Sagittarius. The ninth sign of the zodiac. v. Signs.
Saros. (1) A Chaldean and Babylonian interpretation of a cycle
of 60 days as 60 years. (2) 60 sixties, or 3,600. (3) A
lunar cycle of 6,585.32 days - 223 lunations; or 18 years, 11 1/3 days. In this
period the centers of Sun and Moon return so nearly to the same relative places
that the eclipses of the next period recur in approximately the same sequence -
but with their zone of visibility shifted 120° to the Westward. (v. Eclipses.)
Because the Node recedes 19.5 a year,
the Sun meets the same Node in 346.62 days - the eclipse year. As this does not
coincide with the Lunar periods, the Sun moves past the node a degree a day for
as many days as it takes for the Moon to reach a conjunction or opposition. Thus
either a Solar or Lunar Eclipse may occur before or after the Sun reaches the
Node, or both before and after. If the Lunation occurs within 2 or 3 days
before or after the Sun reaches the Node there may be no accompanying Lunar
Eclipse, as on Dec. 3, 1918 and May 29, 1919 (Saros Series 11).
If the Lunation or Full Moon occurs
from 4 to 9 days before the Sun reaches the Node, there will be a Lunar Eclipse
followed by a Solar Eclipse, or the reverse. If the Lunation occurs from 10 to
12 days before the Sun reaches the Node there may be a series of three
Eclipses: a Solar before the Node, a Lunar at the Node, and another Solar when
the Sun has passed beyond the Node. Associated with this are certain values:
......................................................Days
...242 returns of the Moon to a particular Node.......6585.36
....19 returns of the Sun to the same Node............6585.78
...233 Synodic months.................................6585.32
Saturn chasing the Moon. This is one of the most powerful of Saturnian conditions. Since
the progressed Moon takes twenty-eight and Saturn thirty years to complete the
circle, the two may in rare cases, approximately coincide. An affliction of the
Moon by Saturn is of itself one of the most unfortunate of aspects; for when
the aspect is close and the progressing Moon moves at about the same rate as
Saturn, a transit of Saturn to the Moon can persist indefinitely - often for a
lifetime: thus resulting in a double affliction. However, the condition can
occur only where the Moon at birth is in conjunction, square or opposition to
Saturn.
Saturnine. One of a dour disposition - a meaning borrowed wholly from
Astrology, which defines it as one who has a strong Saturn accent.
Saturnalia. The Roman festival of Saturn which annually on Dec. 17 began a
week of feasting.
Satellite. A planet or moon that revolves about another. The Moon is a
satellite of the Earth; and according to Newton, both are satellites of the
Sun. In modern Astrology it is confined to a body which revolves around one of
the planets in our solar system.
Satellitium. Stellium. A group of five or more planets in one Sign or House.
In an angle it portends great changes of fortune, the good and the bad coming
in patches. Heavy falls are succeeded in due course by a spectacular comeback,
and vice versa. Such persons usually have many acquaintances, but few real
friends. They can hardly fail of considerable recognition at some periods of
their lives.
Scorpio. The eighth sign of the zodiac. v. Signs.
Secondary Progressions. Zodiacal aspects formed by the orbital motions of the planets on
successive days after birth, each day accounted the equivalent of one year of
life. Aspects are calculated to the birth positions of the luminaries, planets
and angles, and mutual aspects are formed between the progressed planets. The
application of this system of forecasting future conditioning that may be
expected to crystallize in events, involves the directing of the Midheaven,
Ascendant and the Sun by their natural progress in the heavens after birth. The
Sun and the Midheaven progress at an average rate of 59'08" per day (the
so-called "Naibod Arc"), to form aspects to the radical positions of
the planets, while the planets move at varying rates to form aspects to the
radical positions of the Significators. The most dependable factor in Secondary
Progressions is the advancing of the progressed Moon, forming aspects to the
radical and progressed places of the planets and to the places of the
Significators, which are interpreted according to the places in which the
aspects fall by Sign and House.
With specific reference to the
progressions of the Moon it is generally considered: that such aspects produce
strong though gradual effects of about one month's duration; that the month
when the progressed Moon is approaching a square to her own radical place is
generally marked by accidents and infirmities, the next preceding semi-square
usually giving an indication of the nature of the crisis or physical ailment
that can be expected to develop; that trine and sextile aspects of the
transitory and of the progressed Moon to the radical Moon generally outline
favorable days and months; and that square and opposition aspects also strongly
influence and that adversely, forming critical periods around the 7th, 14th,
21st and 28th day and year.
In general it is held that directions
act in terms of the Radix and that when the Nativity is unfortunate no
favorable direction can have the same efficacy as an adverse one; and vice
versa when the Nativity is fortunate. In other words, the accidental good
cannot overcome the radical evil. (v. Radix System.)
The revised Sepharial Dictionary
defines Secondary Progressions somewhat misleadingly as those based upon the
progress of the Moon in the zodiac. However, the aspects formed by the Moon in
the Secondary system are important, and some authorities hold that unless they
are of the same nature as the Primary Directions, hence tend to strengthen
their operation, the primary directions will have little effect; but when they
do coincide, a decided influence will be traceable in the life of the person
whose chart is under consideration. According to this a Primary Direction would
not function until such time as the progressed Moon forms an aspect of a
similar nature. v.
Directions.
In calculating Progressions by the
system of taking the positions of the planets as given in the Ephemeris for the
next day following birth, as the equivalent of their progressed positions at
the end of the first year of life, use may be made of this table. [Apolo's Note: 'd.' means 'day'; 'h.' means 'hour(s)'; 'm.' means 'minute(s)'; 's.' means 'second(s)'.]
