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"Foundations" aims to show that astrological foundations are still relevant today. 'Archaeologist' digs out the foundation concepts from under all the rubble. "We can't build on that foundation again until we get rid of the rubble of confusion"
"Foundations" aims to show that astrological foundations are still relevant today. 'Archaeologist' digs out the foundation concepts from under all the rubble. "We can't build on that foundation again until we get rid of the rubble of confusion"
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"Foundations" aims to show that astrological foundations are still relevant today. 'Archaeologist' digs out the foundation concepts from under all the rubble. "We can't build on that foundation again until we get rid of the rubble of confusion"
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formati disponibili
Scarica in formato PDF, TXT o leggi online su Scribd
Briefly highlight your point of interes t here. Briefly highlight your point of interes t here.
Inside this issue Much that once was is lost and none now live who remember it some things which should not have been forgotten were losthistory became leg- end and legend became myth - - J .R.R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings
One of the biggest misconceptions alive and well today is that our astrological founda- tions are no longer relevant or useful in our enlightened age. Since the advent of our mod- ern scientific era, it has been assumed that we have evolved past the need for these religious fables of the ancients. Modern scientific rationalism demands that both astrol- ogy and religion express the principles of their respective disciplines in scientific rational- ist terms.
Because of our love for this ancient art, it is our goal to demonstrate that the Classical Astrology of the Hellenist and Medieval astrologers can be just as new, fresh, and good as ever to us if we can sweep away all this clutter and fabrication of man's modern interpre- tations. If we sweep away all this hubris, get back down, and delve underneath to find the foundations, then we can discover the Plan, how it was supposed to be.
But to rediscover the foundations it takes an archaeologist who comes and clears away the rubble! He digs out the foundation concepts from under all the rubble and reveals it as it was and reveals a vision of how it could be. Its been there all along and is just as good and relevant as ever, but we can't build on that Foundation again until we get rid of all the rubble of confusion and misconceptions.
With Foundations, we are trying to clear away a little more of the rubble to try to un- cover once again what the ancients taught and meant. Steven Birchfield A.M.A & Martien Hermes Wel come to the first Issue Foundations WINTER SOLSTICE 2006 VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1 The Life and Times of Mshallh By Steven Birchfield How things come about Astrologically By Martien Hermes Questions and Answers: Timing in Horary By Steven Birchfield Traditional Moon Phases By Steven Birchfield A D
F U N D U M
A S T R O L O G I A
Steven Birchfield
I am 56 married with 12 children. I have 2 degrees in engineering and a MA in Middle Eastern philosophy and Social Anthropology.
I began studying astrology in 1971. In 1994 I began my studies in Classical astrology. I completed my studies with Robert Zollers Medieval Diploma Course in 2004. A Compelling Horary: Will I Speak at the Conference? By Martien Hermes
We wish one and all a holiday season that is full of love and joy.
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all.
Steven and Martien Martien Hermes
I'm 47 years old, married, father to two daughters. I've studied astrology since 1983 and from 1994 onwards, ancient astrology became my prime field of interest. From 1998 until J anuary 2007, I was the publisher of the first Magazine on Traditional Astrology in Holland ever, named "Anima Astrologiae". I have been going through some material seeking to find what I can on the lunar phases, pre-Renaissance.
Actually, there is quite a bit of material on the subject. The ancients called them the defluxions of the Moon. There were two approaches to discussing this. One was to simply dis- cuss the phases and their general signification and find the ruler of the phase (as Vettius Valens does) or there was given a random variety of examples given of the Moon in a certain phase and separating from or joining another planet in that phase (as is found in the Liber Hermetis).
But what was fascinating and surprising to read was what the Ancients regarded as the phases of the Moon. Our post- Renaissance understanding of the lunar phases is:
1 Conjunction (new Moon) 2 Crescent (45) 3 First Quarter (90) 4 Gibbous (135) 5 Full Moon (180) 6 Disseminating phase (225 as Rudhyar called it) 7 Last Quarter (270) 8 Balsamic (315)
The following are the phases the ancients recognised:
1 Conjunction 2 The rising of the Moon or simply light This is when the Moon first emerges from the rays of the Sun (ca. 15 or 1 day, from the Sun) and you see that slender sickle in the west just after Sunset. This was the Moons first light. 3 Then came the first Crescent 4 Then the first Quarter or First Half 5 Then the First Double-convex 6 The Full Moon 7 The waning of the light was the opposite of light when the Moon moved ca. 12-15 past the opposition. 8 The 2nd double-convex 9 The last Quarter or Second half 10 The 2nd Crescent 11 The setting is that final slender sickle of a Moon you see in the early morning in the east just before daylight, be- fore she disappears completely under the rays of the Sun.
Basically, there were two phases that we never hear about in post-Renaissance astrology but I have actually read a lot about in pre-Renaissance, only I now just realise what the ancients meant. The rising of the Moon and the setting of the Moon was not talking about the Moons relation to the horizon, but it was talking about the Moons (or any planets) exiting or entering the Suns rays; its first and last light be- fore and after combustion. This was an interesting discovery for me at least.
Compiling all the references will take a bit of work, but I thought perhaps at least I could quote Valens here, to give you an idea of these early considerations.
This is taken from Chapter 36 in the 2 nd Book of Valens An- thology: [1]
The 11 figures of the Moon in relation to the Power of their Effects: The figures of the Moon are 7 by a natural reckoning, but we have found 11 just as in others. First is the Conjunction; Second, Rising; then when it is 45 away from the Sun it makes a phase which is Crescent; then until 90, Half; then until 135, Double-convex; then until 180, Whole Moon; then when it is 45 away from Whole Moon (which is 225) it makes its second Dou- ble-Convex phase; then until 270, the second Half; then until 315, the second Crescent; then until 360 the Setting phase. There is also another figure of it when it first begins to wane.
