Astrology

Front matter

There seems to be need of a practical book on Astrology, sufficiently simple and clear for beginners, yet adhering strictly to the most correct and advanced ideas on this subject.

It is the purpose of this book to take the best from all, reject the morbid and narrow, eliminate all sectarianism, fatality and technicalities, and present to the public a wholesome exposition of this ancient science.

Astrology as a Science

Astrology is the oldest science in the world. The ancient Egyptians were past masters in the art of casting horoscopes, the Tetrabiblos of Claudius Ptolemæus, written over eighteen hundred years ago, being still the authority and source of all our present knowledge. Modern scholars are at last beginning to take up this long-neglected branch of science, and before many years one may look to see such strides taken in its advancement, as will lift it at once out of the mist of superstition, charlatanry and error through which it has been viewed so long, into the clearer light of modern research.

The preposterous predictions and generally unscrupulous use of the science made by fortune-tellers for their own profit under the cloak of Astrology, have left it, with witchcraft and augury, in the ranks of superstition from which hypnotism has only just emerged.

Palmistry has advanced wonderfully in the last decade, especially along the line of character reading, but is still viewed with suspicion by the uninitiated and by those who do not understand its value.

In science—given a cause one gets a specified result.

And this is where Astrology begins to be a science, and ceases to be simply an art.

In palmistry—given a certain line in a certain place, one gets a certain characteristic.

In Astrology, the character of a person born at one time of the year will differ radically from a brother or sister born at another time of year, and have many characteristics in common with an utter stranger born in the same month. It does not seek to disprove heredity at all—as the mannerisms and appearances of a family may be astonishingly alike—but it strives to account for the wonderfully dissimilar characters found in a single family.

The fact that it deals with character, and gives reasons for what has heretofore seemed so unreasonable, has condemned Astrology where it should have attracted. Psychology—though a mere experiment as yet, is accepted as at least the beginnings of a science, to fill the place which is so vacant. This younger science might learn something from its hoary predecessor.

The Egyptians and ancient Greeks understood and practised an Astrology more perfect than we, from the few meagre remnants left us, can understand. They worked on the basis that harmony is unconsciously maintained between certain people and discord, as unintentionally among others, and that Astrology points out the road to either—so with them the marriage problem must have been to a great extent eliminated. At any rate we know that the Egyptians, and the Greeks after them, were a race of such beauty that none since have reached, much less surpassed their standard. And yet they labored under the delusion that a flat earth stood still and the sun, moon and stars revolved around it. For this reason modern astronomers discredit the whole system, astronomy and astrology, whereas the fact still remains that summer and winter, spring and fall went on just the same with them as with us, and that certain characteristics are predominant in individuals born at certain times of the year—then as now—although they thought the earth the centre of the universe, and we know it to be only a very unimportant satellite of one star. The stars look the same now as then, for though we have moved on thirty degrees in our heavenly journey it is unnoticeable in the sky—and the unimportant mistake of not classifying the causes aright has not changed the truth of the results.

Fundamental Principles

The foundation of the science of Astrology was the belief which all the ancients shared, that the stars ruled their destiny, or rather that the stars which were overhead at the time of the birth of a child, would be an index to his character, and as the sun and moon have more effect on this earth than any other star or planet—so their position at that time would have the greatest controlling influence.

They knew as well as we that the stars of summer were different from the stars of winter, and that it took one year for all of them to complete their seeming revolution and begin again on their journey, and that each spring at the same time showed the same stars overhead. As a result they divided the year into twelve parts, with a separate set of stars directly overhead during every part. Each set looked to them like the outline of some animal or object, so they named them after that which they resembled. Also the character of the object which the stars represented overhead would bestow like characteristics on the child born under them.

Thus Libra, the Scales, gives impartial justice, and Sagittarius, the Archer, a sure aim. The date of the month, and the hour of the day, however, would make a great difference in temperament.

If the influence of the sun, moon and certain stars overhead form the character of a child during the first hours of its life, the sun being the greatest, must have the most influence. So it is thought that a child born in the night-time forms character more slowly than one born under the sun's rays. And therefore a night child will develop more slowly than a day child, and will win his success later in life.

