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First Eighteen Decanates Analyzed

First Eighteen Decanates Analyzed

THE Hermetic System of Natal Astrology is different from the systems that today
find favor with the vast majority of astrologers only in that it embraces additional
features. It departs from prevalent methods seldom, and then only where experience,
based on thousands of charts analyzed by The Church of Light Research Department,
proves those methods in error. But in addition to the factors commonly employed by
the most successful astrologers, it contains others which promote greater precision,
and which give the science far greater practical utility.

As lending itself to precision, instead of rules so general in application as to be vague,
a definite and specific statement is presented for each position, aspect and relation
found in the chart. Natal astrology is not divination; although a wide variety of
systems may be devised of using astrology as a divinatory agent, any one of which in
the hands of an expert will yield good results. Instead, it is the actual measurement of
those thought-elements within a certain person, and a mapping of their relations to
each other which express as his character; and the plotting of when these factors of
his character will be stimulated into a given activity and will thus tend to attract
events of a specific type.

A Person Receiving a Birth-Chart Should Be Told What It Represents

–A birth-chart is an accurate map of those thought components within the astral
body which constitute the character with which the individual was born. In its ascent
through innumerable lower forms of life, the soul had experiences of various kinds.
The awareness and emotions accompanying the experiences built
thought-elements into the high-velocity, or stellar, body. Through other experiences
these thought-elements became organized as stellar cells, and these in turn into
dynamic stellar structures.

The most powerful of these thought-structures in the astral body are mapped by the
planets in the birth-chart; and their outstanding relations to other dynamic
thought-structures are mapped by the aspects in the birth-chart.

Thoughts, in the sense we here use the term, embrace every form of consciousness
and include the sensations felt by even the lowest forms of life. All life-forms react to
environment through an awareness which builds mental elements into their finer
forms. And a birth-chart is a map of an individual’s character, that is, of the thought
organizations of his finer body.

These thought-groups and the way they are organized thus indicate the natural
aptitudes with which the individual was born, and also, because the thought-cells, or
stellar-cells, work from the inner plane to demonstrate the kind of events they desire,
the type of events that will come into the life unless some effort is made to change the
character, that is, to change the thought-combinations in the finer form.

When the individual receiving a reading understands this, he will no longer consider
his birth-chart as an instrument of fatality. Instead, he will perceive that it shows him
what changes in his character he must make to improve his destiny; and that his
destiny can thus be improved.

In Connection With Each Department of Life Should Be Shown What Will Be Attracted, and Why, if Nothing Special Is Done About It.

–The houses of a birth-chart map the compartments in the astral body which contain
the thought-cells and thought-structures relating to each of the 12 departments of life.
The planet in a house, or ruling it by sign, maps the most active thought-structures in
the astral body which have an influence upon the department of life so designated.

The thought-elements mapped by a planet are of the type indicated by that planet.
This determines the type of activity they possess: aggressive, social, domestic,
abundance, poverty, etc.

These thought-elements are combined with the thought-elements mapped by other
planets to form the stellar-cells of which the astral body is composed. That is, even as
all living physical matter is composed of protoplasm, which is a combination of
chemical elements, so is the high-velocity astral body composed of psychoplasm
formed of thought-elements in various kinds of combinations.

The physical body is built of cells of protoplasm and their secretions, and the astral
body, wherein resides the character, is built of thought-cells, or stellar-cells as they
also are called. These stellar-cells are not all alike, but are composed of
thought-elements of various kinds and in different proportions. They, in turn, enter
into the formation of stellar structures, Just as the physical cells are organized into the
bony structure, the muscular structure, the nervous structure, etc., of the physical
body.

The manner in which the elements have combined to produce thought-cells and
stellar structures in the astral body is mapped in the birth-chart by the aspects
between the planets which rule the different types of thought-elements.

An aspect, furthermore, indicates that a line has been built across the astral body
which has the function of picking up, radio fashion, the vibratory energies radiated
by the two planets involved in the aspect. That is, it performs the function of a stellar
aerial by which new energy reaches the thought-cells in the astral body and gives
them the power to do work from the high-velocity plane where they reside.

The planet in, or otherwise ruling, a house in a birth-chart thus indicates by its nature
the kind of thought-elements that are dominant in relation to a certain department of
life–such as health, finances, marriage, honor, etc.–and by its aspects to other
planets indicates how these thought-elements have combined with other
thought-elements, and the amount of harmony or discord they tend to express.