What each phase signifies and what kinds of effects it has We will append how the figures in question are also taken in relation to their effect-description and how they are fitting for a certain god.
By god, he is of course referring to one of the planets.
The Conjunction, then, gives indications for reputation and power and kingly and sovereign dispositions, and for all of the public activities connected with cities, and for parents and marriages and mysteries, and for all general and cosmic matters; similarly also, the lord of the Conjunction both of latitude and of the course.
Here Valens is saying that not only the Conjunction indi- cates these things, but also the lord of the Conjunction. I am assuming here, he is speaking of the planet ruling the sign where the conjunction occurs, its disposition in the chart and its essential dignity and accidental signification.
The Rising of the Moon (which is called Light) and the lord of this gives indications for the determination con- cerning length of life and what one does and concerning the support for what is about to be, and confirms the actions of the Conjunction. And just as the monthly and cosmic movements are considered from the first visibil- ity, so the lord of the Light shows the general effects. Hermes also joins in assisting until the 4th day of the Moon.
Valens descriptions of the significations of this phase when the Moon is 12 - 15 away from the Sun, make me wonder if this particular lord of the Light is not in fact the lord of the bounds the Light appears in, rather than the lord of the sign, which obviously in many cases, is the same as the Lord of the Conjunction. I say this because Valens is often am- biguous about just which lord he is talking about. In his dis- Moon Phases Traditional Page 2 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
[1] Book II, chapter 36 The Anthology by Vettius Valens, translated by Robert Schmidt and published by Golden Hind Press 1994 (Volume VII of the Greek Track from Project Hindsight). cussion in Book III on longetivity and about the ruler of the predominator, that is to say the Alchocoden of the Hyleg, he says the ruler is the lord of the bounds. Since a particular indication of this phase concerns length of life and support of the previous Conjunction, I am open to the possibility that Valens in this particular case, is speaking about the lord of the bounds or term ruler where first light occurs. And he says that Mercury will assist in this phase for 4 days.
The Crescent formation [45] signifies the upset and the expectations in life, and what concerns women and mother. And Hermes assists until the 8 th (day).
In this phase, he only specifies Mercury as assisting rather than the lord the Crescent is ruled by.
The Half formation [90] gives indications concerning injuries and ailments and whatever happens violently; and furthermore, concerning children and worth and fu- ture goods. And Aphrodite is configured until the 12th comes about.
The Double-Convex phase [135] gives indications con- cerning happiness and fu- ture advancement and being away from home and the sympathy of kin. And the Sun is also similar until the 14th comes about.
The Whole Moon [180] gives indications concerning good and ill repute [reputation] and being away from home, also concerning things that happen violently, and things that issue forth from excess and things that wax from the least, and concerning sympathies and ailments and political oppositions and sympathies of parents. And it also has the colour of the setting zoid- ion.
This is interesting since he says that the Whole Moon is coloured by the sign on the cusp of the 7th house, the setting zoidion! This would no doubt include the signifi- cation of that place. In this case, though, it is not the 7 th of the chart, but rather the 7th from the Conjunction since what we are seeing is almost a derived chart based on the con- junction!
The first lord of the waning light gives indications con- cerning the diminishment of belongings and difficulties and things that go toward depression, and concerning sudden falls. And Ares is equipotent to the post- descension and is lord until the 21 st day of the Moon.
Here, as with the rising light, there is reference to a specific lord. The Moon is 12 15 from the opposition. I am again inclined to consider the term lord the waning light falls in. One difference here however, is his reference to this phase corresponding to the post descension which is a direct reference to the 8 th house. The previous phase corresponded to the 7 th ! And he says that it is Mars who is assisting, or equipotent.
The second Double-Convex [225] gives signs for be- ing abroad and greater actions and for happiness. And Zeus is equipotent to the god and lord until the 25 th day of the Moon.
Here now Valens makes it exceeding clear that not only is there a planet that assists, but that there is a ruler of the phase, which is most likely the ruler of the sign the phase falls in.
The second half [270] gives signs for old matters and ailments of long dura- tion and for children. For, Kronos is equipotent until the 30 th comes about.
Now, Saturn assists until the new moon or up until the moon sets under the beams of the Sun. This period also in- cludes the last Crescent at 315.
The lord of the Crescent gives signs concerning the death of the wife and inactiv- ity and plundering.
Finally, the setting gives signs for bonds and constric- tions and hidden matters, for accusations and disen- franchisements.
And the order of the figures of the Moon is thus, but the co-mixtures with the 5 gods and the Sun are [in agree- ment] with the pivot points.
Im not sure what Vettius meant with his last statement that co-mixtures with the 5 planets and the Sun are in agree- ment with the 4 angles (the pivot points).
We can make some organisation out of all of this, which is very interesting.
1. The Conjunction or New Moon, from 0 - 12, has as ruler, the lord of the sign the conjunction occurs in. Moon Phases Traditional cont... Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 2. The Rising Light, 12 or 15 until 45, has the lord of its sign (or perhaps even the bound lord) and Mercury. 3. The First Crescent, 45 until 90, has the lord of its sign and Mercury. 4. The First Half or First Quarter, 90 - until 135, has the lord of its sign and Venus. 5. The First Double-Convex, 135 until 180, has its lord and the Sun. 6. The Whole Moon, 180 until about 192 195, has the lord of the sign it falls in. 7. The Waning Light, 192 195 until 225, has the lord of its sign (or perhaps terms) as ruler and Mars. 8. The 2nd Double-Convex, 225 until 270, has the lord of its sign and J upiter as rulers. 9. The 2nd Half or Last Quarter, 270 until 315, has as ruler the lord of its sign and Saturn. 10. The 2nd Crescent, 315 until about 345 347, has as ruler, the lord of its sign AND Saturn. 11. The Setting Light, ca. 345 - 347 until 360, has the ruler of the sign it falls in.
