Banū Mūsā’s “Book of Degrees”

Princeton University’s Digital Library has an interesting astrological manuscript from the famous 9th century Persian scholars Banū Mūsā brothers who lived and worked in Baghdad:
Ibn Shākir, Aḥmad ibn Mūsá, d. 873
Ibn Shākir, Ḥasan ibn Mūsá, 9th cent
Ibn Shākir, Muḥammad ibn Mūsá, d. 873

The book is called كتاب الدرج (Kitāb al-Daraj) or the “Book of Degrees“
It is a book of what each degree of the zodiac means (thanks to Ben Dykes for pointing me out to the online direction of the book and clarifying its content for me).

The red ink letters indicate the chapters. This one specifically says برج الحمل [burj alḥamal] which is the Arabic name for Aries. Arabic is written and read from right to left. So the first red ink letter beneath the chapter title is the Arabic letter alif ا which represents the number 1. Basically here the description of the first degree of Aries starts: آول درجة [awal daraja] or “first degree”.
The letter ب [bā] in several rows bellow represents number 2.
The letter jim in the last row represents three, etc.

It is basically description of what each degree of the zodiac means .

David Pingree speaks about the Banū Mūsā brothers in this article which you can read online and learn more about their life and work.

Excerpt from CCAG II, Nechepso-Petosiris

οἷον ἔστω τένεσις κλίματ (ι) β΄. Ἥλιος Ταύριῳ, ὡροσκόπος Τοξευτῇ, Σελήνη Καρκίνω,

Κρόνος Λέοντι, Ζεὺς Αἰγοκέρωτι, Ἄρης Ἀφροδίτη Σκορπίῳ. τῷ οὖν

τριακοστω τετάρτω ἔτει γυναικὸς ἐγένετο θάνατος. τὸ γὰρ τετράγωνον

Κρόνου καὶ ᾿Αφροδίτης τοῦ Κρόνου καθυπερτεροῦντος ὡς νῦν ἐκ

γυναικῶν ἐπάγει βλάβας καὶ λύπας. ὁ δὲ καιρὸς εὔλογος” τοῦ γὰρ

Λέοντος ιθ΄ ἐν ᾧ Κρόνος, τοῦ δὲ Σκορπίου ὅπου Ἀφροδίτῃ ιε΄” ὁμοῦ

ἔτη λδ΄, ἐκ γὰρ τῶν κυρίων ἀστέρων τοῦ Λέοντος καὶ τοῦ Σκορπίου

ἐλήφθησαν αἱ περίοδοι. ὅτε δὲ ἐκ τῶν ἀναφορῶν, τῷ [δὲ] λς΄ ἔτει

κατηγορηθεὶς ὡς ἐπιβουλευθείσης ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ τῆς γυναικὸς ἔμελλε

κινδυνεύειν καὶ ἐφυγαδεύθη” ὁ γὰρ Κρόνος καθυπερτερῶν τὴν ᾿Αφρο-

δίτην καὶ ἐκπτώσεις ποιεῖ καὶ πένθη διὰ θηλυκῶν προσώπιυν. ἐδήλου

δὲ τὸν καιρὸν ὁ ἀναφο(ρικὸς) τοῦ Λέοντος, ἐν ᾧν ὁ Κρόνος” καὶ γὰρ

καθ᾽ ἑαυτοὺς οἱ ἀστέρες τὸν ἀποτελεσματικὸν δηλοῦσι καιρὺν καὶ

συγκρατικῶς. διὰ μὲν οὖν τὸ τετράγωνον τοῦ Κρόνου πρὸς ᾿Αφροδίτην

ἔμελλεν κινδυνεύειν, ἡ δὲ αἰτία ἐκ τοῦ πρὸς ᾿Αφροδίτην σχήματος”

ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ καὶ ὁ Ζεὺς ἑώρα τὴν ᾿Αφροδίτην, ἔμελλε διεκφυτγεῖν τὸν

κίνδυνον” καὶ τὰρ καὶ ἡ ᾿Αφροδίτη ἐν Σκορπίιυ τὰ λς΄ ἔτη ἐδήλου. τῷ

δὲ λζ΄ ἔτει καὶ μείζονος φιλανθρωπίας ἀπέλαυσε διὰ τὸ διάμετρον

Σελήνης καὶ Διός” Σελήνη κε΄ καὶ Ζεὺς ιβ΄, ὁμοῦ λζ΄.

