Mundane Houses

PLANETARY vibrations not only must have a point of departure, but also, if they are
effective, must have a place of reception. A tone reverberating from the sounding
board of one of the zodiacal signs must reach the earth in order to affect the destiny of
the inhabitants of the earth. To do this it must penetrate the astral field associated with
the earth. The direction from which such a planetary vibration reaches a given spot
on the earth determines the relative direction of movement of the astral field
penetrated, and also the amount of astral field through which it must pass. These two
factors, it has been ascertained by observation, determine the department of life
which the vibrations will influence. To ascertain the volume of planetary vibrations
reaching the earth from given directions, and the departments of life they influence,
is our object in the study of Mundane Houses.

In preceding lessons I have compared the planetary vibrations to musical tones. In
fact, I know of no better designation for them than planetary tones. Each planet
sounds its own tone. The zodiacal signs I have compared to sounding boards from
which these tones resound. The tone is modified, not in its essential vibratory rate,
but in tone quality, by the sounding board, or zodiacal sign, from which it
reverberates. Furthermore, musical tones and planetary tones have both a point of
departure and a place of reception; and the place of reception of planetary tones, so
far as we are concerned, is the earth, acting as a grand auditorium.

In most auditoriums, due to distances from the instruments, to obstructions that may
intervene, and to other acoustic factors, tones are not heard in the same volume and
with the same precision throughout all its sections. The earth as an auditorium is
unique; for the various musical instruments, the zodiacal signs, are ranged
completely around the outside of it. Nevertheless, as in most auditoriums, the
relation of a particular point in it to the positions where tones are being sounded,
modifies the tones at the place of reception. That is, tones coming from one direction
are stronger and clearer than tones coming from another direction, because they have
less of the astral field of the earth to penetrate, and are less interfered with by its
rotation due to the turning of the earth on its axis.

It will thus be seen that persons occupying different portions of the terrestrial
auditorium-situated at different stations on the face of the earth-will not hear the
tones from the celestial instruments with the same clarity. At any given time some
may be more favorably located than others for the reception of certain tones.

Because in the case of the earthly auditorium it seems to be the thickness or thinness
of the astral field of the earth at a given point, together with its movement, that
determines the ease with which planetary tones reach a given point, we may compare
the terrestrial auditorium to a building the walls of which are of varying thickness. At
certain intervals there are doors, and at other intervals there are windows. Thus the
musical instruments ranged around the outside easily find access for their tones
through the wide-open doors; find access with less ease through the windows; and
reach the interior only with great difficulty through the denser portions of the walls. It
is to map these sections of varying resistance that we have recourse to a diagram of
the Mundane Houses.

Thus to map the amount of wall thickness, and the tone modifications due to earth
rotation, at any given spot on the surface of the earth; that spot is taken as the center,
about which, from west to east, is circumscribed a circle. This circle, commencing at
the eastern horizon, is then divided into twelve equal segments. Mundane means
pertaining to the earth. A house is a dwelling place. A Mundane House, then, is the
dwelling place of a celestial influence at any moment of time, considered solely from
the point on the earth where the influence is received. Each of the twelve equal
segments of the circle about the earth from west to east is a Mundane House.

A clearer conception of the Mundane Houses may be had by facing the south and
imagining one’s self the hub of a great wheel, the circumference of which passes
directly from the horizon in the east, on the left, under one’s feet around to the
horizon in the west, on the right, from thence directly overhead, and back to the
eastern horizon again. Let one then imagine this great wheel to possess twelve spokes
radiating into the sky from the point where one stands as a center, these spokes
equally spaced about the wheel. Such a wheel accurately pictures the twelve houses
of a horoscope, the dividing line between two houses, called a House Cusp, being
represented by each spoke.

The first spoke in this great wheel is occupied by the horizon directly to the east of
where one stands. The eastern horizon, then, is the cusp of the First House. This is a
very important point in a horoscope, and because it is at this place that the planets rise
from below the horizon into view it is called the Ascendant.

The opposite horizon, directly to the west of the observer, representing the seventh
spoke of the great wheel, is the cusp of the Seventh House. Because it is the point
where the planets sink from view below the western horizon it is called the
Descendant.

The point directly beneath one’s feet, representing the fourth spoke of the great
wheel, is the cusp of the Fourth House. Because it is the lowest point it is called the
Nadir.