From the volume and type of energy these thought-elements express, together with
their harmonious or discordant relations to other departments of life, as indicated by
the aspects which map both stellar aerials and the way the thought-elements at either
end of the aerial have combined, can be estimated both the natural aptitudes of the
individual in reference to the things thus designated, and whether, and to what extent,
he will attract fortune or misfortune in reference to this department of life.

Whatever comes to him, of course, is the result of his own character; the aptitudes
and normal activities of which are mapped in the birth-chart. Every complete reading
of a birth-chart, therefore, should define the aptitudes and indicate what, unless
special steps are taken to alter the destiny, may be expected in each of the 12
departments of the individual’s life.

It Should Be Shown What Can Be Done About Changing the Destiny of Each Department of Life.

— Of what benefit is it to an individual to understand what a birth-chart is, and what
kind of fortune he may expect in each of the 12 departments of life, unless he also
knows what can be done to make his destiny more satisfactory?

The value of understanding what a birth-chart is, and what normally may be expected
from its positions (thoroughly set forth in this course), is that this also points the way
to what can be done, in reference to each department of life, to attract events and
conditions more to the liking. That is, if both the abilities and the fortune or
misfortune attracted in reference to business, money, marriage, honor, friends, etc.,
are due to organizations and activities of thought-energies within the astral form, by
changing these organizations and activities the abilities and fortune both will be
altered.

So far as health is concerned, Course XVI gives the more common birth-chart
indications, and also the more common progressed indications, of 160 different
diseases, and what should be done to prevent these birth predispositions from
developing diseases. In the reference book, Body Disease and Its Stellar Treatment1,
the statistical analysis of 700 birth-charts progressed to the time of one of seven
common diseases is presented, together with a detailed explanation of the proper
precautionary measures. In the reference book, How to Select a Vocation1
there isstatistical analysis of 3,000 birth-charts and 30 vocations, which is presented in such
a way as completely to cover the subject of astrological vocational selection. And in
the reference book, When and What Events Will Happen1, there is the statistical
analysis of 2,000 charts progressed to the time of events, and explanation of the
precautionary actions that must be taken to make each type of event analyzed more
fortunate.

Course IX goes into the details of how to change, in the most beneficial manner, the
thought-cell composition, and the desires of the thought-cells, within the astral body.
And the present course treats natal astrology very thoroughly from the standpoint of
the best thing to be done in relation to each position of the birth-chart and each
progressed aspect.

I believe the skill of an astrologer, and his real worth, should be measured by his
ability to instruct his client on the best possible method of making those changes in
himself and his environment that will enable him, in each of the 12 departments of his
life, to have a far better destiny than his birth-chart otherwise indicates; and I believe
that such valuable information should form an essential part of every complete
birth-chart reading.

The Person Receiving a Reading Should Be Told What a Progressed Aspect
Represents.–A progressed aspect may be inevitable in the heavens, like rain or
snow, heat or cold, wind or calm; but its effect on the individual is determined by the
way he handles it. It means that a temporary stellar aerial is built across his astral
body, for the duration of the aspect, which picks up the energies of both planets
involved; and picks them up either harmoniously or loaded with static, according to
the nature of the aspect.

It is so much additional energy of a given kind, reaching the thought-cells in a certain
compartment of the astral body, and causing them to become unusually active. It is
the unusual inner-plane activities of these thought-cells which attract into the life at
that time the indicated events.

The Person Receiving a Reading Should Be Told What Events Each Progressed Aspect During the Period Covered May Be Expected to Bring If Nothing Special Is Done About It.

— That is, he should, in connection with each progressed aspect, be informed as to
what thoughts, impulses and tendencies are stimulated in his unconscious mind, how
they are stimulated, and what events may be expected to come into the life from the
inner-plane work of these unusually active thought-cells.

The Person Receiving a Reading Should Be Told, In Connection With Each Progressed Aspect During the Period Covered, the Very Best Method of Causing the Energies to Attract, Not What They Otherwise Would, But What He Wants Them to Attract.

–In PREDICTING EVENTS, for instance, is indicated what normally may be
expected from a progressed aspect to each planet, what to do under a progressed
affliction to each planet, and what to do under a favorable progressed aspect to each
planet. And in this section of the course is indicated how Rallying Forces, the
Environment, Mental Antidotes, and Conversion, may advantageously be
employed. Course IX goes further into the details of properly directing
thought-energies to change beneficially the factors mapped in the birth-chart or
stimulated by progressed aspects.