For more information about the authorship of this text see "Anubio Reconsidered" by Stephan Heilen. 

In the text dedicated to the aspects between planets, Nechepso-Petosiris give example of a horoscope with Sagittarius rising. This text can be found in CCAG II (Catalogus Codicum Astrologorum Graecorum, Codices Astrologici Veneti) and this excerpt particularly on page 168.

The authors of this text first evaluate the square aspect between Saturn and Venus where Saturn is overcoming (kathuperterēsis) Venus and this according to the authors means harm, damage [blabas] and grief [lupas] in relation to/because of women. This aspect is activated in his 34^th year of life [traikostō tetartō]. This 34 number Nechepso-Petosiris took from the positions in signs of the two planets mentioned. Saturn is in Leo which is Sun’s sign and Sun’s lesser years are 19. Venus is in Scorpio, sign ruled by Mars and Mars’ lesser years are 15.

19 + 15 = 34.

In his 36^th year of life this man was accused and again was in danger because of a woman so he was forced to escape (from that place). He was able to stay unharmed because of Jupiter who aspects Venus. The number 36 is now derived from the ascensional times of Leo and Scorpio where Saturn and Venus are placed.

In his 37 year of life he received great charity [meizonos philanthrōpias] because of the opposition between the Moon and Jupiter. Moon’s lesser years are 25 and Jupiter’s 12 = 37.

Book Review: “On the Fixed Stars” by Hermes, translated by Rumen Kolev

Rumen Kolev is a familiar name in the traditional astrology community. He is the developer of the Placidus and Porphyrius Magus traditional astrology software. As someone who has a mathematical background he is also specialized in the study of primary directions. He is also well known for the restoration of Babylonian astrology.

Maybe not many people know that he is also a translator from Latin and Ancient Greek into Bulgarian and English languages. In 2013 Rumen translated De Stellis Fixis from the Codex Vindobonensis Latinus 3124 into Bulgarian language (I don’t have the English translation of the book, my review here is based on the Bulgarian translation). One thing I like much about his translations is that he gives the transliterated Latin original alongside the translated content. In such a way, it is easier for those who know a bit of Latin to compare passages alongside the translation. His introductions into the material and the history of the critical editions are also on pair with the best translators and editors in the astrological community.

Ego dicam vobis de rebus fortune!
“I will tell you about Fortune!” – with these words Hermes Trismegistus begins his introduction into the world of the Fixed Stars – “and you will have great benefit and happiness from that“.

This book is known by the name “Beybenie” that comes from the full title “Liber Hermetis de Stellis Fixis que dicintur Beybenie“. According to Kolev this word comes from the Ancient Greek βεβαιόω (bebaióō) a verb which means “to make firm, establish, confirm, make sure, to fixate”.

Though the Codex Latinus 3124 from which Kolev translates is written in 15th century, Salio da Padova has translated this book in 13th century from Arabic, which was a translation from Pahlavi and this from Ancient Greek. Kolev traces the text to the third Hermes who lived in 9th century B.C.E. in Babylon. This may be far fetched and I suppose we don’t have enough material to prove such a claim at this moment.

When they speak of the social status and the prominence in the chart, many authors in the tradition begin their examination with the fixed stars and analysis of whether the native has some powerful star on the sensitive points in the horoscope.

On the matter that a star can override otherwise middling or unfortunate horoscope, Hermes speaks at the very beginning of his book:

“Indeed, the planets can be badly disposed in the horoscope, but this will not harm the native if these stars are on the five places which I mentioned above (Asc, Mc, Dc, Sun and Moon). Even if the planets are made unfortunate or in cadent houses, but if some of these stars are on the five places [I’ve mentioned], then this means elevation of the native, if God wills, and signifies that the native will rise to such a heights of which no one ever believed or thought about”.