It is interesting to see the planets assisting are in the Chal- dean order of the planets corresponding to the various phases: from Mercury symbolising the new to Saturn the end of things. 2006 Steven Birchfield AMA Moon Phases Traditional cont... Page 4 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 The Life and Times of Mshallh This short essay is a brief examination of the astrology found in the 8 th century which is exemplified by the astro- logical practice of Mshallh. Msh'allh (c.740-c.815), known in the West as Messahalla, was an Egyptian J ew who lived and worked in Basra. We know from various accounts [1] that as a young man he worked with Nawbakht the Per- sian (c.679-777), who was the court astrologer to Caliph al- Mansr, in electing the chart to rebuild Baghdad (762). Per- haps this fact best demonstrates the respect he had already gained as an astrologer who could not have been any more than a young man in his early twenties.
We do not know the particulars of Mshallhs life. How- ever, one might certainly draw some conclusions of what it might have been like given the historical significance to astrology of these years in which he lived. It will be a help to the reader then, to regard his life in the context of the times!
We need to take a brief look at history before Mshallhs period in order to grasp the significance of this pivotal point in astrological history. Under Alexanders Greek Empire and the subsequent kingdoms, resulting from his death, the knowledge, science and history of the world was valued very greatly and great efforts were taken to preserve that knowledge. The Royal (Great) Library was established in Alexandria as well as several other sister repositories such as was located in the Great Temple of Serapis, simply called the Serapeum, which was in the south-western quarter of the city of Alexandria but was considerably smaller.
Under the Roman Empire, this knowledge was not held in as high esteem and several unfortunate civil wars led to the burning and sacking of the Royal Library. As the decline of the Roman Empire drew near, some records were either moved or copied and archived in Constantinople. Yet for this, with the rise of the influence of Christianity in the Byz- antine Empire, further historical records were destroyed. For example, in the fourth century the Emperor Theodosius (of the Byzantine Empire) in 391 AD forbade by decree all non- Christian religions. Theophilus, who was the Bishop of Al- exandria from 385 to 412 C.E., moved ahead under this de- cree and destroyed the Serapeum and its sister library, condemning them as being the house of pagan doctrines. Some few scholars survived for another generation till the murder of Hypatia in 415 AD. After the Byzantine Emperor J ustinian closed all of the schools in Athens (527 C.E.) the last refuges of science and knowledge were yet to be found in Alexandria, but even more so, the old traditions flourished in Persia.
In the three centuries that followed, from the Vandal con- quest and the occupation of Rome until the coronation of Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor (c.800), the struc- ture of western Roman society disintegrated and in particu- lar education and knowledge of the sciences. Only in the Byzantine Empire was there relative stability ensuring that the arts and sciences were not totally eradicated.
In the midst of the degeneration of Europe, there arose in the Middle East The Religion and with it came the conquest of the centres of the remaining civilised nations by this new Arab power: in 635 Syria fell; in 637, Iraq; Persia by 641 and Egypt following in 642. By 670, the Islamic Empire had spread to occupy most of North Africa. By 711, they had conquered Visigoth Spain and had it not been for their defeat at Poitiers, France in 732 by Charles Martel they more than likely would have occupied the greater part of Southern Europe. While their empire rose quickly, unlike their Ger- manic counterparts in Europe, their conquests left societies and cultures, for the most part, intact enabling them to take possession of an intellectual world rich in philosophy and science.
As already mentioned, by 762, Baghdad was rebuilt and with it, in 813, was founded the House of Knowledge (Bait ha Hikma) establishing a place in which to assimilate the
[1] Cf Al-Brn's The Chronology of Ancient Nations (London 1879, reproduced in Frankfurt-am-Main, 1984) In this article we will investigate the method handed down to us by Mshallh with regards to horary judgment. As all of the later astrologers famous or not more or less follow his instructions, it is very interesting to read Mshallhs own text, especially as he illustrates them with quite a lot of intriguing examples. If any book deserves the prefix The Bible of it is this text On Reception with its sparkling clarity and instructive and effective horary method. One can read this book time and time again, and still discover new insights and inside views on the art of horary astrology. Here I will outline Mshallhs general method of delineating horary charts, elsewhere I will apply his rules to a modern horary.
Mshallhs method in short
1. Do we work primarily with lord of the 1 st house or with the Moon? Which one is stronger?
Mshallh: [1]
That is, you will begin looking at the lord of the Ascen- dant. If it aspects the rising sign, this will be the one [to use] because of the strength of its testimony. Therefore, [you will begin] working by means of it, and the Moon will be made a sharer with the lord of the Ascendant in whichever place the Moon may be.
If the ruler of the Ascendant makes an aspect by sign (beholds) to the Ascendant, use the ruler of the Ascendant. It is naturally the more powerful. If the ruler of the Ascendant does not aspect the Ascendant by sign, then see whether it is making an application to another planet which does aspect the Ascendant by sign.
But if the lord of the Ascendant does not aspect the rising sign either by itself or by another planet to which it gives light, then it will be impeded and evil. For this rea- son then work by means of the Moon just as you have worked by means of the lord of the Ascendant.
So, if the ruler of the Ascendant is not fit, then one should look at the Moon and subject it to the same kind of analysis as the ruler of the Ascendant. If neither the ruler of the As- cendant, nor the Moon qualify as significators according to the criteria above, then one should see if another planet re- flects their light to the rising sign. Mshallh:
The Life and Times of Mshallh cont... Page 5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 wealth of knowledge they had inherited. Observatories were constructed near Baghdad and Damascus. Translation of Greek, Syriac, Persian and Sanskrit literature, philosophical and scientific works were enthusiastically, if not passion- ately, pursued. Astrologers, who had long fallen from favour in both Byzantine and Roman cultures, now found benefac- tors and patrons in the Caliphs of the Islamic Empire.
