Chapter XX. A Comprenpium oF PLANETARY Positions AND ASPEcTs *（续 14）

6 . A clever, dualistic and inventive mind, with power of clear thinking and freedom from decided bias, or over-much prejudice. It denotes latent wit and humour, and a love of detail, with a fondness for travel and the acquisition of knowledge.

% oo. A discreet, tactful, and diplomatic mind, with ability to change opinions without fear. It gives a clear and well-defined intellect, with the power to argue and reason and also to adapt oneself to conditions and surroundings.

& §. <A determined, governing, organising and controlling mind, with power to take large and extensive views, coupled with a somewhat dogmatic tendency: there is much positive assurance, and a high degree of faith and conviction in noble ideals. It denotes a confident, ambitious, persistent, and at the same time intuitive intellect.

% ty. A good intellect, discriminative, scientific, cautious and prudent. It gives versatility and practicalness, coupled with intuition,

and an innate love of mystery; but it tends always towards criticism,

and at times scepticism—-a desire to know thoroughly before conviction.

9 =<, A quiet and dispassionate mind, fond of comparison, and displaying both judgment and temperance. ‘This position refines the mind, and gives a taste for mental pursuits that are broad and catholic in their scope.

% m. <A shrewd, keen and critical mind, curious, suspicious and mistrustful; fond of occult and mystical subjects, but ever intent on gaining knowledge and mental power, which is only acquired when the senses have been purified.

% ff. <A prophetic, generous and ambitious mind, which is very independent and often rebellious. It gives a love of philosophising and inclines to great freedom in speech, with some tendency towards rashness and impulse.

% v8. <A tactful, suspicious and critical mind, inclined to be discontented, though ever studious and careful. It gives a patient and economical disposition, which is only seen at its best when the mind is active and industrious: it then awakens a keen interest in science and supplies painstaking effort towards perfection of intellect. ,

§ sc. A refined and intuitive mind, faithful and persistent, penetrative, observant and keen in its judgment of human nature, and having considerable powers of concentration and abstract thought. It gives a love of metaphysics, and also humanitarian principles.

% 3. A quiet, flexible and impressionable mind, with great absorbing tendencies and the power to memorise and adapt the mind to requiremements. There is, however, little depth or breadth of thought, the mind being more intuitive than actively intellectual. There is a liability to be easily psychologised by becoming over-receptive.

[Some of these aspects have been treated of before, under the heading of the various planets; but as the description here given is more especially directed to the mental tendencies, they have been included with the others. ]

9% alone. When in its own sign, Gemini or Virgo, Mercury might theoretically be supposed to exhibit mind fer se, uninfluenced by any special mode. In practice, however, this never happens; because the heavenly body with which it is in closest aspect has then to be taken as significant of the type.

PLANETARY POSITIONS AND ASPECTS: MERCURY 283

% and ‘$Y. The mind gains in receptivity, plasticity, adaptability, and intuition. Any tendencies in the direction of the higher mental emotions and powers of imagination will be increased and may work out in various directions, art, poetry, music, etc., according to the general type of horoscope. Under affliction there may be lack of concentration, absence of mind, dreaminess, or irresolution; but the above-mentioned tendencies may even then show out, nevertheless. With both Uranus and Neptune there will be some psychic or occult inclinations or experiences.

% and WA. In any aspect the mental power is much increased, and may gain either in activity or profundity according to the type of horoscope. There is originality, ingenuity, and inventive ability. Generally some distinct ability for such subjects or pursuits as are indicated by Uranus is shown, and they may be taken up with interest and successfully carried out, unless the aspects are very adverse. It givesa stimulus to literary ability and to almost all Mercurial activities.

% and h. The effects of this combination may vary a good deal according to the type of horoscope, the aspect, and the relative strength of the two influences. At its best it gives a very comprehensive and profound mind, capable of achieving much in whatever direction it is turned. The memory is good and strong, and the judgment sound and sensible. If the mind is directed outwardly toward the world, it looks for practical results and has abilities suitable for politics, local or municipal, and for large private or general public undertakings, official positions of all kinds, and public appointments. The judgment necessary for dealing in speculative commercial or financial ventures is often present; and there are prudence, caution, and sobriety of judgment. The mind is made up slowly, but there is much strength of will and steady persistence when a determination has been arrived at. When directed inwards, or turned towards more purely intellectual pursuits, similar characteristics are shown along these lines; there is a comprehensive grasp of subject, concentration and continuity of thought, ability for dealing with profound and abstruse subjects, and skill in reducing them to order and system for the use of others. If Mercury is much afflicted these qualities may be lessened and the mind be slow or unpractical, while if Mercury and the Moon are both seriously afflicted by malefics there is danger of mental weakness and instability. Under affliction there may be more or less disappointment, mental gloom, errors

of judgment, fear, hesitation, lack of initiative, procrastination, lack of candour, etc.

§ and %. This may tend in one or two directions. Firstly, the mind may go out towards mankind, showing interest in all studies, pursuits, or occupations that relate the native to his fellow men. It shows in various ways, from cordiality, sociability, good nature—the prudent adviser, the helpful friend—up to the wider operations of philanthropy and benevolence in the world at large. Secondly, from a more strictly intellectual point of view, there is ability for and a tendency towards religious or philosophical studies, varying, of course, according to opportunity and the degree of cultivation of the mind. At its best, the profoundest philosophy, the most exalted sense of religion, and the widest scientific generalisations can be appreciated. The judgment is ripe, the mind is fruitful, honest and honourable. In less developed souls the same tendencies to human intercourse and to religion or the cultivation of the mind may be exhibited, but in a less exalted degree. :

% and 6. Here the fire and passion of Mars are blended with the intellect. In undeveloped natures, this means that the reason is constantly in danger of being swept aside by storms of passion, desire, anger, prejudice, or self-will. In higher natures, the mind overcomes such impulses and utilises them as energies to subserve its own ends. It often shows as a restless activity of mind that is never satisfied and never at peace. There is liveliness, resource, wit, irony, sarcasm, ingenuity, and promptness. There may be much strength of will in some cases, but it is usually more due to vigour and energy than to patience and steadfastness, The mind is separative and scattering, but the energies are such that great results can be achieved in a short time. Pride, harsh criticism and fault-finding are sometimes shown, and there is a tendency to exaggeration and even untruthfulness in some tases.

% and ©. This is seen when the planet is in Leo or is in close conjunction (say 5°) with the Sun. Strength and vitality are given to the mind as a whole rather than to any subdivision of it. Prompt response to new ideas does not occur so readily as with some of the combinations; but any habit of mind once established is likely to be held tenaciously, faithfully adhered to, not easily given up—never under compulsion, though perhaps under persuasion. Mental firmness, mental