The Person Receiving a Reading Should Be Given a Chart Correctly Erected for the Time of Day, as Well as for the Year, Month, Day, and Place of Birth.

–Astrology has become so interwoven in the public mind with fortune-telling that
great effort is needed to set people aright concerning the difference. All too often
broadside mass readings and psychic readings are called astrological. But a correctly
erected birth-chart for the TIME OF DAY of birth, will indicate that the factors for a
personal reading have, at least, been calculated. Without the time of day of birth the
house positions of the chart cannot be known, and unless the house positions of the
chart are known, the compartment of the astral body whose thought-cells receive
unusual amounts of energy cannot be determined. It is from the compartments of the
astral body receiving energy of a special type and volume that the department of life
affected must be ascertained.

It is true that astrology can be used as a divinatory instrument. It is probably the most
valuable of all divinatory instruments, and certainly is more widely used as a
divinatory instrument than any other. Horary astrology, for instance, is the use of
astrology as an instrument of divination; and much of the advice appearing in current
astrological literature is based upon the divinatory use of astrology. Nor is there here
any intention of disparaging divination by astrology, by the tarot cards, by numbers,
or by other well tested methods. A wide variety of systems may be devised, and have
been devised, of using astrology as a divinatory agent, any one of which in the hands
of an expert will yield good results.

But it cannot be emphasized often enough that Natal Astrology is something quite
different in that it maps actual thought-organizations that comprise the character, and
plots when these thought-organizations will receive additional energy of a given
kind from the planets in such a manner as to cause them to work from their
high-velocity plane to attract events of a corresponding nature into the life.

I am here presenting views as to what should be included in every complete reading
of a birth-chart, quite well aware that as yet only a small section of the public has been
educated to an appreciation of either the work involved in such a thorough reading, of
its tremendous value to the person possessing such a complete reading. I well realize
that the astrologer cannot do the work here outlined for a dollars.

Nor can the professional astrologer afford to give the detailed and constant study to a
birth-chart that an individual is warranted in giving to his own. To his own chart any
person will be amply repaid to give a great amount of time and attention; for it can be
used as a ROAD MAP to guide the course of his life into channels of success he never
could reach without its aid. In no other way can an individual gain so much from
every department of his life as he can through the intelligent use of such a STELLAR
MAP OF BIRTH.

What a Complete Astrological Reading Should Include

–In a matter that, through placing reliance on it, may change the whole course of life
and destiny, cheap work, through proving unreliable, may prove terribly expensive.
And if it is not of a character that warrants reliance being placed on it, it has no value.
It, therefore, is my conviction that natal astrology will never be esteemed as highly as
it merits until every complete reading contains these factors:

1. The person receiving the reading should be told just what the birth-chart
represents.
2. He should be told, in connection with each department of life what will be
attracted, and why, if nothing special is done about it.
3. He should be informed as to the best methods to follow to change the destiny of
each department of life in the desired direction.
4. He should be told what a progressed aspect represents.
5. He should be told what events each progressed aspect during the period covered
may be expected to attract if nothing special is done about it.
6. In connection with each progressed aspect during the period covered he should be
told the very best method of causing the energies then present to attract, not what they
otherwise would, but what he desires.
7. To show that the basis for such information is at hand he should be given an
accurately erected chart for the TIME OF DAY of birth.

ARIES–1st Decanate. To picture the possibilities of the first decanates of the zodiac
the masters of old traced in the sky a starry triangle. This
constellation–TRIANGULUM–symbolizes the divine fire that those born under
the first decanate of Aries have the capacity to inhale. When living in their highest
they are true leaders in thought; for the triangle, ever used as a symbol of flame, is
also used as a symbol of mind. And again, by its three sides united into one figure, it
represents the union of body, mind, and spirit–thus teaching the importance of
co-operation. The pioneer spirit of Aries is expressed in this decanate in all its fiery
fullness. Zeal and enthusiasm mark the progress of its children. The Aries-decanate
of Aries, sub-ruled by the aggressive lord of war, ever seeks new worlds to conquer.
And when the thoughts are permitted to soar untrammeled upward, even as the
triangle points to heaven, those born under this influence become the harbingers of
better things. But when the lower marital power gains sway they become the
avenging agents of death and destruction.

