The Message of the Stars

by

Max Heindel
and
Augusta Foss Heindel

There was a time when man-in-the- making was male-female and able to beget children without the assistance of another, but when one pole of the creative force was directed upward to build the brain and the larynx mankind ceased to be bisexual and thenceforth each male or female had to seek its complement to accomplish the begetting of children. Therefore marriage was instituted by the angels as a sacrament and the sacred rite of generation was performed under their supervision in great temples at certain times of the year when the interplanetary lines of force were propitious for propagation. The rest of the time all lived together in the paradisiacal bliss of chase companionship. Therefore parturition was painless and sickness and sorrow were unknown.

   But when, under the guidance of the fallen angels, the Lucifer spirits, mankind commenced to exercise the creative function for pleasure regardless of the stellar ray, death entered and the woman began to bring forth her children in sorrow and suffering. For though a minister may legally marry people, he, being ignorant of the stellar script, cannot see if the basic harmony necessary to truly mate two souls is present. Therefore, alas, most marriages fail to bring the happiness and satisfaction of soul which mark the companionship of true mates. Besides there is the pain of parturition incidental to mismating and the increased suffering of the ego which is building its body under inharmonious prenatal conditions. Surely, a heavy toll to pay for ignorance of the stellar science! Worse still, in the great majority of cases where people do know astrology or where they are informed of its pronouncement in their case, they refuse to heed it warning voice when it is contrary to their desires. They often even hate the astrologer who has the temerity to tell them that sorrow is in store if they wed. Therefore it is at best a thankless task.

   But this matter is so important at our present stage of evolution, it has such far-reaching consequences both for the individual and for society, that it is really criminal to leave to chance the choice of a mate. Fortunately we are nearing the Aquarian Age and there is no doubt that people will then study the stellar script; perhaps they will institute matrimonial bureaus maintained by the church or state, with a view to guiding the growing generation in the right direction. If children whose nativities are harmonious could visit at each others' homes and become playmates the attachment would undoubtedly ripened into love with the years. Then marriage would not end the romance as it unfortunately does in the majority of unions consummated at the present time, but it would intensify love and happiness year by year. The bond of affection would grow stronger and aid the soul growth of those under its magic spell as no other relation can.

   Children would not be accidents then. They would be loved into life and they would scarcely miss the heaven they had left for they would find in their homes a heaven on earth. Therefore we pray that the time may soon come when each community will have its matrimonial bureau conducted upon the astrological basis where parents may send their child's birth data and receive in return the name and address of another child who will be harmonious as a mate. If the parents of both feel satisfied with respect to family connections, etc., the children could be made acquainted; if not, other names could be submitted by the bureau until one suitable according to both the social and astrological standards was found. The children could then become playmates, and there is no doubt that in time their affection would grow into a love that would satisfy the youthful sentiments of romance. Later an ideal marriage would crown their happiness.

   Nor should we wait for the church or state to take the initiative. If parents who believe in astrology would form associations, maintaining a central bureau where horoscopes of their children could be kept on file, grouped and classified with a view to finding true mates for them, it would give such a practical demonstration of the worth of astrology that in twenty five years enough cases could be pointed out to arrest the attention of conservative people.

   Man is, as Paul says, spirit, soul and body. Therefore the blending of two beings in perfect harmony requires that they be in accord on the spiritual, moral and physical planes, symbolized in the horoscope by the Sun and Moon (Spirit or Ego), Mars and Venus (soul or sex) and the Ascendant governing the physical body. These significators taken together with the sign on the Seventh House and the planet therein show the innate agreement or discord between people so far as the matrimonial relationship is concerned.

   The physical harmony is judged by comparison of the rising sign of the two persons involved. Fiery signs agree, so do earthy, airy or watery signs. But a person with a fiery sign rising cannot successfully mate with one who has a watery or earthy sign on the Ascendant. It is like mixing fire and water, or heaping earth upon fire. Fire will only combine with fire and air. People having a watery sign on the Ascendant may harmonize with a person having an earthy sign rising, or vice versa. But neither the earthy nor watery signs will mix with the fiery triplicity.

   On the moral plane the relationship is governed by Mars and Venus. If Venus in the horoscope of one person is the same sign and degree as Mars in the horoscope of another person, there will be love at first sight when they meet, but the attraction will be sexual and unless there are other powerful signs of harmony, Mars will dominate Venus, especially if Mars is situated in the Seventh House or highly elevated above Venus in the other person's horoscope.

   When the Sun in one person's horoscope is on the place of the Moon in the other person's chart harmony is shown on the spiritual plane.

   The ideal marriage requires the blending of the two charts in all these particulars and the happiness will depend upon the measure of agreement as indicated. There are unions where people are sexually mated but have entirely different characteristics in other respects and vice versa. Therefore the two charts must be examined in their entirety to give a reliable judgment.

   The following will explain the indications for marriage in the individual horoscope of both sexes.

   An early marriage is indicated in a man's horoscope:

  (1) When he is born in the light of the Moon, at the time she is progressing from the new to the full, provided she is placed in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh, or Twelfth House.

   (2) When the Moon and Venus are strong and well aspected with a number of other planets in the fruitful signs, Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

   (3) When the Moon and Venus are in the Fifth or Seventh Houses which rule courtship and marriage.

   (4) When a fruitful sign is rising with Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces in the Fifth or Seventh Houses.

   (5) When Venus and Mars are dignified, elevated, strong and well aspected.

   (6) When Jupiter or Venus, or both, are in the Seventh House well aspected.

   A late marriage is shown in a man's horoscope:

   (1) When he is born in the dark of the Moon; that is to say, when the Moon is going from the full to the new and she is placed in the First, Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth, or Ninth Houses.

   (2) When the Moon or Venus are afflicted by Saturn, Mars, Uranus or Neptune, especially if either of these planets is placed in the Fifth or Seventh Houses.

   (3) When Saturn, Mars, Uranus or Neptune are in the Fifth or Seventh Houses.

   (4) When the Moon is square or opposition to Venus or Jupiter they bring trouble in courtship and consequent delays of the marriage.

   Marriage is denied or is accomplished with great difficulty:

   (1) When Saturn is in Scorpio which rules the genitals, or if the Moon is there parallel, conjunction, square or opposition to Saturn the planet of obstruction, for then there is little or no desire for sexual intercourse, hence such people generally remain bachelors.

   (2) When the Moon, or Venus, the planet of love, is afflicted in the Saturnine sign Capricorn, especially if the affliction comes from Saturn, the planet of obstruction, many obstacles to marriage present themselves and it is doubtful if they can be overcome, hence it is unlikely that the person will marry.

   (3) When the Moon is square or opposition to the Sun it is difficult for the person to make up his mind on any subject, and if the Moon is placed in the First, Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth or Ninth Houses, this will make it particularly difficult to come to a decision regarding marriage. If at the same time there is an affliction from Saturn he will never make up his mind, hence marriage will not be consummated.

   (4) When the Moon is in the last degrees of a sign she is said to be void of course, and if at the same time she makes no aspect to other planets, it shows a lack of attraction to the opposite sex, which will probably prevent the person entering the marriage relation.

   An early marriage is indicated in a woman's horoscope:

   (1) When she is born in the light of the Moon, that is to say, when the orb of night is going from the new to the full, and the Sun is placed in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh, or Twelfth House.

   (2) When the Sun and Venus are in one of the fruitful signs, Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, and well aspected.

   (3) When the Sun, Venus, and Mars are well aspected in the Fifth or Seventh Houses which govern courtship and marriage.