......1 d. = 1 year
......2 h. = 1 month
.....30 m. = 1 week
......4 m. = 1 day
......1 m. = 6 hours
.....10 s. = 1 hour
......1 s. = 6 minutes
Seer. One who sees; a crystal gazer; a person endowed with second
sight; one who foresees future events - a prophet; astrologically, one whose
extra-sensory perceptions enable him to vizualize the ultimate effects that will
result from the cosmic causes portrayed in a birth Figure.
Semi-Arc. That portion of a celestial body's apparent daily travel, during
which it remains above the horizon, from its rising to its setting, is called
its diurnal arc; hence half of the arc, from horizon to midheaven, is its
Diurnal Semi-Arc. The other half, most of which is under the earth, is its
nocturnal arc, and half of it becomes the Nocturnal Semi-Arc. The Sun's
semi-arc, diurnal or nocturnal, when in 0° Aries or 0° Libra, is six hours or
90° all over the Earth. At other seasons the one is greater or less than the
other, according to the time of the year and the latitude of the place. The
greatest discrepancy occurs where the N. or S. latitude is high, and when the
Sun is in 0° Cancer or 0° Capricorn. The semi-arc is usually measured in
degrees of R. A. passing over the Meridian; although it can be expressed in
terms of time.
Semi-Quintil. An 36º aspect (v. Quintile).
Semicircle. v.
Lunar; Solar.
Semi-sextile. A 30º aspect. (q.v.)
Semi-square. A 45º aspect. (q.v.)
Senses, Significators of the. Generally accepted as the significators of the five physical
senses, are:
Mercury,...sight
Venus,.....touch
Mars,......taste
Jupiter,...smell
Saturn,....hearing
Separating, separation. v. Aspects.
Sesqui-quadrate. A 135º aspect (q.v.)
Sesquiquintile. A 108º aspect (q.v.)
Seven. Anciently the number of the bodies presumed to make up our solar
system, to which number was ascribed a magical significance. Identified with
them were the days of the week and the seven notes of the Diatonic scale. In
1666 Newton ascribed to them the seven hues of the spectrum.
Man was presumed to be a seven-fold
being:
Sun:......His life-forces; the spiritual being within.
Moon:.....His psychic being; the vegetable kingdom.
Mercury:..His intellect; the realm of Mind.
Venus:....His divine, immortal self; the benevolent nature.
Mars:.....His bestial nature; the animal nature.
Jupiter:..His higher physical nature; the quality of optimism.
Saturn:...His physical being; the mineral kingdom.
The seven deadly sins of the ancient
theologians were said to have been of astrological origin: Pride, Jupiter;
covetousness, Saturn; lust, Venus; wrath, Mars; gluttony, Mercury; envy, Moon;
indolence, Sun.
Also the seven virtues: Chastity,
Moon; love, Venus; courage, Mars; faith, Jupiter; hope, Sun; wisdom, Mercury;
and prudence, Saturn.
There were also seven wise men of
Greece; the seven-fold Amen; the Seven Wonders of the World; the Book of the
Seven Seals (Rev.
5,5), and the seven angels (Rev. 5,8).
The Seven against Thebes were the
seven heroes who undertook an expedition to aid Polynices against his brother
Eteoclus. The oracle promised success to whichever brother Oedipus favored; but
he cursed both, and the brothers slew each other.
Seven has been explained as compounded
of "The Ternary of God and the Quarternary of the world," as
representing "three-fold and four-fold happiness," making 3 + 4 = 7 a
sacred number: a reference to the 4 quadruplicities and the 3 triplicities. Any
multiple of seven became a "great number": a jubilee year of
restitution.
Since every seventh year from time
immemorial was believed to form some material alteration, it has been observed
in some professions as a sabbatical year of rest, comparable to the seventh day
on which the Creator rested from his labors - as recounted in the Book of
Genesis. For the Seven Ages of Man, v. Planetary, Ages of Man.
Sexagenary. (1) A scale of numbers or a method of computation that
proceeds by sixties - as in degree, minutes and seconds. (2) Said
of tables prepared for the purpose of showing proportional parts of the number
60°: giving the product of two sexagenary numbers multiplied; or the quotient
of two such when divided.
Sextile. A 60º aspect (q.v.)
Sextiles. A body sextiles another toward which it is approaching from a
distance of from 53º to 60º.
Sidereal Clock. A clock found in every astronomical observatory, which is set to
register oh om os when 0° Aries is on the Zenith. Formerly a noon point, but
since 1925 a midnight point, it moves forward in the zodiac by 1°, or 4
minutes, each day, hence the Sidereal Time at noon (or midnight if since 1925)
on any day shows what sign and degree is on the M.C. at that particular moment.
For example, ST at 0h, or midnight, on May 1, 1945 is 14h 34m 14s: approx.
874m / 4 = 218 degrees = approx. 8° Scorpio on M.C. The Sidereal Clock
indicates 24h, while the solar chronometer registers 23h 56m 4.0906s of Mean
Solar Time. It does not register A.M. or P.M., but divides the dial into 24
hourly periods. The so-called Army and Navy time of World War 11 indicates the
eventual universal use of the same system applied to solar time, whereby for
example, 2 P.M. will be known as 1400.
After the Sidereal clock has been set
at 0h to coincide with the moment of the Earth's crossing the intersecting
point of the Ecliptic and Equator, the next noon it will read something like
12:04 - the distance the Earth has travelled in orbit in one solar day, shown
in units of time. Thus each successive day at noon it shows the cumulative
amount of the Earth's orbital travel since noon on the day of the equinox.
