Chapter X. MERCURY, THE PLANET or REASON（续 3）

in time makes him bitter and sarcastic with the additional result that he is shunned by all who can possibly get away from him and that in time leads him to become a recluse who shuts himself away to brood over his troubles. Such a person sometimes becomes subject to melancholia of a most piteous character. These aspects also make the person cunning and untruthful. They give the same desire to study the occult conferred by the good aspects, but there is the great difference that while the good aspects of Saturn and Mercury incline him to the study of occultism from unselfish motives, the bad aspects impel him to ferret out nature's secrets for personal power or gain.

6 P * A $ Jupiter conjunction, parallel, sextile or trine to Mercury is one of the finest assets in life, for it gives a cheerful, optimistic disposition with the ability to always look upon the bright side of things and keep up the spirits in hours of adversity. The mind is broad, versatile and able to reason correctly and to form a reliable judgment by careful deliberation. These people never give a hasty decision ; they require time to think over whatever is presented to them, but once they have reached a conclusion that will be found incontrovertible. They are successful in law or literature and much respected for their honesty and sincerity. These aspects

are particularly fortunate for people who travel for business or pleasure, for they will reap both benefit and enjoyment from a migratory mode of life; it will make them "healthy, wealthy and wise" beyond the average, and loved by everybody for the vital vibrations they radiate upon whoever they meet.

Jupiter square or opposition to Mercury gives a vacillating and wavering disposition so that the person cannot make up his mind when more than one course of action is open, hence people with these aspects often lose their opportunities through procrastination and lack of judgment, and they must therefore be classed as failures in life. They are liable to scandal and slander because of treacherous associates. They should not travel, for it will bring them loss and trouble. They should also be extremely careful in making contracts or agreements to do or deliver certain things at a specified time, for they will probably be unable to fulfill the requirements and thus trouble and loss will result.

* A $ Mars sextile or trine to Mercury gives a keen, sharp, ingenious and resourceful mentality. It makes the person enthusiastic over any proposition which appeals to him and he has also the ability to enthuse others and impress them with his views ; an indefatigable worker in any cause which arouses his sympathies, but

he is no visionary, he is interested only in concrete matters. These people love argument or debate, and they have an inexhaustible fund of wit and good humor, sometimes blended with a vein of sarcasm which always strikes its mark, yet never viciously or maliciously. They also have remarkable dexterity and are able to turn their hands to whatever task is required and do it with a speed, facility and expedition that is astonishing, to say the least. They cannot do anything slowly or by halves; whatever they undertake must be done with a rush, and they put their whole energy into it so that they may accomplish the task and do it well, hence these aspects give success in life, in almost any line of endeavor these people may select, but probably most in literature or the mechanical arts.

' $ 6 P $ Mars conjunction or parallel to Mercury gives the same mental energy, enthusiasm and dexterity as the definitely good aspects, but whether they are used for constructive and good purposes or for destructive and evil ends depends upon the aspects, house position and sign which they occupy. If the configuration occurs in a sign where either or both are strong and well-placed, as Mars in Aries or Capricorn or Mercury in Gemini or Virgo, or if they are fortified by good aspects from the Sun, Venus and Jupiter, Mars conjunction or parallel Mercury

will operate similarly to the sextile or trine, at> stated in the foregoing paragraph, which see. But if Mars and Mercury are in one of the watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces), or if either or both are afflicted by Saturn, Uranus or Neptune, the conjunction or parallel of Mars and Mercury will give the same evil tendencies as the square or opposition which are defined in the next paragraph.

£ O 8 % Mars square or opposition to Mercury makes people quickwitted, sharp and alert, quick tempered, impulsive and excitable, liable to jump at conclusions and act before they think with the inevitable result that they are always getting themselves or other people into trouble, hence they are dangerous associates. They are born prevaricators and utterly incapable of making a straight statement. It is just as natural for them to color or exaggerate their statements as it is to breathe. They are vitriolic in their wrath and their tongues are more poisonous than the bite of a rattlesnake, hence they are either feared or hated by those who are unfortunate enough to be bound to them by environment; all who can shun them. They are bullies who are bound either to rule or ruin wherever they are, and they allow no obstacle to stand in their way which can be removed either by force or slander. They are the acme of selfishness, swagger and

consummate egotism. The foregoing tendencies may of course be modified by other aspects, but if they are not, such people are a menace to society. If either Mars or Mercury are placed in the Sixth or Twelfth Houses or in any other position so that the bad aspect acts upon the health, there is a liability to nervous prostration, brain fever or insanity.

# A $ Uranus sextile or trine to Mercury gives an original, independent and eccentric mind impatient of the fetters of fashion, tradition and convention. Such a person is strenuous in his efforts to hew a path for himself in complete liberty. Therefore this is the hall-mark of the pioneer in thought and invention, the sign of genius. Their ideas and ideals are exceedingly lofty, progressive and inspiring, in fact too much so in the opinion of the average man or woman who looks upon their actions as vagaries, the outcome of a diseased mind. Nevertheless they have plenty of friends on account of their kindly and sympathetic nature and these aspects are good for a literary or scientific pursuit, also for invention, particularly those which have to do with air or electricity.

: d P $ Uranus conjunction or parallel Mercury. If Mercury is otherwise afflicted the conjunction and parallel are to be judged as bad aspects and read accordingly, but if Mercury is otherwise

well placed and aspected the delineation given for the sextile and trine will apply.

1$ G 8 $ Uranus square or opposition to Mercury is the hall-mark of the true crank or anarchist who has extreme ideas to tear down the social structure and undertake radical reforms. People with these configurations are given to ranting and raving in public and their language is usually as cruel as the measures they advocate. Whatever ability they possess is usually turned to an erratic purpose and they are often forced to make sudden changes on that account.

V? 6P# A S Neptune conjunction, parallel, sextile or trine to Mercury gives a mind peculiarly adapted to the occult art, particularly if the conjunction occurs in the Third or Ninth Houses or the trines are from the watery signs Cancer and Pisces. Such people usually succeed in occult science and often develop a supernormal faculty. They are particularly good as magnetic healers.

tp D <? S Neptune square or opposition to Mercury gives a chaotic mind, liability to lack of memory, indolence and a disposition to dream the time away. There is a restless desire for fame and an inability to fit in anywhere. Such people are liable to fraud, deception and slander, also to suicide.