The point directly overhead, the zenith, representing the tenth spoke of the great
wheel, is the cusp of the Tenth House. This is also a very important point in a
horoscope, for it is here that a planet reaches its greatest elevation. It is called the
Mid-Heaven, or more often abbreviated from its Latin equivalent, Medium Coeli,
and merely termed the M. C.

These four spokes divide the earthly auditorium into four quadrants. At sunrise the
sun is exactly on the cusp of the Ascendant. At midnight the sun is exactly on the cusp
of the Nadir. At sunset the sun is exactly on the cusp of the Descendant. At noon the
sun is exactly on the cusp of the M. C. (See diagram, at front of Chapter 2).

Because we of northern latitudes must look south to view the sun or a planet when it is
on the M. C., the cusp of the Tenth House is also called the South Point. And because
the Nadir, abbreviated from the Latin Imum Coeli as I. C., is opposite the South
Point, it is sometimes called the North Point. The four points, Asc., M. C., Desc., and
Nadir, are the strongest points in a horoscope in the sense that a greater volume of
energy reaches the earth from a planet when it is located near one of these points than
when it is located in any other section of the heavens. This is not difficult to
demonstrate experimentally. It is as if at other stations there were walls of varying
thickness, but at these points the doors were wide open so that the planetary tones
may enter the auditorium without interference.

Now as the zodiacal signs are each thirty degrees in extent, and the houses of the
horoscope are also of thirty degrees expanse, at first thought it might be assumed that
the equivalent of one sign, or thirty degrees of the zodiac, always occupies exactly
one Mundane House. This certainly would be the case if the circle of Mundane
Houses coincided with the zodiac. However, it does not coincide with the zodiac.
Except at the equator the Mundane Houses are to the north or to the south of the mean
position of the zodiac. The effect of thus being to the north or to the south of the
equator in its extreme influence is familiar to us in the accounts of arctic explorers
who witness a midnight sun.

In such a case the degree of the zodiac occupied by the sun does not, during the
twenty-four hours, pass into any of the six houses below the horizon. This midnight
sun, as well as the phenomenon of six months daylight followed by six months
darkness near the poles, is the result not merely of the observer occupying a high
latitude, but also to the incident that the zodiac is inclined at an angle of over 23
degrees to the equator. That is, even at the equator, the zodiacal signs rise diagonally.
The further to the north or to the south of the equator the observer moves the more
diagonally do the signs rise. Thus in north temperate latitudes in summer, the sun
appears on the horizon, when it rises, well north of east of the observer, and as it
moves toward noon it swings up and to the south. The farther north the observer goes,
the farther to the north the sun appears to rise in summer, until finally, in extreme
north latitudes, it fails to set, merely circling around the north horizon from the west
to the east at night without disappearing.

Now if you draw two parallel lines an inch apart, and then measure the distance
between them diagonally instead of straight across, you will find that the diagonal
line is much more than an inch. In fact, the more the diagonal inclines to the parallel
lines the longer it must be. Without entering into a technical explanation of the
matter, it will be seen that if the zodiac rises diagonally, as it were, that it is necessary
for some of the Mundane Houses of thirty degrees extent to contain more than thirty
degrees of the zodiac. Furthermore, being true circles, if the zodiac is diagonal to the
Mundane Houses at some points, relative to the zodiac the Mundane Houses are
diagonal to it at other points. To state it more precisely, as there are 360 degrees in the
zodiac and 360 degrees in the Mundane Houses, if more than thirty degrees of one
section of the zodiac occupies one house, less than thirty degrees of some other
section of the zodiac must occupy some other house.

A technical explanation of the reason why, in making a chart of the heavens, more
often than not some Mundane Houses will hold more than thirty degrees of the zodiac
and others less than thirty degrees of the zodiac, would be out of place here. I trust,
however, these remarks will give a general idea why it is that more than one zodiacal
sign may, and often does, occupy one house of the horoscope. As the basis on which
the Tables of Houses commonly employed are constructed is that each shall contain
precisely thirty degrees, I trust also that it will be clear that so long as we employ such
tables, each Mundane House must be exactly thirty degrees in extent, irrespective of
the number of degrees of the zodiac it holds.

To make a map of the Twelve Mundane Houses the student should draw a circle and
bisect it with a heavy horizontal line from left to right. This horizontal line represents
the horizon, and the half of the circle above this line represents the visible portion of
the heavens-all that is above the horizon. The half of the circle below this line
represents the portion of the heavens that is invisible due to being below the horizon.