Thereby sidereal time becomes the hour angle of the Vernal Equinox, and the
Earth's position at Greenwich Noon on any day can be expressed in terms of
hours, minutes and seconds. Its position along the ecliptic is expressed in
degrees and minutes of longitude, and along the equator in degrees and minutes
of Right Ascension.
Sidereal Day. The interval between two successive transits of the first point
of Aries over the upper meridian of any place. The Sidereal Day is equal to 23h
56m 4.09s of mean solar time, and it has sidereal hours, each of 60 sidereal
minutes, each minute of 60 sidereal seconds.
Sidereal Time. A method of time-reckoning based upon the period elapsing
between two successive passages of some particular star, taken as a fixed
celestial point, over a given point on the circumference of the Earth. During
one such rotation the Sun's apparent orbital travel has amounted to
approximately 1°, hence the return of a given point on the Earth to the same
relationship with the Sun requires added travel to the extent of 1° of arc or 4
minutes of time. Thus each calendar anniversary shows an annual net gain of 1°,
which is the basis of all systems of progressed influences. The S.T. at any
moment is the angular distance along the Ecliptic from 0° Aries, the point of
the Spring Equinox, to the meridian of a given place at noon on a given day,
expressed in h. m. s. The Right Ascension of the Meridian (RAMC) is a similar
angular distance along the Equator expressed in degrees and minutes of arc.
When the Spring equinoctial point is
on the observer's meridian it is S.T. 0h. When that degree has moved 15° it is
1h S.T. Thus the time required for the equinoctial degree to move to a certain
advanced position becomes the unit through which that position is expressed. To
determine the sidereal time for a given moment at a certain place, take from
the ephemeris the ST for that date and apply certain corrections, viz.: If the
ephemeris is for any other meridian than Greenwich make sure to take that into
account, adding or subtracting your distance from this meridian, not from
Greenwich; also add or subtract 12 hours if you are calculating your
time-interval from midnight.
Additions to this S.T. for stations
west of the zone meridian are made in degrees expressed in solar mean time,
four minutes for each degree, which must be further converted by adding 0s.657
for each degree to reduce the additions to sidereal time. The hours added for
the elapsed time since oh must also be adjusted in the same proportion. v. Time.
Sidereal Year. v.
Year.
Sign. One of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac. The annual revolution of
the Earth round the Sun is divided into the 360° of a circle, a division that
mathematically and astronomically is universally accepted. The subdivisions of
the circle into 12 equal arcs, distinguished by names, are known as the Signs
of the Zodiac. They no longer bear any relationship to the constellations of
the same name.
These arcs are measured from the point
where the Sun crosses the celestial equator at the beginning of Spring on or
about March 21st each year. As this is coincidental with the position of the
Earth's axis at right angles to the radius of its orbit, the days and nights
are of equal duration all over the Earth. The point is termed the Vernal
Equinox. That the Zodiacal year seems at one period of history to have begun
with Taurus indicates that these records date from between 2,000 and 4,000
B.C., during which period the equinoctial point fell in Taurus.
The further fact that the Equinox
still continues to fall in 0° Aries indicates that at some time since the
beginning of the Christian era the fixed Zodiac of constellations was abandoned
and the names reapplied to a moving Zodiac based upon the equinoctial point,
then recognized as the beginning of the astrological year. The year's arc of
precession was thus ignored - an annual loss of a moment of time that shows up in
no calculation at present in use, other than in a consideration of the
Precession of the equinoctial point and the one degree revision of star
positions every seventy years.
Can it be that our only record of one
of these early readjustments of the calendar is that of Joshua having commanded
the Sun to stand still?
Thus for at least 40 centuries
astrologers have recognized the receding point of the Node of intersection of
the Ecliptic and the Celestial Equator as the commencement of a scheme of
magnetic conditioning. (v. Solar System.)
Of the twelve signs there are four
basic groups:
The Inspirational Group - the Fire
signs.
The Emotional Group - the Water signs.
The Mental Group - the Air signs.
The Practical Group - the Earth signs.
These are termed the Elements, or
Triplicities - since three signs are embraced in each group, as follows:
...............Cardinal.....Fixed......Mutable
.....Fire:.....Aries........Leo........Sagittarius
.....Water:....Cancer.......Scorpio....Pisces
.....Air:......Libra........Aquarius...Gemini
.....Earth:....Capricorn....Taurus.....Virgo
As the English language abounds in
words which had their origin in the symbology of the ancients, the use of terms
such as fire, earth, air and water, do not indicate any present-day adherence
to the ancient concept that matter is composed of these four primary elements.
They are merely terms, but as such they appear aptly to symbolize, now as then,
an outstanding characteristic of each of the four basic groups into which mankind
is classified according to astrology. In fact, it becomes doubtful whether this
grouping was ever intended to apply to the elements of matter, since fire could
hardly have been looked upon even in that day as a physical element. More than
likely it is a modern misconception of their symbolic interpretation of the
psychological elements discerned in zodiacal influences.
Of each of these elemental groups or
triplicities there are three types, or qualities, as shown in the previous
arrangement: the Cardinal or Initiative signs, the Fixed or Executive signs,
and the Mutable or Deductive signs. As there are four of each, these are known
as the Quadruplicities.
