Chapter XXVII. Application, Separation, and other Faculties

In all cases when the distances between planets or Juminaries are but trifling *, the planet which precedes is said to apply to tuat which follows; and that which follows to be ‘separating from that which precedes ¢. The same rule ab-

* This has been understood to mean, when the planets or luminaries are within each gther’s orbs; Saturn’s orb being 10 degrees, Jupiter’ 8 12, Mars’s 7 degrees 30 minutes, the Sun’s 17 degrees, Venus’s 8, Mercury’s 7 degrees 30 ee and the Moon’s 12 degrees 30 minutes.

+ Astrologers generally agree, that the inferior planets always apply —

to thé'superior, but the superior never to the inferior, except when the inferior be retrograde. In the present instanee it seems most probable that the author means the planet which is more occidental, by “ the planet which. precedes.” He often uses “ precedent” as equivalent to “oceidental” in regard to the daily revolution of the heavens: and thus a planet in the first degree of Aries would precede, and be more occidental than. one j in the sixth eree of Aries, to which latter it would, by the regular planetary motion, be applying.

tains both in respect to bodily conjunction and to any other of the aspects before described ; except that, in the applica~ tion ‘and separation of the bodily conjunction, it is also essential to observe the actual latitudes of the bodies, in order ‘to receive and consider only such a transit as may be . made in the same parts of the zodiac *. But in the application and separation of. aspects merely, the same attention is not requisite, since all the rays are uniformly converged into one focus, that is to say, into the angle of the earth f, and meet there alike from every quarter.

It appears, therefore, by the whole of what has been already delivered, that the effective influence of: the stars must be considered as arising not only from their own peculiar natures and properties, but also from the quality of the surrounding signs, and from configuration with the Sun. and the angles; all which has been pointed out. The influence of each planet, however, is strengthened chiefly when it may be oriental, swift and direct in its proper course and motion —for it has then its greatest power: but, on the other hand, _- It loses strength when occidental and slow in motion or retrograde 5 as-it then acts with smaller effect {. Its influence

* On this, Whalley says that “ the less the difference of latitude. * of the planets in conjunction, the more powerful will be the im- “* fluence: for if two planets in conjunction have each considerable “latitude of different denomination, the influence of such conjunc- ** tion will be much lessened.” :

f Tour’ net ew: ro arvrpoy ths yng. The precise meaning of the word xerrpey is “ centre,” rather than “angle ;” but Ptolemy uses it throughout this work, in speaking of the four angles of heaven, and I conceive he uses it here to signify an angle at, or on, the earth. The following definition of an aspect, by Kepler, strengthens my opinion : * An aspect is an angle formed on the earth, by the luminous rays .€ of two planets; efficacious in stimulating sublunary nature.”

t Placidus (Cooper’s translation) says that “the three superiors * are supposed to be stronger, if they are found to be matutine, or eastern, from the Sun; the three inferiors, vespertine, or western; * for then they have ¢ tae dactee of light, in which consists ¢ their virtual ir‘ alled oriental ; but occi-

_also receives accession or diminufion, from its position with regard to the horizon; as, if it be situated in the mid-heaven, or succedent to the mid-heaven, it is especially strong; likewise, if it be on the actual horizon, or succedent to the horizon, it is also powerful ;—particularly if in the eastern quarter. Should it, however, be below the earth, and configurated with the ascendant, either from the lower heaven, or from any other part below the earth, its influence then becomes more languid ; but if, when below the earth, * it holds no such configuration, it is entirely deprived of effibias tT.

‘‘ dental if otherwise. Every one knows how largely, yet to.ng pur~ “* pose, authors have treated of the orientality of the planets.” Moxon’s Mathematical Dictionary has the following words on the — same ‘subject: “ Now the three superior planets are strongest, being “ oriental and matutine; but the three inferior when .they are ‘‘ occidental and vespertine. The reason is, because the first in tha “ first case, but the last in the second, do then descend tothe lowest ‘¢ part of their orbit, are increased in light, and approaching nearer “the earth; and so on the contrary, the inferiors matutine, the “ superiors vespertine are weakened.” t Ina note on the 6th Chapter of this Book, Whalley says that, “6 accorfling to Ptolemy, suchas are between the ascendant and mid- ‘* heaven obtain the first place of strength, and are said to bein their “ oriental orientality: but, between the western horizon and the “¢ lower heaven, in their occidental orientality, which is the second .“ place of strength : between the lower heaven and the ascendant, “in their oriental oceijlentality, the first degree of weakness; and ‘“ hetwoen the mid-heaven and western horizon, in their oceiden- — “ tal occidentality, the weakest place of all.” This is all very pretty jargon, but certainly not “according to Ptolemy,” who. distinctly, s, on the contrary, that if a planet “is an the actual horizon, or ceteht to “the ‘horizon, it is also powerful, and particularly if « in the eastern quarter.” “The last member of this sentence, as well fistiee ,conclasion of this 27th Chapter, shows that Ptolemy did not considersa situation Setweqp the mid-heaven and western horizon tobe “ the weakest place of all.”