It was amongst this cultural rebirth that Mshallh grew up. He was more than likely exposed to several different cultural astrologies. We know for certain he worked with the Persian astrologer Nawbakht and quite likely his son Ab Sahl ibn Nawbakht. [2] There is the very good chance he also had contact with astrologers like the Greek, Theophilus of Edessa [3] (c.695-785). Likewise, during the last half of the 8 th century a number of Indian astrologers visited the court at Baghdad bringing with them Hindu books on astronomy and astrology. The best known of these was Kankah, [4] who came to Baghdad during the reign of the Caliph al-Ma'mn (754-775).
What is evident is that this period, centred at the time of Mshallhs life, provided the congregation of several lines of astrology, i.e. that of the Hellenistic astrologers, Persian (or Chaldean) astrologers, and elements from Indian Astrology. Without a doubt, this period and place became a crossroads and conjunction of the main astrological influences, cultures and teachings.
Some of Mashaallahs writings, Kitb tahwl sin al-mawld or Book of the Revolution of the Years of Nativities On the Eclipses of Luminaries, of Conjunctions of the Planets, and on the Revolutions of the Years Kitb al-mawld or The Book of Nativities On Reception or Interrogations On Conjunctions, Religions, and Peoples
Steven Birchfield 2006 How things come about Astrologically
[1] Mashaallah (800). On Reception Edited and Translated with commentary and appendix by Robert Hand. ISBN: 0-9662266-2-3. Page 20, especially in the 2 nd paragraph
[2] Ab Sahl ibn Nawbakht succeeded his father as court astrologer to the to Caliph al-Mansr.
[3] In his old age he was made court astrologer to the successor of al-Mansr; the Caliph al-Mahd (d.785). He also wrote some very important volumes on astrology, Works on Elections for Wars and Campaigns and Sovereignty; Astrological Effects; Collection on Cosmic Beginnings. For the most part these works were on mun- dane and electional astrology and these books have been preserved more or less intact, along with fragments of their Arabic versions. Some selections from the Greek texts have been published in the CCAG. He was largely influenced by the writings of Dorotheus and Hephstio.
[4] Among his books, there were Calculations for Nativities, about periods of time; Secrets of Nativities; Conjunctions, a large book; Conjunctions, a small book. But they should be sharers in everything, nor does either of them possess anything separately without its partner. And likewise if one of them should gain an ad- vantage and the other should suffer harm, the one which has gained the advantage will necessarily enter into possession over that other planet and over the mat- ter sought for according to the quantity of the harm to its partner.
In other words, which ever of the two indicates a good out- come rules over the matter but will be somewhat limited in its final outcome because of the damage done to the other planet which will limit the goodness indicated by the other!
Sahl Ibn Bishr [2] seems to allude to the same thing but in the context of afflictions to the rulers when he says:
This is an exposition of the stable angles; and the tes- timonies of the stars on their effects on the earth are three, from which things are sought, i.e. the ruler of the ASC and the Moon and the ruler of the thing; if two of them shall have been free from the aforesaid evils, i.e. the ruler of the ASC and the ruler of the thing, two parts of the thing will be perfected; [and] i.e. if one of them is safe, a third part of that thing which was wanted will be perfected. That is, if there is one testimony, he will have a third part; and if there are two testimonies, he will at- tain two parts of those things that he has sought; and if all the testimonies are conjoined, and if the ruler of the ASC and the ruler of the thing and the Moon are safe from retrogradation and combustion, safe from the evil planets, and safe from fall or cadency, he will attain everything that was sought; and if they are received with their own testimonies, and the one that receives them is also received, it will increase the good of it. Know, therefore, those questions that are conjoined and that agree in all things!
Earlier, Mshallh says that if for example the lord of the Ascendant does not see the rising sign and is not joined to a planet(s) that does; nor does it immediately join with a planet upon leaving its sign, then it indicates its harm. If on the other hand the Moon at the same time indicates good, then the outcome will be good but it is moderated by the degree of harm to the lord of the Ascendant! So while it is true we are going to work with specifically one of these two significators, i.e. the lord of the Ascendant or the Moon, they are always partners in signification, and in order to get a complete perspective of the outcome, we must examine both!
The main point though here, is that both significators of the querent give a combined picture of the outcome and both are necessary in judgment.
2. To which planet is this ruler of querent joined? How things come about Astrologically cont... Page 6 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 And if the lord of the Ascendant does not aspect the rising sign, you should look at whether it is being joined to a planet which does aspect the rising sign from its own place and gives its own light to the rising sign.
So if the lord of the Ascendant falls in aversion, then look and see if there is a planet transferring its light to the Ascen- dant. That is achieved by one of two ways: a) the significa- tor of the Ascendant is itself applying to a heavier planet that aspects the ascendant sign or b) a lighter planet than the significator of the Ascendant is separating from the signifi- cator of the Ascendant and beholding the rising sign.
If either of these conditions happens, we can work with the ruler of the ascendant.
If the ruler of the Ascendant nor the Moon see the ascendant nor have their light reflected, and thus cannot qualify as significators according to the criteria above, then one should see which of them, i.e. the Ascendant ruler or the Moon, will be first to leave the sign it is in. This stands to reason; be- cause when that significator does, it is then changing from aversion to the rising sign, to an aspect to the rising sign.