Dr. J. M. Peebles, the great pioneer of spiritualism, had this as his Spiritual polarity,
having been born when the Sun was in this decanate. Emperor Paul of Russia had this
portion of the zodiac for Mental polarity, the Moon being there when he was born.
And Proclus, the great Greek Neoplatonic philosopher, who scaled the height of
occult initiation and so impressed his thoughts upon the times in which he lived, was
born with the Mars-decanate of Aries Ascending, this being his Physical polarity. It
is the decanate of ACTIVITY.

ARIES–2nd Decanate. The second decanate of Aries is pictured in the sky by
ERIDANUS–the River of Life–flowing from the never-failing fountain of
perpetual youth. Here we find the severity of Mars tempered by the magnanimity of
the Sun, which has sub-rulership over this decanate. It is the Leo section of Aries.
And as Leo is natural ruler of the house of love, so the water, symbol of the emotions,
bespeaks the affectional influence. Only through the affections, only in the sacred
precincts of love, does man quaff the coveted elixir that imparts eternal life. So those
born under this section of the sky may well seek this most hallowed source of power.
They become rulers of men through their inherent power to sway the minds of others.
They are born to lead rather than to serve, for this sub-influence of Leo lends a
persistent ambition for power. The heart is somewhat joined to the head, and the
more this union is cultivated the better; for the greatest lever for attainment
obtainable by the natives of this decanate is a noble affection.

Bismarck, who pioneered in statesmanship, had his Individuality in this portion of
the zodiac, the Sun being there at his birth. Le Plongeon, who pioneered in
archaeology, deciphering Mayan inscriptions and writing a work on Atlantis, had his
Mentality here, the Moon being in this decanate at his nativity. And Annie Besant,
leader of the Theosophical Society and economic pioneer, had her Personality in this
decanate, it being on the Ascendant when she was born. It is the decanate of
EXALTATION.

ARIES–3rd Decanate. PERSEUS, with the wings of thought on his feet, the helmet
of courage on his head, armed with the sword of righteousness, protected by the
shield of beneficence, and holding the blood-dripping head of Medusa in one
hand,pictures the third decanate of Aries. The sub-rulership of Jupiter diverts the
aggressive energies somewhat into religious and philosophical channels.
Consequently, this Sagittarius division of Aries has vast spiritual possibilities when
its natives espouse some progressive line of thought, or use their restless
never-failing energy in protection of the weak. Perseus gained renown through his
daring exploits in relieving oppression. And even as he severed the head of the
Gorgon Medusa, which turned to stone all who gazed upon it, so the people of this
decanate have the power to destroy the crystallizing influence of licentiousness, and
like the David-version of the same tradition, cut off the head of the Goliath of selfish
greed. They may become the valiant heroes who wage a successful fight against the
sordid conditions that oppress civilized life. In the philosophical field of endeavor
they find a useful work in releasing Andromeda, the human soul, which all too often
is found chained to the rock of materialism to be devoured by lust and envy.

Of those born with the Sun in this decanate I may mention the pioneer Theosophist,
Win. Q. Judge. As expressing the Mentality in this section of the heavens, George
Sand, world’s greatest authoress, and spiritualizer of common sights, is a fitting
example. And Dr. Rajendra Lal, whose antiquarian and research work are known far
beyond his native country, India, has his Personality polarized in this decanate,
which was on the Ascendant at his birth. It is the decanate of PROPAGANDA.

TAURUS–1st Decanate. The masters of olden times in tracing symbolic pictures in
the sky, to convey to later generations their conception of the influence of the various
sections of the heavens, sometimes pictured the highest attainment and sometimes
pictured the greatest obstacle to progress. In LEPUS–the Hare–they symbolize the
thought that timidity is the greatest bar to advancement of those born under the first
decanate of Taurus. Being the first decanate of the sign naturally ruling the house of
money, there is often a tendency to devote too much energy to the acquisition of
wealth. And as this decanate is particularly mediumistic, those born under it easily
acquire magical powers. Hence the various traditions regarding it as a place of black
magic. Yet its children become adepts at white magic just as easily if they but
overcome the lust for material things. It is only when they are blinded by physical
aims that the place of the soul’s exaltation becomes an adverse symbol. Those born
here have great natural healing power and ability to crystallize conditions to their
desires by the power of the imagination to mold astral substance.