Translation of the quote is of the author of this review from the Latin/Bulgarian edition of the book

The stars Hermes mentions in his book are the following:

Stars of Venus-Mercury nature:
– Spica
– Vega
– Deneb
– Fomalhaut

Stars of Jupiter-Mercury nature:
– Gemma
– Castor
– Zubeneschamali

Stars of Jupiter-Mars nature:
– Regulus
– Antares
– Sirius
– Menkalinan
– Altair

Stars of Jupiter-Saturn nature
– Rigel
– Alnilam
– Algol
– Rukbat
– Capella

Stars of Mars nature:
– Pollux

Stars of Mars-Mercury nature:
– Bellatrix
– Procyon
– Alpheratz
– Betelgeuse
– Shaula
– Scheat
– Zavijava

Stars of Venus-Jupiter nature:
– Acamar
– Arcturus

Stars of Venus-Saturn nature:
– Zosma
– Alphard
– Denebola

Stars of Venus-Mars nature:
– Rigel
– Aldebaran

At the end of the book the translator gives example charts of fixed stars in paranatellonta (stars “rising alongside”) with certain horoscopic degrees arising, culminating or setting, alongside other 5 ecliptic projections using three coordinate systems.

Though the translator may be biased and has strong opinions on some matters, I find it very interesting read. I especially like the astrological significations of the stars which Hermes gives to specific stars or group of stars united under one or two planetary natures.

Ted Bundy’s Chart

Ted Bundy’s Birth Chart

Popular series currently on Netflix are “Ted Bundy Tapes”.

The first thing that strikes me [in his chart] are all those planets strongly advancing toward the IC angle, the place of hidden, secret things.

The interesting thing is that neither Mars is testifying to the sign of the IC, nor Jupiter to the 5th sign where the Lights [Sun rules the Ascendant] with Mars [ruler of IC] are positioned.

Ascendant and its ruler [the Sun] are in fire signs, showing that his Primary Motivation in life is going for action and power. Since Sun’s dispositor [Jupiter] is not testifying to its sign, the acquiring of this PM will bring him frustration. Later in the tradition Morinus said something which is very true, that each good or bad signified by a house, emanates from the ruler of that house. This will also be the case for a planets in that house. The ruler of a house, falling cadent from its house is like a host who went far away and has no eyes on his home, and each guest in its home is leaved on its own, without a proper host. If we take that the Sun as L1 is in 4th division, 5th by sign, we could say that this PM he will try to acquire through his family, home life and parents [4th house], but later on through enjoying romantic life, pleasures, etc. [5th sign and L1 applying toward L7]. But neither of these are bringing satisfaction [see bellow].

One thing I read at Abu Ali hit me very hard:

“And if the Ascendant were a masculine sign, and the luminaries and the Lord of the Ascendant in a masculine sign, with Mars lingering in an angle, it signifies that the native will be bold and his commands will be implemented, and he will love the shedding of blood, especially if the Lot of Boldness were with Mars, or Mars were the Lord of the Lot. (Abu’Ali, On the Judgments of Nativities, Ch. 34, Ben Dykes’ translation, 2009, p. 300)”

The Lot of Boldness or the Lot that signified a Mars-like warrior shedding blood in battles, is falling in 16 degrees of Aries, Mars is its Lord and Mars is angular by division, advancing toward the IC. So we literally have all the significations given by Abu Ali: Luminaries in a masculine [fiery] sign, the Lord of Ascendant in a masculine [fiery] sign, Mars advancing toward the angle, Lot of Boldness in a masculine [fiery] sign, it’s Lord Mars in a masculine [fiery] sign! It is clear that the native – according to these significations – would be prone to violence, especially with Mars advancing toward the IC, signification that is often associated with violence (in 5th by sign “killing for pleasure?!”. Moon which happens to be hour ruler of his chart is separating from this Mars and applying to no planet, it is Void of Course. It is like the Moon mingled with the nature of Mars and is translating the light to no other planet. Both Moon and Mars testify to the Ascendant sign, actually all the planets in his chart testify to the Ascendant sign.

One of the things in Ted Bundy’s psychological traits is his ‘denial’. In talking to the interviewers and the psychiatrist he tried to portray a perfect picture of his childhood while this was not the case. His father is ‘unknown’ and some speculate that his violent grandfather who abused his mother was actually the father. However, Bundy was told that his grandparents are actually his parents and his mother is his older sister. It is evident that Bundy tried to deny this to the outer world, but most probably to himself too. All those planets in 4th house, not being testified by its lords [of 4th and 5th sign] and having the Node there [which Abu Ma’shar says pertains to hidden, secret things], strongly suggest that his family/ancestry is messed up and that his would have strong effect on himself [planets testifying to the ascendant sign, and L1 in 4th by division, 5th by sign].

According to his words, he was introvert. He found it difficult to reveal his inner feelings to his love mates. Saturn as L7 is the malefic contrary to the sect in favor, it is in detriment and retrograde. It is a nasty Saturn. He had few close relationships, with each one ending the partner growing cold towards him and separating. He was the one clinging to them.

