Chapter XXI. The Triplicities

' Tue familiarity existing by triplicity arises in the following mode :

The triplicity preserves accordance with an equilateral triangle, and the whole zodiacal orbit is defined by three circles, viz. that of the equinox, and those of the two

‘ tropics ; the twelve signs are, therefore, distributed among

* The planets, having two houses, are said to be more powerful in one by day and in the other by night: thus, Saturn’s day house is Aquarius, his night house Capricorn Jupiters —— Sagittarius = —— Pisces

Mars’s — Ares — Scorpio Venusss -—— Taurus — Libra Mercury’s —— Gemini _—— Virgo.

The above is from Whalley; but the same disposition is to be found in all modern astrological writers.

The first triangle, or triplicity, is formed. by three magculine signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, having the Sun, Jupiter, and Mars, as lords by house. Mars, however, being contrary in condition to the solar influence, this triplicity receives, as its lords, only Jupiter and the Sun. By day, therefore, the Sun claims the principal co-regency of it, and Jupiter by night. Aries is on the equinoctial circle, Leo on the summer, and Sagittarius on the winter circle. This triplicity is principally northern, owing to the concur-. rent dominion of Jupiter, who is fruitful and airy, aud expressly connected with winds proceeding from the north ; it is, however, also north-west, ia consequence of being, in some degree, combined with the west by means of the house ” of Mars, who introduces western breezes and the feminine qualities of that quarter, in consequence of his lunar condrtion*,

The second triplicity, formed by Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, is allotted to the dommes of the Moon and Venus, since it consists of feminine signs. The Moon rules it by night, and Venus by day. Taurus is on the summer circle, Virgo: on the equinoctial, and. Capricer: on the winter. This triplicity is southern, in consequence of the dowririon _ Of Verus, whose warm and moist influence produces south winds : it, however, additionally receives a mixture of the ’ east, by means of Saturn; for, as Capricorn is the house of that planet, and an eastern sign, Saturn becomes effective of winds from that quarter, and furnishes this triplicity with a mixture of the east, with which quarter he is further connected hy means of his solar conditiont.

The third triplicity is composed of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, maseuline signs, It holds connection with Saturn

*The “lunar condition” here spoken of refers to the position of Aries (Mars’s house) in the lunar semicircle. ° t Capricorn being in the solar semicircle.

and Mercury. by -containing their houses, and is therefore attributed.to them, and-not to Mars, to which planet. it bears no relation. Saturn rules it by day, owing to his condition*, and Mercury by night. Gemini is om the summer circle, Libra on. the equinoctial, and Aquarius an the winter. This triplicity is: principally eastern, by the influence of Saturn; but it becomes north-east by receiving also a mixture of the north from the condition-of Jupiter, - with which pane Saturn bas, in this respect, a diasnal familiarity+.

The fourth triplicity, formed by Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, is left to the remaining planet, Mars, who has right in it by means of his house, Scorpio. But, as. the signa which compose this triplicity are feminine, the Maon by night and Venus by day, through their feminine. conditian, govern it,’ together with Mars. Cancer is on the summer circle, Scorpio on the winter, and Pisces.on the equinoctial. This triplicity is western, in consequence of the government of the Moon and Mars; but it is also blended with the south hy the joint dominion of Venus, and therefore becomes