Next the circle should be bisected by a vertical line. All to the left of this line is
eastward, and all to the right of this line is westward, from the observer. As to see the
planets and the zodiac we face the south, the top of the map is south; just the reverse
of a geographical map. The four quadrants now mapped by the two intersecting lines
should each be divided by two radii from the center of the map, thus dividing each
into three equal sections. This gives a circle divided into twelve equal segments (See
diagram, at front of Chapter 2), which should be numbered, commencing with the
segment just below the eastern horizon as the First House, the next segment below
it as the Second House, etc.

That energies of tremendous power, hitherto quite unrecognized, are pelting the
earth day and night from the regions of space, has been demonstrated by the
discovery in 1925 of the Cosmic Ray. That such a force-so powerful that were its
volume to increase it is believed it would constitute a serious menace to life upon the
earth-should remain undiscovered so long, leads to the inevitable conclusion that
there may be numerous other energies reaching and influencing the earth as yet to be
brought within the ken of material science. And one willing to investigate will find
that a planet sending its rays to the earth through a certain one of the Mundane
Houses has an effect upon a different department of life than if its rays were received
through any of the other houses.

Consider for a moment that most of us feel differently than at other times when the
sun is in the Third House-from midnight to about 2 a.m. Physical vitality is low at this
period, and more people die-so medical statistics state-during this interval than
during any other. While the sun is in the Second House-from about 2 a.m. to near
dawn-not merely the physical forces are sluggish; but the courage is low and the
mind depressed. It is the zero hour. Yet with the coming of dawn, and from then to
sunrise-while the sun is in the First House-there is a general awakening of life
energies the world over. Immediately after sunrise there is a temporary lull, and yet a
very different influence again in the period just preceding noon.

I am here merely calling attention to conditions that are familiar to all who observe
closely. The rotation of the earth causes rays from the planets to meet with different
densities of astral field, or with the astral field moving differently, as they reach the
earth through the various Mundane Houses. In some manner this resistance offered
by the earth’s astral field-under the particular motion that obtains in each respective
house-causes whatever planetary energies that pass through the house to have a
specific affinity with the section of a person’s astral body where are stored the
thought-cells relating to some special department of life. All the mechanical steps by
which vibrations coming through one house influence chiefly one special
department of life may not be theoretically clear. But for that matter neither is it
mechanically clear why the roots of a plant grow away from the sunlight and the stalk
of the plant toward it. Yet we can prove they do so; and it is not a more difficult task to
prove-using the birth chart of the first person at hand-that planetary energies
reaching the earth through a certain Mundane House have an affinity for a certain
department of life. The consideration of this relation between the Mundane Houses
and the department of human life affected through each, is the next matter to engage
our attention.

As we found the magical formula, Jod-He-Vau-He, of great assistance in studying
the zodiacal signs, we shall also find it advantageous to apply it in a similar manner to
the Mundane Houses. Even as the signs were found to separate into four equal groups
of three signs each, so likewise the Mundane Houses separate into four trinities.

The Trinity of Life embraces the First, Fifth and Ninth Houses. The first house
influences the constitution and vitality. The fifth house influences the life of the
offspring. The ninth house influences the life in relation to religion and philosophy.
This trinity corresponds to the fiery signs of the zodiac.

The Trinity of Psychism embraces the Fourth, Eighth, and Twelfth Houses. The
fourth house influences the home and the end of life. The eighth house influences
death and inheritance. The twelfth house influences sorrows and imprisonment. This
trinity corresponds to the watery signs of the zodiac.

The Trinity of Wealth embraces the Second, Sixth, and Tenth Houses. The second
house influences personal property. The sixth house influences labor and servants.
The tenth house influences business and honor. This trinity corresponds to the earthy
signs of the zodiac.

The Trinity of Association embraces the Third, Seventh and Eleventh Houses. The
third house influences the thoughts and the brethren. The seventh house influences
partnership and marriage. The eleventh house influences hopes and friends. This
trinity corresponds to the airy signs of the zodiac.

Next we must consider the houses as of three different Volumes; each volume
embracing four houses.

