Chapter XIV. MARS THE PLANET OF ACTION（续 4）

dauntless determination and courage to face the greatest odds. Given a plan to follow he may be trusted to overcome all physical obstacles for he has both executive and constructive ability together with an indomitable will which refuses to recognize defeat. The disposition is frank and open but blunt and often brusque; they are too intensely bent on whatever they want to do to waste time in politeness and suavity, therefore they brush the convention alities aside without compunction and are consequently not liked by people of too fine sensibilities, but they are men and women of action and the foremost factors in the world's work; but for their energy and enterprise the world would move much more slowly.

O D £ $ The Sun square or opposition to Mars endows the person with an abundance of en- - ergy, and the faculty of leadership, but it is turned to purposes of deviltry and destruction; the courage implanted by the good aspects becomes foolhardiness and the person has a loud, overbearing, swaggering manner and is ready to fight at the drop of a hat ; he is always in opposition to the constituted authority and ready to rebel wherever he sees a chance; he has an extremely fiery temper but holds no resentment. On account of these qualities he is universally disliked by both employers and his fellow work-

ers, always in hot water and never stays long in any place for he is an agitator and trouble maker. These aspects also dispose to accidents in which the person may be maimed, to gunshot and knife-wounds, also to scalding, fevers, and inflammatory complaints, boils and eruptions.

Aspects to the Sun and Mars are" absolutely necessary to give zest to life; even adverse aspects are better than none, for where these planets are unaspected the person is usually listless, vapid and will never amount to anything no matter how good the figure may be in other respects.

A $ Venus sextile or trine to Mars will give an ambitious, aspiring and adventurous nature, amorous and extremely demonstrative in its affection, and very fond of sports and pleasures. It gives the person an abundance of energy and business acumen, consequently he has a splendid earning capacity, but no matter how much money he makes it just filters through his fingers, for he loves above all things to make a great outward show and display. Being a free spender he is also very popular among his associates, and being as already said of an amorous nature he marries either very early or his marriage is a very sudden and hasty one. These aspects are also indications of money by marriage or legacy.

9 6 P $ Venus conjunction or parallel Mars does not always operate in the same manner, but they are to be classed as good or bad aspects according to circumstances and the matter to be judged. For instance, Mars conjunction Venus makes the person less blunt and domineering, more kind and polite, and is therefore good in that respect, but the conjunction also strengthens the passional nature ; especially if it occurs in Scorpio, and in the Twelfth House it often leads to self-abuse so that in those cases it is decidedly bad. Therefore students must exercise judgment before classing these aspects.

9 D 8 $ Venus square or opposition to Mars gives a very voluptuous and sensuous disposition liable to gross exceses in the gratification of the passions which will sap the vitality. It is likely to break down the health and constitution, leaving the person a wreck on the sea of life if it is allowed a free rein. These people are altogether too generous, especially where the opposite sex is concerned. They are very extravagant and on that account spend more than they can afford on themselves, besides what they squander on their many amours, so that no matter how much money they make, they are generally in financial difficulty, and not infrequently they figure as defendants in the debtor's court. If Mars or Venus are in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces there is

a tendency to such a dissolute and dissipated living; such a craving for low pleasures that, if indulged, it will drag the human being down below the level of animals.

* A $ Mercury sextile or trine to Mars 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. He is 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 malicously. 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 tlaese aspects give success in life, in almost any line of endeavor these people may select, but probably most in literature or the mechanical arts.

5 6 P $ Mercury conjunction or parallel to Mars 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 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 to Mercury will operate similarly to the sextile or trine as stated in the foregoing paragraph, wilich 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.

3 n 8 $ Mercury square or opposition to Mars makes people quick-witted, 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 an exact 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.

D * A $ The Moon sextile or trine to Mars gives a wonderful vitality and a strong physique so that the person is able to withstand almost any other testimonies of ill-health which are overruled by it. The power of endurance is increased and the person can survive hardships to which people ordinarily succumb. It gives a resolute, courageous, energetic and ambitious mind of a resourceful and eminently constructive turn. It makes the person quick but not precipitate in

his decisions. Thus he gains the confidence and esteem of others and earns considerable money, but the nature is extremely free and generous so that money does not stay by these people — they spend it almost as fast as they get it.