   (4) When a fruitful sign is rising with Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces in the Fifth or Seventh Houses.

   (5) When Sun, Mars, and Venus are dignified, elevated, well and strongly aspected.

   (6) When Jupiter or Venus is in the Seventh House well aspected.

   A late marriage is shown in a woman's horoscope:

   (1) When she is born in the dark of the Moon; that is to say, when the Moon is going from the full to the new, and the Sun is placed in the First, Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth, or Ninth Houses.

   (2) When the Sun and Venus are afflicted by Saturn, Mars, Uranus or Neptune, especially if placed in the Fifth or Seventh Houses, which govern marriage and courtship.

   (3) When Saturn, Mars, Uranus or Neptune are in the Fifth or Seventh Houses.

   (4) When the Moon is square or opposition to Venus or Jupiter, delays and trouble in courtship and marriage may be looked for.

   (5) When the Moon is parallel, square or opposition to Uranus, the octave of Venus, that also will bring delays.

   Marriage is denied or accomplished only with great difficulty:

   (1) When Saturn is in Scorpio, the sign which rules the genitals, or when the Sun is there parallel, conjunction, square, or opposition to Saturn, the planet of obstruction, the desire nature is held in clock, hence when either of these conditions is found in a woman's horoscope it is safe to judge that she will remain a spinster.

   (2) When the Sun, or Venus the planet of love, is afflicted in the Saturnine sign Capricorn, particularly if the affliction comes from Saturn, the planet of obstruction, there will be many obstacles to marriage and it is very doubtful if under the circumstances a marriage will result.

   (3) When the Sun and Moon are afflicting each other by square or opposition it makes the person vacillating on any subject, and if the Sun, which is significator or marriage for a woman, is placed in the First, Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth, or Ninth Houses, the will make it particularly difficult to come to a decision regarding marriage. Should there be at the same time an affliction between the Sun and Saturn it will eventually prevent the person from making up her mind, hence marriage will not be consummated.

   (4) When the Sun by progression makes no aspect to the other planets it indicates a lack of attraction to the opposite sex, which will probably prevent her from entering the marriage relation.

   The masculine Sun is the particular significator of the marriage partner in a woman's horoscope, and the feminine Moon signifies the spouse in a man's chart. Hence when the Sun and Moon are in good aspect to each other, or to Venus, the planet of love, or Jupiter, the planet of benevolence, happiness and joy are assured in the married relationship, particularly if these planets are placed in the Seventh House.

   On the other hand, Saturn, Mars, Uranus or Neptune, afflicting the Sun in a female figure, or the Moon in a man's chart, indicate sorrow and trouble through the marriage relation. If they are placed in the Seventh House the testimony is all the more potent, and it is also foreshown that the marriage will be dissolved.

   In this respect, Saturn and Mars indicate death of the marriage partner; Uranus may also bring about this ending if afflicted by Saturn or Mars, but otherwise it points rather to a clandestine relationship which will probably bring about the dissolution of marriage by desertion or divorce.

   If one or more of the malefics, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune, are found in the Seventh House, and the Sun or Moon are in a fruitful sign, Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, or in the double-bodies signs, Gemini or Sagittarius, it is likely that the person will marry several times, and probably to his sorrow.

   If the Sun or Moon are aspected to a number of planets placed in double-bodies signs, Gemini, Sagittarius, or Pisces, especially if these signs are on the Seventh House, two or more marriages are likely to occur. When the ruler of the Ascendant is placed in the Seventh House well aspected to other planets and in a double-sided sign, Gemini, Sagittarius, or Pisces, it indicates a plurality of marriages.

   In a man's horoscope the planets to which the Moon makes an aspect by progression after birth, indicate the women to whom he will be attracted, together with their character and disposition, which are determined by the signs that the planets are in and the aspects which they make. For illustration, let us suppose that the Moon in a certain person's horoscope comes first to a sextile of the Sun in Leo, and that the Sun is aspected by a trine to Jupiter, then we shall find the description of the wife by looking up the disposition, a noble character, a blonde and of florid complexion. If on the other hand, we find that the Moon after birth makes a square to Mars in Scorpio, and Mars in turn square to Venus, then it would show a woman of a very lewd, slothful and slovenly nature who would be domineering, quarrelsome, extremely difficult to get along with. Similarly for the other planets.

   In a woman's horoscope the husband is described by the planets to which the Sun makes an aspect by progression, these planets to be taken in connection with the sign where they are found and the planets with which they in turn form configurations, and the method is the same as indicated in the case of the Moon in a man's horoscope. It should be remarked, however, that when the significator of the marriage partner, aspected by the Sun or Moon, is retrograde or weak by sign, as Saturn in Aries or Jupiter in Gemini, the attraction is not strong enough to culminate in a marriage but will probably indicate only a passing attraction. Therefore the student must use his judgment in these respects.

   Whether a person will have children or not cannot be judged from his or her individual horoscope with any degree of accuracy for this matter is not dependent on one only, therefore the horoscope of the prospective parents should be compared and the individuals indications blended, then if both horoscopes show a fruitful nature many children will be born, but if both are only moderately fertile, or if one is very fruitful and the other barren, the forecast must be made accordingly.

   The indications shown in the individual horoscope may be interpreted as follows:

   The Moon is the planet of fecundation and therefore the most important significator; next comes Venus, the planet of love and attraction; and last, Jupiter, the planet of benevolence. If either of these planets is in the Fifth House, which indicates children, and in one of the fruitful or double-bodies signs, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Gemini, or Sagittarius, it is an indication that the person has a fruitful nature and will have a number of children who will be of good and pleasant disposition. A similar judgment may be formed if the Eleventh House is thus invested. For if we turn the horoscope upside down so that the Seventh House becomes the First, then it will show the marriage partner's figure, and the Eleventh House is then his Fifth House indicating children, therefore both the Fifth and Eleventh Houses should be considered in this matter. But as already said, the true state of conditions cannot be forecasted save by blending the actual figures of both parents.

   When the violent, turbulent Mars, or Saturn, famed in ancient mythology as a destroyer of children, or the Sun or Uranus, are in the Fifth or Eleventh Houses, they either prevent the birth of children or destroy them during childhood. This is particularly true if Aries, Leo or Capricorn are on the cusps of either of these Houses.

   When the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Gemini, or Sagittarius, in good aspect to Jupiter or Venus, a large family is indicated.

   But when the Moon is in Aries, Leo, or Capricorn, and afflicted by one of the malefics or by the Sun, the marriage is usually barren. Saturn and Venus in the Seventh House is also a sign of marriage without issue.

   If there is a difference in the testimonies of the Fifth and Eleventh Houses the judgment must be modified accordingly.

When a chain is subjected to strain, imperfections in any of its links become manifest, and the weakest link will break first. Similarly, in the case of the body, there are certain inherent weak points and these are indicated in the horoscope. >From the moment of birth we subject the body to a constant strain, and in time the weakness of the various points becomes manifest as disease. The movement of the planets after birth measures the time when any particular link is liable to break. This motion of the planets in the horoscope is called "Progression." Study and practice of medical Astrology require knowledge of how to progress the planets in the horoscope, and we shall therefore take up that subject in connection with the message of the stars relative to disease.

   When the Sun rises in the East the day is young and the labors allotted to each are still before us. Gradually the Sun progresses across the arched vault of the heavens, and mark the time set for the performance of our various duties, for keeping our appointments, for taking nourishment, rest and recreation, and when it has run it course through the day and has ceased to illuminate our sphere of action, its absence invites sleep until the dawn of a new day shall present opportunities for continuation of the activities left in abeyance from the previous day. If the Sun remained stationary at any certain point of the sky it would not serve as a time marker but as it is, all events of our lives are fixed by its progression.