Ulysses S. Grant, whose fixity of purpose was his most remarkable trait, was born
with his Individuality polarized in this decanate, the Sun being here. G.R.S.Mead,
who edited The Theosophical Review and did an immense amount of laborious work
to enlighten students, had his Mentality in this decanate, being the place of the Moon
in his chart. And Jerome Cardan, who became famous as a mathematician and
astrologer, had this decanate Rising at his birth. It is the decanate of
DETERMINATION.

TAURUS–2nd Decanate. In the second decanate of Taurus the fixity of purpose is
given the analytical trend through the sub-influence being that of Virgo. Therefore,
some condition in the environment is attacked and made the center upon which the
physical and mental forces are focused. The result is a conflict. And this conflict may
be to attain fame through literary or artistic production, to attain financial supremacy
through business methods, or to rise in the field of science or politics. Thus it brings a
combat for supremacy.

This thought is pictured by ORION, the most successful of all hunters, who attacked
and slew the mighty bull. The bull represents material pleasures and physical
limitations over which it is possible for those born under this decanate to rise
supreme. They have at their command an unusual supply of electromagnetism, and
can mentally attack with a force as great as the huge club wielded by the mighty arm
of Orion. Thus they cause obstacles to crumble.

Thomas H. Huxley, whose work as a scientist was so painstaking and brought him so
much opposition, was born with the Sun in this decanate. The Rt. Hon. Joseph
Chamberlain, whose political life was spent in the struggle to gain greater freedom
for the people, had his Mentality here. And another, who strove with armies, George
Washington, founder of the U.S. of America, was born with his Personality in this
section of Taurus. It is the decanate of STRUGGLE.

TAURUS–3rd Decanate. The third decanate of Taurus shows the reflective
influence of Saturn, its sub-ruler. And even as the key-phrase of Capricorn is “I Use,”
so those born under this decanate have the ability to use physical means to attain
spiritual ends. The decanate is pictured in the sky by AURIGA, the charioteer, who
with one hand guides the chariot of his soul and with the other protects and ministers
unto the weak and needy. Auriga pictures the one who has triumphed over his
environment and physical limitations and attained adeptship. Those born under this
decanate have an aptitude for true spiritual attainment. And while the progress
usually is not swift; yet, once undertaken, it becomes a sure and steady climb with
seldom setbacks. What they receive, however, largely depends upon the use they
make of the power they already possess in ministering unto the ills of others.

Elizabeth D. Benjamine, who labored so successfully as a teacher of Brotherhood of
Light classes for 23 years, and was one of the three founders of The Church of Light,
was born with her Individuality in this decanate. Fred H. Skinner, who labored
successfully as a teacher of Brotherhood of Light classes for 21 years, and was one of
the three founders of The Church of Light, was born with his Mentality in this section
of the heavens. And Immanuel Kant, whose works on transcendental philosophy
have not been surpassed, was born with his Personality here. It is the decanate of
MASTERSHIP.

GEMINI–1st Decanate. By means of a bear– URSA MINOR–whose restless
activity and power suggest that of the mind, the ancients depicted the
Mercury-decanate of Gemini. And because the unconscious mind is not so obvious
as the objective mind, this bear is small. So too, travels about the sky backward. Thus
must one direct his attention contrary to the trend of objective life to hear “the voice
of the silence.

“Perhaps unconsciously, yet none the less effectively, those born in the Gemini third
of Gemini tend to rely upon intuition. Their natural field of endeavor is the mental
plane. They see, not merely the details of a problem, but view it completely,
perceiving the proper relation of each part to the whole. And if they are not carried
away by the restless desire to undertake too many things, they may become
intellectual giants. For they assimilate all they contact and their deductions rise
spontaneously from the soul.

Alighieri Dante, who intuitively grasped so many cosmic truths and portrayed them
in his “Inferno,” was born when the Sun passed through this decanate. George
Bernard Shaw, who comprehends in their entirety so many of the present-day world
problems and presents them in his lucid literary style, was born when the Moon was
here. And Richard Wagner, the composer, who saw and felt the great truths of nature
and expressed them so adequately in music, was born when this decanate was on the
Ascendant. It is the decanate of INTUITION.

GEMINI–2nd Decanate. The second decanate of Gemini is pictured in the sky by a
large dog– CANIS MAJOR. This noble looking beast is the emblem of faithfulness,
and through its adoration for its master also represents the worshiping and serving of
Deity–for to the dog his master is God. Therefore, we find those born under the
second decanate of Gemini often possess a singular and admirable faithfulness,
either to their human companions or to some high ideal. They have much veneration
and seek to obey the voice of their conscience implicitly.

