The Influence of the Stars: A book of old world lore. Rosa Baughan

Square, when they are 90 degrees or three signs apart.

       Trine, when they are 120 degrees or four signs apart.

       Opposition, when they are 180 degrees or six signs asunder.

      The conjunction () is rather a position than an aspect, as planets can hardly be said to aspect each other when they are in the same place. When Saturn is in the first degree of Aries, and any planet in the same degree of that sign, they are said to be in conjunction; this is good or evil, according to the nature of the planets thus posited.

      The Trine () is the most powerful of all the good aspects.

      The Sextile () is favourable.

      The Square () is evil.

      The Opposition () is also very evil.

      There are several other aspects (sometimes called the "modern aspects") invented by Kepler; but as they only appear to complicate what is at best a very intricate study, it is best to ignore them and adhere in this, as in the matter of the planets, to the old methods.

CHAPTER III.

       CONCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC

       Table of Contents

      The zodiac is a band or belt, measuring about 14 degrees in breadth, but, as Venus sometimes appears to have more than her real latitude, it is more correctly considered to be 18 degrees in breadth. The ecliptic, or path of the Sun, passes exactly through the centre of the zodiac, longitudinally.

      The ancients divided the zodiac into ten signs—Libra being omitted altogether, Virgo and Scorpio being merged into one, thus: Virgo-Scorpio. This accounts for the similarity of their symbols,

.

      Ptolemy divides the zodiac into twelve equal parts, of 30 degrees each. He says: "The beginning of the whole zodiacal circle (which in its nature as a circle can have no other beginning or end capable of being determined) is, therefore, assumed to be the sign Aries, which commences at the vernal equinox in March."

      One of the many objections urged against Ptolemy's system of astrology is that the signs are continually moving from their positions; but Ptolemy seems to have been aware of this motion of the signs, and has met this objection by what he says in the twenty-fifth chapter of the first book of the Tetra-biblos, where he makes it clear that the respective influences he ascribes to the twelve signs were considered by him to belong rather to the places they occupied in the ambient than to the stars of which they are composed; and he especially speaks of the ambient as producing the effects attributed to the respective signs of the zodiac when in the ascendant in a nativity; thus his astrology is just as applicable to modern astronomy as it was to his own.

      The signs have been divided into four triplicities, thus: fiery

, .

      The bicorporal, or double-bodied, signs are

,

, and

.

      These descriptions are useful in showing the modifications brought to bear (by the sign ascending) on the planet's influence. But, when no planets are in or near the ascendant at birth, the following descriptions of the temperament and form of body produced by each sign ascending at birth should be used.

      Aries (

) is a hot and fiery sign and produces a lean body, spare and strong, large bones, grey eyes, with a quick glance and sandy or red-coloured hair. The temper is violent. It governs the head and face; its colour is white.

      Taurus (

) differs greatly, in its effects, from the preceding sign; it is cold and dry, and gives a broad brow and thick lips. A person born under it is melancholy and slow to anger but, when roused, furious and difficult to be appeased. It governs the neck and throat; its colour is red.

      Gemini (

) is in nature hot and moist and produces a person of straight, tall body, sanguine complexion, brilliant eyes and light brown hair. The temperament of those born under Gemini is lively and the understanding good. This sign governs the arms and shoulders; its colours are red and white.

      Cancer (

) is by nature cold and moist; it produces a native fair and pale, short in stature, with a round face, sand-coloured brown hair and grey eyes. Those born under it are phlegmatic, indolent and gentle tempered. Women born under this sign generally have many children. It governs the breast and stomach; its colours are green and russet-brown.

      Leo (

) is a fiery, hot and dry sign. When it rises at birth without any planet being near the ascendant, the native will be of tall stature, with yellow hair, ruddy complexion and oval face, and he will have a quick glance and a strong voice. It governs the heart, the back and the neck; its colours are red and