Key words often associated with the
twelve Signs are:
..Aries:....Aspiration...|..Libra:.......Equilibrium
..Taurus:...Integration..|..Scorpio:.....Creativity
..Gemini:...Vivification.|..Sagittarius:.Administration
..Cancer:...Expansion....|..Capricorn:...Discrimination
..Leo:......Assurance....|..Aquarius:....Loyalty
..Virgo:....Assimilation.|..Pisces:......Appreciation
Another classification into four
groups representing the four seasons, is known as the Trinities:
..Intellectual..Maternal....Reproductive....Serving
..(Spring)......(Summer)....(Autumn)........(Winter)
..1. Aries......4. Cancer...7. Libra........10. Capricorn
..2. Taurus.....5. Leo......8. Scorpio......11. Aquarius
..3. Gemini.....6. Virgo....9. Sagittarius..12. Pisces
Cardinal Signs. So called because they are placed at the East, West, North and
South points of the astrological figure, hence compare to the four Cardinal
points of the compass-the points usually marked by a red arrow. They are
variously termed, the Leading, Movable, Acute, Changeable or Initiating signs
or types, and as they represent the active temperament are said to partake of
the nature of the Ascendant.
Fixed Signs, because they represent a balance of conflicting forces, are more
uniformly referred to as the Fixed or Grave signs or Executive types; although
occasionally referred to as the "foundation" signs - those which most
distinctly typify each element, because of which they were said to have been
dominant in the formulation of the Mosaic laws. They have also been called the
Seismic or "earthquake" signs, on the assumption that earthquakes most
frequently occur when the Sun or Moon is in a Fixed sign. They are the
power-houses of the zodiac - reservoirs of energy; the Formators of the
Chaldeans, the Cherubim of the Hebrews - the builders of the world. The fixed
sign tenacity is depended upon to support or stabilize the leading signs.
Mutable Signs, representing the arcs in which there is a perpetual condition of
slowing down in readiness to turn a corner; a mobilization for action, and the
indecision which results or accompanies it; were symbolized by concepts which
would express this duality - the twins, the two deep-water sea-horses, or the
half-man, half-horse of the Archer; hence also called the Dual or the
Double-bodied Signs; and by some, the Common or Flexed Signs. They are the
minds of their Triplicity, with their quickness and versatility acting as
mediators between the Leading and Fixed Signs. They have been called the
"reconcilers of the universe."
The Signs of the Zodiac should not be
confounded with the Zodiac of Constellations with which they have only an
historic relationship. Somewhat before the Christian era the Constellations (q.v.) and
the Signs coincided. Since then the Precession (q.v.) of the Equinoctial point
has produced a separation of approximately 1° in seventy-two years, or a total
of about thirty degrees in 2000 years. It is not possible to establish with
exactness the date upon which they coincided, for there is no sharp line or
boundary between the general areas associated with the group of stars that make
up a constellation, as compared to the Signs which are measured in 30° arcs
along the Ecliptic beginning at the point of the Spring Equinox. Aries 0° is
now in or about to enter the last degrees of the constellation of Aquarius,
hence current references to the Aquarian Age; also to the two thousand years of
the Piscean Age through which the Equinoctial Point has receded since the dawn
of the Christian era - an epoch symbolized in the parable of the Loaves and the
Fishes.
The four elements go farther than the
mere locating of the Sun position. The qualities contained in the signs
positing the Moon and the planets are gradually developed by every stimulation
that reaches the native through these points of receptivity. Every planet and
every angle, as it passes over each birth sensitivity, results in an accent.
This means that each of a dozen points of receptivity are daily stimulated by
an accent from each of a dozen points of electro-magnetic radiation, resulting
in something like 144 daily accents - not counting the changes resulting from
the orbital motion of each energy-radiating body. That is why planets well
distributed among signs of the different elements, produce the well-rounded
individual. The Greek philosophers built on this basis their thesis that the
whole man consisted of the interweaving of the four categories, into one of
which can be placed every human activity. These are:
...Category..........From contemplation
of....................Because of accents in
1. Physical......Body: functions and needs....................Earth
2. Intellectual..Mind: concepts and thought processes.........Air
3. Aesthetic.....Soul: yearnings; emotional
processes.........Water
4. Moral.........Spirit: aspirations, conduct, and
character..Fire
The terminology of the trigons, or
triplicities of Elements, is universal: fire, water, air and earth; although
some moderns prefer to call them the Inspirational, Emotional, Mental and
Practical Natures.
These four Elements, as represented by
the fixed type of each group, are symbolized in the figures of the Cherubim,
and in the Assyrian "winged lion." Also in the Egyptian Sphynx, in
which the Bull's body (Taurus), the Lion's paws and tail (Leo), the Eagle's
wings (Scorpio), and the Human head (Aquarius), repre- sent the four types
which combine to form the body politic.
They are also embodied in the deck of
cards: clubs for fire, diamonds for earth, hearts for water, and spades for
air; the black suits representing the positive signs and the red suits the
negative signs.
They are depicted symbolically in the
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and are builded into the Paris Notre Dame
Cathedral, which is as completely an astrological edifice as is the great
Pyramid. In Revelation
V:7 one reads that "the first beast was ne a lion, and the
second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the
fourth beast was like a flying eagle." Later on are described horses with
the faces of men, the teeth of lions, wings, and a sting in the tall like unto
a scorpion. In Chaucer, Shakespeare and all the writers of the Elizabethan age,
astrological allusions are frequent; in fact, the symbolism of the fixed signs
as representing the four elementary types of the genus homo, are the subject of
innumerable allusions in art and literature.