The Angular Houses are the First, Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth. These are of the
strongest volume. It is as if there were wide open doors about the earthly auditorium
at these stations, through which the full volume of planetary influence may enter
unimpeded. They are called angular because their cusps, being directly upon the
eastern and western horizons and upon the zenith and nadir, are the lines dividing the
heavens into quadrants.The Succedent Houses are the Second, Fifth, Eighth, and Eleventh. They are of
moderate volume, as if there were but small windows in the earthly auditorium at
these stations, through which celestial tones may enter only in reduced amounts.
They are called succedent because they succeed, or follow, the angular houses.

The Cadent Houses are the Third, Sixth, Ninth, and Twelfth. These are of the least
volume, as if at these stations about the earthly auditorium there were thick walls
through which the heavenly tones penetrate only as muffled sounds. They are called
cadent–meaning to “fall away”–because they fall away from the other houses both
in volume of influence and in position.

Now we found that the zodiacal signs were divisible not only into Three Qualities,
but also into Three Degrees of Emanation. Likewise, we find that the Mundane
Houses are divisible into Three Volumes; also into Three Societies.

The Personal Houses embrace the Twelfth, First, Second, and Third. They influence
personal sorrows, the personal body, the personal property, the brethren and personal
thoughts. These houses have to do with the private life.

The Companionship Houses embrace the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh. They
influence the companionship in the home and at the end of life, the companionship in
pleasure and with children, the companionship in work and with servants, and the
companionship in partnership, in marriage, and in meeting the public. These houses
have to do with closely contacting people.

The Public Houses embrace the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh. They influence
the public life through deaths and legacies, through advertising and public
utterances, through reputation and credit and through friends. These houses have to
do with matters that become widely known.

As a Duality, the Mundane Houses may also be viewed in two different ways. They
may be considered in relation to the facility with which their influence gains
recognition. And they may be considered in relation to the waxing or the waning of
their power. The Six Houses above the Horizon-Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth,
Eleventh, and Twelfth-are positive and tend to the ready expression of any influence
found in them in such a way that it gains recognition. The Six Houses below the
Horizon-First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth-are negative and tend to the
development of whatever influence is found in them in secrecy. The Six Houses on
the East side of the chart-Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, First, Second, and Third-tend
toward increase, and whatever influence is found in them inclines to further
development. The Six Houses on the West Side of the chart-Fourth, Fifth, Sixth,
Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth-tend toward decrease, and whatever influence is found in
them inclines to dissolution.

Having now discussed the Mundane Houses as a quaternary, a trinity, and as a
duality, to complete our magical formula, 1-2-3-4 equals 10, we have yet to consider
them as a unity.

The First House belongs to the trinity of life. It is an angular house; consequently
transmits energy of the strongest volume. It is a personal house, related to the private
life. Being below the horizon its influences tend to develop in secret; but as it is on the
east side of the chart they develop persistently. It influences the health, the personal
appearance, the temperament, such matters as cause changes in the form or location
of the person; and in general the personality through which the character must
express.

The Second House belongs to the trinity of wealth. It is a succedent house;
consequently transmits energy only in moderate volume. It is a personal house,
related to the private possessions. Being below the horizon these possessions are not
open to public inspection; yet any influence expressing through this house tends to
development. The tenth house represents the business, and the sixth house the labor
involved; but the second house represents the fruits of these in terms of cash and
other personal property.

The Third House belongs to the trinity of association. It is a cadent house;
consequently transmits energy very weakly. It is a personal house, related to the
private thoughts. Being below the horizon these thoughts may never be expressed to
others; but any influence in this house tends toward development. It influences the
thoughts, which are the mental associates; the brethren, neighbors, writing, short
journeys, correspondence, and education.

The Fourth House belongs to the trinity of Psychism. It is an angular house;
consequently transmits energy of the strongest volume. It is a companionship house,
relating to those in the home. Being below the horizon its influences tend to be kept
from the public, and as it is on the west side of the chart they have little power of
growth. This house influences the parentage, the father in particular, the home and
general domestic environment, inherited tendencies, real estate, hidden things, and
the condition at the close of life. These things, as exerting a powerful influence on the
unconscious life, are of psychic import.

The Fifth House belongs to the trinity of life. It is a succedent house; consequently
transmits energy only in moderate volume. It is a companionship house, relating to
the companionship of children and the companionship in pleasure. Being below the
horizon its influence is not heralded to the public, nor do we expect any influence
here to undergo great development. It rules broadly the life of the affections, of the
children, and of the pleasures; governing speculation, amusements, offspring, and
love affairs.