There is another theory that at full moon the world moves more harmoniously, and people get along better together, while more evil is done in the dark of the moon.

The ancients believed that the earth was composed of four elements—fire, earth, air and water, and every person born on the earth belonged to one of these elements, according to the time of year he was born, and under which one of the twelve groups of stars. These twelve constella- tions marked the path of the sun around the earth, as they thought—but as we know, the earth around the sun—and were called the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

There are three Signs of the Zodiac to each of the four elements, viz.:

The Positive or Head Sign, the Centre or Equatorial Sign, and the Negative Sign, just as there is a positive or repellent pole, an equatorial centre, and a negative or attractive pole to the earth. Thus—

Positive Pole | Equatorial Pole | Negative Pole

Fire, Aries, | Fire, Leo, | Fire, Sagittarius,

Earth, Taurus, | Earth, Virgo, | Earth, Capricornus,

Air, Gemini, | Air, Libra, | Air, Aquarius,

Water, Cancer. | Water, Scorpio. | Water, Pisces.

The Positive Signs of the four elements follow each other, beginning with Fire and going through successively Earth, Air and Water. These Positive Poles, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer are repellent, aggressive, assertive and masterful and are apt to repel each other, and sometimes—not always—the Middle Signs, but strongly attract the Negative Poles.

Then come the Equatorial or Middle Signs—Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio, always in the order of the elements. These are fortunate signs in that they attract both poles equally and each other. Last are the Negative Signs, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius and Pisces, beginning with Fire and ending with Water. These are the Attractive Poles—very much so to the Positive Poles and in a slightly lesser degree to the Middle Signs.

A person born under Aries, named so because the group of stars was thought to resemble the outline of a ram, is born in the head sign of the Fire element, and partakes strongly of its fiery character. One born in the next month would come under Taurus the Bull, and would partake of his earth element. The next month would be Air, and the next Water. The next month would be the Middle Signs, beginning with Fire and ending with Water, and then would come the Negative Signs, thus completing the twelve months of the year.

In this way they accounted for the unreasoning antipathies, or as unaccountable attractions, which then, as now, man had felt for his fellow man. They argued that just as fire and water are natural foes—so Fire People and Water People would find it hard to agree. Air and Fire are good friends—and Earth and Air, if Air does not soar too high for Earth to follow. Earth and Water sometimes make a paradise, sometimes mud. Air stirs Water into great commotion, generally to the achievement of much higher aims. Like signs are almost invariably congenial except in cases where two head signs each strive to rule the other, such as two Taurus people each insisting on advising the other. Some people have so conquered their faults and tempers as to be lifted above this strife of elements, and so enabled to become equally attractive to all.

But the ordinary mortal is still in elemental chaos—or in process of conquest only—and to such whether a person is naturally congenial or not means everything as far as peace and happiness are concerned.

Also many people do not know at all, or at best only faintly guess at their inner natures and constitutional faults; and to them a knowledge of their characteristic element, or elemental faults, would be of inestimable value. Forewarned is forearmed, and to know one's faults is to be well along in the battle of conquering them.

The Signs of the Zodiac

The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac, according to the ancients, corresponded to the twelve parts of the Grand Man, in the image of which the universe was made, beginning with Aries, the head, and ending with Pisces, the feet.

We still see him in the almanacs with arrows pointing from the pictures of crabs, lions and fish which surround him, to each part of his body, to which a Zodiacal sign corresponds. Thus—

Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

Fire, Aries | ♈︎ | (The Ram) corresponds to the Head.

Earth, Taurus | ♉︎ | (The Bull) corresponds to the Neck.

Air, Gemini | ♊︎ | (The Twins) corresponds to the Shoulders, Arms and Hands.

Water, Cancer | ♋︎ | (The Crab) corresponds to the Breast.

Fire, Leo | ♌︎ | (The Lion) corresponds to the Heart.

Earth, Virgo | ♍︎ | (The Virgin) corresponds to the Stomach Solar Plexus.

Air, Libra | ♎︎ | (The Scales) corresponds to the Hips.

Water, Scorpio | ♏︎ | (The Scorpion) corresponds to the Generative Organs.

Fire, Sagittarius | ♐︎ | (The Archer) corresponds to the Thighs.