That one becomes the primary significator of the querent and one should see what application that planet first makes upon entering the new sign. Msh'allh demonstrates this in his 2 nd example of an ill person. In that case he chose the Moon to work with first because she would be first to leave her sign even though both the Moon and lord of the Ascen- dant aspected the rising sign and the Sun was stronger in testimony by being angular.
So this rule applies also, when both significators see or as- pect the ascendant, but both are void in course. Mshallh is however not much concerned with void planets:
For the number of degrees that exist before the Moon or the ruler of the Ascendant leave the sign they are in, indicates the tardiness and inactivity of events while that planet is void in course.
They do not necessarily indicate whether or not a matter will be perfected, it simply shows tardiness. How much tardi- ness or how long of a delay is shown? As many degrees as are left in the sign the significator is in.
[Both rulers used]
Perhaps one other thing should be mentioned here. It is pos- sible to work with either the lord of the Ascendant or the Moon in any question, but regardless of which one we work with, both share in the final outcome of the matter. Mshallh:
[2] Holden, J ames H., M.A., (2003); Sahl Inn Bishr The Introduc- tion to the Science of the Judgments of the Stars Translated from the Twelfth Century Latin Version. Phoenix, Arizona. Page 28 If the joining together is from the opposition or square aspect, there will be some difficulty, delay, and effort in the matter.
But if the joining together is from the trine or sextile as- pect, the matter will be without effort and without hard- ship. It happens in a similar manner in [the case of] a bodily conjunction.
And understand that if the planets which have dominion over the matter are in [one of] the four angles, they dis- pose of the matter, hasten, arouse, and perfect it.
But if the querent should ask you about the good or evil in which he may be, or [if he should ask you] what fu- ture he should expect afterward, and you find the plan- ets which have dominion over the matter in the angles, the matter will be one that endures whether good or bad.
Also, examine the joining together of planets which are in the angles, their reception and the giving of support through this of your affair, if God should will.
4. If the querents significator does not make its first ap- plication to the lord of the question, and neither in or from houses ruling the quesited, but rather to some other planet
Mshallh instructs us to look at the first and immediate application of that (second) planet (the one applied to). If this second planet does itself make an immediate application to the lord of the question, all is still well.
A series of such applications culminating in a received ap- plication to a benefic will perfect the matter. The only ex- ception to this is cases of life and death in which a benefic happens to be ruler of the eighth house and where in addi- tion there is no reception between the benefic and the sig- nificator of the querent; the querent will die of his illness.
The main point is that each planet, as it applies to another planet, commits its disposition to that planet. The applying planet pushes its disposition onto the second planet so to speak. Then the second planet may in turn push its disposi- tion onto yet another, or it might reject the disposition be- cause of lack of reception in which case the matter is de- stroyed.
So whatever planet is last in this chain of applications is very important in determining the outcome of a question. Sahl called this planet the receiver of the disposition, and it decides ultimately whether the matter will be perfected or not. Careful analysis of this planet informs us of how this success or lack thereof will come about. Any affliction of this planet can destroy the matter, even if it was perfected and the promise seemed fulfilled.
So, when relevant rulers do not apply to each other, observe which planet(s) is joined to the Moon or lord of the ascen- How things come about Astrologically cont... Page 7 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Whenever this first joining is immediately to the ruler of the quesited, the matter is perfected. It doesnt matter if this planet is malefic or benefic, in dignity or not, and reception is not required. This is the most straightforward method of perfection. [3]
3. When there is no joining of relevant rulers
Then see whether planets are in the ascendant and/or the house representing the matter sought. But Mshallh warns
However, the outcome of a matter and its prohibition does not happen according to a planet which is in the Ascendant but happens in the name of the lord of the Ascendant, or in the name of the Moon, and according to the stars to which they are being joined, and the join- ing together, reception, and the rendering of the recep- tion of these stars.
So, if the Moon or the lord of the 1 st house apply to a planet in the house representing the matter, or planets in this house apply to the ruler of the first house or planets in the ascen- dant, we have perfection.
Mshallh tells us that a planet in the ascendant or in the house of the question has a share in the outcome. If a planet in the house of the question commits its disposition to a planet in the Ascendant and the lord of the ascendant is not harmed, then we have perfection. This is especially the case if that planet in the ascendant has some authority there by having dignity in the sign it is in. The rulers thus situated will perfect the matter under the following conditions:
If the application from a relevant house is to a fortune, the matter will be perfected, whether or not that fortune re- ceives it, and it need not have any dignity in that house. If the application is to a malefic planet which has dignity in that place, the matter will be perfected and reception is again not necessary. If the application is to a malefic planet which has no dig- nity in that place, and it receives the lord of the Ascen- dant, or the Moon, the matter will be perfected. If the application is to a malefic planet which has no dig- nity in that place, and it does not receive the lord of the Ascendant, or the Moon, the matter will be destroyed.
Mshallh:
[3] Translation and collection of light are two other methods that can join relevant significators and perfect the matter, however Mshallh does not explicitly mention them. of a sign or degrees belonging to (B). If so, there is recep- tion. If then (B) is also in something of (A), the applying planet, then we have mutual reception.
The only thing to be added here is that Mshallh only used receptions involving sign-rulership or domicile, and exaltation. Abu Mashar adds
The strongest of these is the Lord of the House or of the exaltation. The Lord of the term or <that of the> triplicity or decan are weak unless two or more of them are joined. One of them may receive the other also by aspect without application, although the reception by application is stronger.
So, later astrologers also considered a reception by at least two of the lesser dignities, as a strong reception. We will likewise do so here.
These rules Mshallh applies to three issues and illus- trates them with several examples. First, he illustrates an 8 th
house issue of whether a person who is ill will die or not; second, 2 nd house and 8 th house issues concerning substance acquired or not; thirdly, the 10 th house matter of Kingship, whether acquired or not, which can nowadays be applied to issues concerning career. I would encourage the study of these charts in his book.