Another thing I want to throw out there is that his Mercury is stationary an will go direct in the following days after his birth. Abu Ma’shar gives interesting metaphor:

“When the star gets to its second station it is similar to a man who has already started to recover his health and finally, when it moves by direct motion, it is like a
man recovered from an illness.”
[The astrological metaphors.Italian translation by Giuseppe Bezza from Angelicus 29, fo. 62ss. Laurentianus Plut. 28, 33, fo. 123ss. english translation by Daria Dudziak]

Being a serial killer like Ted Bundy would require intelligence and rational skills since they are escaping being caught for such a long time. If someone is non intelligent and stupid, he would be caught very soon.
He had problems with speaking and learning as a child, but later on he became very eloquent. Finished a degree in Psychology and thought himself law while he was in jail.

I am sure there are more things to be said on his chart. These were just an ad hoc thoughts of mine, so you could tell me what do you think. Feel free to post your comments.

Vettius Valens – Anthologies [New Edition of Riley’s Translation]

Vettius Valens – Anthologies [1st Ed.] GreenDownload

Vettius Valens – Anthologies [1st Ed.] BlueDownload

With approval from Mr. Riley, I have made new edition of his translation. I have made few changes. First, I removed the references to the Critical Editions and put them in footnotes. Second, I replaced “< >” with “[ ]”. For me, it is much cleaner that way. I also put colorful tables and bookmarks. So this is what is done in this first edition. I hope I will have more time in the future and put charts of all of Valens’ examples and also make few more changes with purpose for more enjoyable reading of this classic book. Enjoy!

How a New Age Astrologer Became Angry With Me

I am coming near the end of my solar year and it is interesting to observe how my Solar Return chart was and is unfolding during the year.

Again, this is my natal chart:

This is the SR chart for 2013/2014:

The Profected Sign of the Ascendant is Sagittarius, the 6th sign. I am 29 years old or living the 30th year of life. According to some, the ruler of Sagittarius – Jupiter, is Lord of the Year. According to some the planet inside this sign – Venus, is Lord of the Year. And yet, according to some [:)] both planets will co-work for governing the year and the matters happening in life inside that year.

Jupiter rules the 9th house of spirituality, religion, astrology, education, etc. Venus rules the 11th of friends, hopes (and some would say groups and organizations]. Jupiter also rules the 6th of illnesses [hospitalization and healing? through the opposition to the 12th]. Venus also rules the 4th of fathers, parents, ancestors and unmovable property.

In the SR chart, we have the sign of the natal 2nd house rising (Leo). Money were one of the main subjects for the year. I was granted some money as a bonus for my music contribution.

The sign of the profection – Sagittarius – falls in the 5th house of the Solar Return chart and Jupiter – the Lord of the Year in 11th in detriment and retrograde. It is important that it is an excellent house, so even though it is weakened by sign and motion, it will bring some benefit because it is natural benefic and in an excellent house of Good Spirit (i.e. 11th).

Jupiter here also rules the 9th house by division, Mars rules the 9th sign and is in 7th. Lot of Fortune is on the cusp of the 9th house which gives indication that I would gain some benefits from spirituality and spiritual friends (Jupiter its Lord in 11th), which I did gain through out the year. I reconnect with an old friend of mine who is a businessmen, motivator and very intelligent spiritual man. He is all Jupiter, BTW with Sagittarius rising.

Through my friends I was involved in different New Age practices which very recently resulted with me participating in one group practicing Universal Energy, energy healing and meditation. I was also involved in different Meridian Energy Healing techniques like EFT, TAT, PEAT, The Healing Codes, etc.

This was basically the subject of my year and it can be seen in my natal and solar chart too.

The directions of the ascendant through terms, falls in term of Mercury in Leo, currently in 21°. Mars in the Solar Return chart directly opposes this degree. I would say that Jupiter casting rays both to the terms and to Mars, and Mars being in its own terms and sect, mitigate the harm that this Mars can do by opposing the directed ascendant through terms.

So what happened?

