ancient astrologers, the orbit of which is supposed to lie inside that of Mercury. Astronomers have so far found no justification for any assumption of its existence.
Pars fortunae (Part-of-Fortune)
for more details on Arabian points read Arabian Points (or Parts) in chapter page
Your relation to the public. Things coming to you. The sign and house positions show how. Depending on aspects from the other planets, this can be a point of "misfortune."
One of the Arabian Points A point that bears the same relation to the Rising Degree that the Moon bears to the Sun. It occupies the same House-position in a Figure based on a birth-moment, that the Moon tenants in a Solar Figure. Its symbol, a cross within a circle ED, is that utilized by astronomers to represent the Earth. It is the ancient Chinese symbol Tien, a field; used by the Egyptians to signify territory. It is generally considered that the House position of Fortuna is an indication of the department of life that will most readily contribute to the financial welfare of the native. If so it tends to lend emphasis to the theory that one succeeds best at that which one likes best; that congeniality of occupation is a contributing factor to success therein. v. Arabian Points.
Point of Life
for more details on Arabian points read Arabian Points (or Parts) in chapter page
A progressed point, obtained by advancing 0° Aries at the rate of 7y per Sign. A planet at this point is presumed to affect the native according to its nature and strength. The theory appears to recognize the importance of the equinoctial degree as an individual point, and to associate it somehow with the Uranus motion, and the progressed motion of the Moon.
Point of Love
for more details on Arabian points read Arabian Points (or Parts) in chapter page
As this represents the position of Venus in a Solar figure, and as Venus never has a greater elongation from the Sun than 48°, this Arabian Point can never be in other than the 11th, 12th, 1st or 2nd Houses.
Uranian Planets
One of the eight planets "discovered" by Witte, a German Astrologer of the WW-I period, in conjunction with Friedrich Sieggruen. To date, there has been no physical confirmation of their existence. Some astrolgers regard them as "psychic planets" (bodies existing at a level more subtle than the physical).
These eight hypothetical points are used by Uranian astrologers in indicators of conglomerate themes not otherwise represented by the traditional planets. The following key words are from Arlene Kramer.
Of the so-called Arabian Points, Fortuna, or the Part of Fortune, is the best known to modern astrologers, although its full significance is not generally realized. These Points tend to show that the Arabians understood the value of the Solar Houses - those based upon the Sun’s degree as the Ascendant, thence erecting twelve Houses consisting of successive thirty degree arcs. If any Figure be revolved to the point where the Sun’s degree is on the Ascendant, the Moon’s position will coincide with the geocentric House position of Fortune; Mercury to the Point of Commerce; Venus to the Point of Love; and so on. Instead of revolving, the Figure the Arabians gave rules whereby these planetary House-positions could be inserted in a Figure based on a birth-moment. Thus the Scheme showed each planet in two House-positions: one based on its relation to a rising degree, the other on its relation to the Sun itself. Naturally the rules for computing these locations infer a knowledge of the correct birth-moment. However, it is incorrect to assume that these points cannot be utilized when the birth-moment is unknown. On the contrary, a Figure erected with Aries 0° as an Ascendant can be more comprehensively interpreted by the use of most of the Arabian Points than in perhaps any other way. The so-called Solar Equilibrium system is entirely based upon the Arabian concepts. To utilize these Points without a known ascendant degree cast a Figure with Aries 0° as an Ascendant and proceed as follows:
Revolve the Figure until the Sun’s degree is on the Ascendant, then divide it into Houses consisting of successive 30° arcs from that degree.
The Moon’s position is the Part of Fortune and shows the lunar influence in shaping adult individuality and destiny, just as the Moon’s relation to the rising degree shows the lunar influence upon the personality and the physical development of the early years.
Now revolve the Figure until the Moon’s degree is on the Ascendant and continue.
It is worthy of note that Mars and Saturn bore no relation to matters which come under the influence of the Moon.
With the Sun on the Ascendant, locate a point as far distant in a converse direction, as the Moon is distant in the order of the Signs. This is the Point of Spirit. Advance the Point of Spirit to the Ascendant and the Moon position becomes the Point of Merchandise.
Placing the Moon’s dispositor - the Ruler of the Sign in which the Moon is posited - at the Ascendant, the Moon becomes the Point of Bondage.
Insert the position of the Lunation or Full Moon next preceding the day of birth, and place that on the Ascendant, and the Moon position locates the Point of Life.