Earth, Capricornus | ♑︎ | (The Goat) corresponds to the Knees.

Air, Aquarius | ♒︎ | (The Waterman) corresponds to the Ankles.

Water, Pisces | ♓︎ | (The Fishes) corresponds to the Feet.

Signs and Planets

Each of these twelve constellations, or Signs of the Zodiac, is the natural home of one or more of the planets. That is, certain planets are stronger and have more beneficial influence in their own particular character when found in some signs than in others, and when they are thus strengthened they are said to be at home in those signs.

So Jupiter is especially strong in Libra, Mercury in Gemini and the Moon in Pisces.

There is more diversity of opinion about the natural homes of the planets than in almost any other point in astrology. Therefore, in the following table there is given a full list of all the planets which are strong in each sign:

♈︎ | Aries | Uranus, Neptune, Mars and Sun

♉︎ | Taurus | Saturn, Venus, Moon

♊︎ | Gemini | Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus

♋︎ | Cancer | Mars, Venus, Moon and Jupiter

♌︎ | Leo | Earth and Sun

♍︎ | Virgo | Venus, Uranus and Mercury

♎︎ | Libra | Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Neptune

♏︎ | Scorpio | Asteroids and Mars

♐︎ | Sagittarius | Mars and Jupiter

♑︎ | Capricornus | Saturn and Mars

♒︎ | Aquarius | Uranus and Saturn

♓︎ | Pisces | Moon, Jupiter and Neptune

The Twelve Types

Hiram Butler, in his work on Solar Biology, has evolved a connection of the twelve tribes of Israel with the twelve Signs of the Zodiac. He sees a picture in the description of Jacob's twelve sons, of the twelve types of the people of this earth. They are given in regular order beginning with Libra:

Libra is Reuben, who sees the vision of the sun, and whose leading characteristic is a power of foresight, vision, or intuitive perception.

Scorpio is Simeon, "That hears or obeys," whose leading characteristic is obedience to authority, and a demand for obedience from those under them.

Sagittarius is Levi, "who is joined, held or associated," and whose leading characteristic is fidelity and faithfulness to the marriage vow.

Capricornus is Judah, "The Praise of the Lord," whose leading characteristics are a devotion to large business enterprises, and an interior inexpressible ideality.

Aquarius is Dan, "A judge or judgment," whose leading characteristic is an accurate intuition in judging the nature and disposition of peoples.

Pisces is Naphtali, "Wrestlings," whose nature is an anxious wrestling with itself all through life.

Aries is Gad, of whom it is said, "A troop cometh," and means armed and prepared. This is the brain, which prepares for all emergencies of life.

Taurus is Asher, "blessedness or happiness," whose leading characteristic is a happy self-satisfied condition.

Gemini is Issachar, "price, reward," and signifies the recompense of mental power this sign always possesses.

Cancer is Zebulun, "dwelling," and shows domestic proclivities and great love of home.

Leo is Joseph and has a double meaning, "increase," and "judgment, luminous and perfect." The leading characteristic being a great love nature, and a power as a leader of the people for good.

Virgo is Benjamin, "Son of Right Hand, or Power," whose leading characteristics are an un- paralleled strength of will and power of self-preservation.

The following table shows the twelve signs with their corresponding twelve tribes:

Libra—Reuben Scorpio—Simeon Sagittarius—Levi Capricornus—Judah Aquarius—Dan Pisces—Naphtali | Aries—Gad Taurus—Asher Gemini—Issachar Cancer—Zebulun Leo—Joseph Virgo—Benjamin

Influence of the Planets

From the principles given thus far it can easily be seen what possibilities there are in this new means of overcoming the unsurmountable obstacles against which we have been so blindly contending for centuries.

The difficulty of selecting a suitable partner in business, a sympathetic nurse for an invalid, or a congenial associate in any way would be greatly obviated by a study of astrology.

But in this science, as in everything else, one will find that human nature may not be measured by a T square. Heredity, home influences and a good environment will greatly help to modify the faults and increase the virtues of a sign, and vice versa.

There may be two people of the same sign, and one seem to have all the faults and the other all the virtues. But they will be the distinctive faults and virtues of that sign.