   The horoscope is a chart of the heavens for the time when the mystic Sun of Life rises and awakes us from the long sleep between two lives, then we are born in the physical world, to continue the labors of a previous life, to keep the appointment there made with friend or foe; to reap the joy or bear the sorrow which is the fruitage of our former existence on earth; and as the progression of the sun marks the changing time of day and year, as it ushers in season after season in orderly sequence and changes the appearance of the Great World, the Macrocosm, so progression of the horoscope will culminate in events; it measures the periods of prosperity and adversity; it warns of impending temptation and tells from what quarter it will come, thus aiding us to escape if we will but listen to its warning. The natal horoscope shows unerringly weak points in our character or constitution, but the progressed horoscope indicates when previous indulgence of harmful habits is scheduled to bring sorrow or sickness; it tells truthfully when crises culminate; thus it warns us to be on the alert at critical moments, and fortifies us in the darkest hour of calamity, with hope of surcease of sorrow and sickness at a definite time, hence the importance of knowing how to progress the horoscope.

   But, some may say, if all is thus foreshown, it argues an inexorable destiny decreed by divine caprice; what use is there then of striving, or knowing; let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. If we were born into this life on earth for the first and only time, to live here for a while and then pass away from this sphere never to return, fate and favoritism independent of justice would seem to rule. Such cannot be the case; in a world where everything else is governed by law, human existence must also be reducible to a system, and we hold that a reasonable solution of the mystery of life is given by the Twin Laws of Being, the Law of Rebirth and the Law of Causation.

   That which has a beginning must have an end, and conversely, that which is without ending can never have had a beginning. If the human spirit is immortal and cannot die, neither can it be born; if it will live to all eternity, it must have lived from eternity, there is no escape from this truth; pre-existence must be accepted if immortality is a fact in nature.

   In this world there is no law more plainly observable than the law of alternating cycles, which decrees succession of ebb and flow, day and night, summer and winter, waking and sleeping. Under the same law man's life is lived alternatively in the physical world where he sows seeds of action and gains experiences according to his horoscope. These, the fruits of existence here, are later assimilated as soul powers in the spiritual world,; birth and death are thus nothing more than gateways from one phase of man's life to another, and the life we now live is but one of a series. The differences of character, nobility or brutality, moral strength or weakness, possession of high ideals or low instincts, etc., are certain signatures of soul power or soul poverty. Finer faculties are the glorious garments of gentle souls wrought through many lives in the crucible of concrete existence by trial and temptation. They shine with a luster which illuminates the way and makes it easier for others to follow. Coarseness of caliber proclaims the young in Life's School, but repeated existences here will in due time smooth the rough corners, mellow and makes them soulful also.

   The horoscope shows this difference in the texture of the soul and the aspects indicate how the soul is ripened by the kaleidoscopic configurations of planets in progression, which fan the fires in the furnace of affliction to cleanse and purify the soul of blemish, or brighten the crown of virtue when victory is won, but though the planets show the tendencies most accurately there is one indeterminable factor which is not shown, a veritable astrological "x,"--the will power of the Man, and upon that rock astrological predictions are ever liable to founder; that, at times, is the Waterloo of even the most careful and competent astrologer, yet the very failure of well-founded predictions is the blessed assurance that we are not fated to do thus and so because our horoscope shows that at a certain time the stellar rays impel us in a given direction. In the final analysis we are the arbiters of our destiny, and it is significant, that while it is possible to predict for the great majority of mankind with absolute certainty that the prediction will be vindicated, because they drift along the sea of life directed by the current of circumstance, predictions fro the striving idealist fail in proportion to this spiritual attainment of will power which rouses him to self assertion and resistance of wrong.

   A beautiful little poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox gives the idea in a most pleasing form:

"One ship sails East and another sails West,
With the selfsame winds that blow;
'Tis the set of the sail
And not the gale
That determines the way they go.


"Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As we voyage along through Life;
'Tis the act of the soul
That determines the goal'
And not the calm or the strife."

Besides the physical world in which we live, move and have our being at the present time, where sunshine and rain, storm and snow, heat and cold affect our physical being in various ways, a world of finer substance permeates the denser matter, and the forces indigenous to that realm impinge upon our souls, as feelings, desires and emotions, because the soul is clothed in substance from that world. Mystics therefore call this realm in nature the Desire World. A still more subtle substance, an ocean of Thought, pervades both the Desire World and the Physical World, and as the mind is composed of substance from that region, it senses the waves of thought generated by other spirits endowed with mind.

   Here in the physical world, Time and Space are prime factors of existence, but in the Desire World distance is practically eliminated because spirits having dropped the mortal coil travel with the speed of lightning, and as spiritual sight pierces the densest substance, light there is never obscured, so there is no night, neither does heat and cold affect the soul, hence there is no seasonal division either, to mark time as definitely as in the physical world. But nevertheless, there is a certain sequence of events. In soulflights from place to place on the globe, we sense the nature of intervening country in spite of speed, but in the World of Thought, to think of a place, is to be there instanter, neither is there past or future; events are not separated by time, or places by space, but all is one eternal here and now.

   As the science of Astrology is founded in cosmic fact, there are also three stages in progression from incipient events in the World of Thought, to accomplished facts in the Physical World, and there are two methods of horoscopic progression pertaining to the finer realms besides the actual movement of planets observable in the Heavens.

   Suppose a pole billions of miles long stuck into the earth at the Equator, and at right angles to the poles, then, as the earth turns upon its axis, the end of the pole would describe a circle in the heavens; this the Astronomers call the "Celestial Equator," and the position of a heavenly body on this line is measured in degrees and minutes of "Right Ascension," from the point where the sun crosses the equator at the vernal equinox. This axial rotation of the earth brings a new degree to the zenith, or Meridian about every four minutes, and by the rules of one system of progression we may calculate how many degrees of Right Ascension come to the Meridian position from birth to the formation of a certain aspect. The intervening degrees are then converted to time at the rate of 1 degree equals 1 year.

   The other system of progression is founded upon the orbital revolution of the earth, but in this system the positions of the planets are expressed in degrees of Longitude and measured on the ecliptic or Sun's path, from Aries 0 degrees to Pisces 29. The measure of time is the same as in the system first mentioned: 1 degree equals 1 year, but there is this important difference, that while the earth takes only 4 minutes to turn 1 degree upon it axis, it requires 24 hours to move 1 degree in its orbit.

   Thus, by one system of progression all the aspects that govern events in a life of 60 years would be formed in 60 times 4 minutes, which equals 4 hours or one-sixth part of a day.

   By the other system, formation of aspects for the same period of life would require 60 days, or 2 months, or one-sixth part of a year.

   Thus coming events cast their shadows before, but the shadows varies in length according to the exaltation of the sphere of life whence it is cast.

   From the sublime height of the World of Thought, where all things have their inception in the eternal, the progression of events in a life are silhouetted upon the screen of Time while the infant is still upon the threshold of birth, but the shadow is so short, 1-360 part of a day being equivalent to a year, that an error of 4 minutes in the given time of birth would throw predictions out a whole year. Few people know their birth hour to the minute, therefore this systems of progression is of little use and little used.