The Sixth House belongs to the trinity of wealth. It is a cadent house; consequently
transmits energy very weakly. It is a companionship house, relating to servants and
to those with whom one works. Being below the horizon any influence here tends to
be kept secret, and as it is on the west side of the chart there is little opportunity for
growth. It influences broadly those things that assist or hinder the acquisition of
wealth, such as assimilation, illness, labor, inferiors, and servants.

The Seventh House belongs to the trinity of association. It is an angular house,
consequently transmits energy of the strongest volume. It is a companionship house,
relating to partnerships and marriage. Being above the horizon its influences tend to
gain wide recognition; although there is little growth from them. It governs the
relations with the public, partnerships, open enemies, lawsuits, and marriage.

The Eighth House belongs to the trinity of psychism. It is a succedent house;
consequently transmits energy only in moderate volume. It is a public house, and the
things it influences are kept secret with great difficulty. They do not, however, tend
toward any great development. It influences the relations to the public’s money, and
to the money of the partner: also the relations to the dead, both their psychic influence
and the inheritance from them. In addition to such legacies it also influences the
conditions surrounding the person’s death.

The Ninth House belongs to the trinity of life. It is a cadent house; consequently
transmits energy very weakly. It is a public house, having to do with the public
expression of opinions. Being above the horizon the things it influences tend to gain
wide recognition. They do not, however, tend to continued development. This is the
house ruling advertising, publishing, dreams, long journeys, philosophy, religion,
and the public expression of ideas.

The Tenth House belongs to the trinity of wealth. It is an angular house, consequently
transmits energy of the strongest volume. It is a public house, relating to the credit
and honor. Being above the horizon there is public recognition of the things it
influences. These things are subject to much development. It influences the mother,
the trade or profession, the business qualifications, superiors, credit, reputation, and
the esteem in general with which one is held by others. It thus greatly influences
material success.

The Eleventh House belongs to the trinity of association. It is a succedent house;
consequently transmits energy only in moderate volume. It is a public house, and the
things it influences are widely known. Being above the horizon there is full
recognition of all its affairs, and they are subject to persistent development. Its
associations are occasional rather than constant. It governs acquaintances, friends,
hopes, and wishes. In particular it influences the attitude toward, and the benefit that
may be derived from, acquaintances.

The Twelfth House belongs to the trinity of psychism. It is a cadent house;
consequently transmits energy very weakly. It is a personal house, and its affairs are
kept as secret as possible, although being above the horizon the things it influences
nevertheless gain some recognition. They also tend to persistent development. It
influences secret enemies, sorrows, disappointments, restrictions, limitations,
imprisonment, unseen forces, and the relation to astral entities.

Now let us apply the magical quaternary, Jod-He-Vau-He, to the planets. They are
naturally divisible into such a quaternary because their energies affect four different
phases of human life. Thus there are Vital Planets, Intellectual Planets, Social
Planets, and Business Planets. The vital planets are the Sun and the Moon. The
intellectual planets are Mercury and Uranus. The social planets are Venus, Mars,
Neptune, and Pluto. The business planets are Saturn and Jupiter.

The trinity into which the planets are divisible is based upon whether their usual
effect upon human life is Harmonious, Discordant, or Convertible. The harmonious
planets are Jupiter and Venus. The discordant planets are Saturn and Mars. The
convertible planets are Sun, Moon, Mercury, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. These
convertible planets are not essentially harmonious or discordant, but may become
either through the aspects received from other planets.

As a duality the planets are divisible into those that are electric and positive, and
those that are magnetic and negative. The electric and positive planets are Sun, Mars,
and Jupiter. The magnetic and negative planets are Moon, Venus, Saturn, Neptune
and Pluto. Uranus is neutral and electromagnetic. Mercury is either positive or
negative according to its association with other planets, being but the mediumistic
transmitter of the positiveness or the negativeness of the other planets.

We have now discussed the planets as a quaternary, a trinity, and a duality, and to
complete our 1-2-3-4, it remains to treat them as a unity.

1. The Sun is a vital planet, and a convertible planet, exerting either a harmonious or
a discordant influence according to the aspects received from the other planets. He is
electric, masculine, and positive, hence in his influence he is majestic and
commanding. In human anatomy he rules the heart, the vital center of life. This gives
us an insight into his character; for as the heart is the dominant physical organ, its
pulsations being the source of circulation which makes life possible, so he rules the
electrical energies on which the vitality depends. In his influence over the mind he
rules the group of mental factors designated as the Power Urges, embracing pride,
firmness, approbativeness, conscientiousness, and self-esteem. His influence is
greater than that of any other planet, being proud, grand, firm, unbending, kindly,
gracious, paternal, considerate, moderately liberal, and controlling. His nature is best
expressed in one word as VITALITY.