Again one will find beautiful characters in the slums of crime and poverty, perfectly inexplicable when viewed from the standpoints of heredity and environment, and the same thing reversed, a black sheep all alone in a family of culture and refinement.

So far there has been no explanation for this—but astrology furnishes one, the benignant influence of certain stars at the time of the birth of a good character, or the adverse and detrimental influence of others at a criminal's birth.

This does not in the least imply fatality. Every one is heir to all the virtues, as well as the faults of his sign. But a weak character does not struggle with the faults, and the virtues are swallowed up, whereas a strong character fights such a fight as makes his good points doubly noticeable, even if the faults are not entirely overcome at once.

In a case where two people born within a week of each other seem quite different, one must go still farther into astrology for the explanation. The sun and the moon have the most influence over us, but though the sun stays in a sign for a month, the moon moves through all twelve of them in that time, staying only a little over two days in each. So that though the sun's sign may be the same, the moon's will be in a very different one, and so make great modifications in the character.

Another thing which causes seeming contradictions in character is the cusp.

The Cusps

The cusps are the two edges of the signs which meet and overlap. That is, the cusps or decreasing influences of each of the signs run about six days into the adjoining signs interlacing with each other and growing less all the time, as each gets farther away from its own sign. This causes a person born on the cusp, or common ground, of two signs to partake of the qualities of both, and is one of the reasons for some of the complex natures with which one comes in contact. Thus a person born on the cusp of Pisces and Aries, would contain in his own nature both the fire and water elements and would be at constant war with himself.

The fire and earth cusp would be good earth steadying impetuous fire. Earth and air would be an advantage to each other, for the same reason. The air and water cusp would be apt to be tumultuous, whether for good or bad would rest with the strength of character of the subject.

Table.

Persons born between—

March 27 and April 14 come under Aries.

April 14 and 25 come on the cusps of Aries and Taurus.

April 25 and May 15 come under Taurus.

May 15 and 26 come on the cusps of Taurus and Gemini.

May 26 and June 16 come under Gemini.

June 16 and 27 come on the cusps of Gemini and Cancer.

June 27 and July 17 come under Cancer.

July 17 and 28 come on the cusps of Cancer and Leo.

July 28 and Aug. 17 come under Leo.

Aug. 17 and 28 come on the cusps of Leo and Virgo.

Aug. 28 and Sept. 18 come under Virgo.

Sept. 18 and 29 come on the cusps of Virgo and Libra.

Sept. 29 and Oct. 18 come under Libra.

Oct. 18 and 29 come on the cusps of Libra and Scorpio.

Oct. 29 and Nov. 17 come under Scorpio.

Nov. 17 and 28 come on the cusps of Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Nov. 28 and Dec. 16 come under Sagittarius.

Dec. 16 and 27 come on the cusps of Sagittarius and Capricornus.

Dec. 27 and Jan. 15 come under Capricornus.

Jan. 15 and 26 come on the cusps of Capricornus and Aquarius.

Jan. 26 and Feb. 14 come under Aquarius.

Feb. 14 and 25 come on the cusps of Aquarius and Pisces.

Feb. 25 and March 16 come under Pisces.

March 16 and 27 come on the cusps of Pisces and Aries.

The Trinities

Besides the Elemental Triunes, or rather Triunes of Elements, into which the twelve signs of the Zodiac are divided—where each element is divided from its two companions by three other elements in between—there is another set of Trinities. These are not divided from each other, three successive months forming a Trinity. And studying the signs in threes in this way there will be found in spite of the difference in the elements an underlying likeness. This is sometimes so strong that people of adjoining signs will often become very good friends with many sympathies in common. But this sympathy should not be mistaken for love, as sometimes happens, in the case of adjoining fire and water, for there would not be likelihood of much peace in such a union. These four successive Trinities occupy the Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, seeming to obtain their character from the season of the year.

The first is the Intellectual Trinity. It begins March 21st and ends June 21st, taking in Aries, Taurus and Gemini. The second is the Maternal Trinity. It begins June 21st and ends September 22d, taking in Cancer, Leo and Virgo. The third is the Reproductive Trinity. It begins September 22d and ends December 21st, taking in Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. The fourth is the Serving Trinity. It begins December 21st and ends March 21st, taking in Capricornus, Aquarius and Pisces.