This Venus decanate also relates to twin-souls. So there is greater likelihood of those
born here finding a congenial mate than is the case with most. And to make the best of
life they must espouse some principle or progressive cause, and work to get it
generally acknowledged and accepted.

Robert Schumann, the musical critic and composer, who was so faithful to his ideal
of musical interpretation, was born with his Individuality polarized in this decanate.
Miss Florence Cook, whose faithfulness to the cause of spiritualism led her to
become the medium through whom “Katie King” manifested to Sir. Win. Crookes,
had her Mentality pictured by this section of the sky. And Win. Jennings Bryan,
whose faithfulness to his political and religious convictions is the best known feature
of his career, was born with his Personality in this part of Gemini. It is the decanate of
FIDELITY.

GEMINI–3rd Decanate. A huge bear–URSA MAJOR–traveling about the
pole-star in a forward direction depicts among the constellations the
Aquarius-decanate of Gemini. The bear, whose restless activity and omnivorous
nature is typical of mentality, in this case moves as does the objective mind, in the
direction of events. And it is huge in size to indicate the immense power that may be
exercised by thought. This is the scientific decanate of the sign of thought. Those
born under it are capable of accomplishing great things through the exercise of their
minds. They tend chiefly to rely upon reason, therefore, should not only train their
minds, which is readily accomplished, but should also cultivate idealism and
religion. Otherwise their efforts crystallize and become self-centered.

Nero, the Roman Emperor, who had wonderful talent, but could burn Rome for his
own amusement so self-centered had he become, had the Sun in this section of the
heavens at his birth. On the other hand, as indicating the better qualities of this
decanate, Nicholas Culpepper, author of the “Herbal” and by his friends said to be the
best physician that ever lived, had his Moon here. And Jay Gould, whose
manipulation of railroad securities wrecked so many others and made for himself
such a huge fortune, had his Personality located in this last decanate of Gemini. It is
the decanate of REASON.

CANCER–1st Decanate. The first decanate of Cancer is depicted in the sky by a
little yapping cur– CANIS MINOR–a mongrel without courage or loyalty. By it
the ancient masters sought to convey the thought that those born under this section of
the sky are particularly susceptible to domestic intrigue. They have strong emotions
and may easily be carried away by them. Consequently, they should put forth a
persistent effort to cultivate the qualities of faithfulness and poise.

Through the activity of the emotional nature, and their sensitiveness to all that affects
life, they are often capable of remarkable poetic and dramatic expression. Unknown
to themselves they are the mediums through which entities on the inner planes
manifest. And because they are such perfect mediums they sometimes betray the
trust placed in them, for they tend to yield to the temporarily strongest influence.
They should learn to be positive and firm.

Louis XII of France, who divorced his virtuous and ill-favored queen, Joan, to marry
Anne of Brittany, by whom he was dominated, was born with the Sun in this
decanate. Nell Gwyn, actress and favorite of Charles II, had her Moon in this place.
And Lord Byron, the poet, whose love affairs were none too conventional, was born
with this decanate on the Ascendant. It is the decanate of MOODS.

CANCER–2nd Decanate. HYDRA–the water-serpent–commences as the
middle decan of Cancer and extends through the sky all the distance from this home
constellation to Scorpio, the constellation of death. Representing the Scorpio, or sex,
decanate of the domestic sign, those born under it possess much resource and energy,
as well as being strongly emotional. The serpent is the symbol of creative energy and
the water in which it dwells is the symbol of the strong emotions displayed by these
people. So the traditional struggle of Hercules with this monster is not without
significance, for it represents the struggle with sensual desires, as well as a struggle to
overcome the limitations imposed by death.

Thus we find that those born here have a natural aptitude for communion with those
who have passed to the spirit side of life. And if they do not fall into the destructive
forms of mediumship, but instead retain at all times full control of their bodies and
minds, they are led, impressed, and guided from the spirit side of life in all their
worthy undertakings.

W. T. Stead, who established the bureau for spirit communication and did so much
for the spread of spiritualism, was born with his Individuality here. Dr. Luke D.
Broughton, author of the well-known “Elements of Astrology,” had his Mentality in
this decanate. And Sarah M. Grimke, the fine seeress, and author of “Esoteric
Lessons,” who contributed valuable work in behalf of spiritual enlightenment, had
her Personality in this section of the sky. It is the decanate of REVELATION.

