CHAPTER VI.

THE INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS

THE nature of gun powder which causes it to ex-
plode under certain circumstances is neither good
nor bad, the quality of its action is determined by the
way its power is used. When it furthers the welfare
of the community it is called good, and evil when
used in a manner derogatory to our well being; so
also with the planets, they are neither good nor evil,
each has its intrinsic nature and acts in a manner
consonant therewith save as modified by the circum-
stances under which its powers are exerted. When
we know the nature of a sign and the nature of a
planet, we may combine the two, and thus obtain the
correct reading of the stellar script by our own rea-
soning instead of depending upon authorities. For
instance, the Sun is hot, full of vital force, and
exercises an influence that buoys us up in body and
spirit. When its rays fall upon us with moderate
strength it makes us stronger and more cheerful, for
there is an atmosphere of generosity, out-going love
and kindliness in the Sun. Thus if the Sun at birth
is in the weak sign, Cancer, naturally the effect would
be to modify the weak constitution described in the
foregoing signature of the signs ; the heat of the Sun
112

INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS 113

would give a more florid complexion to the Cancer
person, the general health and recuperative powers
would be materially augmented, not to speak of the
changes that would be manifested in the disposition,
giving more ambition, hopefulness and buoyancy to
the temperament. Suppose, on the other hand, that
the Sun is in Aries when that sign is rising at the
birth of a person, then the fire of the Sun, added to
the fire of the sign Aries, will increase the boldness
and the intrepidity of the person to such a degree
that it may become foolhardiness, particularly, if
Mars, the ruler of Aries, is also there and increases
the warlike tendencies. Those are characteristics,
but the physical body will also suffer from this ex-
cessive heat, the blood will race through the veins of
such a person like a Niagara of liquid fire, and fevers
would be a frequent experience, as the superabund-
ance of vitality burns out the physical casement.
Were the cold, slow and sluggish Saturn there in-
stead of the Sun and Mars, he might squelch almost
all of the Aries characteristics both mental and
physical. If we consider Aries symbolized by a
stove in which a fire is burning, it would make the
same difference whether the hot Mars, or the cold
Saturn, were placed there, as it makes a difference
whether we pour oil or water into the stove. Simi-
larly, all the other planets produce various results,
according to their intrinsic natures and their various
combinations. For the sake of lucidity and ready
reference, let us first set down the word which de-

114 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

scribes best the most salient characteristics of each
planet.

The Sun Life

Venus Coalition

Mercury Reason

The Moon Fecundation

Saturn Obstruction

Jupiter Idealism

Mars Dynamic Energy

Uranus Altruism

Neptune Divinity

In the foregoing, the essential natures of the
planets have been given ; where they are well aspected
by another planet these natural characteristics are
enhanced so far as the benefic planets are concerned,
but when evilly aspected, the nature of Venus,
which is love and rhythm, becomes folly, licentious-
ness and sloth; the philosophy, law-abidrag tenden-
cies, mercy and lofty aspirations of Jupiter turn into
lawlessness, disregard of others, a ad low pursuits;
the lofty spirituality of the Sun will express itself
as just animal spirits and physical health. In regard
to the planets of the lower nature, good aspects of
Mars turn the desires toward constructive objects,
and well regulated activities, while evil aspects are
responsible for the destructive expression of the de-
sire nature. Saturn, when well aspected, gives me-
chanical and executive ability capable of directing

INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS 115

the desire nature. It shows the brainy, persevering
man able to cope with, and conquer, material obsta-
cles; the organizer and the promoter; the scientific
investigator, who follows material lines. As Jupi-
ter, well aspected, denotes the high-minded philoso-
pher, the worthy law-giver, the sincere and ardent
priest, in fact, all who have high and lofty aspira-
tions, so Saturn, when evilly aspected, denotes the
evilly-minded, creed-bound sectarian, the material-
ist, and enemies of society, whether church or state.
As Jupiter gives the lofty, expansive and benevo-
lent mind, so Saturn, evilly aspected, gives a sarcas-
tic, concrete and narrow tendency.