2006 by Martien Hermes How things come about Astrologically cont... Page 8 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 dant. This planet can and will perfect the matter, but only under the following conditions:
a. If the planet applied to is a fortune, and it is in an angle, or in a strong place, the matter will be perfected, and re- ception is not necessary (although always desirable). The indication strong place refers however to four things:
Strong through essential dignity strong in sect strong by phase to the Sun Strong by house position
So it is not simply dependent on whether or not a planet is angular or succedent. A planet can be cadent, but still be in a strong place, being one of the others!
b. If the planet applied to is a malefic, and it receives the applying planet, the matter will be perfected. c. But If the planet applied to is a malefic, and it is not the lord of the quesited, and it does not receive the lord of the Ascendant (or the Moon), and that malefic does not com- mit its disposition to another planet, then the matter will not be perfected; the malefic then destroys the matter. d. If the planet applied to is a malefic and it commits its dis- position to yet another malefic which in turn receives the planet handing over the disposition lord of the Ascendant, the matter will be perfected. [4]
[Reception]
The definition of reception by Robert Hand is,
Reception exists when a planet applies toward one of its dispositors according to the five essential dignities, or the dispositor applies toward it. The received planet commits disposition to the receiving planet, which sim- ply means that the receiving planet takes on the respon- sibility for handling or arranging (the original meaning of to dispose) the affairs of the received planet.
I have a bit of a simplistic, but in my mind, efficient manner to check reception. In Dutch, this is called an Ezelsbruggetje a Donkeys bridge, meaning a simple way to get a grip on a complex concept. Here it is; whenever a planet (A) applies to another one (B), I always check if (A) is in something of (B). This something being a sign, part Questions & Answers Question:
Dear Steven,
I have a doubt concerning the timing in horary astrology and I'm asking your help. Can you kindly help me?
The doubt is: Angular Houses - represents a long time according to some teachers. Cadent Houses - represents a short time.
In Christian Astrology, Page 175, 176 or page 87 from Ascella edition, Lilly says,
..you may answer that it shall be for many days as are the numbers of degrees betwixt the Significators, if they be both in Cadent houses: if they be in Succedent houses of Heaven, it will be so many weeks; if in the Angles, the time will be so many months...
This passage says the same thing that some teachers say, but as you know in other passages Lilly says absolutely the opposite of this!
[4] Msh'allh actually says,
If that malefic commits its disposition to another malefic which in turn receives lord of the Ascendant, the matter will be perfected.
In all of his examples, it is the reception of the planet handing over disposition that is essential and not just the reception of the Lord of the Ascendant. The pivotal places, or angles, advance matters. The pivotal houses were the centre of action from the houses on either side of it it wasnt a pillar, it was a hinge which is what the Greek word pivot means!
The Greek word for the cadent houses means decline and the reason it was called a decline or receding house is be- cause the diurnal (or primary) motion carries planets in the cadent houses away from the angles while it carries planets in a succedent house to the angle. Therefore, the declines or cadent houses indicated change and moving and travelling, e.g. the third and ninth houses which had to do with travel- ling, was and could be beneficial to the native as these places also aspect the Ascendant. But the sixth and twelfth houses which were associated with being forcibly being carried away into illness, slavery and servitude; they were inconjunct the ascendant and associated with things that afflict the life of the native!
With these things in mind lets look at something else Mshallh writes immediately after the preceding state- ment above,
But if the querent should ask you about the good or evil in which he may be, or [if he should ask you] what future he should expect afterward, and you find the planets which have dominion over the matter in the an- gles, the matter will be one that endures whether good or bad.
In this statement, Mshallh seems to be agreeing with Bonatti and Lillys statements and contradicting his other statement that the angles hasten the matter! So what is the truth of the matter?
Now if we think that means that in every question, the an- gles indicate the slowness of a matter and the cadent houses the quickness and speed of a matter then we will be wrong! Can you see something in the above situations and quotes that would tell us why this is true?
The answer to this conundrum (mystery) is very simple ac- tually. Both statements are true and it is the question that determines how we should regard the angles, succedents and cadent houses!
Lets look again closely at what Mshallh says in both these statements. In the first statement he says,
And know that planets which are cadent from the an- gles cause every matter which is not yet [come to be] to slow down and one waits for it to happen
Now consider his second statement,
But if the querent should ask you about the good or evil in which he may be,
Do you see the key to this riddle now? The angles hasten Page 9 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 In Liber Astronomiae - On Horary, First part, page 46, Bonatti discussing a subject very similar to the Lilly also says,
...say that there will be that many days to the time of the accomplishment of the matter if both planets are in cadents. If they are in succedents there will be weeks; if they are in angles, there will be months.
So, it appears that Lilly uses/copy the same rule of timing based on what bonatti wrote about the same subject - acquire substance of the King! Lilly in his Catalogue mention Bonatti, so he certainly read it.
What confuses me is the difference of opinions about - Angular long, Cadent short.
I think that the subject of fast and short time must have to do with the movement of the houses, but I have difficulties in understand it. I sincerely hope that you can elucidate me about this confuse approach of timing a horary chart.P
Answer:
Dear P,
I sympathise with your confusion, for the record is indeed confusing. The matter of what the houses indicate with re- gards to long or short periods of time is not one based on the primary or diurnal movement of the houses (signs).
Lets go back a ways to one of the first writers on horary and one to whom the majority of latter writers such as Bonatti and Lilly refer for their understanding.