   Shadows of events projected from the denser Desire World are longer and more definite; it does not require great delicacy or precision to calculate progression at the rate of 1-360 part of a year equal to 1 year. By this method an error of 2 hours in the given time of birth would only cause an error of 1 month in predictions; this system therefore gives universal satisfaction, and is most commonly used. In the following pages we shall explain a simplified method of this system of prediction, whereby mathematical calculation of events for a whole life may be performed in a few minutes by any intelligent child who can add and subtract.

   When a child is born at 7 A.M., in New York, and another at 6 A.M., in Chicago, a third at 1 P.M., in Berlin, a fourth at 2 P.M., in St. Petersburg and a fifth at 12 noon in London, the Observatory clock at Greenwich would point to noon, at the exact moment when all these children were born, hence though the clocks in their several birthplaces pointed to different hours, the Greenwich Mean Time of their births would be identical:- -noon. And as the planets' places in the ephemeris are calculated for Greenwich, noon, it would be unnecessary to make corrections; we should simply place each planet in the natal horoscopes as tabulated in the ephemeris. This would be most convenient, but he saving of calculation in a natal horoscope where the G. M. T. is noon, fades into insignificance before the facility this gives in progressing the planets for years subsequent to birth, as required to predict events, for in natal horoscopes where the G. M. T. is before or after noon, the places of the planets must be calculated for each year just the same as at birth. We have evolved the following simple method of saving this calculation and of copying the progressed planets direct from the ephemeris into any horoscope.

   If the Greenwich Mean Time of birth was before noon, it is evident that the planets' places in the ephemeris are calculated for a later time and also that, as they progress at the rate of a day (of 24 hours) for a year, they will reach the Longitude given in the ephemeris some day within a year after birth.

   If the G. M. T. of birth was after noon, it is plainly to be seen that the planets' places in the ephemeris for the year of birth are calculated for an earlier time than birth, and that the position there given corresponds to a certain day in the twelve-month before birth.

   Furthermore, if we can find the date in the twelve-month before birth, or after as the case may be, when the planets were in the degree and minute of longitude registered in the ephemeris, we may use that date as a starting point of calculation instead of the birthday, and as aspects formed during the travel of the planets from the position given on any noon to the noon next following, indicate events in the corresponding year of life, the same starting date may be used for any year. Therefore, once that adjusted calculation date has been found, no further calculations is required to progress the planets in that horoscope; they may be simply copied from the ephemeris. It is only necessary to bear in mind that the horoscope thus erected does not apply to the year from birthday to birthday, but from the adjusted calculation date of one year to the same date of the next. There are two methods of finding this date; the first is the more difficult and not so accurate, but it shows the philosophy of the correction better than the second method, and we therefore give examples of both.

   We will use the figure No. 26 (Medical Astrology Section), which is the horoscope of a man who died of hemorrhages in June, 1918, to illustrate how the adjusted calculation date is found, but defer description of the case and its crises. The man was born April 24, 1884, Longitude 95 W., Latitude 42 N., at 2 P.M., True Local Time. We first find the G. M. T. by adding to the local time of birth 4 minutes for each degree the birthplace is west of Greenwich.

   In compliance with Theorem II, we subtract from the birthdate, April 24, a correction of 8 hours and 20 minutes which the G. M. T. is past noon. The measure of time used in this system is as follows:

24 hours correspond to 12 months.
2 hours correspond to 1 month.
1 hour corresponds to 15 days.
4 minutes correspond to 1 day.

   We may, however, find the Adjusted Calculation Date much more accurately and with less labor by the following fourfold rule:

   (1) Find the interval from G. M. T. to the following noon.

   (2) To this interval add the Sidereal Time for Greenwich noon on the birthday, as given in the ephemeris. The sum of these is the Sidereal Time of the Adjusted Calculation Date.

   (3) When the G. M. T. at birth is A. M. of the birthday, or P. M. of the preceding day, count forwards in the ephemeris till you find a day having the required S. T.; that is the Adjusted Calculation Date.

   (4) When the G. M. T. at birth is P. M. of the birthday or A. M. of the succeeding day read backwards in the ephemeris till you find the day having the required S. T. which designates it as the Adjusted Calculation Date.

   We shall use the same example as before to demonstrate this method.

   Section 1 directs us to find the interval between G. M. T. and the following noon. Please observe this, the following noon, for all depends upon this being accurately understood.

   Interval from G. M. T. to next Noon, 15 hrs. 40 min.

   As G.M.T. is P.M. we read backwards in the column of the ephemeris giving S.T., until we come to Dec. 19, 1883. On that day the S.T. is 17 hrs., 51 min., and the A.C.D. is therefore Dec. 19, 1883.

   Thus, by both methods we have arrived at identical results, but slight discrepancies may appear in using the proportional method because that makes no allowances for long and short months, hence the method last demonstrated is more accurate as well as easier. If this man had been born two hours later, the Adjusted Calculation Date would have been November 19, 1883. Where children are born late in the year and early in the morning, the Adjusted Calculation Date may run into January or February of the next year. It is therefore very important to state the Adjusted Calculation Date by year also, in this case December 19, 1883.

   Now, that we have arrived at the point where we are to make use of our A.C.D. to progress the man's horoscope and show how accurately it marks the crises, the first application of the date to the horoscope is a crucial point, and the student is earnestly warned to overlook no word in our description so that he may acquire understanding of the principle. Once having grasped the point, an immense amount of labor will be saved, so it will pay to follow our instructions to the letter.

   Write in the margin of your ephemeris for 1884 opposite the birthday (April 24), December 19, 1883. Opposite April 25 write December 19, 1884. Opposite April 26 write December 19, 1885, and so on, as shown below. Every day after birth corresponds to a certain year of life which starts on the day written in the margin, and the planets in line with any A.C.D. indicate the events for twelve months from that date.

   The motion of the Sun and planets from day to day is slow, and as we count a day for a year, we may liken their progression to the short hand on the clock of destiny: they indicate the year when a certain condition shown in the natal horoscope has ripened, and is ready to manifest as an event. The swift moving Moon is the long hand; it marks the months when aspects culminate in events. Therefore we divide its motion during the year commencing with any adjusted calculation date, by 12, but for rough figuring we may consider the Moon's travel in the progressed horoscope one degree a month.

   Planetary aspects alone do not operate, however; an aspect of the progressed Moon or a New Moon is required to focus the hidden forces. Therefore crises shown by the planets are sometimes retarded beyond the time when the aspect culminated and we may think we have safely escaped, but the first aspect of the Moon which excites it will prove that "though the mills of the gods grind slowly, they grind exceeding fine." The finer forces lose none of their intensity by lying latent in Nature's lock-box of events.

   Now let us see how the planets worked in the horoscope we have just given. In the year 1915 we find the progressed Sun, the life-giver, had reached the conjunction of the Midheaven, Gemini 5-0. The New Moon on May 2, 1916 fell in Taurus 11-44, square to the radical Mars; on the 31st of May the second New Moon was in Gemini 9-40 in conjunction with the radical Saturn in the M.C., which latter had been obstructing the capillaries of the lungs; thus hemorrhages resulted. At this time the young man, who had become a very efficient astrologer, began to realize that he was entering a critical period and did all possible to overcome its influence. But a succession of lunations during the year 1916 afflicted his Midheaven and Saturn by square and opposition in the sign ruling the lungs, Gemini, made a constant struggle necessary. With the negative sign of Virgo on the Ascendant, with Uranus in the First House square to Venus in Gemini, and with Jupiter afflicted by a square of the Moon, both the venous and arterial circulations were restricted, preventing deep breathing and complete oxygenation of the blood in the lungs.

