Chapter XXII. A SIMPLE WAY OF READING HOROSCOPES: Illustrated by

A SIMPLE WAY OF READING HOROSCOPES: Illustrated by reference to the Nativity of the late King Edward VII. 294 A Zodiacal Arrangement of the Horoscope ; ; 296 The Nativity of the late King Edward VII. . 297 ScHEME FoR THE DguingaTion oF a Nariviry : I.—The Ascendant 299 II.—The Ruling Planet, 300 III.—The Ruler’s Position, 301 IV.—Rising Planets, 302 V.—Rising Planets in Signs of the Zodiac, 303 VI.—Individuality, 303 VII.— Personality, 307 VIII.—Mental Characteristics, 311 [X.— The Twelve Houses : i Activities, 315 ; ii Finance, 315 ; ili Travel, 317; iv Environment, 318; v Enterprise, 319 ; vi Sickness, 320; vii Marriage, 3213; viii Legacies, 322 ; ix Philosophy, 3233; x Profession, 324; xi Friends, 325 ; xil Occultism : 326 SUMMARIES :—(a) Planets Ridus,. Setting, ‘Above or + Below, 427 ; (3) Planets in the Triplicities, 327; (c) Planetsin the Quadruplicities 328 ~ Tapuxation or Kinc Epwarp’s Horoscope ‘ : i 329 A CenTILogvuy . ; ° ‘ ‘ : 331

NorTHERN opposite to SOUTHERN bo 1. P Aries (+ ¢. F.) (A. c -++) Libra eh wal ‘= 2. % Taurus(— / E.) (W.f —) Scorpio m 8 §& oO 3. IY Gemini(+ m. A.) (F.m. +) Sagittarius f 9g & 8 4. a Cancer (— ¢. W.) (E.c. —) Capricorn WS 10 = eee) Leos. (+ ZB) (A.f +) Aquarius sc ir 2 om 6, ny Virgo (— m.E.) (W. m. —) Pisces H 12 3 F., Fiery E., Earthy A., Airy W., Watery c., cardinal Si, fixed m., mutable ++ positive — negative 1, 2, 3 = Intellectual Trinity 7, 8, 9= Reproductive Trinity 4, 5, 6= Maternal Trinity 10, 11,12=Serving Trinity Parts of the body ruled by the Signs 1” Aries HEAD <= Libra LOINS AND KIDNEYS % Taurus NECK AND THROAT TL Scorpio | GENERATIVE SYSTEM Il Gemini aRMS AND LuNGS f Sagittarius THIGHS 5 Cancer sTOMACH V8 Capricorn KNEES SK Leo HEART so Aquarius LEGS AND ANKLES ty Virgo BOWELS } Pisces FEET Cardinal Signs HEAD Fiery Signs viTairy Fixed. 4, TRUNK Earthy ,, | BONES AND FLESH Mutable ,, LIMBS Airy 4, BREATH

| Should there be found in this work technical expressions with which the reader 1s as yet unfamiliar, he should refer to the Comprehensive Glossary in Manual No. 7 (Shilling Series) entitled ‘ Horary Astrology.’|

A LITTLE practice only is necessary to become proficient in casting horoscopes. The judgment of the map when cast, however, is an entirely different matter, and it may be safely stated that there are very few competent to judge a horoscope, although nearly every one is competent to make all the calculations necessary for that judgment, and while it is true that practice will in time bring a certain amount of proficiency, there will always be a certain number of horoscopes which will baffle the understanding of the student, and the beginner will sooner or later come to a dead wall, so to speak, which for a time bars all further progress. In all probability this will arise from lack of experience, or the failure to blend certain positions and aspects which no reference to text-books or former study will elucidate.

This statement, that anyone can cast a horoscope but few can read it, at once marks the fundamental difference between the astronomer and the astrologer; the former can do all the work of observing, tabulating, calculating, etc., but appears to be quite unable to make a practical application of the observed phenomena.

The secret of this great difference lies in the fact that while the one is careful to study the objective and external state of things, the other pays more attention to the subjective or internal conditions. Now both of these aspects of Nature demand due study, and the true scientist is he who possesses the faculties which enable him to appreciate this truth ; but to find these two qualifications in one person is, at our present stage of evolution, a most difficult task. It seems almost impossible to convert an astronomer into an astrologer ; for this reason,—that he uses the mind that is confined for its functioning to the concrete brain, and he is thus limited to the objective world for his information.,. This explains, then, the reason why comparatively few are able to judge a horoscope ; for the cause-seeking faculty needs to be developed in the astrologer,

whilst the perceptive organs alone need to be well-developed in the astronomer.

None save those who have well-developed reason coupled with clear perception and a good memory, can ever hope to become competent astrologers. The very name of the science suggests such a requirement, for Astrology means * the reason of the stars.’ Astron= star: Logos=reason.

To those who really ¢himk, there is nothing in the least unreasonable in Astrology, but they must think for themselves and not allow others to think for them if they would find out where the reason lies. They must also be prepared to take a far wider view of life than those who are still bound by custom and the personal opinions of others. The why and wherefore must ever be uppermost in the mind, and not the lazy indifference which drifts on aimlessly and carelessly, trusting to fate, or what is so often miscalled Providence, to carry them safely through their difficulties.

It will thus be seen that only those who are awakening to their responsibilities in life are likely to become interested in such a subject as Astrology, and it usually happens that the first step that is taken towards a study of the science is caused by an enquiry concerning the inequalities of life. The awakening soul prompts the question Why? and the mind is sent in search of an answer to the problem. Why am I here?—What have I come to this earth for?—Why are some persons born poor, others rich, some weak, others strong ?—asks the soul rising above the illusions it sees mirrored on every side. The mind then goes in search of the answers to these important questions. For a time it will find comfort in various ways, sometimes in philosophy or religion, but no answer comes that entirely satisfies, for the simple reason that the answer must eventually come from within the man himself.

The Soul of every human being is immortal ; it is a fragment of the eternal Being Who is the spiritual essence at the root of all manifested life, therefore, without an actual beginning or ending. Each Soul in the far past began a pilgrimage through which it was destined to become a separate and fully self-conscious individuality. It has reached the present stage of evolution after many lives spent in various physical bodies, sowing and reaping for the purpose of experience and to become perfectly and fully individualised; so that instead of being at the mercy

of circumstances in the future it may guide and direct its own evolution and, rising above the matter in which it has been ensouled, and using the various vehicles it has acquired, consciously and with set purpose, it may eventually transmute all external forces coming from the OnE Great Lire and use them for future development in the grand scheme of evolution that lies before the soul in its upward journey toward self-perfection. Then, possessed of all powers like unto the * Father in Heaven’ who sent it forth, it will become eventually like unto Himself, all-wise, all-powerful, and all-loving. Each horoscope marks a step in that glorious evolution, and by representing the character and environment of the Soul shows the stage reached by the Ego in that particular birth.

If the fact of reincarnation be doubted the following questions should be asked: Is it not more reasonable to suppose that a soul requires many earth lives in order to learn all that the earth has to teach, rather than to think that one earth life only is necessary to fit it for eternal damnation or everlasting bliss ? No person who has ever carefully pondered the matter, can see love or justice in causing a soul to be once born into a wretched, diseased and immoral family, where no opportunity is offered for spiritual development, and then condemning it to unceasing punishment for its unwise actions while in the body. Why should one soul be born of moral and pure parents, and another of evil and corrupt parents, if only ove life on earth is given itin which to grow and develop ?