CHAPTER XIX.

MIND AND THE RULING PLANET

WHEN we wish to study the character, disposi-
tion and temperament of anyone we must first
realize that the mind is the keystone of the arch of the
human personality. But character, disposition and
temperament do not depend so much upon the quality
of mind, whether it is keen, sharp and alert or slow
and plodding, as upon what channels it takes for its
expression. Intellects of the first magnitude are
sometimes put to perverted use to the detriment of
the community and the individual who thus misuses,
his divine heritage, while a slow and very inferior
mind may minister to many in lowly but loving
meekness and reap sheaves of soul-growth thereby.
Thus it is not sufficient to determine the quality of
the mentality; we must also ascertain what is the
channel of its expression. To judge that or any other
matter thoroughly really involves consideration of
the horoscope as a whole, separately and apart from
its bearing upon all other matters. But in a general
way the character and disposition may be learned
from the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Ascendant and the
ruling planets.

It has become the custom of many astrologers
419

420 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

to take the lord of the rising sign as the ruler of
the horoscope. That is correct in Medical Astrology
because the Ascendant represents the body, but when
we want to judge the character which is the com-
bination of all the forces focussed through the horo-
scopical wheel of life the matter is different. Then
>ve must find what planet has the most dominant in-
fluence in the life and that is then the life ruler
regardless of whether or not it is the ruler of the
Ascendant. To find that planet, look first to the lord
of the Ascendant. If he is elevated, essentially dig-
nified or angular and strongly aspected, remember, it
matters not whether the aspects are good or bad as long
as they are close and plentiful (for if it were only
the good aspects that made the ruler then there would
be only good people in the world. But we know that
there are people of all shades of character and there-
fore it is necessary to select the ruler according to
the aspects, regardless of whether they are good or
bad). But above all, be sure to see that the aspects
are close; if they are good the lord of the Ascendant
is also the ruling planet, for he will exercise the most
potent influence in the life.

On the other hand if another planet is more
highly elevated than the ruler of the Ascendant, if
it is exalted, essentially dignified or placed in an
angle and its aspects are more plentiful or closer than
the aspects of the lord of the Ascendant, then judge
that that planet will be the ruler of the horoscope and
exercise a dominant influence in the life regardless

MIND AND THE RULING PLANET 421

of the fact that it is not the ruler of the rising sign.
But if there are two planets running neck-and-
neck in the race for rulership, so to speak, with no
strongly marked difference in favor of one or the
other so that it is difficult to make a choice, do not
utterly discard one and choose the other, for then
they will both be very active in the life and must be
classed as co-rulers.

THE INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS
Well Aspected

O The Sun as Ruling Planet.

When the vital, courageous and ambitious
well-aspected Sun is ruler, it gives dignity to the
whole nature, a lofty pride that would not stoop
to do anything small, mean or degrading, a fine
and noble courage that may show itself on oc-
casion as much by disdainfully ignoring the at-
tacks of an adversary whom he considers too far
beneath his notice as by a fight to the death for
a principle. There is an intense craving for
recognition and leadership which will make it
very difficult for him to occupy a subordinate
position; also an intense warm-hearted, affec-
tionate and demonstrative nature.

$ Venus as Ruling Planet.

When the refined, luxurious and musical
well-aspected Venus is ruler of the horoscope

422 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

it gives a tender, loving, even amorous nature
which craves love as we all desire air, for love
is the very life breath of such people. They are
extremely fond of children and usually have
many pets which serve as avenues of their ex-
pression of love. They are also pleasure-loving
and fond of social intercourse, neat and artistic
in their ideas and in the decoration of their
home.s. They love jewelry and anything else that
adds beauty to the life, but they are luxurious
in all their tastes, very amiable and much be-
loved by all ; their greatest fault is an inordinate
love of ease and an aversion to soil their hands.

% Mercury as Ruling Planet.

When Mercury the planet of reason, expres-
sion and dexterity is the well-aspected life ruler
it gives a keen, quick-witted mind which craves
knowledge as a thirsty man craves water and
absorbs it as readily, a mind that solves, appar-
ently without effort, the most intricate problems.
Thus there is ability in the various branches of
mental endeavor, science and literature, but these
people are also very apt and forceful orators and
have an extraordinary dexterity so that they can
usually turn their hands to anything. They are
fond of traveling and very successful as sales-
men and agents.

INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS 423

The Moon as Ruling Planet.

When the romantic, imaginative and restless
well-aspected Moon is the life ruler, the people
born under its influence are indeed rolling stone^
and far fields always look greenest to them.
Therefore they have an overwhelming desire for
travel and change which generally does not per- .
mit them to stay in one place longer than neces-
sary to earn the money which will enable them
to go to the next. They have a most vivid and
fanciful imagination and a romantic nature en-
tirely foreign to any practical endeavor ; listless,
restles.8 and unstable as the tide that comes and
goes, flotsam and jetsam upon the sea of life.
They are generally mediumistic, though usually
unconsciously so, but are otherwise quite harm-
less though utterly irresponsible and untrust-
worthy where anything requiring an effort is
concerned.

Saturn as Ruling Planet.

When the serious, sagacious and profound
well-aspected Saturn is life ruler, the people
born under its influence are of a profoundly
thoughtful, serious nature. They have a keen
sense of responsibility and are full of fore-
thought, hence trustworthy and reliable advisers ;
they are systematic, orderly and have good ex-
ecutive ability, frugal in their tastes, thrifty and
saving; just to a degree, but their justice is

424 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

cruel, hard and untempered by the slightest de-
gree of mercy. They are chaste, sober and ex-
emplary in their lives but they have neither
mercy nor pity for those who are unable to over-
come faults or habits or who otherwise become
delinquent to the laws of society. They care lit-
tle or nothing for pleasure or the society of oth-
ers and generally keep their own counsel and
company; they are highly respected, esteemed
and trusted in the community but neither care
for nor merit the love of their fellow men.

It Jupiter as Ruling Planet.

When the jovial, genial and generous well-
aspected Jupiter is life ruler, the people born
under his influence are ensouled by a great de-
sire for honor, respect and esteem in their com-
munity. Therefore they aspire to be pillars in
the church, legal lights, or to fill an honored po-
sition in the pulpit ; failing this they enter by
preference one of the professions as lawyer or
doctor. They are cordial, genial people with a
jovial smile and a hearty handshake that makes
one glad to meet them wherever they go, so they
are always welcome. They are law-abiding and
just but inclined to temper their justice with
mercy; and while they themselves live lives be-
yond reproach they are kind, forgiving and
lenient to those of a weaker morality whose lives
are smirched by sin and crime, hence they are

INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS 425

philanthropic and always ready to give to char-
ity and benevolent work. They are not only re-
spected and esteemed but beloved in the com-
munity where they reside.

Mars as Ruling Planet.

When the enthusiastic, energetic, construct-
ive and militant Mars is the well-aspected life
ruler, the people born under the influence of his
dynamic rays are eager for the fray and battle of
life. They are ensouled with an ardent desire
to conquer the world. To them it does not so
much matter what they do so long as it affords an
adequate outlet for the constructive energy
which, figuratively speaking, threatens to burst
them unless released. The bigger and more dif-
ficult the undertaking, the more they exult;
hence they become the pioneers and pathfinders
of civilization, the engineers and contractors who
build our cities and the highways and byways
that connect them, who develop the resources of
the world and turn them over to others to use.
They are extremely impatient of restraint and
will brook no interference with their plans or
methods. These people govern other^ and bend
them to their will by the whiplash of sheer force
for they have neither tact nor diplomacy but
win by the merit of might. They 'earn money
easily and spend it as lavishly and foolishly.
They are extremely extravagant and when re-

426 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

verses come they are down and out for the time
being but they never stay down ; the indomitable
inner force soon accomplishes rehabilitation and
with it the old reckless ways of living reassert
themselves. They are generally foolhardy to a
degree, hence liable to accidents and a violent
end.

J? Uranus as Ruling Planet.