Taking the Mercury position as an Ascendant, the Moon position is the Point of Servants.
Mars’ position is the Point of Understanding.
Taking the Venus position as an Ascendant, the Moon position is the Point of the Mother.
Saturn’s position is the Point of Fortune in Husbandry.
Taking the Mars position as the Ascendant, the Venus position is the Point of Plays.
Jupiter’s position is the Point of Discord.
Taking the Saturn position as an Ascendant, the Sun position is the Point of the Father.
Moon position is the Point of Magistery and Possessions or the Point of Inheritance.
Mars’ position is the Point of Sickness.
Jupiter’s position is the Point of Brothers and Sisters.
Cancer 15° is the Point of Journeys by Water.
(Instead of rotating the chart, it is equally practicable to locate the Point of the Father, for example, by computing the arc from Saturn to the Sun, and if this is a 40° separation, say "The Sun is in a Second House position to Saturn, hence the Point of the Father is in the Second House.")
If you have an hour of birth from which to compute a Rising degree, mark the cusps on the circumference of the Figure and consider these additional Points:
With the Lord of the Second House as an Ascendant, consider the altered House-position of the cusps of the Second House. This is the Point of Goods.
With the Lord of the Ninth House as an Ascendant, consider the altered House-position of the cusp of the Ninth House. This is the Point of Travel by Land.
With the Lord of the Twelfth House as an Ascendant, consider the altered House-position of the cusp of the Twelfth House. This is the Point of Private Enemies.
With the Moon as an Ascendant, the cusp of the Eighth House becomes the Point of Death: the point where experience must crystallize into either regeneration or disintegration.
If the birth was at night, with the Sun below the Horizon, in Houses I to VII, put Jupiter on the Ascendant, and consider the House-position of Saturn as the Point of Brethren.
With the Venus-degree on the Ascendant, the cusp of the Seventh House is the Point of Marriage. Marc Jones suggests that with the cusp of the Seventh as an Ascendant, the Venus-position might be taken as the Point of Divorce.
With Saturn on the Horizon, the position of the Lord of the Eighth House is the Point of the "Most Perilous Year."
Finally, for the Point of Honorable and Illustrious Acquaintances, apply the Sun-Fortuna arc of the Geocentric Figure to a Solar Figure as follows:
If a night birth, usc the Sun as an Ascendant and consider the House-position of Fortuna. If a day birth, use Fortuna as Ascendant, and consider the House-position of the Sun.
The Point of the Father appears to be the Point of Sudden Advancement, except that if Saturn be combust Jupiter is to be taken as the Ascendant in considering the House-position of the Sun. The passing of the progressed Moon over the sensitive point in the radical Figure indicated by the Part of Fortune is supposed to stimulate all matters having to do with worldly possessions. It is generally supposed that it is also affected by aspects to this point - according to the nature of the aspect, and of the aspecting body. This point is not commonly progressed, but Sepharial suggests that research might possibly show that the continuous adjustment of the point in its relationship to the Ascendant to accord with the changing relationship of the progressed Lights, would be productive of tangible results.
All these points are susceptible to stimulation or accent by Lunations, Full Moons, and Eclipses on these degrees, and by transit or progression of the planets over the arcs in which they are located. In short they represent just that many added points of sensitivity and receptivity.
For consideration in that connection, the traditional formulae for the locating of these points in the Geocentric, or birth-hour, Figure are as follows:
Fortuna: Asc plus Moon minus Sun.
Commerce: Asc plus Mercury minus Sun.
Love: Asc plus Venus minus Sun.
Passion: Asc plus Mars minus Sun.
Increase: Asc plus Jupiter minus Sun.
Fatality: Asc plus Saturn minus Sun.
Catastrophe: Asc plus Uranus minus Sun.
Treachery: Asc plus Neptune minus Sun.
Organization: Asc plus Pluto minus Sun.
Spirit: Asc plus Sun minus Moon.
Faith: Asc plus Mercury minus Moon.
Female Children: Asc plus Venus minus Moon.
Male Children: Asc plus Jupiter minus Moon.
Merchandise: Asc plus Fortuna minus Spirit. (Also Sorrow and Imprisonment)
Bondage: Asc plus Moon minus dispositor of Moon.
Life: Asc plus Moon minus Lunation or Full Moon next before birth.
Servants: Asc plus Moon minus Mercury,
Understanding: Asc plus Mars minus Mercury.
Mother: Asc plus Moon minus Venus. (Also Friends.)