2. The Moon is a vital planet, and a convertible planet, exerting either a harmonious
or a discordant influence according to the aspects received from the other planets.
She is magnetic, feminine, and negative, hence her influence is plastic and
mediumistic. In human anatomy she rules the fluidic system of the body, the
foundation of the health and general constitution.

This gives us an insight into her character; for as the fluidic system digests,
assimilates, and distributes nutriment, so the Moon rules the assimilation of mental
food by the astral brain, or unconscious mind. Her influence is cool, yielding, and
formative, ruling the constitutional magnetism which markedly influences the
health. In her influence over the mind she governs that group of mental factors
designated as the Domestic Urges, embracing time, tune, sublimity, and
philoprogenitiveness. Her influence over the strength of the constitution and the
general state of the health is marked. She is changeable, negative, dreamy,
inoffensive, and lacking in force. Her nature is best expressed in one word as
IMPRESSIONABLE.

3.Mercury is an intellectual planet, and a convertible planet, exerting either a
harmonious or a discordant influence according to the aspects received from the
other planets. He is electric and positive when associated with electric planets, and
magnetic and negative when associated with magnetic planets. In human anatomy he
rules the tongue, brain, and nervous system. This gives us an insight into his
character; for as the nervous system carries messages to and from the brain to all parts
of the body, so Mercury acts as the messenger for the influence of other planets. As
the tongue is the most used organ in the expression of thought, Mercury rules writing,
talking, traveling, and the manner in which the mental ability is expressed. Thus
while the Moon governs the Mentality, Mercury indicates the Ability, and the
channels used, in giving the mind outward expression. And as there are afferent, or
ingoing nerves, and efferent, or outgoing nerves; so Mercury influences both
perception and expression. He has dominion over the perceptive and comparative
group of mental factors designated as the Intellectual Urges, embracing eventuality,
language, calculation, and the recognition of size, weight, form, and color. He is
witty, quick, ingenious, intelligent, scientific, volatile, voluble, bright, enterprising,
changeable, and persuasive. His nature is best expressed in one word as
PERCEPTION.

4.Venus is a social planet, and a harmonious planet. She is magnetic, feminine, and
negative, hence yielding and submissive. In human anatomy she rules the skin,
venous system, and internal generative functions. This gives us an insight into her
character; for as the skin is the organ through which feeling is experienced, so Venus
is coy, shy, and sensitive. The venous system gently yields to the arterial pressure and
carries the blood back to the heart, and Venus seeks the line of least resistance. The
internal generative functions carry out the work of reproduction, and Venus, the
planet of love, reproduces through the various arts the mental creations. In social life
she inclines to affection and attraction. In her influence over the mind she rules that
group of mental factors designated as the Social Urges, embracing, affection,
friendship, mirthfulness, conjugality, and inhabitiveness. She is cool, moist, pliable,
amiable, receptive, clinging, convivial, harmonious, and artistic. Her nature is best
expressed in one word as MILDNESS.

5.Mars is a social planet, and a discordant planet. He is electric, masculine, and
positive, hence aggressive and penetrating. In human anatomy he rules the external
sexual organs, the muscles, and the sinews. This gives us an insight into his
character; for as the muscles and sinews are the organs of physical activity, so does
Mars ever tend to rapid expansion and active effort. As the sexual organism is the seat
of strongest desire, so does Mars have dominion over the animal appetites and
passions. In social life he inclines to desire and strife. In his influence over the mind
he rules that group of mental factors designated as the Aggressive Urges, embracing
amativeness, destructiveness, combativeness, and alimentiveness. He is the exact
antithesis of Saturn, being diffuse, hot, impulsive, rash, headstrong, and assertive.
He is devoid of fear and timidity, is sharp, energetic, thoughtless, free, fierce,
intrepid, and unrelenting. His nature is best expressed in one word as ENERGY.

