Chapter V. The THree Centres. Sun, Moon, anp ASCENDANT（续 6）

Mental tendencies: self-reliant, wilful, courageous, determined ; energetic and active when roused but at other times indolent ; very fixed and obstinate and difficult to influence; angry and revengeful when provoked. Some are very practical, executive and matter-of-fact, good business men and desirous of money. Others have a strong inclination for occultism or mysticism in some form. ‘The sign also inclines somewhat to chemistry, surgery or practical scientific research as apart from theory. They make good soldiers and sailors.

Sacirrarius, f.—Tall, slender, well-formed; hair brown or chestnut;

ryes blue or hazel; oval face; fresh complexion ; inclining to baldness near vemples. Motive-mental temperament.

Mental tendencies: generous, good-hearted, cheerful, charitable, somewhat rmpulsive, active and enterprising, sympathetic and humane. Fond of travelling, voyaging, out-door sports and exercises. Inclination to religion or philosophy. Just, truthful, candid.

Capricorn, )%.—Stature average to short ; sometimes bony and thin ; long or prominent nose; in profile hatchet-faced ; thin neck, long chin; dark or black hair, usually not plentiful; thin beard. Motive or motive-mental temperament.

Mental tendencies: ambitious, persistent ; a strong sense of self-importance and often much selfishness; great desire for pomp or power or wealth, or self-aggrandisement ; disposition cold, sometimes despondent; subtle, much mental ingenuity and fertility ; quiet and reserved but determined. Changeable and capricious. Ability for managing and organising ; firmness ; self-possession ; self-control. ‘They succeed:rather by perseverance and plodding than by intense or spasmodic effort. Not remarkably sociable or affectionate. ‘Self’ and ‘mentality’ characterise the sign. Children and young people often unfortunate. The sign shows out much more favourably and characteristically in middle and old age. Other things being equal, if the native lives past the middle age, Capricorn favours old age and tenacity of life; but it is quite the reverse with infants. |

Aquarius, <.—Middle stature, strong and well formed; square build of figure ; tendency to stoutness; good complexion ; sometimes good looking ; hair varies from light to dark ; face long and fleshy.

Mental tendencies : good intellectual and practical abilities ; good disposition; patient, self-controlled, quiet, humane, constant, persevering; fixed opinions, not easily altered ; ingenious, inventive, fond of knowledge ; sometimes inclining to psychic matters.

Pisces, }{.—Stature middle to short; fleshy person and face; pale complexion, full eyes; tendency to double chin; small and short limbs; hair plentiful, dark. Vital temperament.

Mental tendencies: easy-going and good-natured; indolent; uncertain, changeful ; emotional, charitable, affectionate ; sometimes diffident and reserved or secretive.

RULES FOR DESCRIBING THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE

(2) Note carefully the degree of the ascending sign, and modify the whole sign by the decanate rising. Remember that persons who are tall are born in the first decanate of the sign rising, those of average or medium height in the middle of the sign, and those who are short or below the average in the last degrees.

(2) Note the planet or planets rising in or near the ascendant; the nearer they are to the cusp, the greater will be their modification of the rising signs’ influence. :

(c) Note the aspects of planets to the ascendant, for they colour or influence the rising sign.

(2) When several are rising in the ascendant make no attempt to give an accurate description, as it cannot be determined owing to the impossibility of combining all the varied influences.

THE THREE CENTRES. SUN MOON, AND ASCENDANT 89

CHAPTER ¥i Tue AScENDANT oR Ryistnc Sicn. JHE First House

THE sign, and more especially the particular degree, of the zodiac rising upon the eastern horizon at birth is known as the ASCENDANT. This term also embraces the whole of the first house, and in the author’s opinion about 15° above the first house may be considered as included in the ascendant.*

The ascendant rules the personal appearance and to a considerable extent also the health, mind, and disposition. It is that part of the horoscope which has more to do with the physical body and its material wants than any other portion. The five physical senses find their outlet through this ascendant, and much depends upon the nature of the sign rising and any planets in the ascendant, if such there are, as regards the expression of the Ego in the physical world.

Fiery Sicns rising denote good vitality, much force and energy, giving enough stamina to sustain life under adverse aspects and planetary positions; in a general sense they give good health. The disposition is to be hasty; impulsive; ambitious; proud; enterprising ; commanding, with more desire to lead than serve; argumentative; quick-tempered ; self-confident; and generally fortunate. The mind is aspiring; free; independent; acute; and penetrative.

The decanate and degree rising will show the particular mental endency.

* The 15° here spoken of is strictly speaking 15° of Oblique Ascension and not of the Zodiac, but in a great many czses half a sign will be near enough. A simple way of getting a good idea of tne limit is to subtract ome hour from the Sidereal Time at Birth and see in the Table of Houses what degree is then rising at the place of birth. The degree (which will at birth be found in the twelfth house, of course) may then be taken as forming the limit of influence of the first house, as above suggested.

THE ASCENDANT OR RISINGSIGN. THE FIRST HOUSE 491

Airy Siens rising denote less vitality, and not so much robustness as the fiery signs, the artistic temperament usually predominating. The disposition is to be cheerful; amiable; sympathetic; well spoken ; gentle; neat; courteous; perceptive; ingenious; and well-informed. The mind is cultured; musical; imaginative; refined; fond of reasoning and generally very well balanced, intellectual, and non-assertive.

The decanate and degree rising will show the particular mental, tendency.

WATERY SIcns rising denote less recuperative power, inability to manufacture sufficient ‘Prana,’ and a tendency to weak constitution. The disposition is to be slow; effeminate; fearful; shy; backward; inert; lacking energy, and generally unwilling to act; conceited. The mind is receptive; dreamy; mediumistic; impressionable; psychic.

The decanate and degree rising will show the particular mental tendency.

EarTHY SIGns rising denote good general health, but not too much vitality or an over-strong constitution. They give the motive temperament generally. The disposition is to be cautious; premeditative ; secret ; careful; stubborn; suspicious; economical; self-protective and slow. The mind is practical; objective; scientific; methodical and steady.

The decanate and degree rising will show the particular mental tendency. ‘

Fixed Signs rising denote fixity of purpose; determination; pride; power; resolution; faithfulness; persistency; self-reliance; patience; dogmatism ; independence; austerity, and reliability.

Cardinal Signs rising denote energy; enterprise; enthusiasm ; activity ; self-assertion; independence; ambition ; changeableness; and the true pioneer spirit.

Mutable Signs rising denote versatility; sensitiveness; sympathy ; impressionability ; inconstancy ; lack of energy; love of detail; restlessness ; want of tact; aimlessness and indecision ; an anxious nature.

The expression of the ascendant will be considerably modified, or accentuated, by the planets rising, positions and aspects of the ruling _ planet, the signs containing the majority of the planets, the aspects of the planets to the ascendant, etc. But the whole nativity, as well as the ascendant, affects the mind.

The rising sign has its own special influence upon the native’s

expression of himself in the physical world, though it has more relation to his environment, early surroundings, and hereditary tendencies, than to his inherent character. It is said that the rising sign influences female births more than males, also that throughout the whole of a female’s life the ascendant has major influence, especially if the rising sign is a negative or feminine sign. In the author’s opinion it is certain that during the first seven years the child is entirely governed by the ascendant and the lunar position, for it takes seven years for the Ego to gain control over his lower vehicles; but from this age onward environment and surroundings are gradually dominated until they are finally mastered and fresh impulses set in motion. The rising sign should be carefully studied and its ruler’s influence noted, also any planets that may be rising or near the ascendant, as all these separate influences have to be synthetised by the astrologer.