The "earthiness" of the
materialistic or practical Earth sign group is quite generally represented by
the thick-necked bull - the Taurus. In Hindu lore the chariot of Vishnu is
symbolized by a Bull. The Legend of St. George and the Dragon depicts the
opposition of Taurus to Scorpio.
In Chinese astrology, Taurus was the
White Tiger: Leo, the Red Bird; Scorpio, the Black Dragon; and Aquarius, the
Black Warrior - again a "human" sign.
The inspirational Fire sign group are
almost universally symbolized by the Lion.
The sympathetic, sensitive and often
vindictive, emotional Water sign group are frequently represented by the
Scorpion, not only because of its "sting" but also for the frequency
with which it was anciently supposed to sting itself to death rather than face
a ring of fire. It is also symbolized by the serpent - perhaps connotating the
"wisdom of the serpent" of the Garden of Eden. In the Roman Sphynx it
is represented by the asp on the man's forehead. Its "lone wolf"
proclivities, and the frequency with which strength in Scorpio is reflected in
a Roman nose - the eagle's beak - have been symbolized at some periods of
antiquity by the Eagle, as evidenced by the eagle's wings on the Egyptian
Sphynx.
The intellectual or mental Air sign
group is almost universally represented by a man, usually pouring out water
from a jug - symbolizing the giving of the water of knowledge to a thirsting
world. The three air signs have been spoken of as the "triangle of
harmony, peace and equilibrium."
Signs, and the Disciples. It is commonly considered from the many New Testament
pronouncements of astrological doctrine, that the Twelve Disciples were chosen,
each to represent a different one of the twelve fundamental types and qualities
with a ruling Trinity of the central Sun (the Father) whose spiritual and
intellectual light (the Holy Spirit) reflected by the Moon (the Son) flowed out
through these twelve apostles into all the world-representing humanity divided
into its twelve basic types. The disciples considered this order so important
that after Judas's betrayal Mathias took his place as one of the twelve.
Aries: Peter, the fiery, impulsive, changeable, pioneering leader, who
eventually became the rock upon which was founded the New Church "of the
Lamb." (Initiating: inspirational)
Taurus: Simon Zelotes, the dogmatic, determined zealot; who was
concerned with property and finances, rebelled against the payment of taxes,
and received from Jesus the admonition - "Render unto Caesar the things
that are Caesar's." (Fixed: materialistic)
Gemini: James, "the lesser." Slow to accept the authenticity of
the Messiah, but became the eloquent preacher of the church in Jerusalem, and
an active evangelist and exhorter. (Mutable: intellectual)
Cancer: Andrew, the sympathetic homebody, a follower of John the
Baptist, whose first thought when he discovered the Messiah was to run quickly
and fetch his brother Simon. (Initiating: sympathetic)
Leo: John, the most beloved apostle. (Fixed: inspirational)
Virgo: Philip, always precise, calculating, enquiring, and practical.
(Mutable: materialistic)
Libra: Bartholomew-Nathaniel, the innocently pure one "in whom
there is no guile." The tactful, persuasive evangelist. (Initiating:
intellectual)
Scorpio: Thomas, the doubting skeptic, yet bold and courageous. (Fixed:
sympathetic)
Sagittarius: James, the great teacher, who with Peter and John became the
spiritual leaders of the early church: the three fire sign types cooperating.
(Mutable: inspirational)
Capricorn: Matthew, the tax gatherer, the politician, the one in authority
in the governing seat in Rome. (Initiating: materialistic)
Aquarius: Thaddeus-Jude, who considered the lot of the peasant, and sought
to better the living and working conditions of the masses; and who interrogated
Jesus at the Last Supper as to how he would manifest himself. (Fixed:
intellectual)
Pisces: Judas Iscariot, who when he succumbed to temptation suf- fered
severe pangs of remorse. (Mutable: sympathetic)
Signs, The Symbology of Twelve. Dr. Curtiss characterized the evangelistic authors of the four
gospels, in terms of the fixed types of the four elemental groups, in this
fashion:
.......Matthew-Aquarius........To Know.
.......Mark-Leo................To Dare.
.......Luke-Taurus.............To Do.
.......John-Scorpio............To Keep Silent.
In the Book of Revelations we read
that by the River of Life grew a Tree of Life and of its twelve manner of
fruits whereby it yielded a different fruit for each month of the year.
Elsewhere in the Bible, which is a
great repository of astrological truths, we find God referred to as the Logos,
out of which went four rivers. In Abraham's effort to restore the Logos, we
find the symbol of an earlier Trinity: Abraham, the spiritual father; Isaac,
the thought concept; and Jacob, the physical externalization.
Jacob's twelve sons were the chiefs of
the Twelve Tribes of Israel. These are listed at birth in Genesis XXIX, and
again shortly before his death (Gen. XLIX). Ezekiel lists the tribes in the
distribution of land, substituting Manasseh and Ephraim, as perhaps the sons of
deceased fathers, Joseph and Levi; yet in the last chapter in listing the
Temple dates he employs the names of the twelve sons, as recounted in Genesis.
The symbolic descriptions accompanying the names leave little doubt that they
were representative of the twelve astrological types.
In the order of their birth the twelve
sons were named Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher,
Issacher, Zebulon, Joseph and Benjamin. There is disagreement among authorities
as to which Sign represents each one, but none as to the fact that they were
astrological. In fact Dan is definitely established as representing Scorpio in
Jacob's last blessing, when he said: "Dan is a snake, a serpent in the
path, that biteth at the horse's heels so that the rider falleth
backward," referring to Scorpio at the heels of the Centaur or
Sagittarius.