6.Jupiter is a business planet, and a harmonious planet. He is electric, masculine,
and positive, hence dignified and bold. In human anatomy he rules the liver and the
arterial system of the body. This gives us an insight into his character; for as the
arterial blood distributes warmth and nourishment to the whole body, so Jupiter ever
tends to generosity, warmth, and gentle expansion. He is neither the rigid ice of
Saturn, nor the fierce fire of Mars, but a genial radiant warmth, imparting happiness
to all. In his influence over the mind he rules that group of mental factors designated
as the Religious Urges, embracing benevolence, good cheer, veneration, hope,
reverence, and spirituality. Whatever good Jupiter brings seems to come freely as the
result of good will and good luck. Saturn gains in business through careful systematic
effort, while Jupiter gains through patronage and favor. He is cheerful, generous,
benevolent, magnanimous, just, charitable, honest, and discriminative. His nature is
best expressed in one word as JOVIALITY.

7.Saturn is a business planet, and a discordant planet.
He is magnetic, masculine,and negative, hence timid and retiring. In human anatomy he rules the bones,
cartilage, and spleen. This gives us an insight into his character; for as the bones are
the most solid portions of the body so does Saturn tend to the practical and concrete.
As the spleen is a reservoir of electrical energy, so does Saturn try to collect and
hoard the treasures of the earth and the treasures of the mind. In his influence over the
mind he rules that group of mental factors designated as the Safety Urges, embracing
secrecy, acquisitiveness, covetousness, causality, and comparison. He collects the
various perceptions that are ruled by Mercury and synthesizes them into
conceptions. He thus has rule over the reflective powers and the selfish sentiments.
Whatever good comes from his influence is the result of carefully laid plans,
plodding effort, subtlety, craft, and cunning. He dislikes to take the initiative,
preferring to remain in the dark and accomplish through deception rather than
through force. He is solitary, cold, reserved, melancholy, repentant, and fearful. His
nature is best expressed in one word as CRYSTALLIZATION.

8. Uranus, the higher octave of Mercury, is an intellectual planet, and a convertible
planet, exerting either a harmonious or a discordant influence according to the.
Venus is a social planet, and a harmonious planet. She is magnetic, feminine, and
negative, hence yielding and submissive. In human anatomy she rules the skin,
venous system, and internal generative functions. This gives us an insight into her
character; for as the skin is the organ through which feeling is experienced, so Venus
is coy, shy, and sensitive. The venous system gently yields to the arterial pressure and
carries the blood back to the heart, and Venus seeks the line of least resistance. The
internal generative functions carry out the work of reproduction, and Venus, the
planet of love, reproduces through the various arts the mental creations. In social life
she inclines to affection and attraction. In her influence over the mind she rules that
group of mental factors designated as the Social Urges, embracing, affection,
friendship, mirthfulness, conjugality, and inhabitiveness. She is cool, moist, pliable,
amiable, receptive, clinging, convivial, harmonious, and artistic. Her nature is best
aspects received from the other planets. He has no sex, and is electromagnetic,
alternately attracting and repelling, hence particularly unreliable where the
affections are concerned. In human anatomy he rules the electromagnetic body. This
gives us insight into his character; for as the electromagnetic body is ordinarily
imperceptible to the physical senses, yet is the dynamic energy of the body and the
source of personal magnetism, so does Uranus direct and control the electrical
energies and confer the ability to understand and utilize the occult forces of nature. In
his influence over the mind he rules that group of mental factors designated as the
Individualistic Urges, embracing independence, originality, inventiveness, and
unconventionality. The moons of Uranus travel in a reverse direction to those of the
other planets, except Neptune, hence he influences to take the reverse view of life
from that commonly accepted, and is thus a radical; and he also inclines to look away
from the physical to the things of the astral plane, having a strong influence over
clairvoyance and intuition. He is thus the Inspirational ESP planet. He is abrupt,
erratic, independent, sudden, penetrative, original, occult, scientific, unconventional,
and progressive. His nature is best expressed in one word as DISRUPTIVE.

9. Neptune, the higher octave of Venus, is a social planet, and a convertible planet,
exerting a harmonious or a discordant influence according to the aspects received
from other planets. He is magnetic and negative in nature. In human anatomy he rules
the astral body. This gives us an insight into his character; for as the astral body is
molded by every desire, so does Neptune feel every mental current and psychic
influence. As the astral body has the power of leaving the physical body, so does
Neptune often depart from the practical and give its attention to unrealizable ideals.
His dreamy and mediumistic qualities may lead to fantasy and the belief in grand
hopes that are never realized. His moons, like those of Uranus, revolve about him in
the reverse direction of those of the other planets. And his influence is to direct the
mind from the sordid and the material to lofty spiritual ideals which when received in
suitable soil tend to the development of the conditions and qualities that prove of
greatest possible value to the human race. In social life he brings romantic
attachments and platonic friendships. In his influence over the mind he rules that
group of mental factors designated as the Utopian Urges, embracing certain high
phases of majestic and utopian ideals, and the ability to bring into the realm of
objective consciousness what has been seen, felt, heard, and otherwise experienced
in the astral world. Neptune is the Feeling ESP planet. He is the promoter of worldly
schemes to gain wealth without work. He is subtle, impressionable, psychic,
emotional, mild, pleasant, theoretical, and fanciful. His nature is best expressed in
one word as VISIONARY.