  In the Spring of 1918 this young man, after consulting his own horoscope, unfortunately made up his mind that he would pass out on a certain day, and made all necessary arrangements for his funeral. This state of mind was very dangerous to one in his weakened condition and to one with his negative Ascendant. He precipitated the crisis even before its normal time, as we will show.

   We will now proceed to find what brought about the crises that terminated the life on June 1, 1918. We first find where the progressed planets were at that time. We take the date May 28, 1884 for the places of the progressed planets on the Adjusted Calculation Date, Dec. 19, 1917. We now progress the Sun and Moon 5 1-2 months beyond this date to June 1, 1918. If we subtract the Moon's longitude on a given day from its place on the following day, the difference is its motion during the 24 hours intervening, which corresponds to a year of life in progression. Division of this by 12 gives us the rate of its monthly travel.

   Dividing 14 degrees 3 minutes by 12 gives the Moon's monthly travel as 1 degree 10 minutes. This we add to its place for each month as shown in the following table:

   As we see above, the progressed Moon was in Leo 3.01 on May 19, 1918, and as it moves 1 degree 10 min. per month, in the 13 days to June 1st it would travel 0 degrees 29 min., reaching Leo 3.30, and making a square to the radical Sun.

   On Dec. 19, 1917, the progressed Sun was in Gemini 7.29. We count forward from Dec. 19th to June 1, 1918, 5 1-2 months, and as the Sun moves 58 minutes per year, making 5 minutes per month, in 5 1-2 months the progressed Sun would arrive at Gemini 7.56, conjunction to Saturn.

   The New Moon on May 10, 1918 fell in Taurus 19.00, conjunction to the radical Neptune. This was the day the young man had chosen as the day of his death, but the crisis was not reached until the transiting Sun reached the conjunction of Saturn in Gemini 8.33, the night of May 30th. At the same time Saturn was transiting conjunction to radical Mars and square to radical Sun, depleting the vitality, and the transiting Moon and Neptune were square to the radical Sun. All this was too much for him to endure in his weakened condition and he began to sink. June 1st when the transiting Moon reached the square to Saturn and the Midheaven, and the opposition to the Ascendant, he passed into the great beyond.

   Thus we see that we cannot base judgment upon merely one affliction. We must look to the progressed planets, the strong transiting planets, and particularly to the New Moon to excite a natal affliction.

   Besides the progression of planets which we trust has been sufficiently elucidated, we must also note a similar forward movement of the houses, but these must be calculated by the same method as when casting a natal figure, save that we use the Sidereal Time for the day which corresponds to the year for which we wish to progress the horoscope. In relation to the man's horoscope we have studied, the critical year was 1918, and May 28 in the ephemeris for 1884 corresponds. We bear in mind that birth occurred at 2:00 P.M., True Local Time, in Lat. 42 N., Long. 95 W., for these factors are used in placing the degrees on the houses just as in the natal chart; the only change is using the S.T. of the progressed birth day.

   With this S.T. we turn to the Tables of Houses for the Latitude of birth place, and erect a horoscope with twelve Houses in the usual manner; we may further insert the planets' places on the A.C.D. for 1918, then we shall have a complete separate horoscope for the year, which we may compare with the natal chart. Some Astrologers use that method, but we advise another, which we think facilitates comparison and judgment of aspects between the natal and progressed position of the planets in a degree unattainable by any other system; it is illustrated in the various figures used in this book.

   We write the natal chart in ink, as that is unchanged during life; we also draw a large circle outside it, to contain the progressed position of the planets. These and the houses we write in their proper places, but lightly, and with pencil, so that they may be easily erased and the horoscope erected for another year without the necessity of rewriting the natal chart.

   But no matter how placed, two full horoscopes with 24 houses, 18 planets, a couple of dragons' heads, each with its respective "tail," and two Parts of Fortune, make quite a maze, and if the full galaxy of aspects, including biquintiles, sesquiquadrates and other high-sounding nonsensicals are to be figured out the astrologer will surely so lose himself in the mathematical labyrinth that he will be unable to read a syllable of the message of the stars. During the first year of his astrological study, one of the writers being originally of a mathematical turn, had the habit of constructing figures, and tables of aspects, so fearfully and wonderfully made that they beat the proverbial "Chinese puzzle;" they were veritable "Gordian Knots," and the destiny of a human being was so tangled in each, that neither the writer who had concocted the abomination, nor anyone else could ever hope to disentangle the poor soul involved. May he be forgiven; he has mended his ways, and is now just as zealous to eliminate all non- essentials from the horoscope, but having been enmeshed in the maze of mathematics, his experience should serve as a warning. Our minds, at best, are but feeble instruments to fathom fate and surely we shall have the greatest chance of success by applying our science to the most important facts, and these are usually the simplest.

   If this be granted, the question presents itself: What are the essentials and what may be eliminated with advantage to clear the progressed horoscope of useless, befogging elements?

   First, with regard to the progressed houses, only two vital points produce results when aspected: the Midheaven, which is spiritual in nature, and the Ascendant, which is a significator in material matters. We shall treat that subject later; for the present we confine ourselves to the argument that it will facilitate judgment of the progressed horoscope if we leave the ten unessential cusps out, and draw two dotted lines with pencil to mark the progressed Midheaven and Ascendant.

   In the second place, the student may readily convince himself by looking through the columns of any ephemeris, that the motion of Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter, during the two months which represent progression for a life of 60 years, is so slow that they seldom form an aspect not registered in the natal chart. In rare cases where an important aspect is formed, the fact is easily seen, and the planet should then be entered in the outer ring of the progressed horoscope, but in the great majority of cases it is better to leave these planets out, and enter only the progressed positions of the Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus and Mercury.

   In conclusion of our treatment of the method of Progression, two important points must be mentioned: The Midheaven at a given Sidereal Time is the same for all Latitudes, so that two children born at the same S.T. would have the same sign and degree on the M.C., but if one were born in Alaska and the other in Mexico, the Asc. would vary much and change the grouping of planets in the houses very considerably, with the further result that planets which influence the First House affairs in one horoscope affect Twelfth House matters in the other, etc. Thus the lives of these people would be very different.

   The same argument applies to the progressed horoscope of a person traveling North or South from his birthplace. His progressed M.C. remains unchanged, but he receives the forces from a different ascending figure, according to the Latitude where he resides, and the grouping of planets relative to the progressed Ascendant varies accordingly. As examples we may state that both writers have left their birthplace; one traveled 2,000 miles West, but is close to the same Latitude as her birthplace, hence both her M.C. and Asc. are the same as if she had remained in her native city.

   The other writer was born in Latitude 56 N., and now lives in Latitude 32. Had he remained in the far North, his progressed Ascendant would in (1912) be Virgo 6, exactly conjunction to Mars' place at birth, but the Ascendant of his new home is Virgo 0 degrees, and in this latitude he will not feel the effect of the Mars ray for a number of years.

   The other important point we had in mind is the necessity of being definite in regard to the year for which we progress. Perhaps a person tells us that a certain event occurred when he was 26, and another in his 50th year. Such statements are ambiguous, and give no safe working basis. The Astrologer may go home and do an immense amount of work to no use, because he thought the person meant that one event occurred when he, the person, was between 26 and 27 years of age, and a later consultation reveals that he meant the year between his 25th and 26th birthdays. Pin them down to the year, 1850, 1900, or whatever it may be, but never accept a person's age as a starting point.

