Читать книгу The Influence of the Stars - Rosa Baughan - Страница 8

Table of Contents

The zodiac is a band or belt, measuring about 14 degrees in breadth, but, as Venus sometimes appears to have more than her real latitude, it is more correctly considered to be 18 degrees in breadth. The ecliptic, or path of the Sun, passes exactly through the centre of the zodiac, longitudinally.

The ancients divided the zodiac into ten signs—Libra being omitted altogether, Virgo and Scorpio being merged into one, thus: Virgo-Scorpio. This accounts for the similarity of their symbols, .

Ptolemy divides the zodiac into twelve equal parts, of 30 degrees each. He says: "The beginning of the whole zodiacal circle (which in its nature as a circle can have no other beginning or end capable of being determined) is, therefore, assumed to be the sign Aries, which commences at the vernal equinox in March."

One of the many objections urged against Ptolemy's system of astrology is that the signs are continually moving from their positions; but Ptolemy seems to have been aware of this motion of the signs, and has met this objection by what he says in the twenty-fifth chapter of the first book of the Tetra-biblos, where he makes it clear that the respective influences he ascribes to the twelve signs were considered by him to belong rather to the places they occupied in the ambient than to the stars of which they are composed; and he especially speaks of the ambient as producing the effects attributed to the respective signs of the zodiac when in the ascendant in a nativity; thus his astrology is just as applicable to modern astronomy as it was to his own.

The signs have been divided into four triplicities, thus: fiery , , ; earthy, , , ; airy, , , ; and watery, , , .

The bicorporal, or double-bodied, signs are , , and the first half of . The fruitful signs are , , ; the barren signs are , , and .

These descriptions are useful in showing the modifications brought to bear (by the sign ascending) on the planet's influence. But, when no planets are in or near the ascendant at birth, the following descriptions of the temperament and form of body produced by each sign ascending at birth should be used.

Aries () is a hot and fiery sign and produces a lean body, spare and strong, large bones, grey eyes, with a quick glance and sandy or red-coloured hair. The temper is violent. It governs the head and face; its colour is white.

Taurus () differs greatly, in its effects, from the preceding sign; it is cold and dry, and gives a broad brow and thick lips. A person born under it is melancholy and slow to anger but, when roused, furious and difficult to be appeased. It governs the neck and throat; its colour is red.

Gemini () is in nature hot and moist and produces a person of straight, tall body, sanguine complexion, brilliant eyes and light brown hair. The temperament of those born under Gemini is lively and the understanding good. This sign governs the arms and shoulders; its colours are red and white.

Cancer () is by nature cold and moist; it produces a native fair and pale, short in stature, with a round face, sand-coloured brown hair and grey eyes. Those born under it are phlegmatic, indolent and gentle tempered. Women born under this sign generally have many children. It governs the breast and stomach; its colours are green and russet-brown.

Leo () is a fiery, hot and dry sign. When it rises at birth without any planet being near the ascendant, the native will be of tall stature, with yellow hair, ruddy complexion and oval face, and he will have a quick glance and a strong voice. It governs the heart, the back and the neck; its colours are red and green.

Virgo () is an earthy, cold, barren, feminine sign. When it ascends, it shows a well-formed body, slender and tall, straight, dark-brown hair and a round face. The mind of the native is ingenious, but rather inconstant. It governs the belly; its colour is black speckled with blue.

Libra () is an aërial, sanguine, masculine, hot and moist sign. Rising at birth it produces a well-made body, with long limbs, an oval and beautiful face, sanguine complexion, straight flaxen hair and grey eyes. Those born under it are courteous, just and honourable. It governs the loins; and the colours under its rule are black, crimson and tawny.

Scorpio () is a moist, phlegmatic, feminine sign. It gives a strong, corpulent body, low stature, thick legs, hair growing low on the forehead and heavy eyebrows. Those born under this sign are reserved, thoughtful, subtle and malicious. It governs the lower parts of the body; the colour under its rule is brown.

Sagittarius () is a fiery, masculine sign. The person born under its rule is handsome, with a rather long face and features, chestnut hair, inclined to baldness and ruddy complexion; the body strong and active. Those born under this sign are fond of field sports, are good riders, and are lovers of animals. They are kindly, generous and careless of danger. This sign governs the thighs and hips, and rules yellow and green.

Capricorn () is an earthy, cold, dry, feminine sign. It produces a person of slender stature, with a long neck, narrow chest and dark hair. The mind is quick, witty and subtle. It governs the knees and hams and, in colours, it rules black or dark brown.

Aquarius () is an airy, moist, masculine sign. In a nativity where no planets are in or near the ascendant, it would produce a person of a well-set, strong body, long face and delicate complexion, with brown hair. It governs the legs and ankles and rules the sky-colour or blue.

Pisces () is a watery, cold and feminine sign. It produces a person of short stature and fleshy body, with a rather stooping gait. Those born under its influence are indolent and phlegmatic. It governs the feet and toes and presides over the pure white colour. It is needful to remember the colours belonging to the signs, as they are especially useful in horary questions.