Chapter XIX. MIND AND THE RULING PLANET

WHEN we wish to study the character, disposition and temperament of anyone we must first realize that the mind is the keystone of the arch of the human personality. But character, disposition and temperament do not depend so much upon the quality of mind, whether it is keen, sharp and alert or slow and plodding, as upon what channels it takes for its expression. Intellects of the first magnitude are sometimes put to perverted use to the detriment of the community and the individual who thus misuses, his divine heritage, while a slow and very inferior mind may minister to many in lowly but loving meekness and reap sheaves of soul-growth thereby. Thus it is not sufficient to determine the quality of the mentality; we must also ascertain what is the channel of its expression. To judge that or any other matter thoroughly really involves consideration of the horoscope as a whole, separately and apart from its bearing upon all other matters. But in a general way the character and disposition may be learned from the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Ascendant and the ruling planets.

It has become the custom of many astrologers

to take the lord of the rising sign as the ruler of the horoscope. That is correct in Medical Astrology because the Ascendant represents the body, but when we want to judge the character which is the combination of all the forces focussed through the horoscopical wheel of life the matter is different. Then >ve must find what planet has the most dominant influence in the life and that is then the life ruler regardless of whether or not it is the ruler of the Ascendant. To find that planet, look first to the lord of the Ascendant. If he is elevated, essentially dignified or angular and strongly aspected, remember, it matters not whether the aspects are good or bad as long as they are close and plentiful (for if it were only the good aspects that made the ruler then there would be only good people in the world. But we know that there are people of all shades of character and therefore it is necessary to select the ruler according to the aspects, regardless of whether they are good or bad). But above all, be sure to see that the aspects are close; if they are good the lord of the Ascendant is also the ruling planet, for he will exercise the most potent influence in the life.

On the other hand if another planet is more highly elevated than the ruler of the Ascendant, if it is exalted, essentially dignified or placed in an angle and its aspects are more plentiful or closer than the aspects of the lord of the Ascendant, then judge that that planet will be the ruler of the horoscope and exercise a dominant influence in the life regardless

of the fact that it is not the ruler of the rising sign. But if there are two planets running neck-andneck in the race for rulership, so to speak, with no strongly marked difference in favor of one or the other so that it is difficult to make a choice, do not utterly discard one and choose the other, for then they will both be very active in the life and must be classed as co-rulers.

THE INFLUENCE OF RULING PLANETS Well Aspected

When the vital, courageous and ambitious well-aspected Sun is ruler, it gives dignity to the whole nature, a lofty pride that would not stoop to do anything small, mean or degrading, a fine and noble courage that may show itself on occasion as much by disdainfully ignoring the attacks of an adversary whom he considers too far beneath his notice as by a fight to the death for a principle. There is an intense craving for recognition and leadership which will make it very difficult for him to occupy a subordinate position; also an intense warm-hearted, affectionate and demonstrative nature.

When the refined, luxurious and musical well-aspected Venus is ruler of the horoscope

it gives a tender, loving, even amorous nature which craves love as we all desire air, for love is the very life breath of such people. They are extremely fond of children and usually have many pets which serve as avenues of their expression of love. They are also pleasure-loving and fond of social intercourse, neat and artistic in their ideas and in the decoration of their home.s. They love jewelry and anything else that adds beauty to the life, but they are luxurious in all their tastes, very amiable and much beloved by all ; their greatest fault is an inordinate love of ease and an aversion to soil their hands.

When Mercury the planet of reason, expression and dexterity is the well-aspected life ruler it gives a keen, quick-witted mind which craves knowledge as a thirsty man craves water and absorbs it as readily, a mind that solves, apparently without effort, the most intricate problems. Thus there is ability in the various branches of mental endeavor, science and literature, but these people are also very apt and forceful orators and have an extraordinary dexterity so that they can usually turn their hands to anything. They are fond of traveling and very successful as salesmen and agents.

When the romantic, imaginative and restless well-aspected Moon is the life ruler, the people born under its influence are indeed rolling stone^ and far fields always look greenest to them. Therefore they have an overwhelming desire for travel and change which generally does not per- . mit them to stay in one place longer than necessary to earn the money which will enable them to go to the next. They have a most vivid and fanciful imagination and a romantic nature entirely foreign to any practical endeavor ; listless, restles.8 and unstable as the tide that comes and goes, flotsam and jetsam upon the sea of life. They are generally mediumistic, though usually unconsciously so, but are otherwise quite harmless though utterly irresponsible and untrustworthy where anything requiring an effort is concerned.

When the serious, sagacious and profound well-aspected Saturn is life ruler, the people born under its influence are of a profoundly thoughtful, serious nature. They have a keen sense of responsibility and are full of forethought, hence trustworthy and reliable advisers ; they are systematic, orderly and have good executive ability, frugal in their tastes, thrifty and saving; just to a degree, but their justice is

cruel, hard and untempered by the slightest degree of mercy. They are chaste, sober and exemplary in their lives but they have neither mercy nor pity for those who are unable to overcome faults or habits or who otherwise become delinquent to the laws of society. They care little or nothing for pleasure or the society of others and generally keep their own counsel and company; they are highly respected, esteemed and trusted in the community but neither care for nor merit the love of their fellow men.

When the jovial, genial and generous wellaspected Jupiter is life ruler, the people born under his influence are ensouled by a great desire for honor, respect and esteem in their community. Therefore they aspire to be pillars in the church, legal lights, or to fill an honored position in the pulpit ; failing this they enter by preference one of the professions as lawyer or doctor. They are cordial, genial people with a jovial smile and a hearty handshake that makes one glad to meet them wherever they go, so they are always welcome. They are law-abiding and just but inclined to temper their justice with mercy; and while they themselves live lives beyond reproach they are kind, forgiving and lenient to those of a weaker morality whose lives are smirched by sin and crime, hence they are

philanthropic and always ready to give to charity and benevolent work. They are not only respected and esteemed but beloved in the community where they reside.

When the enthusiastic, energetic, constructive and militant Mars is the well-aspected life ruler, the people born under the influence of his dynamic rays are eager for the fray and battle of life. They are ensouled with an ardent desire to conquer the world. To them it does not so much matter what they do so long as it affords an adequate outlet for the constructive energy which, figuratively speaking, threatens to burst them unless released. The bigger and more difficult the undertaking, the more they exult; hence they become the pioneers and pathfinders of civilization, the engineers and contractors who build our cities and the highways and byways that connect them, who develop the resources of the world and turn them over to others to use. They are extremely impatient of restraint and will brook no interference with their plans or methods. These people govern other^ and bend them to their will by the whiplash of sheer force for they have neither tact nor diplomacy but win by the merit of might. They 'earn money easily and spend it as lavishly and foolishly. They are extremely extravagant and when re-