It is generally considered that the
modern prototype of the tribe of judah is the British nation; of Dan, Italy; of
Naphtali, the United States; and of Reuben, the Jews.
The twelve layers of the foundation
walls of the New Jerusalem (Rev. xxi: 19-20) were builded of:
1. Jasper, an opalescent or greenish
stone.
2. Sapphire, a blue, transparent gem.
3. Chalcedony, pale gray, translucent
quartz.
4. Emerald, green, transparent beryl.
5. Sardonyx, onyx with layers of sard,
a brownish, red chalcedony.
6. Sardius, probably a ruby.
7. Chrysolite, blue-green magnesium
iron silicate.
8. Beryl, probably bluish-green or
aquamarine.
9. Topaz, a yellow sapphire.
10. Chrysoprase, a light green
chalcedony.
11. Jacinth, a stone the color of
hyacinth.
12. Amethyst, purple or blue-violet
quartz.
From another period we find the Twelve
Labors of Hercules, as emblematic of the tasks which Destiny metes out to each
of the twelve basic types, whereby to attain to an heroic stature. Hercules, or
Heracles, is a mythological hero celebrated for his strength in the performance
of super-human tasks, imposed by Eurysthcus because of the hatred of Hera (Juno)
for Alcmena, the mother of Hercules by Zeus (Jupiter). After the death of
Hercules he was deified as the husband of Hebe.
The Twelve tasks are not listed in the
same order by all his- torians, and there are differences of opinion as to the
signs to which they pertain, but presumably the hero took the worst traits of
each sign and transmuted them into the nobility of which each sign is capable.
The "labors" are:
1. Wrestling with and killing by
strangulation the invulnerable Nemean lion.
2. Destruction of the Lernean hydra.
3. Capture of the Arcadian or Cerynean
hind - or stag.
4. Capture of the boar of Erymanthus,
when he fought the Centaurs, killing two friends, Chiron and Pholus. v. Demeter's mysteries
(not in this dictionary!)
5. Cleansing the stables of Augeas.
6. Killing of the man-eating
Stymphalean birds.
7. Capture of the Cretan bull -
afterwards killed by Theseus.
8. Capture of the man-eating mares of
the Thracian Diomedes.
9. Seizure of the girdle of Hippolyte,
queen of the Amazons.
10. Bringing the oxen of Geryones from
Erythria in the Far West. On this adventure he set up the Pillars of Hercules
at the Straits of Gibraltar.
11. Bringing the golden apples from
the garden of the Hesperides.
12. Carrying Cerberus from Hades to
the upper world.
Sign, Aries.
The Ram. The first sign of the zodiac.
Its symbol represents the head and horns of the ram. It is a symbol of
offensive power - a weapon of the gods, hence an implement of the will. The
Babylonians sacrificed rams during the period when the Sun occupied this sign,
which occurs annually from March 21 to April 20. Astrologically and
astronomically it is the first thirty-degree arc beginning at the point of the
Spring Equinox. It is the Leading quality of the Fire element: positive,
diurnal, movable, dry, hot, fiery, choleric and violent.
Ruler: Mars. Exaltation: Sun. Detriment: Venus. Fall:
Saturn.
Temperamental Aries
...Who works from morn to set of Sun,
...And never likes to be outdone?
...Whose walk is almost like a run?
......Who? Aries.
Symbolic interpretation: Sprouting seed; fire in eruption; a fountain of water; a ram's
horns.
Aries is the embodiment of Self, the
will to manifest, the adventurous spirit; desire, initiative and courage.
...First from the east, the Ram
conducts the year;
...Whom Ptolemy with twice nine stars
adorns. -
Aratus.
First Decan: activity, adventure, zeal, notoriety, dishonor, misfortune. Second Decan:
noble affections as the source of power to sway others - the head joined to the
impulses of the heart. It is the decan of Exaltation, in that the Sun is
exalted in the nineteenth degree of the Sign.
Third Decan: Propaganda, the spiritual possibilities of the valiant heart at
grips with sordid conditions.
Sign, Taurus. The Bull. The second sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents
the head and horns of a bull. The sacred Apis was presumed to be the
incarnation of the god Osiris - hence a symbol of a sepulchre or tomb. The
Sun's entry into Taurus was celebrated as a Feast of Maya (Maia) - our May Day
- the Sun represented by a white bull with a golden disc between his horns,
followed by a procession of virgins, exemplifying the fecundity of Nature in
Spring. The Sun is in Taurus annually from April 21 to May 20. Astrologically
and astronomically it is in the second thirty-degree arc from the Spring
Equinox, from 30° to 60° along the Ecliptic. It is the Fixed quality of the
Earth element, conferring external will power that, ordinarily passive, and
negative, becomes obstinate and unbending when aroused. Negative, nocturnal,
cold, dry and melancholy. Ruler: Venus. Exaltation: Moon. Detriment:
Mars. Fall:
Uranus.
........Headstrong Taurus
...Who smiles through life - except
when crossed?
...Who knows, or thinks he knows, the
most?
...Who loves good things: baked,
boiled or roast?
......Oh, Taurus.
Symbolic interpretation: The head and horns of a bull; the sacred Apis in whom the god
Osiris was incarnate; a sepulchre or tomb.
Taurus represents the manifestations
of the Self, hence his basic possessions, and inherited tendencies.
...........The mighty Bull trudges the
stellar lanes.
- Aratus
First Decan: Determination, the soul's exaltation; materialistic and
mediumistic tendencies.
Second Decan: Struggle, the conflict for supremacy.
