Chapter XI. The Fourth HousE—EnNvironMENT, Homer, PARENTS ;

Tue Fourta HousE—EnNvironMENT, Homer, PARENTS ; THE Enp oF LIFE

Tue fourth house relates to the ‘grave,’ the end of life, one of the parents—usually the father, according to Western astrologers, though the Hindus say the mother, since the fourth house corresponds to Cancer—and denotes also the environment, residence and family conditions in which the native dwells.

A few words may not be out of place here in regard to both the fourth and tenth houses, regarded from a more or less metaphysical point of view. The fourth house may be briefly summarised as the personal environment, the tenth house as the individual environment. Passing in review a moment the four angles of the figure and _ their corresponding signs T, 95, ==, V4, we can see very well how this is. Firstly, the oriental half of the map, fourth to tenth (reckoned backwards) indicates, as has been said in an earlier chapter, the objective side of existence, of which the ascendant, representing the personal man or woman, is the most obvious and sharply focussed expression. The occidental portion of the map, tenth to fourth, on the other hand, represents the subjective side of the nature, which finds its external concrete expression in the partners, domestic and business, to which the native is drawn. In the same way, therefore, that the fourth house represents in a general sense the centre or focus of the personal or domestic environment, the tenth house represents the focus of the zndividual or business. environment.

Looked at in this way, a horoscope becomes exceedingly interesting when we study it from the standpoint of business or marriage. A certain. humorist has hinted that ‘marriage is woman’s business,’ but without any cynicism, real or assumed, we can see that viewed in this light there is a certain basis for the suggestion. A young man’s start in life is. reckoned from the time when he first sets out in business (tenth house,

business, honours, ideals, ambition); and similarly a young woman’s. 164 \

start in life dates from marriage, when she removes to the house provided by her husband (10th house, fourth from the seventh, ze., the husband’s domestic environment). The veal factor in both cases is the same, the personal or outer self (first house), usually domiciled in the fourth, is removed thence and commences to take up its abode in the tenth, the domicile of the individuality or alter ego, the (relatively) higher self, the ‘better half.’

If we regard the true Man as represented by the centre of the map, we shall thus see him crucified, as it were, on the four angles of the figure; the first house representing the personal, or limited self, the M.C. the aspirations and ambitions, the seventh attraction to another self and the fourth as a synthesis of the whole carried into the invisible planes.

We can see then how the life of the average City man continually passes, as it were, round the circle, ebbing and flowing from the fourth to the tenth as he journeys (either in thought or by train) from home to business, and back again; while at the same time there is a perpetual transverse current from first to seventh, activity to rest, and from rest to activity once more. And thus the most ordinary and prosaic factors of life may become interesting when viewed as visible manifestations of universal principles.

Turning for a moment to the signs, if we call Cancer the Tent we may fitly term Capricorn the Temple; Cancer the house of the Moon, the home of the personality (Y), Capricorn the house of Saturn, the shrine of the Ego, the home of the individuality (==). And in this connection it is interesting to note that there is a planet suspected to exist beyond the orbit of Neptune whose period is 360 years or thereabouts, ze, a year for every one of our days; to this planet, then, Saturn, whose period is thirty years, stands as our Moon is to the Sun, since he would make twelve revolutions in that time, and therefore his period would be but a ‘month’ in the ‘year’ of the other: so that, if true, this would make the analogy still closer.

Descending now from these speculations to the more practical and detailed consideration of the fourth house of the horoscope let us first consider the effect of planets, severally, when in this house. It may here be remarked that the Nadir or cusp of the fourth is the magnetic point to which all the influences below the horizon seem drawn as to a focus; any planet in this house will therefore serve as a centre for the magnetic forces, and hence the influence of such a planet tends to

become progressively manifest as life advances. In any family, other things being equal, that member who has a planet in the fourth house will be the most influential in the home and will form, as it were, the pivot about which all domestic matters will turn.

NEPTUNE in the fourth house denotes an unfavourable close to the life, living under some peculiar restraint or in some especial retirement in the latter portion, or placed in unpleasant positions at the end. It denotes very unusual and unique domestic conditions. Not infrequently the native is compelled to reside in houses or localities where the magnetic conditions are unfavourable or exhausting, and he or she is always liable to a certain amount of psychic vampirisation by others. It is probable that all who have Neptune in the fourth have something in the nature of a skeleton in the cupboard in connection with their family affairs. The native may be subject to fraud or be guilty of fraudulent action toward the end of his life. If the horoscope is not a very favourable one, then troubles of various kinds are denoted by this position. It isa position which gives uncommon and exceptional events, the exact nature of which none can accurately predict.

If afflicted by the luminaries, the health suffers; and if afflicting Mercury, the mind is disordered. |

The good aspects to Neptune will bring peculiar benefits and some psychic experiences. ,

Uranus in the fourth house denotes sudden and tragic or exceptional experiences at the end of life. It is not a good position for Uranus, and nothing definite can be predicted with regard to the close of life, for reversals and sudden changes are shown. To those who seek to lead the occult life denotes isolation or expansion of consciousness upon higher planes, but only where the horoscope shows occultism or mysticism can this be judged. |

If Uranus afflicts the luminaries, danger of paralysis and sudden death is shown; if afflicting Mercury, insanity or mental shocks to the nervous system ; and if Mars, tragedy and violence.

This position denotes trouble in the home life, estrangement from parents, a chequered career, and many family troubles. There is usually some peculiar source of disharmony in the domestic conditions throughout life. Uranus in any angle favours a bohemian or peculiar life, the native being unconventional and somewhat eccentric.

Saturn in the fourth house denotes the development of acquisitive-

ness and a desire to live a very retired and secluded life, or heavy responsibilities which bind and fetter the native to his detriment or hinder his progress. It is not good for worldly success unless well aspected. It is unfavourable for domestic or family affairs, and denotes an environment that is not altogether satisfactory or to the native’s liking.

If afflicted, Saturn in the fourth house is very unfortunate, denying or preventing any gain by inheritance, and if very much afflicted denotes poverty and privation at the close of life. Nothing turns out wholly successful under this position of Saturn, and the native’s life is more or less under the law of fate, in which free-will appears to be the smallest element.

If well aspected this position indicates occult tendencies and asceticism at the close of life, and turns the mind from worldly interests.

Jupirer in the fourth is a most favourable position for gain by inheritance, and denotes property, wealth and prosperity toward the close of life. It promises a happy home, very peaceful and successful domestic surroundings, and denotes favours from parents and benefits through or from them which considerably help the native. Enterprises and business undertakings have a successful issue.