Some day ago while in this spiritual New Age group, there was a man in his 60’s who is a New Age astrologer and numerologist. He was one of the leaders of the group. As I was talking with some friends I met there about their charts, implementing Hellenistic, Arabian and Indian astrology in my analysis, the New Age astrologer felt threatened because my analysis was giving a delight to these people who were kind of intrigued and amazed by my knowledge of different kind of astrologies. At one point this astrologer became very irritated and started yelling at me for totally different reason but in his angry/frustrated words it was very noticeable that what was he actually irritated of were my astrological skills and knowledge. It is interesting to note that transiting Mars is currently in Libra which is his rising sign. I think that this Mars represented in my Solar Chart and ruling the 9th sign, opposing the directed ascendant, and transiting his ascendant, is what was kind of promised and acknowledged by the astrological symbols in my own chart for the year.

It was interesting lesson for me, to be careful where and how you represent your skills and knowledge. Not all the people in the world would be happy about that, nor delighted.

Astrological symbols can be interpreted in very different ways. It is not an easy task to predict before hand, exactly what would manifest from the multifarious meanings of the symbols; but we can see at least a general picture, and something more specific in hindsight. It is a good lesson to look back and see what happened and check this with your own chart and if you are in position, with the charts of the people involved.

The Moon Setting Under the Rays of the Sun (Indicator for Marriage)

The moon setting under the rays of the sun is not good for marriages. [Vettius Valens, p.51, Riley]

This is a chart [well, half a chart lol] of a middle-aged woman with one marriage behind and several not so successful relationships after that. She attracts some very non-ethical guys, liars, and those who go with many women in the same time. It is pretty much obvious by L7 Saturn in very poor position in 12th (in detriment and the 12th of Bad Spirit, those who work against her behind her back).

Beside this nasty aspect of her chart, we can see the Moon under the rays of the Sun as Valens suggest in the aphorism stated above. I have seen this aphorism applied over and over again. Especially if it is backed up with other factors in the chart like in our story here. Now, Sun is in its own sign, shouldn’t this be mitigating factor? It seems out that it isn’t, or if we take the awful position of L7 Saturn, then we could speculate whether this or the Moon/Sun conjunction [applying!] contribute most to the problem. I think both.

But why should the Moon/Sun conjunction be such a problem for Marriage?

Well, the Lights are connected with the eclipses, with the fear of the darkness. We all know that the Moon and the Sun represent the wife and the husband and every bad aspect [or no aspect at all, i.e. aversion] between them  is immediately a problem to the marriage, of different kind of magnitude according to the overall conditions of the chart.

But in this chart there is another thing. Mars is dominating the Sun [the husband] from right. Now, Sun will not catch Mars while Mars is in Taurus, but the orbs of the Sun [15°] are already ‘touching’ Mars. This is not as strong as if Sun would have actually applied to and catch Mars, but it has some influence in my opinion, even if it was not for the orbs, the sign aspect only [even though in lesser degree of intensity] will have an effect.

Now, I discussed with one friend about her chart and why such a chart with powerful angular Fortune with the Lord in the same sign on the Ascendant, didn’t give some powerful, famous, rich person or influencing in some way. She is an ordinary person with an ordinary job.

I have found that charts with Sun in Leo on ascendant often times gives people who are self-satisfied. In life, I have seen people with really hard aspects who through frustration and hard work achieved success, and they work more on it then people with mildness in their charts. This Sun actually applies trine to Jupiter in excellent sign, so for the Sun, many things here run smoothly. This is one of the possible explanations. Another may be, the already mentioned nasty Mars in detriment in 10th from the Fortune and Sun. However, this is a subject for another discussion.

The third factor for not so happy marriage may be found in the Lot of Marriage [ASC + SA – VE as per Hermes]. LOM falls in Gemini – prosperous house, 11th, of Good Spirit. This shows that marriage will happen. But the Lord Mercury is also under the rays of the Sun. It may denote that it will not be so happy marriage. Now, Mercury is in its own terms but ends in the hands of Mars up there, through square (dominated!). He catches Mars and there is no familiarity between the signs involved, no reception. Mars is punching it very hard.

OK, so that’s it with this chart, I just wanted to demonstrate to you how you can use the aphorisms [the experience!] of the old masters of this art with your own head and to use them in the context of the chart, never with white and black thinking. The more we read, the more charts we examine, the more our skills are becoming better and better, we learn to observe, to notice and to actually see in the end what is represented in the chart and actually mirrored in real life.