CANCER–3rd Decanate. ARGO, the constellated ship that gave foundation for the
story both of Noah’s Ark and that of the adventurous Argonautic expedition, pictures
the third decanate of Cancer. There will be stormy seas in the lives of those born here,
but a tranquil mind will prove an adequate bark to carry them to the shores of safety.
They are restless and somewhat discontented. While loving domestic life, yet they
are also eager to learn what is just below the horizon. Their curiosity, however,
becomes an asset and leads them into fields that are all too little known. They are
great lovers of Mother Nature, take keen delight in spying out her secrets, and in this
kind of work find their greatest natural aptitude.

The celebrated Finnish painter, Albert Edelfelt, had the Sun in this decanate at his
birth. Lorenzo Niles Fowler, whose investigations in another department of Nature’s
laboratory, that of phrenology, has made him noted, had his Moon here at birth. And
Bulwer Lytton, who delved deeply into the occult– for among his many novels we
find two depicting respectively the lives of a white and a black magician, “Zanoni”
and “A Strange Story”–was born with his Ascendant in this part of the heavens. It is
the decanate of RESEARCH.

LEO–1st Decanate. The first decanate of Leo is pictured among the constellations
by CRATER–a furnace, or cup of fire. In this manner did the ancient masters of
starry lore portray the fiery love nature of those born under this section of the sky.

Their most notable trait is the desire and ability to rule others. And unless this
tendency is restrained there is an inclination to dominate. Yet always there is a
powerful love nature. And as love is at the foundation of all achievement, if this love
energy can be directed into proper channels, it leads on to success. But due to its
strength there is danger of turning to one extreme or the other–either permitting
pleasure to dominate the life, or in rebellion at the tendency toward excess to become
the avowed ascetic. As neither extreme permits of proper expression of the fine
qualities of this decanate the watchword should be moderation.

Hiram Butler, author of “Solar Biology,” who founded and ruled a colony of esoteric
students whose efforts largely revolve around sex-repression, was born with the Sun
here. Anna B. Kingsford, who wrote “The Perfect Way,” “Clothed with the Sun,”
and other works of an occult character, and whose relationship with a prominent
organization was severed because of her own dominant views and teachings, was
born with the Moon in this decanate. And Adelina Patti, the prima donna, who
dominated the multitude through the beauty and power of her voice, was born with
this part of Leo as her Ascendant. It is the decanate of RULERSHIP.

LEO–2nd Decanate. In the second, or Jupiter, decanate of Leo the inherent quality
of dominant control characteristic of Leo is modified by the subinfluence of the sign
of the higher mind, Sagittarius. The philosophical and religious elements are more in
evidence, and those born here readily recognize the prevalent weaknesses both in
current politics and in current religion. And what is more important, they have the
courage of their convictions and the power to gain followers for their own
progressive ideas.

To picture the ruthless onslaughts with which these people attack both persons and
policies that seek to ravage society, CENTAURUS, a being having the lower parts of
a horse and the upper parts of a man, is represented among the constellations as
impaling on the end of his spear the wolf that pictures the last decanate of Libra. This
wolf symbolizes those who use the brilliancy of their intellects to suppress truth and
to foist ignorance and superstition upon society that they may profit by its
exploitation. As those born in this middle decanate of Leo have the power to
convince and lead others, it behooves them to put forth every effort to gain the truth,
and to take great care that they do not disseminate erroneous notions.

iVladam H. P. Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society, was born with her
Individuality here. Mr. J. Malcolmn Mitchel, secretary of the Men’s League for
Women’s Suffrage, had his Moon in this decanate. And Martin Luther, founder of
the Protestant Religion, was born with his Personality polarized to this section of the
sky. It is the decanate of REFORMATION.

LEO–3rd Decanate. CORVUS, the Raven, is the constellation picturing the
tendencies of people born under the third decanate of Leo. This raven is pictured with
wings outspread as if in readiness to fly aloft, but with its feet firmly gripping the
back of Hydra, the water-serpent. This symbolizes the emotions that are associated
with creative energy, for the raven appears to be making a meal from the flesh of the
serpent.

In this last portion of Leo we have the love of power and rulership combined with the
quality of leadership bestowed by Aries. As a consequence those born under this
section of the sky are determined to rise in life regardless of obstacles. And when this
tendency is carried to extremes they will sacrifice their associates, their family, and
even integrity itself, in order to increase their power. But when their ideals are
thoroughly for the welfai’e of humanity rather than for mere personal
aggrandizement, they become of immense service to society through their natural
gift of being able to handle others and use them to advantage.

