Chapter XVIII. The Quality of the Mind

Tux consideration of circumstances applicable to the body is practised under the foregoing rules.

‘Of the spiritual qualities, however, all those which are rational and intellectual are contemplated by the situation of Mercury; while all others, which regard the mere sensitive faculties, and are independent of reason, are considered rather by other luminaries of a less subtle constitution and more ponderous body ; for instance, by the Moon and such stars as she may be configurated with, as well by separation®,

* That is to say, in the-commencement of her separation non the aspect or a of such stars,

Chap. XVIII.] PToLEMy’s TETRABIBLOS. 159

Now the mind is liable to impulse in a multiplicity of directions, and the investigation of them cannot, be. summarily nor hastily performed, but must be conducted by means of many various observations : for the different qualities of the signs, containing Mercury and the Moon, or such stars as hold any influence over those two, are well competent to contribute towards the properties of the mind; so likewisé are the configurations made with the Sun and the angles, by stars bearing any relation to the point in question ; besides, also, the peculiar nature exercised by each star in: operating upon the mental movements.

Thus, the tropical signs generally disposes the mind to

~ enter much into political matters, rendering it eager to

engage in public and turbulent affairs, fond of distinction, and busy jn theology; at the same. time, ingenious, acute, inquisitive, inventive, speculative, and studious of astrology and divination.

Bicorporeal signs render the mind variable, versatile, not easy to be understood, volatile, and unsteady 5 ; inclined to duplicity, amorous, wily, fond of music, careless, full of expedients, and regretful*. ,

Fixed signs make the mind just, uncompromising, constant, firm of purpose, prudent, patient, industrious, strict, ehaste, mindful of injuries, steady in pursuing its object, | contentious, desirous of honour, seditious, avaricious, and pertinacious,

Oriental. positions, and ihiel in the ascendant, especially if made by planets in their proper faces}, make men liberal, frank, self-qonfident, brave, ingenious, unreserved, yet acute. Oriental stations, and positions on the mid-heaven, or cul-

* The Greek is xerayedatixov;, Which means “ penitent” or “prone

“ to repentance,” or “ to subsequent regret.” It isdifficult to « monty

i{s precise meaning in the text. ~ -.¢ Vide Chapter 26, Book 1.

minations, make men reflective, constant, of good memory, firm, prudent, magnanimous, successful in pursuing their - desires, inflexible, powerful in intellect, strict, not easily” imposed upon, judicious, active, hostile to crime, and skilful in science.

Precedent and occidental positions make men unsteady, irreverent, imbecile, impatient of labour, easily impressed, humble, doubting, wavering, boastful, and cowardly, slothful, lazy, and hard to rouse. Occidental stations, and positions on the lower heaven, (as well as Mercury and Venus, when making vespertine descension by day, and rising in the night,) will render the mind ingenious and sagacious, but not capable of great recollection, nor very industrious ; yet inquisitive into occult matters, such as magic and sacred mysteries ; also studious of mechanics, and mechanical instruments; addicted to the observation of meteors, to philosophy, to augury by means of birds, and to the judgement of dreams.

Further, should the planets having dominion be in places of their own, and in conditions suitable to their own quali- . ties, the mental properties will be rendered exquisite, unimpeded, and successful : and especially if these planets rule at the same time over both places; that is to say, be by some mode configurated with Mercury, and hold separation from, or application to the Moon. Should the said planets, however, not be thus constituted, but be posited in places not parti- _cularly appropriate to themselves, they will yet, even then, infuse into the composition of the mental energythe property of their own nature ; but obscurely and imperfectly, and not with such force and strong evidence as if the other case.

The peculiar qualities of planets in dominion, or in.elevation, are powerfully impressed upon the mental energy : for instance, persons, who, in consequesice of the familiarity of the malefics, become wicked and ieee have their im-

Cap. XVIII.] pro.emy’s TETAABIBLOS. | 161

pulse to commit evil, free and unrestrained, when the said

familiarity is not governed by any coiitraty influence. But, should a contrary cofdition impede and govern that familiarity, the impulse will be frustrated, and the culprits will be easily overtaken, and undergo punishttent. In like manner, persons endowed with goodness and vittue, by the faniiliarity between the bendfics and the before-mentioned placés*,

and when no contrary influence in elevation may interpose, will exert themselves with cheerfulness and aldcrity in pet-- forming good actions, will be subject to no injustice, but enjoy the advantages of their honesty and virtue. If, however, this familiarity should be supetseded by some contrary

. condition, the very mildness and humanity of these persons will operate to their disadvantage, exposing them to contempt ~ and accusation, and rendering them liable to be wronged by the multitude.

_ The fofegoing observations, relative to the moral habit, apply génerally ; and the particular properties, created in the mental énergiés by ge actual nature of the planets, according to the respective dominion of cath, retain to be treated of,

The planet Saturn, therefore, when alone possessing dominion of the mind, and governing Mercury and the Moon, and if posited in glory, both cosmically atid with respect td the angles}, will make men careful of theit bodies}, strong and profound in opinion, austere, singular in their modes of thinking, laborious, imperious, hostile to crime, avaricious, parsimonious, accumalatots of wealth, violent, and envious : but, if tie be not in glory, cosmically, and as regards the angles, he i —— the mut making it peels eas ;

* That of Metcury, and that of the Moon.

t This gems to imply, if well placed in elevation; as, in the Ihiidheaven, for instance, or in a conspicuous situation; and in possession of dignities.

{.Or, persons :—the Oreck it gixerwpadlde, '

162 PTOLEMY’S TRTRABIBLOS. _ [Book IIT. lanimous, ill-disposed, indiscriminating, malignant, timorous, slanderous, fond of solitude, repining, incapable of shame, bigotted, fond of labour, void of natural affection, . treacherous in friendship and in family connections, incapable of enjoyment, and regardless of the. body*. — Connected- with - Jupiter inthe mode before-mentioned, being also situated in glory, Saturn will render the mind virtuous, respectful, well-intentioned, ready to assist, judicious, frugal, magnanimous, obliging, solicitous..of good, affectionate in all domestic ties, mild, prudent, patient, and philosophical : but, if thus connected and posited ingloriously, he makes men outrageous, incapable. of learning, timorous, highly superstitious, yet regardless of religion, suspicious, averse to children, incapable of friendship, cunning, misjudging, faithless, foolishly wicked, irascible, hypocritical, idle and useless, without ambition, yet regretful, morose, highly reserved, over-cautious, and dull.—Conciliated with Mars, and _ posited in glory, Saturn renders men reckless, over-diligent, frée in speech, turbulent, boastful, austgre in their dealings, pitiless, contemptuous, fierce, warlike, bold, fond of tumults, insidious, deceitful, and implacable ; promoters of faction, tyrannical, rapacious, hostile to the commonwealth, delighting in strife, vindictive, profound in guilt, strenuous, impatient, insolent, mischievous, overbearing, evil, unjust, obstinate, ‘mhuman, inflexible, immutable in: opinion, busy, able in office, active, submitting to no opposition, and on the whole. successful in their undertakings ; but, if thus connected, and not placed in glory, ‘he will make men plunderers, robbers, adulterers, submissive to evil, seeking gain by their turpitude, infidels in religion, void of the common affections, mischievous, treacherous, thievish, perjurers, and sanguinary; eaters of unlawful food, familiar with guilt, assassins, sorcerers, sacrilegious, impious, violators of the a Pr ee