CHAPTER I

THE PLANETS IN THE HOUSES It is impossible to categorically state the effects which are due to the positions of the planets in the several Houses, because very much depends upon the signs they are in and the aspects they have from other planets. The means of judging the effects is very simple, when once the natures of the planets and the dominion of the several Houses have been thoroughly digested. Thus, it is first necessary to see in what House a planet is situated. Then consider the nature of the planet in the following concrete manner: Neptune means chaos, confusion, deception. Uranus, eccentricity, originality, estrangement. Saturn, privation, hindrance, denial. Jupiter, affluence, fruitfulness, increase. Sun, dignities, honours. Mars, excess, impulse, quarrels. Venus, peace, happiness, agreement Mercury, commerce, versatility, adaptability. Moon, changes, publicity. Now look to the things that are governed by the House in which any particular planet is situated at the moment of birth (Sect. I., chap. iii.). Suppose Saturn to be found in the 11th House. Saturn is “privation” and the 11th House is the domain of “Friends.” Hence a paucity of friends, or such as there may be are evil or unfortunate to the subject. Jupiter in the 2nd House, in the same manner, would signify “increase” of “money and possessions.” Mars in the 7th would indicate “quarrels” with “partners”; and so on. Each planet reflects its own nature upon the affairs governed by the House in which it is found at the moment of birth. It will not infrequently happen, however, that there are more than one planet in the same House. Suppose two planets to occupy the same House. In such case one may be good (Jupiter), and the other evil (Mars). It is then necessary to take first that which first comes to the horizon or Midheaven, that is to say, the one which is in the earlier part of the House, and next that which follows. Thus Saturn followed by Jupiter in the 11th House, would signify misfortune by means of advisers and friends, followed at a later period in the life by some great good through the same source. The degrees which separate the planets will indicate the years which elapse between these changes of fortune. Similarly if there be more than two planets in the same House; in such cases you may safely predict many changes in that department of life which the House is said to rule. But the fact of a planet being in a House is not of itself sufficient evidence from which to make a judgment. The aspects which that planet has must also be considered, for in this matter Saturn when throwing a good aspect to any of the Significators--the Sun, Moon, Ascendant or Midheaven, and well aspected by other planets, is to be preferred to Jupiter when the latter is badly placed and aspected; for Jupiter has his own ill effects, and Saturn has his good influences. Jupiter is only a benefic when acting by conjunction or good aspect with another planet, and Saturn is only a malefic when acting by conjunction or evil aspect. These things being duly considered, it is possible to arrive, with even brief experience, at the results that are signified by the planets in the several Houses.