Both the Head Signs of the Elemental Triunes, and the Head or first Signs of these latter Trinities partake most strongly of the element or general principles of the Trinities. They are apt to be independent, self-reliant, assertive and even too self-sufficient at times, inclined to deal in generalities and neglect detail. The second or Middle Signs in both Trinities deal with the more interior thoughts and qualities of the Sign and are not so apt to be public characters. The third or Last Sign answers to the first. It is the Executive. It carries out the plans and makes possible and practicable the ideas of the Head.

Planets

Next to the Sun and Moon, the planets are the most important factors in a horoscope. So to be able to cast one intelligently, one must know the character and qualities of each planet.

Then, knowing their character, and finding out where each planet is at the time of birth, it will be easy to tell by the sign they are in, what qualities in the person will be strengthened. And according to what part of the Grand Man the signs correspond—so that part of the body will be strengthened or weakened by the planet. Thus a favoring planet in Leo, the Heart of the Grand Man, would bring a good circulation and an intensely loving nature, while an adverse planet in Pisces—the feet, would give restlessness, love of travel and pains in the feet.

Each planet, having its own nature, would give these qualities in its own way, Jupiter in a noble way, Venus in a loving way, Mars in a patriotic way, etc.

Including the Sun and Moon, and counting in Vulcan, Neptune and the Asteroids, we have again the twelve complete mystic influences.

Vulcan, the planet nearest the sun has only lately been discovered and has as yet no ephemerides. But judging by the date of its discovery and the characteristics of its newest neighbors it may very well be the Genius of the Times, the Progressive Awakening Spirit which has sent the world farther in the last hundred years than in ten hundred before it.

Mercury, the next from the Sun, is the planet of Memory and Perception. It gives physical power and a great desire for the acquirement of new knowledge and sciences.

Venus is the planet of Love, especially of the conjugal type, and wherever it is found strengthens the digestion and tends to assimilate nutrition.

The Earth is the planet of Charity, General Love and the Emotions of Pity and Fear. It is the heart of the solar system and sends its pulse circulating to every other planet in the system.

Mars is the planet of Patriotism, Love of Humanity, and of the Family. Where it is strong it gives a maternal love and care of others.

The Asteroids are the Lungs of the Solar System and give strength to the breathing powers and added vitality to the system.

Jupiter is the planet of Art, especially of sculpture. It corresponds to the shoulders, arms and hands of the Solar System and gives skill in their use. Where Jupiter reigns, he brings a love of the sublime, the noble and beautiful.

Saturn is the planet of Science and Religion. It gives great powers of thought and executive ability.

Uranus is the planet of the Occult, and where it is strong tends to lift the thoughts from a material basis to one more mental and spiritual.

Neptune is the planet of Poetry, controlling the inmost recesses of mind and spirit, and where very strong giving a poet's soul.

The Moon is the planet of Intuitive Sympathy. It is feminine and negative in its influence, and conduces to harmony in social relations. It makes the characteristics of the sign it is in stronger, and has an influence on the sign the Sun is in.

The Sun has the most influence over us, of course, and the sign it is in at birth marks the character of the child. But it is greatly modified by the moon and in a lesser degree—the planets.

It is the star of life and energy. It gives a masculine and positive turn of mind to any one it controls, with a fiery and impetuous nature and a loving and generous heart.

Aries (the Ram), March 21st–April 19th.—This is the first Sign of the Zodiac—beginning at the Spring Equinox—the awaking of a new year. It is the Head Sign, or Positive Pole of the fire element, and corresponds to the head of the Grand Man. Its colors are blue, pink and white, and its birth stones diamond and amethyst, its profession, letters and teaching or lecturing, and its chief characteristics are intuitive insight, reason, and a controlling power which the brain has by means of nerve telegraphy. Its tribe is Gad, of which it is said, "Lo, a troop cometh!" fitly expressing its impetuous, unconquerable energy. And the meaning is "armed and prepared," indicating the insight and reasoning powers it possesses in such abundance for its fight in the world. The Sun is strong in this sign and its planets are Neptune, Uranus and Mars. Neptune has control of the inmost parts of our nature and is said to be the poet's planet.