Mshallh tells us in his book on horary, On Reception,
And understand that if the planets which have domin- ion over the matter are in [one of] the four angles, they dispose of the matter, hasten, arouse, and perfect it. [1]
The other Arabic astrologers called a planet in an angle or succedent house as alichel which means perfection or as other astrologers called it, advancing the matter. As we read above from Mshallh it was called this because they advance the matters quickly and surely. But advancing in this case does not necessarily only mean to do something quickly, it also means e.g. like moving to the head of the line in a movie theatre. It advances the matter to a place of im- portance and priority like having the first number while waiting in a government office. A planet in an angle gets first priority! Of course, that also means that if it has priority it will be taken sooner than another matter with less priority. Questions & Answers cont
[1] Chapter VIII, p. 36, On Reception by Mshallh than middling and the cardinal sign of Aries will be a little faster than middling. The signs belonging to the Moon and Venus advance matters quickly Libra and Cancer (the car- dinal signs) quicker than Taurus (a fixed sign). Mercury's signs accomplish things the fastest. Another consideration is whether the sign is one of long or short ascension! Signs of long ascension slow the matter. And lastly one would exam- ine whether the sign is cardinal, common or fixed; fixed signs cause the endurance of things; common signs mid- dling; cardinal signs indicate the quickness of change.
3) And last but not least was the question of which house. Depending on the question asked, then the angles either pro- duce the shortest or longest periods of resolution. The succe- dent houses always produced the middling or mean re- sults. The cadent houses would produce either the longest delays or denials and the shortest durations, depending on the question!
So if a querent did come to me and ask if he would loose his job and I found the significator of the matter a superior planet, in an angle, in a sign belonging to a superior, in a fixed sign of long ascension then I would probably say dont fret about it, you are not going to loose your job. If I found the significator of the matter an inferior planet, in a succe- dent house, but in some good dignity (exaltation, domicile or at least two if its lesser dignitys), in a cardinal sign of middling ascension then I might be more inclined to say you will not loose your job, for now! I might judge he is not on as solid ground and that while he will not soon loose his job he certainly could later!
This is why you find that Lilly in his timing method of when a stolen or lost item will be returned says,
Behold the application of the two Planets that Signify the recovery, and number the Degrees that are between them, or from the one to the other, and determine days, weeks, years, or hours, in this manner; Behold the place they are in, or the place of their application; for if they be in moveable Signs, the shorter time is required, or it shall be in weeks, or in months; in fixed Signs it Signifies Months or Years; in common Signs a mean betwixt both: help your self from these judgments: or if the Significator be quick in motion, they Signify it shall be recovered quickly, or lightly: which Significators, if they are falling from angles [i.e. cadent from the an- gles], signifies a time short, wherein the Goods shall be recovered: These J udgements are made properly for this Chapter; you must not judge in other things by these, or by this Method.
As you can see, Lilly considers several of these variables that I have listed. All of these variables will affect the timing of any prognostication! But more important is the last sen- tence in this paragraph where Lilly warns that you must not judge in other things by this method! The reason he says this is because of the differences the question itself creates, i.e. a matter that is or one which is not yet! Page 10 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 matters which have not yet come to be but they cause mat- ters in which the querent may already be to endure!
In Lillys example of when would money lent be paid back, the matter is that of a current situation, i.e. the querent has loaned money to someone, or has sold him or her something or has performed a service and seeks remuneration. The matter already exists! We are asking a question about a cur- rent situation! So when Lilly says the angles cause delay in the repayment of what was loaned he is in effect saying the current situation of someone owing the querent money will endure!
If on the other hand, the querent asks, will I obtain this posi- tion or job (for example) the matter does not yet exist and it has not yet happened at all, so the significator perfecting the matter in an angle would hasten it!
If the querent asked, there is a rumour at work that people are going to be laid off, will I be laid off and when will it happen then we are speaking of the good or bad which his present situation will produce and the significators in the angles would indicate the endurance of his job while the cadent houses would indicate his loosing his job and that pretty quickly! Do you understand these differences that the question itself creates?
Therefore, if we assert that the angles always indicate the slowness of a matter and the cadent houses the quickness of a matter we will be wrong very wrong!
But the teaching on timing does not stop with the houses alone. For example, if a cadent house is expediting a matter quickly, it could mean not only days but also it could mean weeks. Why is that? Simply because the houses were not the only consideration!
Whether or not a matter will proceed quickly or slowly has never been determined solely by whether the planets are angular, succedent or cadent. There are 3 principle things that influence the speed of an outcome.
1) The planet itself e.g., whether it is fast or slow in its motion and its essential strength. It is also important whether the planet is an inferior planet or superior planet. If the significator is Saturn or J upiter, the matter will proceed slowly; if it is the Sun or Mars, middling; if it is the Moon, Venus or Mercury then quickly!
2) The sign the signs belonging to the two superiors, Sagit- tarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces slow the matter down! So for example, the fixed sign Aquarius really will slow down the accomplishment of the matter! The signs belonging to the Sun and Mars, i.e. Leo, Scorpio and Aries are middling. So the fixed sign Leo would tend to be slower Questions & Answers cont
In questions of having a lost or stolen item returned, the question is whether the current situation of the lost or stolen item will endure or not!
My own conclusion from the historical record and that veri- fied in experience is that both conditions are true and we need to pay close attention to the context of the question in order to arrive at the correct conclusion.
Best regards, Steven Birchfield the rising sign. Neither is there a lighter planet joined and separating from Mars and beholding the rising sign.
Therefore in this matter, Mars is ill-disposed to signify for me the querent.
We now check out the Moon. Although the Moon is in the Ascendant she is also in aversion to the rising sign, as she is in Sagittarius as well. The Moon is applying to Mercury in the 11 th house, but this doesnt help as Mercury is also in aversion to the rising sign. The Moon is however also joined and applying to Saturn in Pisces, which does behold the rising sign. Therefore the Moon can be used as my significa- tor, in spite of her aversion to the rising sign.