10. Pluto, the higher octave of the Moon, is a social planet, and a convertible planet,
expressing either a harmonious or a discordant influence according to the aspects
received from other planets. Like the number 10, which starts a new numerical cycle,
Pluto is a transitional influence, and more than any other planet may express in either
of two diametrically opposite qualities. He may express positively and electrically,
but his more common influence is negative and magnetic. In human anatomy he rules
the spiritual body. In his influence over the human mind he rules that group of mental
factors designated as the Universal Welfare Urges. They relate to groups,
cooperation, the inner-plane, hidden forces, inversion, the inside of things, mass
production, and to aggressive spiritual activity. The Lower-Pluto forces are
drastically insidious and destructive, the Upper-Pluto forces are the finest and most
spiritual of all. Not the individual who instigates the action, but the victim of
coercion, has this planet prominent. To such events as he attracts, or to which he
contributes, he adds a drastic quality. Pluto is the inner-plane planet and the planet of
Transition ESP. His nature is best expressed in one word as COOPERATION.

I have now discussed in some detail Mundane Houses and Planets, and in chapter 2
the zodiacal signs were considered. To complete our magical formula,
Jod-He-Vau-He, the fourth factor, that of aspects, must also be considered. But as
these aspects are explained in Chapter 3 of Course 1, Laws of Occultism, and are fully
considered in Chapter 2 of Course 8, Horary Astrology, I shall here merely
enumerate them.

1.The Conjunction aspect is formed when two planets occupy the same zodiacaldegree. It has an influence comparable to the Sun, being very powerful, convertible
in nature, and either harmonious or discordant according to the planets making it. It is
the aspect of PROMINENCE.

2. The Semi-Sextile aspect is formed when two planets are 30 degrees apart in the
zodiac. It has an influence comparable to the Moon, being mildly harmonious. It is
the aspect of GROWTH.

3. The Sextile aspect is formed when two planets are 60 degrees apart in the zodiac.
It has an influence comparable to Venus, being cheerful, bright and strongly
harmonious. It is the aspect of OPPORTUNITY.

4. The Square aspect is formed when two planets are 90 degrees apart in the zodiac.
It has an influence comparable to Mars, being energetic, forceful, violent,
destructive, and strongly discordant. It is the aspect of OBSTACLE.

5. The Trine aspect is formed when two planets are 120 degrees apart in the zodiac.
It has an influence comparable to Jupiter, being jovial, fortunate, constructive, and
harmonious in the highest degree. It is the aspect of LUCK.

6.The Inconjunct aspect is formed when two planets are 150 degrees apart in thezodiac. It has an influence comparable to Neptune, being slightly separative in
action, slightly harmonious between harmonious planets, and slightly inharmonious
between discordant planets. It is the aspect of EXPANSION.

7. The Semi-Square aspect is formed when two planets are 45 degrees apart in the
zodiac. It has an influence comparable to Mercury, being vacillating and somewhat
inharmonious. It is the aspect of FRICTION.

8.The Opposition aspect is formed when two planets are 180 degrees apart in thezodiac. It has an influence comparable to Saturn, being slowly separative, coldly
disintegrative, and discordant in the highest degree. It is the aspect of
SEPARATION.

9. The Sesqui-Square aspect is formed when two planets are 135 degrees apart in the
zodiac. It has an influence comparable to Uranus, being sharply disruptive, sudden,
and somewhat discordant. It is the aspect of AGITATION.10.The Parallel aspect is formed when two planets occupy the same degree ofDeclination, which, like the number

10, is a different plane of influence. It has an
influence comparable to Pluto, adding a drastic quality to the effect of other aspects.
It is also similar to the conjunction, though more persistent and less precise in action.
It is the aspect of INTENSITY.