Fortune in Husbandry: Asc plus Saturn minus Venus.
Play: Asc plus Venus minus Mars.
Discord: Asc plus Jupiter minus Mars.
Father: Asc plus Sun minus Saturn.
Inheritance: Asc plus Moon minus Saturn. (Also Magistery and Possessions.)
Sickness: Asc plus Mars minus Saturn.
Brothers and Sisters: Asc plus Jupiter minus Saturn.
Journeys by Water: Asc plus Cancer 150 minus Saturn.
Goods: Asc plus cusp of Second House minus Lord of Second.
Travel by Land: Asc plus cusp of Ninth House minus Lord of Ninth.
Private Enemies: Asc plus cusp of Twelfth House minus Lord of Twelfth.
Death: Asc plus cusp of Eighth House minus Moon.
Brethren: In a day-birth: Asc plus Jupiter minus Saturn.
In a night-birth: Asc plus Saturn minus Jupiter.
Marriage: Asc plus cusp of Seventh House minus Venus.
Divorce: Asc plus Venus minus cusp of Seventh.
Most Perilous Year: Asc plus Lord of Eighth minus Saturn.
Honorable and Illustrious Acquaintances: In a day-birth: Asc plus Sun minus Fortuna. In a night-birth: Asc plus Fortuna minus Sun.
Most Perilous Year: Asc plus Sun minus Saturn. Or if Saturn be combust, use Jupiter.
There are other points or parts, both of ancient and modern origin, many of them seemingly based on the idea that should you have a good horse there need be no fear of riding him to death. For example, there is the Point of Honor: In a day-birth: Asc plus Aries 19° minus Sun. In a night-birth: Asc minus Taurus 3° minus Moon.
To make clear the calculations incidental to the application of these formulae the following illustration is given:
Presume an Ascendant-degree of 15° Pisces, a Sun-degree of 28° Taurus, and a Moon-degree of 23° Gemini. Reduce these to signs and degrees as follows: The Ascendant degree is eleven Signs plus 15°; the Sun is plus 28°; the Moon is 2s plus 23°. Then:
| To Ascendant | 11s 15° |
| Add Moon’s position | 2s 23° |
| 13s 38’ | |
| And subtract Sun’s position | 1s 28° |
| 12s 10° | |
| Subtract the circle | 12s |
| Fortune’s degree is | 0s 10° or 10° Aries. |
To verify, note that the Moon is 25° distant from the Sun, and that Fortuna at 10° Aries is also distant from the Ascendant at 15° Pisces, by 25°. Similarly, by substituting any planet’s position for that of the Moon.
Without any of this calculation it is possible at a glance to note that this Moon-position would fall in the First Solar House; therefore Fortuna will tenant the First House of the Geocentric or Birth Figure. The directing of the Ascendant to Fortuna will coincide with the directing of the Sun to the Moon’s radical position. Major transits to the Moon will be operative in one sense through the Sign and House of the Moon, and in another sense through the House-position of Fortuna-which is only another way of saying the Moon’s Solar-House position.
These points are employed as longitudinal degrees along the Ecliptic; not as bodies having latitude and declination. Their chief value is as indicative of the Solar-House positions through which planetary influences will operate psychologically in a mature and developed individuality - one which has arrived at a realization and acceptance of the destiny imposed by virtue of the radical Sun-position, rather than that of a Rising Sign which largely determines the physical development in early life.
To arrive at a thorough interpretation of directions to and transits over the degree held by an Arabian Point, these should be synthesized with those over the planet from which the Point is derived. According to Sepharial "Ptolemy borrowed the symbol of Fortuna from the Arabs but applied to it his own reasoning, while Placidus, in an attempt to deal with it mathematically, improved it out of existence."
In modern "democratic" society it is politically incorrect to differentiate between people and their potential. Everyone has the chance to be someone, even if they come from humble beginnings. Bill Clinton proved that natural talent can sweep away obstacles, (though George W Bush also proves that being born privileged certainly does not get in the way of success.) Much of the political development since the discovery of Uranus in 1781 has been geared to a leveling process that is designed, in theory at least, to give equal opportunity for all. Similarly, politically correct astrology as taught in much 20th century literature has emphasized equality of opportunity via the horoscope, whatever the planetary strengths and weaknesses. In this light, hard aspects have been viewed as opportunities, bringing character strength through overcoming difficulties, whilst there has been a view that soft aspects can encourage laziness and self-satisfaction.