Napoleon I, who attempted to conquer the world by arms, was born with the Sun in
this decanate. Dr. Zamenhof, who invented a language, Esperanto, which was to
supersede all other languages in the world, had his Moon in this section of the
heavens. And Alan Leo, who attempted to give to astrology a world-wide
recognition and power, was born with his Ascendant here. It is the decanate of
AMBITION.

VIRGO–1st Decanate. In the Mercury-decanate of Virgo we find the assimilative
quality exercised to the most pronounced degree. The mind of those born here are
usually restless and active, a tendency pictured among the constellations by
BOOTES–the Bear Driver–who follows the Great Bear, symbol of the objective
mind, about the heavens with an upraised sickle, urging him on. And to convey the
idea that man’s thoughts, when carefully tended, yield a most precious fruitage,
Bootes is traditionally associated with the vine of the grape; for he is also a
husbandman.

So those who are native of this section of the zodiac press, with great dexterity, the
wine from all life’s varied experiences. It then becomes a coveted elixir which
stimulates them to still greater accomplishment. This is the harvest decanate, and
these people readily sift the grain from the chaff, and use it practically for sustenance.

Maurice Maeterlinck, so successful in literature, was born with his Individuality in
this decanate. Alexander the Great, whose military achievements have been
unsurpassed, was born with the Moon in this part of the heavens. And Henry
Cornelius Agrippa, who attained success and renown in the practice of ceremonial
magic, was born with his Ascendant here. It is the decanate of ACHIEVEMENT.

VIRGO–2nd Decanate. The Saturn-decanate of Virgo is pictured among the
constellations by Hercules–the Hero–who, among other things, performed twelve
superhuman labors. One foot crushes the head of the Cyclic Dragon, while his
outstretched hand grasps the apples of Hesperides. This depicts the tendency of those
born under this section of the sky to undertake and accomplish, by unremitting toil,
the performance of gigantic tasks. They also have an exceptional variety of
experiences, both with the so-called good and the so-called evil. Thus are their lives
filled with events.

Here we find the assimilative powers of the mind, conferred by Virgo, to be given a
diplomatic trend, and often there is a great desire for worldly fame and honor. The
temptations that come to these people are great. But if they guard against the
allurements of the flesh that sooner or later come into their lives, they can rise to great
heights through their unusual powers of discernment and comparison.

Mabel Collins, who wrote “Light on the Path” and other occult works, and whose life
has been varied in experience, was born with the Sun in this decanate. Camille
Flammarion, the great French astronomer, who likewise is an authority on Psychic
Research and a wide variety of other matters, had the Moon here at birth. And
Chopin, the great composer, whose affair of the heart ended so disastrously, had this
part of the heavens on the Ascendant at his birth. It is the decenate of EXPERIENCE.

VIRGO–3rd Decanate. The last decanate of the northern signs is pictured by a
crown of twelve iron spikes. This Venus-decanate of the mental sign Virgo is the
point from which the Sun passes into the winter section of the zodiac. And so the
serpent, picturing the first decanate of Libra is represented with his fangs just before
CORONA BOREALIS–the Northern Crown–as if to strike.

Virgo, as a whole, corresponds to the house of work. So this last decanate seems
particularly given to working in behalf of others. People born here find their greatest
possibilities in the realm of service. When they can lose sight of the reward, and labor
enthusiastically for some noble cause, they live to their utmost. Even though the
laborer is worthy of his hire, yet those born under this influence are often called upon
to give up the things they would prefer to do for the sake of duty. Though the material
reward is a crown of thorns, yet the gain in character and soul-power always more
than repays for all sacrifice.

Henrich Daath, who labored so steadfastly in the cause of modern astrology, was
born with his Individuality here. Leo Tolstoy, who though born of nobility, lived so
simply and made so many sacrifices in the cause of peace and purity, had his
Mentality in this decanate. And Swami Triganiteti, the Vedanist teacher who was
blown to pieces in his temple in San Francisco by a fanatic, while he was faithfully
serving his religion, had his Personality polarized in this place. It is the decanate of
RENUNCIATION.

Note–With a few exceptions, so that the student may have easy access to the charts
cited and thus study the other factors contributing to character and accomplishment, I
have used as examples persons whose charts may be found in “1001 Notable
Nativities.”

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