   On the same principle, never predict that an event will happen when a person is so and so old; that also is ambiguous and gives them no satisfaction; give the year and month; never hedge; never predict anything of which you are in doubt; when you are satisfied a prediction is justified, speak fearlessly, but tactfully; believe in the stars, and the stars will fully justify your faith.

   When judging the effects of directions it is of the greatest importance to bear in mine the tenor of the nativity, for even weak aspects which are in harmony with the tendencies foreshown in the natal figure will be much more active than a strong aspect which is contrary to the radical indications. Supposing, for instance, that there are strong testimonies of sickness and accident, as Mars in Sagittarius in the Midheaven square the Sun in Pisces in the Twelfth House and square Saturn in Virgo in the Sixth House; then the progression of Mars to square of the radical Ascendant would undoubtedly precipitate an accident or a fever of a serious nature, but if the Sun were trine Mars and Jupiter the effect of Mars square Ascendant would produce little if any discomfort. Similarly with all the other directions, and if the student neglects to take into consideration this all-important point, he is likely sometime to make a great mistake and wonder why a seemingly powerful direction produced no result in one case, while in another a very weak aspect had such a far-reaching effect. Aspects between two progressed planets are unimportant.

   Another important point to remember is that aspects of the progressed to the radical planets operate in proportion to the power of the radical planet in the nativity. Let us suppose, for illustration, that in a certain figure the Sun is elevated in Leo and aspected to a number of the other planets--it matters not whether the aspects are good or bad so long as they are close--then even a weak aspect from a progressed planet to the Sun will have a marked result. On the other hand, if the Sun in that horoscope received no aspect, or only one or two weak ones, then even a strong aspect of a progressed planet would have little effect.

   It should also be noted that a good aspect from a progressed planet to a planet that is much afflicted in the nativity would produce small if any benefit. In short, and to sum up, progressed aspects operate only in the measure that they are in harmony with the trend of the nativity and the planet wherewith they are blending.

   The third important point to remember when judging the effects of directions is that an aspect from a progressed to a radical planet is never in itself sufficient to produce results; a harmonious aspect from the progressed Moon or a lunation is absolutely essential to bring the tendency to fruition. That is to say, if the progressed Sun comes to square of radical Saturn, a sextile or trine aspect of the progressed Moon or of a lunation will pass unnoticed; no effect will be felt until either the progressed Moon or a lunation comes into conjunction, square, or opposition to Sun or Saturn, and vice-versa, if the progressed Sun comes to a trine of the radical Jupiter a square or opposition of the Moon will not affect it, it must wait for a sextile or trine. For this reason directions are sometimes delayed in their action beyond the time of their culmination, and at other times they are somewhat hastened because a lunar aspect of the requisite nature occurs slightly in advance of the time when the aspects of the planets are complete.

   It also happens that in cases where the event indicated by an aspect involves two people the aspects of the planets by progression may be complete in one person's horoscope and fertilized by a harmonious aspect without producing a result, because the aspect in the other person's horoscope has not yet matured. In this connection we remember the horoscope of a lady whose Venus was placed in the Eighth House showing a late marriage. In her 45th year the progressed Sun reached conjunction Venus but neither engagement nor marriage resulted; then the Sun and Venus came into conjunction in the horoscope of a gentleman of her acquaintance bringing an engagement quickly followed by marriage. Thus one had waited for the other, and unless such a contingency is taken into consideration the astrologer is most liable to meet his Waterloo when forecasting events.

When the Sun forms a conjunction, sextile, square, trine or opposition to one of the planets by progression the influence begins to manifest when the Sun is 1 1/2 degrees from the exact aspect, and it is felt until the Sun is 1 1/2 degrees past the point of culmination. And as the Sun moves about one degree a day, and the time measure of directions is that one day equals a year, we may say that the influence of the solar aspects is felt for a period of three years. Their effects are particularly strong at times during this period when aspects of the progressed Moon or lunations vivify them.

   The parallel is different from the other aspects. In the case of the slow-moving planets it lasts for a considerable number of years so that a parallel of the Sun and Saturn may operate for ten or more years, and a parallel of the Sun and Jupiter nearly as long.

   It may also be noted that the conjunction ad parallel act principally upon the health, while the other aspects also affect the business, social standing, etc. Thus under the parallel of the Sun and Saturn there would be a very protracted state of ill-health, while the parallel of the Sun and Jupiter would strengthen the constitution materially.

  If the radical Venus was well aspected these directions will bring a three-year period of unusual pleasure and enjoyment into the life. If the person is not already married an attachment will be formed and ripen into marriage of an ideal nature. If the horoscope shows artistic ability, this will receive a great impetus during the activity of this direction, and it will bring honor and social preferment.

  If the radical Venus was afflicted, these directions will bring a period of petty annoyances, social disgrace, trouble and sorrow, with a tendency to be slovenly and to look upon the dark side of life, but it can be overcome if the person will strive to be careful of his morals and personal appearance. "Where there's a will there's a way."

  If Mercury was well aspected at birth this will mark a period of unusual mental activity, so that the person will be able to further his ambitions and succeed in business by new ventures. If the natal figure shows literary ability this is the time to make all efforts to produce something worth while. It is a good and profitable time to travel either for pleasure, in search of inspiration, or for the good of whatever business he may follow. Advertising will be found a most effective way of promotion business success under this direction.

  The Sun cannot reach the square of Mercury until late in life, and in comparatively few lives at that, therefore its effects can only be conjectured and it has no importance.

  If the Moon was well aspected at birth these directions bring a period of success and popularity. It increases the honor and esteem which the person enjoys in his environment, it brings favors from influential persons, employers, or the authorities, and if marriage has not already been contracted, this direction will most likely bring about a successful union. It is also an excellent time to form partnerships.

  If the Moon was afflicted at birth this marks a very evil period, replete with domestic unhappiness if the person is married; discredit among the people with whom he is associated in business or socially, perhaps imprisonment; loss by dishonesty of the partner, financial stricture or even bankruptcy. He is also likely to suffer severely from ill health, and if either the Sun or Moon are in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces he may become a chronic drunkard.

  If Saturn is well aspected in the nativity these directions will bring a steadying and consolidating influence into the life so that the person will be able to discharge his duties in a most effective, systematic and tactful manner. He will have greater opportunities for advancement than before, and will be able to assume the added responsibilities with credit. Much benefit may be expected from older people who will be drawn to him will full confidence. Investments in land, mines, houses, and similar things will prove profitable when made under this direction, and in general it gives a very deep insight into all problems of life.

  If Saturn was afflicted in the natal chart these directions mark a period of very evil influence. This is especially true of the parallel, which lasts about ten years; the other aspects are only active during the usual three years. Under these directions the person suffers disappointments and delays in everything he undertakes. No matter how carefully he may plan, something is sure to crop up to thwart him, and this is apt to breed a spirit of worry and pessimism which makes life seem a hopeless battle, with everyone conspiring to checkmate him. Financial difficulties make matters harder, and he is liable to incur the opposition of employers or the authorities. To crown it all, the health suffers, especially under the parallel; his vitality will be very low, and the recuperative power almost nil. All will depend on whether he can look for the silver lining to the cloud, and strive to learn the intended lessons, or whether he simply sinks down under the load and gives up. Forewarned is forearmed and students of Astrology have at least the knowledge that these trials are only passing. They know when brighter days will come.