When the original, romantic and eccentric
well-aspected Uranus is life ruler the character
is idealistic, unconventional and Utopian. These
people are generally out of patience with the con-
ventional ways of living and determined in their
efforts and endeavors to break the shackles of
society and live a bohemian life. They are full
of fads and given to unusual beliefs, too ad-
vanced for the majority. At the same time they
are pioneers of a new age in which many of the
ideas we now consider Utopian will be modified
so that they will be held by all. These people
are also the inventors of the world, in touch with
the higher worlds where ideas merge from the
Divine Mind to impinge upon the minds of those
who^are sufficiently sensitive to grasp them and
bring them to birth for the use of humanity. The
Uranians are very headstrong and always ready
with an argument to defend their ideas and se-
cure a convert to their cults; odd in dress, in
food, in ideas, they are a class apart.

INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS 427

tp Neptune as Ruling Planet.

When the occult and mystical well-aspected
Neptune is life ruler we have a person of a most
peculiar power whose chief mark is a strange
expression of the eye which must be seen to be
appreciated. It is as if he looked right through
and through whatever is before him, but it is
not necessary to discuss this type for there are
so few that they are very seldom encountered by
the average astrologer and only an occultist can
know and judge another occultist.

THE INFLUENCE OF AFFLICTED RULING PLANETS

When the life rulers are afflicted by the conjunc-
tion, parallel, square and opposition from the other
planets, especially from the malefics — Saturn, Mars,
Uranus and Neptune — they affect the life in an inim-
ical manner which may be outlined as follows:

O The Sun as Ruling Planet.

When the cowardly, arrogant and ego-
tistical Sun is life ruler, people born under his
debilitating influence are egotistical in the ex-
treme, full of swagger, self-importance and ar-
rogance. If they obtain authority over anyone
whom they think they can overawe they will
rule such dependents with a rod of iron, tram-
ple upon their tenderest feelings without a
twinge of conscience or compunction, but if they

428 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

themselves come under the authority of another
these spineless weaklings will then cringe, creep
and cater to the slightest whim of their master
though they hate him with an intense hatred that
is only kept in check by their fear. They whine
and wheedle at the faintest frown though ready
to spring and devour him if only they dared. It
is the signature of one of the most despicable
characters in the gamut.

$ Venus as Ruling Planet.

When the slovenly, slothful and lazy af-
flicted Venus is ruler of the horoscope the
persons are sensual and profligate, untidy and
slatternly, of depraved, perverted tastes and ut-
terly disreputable in their conduct; they are
social parasites. They use loud and obscene lan-
guage and are fond of music of a clanging, jar-
ring nature. They love revelry and debauch,
their affection expresses itself in coarse lusts, un-
bridled passion, free love and moral perversion.
They revel in spangles and tinsel, loud, clashing
colors and cheap imitations of beauty and worth.

% Mercury as Ruling Planet.

When the untruthful, dishonest and clumsy
afflicted Mercury is life ruler the people un-
der his influence are either entirely mentally
unsound so that they must be confined for their
own good in proper institutions, or they are so
cunning that they are able to hide their mental

INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS 429

bias and prey upon society as thieves, pick-
pockets, defaulters and criminals of similar na-
ture. They are notoriously untruthful and pre-
fer misleading others to telling the truth, even
where it is of no benefit to them. They are either
dull of comprehension or of such consummate
cunning that they seem to be driven by a resi.st-
less force to get the best of some unsuspecting
person. They excel as confidence men, badgers
and in similar unsavory occupations. They are
thoroughly unreliable and dishonest in all their
dealings; neurotic and perverted, scabs on so-
ciety. These people are also inveterate talkers
and always ready to criticise, slander or ruin the
reputation of others. They are a menace to so-
ciety in all their activities.

The Moon as Ruling Planet.

When the changeable and visionary af-
flicted Moon is life ruler it makes the persons
extremely restless and averse to labor of any
kind, fidgety and always on the move ; if they
cannot travel from one city to another, they
move from one house to another and from one
situation to another as often as possible and they
infuse the same restlessness into whomsoever they
come in contact with. If the afflictions are very
severe the mind suffers and their mental phases
coincide with the changes of the orb of night.

430 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

i? Saturn as Ruling Planet.