In personal appearance there are two distinct types of Aries people—one tall, slim, strong, broad-shouldered, with transparent complexion and good eyes. The other—short, stout, dark or auburn-haired, with florid complexion, dark eyes and nervous manner. This latter type are more changeable and talkative than the others and have better success in business and less literary talent.

The direct frankness of an Aries person would be almost brutal if it were not for the generosity and intuition which govern their nature. The activity of their brains inclines them to be impetuous and restless, but given some congenial employment in which their natural mechanical ability may assist and counteract the restless brain-work, this energy makes splendid workers of them.

These people have a passion for spreading any helpful knowledge or information they possess, which makes them natural teachers, lecturers and writers, and having an intuitive knowledge of the natures and conditions of those with whom they come in contact, their lessons and precepts are delivered with a tact which disarms opposition. They love music and dancing, making good leaders in society, the originality and directness of their nature keeping them from being mere followers of conventional form. They make the best of friends, apparently seeing no fault and grudging no sacrifice, no matter how great, where they love. As their insight is keen enough for others' shortcomings, this is undoubtedly a wilful blindness growing out of a generous desire to show their friends as perfect as they would have them.

Aries people are born comforters, their intuition making them understand without words the troubles of others and showing them the way to help the sufferer.

In their love affairs they are apt to be very fickle, turning easily from one to another, till they meet their real mates. But then all the energy and impetuosity of their being is turned into their love-making, and their nature made or marred at this time. It is through their love-nature that the Aries people reach their greatest height. Before this they are apt to be hard and critical, book-loving and indolent, unsteady at their work and restless in their habits. But when they begin to love some one else more than themselves they become awakened to the mean- ing of life and its duties, less sure of themselves and less critical of others, and though it goes harder with these people to be disappointed in love than any others, they seldom go back to their shells, but grow broader-minded, nobler and more generous through their trials. Some of the more restless natures plunge recklessly into folly, but as no one sees more quickly than they do through its shams and hollowness, they generally struggle back, much disgusted, to lead a life of more use than the pursuit of pleasure. It is their innate desire to overcome all opposition and conquer every obstacle in their path which helps them to make a success of a hope no matter how forlorn or a fight no matter how unequal.

This passion for conquering—whether difficulties or people—makes good soldiers and commanders of them. Their natural mechanical ability would make good artisans of them, but poor accountants, clerks, or employees of any kind where patient drudgery and careful detail is required. In anything in which they can originate—branch out independently and do in their own way—they succeed. Literature, trading, commercial work in any original way would appeal to them and be well carried through.

But just as they have large virtues these people have large faults. They are sometimes afflicted with a selfishness so all-absorbing that they are entirely unconscious of it, and cannot be made to believe in its existence. One of their greatest faults is jealousy, their over-weening desire to be the first and best-beloved causing themselves and their friends much unnecessary pain. This is also seen in their desire to talk about themselves and their doings at all times and on all occasions, with a tendency to exaggerate their importance. They see everything as a whole and hate to be bothered with details.

A hot temper, easily provoked but quickly reconciled, a headlong, almost reckless, impetuosity, and a fickle, thoughtless disposition concludes a category of faults enough to stagger any but the indomitable will of an Aries person. But as the more there is against them the better they fight, so their energy and love of usefulness, with the softening effect of an awakened love-nature, may raise them from the mire of selfishness and conceit, and make strong, broad-minded, helpful men and women of these firebrands. Being, as they are, the head sign or positive pole of the Fire Triune, they partake the most strongly of its fiery character. And as they are also the first of the Intellectual Trinity the brain is doubly active and every disease contracted tends to go to the head. Business worries or inharmonious domestic relations cause sick headaches which in turn affect the digestive organs. So, running more risk than others would of brain fever, they should cultivate a habit of taking a little rest every day, a nap of fifteen or twenty minutes or a half hour's quiet thought on some pleasant subject. Rest, fresh air and sleep, are the sovereign remedies for these people. They have actual need of more sleep than people of any other sign, and yet as a rule give less time to it. They are in constant danger of bankrupting their vitality, but if at the first sign of a nervous breakdown, they would go away into the country and sleep, dropping all thought of business or other worries, their recovery would be surprisingly swift and permanent.