  If Jupiter is well aspected at birth these aspects are among the most fortunate in the whole gamut of directions, for they indicate a period of financial prosperity, where every undertaking succeeds, hence speculation, investments, and new ventures in business will bring success and gain, the person will rise in popularity and esteem in the community or his immediate sphere of associations, he may gain much credit in connection with philanthropic or charitable undertakings, and he will enjoy much social success and domestic happiness. There is a tendency to travel or changes which will bring both pleasure and profit, and ambitions that for years seemed impossible of realization are likely to be gratified. Under these directions lasting friendships of benefit to the person are often formed. They also strengthen the constitution and bring radiant health, but the exuberance of animal spirits may later, under evil directions, bring disease. If this is guarded against the increased flow of vital fluid given by these directions will have a lasting beneficial effect on the health.

  If Jupiter is afflicted at birth these directions denote a period of trouble and trials. Someone near and dear will pass out of the person's life, either by estrangement or death; lawsuits, financial losses and social disaster are threatened, with much opposition from other people. If he invests money or speculates each venture will prove a failure because of deception and misrepresentation of those with whom he deals. If he makes a change of business or travels to another city he will meet with worse conditions, the health will suffer and domestic infelicity will result.

  If Mars is afflicted at birth these aspects mark an extended period of a very evil nature. There is a state of rash and reckless excitement which is apt to lead the person to do the most foolhardy things, hence a liability to squander his money, wreck his prospects in life, become crippled by an accident, or indulge in excesses which bring on fevers, boils, or inflammatory complaints. He should be particularly careful not to handle fire, hot water, explosives or firearms, and be guarded by insurance against loss by fire, sickness or accident. The reputation is also likely to suffer by scandal, therefore he should exert all his energy and will power to act with all the discretion possible to him and so endeavor to rule his stars.

  If Mars is well aspected at birth these directions indicate a period of adventure when the person will be imbued with a powerful spirit of activity, enterprise and industry; he will become acquainted with people of a pioneering instinct or in some way receive an impulse that will start him upon a new venture in life which will bring him success, friends, and prosperity. He is likely to travel in search of new fields and to be very restless in seeking an outlet for the energy which threatens to burst him, but he is also too prone to squander the money which seems to come so easily. If he were wise he would be a little less generous, for when this aspect passes off, it is likely that the golden days are over.

  If Uranus is afflicted at birth these aspects mark a very critical period in the life. The person becomes very irritable and short-tempered. He is liable to tax the patience of friends and relatives to the breaking point so that a separation or estrangement occurs. He will be repellent to others, rash, erratic, liable to do the most strange and unexpected things. He may rush into litigation when he has not the shadow of a case or cause, just for the mere insane love of quarreling. Thus he is likely to disgrace himself permanently in the eyes of all who know him, or, depending upon what other aspects are in force at the time, it may be someone close to him who causes the disgrace which then reflects upon him on account of the friendship or relationship.

  If Uranus is well aspected at birth and the person is of a sufficiently advanced type to respond to this influence, these aspects mark a period of great spiritual and mental acceleration; the originating, organizing, and inventive faculties become greatly enhanced, so that he is able to formulate ideas, perfect inventions, and organize enterprises in a most surprisingly efficient manner, with little or no effort. There may be sudden and unexpected gains through inventions, investment or speculation, and if he is not already interested in advanced thought or occultism he will most likely be attracted during this period and obtain a good start before the aspect wears off.

  If Neptune is afflicted at birth these aspects mark a critical time for those who can respond to the spiritual influence. They are then hypersensitive and likely to develop an undesirable phase of involuntary spiritual sight or apt to become entranced or obsessed by spirits from the invisible world who seek a medium to gratify their desires, which are usually bad. The person may also most easily become the victim of a hypnotist and get into trouble through fraud, deception and disadvantageous changes, or loss by speculation in large companies where the stock is watered.

  If Neptune is well aspected at birth these aspects mark a period of spiritual awakening, when the person may receive an initiation which will develop his spiritual powers and open the invisible worlds to him, if he is sufficiently developed. For others it may develop the faculty of inspirational music, and yet other people may experience a period of unexampled love and bliss, but the majority cannot respond to this influence.

  These aspects bring a period of profit, preferment, honor and recognition, favors from the authorities or employers, added social prestige, and a general advancement of the worldly affairs. This is a good time to make special effort for obtaining an increase of income for all endeavors in that direction will have a favorable stellar influence behind them and are therefore more likely to succeed than at other times.

  These aspects mark a period of discredit when slander and enmity threaten the honor and social standing. It is therefore best for the person to be very circumspect in all he does or says, for trouble with the authorities may result in imprisonment, or if with employers it may bring loss of position. Financial fortunes are also threatened.

  These aspects mark a period of general good fortune, radiant health and happiness. Whatever the person undertakes seems to prosper.

  These aspects mark a period of ill-health, especially in a woman's horoscope. There is also a great deal of trouble and general so-called "bad luck."

The Moon travels through the Zodiac at an average rate of between twelve and thirteen degrees a day, and as the day in the art of progression is 9aken as a time measure equivalent to a year, we may say that the Moon by progression from birth to death travels at the rate of between twelve and thirteen degrees a year, or about one degree per month. Thus in the course of about twenty- eight years she circles the whole horoscope and forms all the aspects that can be formed to all the planets in the radical figure, and she may thus travel two or three times around the horoscope in the life of the average man or woman. It is her passage around the horoscope that makes the life fruitful of events for the aspects of the planets themselves which indicate the year when a certain influence is ready to be reaped as ripe destiny and produce events in the life, do not of themselves cause either good or ill effects unless an aspect of the progressed Moon or a lunation brings the matter to a focus and marks the month when the occurrence will take place. Therefore sometimes even strong aspects between the Sun and planets, or between the planets themselves, are barren in effect when not fortified by a progressed lunar aspect or a lunation of the same nature.

   Neither do the lunar aspects have an influence of their own, or at least if they have, it is not very marked unless the lunar aspect agrees in nature with the primary direction then in force.

   These are important points which the student should always bear in mind. It should also be noted that the aspects of the progressed Moon to progressed planets produce little or no effect and the influences set down below are with respect to the radical planets.

  These aspects mark a rather prosperous period in life, bringing important changes for the better. Not infrequently marriage results which is both successful and happy. An increase of business if the person is an employer, or a raise in salary if he is an employee, may be looked for at this time, for superiors and those in a position to bestow favors are in a generous mood and ready to give the person credit for all that is good in him.

  These aspects indicate a time of trouble and loss. There is a tendency to difficulty with employers or customers which will bring loss of employment or business; the mind is vacillating so that the person cannot make up his mind what to do, and thus he is apt to lose opportunities which might bring gain and instead they bring loss. He will experience trouble with the opposite sex, particularly the marriage partner if he is in the state of matrimony. The health will suffer and there is a change for the worse in all the affairs of life.

  If Venus is strong and well aspected in the natal chart this period will be one of pleasure and profit both, for the person will make new friends and have opportunities to advance himself both socially and financially. These aspects also frequently indicate the commencement of courtship or the culmination of courtship in marriage, in a man's horoscope. They bring good health and a happy, cheerful frame of mind, so that the whole world seems bathed in sunshine. This is, in short, a period of general success and happiness.

  If Venus was afflicted at birth this marks a period of considerable trouble and disappointment. A courtship may be broken off or a marriage dissolved by separation. The financial fortunes are likely to suffer and the health is apt to be poor. Snubs and ostracism may be expected in the social relation and the person should be particularly careful with the opposite sex, for while this direction is operative there is considerable liability to trouble from that source. Knowing what is doing and the nature and duration of the influence, he should try to rule his stars by keeping as cheerful a frame of mind as possible, schooling himself to act wisely in the matters which are particularly shown as danger points.

