nations work by these constellations, but the western astrologer always calculates in terms of the signs, and when he speaks of ‘the zodiac’ he always means the ecliptic or Sun’s path. In the Tetrabiblos of Claudius Ptolemy, (Ashmand’s translation, published 1822, 1896) we read on page 32: ‘The beginning of the whole zodiacal circle . . . is . . . the sign Aries which commences at the Vernal Equinox,’ and the translator goes on to say This shows the futility of the objection raised against Astrology, that the signs have changed and are changing places. It is clear from this sentence that Ptolemy ascribes to the 30 degrees after the vernal equinox, that influence which he has herein mentioned to belong to Aries; to the next 30 degrees, the influence herein said to belong to Taurus; and so of the rest of the Zodiac . . . Ptolemy himself seems to have foreseen this groundless objection of the moderns, and has written, in the 25th chapter of this book, what ought completely to have prevented
* These are for the northern hemisphere.
* The phrenological ‘temperaments’ are quoted by way of a guide as to what is meant, since the other words will convey little meaning to the reader at present. But they should not be taken in too rigid a sense, since different writers apply these terms somewhat differently. In fact, it would appear that some phrenologists, studying humanity from the ‘life’ side, see the three qualities manifestation, and name them: others, studying humanity from the ‘form’ side, see the four elements represented, and name them. Unfortunately the latter class use the same terms as the former, plus a fourth; and consequently, since each class is unconsciously viewing mankind from a different standpoint, considerable confusion arises. At least, this would seem to be the explanation of the discrepancies that prevail.
CHAPTER III
THE LUMINARIES AND THE PLANETS
THE houses, or divisions, of a horoscope we compared to vessels, and the signs of the zodiac to their contents, giving colour and substance to each house. Metaphorically speaking, the planets in a similar manner give the aroma and quality to the whole.
Each house and each sign has a lord or ruler in the planet governing that house or sign, but the planets have more definite relationship to the signs than to the houses. So that the sign specially related to any planet is termed the ‘house’ of that planet, this not referring to the mundane circle but to the zodiac. Dividing the twelve signs into pairs one half becomes lunar and the other solar, each planet having one station in both divisions. Again each planet is weak in certain signs and powerful in others.
Besides the two luminaries, the Sun and Moon, there are seven planets:—Uranus,
No signs have been allotted to either
A planet has power in its own house, and in certain houses has a stronger influence for good or ill, also a weaker influence in other signs. The ‘detriment’ of a planet is the sign opposite to its own ‘house’; its ‘fall’ is the opposite degree to its ‘exaltation.’
In the column which is headed exalted’ the number of degrees shown indicates the particular degree at which the planet receives exaltation. The true sense of the term ‘exaltation’ cannot at present be explained, but there can be no question that planets in their exaltation signs do exert a more refined and a more powerful influence than elsewhere. As for the exaltation degrees, they have been handed down by tradition, and since whenever such tradition has been traced back to its source, it is discovered to be founded upon a truth in nature, we shall do well to accept these degrees with respect, and endeavour if we can to penetrate the reason the ancients had in so fixing them. Thus, the exaltation degree of the Sun
The planets are the vitalising centres in each nativity, therefore it is necessary to know the special influence of each planet and the nature of their vibrations in each sign and house. When we speak of a planet’s influence, it is the vibration coming from the spirit and life of the planet with which we are concerned, and not the physical medium through which it is acting, the physical planet being useful only as a means by which we may locate its position for astrological purposes. The special influence coming through each planet has been described by ancient astrologers who were evidently taught by those who knew, for as we have just hinted, modern students have found by study and practice that in the main, all that has been stated by their predecessors is true, with regard to the nature of each planet. A few students, looking more deeply into the esoteric side of the study, have discovered that there are higher vibrations than those generally attributed to the influence of the planets, but the failure of those coming under any particular planet to respond to these higher vibrations has caused this side of the study to be neglected. It seems incredible to those who study Astrology in the light of philosophy that any one should be found capable of believing that planetary influence emanates from the visible physical heavenly bodies only, or that a materialistic explanation could ever be fully explanatory of the multitudes of facts recorded in the experience of every astrologer. That there is a physical influence there is no need to deny, although we must also remember that no scientific explanation of it is yet forthcoming.1 But in Astrology we have to step beyond the threshold of the physical universe and recognise the reality of that indwelling spiritual life and consciousness of which visible phenomena are merely outward manifestations, whether in the planet or the atom. We must study the subject from the philosophical and religious standpoint, and to do this with any degree of satisfaction the whole subject must be approached with a feeling of reverence and a true sense of humility.
THE SUN, we are taught by those who are seeking the Path of Wisdom, is the body of God, the Logos of this solar system, through which He gives His Love, Light and Life.
In astrologic study THE SUN gives to every living organism its Prâna, or life and heat, each individual specialising his own store from the cosmic Prâna. Every living thing is plunged into a great ocean of life—God’s life; and every organism, whether great or small, appropriates to itself some of this universal life which is ever flowing from the Sun, the vehicle through which the Solar Logos is manifesting.
THE SUN, giving life, light and heat to the world, stands in each nativity as the symbol of vitality and activity, mind and intellect, love and feeling. In one word it represents the centre of each separate individual character as the sum total of himself, by absorbing into himself as much of the influence of the solar rays and the planetary vibrations as possible during his previous physical manifestations. THE MOON acts as the vehicle, or link of communication between the Sun and each living