When the morbid, melancholy and mali-
cious afflicted Saturn is life ruler he robs life
of all joy and brightness so that the people be-
come recluses and melancholy misanthropes; so
miserly and avaricious that they will starve
themselves and forego the comforts of life even
when they have ample means to satisfy them.
They are cruel, hard and suspicious of the acts
and motives of others and if they take up work
as a detective they become human ferrets, blood-
hounds who will hound their prey to death and
gloat over the misery. If any one frustrates
such people they will hold spite forever and aim
to get even, if it takes a lifetime. But the end
of these people is always bad ; sometime or other
they overreach and fall into the trap they have
set for others. They usually die an ignoble death
and the world gives a sigh of relief when they
pass out.

H Jupiter as Ruling Planet.

When the indolent, bombastic and ego-
tistical afflicted Jupiter is the life ruler the per-
son is often a parasite on the social tree, a gam-
bler, confidence man and speculator, sporty, fond
of display and ostentation ; he wears loud cloth-
ing, paste diamonds and cheap jewelry. He is
usually met with in pool rooms, on race tracks
and in similar places; playing poker or playing

INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS 431

the ponies are among his favorite means of earn-
ing a living; he is very loud and egotistical,
anxious to attract attention no matter how; he
often figures in court proceedings on account of
shady transactions or immoral conduct or unpaid
bills, for he is an adept at obtaining credit for
everything he wants and never pays the price of
his expensive tastes if there is any way of avoid-
ing a settlement of his debts. Among the labor-
ing class he usually figures as a demagogue and
agitator, inciting to strikes and riots, but he is
always ready to sell out a striking union to the
employers. We find them among the typical
Italian padrones, as keepers of sweat-shops, and
in similar occupations.

Mars as Ruling Planet.

When the arrogant, egotistical and fool-
hardy afflicted Mars is life ruler the person is an
egotist of the first water, bound to attain to his
wishes by force or destruction if other means
fail; in fact he prefers to bulldoze others to do
his will rather than to have them submit without
a struggle. He is a first-rate slave driver, section
boss on the railway, in a construction camp and
similar places, a liar, braggart, bouncer, or pugil-
ist, a daredevil willing to risk his life and the
lives of others at any moment and in any under-
taking.

432 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

1$ Uranus as Ruling Planet.

When the stubborn, erratic and independ-
ent afflicted Uranus is life ruler the men-
tality is usually so obsessed in one direction or
another that the person becomes a fanatic and
generally also there is an excessive sensuality
and perverted taste. They are always ready
and anxious for an argument as a means of air-
ing their ideas but they are so hypnotized by
their own particular fad that they are never con-
vinced and can never see when the argument
goes against them. They always espouse the
most radical and unconventional ideas.

tp Neptune as Ruling Planet.

When the mediumistic, neurotic and self-
indulgent afflicted Neptune is life ruler, the
person is of a dreamy, neurotic and negative
nature, apt to become the medium of disem-
bodied spirits or even obsessed by them. They
are likely to evolve psychic powers of a low grade
such as involuntary clairvoyance, crystal gazing,
etc., and if they are unable to develop these fac-
ulties they often stimulate mediumship and other
psychic gifts for the purpose of duping or de-
frauding others. They have a strong faculty of
imitation and easily become adepts at deception.

INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS 433
THE SIGNS AS MENTAL SIGNIFICATORS

When the Cardinal Signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra
and Capricorn, are on the angles, that is to say, the
Ascendant, Midheaven, Fourth and Seventh Houses,
it is a general indication that the person is mentally
alert, quick to grasp an idea, active and enthusiastic
in whatever work he undertakes; one who has organ-
izing and executive ability and is capable of carrying
whatever enterprise he may start to success; a bold,
brave, indomitable spirit. This is especially true
when many planets are in Cardinal Signs and these
people may be classed as the business men of the
world.

When the Fixed Signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and
Aquarius are on the angles it indicates a thoughtful
but slow and plodding type of mind which requires
time to come to a decision. They always look before
they leap but when they have made up their minds
they adhere to the course mapped out with a remark-
able patience and perseverance which in the end in-
sures success. They are very reliable and can be de-
pended upon to keep their word and meet their obli-
gations. Their principal fault is that they are too
apt to get into a rut and become narrow-minded.
They are very original and may be classed as the in-
ventors of the world. These delineations are espe
cially true when many planets are in Fixed Signs.