  If Mercury was well aspected at birth, these directions will bring out the mental powers and it is therefore a favorable time to take up any study which the person may feel attracted to. If any important changes have been in contemplation this is the time to make the move, for under these directions success is sure to attend in a much larger measure than under less favorable influences, and if he has any important matters to settle with brothers, sisters or neighbors, he will reach a favorable conclusion with them much more quickly than at any other time.

  If Mercury was afflicted at birth the person will need to exercise a great deal of care during the operation of these planetary influences, for there will be a tendency to rash and indiscreet speech; thereby the person may lay himself liable for libel or slander. It is also likely that if any deeds or legal papers are signed during this time it will be to the person's detriment and will later regret it. He should also be very careful of his expressions in correspondence and if he is a literary man he should be doubly careful or his writings will be more than likely to cause trouble for himself or others. The mind will be much disturbed and he should neither travel nor make changes but endeavor to keep himself as quiet as possible during this time.

  If Saturn was afflicted in the natal chart this is a very critical period. In a woman's horoscope it indicates ill-health, worry and trouble. In the horoscope of a man, if he is married, it indicates domestic difficulties or ill-health of the wife. There is trouble, delay and disappointment in all the affairs of life and a tendency to worry over things and become morbid and melancholy.

  If Saturn is afflicted at birth, these aspects mark a very evil time, particularly with respect to health and the conditions in the home. They produce a disturbed frame of mind with irritability and a tendency to worry, a pessimistic outlook on life; gloom and despondency seem to be the rule, the financial affairs also suffer and care should be taken to make no changes or investments at this time. The only remedy is to try to keep as philosophical an attitude as possible, looking for the silver lining of the cloud and endeavoring to learn the lessons that are to be taught during this period.

  If Saturn was well aspected in the natal chart these aspects mark a successful and prosperous period when one will gain recognition of a lasting nature in his sphere of life. He will be able to take on added responsibilities and acquit himself of the trust with credit. If any investments in houses, lands or mines are contemplated this will be a very favorable period to undertake such matters. This time will be epoch-making in the life when a new, solid and stable foundation for success will be laid, upon which the edifice of a successful life may be reared.

  If Jupiter was well aspected at birth, these aspects mark a period of success and general good fortune. The health is excellent, or if the person has been sick improvement may be looked for at this time. The frame of mind will be happy and he will enjoy all the pleasures of life. It is a particularly good time to travel for he will meet a friendly and cordial reception everywhere. The financial fortunes will be benefited if investments are made under these directions, or if the business is pushed to the best of his ability. This is an epoch when things take a decided turn for the better, and if the person takes proper advantage of the opportunities then presented to him this time will be long felt in the life.

  If Jupiter was afflicted at birth the person should be very careful of his diet during the time when these aspects last, for there is a tendency to excesses which will cause disease by making the blood impure. He should also be very careful not to lose his temper because if there is any danger of apoplexy shown in the natal figure it is more likely to manifest under these stellar influences than at any other time. Keep as cool as possible and avoid all stimulating food and liquors. Do not under any circumstances undertake to speculate while these directions last for loss is certain and there is a liability to be deceived or defrauded by others. There is also a danger of domestic troubles and loss by lawsuits or similar matters. The social prestige is likely to suffer on account of haughty, bombastic and overbearing manners, therefore the person should be careful and moderate in everything and also hold himself well in check.

  If the radical Mars was afflicted these aspects mark a very evil period. In a woman's horoscope they indicate, for one thing, bad health, and in a man's, violent quarrels in the home. There is a tendency to be quarrelsome, foolhardy and reckless, with the result that the person may sustain bodily injuries or accidents, also a tendency to the over-indulgence of the lower passional nature which may bring trouble in its train, therefore he should be very careful in his dealings with those of the opposite sex. Unless great care is taken slander and social discredit are sure to result. These directions also make the person very reckless and extravagant in financial matters, liable to form hasty and erroneous judgments, therefore if papers are signed at this time disaster is very to follow. These directions are among the most reliable in operation and the person rarely escapes without suffering loss or injury in some manner, therefore the greatest care should be taken during this period.

  If Mars was well aspected at birth thee aspects mark a period of considerable activity in the life which will be to the benefit of the person involved. A great deal of vital energy is accumulated and this dynamic force naturally must have an outlet in some way, hence this is a good time for the expansion of business or undertaking new enterprises; they are sure to succeed if the person is not too precipitate in his efforts but uses a grain of caution in the expenditure of this great energy. These aspects are particularly active among those who work with or deal in the partial elements of iron and fire, such as soldiers, surgeons and engineers; to them they bring honor and promotion.

  If Uranus was afflicted at birth these aspects mark a very critical period, when the person is apt to make a sudden and unexpected change which will have a disadvantageous effect upon the life, therefore he should guard carefully against such a contingency. There is also a liability to the formation of a clandestine relationship which will bring sorrow and trouble to the person, hence he should avoid association with the opposite sex and when this is unavoidable he should be very circumspect in his manner and behavior, for under these directions people are very likely to judge him severely for the slightest semblance of wrong-doing. There is a tendency to irritability and cruelty of speech which is likely to cause domestic unhappiness and the loss of friends that will later be regretted very much, therefore the person should endeavor to curb himself; in fact it would be better to avoid his friends as much as possible during this time.

  These are excellent aspects for those who are sufficiently advanced to respond. If Uranus was well aspected at birth, the original, intuitive and inventive faculties will find an outlet at this time which may be very advantageous to the person. If he is interested in the study of advanced thought or occultism this is a particularly good time to pursue such subjects, for an expansion of consciousness may most easily result under these directions, friendships are formed with advanced people who will be of benefit to the person, and advantageous changes or removals may be made, hence it marks an epoch in the life which is likely to leave a permanent mark for good.

  If Neptune was afflicted in the natal chart these directions mark a period of weird and uncanny experiences, when the person is likely to come under the spell of hypnotism or mediumship or have visions or begin to hear voices, but all these experiences are of an undesirable character and should therefore be guarded against as much as possible. It would be very unwise under these directions to enter the seance room of a spiritualistic meeting where the conditions favor such manifestations, and if the aspects occur from water signs--Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces--there is a strong tendency to form a drink or drug habit which may operate to the sorrow and trouble of the person for all the rest of his life. As these aspects produce a mental and physical lassitude, when the vital forces are low and the person negative, such undesirable influences are particularly apt to gain a foothold. There is also a danger from plots by secret enemies which tend to bring the person into discredit and trouble. He may even suffer imprisonment or be confined in a hospital through ill-health, for Neptune rules prisons, hospitals, insane asylums, and similar places. Great care should be taken in all dealings with others.

  If Neptune was well aspected at birth these directions may bring a slight extension of consciousness and if the solar aspects to Neptune are also in force at the same time an initiation may be looked for by those who are sufficiently advanced to respond to this influence. But to the majority of people it will probably mean only a pleasant time, a feast of music or some similar experience.

  These aspects bring changes in the life, but whether these are good or bad depends upon the other influences operating in the horoscope at the time.

  If other influences agree this is a time of beneficial changes, preferment and honor, and general success in the various departments of life.

  These aspects indicate loss of prestige, trouble and anxiety, financial loss, especially if dealing with women. It is a bad time to travel or make changes.

  These aspects bring beneficial changes, financial prosperity, and general good fortune.

  These aspects mark a period of trouble. Ill-health may be looked for, and if any changes or removals are made they will be to the person's disadvantage.

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