Third Decan: Mastership, triumph over physical limitations and environment;
utilizing physical things for spiritual progress.
Sign, Gemini. The Twins. The third sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents
two pieces of wood bound together, symbolical of the unremitting conflict of
contradictory mental processes. The Sun is in Gemini annually from May 21 to
June 20. Astrologically it is the thirty degree arc immediately preceding the
Summer Solstice, marked by the passing of the Sun over the Tropic of Cancer,
and occupying a position along the ecliptic from 60° to 90°. It is the Mutable
quality of the element: positive, dual.
Ruler: Mercury. Detriment: Jupiter.
................Worrisome Gemini.
...Who's fond
of life and jest and pleasure;
...Who vacillates and changes ever?
...Who loves attention without
measure?
........Why? Gemini.
Symbolic interpretation: Castor and Pollux; Bohas and Jakin, of Solomon's Temple; the
Pillars of Hercules.
Gemini establishes a relationship
between the Self and substance, the linkage of rhythm and form.
.....Fair Leda's twins, in time to
stars decreed,
.....One fought on foot, one curbed
the fiery steed. - Virgil
First Decan: Mastership, activities on the mental plane, deduction after
assimilation.
Second Decan: Fidelity, the espousal of progressive causes.
Third Decan: Reason, the power of the objective mind.
Sign: Cancer. The Crab. The fourth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol presumably
the folded claws of a crab, probably is intended to symbolize the joining
together of a male and female spermatozoa -- as indicative of the most maternal
of all the signs. The Sun is in Cancer annually from June 21 to July 22.
Astrologically and astronomically it is the first thirty-degree arc following
the Summer Solstice, marked by the Sun's passing of the Tropic of Cancer, and
occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 90° to 120°). It is the Leading
quality of the Water element: negative, cold, moist, phlegmatic, nocturnal,
commanding, moveable, fruitful, weak, unfortunate, crooked, mute. Ruler,
Moon. Exaltation:
Jupiter. Detriment:
Saturn. Fall:
Mars.
...............Hard-Shelled Sympathetic
Cancer.
.......Who changes like a changeful
season:
.......Holds fast and lets go without
reason?
.......Who is there can give adhesion
............To Cancer?
Symbolic interpretation: The claws of
the celestial crab; two spermatozoa intertwined, signifying the male and female
seed, implying retirement and nurturing; the crab or scarab.
Cancer expresses the living organism,
its capacity to grow.
............Soon as the evening shades
prevail
............The Moon takes up the
wondrous tale,
............And nightly to the
listening Earth
............Proclaims the story of her
birth.
....................................- Addison.
First Decan: Moods, strong emotions, poetic and dramatic expression.
Second Decan: Revelation, resourcefulness, energy; powerful emotions; the
struggle with sex.
Third Decan: Research, curiosity, discontent, restlessness; love of Nature; a
stormy life.
Sign: Leo. The Lion. The fifth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol is possibly
an emblem representing the phallus, as used in ancient Dionysian mysteries. It
is also an emblem of the Sun's fire, heat or creative energy. The Sun is in Leo
annually from July 23 to August 22. Astrologically and astronomically it is the
second thirty-degree arc after the Summer Solstice, marked by the Sun's passing
of the Tropic of Cancer and occupying a position along the ecliptic from 120°
to 150°. It is the Fixed quality of the Fire element, conferring an internal
will motivated by an impulse of the heart. It is positive, hot, dry, choleric,
eastern, diurnal, commanding, brutish, sterile, broken, changeable, fortunate,
strong, hoarse, bitter, and violent. Ruler: Sun. Detriment: Saturn.
Fall:
Mercury.
...........................Loving Leo
..............Who praises all his kindred do;
..............Expects his friends to
praise them too
..............And cannot see their
senseless view?
...................Ah, Leo.
Leo exemplifies the principle of
cosmic splendor; wherein character defects due to planets in Leo persist
through long periods, and good qualities from planets favorably aspecting the
Sign are never lost.
..........The Lion flames: There the
Sun's course runs hottest.
..........Empty of grain the and fields
appear
..........When first the Sun into Leo
enters.
...................................................- Aratus
First Decan: Rulership, fiery love, and the desire to rule others; extremes
of pleasure whether in love or asceticism.
Second Decan: Reformation, a convincing leader, given to ruthless onslaughts
against his enemies; clear vision as to weaknesses in politics and religion.
Third Decan: Ambition, a determination to rise in life, at the sacrifice of
anything and anybody.
Sign: Virgo.
The Virgin. The sixth sign of the
zodiac. Its symbol is probably a representation of the Girdle of Hymen, and has
reference to the Immaculate Conception of a Messiah. It is usually pictured by
a virgin holding in her hand a green branch, an car of corn, or a spike of
grain. Spica is a star in the constellation of Virgo. Here was commemorated the
Festival of Ishtar, goddess of fertility. The Sun is in Virgo annually from
August 23 to September 22. Astrologically and astronomically it is the
thirty-degree arc immediately preceding the Sun's passing over the Fall
Equinoctial point, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 150° to 180°.
It is the Mutable quality of the Earth element: negative, cold, dry, sterile,
human; also critical, practical, helpful. Ruler: Mercury. Detriment: Jupiter.
Fall:
Venus.
...............Critical Virgo
........Who criticizes all she sees:
........Yes, e'en would analyze a
sneeze?
........Who hugs and loves her own
disease?
................Humpf, Virgo.
Symbolic interpretation: A green branch; an car of wheat or corn; the Immaculate Virgin
who gives birth to a world-saviour.
Form and the differentiation of sex.