When the Common Signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sagit-
tarius and Pisces, are on the angles the mind is flighty

28

434 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

and superficial, wavering and versatile. These people
are often very quick to grasp a point and form a
decision, but just as ready to forget and change their
minds. They are adepts at imitation and often pre-
tend to virtues or abilities entirely foreign to their
nature. They are easily swayed by the winds of
emotion ; one moment they may be highly elated over
some small matter and the next a trifling trouble
bows them down to earth. They are inconstant and
unreliable in all their dealings with others because
they do not know their minds two minutes in suc-
cession. They constitute the agents and middlemen
of the world, where they occupy a subordinate or
serving position. These delineations are particularly
apt when many planets are in Common Signs.

MENTAL EFFECT OF THE RISING SIGN

When there are no planets on the Ascendant the
rising sign has considerable influence on the type of
mind.

T Aries rising gives an energetic, enthusiastic and
ambitious type of mind, but inclined to rash and
impulsive acts and a quick temper.

b Taurus rising gives a stubborn, headstrong and
selfish nature, envious, covetous and malicious
when angered.

n Gemini rising gives a quick, alert and versatile
mind, easily adaptable to conditions but so fluidic

MENTAL EFFECT OF RISING SIGN 435

that it lacks the ability absolutely essential to
sustained effort and lasting success.

S-> Cancer rising gives a negative, imaginative and
receptive type of mind, sometimes of a rather
morbid nature, reserved and mistrustful ; but
when such a person has made up his mind to
do something he is usually very tenacious in his
adherence to his ideas; sympathetic, hospitable,
and kind.

SI Leo rising gives a frank, open, ambitious mind ; a
powerful will and a proud, honorable and kind
disposition but inclined to be hasty, quick-tem-
pered, sensual and apt to go to extremes.

TO? Virgo gives a critical, scheming and ingenious
mind, able to evolve ideas galore but usually lack-
ing the initiative to carry them out unless prod-
ded by others. These people are very selfish,,
self-centered and reserved. They do not take
other people into their confidence and they sel-
dom become really familiar with anyone.

=2= Libra rising gives an easy-going but kindly and
sympathetic type of mind which is unable to-
grasp or cope with the exigencies of existence.
Therefore these people drift along the stream of
life, taking as much of the sweet as they can get
and using every effort to avoid the bitter. They
crave approbation but in return adore their
friends and are usually bound up in them.

436 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

1TL Scorpio rising gives a dual type of mind. This is
one of the most mystical of the twelve. Some-
times it is symbolized as an eagle representing
the lofty, aspiring type soaring as does the eagle
into the ether. At other times it is typified as
a serpent which crawls in the dust,- and again as
a scorpion. There is also considerable occult
significance in the fact that the serpent has the
sting in its head and the scorpion has it in its
tail. B'ut for the present purpose we will judge
the two latter as one.

The Scorpio type of mind denoted by the
eagle is thoughtful, reserved and inclined to
lofty ideals; dignified in demeanor, proud and
with perfect control of the temper. These peo-
ple are very reserved and generally keep their
own counsel.

The other type when Scorpio is represented
by the serpent is entirely different; deceitful,
shrewd and secretive; past finding out; sensual
and unforgiving; jealous and passionate, with a
very ,sharp tongue and fiery temper.

J Sagittarius rising gives an energetic, aspiring,
benevolent mind but rather lacking in ambition.
These people are usually of an ardent, affection-
ate disposition and sometimes very demonstra-
tive.

V3 Capricorn rising gives a tactful, diplomatic, deep
and thoughtful type of mind but selfish, envious

MENTAL EFFECT OF RISING SIGN 437

and covetous. These people are apt to get into
a rut and become very narrow, and when they
are crossed they hold spite and plan revenge.
They are self-reliant and persistent in whatever
they undertake.

Aquarius rising gives a good intellect, a friendly,
sympathetic and humane disposition, but these
people are very original and independent; they
will brook no interference with their vagaries
and pursue their own course regardless of what
others say or think, sometimes even against their
own reason but just to assert their independence.

Pisces rising gives a sentimental and romantic
type of mind, inclined to worry and restlessness,
apt to turn to the occult, and mystical ideas.
The mind is very sensitive and often takes on the
conditions of others with the effect of unsettling
and troubling the person.