The Good and the Bad
This was hardly the view of astrological tradition, which simply classed Mars and Saturn, for example, as malefics, and Venus and Jupiter as benefics, and saw soft aspects as "good" and bad aspects as no less than "evil". This change of view has taken place with the discovery of the outer planets. Pluto in particular has brought a new consciousness which forces people to confront their own demons, rather than projecting them on the outer world, making possible an inner transformation process which brings consciousness growth. This psychological view gives a dynamic approach to the problems inherent in difficult aspects and weakly placed planets, empowering people to create change.
Horary Astrology
However, whilst the idea that planets can perform equally well no matter where they are placed can be an empowering view when working with clients, practitioners will be led astray if they apply this view unilaterally in their practice. They will simply not be able to make clear judgements about what to do and what not to do, and therefore their advice will be obscured by a fog of vagueness and generality. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the everyday assessment of trends in society using the astrology of planetary placement and movement here and now. Many of the principles of a "here and now" astrology are enshrined in traditional horary astrology, and these principles can usefully be applied to personal and mundane astrology today. Planets have a particular character dependent on the sign they are placed in, and when making a judgement on any course of action, it is crucial to differentiate between signs.
Rulership
The first clear guideline is that a planet is strong when it is placed in the sign it rules. This sign is its own territory, and other planets must enter this territory with due respect. When a planet returns to the sign (or signs) it rules, it is free to express its true nature in its purest form, just as you would do after a long day at work. You open the door to your home, enter and throw yourself on the sofa with a cup of tea and some nice music. Should another planet now enter the sign, it is as if someone rings on the doorbell. You may invite them in, but they had better be on their best behavior. You can decide how much you will put up with, and the visitor would be foolish to start bossing you around.
Affinity
Of course, planets have affinities for each other, so if Mars was at home in Aries, and Jupiter knocked on the door, then it would be with excitement and exhilaration that Jupiter would be welcomed. But if Saturn happened to be passing through, Mars would groan and open the door, but only out of a sense of duty. Nevertheless, even though Saturn might behave like a Jehovah’s witness laying down the law, Mars would still be in much the stronger position. Likewise, planets have natural attractions, which are based on sign rulership polarities, such that Venus, Jupiter and Sun/Moon are natural partners to Mars, Mercury and Saturn respectively. These planets can be both adversaries and partners. Certainly, if Venus should knock on the door of Mars in Aries, she would be entering dangerous territory, but the attraction would be strong and she could scarcely get through Aries without a dramatic affair developing.
Detriment
The first guideline of planetary strength - that a planet is supreme in the sign it rules - leads to the next: that a planet is weak in the sign opposite to that which it rules. Far from home, and with lines of supply fully stretched, the resources of the planet in detriment are at low ebb. Herein lies the opening for guidance. The client with a planet in detriment must act accordingly, and not pretend anything else. It would be foolish for the Sun in Aquarius in the 10th to try and force through dictatorial policies. He can only rule with the consensus of the group. Similarly it would be unwise for a Venus in Aries in the 7th house to try and push the partner around. She is on foreign ground, and though her nature is to lead and take the initiative, this should not lead to her thinking she had the power. She might find the freedom she fights tooth and nail for - but it would be without the partner she also needs.
Venus in Trouble
December 2002 presents a typical scenario in which understanding planetary strength is crucial. Venus entered Scorpio on September 8, 2002 and went retrograde at 15 Scorpio on October 10. On November 21 Venus goes direct at 0 degrees Scorpio, finally leaving Scorpio - the sign of her detriment - on January 7, exhausted and psychologically raw. This can be compared to a sensitive opera singer being forced to perform in a London pub full of testosterone-charged men for four months. Avid newsreaders will have noted the many financial scandals and general doom in the financial markets at this time, as Venus, which traditionally rules finances, struggles through.
False Memory Syndrome
At the time of writing, as Venus becomes stationary, one news story illustrates exactly the dilemma of Venus in Scorpio. The story is of a young woman who has not talked to her parents for 10 years because she "discovered" during hypnotherapy that her father had had an incestuous relationship with her. As Venus reaches the end of its backward journey, she confesses publicly that the incest was imagined (Venus had squared Jupiter in Leo and Neptune in Aquarius - which is stiluatiing for all-encompassing fantasies) and she asks her parents to accept her back, which they forgivingly do. This long period in exile from her family is typical of a planet in detriment. Indeed, such a placement often shows exiled people. Of course the retrograde movement through Scorpio shows the taboo and sexual nature of the story, as well as the emotional catharsis of the family, in what proved to be a long exhaustive investigation of the past.