It is wonderful to contemplate how the planet-
ary forces balance each other so perfectly that uni-
versal equilibrium is maintained despite the disturb-
ances of the 1500 millions which inhabit the earth
alone, not to speak of other spheres. Every moment
of time our actions, individually and collectively,,
interfere with terestrial equipoise, and were not this
instantly restored, the earth must leave its orbit, fly
off at a tangent and destroyed. Nor are physical
disturbances most potent in disturbing or restoring
balance, it is a fallacy to confound solidity and rig-
idity with strength, as most thoroughly explained in.
our lecture No. 19 : The Coming Force. A train has
no strength itself, but must be solid because it is
operated upon by an invisible gas called steam.
There is no force in a rigid hammer ; but when driven
by a column of flexible liquid, like water, backed by

116 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

an clastic cushion of compressed air, the force stored
In the air drives the powerful hydraulic ram irresist-
ibly through whatever comes before it. Likewise
subtle invisible stellar rays are the factors which
maintain our ponderous planet in its path, and
spiritual disturbances generated by mankind are
naturally the most subtle force which interferes with
the earth's equipoise.

Therefore each planet has its opposite, and ev-
ery time we radiate the quality of one planet, we
call forth a counter current of corresponding force,
and by the action and reaction of those forces in and
upon us and our environment we learn the lessons of
life. Do we vibrate to the love ray of Venus, instantly
Mar.s comes to tempt, and tries to turn love to lust,
but it depends upon US whether we remain steadfast
in virtue or yield to vice. Do we court the ideal of
Jupiter; do we aim to elevate the standards of
-church or state, instantly the Saturnine forces invite
.to self-aggrandizement and appeal to the passion for
power. With us it lies to remain true to the ideal and
reap laurels that last through eternity, or yield to the
promise of present gain of worthless gold which we
repay in sorrow when Saturn turns and becomes the
chastiser. Each horoscope shows the tendencies in
even the humblest life, and opportunity continu-
ally knocks. May we all be prepared to meet it as
spiritual astrologers.

HOW TO TEST THE HOROSCOPE 117

How to Test the Horoscope

It sometimes happens that a momentary mental
aberration causes even the best of mathematicians to
make a mistake in his figures and if an error occurs
when casting a horoscope an immense amount of
labor may be wasted before it is discovered. There
is an easy method of verifying the figure in the main
points by a glance at the position of the Sun which
the cautious astrologer never neglects to make use of,
and we would specially recommend it to beginners
who are naturally more prone to miscalculate than
those who have long experience.

When you have calculated the place of the Sun
and entered it in its proper house and sign, note at
once if its position coincides with its actual place in
the sky at the time of day when the child was born.
If the birth occurred about sunrise, the Sun must be
near the ascendant; if in the middle of the forenoon
the Sun should be somewhere in the eleventh house,
if near noon the Sun will be found near, the Mid-
heaven in a correctly cast horoscope, and in the
middle of the afternoon it is in the eighth house. A
child born near sunset has its sun close to the cusp
between the sixth and seventh houses, and if the
birth occurs about 9 p. m., the Sun will be in or near
the fifth house. When birth is at midnight the Sun
is near the nadir, and a child born about 3 o'clock
in the morning has the Sun in or near the second
house.

If you find that the Sun is in its proper position

118 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

relative to the houses, you may confidently proceed
with your calculations and place the other planets.
If not, you have made a mistake which must be cor-
rected before you go further.

When someone hands you a horoscope calculated
by another astrologer and asks you to read it, look
first at the time of birth and then see if the Sun is in
its proper position relative to the houses, and the
light sign as determined by the month, for if you
start to read from an improperly cast horoscope you
lay yourself liable to ridicule. Suppose Saturn were
on the ascendant and you accuse that person of be-
ing melancholy; when he denies the indications and
you discover that Mars and Mercury should be there
in Scorpio, it is not probable that he will accept
your explanations; he will more likely sneer at as-
trology and astrologers; nor can we deny that from
his point of view such condemnation is justified.
Therefore be careful to look at the Sun. Other mis-
takes may occur, but that is the most serious and the
most easily detected.