Ruler of the matter What is the Lord of the quesited or matter? What should we look at as significator of speaker at a conference? There are several options I think. My first guess was to use the 11 th
house as this house signifies groups of people gathering. Finding Mercury there, natural ruler of speakers, is of course an interesting position.
Lecturing and teaching could also be the third house, ruled by Saturn. Should the Moon indeed perfect her application to Saturn the matter would however come to naught as Sat- urn is retrograde. Saturn would therefore return the matter handed to him by the Moon, thus destroying it.
Some would perhaps say a lecture at a conference is a 9 th
house matter as it involves teaching, which then would give the Sun as a ruler.
Of course honour and preferment has to do with the 10 th
house and as such it is a professional action, and of course there is honour involved as well. We then would use Mer- cury as the ruler of the quesited.
These are many possibilities of course, perhaps too many. But an application of the ruler of the querent, the Moon, to any of these might indeed perfect the matter. But actually, all of this might be a bit irrelevant as well because Mshallh simply checks what the next application of the significator of the querent is, and then considers whether or not this planet can perfect the matter, whether a significant ruler or not! Of course being a significant ruler would help, but whats quite revolutionary about Mshallhs whole con- cept is that any planet under the right conditions can perfect the matter.
What is the Moons first aspect? So lets look at the Moon. The Moon will perfect her aspect with Mercury first. Now that is interesting on three counts;
a. Mercurys natural signification to speech and speaking; b. because of his rulership of the 10th (professional actions); c. because of his location in the 11 th house, which rules
Page 11 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 A Compel l ing Horary: Wil l I Speak at the Conference? Years ago I was asked to be speaker in reserve for a confer- ence on astrology in Holland. When somebody would fall ill shortly before or during the conference, I would step in and do a lecture instead of the other person. My question was, will I speak at the upcoming conference? Lets follow Mshallh and see what we get as an answer.
The Lord of the Ascendant is in the Ascendant but not the Ascendant sign, so:
Mars in Sagittarius does not see Scorpio. Mars is not joined or applying to a planet that does see Questions & Answers Cont. groups of people and thus conferences.
It is true Mercury falls in aversion to Virgo on the 10 th but this aversion is mitigated as his inverse degrees of influence is in the 13 th degree of Virgo and co-present with the cusp of the 10 th .
Mercury, receiver of the disposition For Mercury to be able to perfect the disposition handed over to him by the Moon, he needs to be in good condition: best of all being received although this is not a decisive con- dition, next being strong, and also preferably unafflicted. So, what about Mercurys condition? Is it a malefic or benefic significator? It is in its own triplicity, oriental of the Sun, direct and in a very profitable house, the 11 th . More impor- tantly, it does not commit its disposition to any other; there- fore Mercury will indeed decide and signify the (end of the) matter of the querent! And what does the 11th signify? Ful- filment of hopes and desires!
Will I speak? There is only one small thing that would suggest I might speak but in the end perhaps would not. That is the fact that the Moon is applying to Mercury from Mercurys detriment Sagittarius. But we are told that that fact only hinders reception and here we are not speaking of reception. We are talking about the Moon committing her matters to Mer- cury, because she applies to him, and whether or not he will and can perfect them. In this there is no reception involved/ needed here. The aspect is a friendly sextile that suggests ease and smooth going, and Mercury is a benefic planet in a good place, and also has a very strong natural signification to the matter, so he is qualified to perfect the matter without reception being involved. If one is of the opinion that the 11 th house is indeed the house of conferences, as I am, then Mercury in the 11 th is a benefic in the house signifying the matter being applied to by the ruler of the querent. These are very positive indications suggesting I will indeed speak at the conference, which I did. One speaker called off, (I re- ceived a letter about this on 16th of march 1996) and I spoke at the conference. I did on the 14th of april 1996 at 15.30 hours. A little less than 6 months later.
It is also interesting that the Moon is translating J upiters light (just separating) from a conjunction with J upiter (Lord of the domicile she is in) and in her own face so we have two reasonably dignified contributions (she commits her dignity and counsel) to the accomplishment of the matter. J upiter in fact receives Mercury in his triplicity and his terms.
By Martien Hermes A Compelling Horary cont... Page 12 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Martien Hermes E-mail: mahemes@tiscali.nl
Steven Birchfield E-mail: stebi@online.no Web site: Divine Astrology http://home.online.no/~stebi/startpag.htm Do you have a question or comment? Wed love to hear from you! Contact Us! Foundations: The Vision
The astrology as practiced up until the 17th century thats what the term tradional or classical astrology refers to was fundamentally different from her modern counterpart. For diverse reasons this astrology has been, up until now, ignored and set aside as not fitting modern times, the Zeitgeist.
Thanks to recent translations and renewed interest in this ancient astrology it has become clear that it is a remarkably subtle and complex astrology, very elegant, pragmatic and rigourous. It is also clear that the study of this astrology has restored many lost techniques and methods, of great value to the practicing astrologer.
Ancient and medieval horoscopy is a very sensitive instrument, and a very intricate tool, that helps elucidate the philosophy and esoteric teachings regarding life the astrology from which it sprang.
Foundations: The Goal
The goal of Foundations ad fundum Astrologia is to present this ancient praxis, to research it and to demonstrate its validity.
Foundations ad fundum Astrologia strives to further the astrological know-how and methods of the ancients.
Critical research of modern assumptions and of the ancient texts is the method used.
In the end we hope to lay anew a foundation under modern astrology that helps its practitioners get a (better) handle on this Royal Art, so that again we can speak of a living tradition, based on texts which have proven to be the material on which the horoscopic edifice was built.