Chapter X. MERCURY, THE PLANET or REASON（续 1）

§ 8 Mercury in the Eighth House when well-aspected gives gain through literary or scientific occupation, agencies or other mercurial positions provided they are carried on in partnership with someone else. This position also indicates that the person will receive a legacy and it is a good indication of the financial success of the marriage, but if Mercury is afflicted its position in the Eighth House indicates financial troubles of the marriage partner and litigation probably in connection with a legacy left to the person.

$ 9 Mercury in the Ninth House and well-aspected gives love of religion, science, letters and law, a studious mind capable of delving deeply into profound problems of life and being, philosophic and philanthropic, desire to travel if need be to the ends of the earth in pursuit of knowledge. This position gives facility of speech and writing and success in religion, philosophy, law and science. The mind is broad, flexible and adapt-

able, therefore the person is liable to change his views on the various subjects which he has studied several times in his life, but there will always be a good reason for adopting another viewpoint. If Mercury is afflicted in the Ninth House he makes the person exceedingly unstable oi mind, changeable as a weather vane in all his pursuits and activities. Such a person will never stay by anything long enough to try it out and therefore he will meet with a series of disasters all through life. Probably he may journey from one place to another in search of success but he will never find it until he learns to concentrate his energies upon one thing. This position is also a fruitful source of trouble with the law or legal affairs.

g 10 Mercury in the Tenth House, well-aspected, • shows adaptability and resourcefulness such as enables the person to cope with all the contingencies of life. It makes a successful lecturer, publisher or writer and is also favorable to success in one of the occult occupations. If Mercury is placed in one of the airy signs the power of expression is much enhanced. Frequently people with Mercury in this position have several occupations, but usually they succeed best in a subordinate capacity.

$ 11 Mercury in the Eleventh House brings a great many acquaintances among literary, scientific or

other mercurial people, but none of them are sufficiently steadfast to be relied upon unless Mercury is very well aspected. This position has a tendency to make a person critical and cynical. It sharpens his intellect, however, and gives him a good flow of language.

g 12 Mercury in the Twelfth House, if well aspected gives a mind peculiarly fitted to delve into the mysterious, occult or secret things. This is especially the case if Mercury is between the Sun and Midheaven, that is to say if Mercury goes before the Sun or rises earlier than that luminary, for then all the light that is in the spirit seems to shine forth and make the person intellectually keen and bright. Therefore this is a good position for detective work as well as scientific or occult research work. Chemists of great ability have been produced under this aspect for such people have the faculty of going into the most minute details in things which seem microscopic and unimportant to others. When Mercury is in the Twelfth House and afflicted, especially by Saturn or Mars, also when combust or behind the Sun there is danger that the mind may become clouded and insanity may result. It may also be noted that the affliction will differ according to the way Mercury is aspected. If by Mars or Uranus the subject may be exceedingly violent, if by Saturn he will be-

come melancholy, but whatever the nature, if Mercury is afflicted in the Twelfth House some form of limitation will restrain the spirit, for the Twelfth House is the house of limitation and confinement.

Deafness is also the result of this position of Mercury when severely afflicted by Saturn.

T Mercury in Aries makes the person very argumentative, fond of disputes, quick at repartee, with a tendency to exaggerate though not necessarily by design. If well-aspected he is broadminded and tolerant of the opinions of others, of a studious nature and quick to grasp things and ideas, neat and orderly. When afflicted Mercury in Aries makes people leap before they look, the mind is vacillating and there is a general recklessness over the person who is then very unreliable and devoid of all sense of responsibility.

b Mercury in Taurus gives a mind that is not very soon made up but when it has once arrived at a conclusion it is almost as difficult to change as the laws of the Medes and Persians. However, being based upon thought and reason the judgment of these people is also extremely reliable. They believe thoroughly in the ancient adage ,that "Silence is golden" and are therefore close-

mouthed. They are good counsellors and can be depended upon to keep a secret. At the same time they are not recluses, but have a pleasant, sociable disposition. They are fond of fun and recreation, they love music, art and literature, so they are thoroughly likable people if Mercury is well-aspected. But if Mercury is afflicted they become what the Scotch call "dour," also obstinate, stubborn, secretive and avaricious.

% n Mercury in Gemini makes a person fond of change and travel. He is always ready to investigate some new thing, or go to some other place for a change; in short, almost anything that is new appeals to him. At the same time if Mercury is well-fortified they will gain greatly by this fluidic state of the mind for they are shrewd and penetrating in their judgment so that they know a good thing when they see it and are not prejudiced by preconceived, set opinions. Therefore they are good business men and their ability to see a point makes them particularly good lawyers. They also succeed well as traveling salesmen.

$ IB Mercury in Cancer gives a clear intellect, a good memory and superlative adaptability, so that they can fit into any place or occupation they may find and also adapt themselves to the opinions and ideas of others. They love praise and flattery, therefore they are careful not to do

anything whereby they may forfeit the good opinion of others.

$ SI Mercury in Leo gives a positive, strong and persevering intellect with high ideals and aspirations which scorns to stoop to low and mean acts, despises equivocation, blunt and outspoken, quick-tempered, but kind-hearted and sympathetic. People with Mercury in Leo well-fortified have good organizing ability and make capable leaders. They love children and are also fond of pleasure. When Mercury is afflicted in Leo it makes the person fickle and inconstant in his affections, an unsuccessful gambler and speculator, a low and sensual nature.

$ TIE Mercury in Virgo is at the zenith of his power for there he is exalted, consequently when wellaspected it gives a clear, logical, scientific mind, eloquence and the ability to express oneself fluently in a number of languages. It gives the person a comprehensive, discriminating outlook upon life, his conclusions are usually practical and to the point because he also, like the Taurian Mercury, looks before he leaps. In short this characteristic is in a degree true of all the earthy signs. When Mercury is afflicted in Virgo it makes the man irritable, petulant and selfish, always looking for flaws in everything he comes across. People with Mercury in Virgo make ex-

cellent dieticians and chemists. They also have an unusual dexterity.

$ =^= Mercury in Libra, when well-aspected gives a broad, well-balanced mind with a love of art and music and an uncommon ability of expression. It brings success as a public speaker and sometimes as a singer. When Mercury is afflicted in Libra it indicates trouble by lawsuits through partnerships and an unfaithful marriage part-

TTL Mercury in Scorpio gives a shrewd mind, a keen aspiration, a quick wit and a sharp tongue with biting sarcasm that can sting like the scorpion. The disposition is bold and stubborn, headstrong and difficult to get along with. But these people are extremely re.sourceful, dauntless and able to overcome difficulties which would crush others. They are attracted to the occult, as a needle is drawn to a magnet. When Mercury is afflicted they are subject to disappointment in everything they undertake, quarrelsome, skeptical and cynical, always holding opposite views to others.