Discrimination through a critical analysis of the fruits of action.
..........But modest Virgo's rays give
polished parts,
..........And fill men's breasts with
honesty and arts;
..........No tricks for gain, nor love
of wealth dispense,
..........But piercing thoughts and
winning eloquence.
.........................................................- Manilius
First Decan: Achievement, a good mentality, gigantic tasks.
Second Decan: Experience, an assimilative mind, skilled in diplomacy; great
temptations; powers of discernment and compassion; love of worldly honor;
susceptible to allurements of the flesh.
Third Decan: Renunciation, the Crown of Thorns: work on behalf of others or
of science, without thought of reward; forsakes everything for duty.
Sign: Libra. The Balances, or Scales. The seventh sign of the zodiac. Its
symbol, representing the balancing scales, is emblematic of equilibrium and
justice. The Sun is in Libra annually from September 23 to October 23.
Astrologically and astronomically it is the first thirty-degree arc following
the passing of the Sun over the Fall Equinoctial point, occupying a position
along the ecliptic from 180° to 210°. It is the Leading quality of the Air
element: positive, hot, moist, sweet, obeying: also restless, judicial. Ruler: Venus.
Exaltation:
Saturn. Detriment:
Mars. Fall:
Sun.
.................Introspective Libra
.......Who puts you off with promise
gay,
.......And keeps you waiting half the
day?
.......Who compromises all the way?
..............Sweet Libra.
Symbolic interpretation: The setting
Sun; the central part of a balance, signifying equilibrium and justice.
The sign of cosmic reciprocity, of
cooperation rather than competition, of consciousness objectified through
associations and partnerships.
............Now dreadful deeds
.....Might have ensued, nor only
Paradise
.....In this commotion, but the starry
cope
.....Of heaven perhaps, or all the
elements
.....At least, had gone to wrack,
disturbed and torn
.....With violence of this conflict,
had not soon
.....The Eternal, to prevent such
horrid fray,
.....Hung forth in heaven his golden
scales, yet seen
.....Betwixt Astraea and the Scorpion
sign.
.....................- John Milton, in
Paradise Lost
First Decan: Policy, the quality of wisdom; subtlety in public relations;
adventurous in human relations.
Second Decan: Independence, strong individuality; exponent of liberty in
thought and action; in rebellion against restrictions and centralized
conservatism; espouses progressive movements.
Third Decan: Expiation, a superiority in art and letters; mind often used to
enslave others, ending in a fatality.
Sign: Scorpio.
The Scorpion. The eighth sign of the
zodiac. Its symbol resembles that of Virgo, but with an arrow on the tail -
doubtless to represent the sting. It is symbolized by the asp or serpent,
harking back to the serpent of the Garden of Eden, and indicating that the will
governs or is governed by the reproductive urge. It is sometimes symbolized by
the Dragon, and is frequently linked with the constellation Aquilla - the
Eagle. The Sun is in Scorpio annually from October 23 to November 22.
Astrologically and astronomically it is the second thirty-degree arc after the
Sun's passing of the Fall Equinox, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from
210° to 240°. It is the Fixed quality of the Water element: negative,
nocturnal, cold, moist, watery, mute, phlegmatic. Ruler: Mars.
Exaltation:
Uranus. Detriment: Venus. Fall: Moon.
...................Ultimate Scorpio
.............Who keeps an arrow in his bow,
.............And if you prod, he lets
it go?
.............A fervent friend, a
subtle foe -
.................Scorpio.
Symbolic interpretation: The legs and tail of: a scorpion: the tail with the sting, the
serpent.
The alembic of the Zodiac, the sign of
cosmic purpose, Scorpio is a success Sign. Self-contained, self-centered, and
concentrated, it usually succeeds in what it sets out to accomplish; great
personal magnetism and healing power.
...........Bright Scorpio, armed with
poisonous tail, prepares
...........Men's martial minds for
violence and for wars.
...........His venom heats and boils
their blood to rage,
...........And rapine spreads o'er the
unlucky age.
.....................................................-
Manilius.
First Decan: Resourcefulness, an excess of creative energy that ever goads to
action; creatice imagination; fertility of ideas; absence of repressions.
Second Decan: Responsibility, restrictions in expression; strong character,
for good or bad; vivid passions.
Third Decan: Attainment, the Laurel Crown of Victory. Intense intuitions,
vivid ideals, the potency of sex to stimulate ideals and ambitions.
Sign: Sagittarius.
The Archer. The ninth sign of the
zodiac. In Hindu astrology: Dhanus. Its symbol represents an arrow and a
section of a bow, typifying aspiration. It is usually pictured as the Centaur:
half horse, half man - representing the conflict between the philosophical mind
and the carnal instinct of conquest; also aspiration supported by effort that
aims at the stars. Said to have been named for the Babylonian god of war. A
typical Sagittarian sentiment is:
.................Go plant a ladder:
climb it!
....................Even if it doubles
up
.................'Tis better than to
lounge below
....................And sip Life's
idle cup.
The Sun is in Sagittarius annually
from November 23 to December 21. Astrologically and astronomically it is the
thirty-degree arc immediately preceding the Sun's passing over the Tropic of
Capricorn, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 240° to 270°. It is the
Mutable quality of the Fire element: positive, hot, dry, changeable, bicorporeal,
obeying. Ruler: Jupiter. Detriment: Mercury.
.......................Pursuing Sagittarius
.................Who loves the dim
religious light:
.................Who always keeps a
star in sight?
.................An optimist, both gay
and bright -
....................Sagittarius.