Meeting the Monster
Venus will feel uncomfortable as long as she is in Scorpio. She has entered a mysteriously empty cave in which shadows play in the half-light. When Mars enters Scorpio on December 1, 2002, the cave dweller returns, and can hardly believe his eyes. Venus has lingered tantalizingly on the threshold (zero degrees for two whole weeks) as Mars falters through the sign of his exile Libra. When he returns, Venus will probably find she gets more than she bargained for. December is a month of sexual fixations, all-consuming jealousy, control and coercion. It is curious to note that Mars gets within 50 minutes of arc of Venus (as both square Neptune) but she gradually picks up speed. It’s a bit like one of those dreams where the pursuer just manages to get hold of the trailing hem of the fleeing beauty’s dress... she may escape, but she will be unclothed.
Exaltation and Fall
Another important consideration regarding planetary strength is the concept of exaltation and fall, the roots of which seem lost in tradition. The idea of exaltation is that the planet is like an honored guest. Of course, if an important community leader came into your home, you would make a great effort to impress. You might ordinarily eat meatballs and boiled potatoes, but for your honored guest you would serve the very best meat and wine, and arrange a party in his honor. Similarly, the guest would be on his best behavior, and would hide his weaknesses and just display his strengths. The traditional exaltations are Mars in Capricorn, Venus in Pisces, Mercury in Virgo, Sun in Aries, Moon in Taurus, Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Libra. Just as exaltation leads to the finest expression of a planet, when a planet is placed in the opposite sign to its exaltation, it is said to be in fall - and fall is an ignominious place to be. It truly is the lowest of the low, an incredibly weak position in which the person in question is gravely compromised. Mars is in fall in Cancer, Venus in Virgo, Mercury in Pisces, Sun in Libra, Moon in Scorpio, Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Aries.
Horary » Natal
It might seem unfashionable to classify planetary strength according to arcane rules, but daily work with the astrology of the moment, (for example using the consultation chart for the client’s arrival) seems to confirm the validity of the approach. The question arises as to whether judgement can be made according to this yardstick in natal astrology, and if yes, how one can prevent such judgement from being disempowering. I personally have Jupiter in Capricorn in the 4th house, and spent the years from 12 to 17 in a typically oppressive English boarding school. I have vivid memories of the housemaster bending his cane between his pudgy hands and saying in all seriousness to me "Duncan, I want you to think of me as your father". Sigh... planets in fall.
What is "Good"?
Planets strong in sign are able to express themselves freely, but this does not necessarily mean that they are "good" in the traditional sense. For example, Ariel Sharon has Mars exalted in Capricorn - he’s a great general and an effective politician, but he is also a ruthless man. Mars’ brief has nothing to do with compassion, and everything to do with getting a job done. Similarly, Jupiter is wonderfully placed in Cancer, and its position there in the US chart testifies to a welcoming and generous country. But Jupiter expands everything to do with the country including its appetite, which may account for the prevalence of gas-guzzling vehicles and general over-consumption. Nevertheless, having many planets placed strongly can be a great advantage, because they give a natural dignity that evokes respect. Even Saturn changes character when it is in Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius, and manifest with great fairness and little oppression. Sean Connery manages very well, despite having Saturn rising, perhaps because it is in Capricorn. Mind you, with Jupiter in Cancer and Venus in Libra he has a lot going for him. Bill Clinton also has his Ascendant ruler, Venus, in the first house, which undoubtedly contributed to his popularity. OK, he also had Mars in Libra (detriment), and conjunction Neptune, which Monica Lewinsky could, and did, testify to.
The 20th century also led to the integration of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto into the planetary pantheons, and their corresponding rulership of Aquarius, Pisces and Scorpio respectively. Whilst I am sure this assigned rulership has validity, it would be a mistake to ignore the significance of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars as co-rulers of these signs. The outer planets will always represent collective forces in society rather than human characteristics - and it will be the traditional rulers in mundane, horary and personal astrology, which truly describe the character of the person or object in question. From a spiritual and psychological point of view, it may not matter where a planet is placed, because the planet, its placement and its aspects will in the last analysis simply represent material to be worked on in the process of personal growth. If I had had Jupiter in Cancer, I may have had more than my fair share of happiness, but then I might also be fat.