Be happy and always have Fun!
Ile

Tip for Dealing with Clients

Here is one tip for those who are dealing with clients in their astrological work. Be aware of the temptation to make decisions for their lives. Often times when people are indecisive, go to diviners of different types in order to hear from the diviner what is about to ‘come’ in their lives. This puts great amount of responsibility on the shoulders of the astrologer. I do believe we have free will inside the conditioning of our chart/life, so because people are too lazy (and we all are pretty damn lazy to use our free will!) to use their free will inside the patterns of destiny, doesn’t mean that you as an astrologer should do this for them.

Several Charts of Sexual Perverts

Here are some charts of sexual perverts alongside aphorisms from the old masters on the subject.

If Venus is operative in a tropic or a bicorporeal sign, especially for night births, it makes men oft-married and promiscuous, particularly if Mercury is in conjunction or—even more so—if Mars is in aspect: then the native also rushes into the embrace of boys. [Valens p.50]

Lorenzo Artico, Italian pedophile, a 29-year-old boarding school teacher.

Venus is in operative 11th house, in tropical sign Cancer, in same sign with Mercury [ruler of ASC] who applies toward Saturn ruler of 5th of children. Mars hurls its rays back to the sign of Venus and Mercury and opposes Saturn in 8th house. Mercury rules the young children, especially young boys. Not only that Mercury applies toward L5 but also opposes the 5th house of children. Firmicus:

Venus posited in the 11th house from the ASC, if it was vespertine, and if it was posited thus and Mars and Saturn aspected it from some other part [of the nativity], it will make sterile persons and those who cannot beget [offspring], and who get married with difficulty. And it frequently makes lovers of boys or of actresses, or those who are in charge of commerce, especially if she was posited in tropical signs, but gradually increasing their personal assests.

William Ancion, Belgian politician in the Social Christian Party, assistant to the Mayor of Liege. Ancion is Minister of Sports for the French community of Belgium and Minister of International sports relationships. Found to be a pedophile, he was fired from his job and disgraced.

Venus ruling the 6th, badly situated and aspected by Mars or Saturn, will make those who are mad for women, but if [Venus] is in a masculine sign, lovers of boys, who suffer many bad things because of this. And they will have sickness in the lungs. [Rhetorius p.77]

Similar chart like the above, Virgo rising with Mercury in 11th in Cancer. Venus does not rule the 6th but it is to be found in 12th and applies toward Saturn who is L6 [and L5!].

You will notice that Virgo rises in both charts. Here’s what Rhetorius has to say about this sign and the decans in it:

And it denotes those with a good complexion, shapely, easy to deal with, cheerful, kindly, accused of [actions] with children, and mostly as lovers of boys. In the 1st dccan [they are] long-lived, hard-working, progressing with the aid of magnates, but often harmed by their love of boys.

Robert Ludwig Strack,’The Beast of Cologne”, raped, murdered and mutilated two 11 years old girls.

When the star of Ares [Mars] has familiar ties with the star of Aphrodite [Venus] in dignified dispositions makes the natives charming, cheerful, fond of companionship, leading a life of pleasantry, happy, playful, artless, graceful, fond of dance, erotic, artistic, imitative, given to enjoyment, editors, manly, inclined to erring ways in matters of love, but successful and circumspect and discreet and elusive in questionings and discrimi­nating, and furthermore full of desire for both young men and young women, extravagant and keen-spirited and jealous. But for the opposite dispositions, it makes them leering, lascivious, debased, undiscriminating, slanderers, adulterers, insolent, liars, weavers of wiles, seducers both of those in their own family and of those in others, at the same time keen and sated in their desires, corrupters of women and virgins, venturesome, heated, unruly, ensnarers, perjurers, vulnerable and of damaged mind, and sometimes also prodigal, fond of ornament and bold and those who are manipulated and those who indulge in shameful practices. [Ptolemy, book II, trans. by Robert Schmidt, stressed words mine]

In this chart we have Scorpio rising with Mars in 9th WSH [Whole Sign House] and 8th division in conjunction with Venys in term of Mars and decan of Venus. Mars is in the sign of Cancer – the sign of his depression. Cancer is the least sign Mars wants to dwell in. It is totally contrary to its disposition. Cancer is watery, cold and moist, and Mars is dry and hot. Very nasty Mars. Lot of Spirit falls in 6°Cancer, and the conjunction of these two lascivious planets  shows upon what his mind and actions are dwelling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Shell, American pedophile who sexually assaulted two young girls.

Firmicus:

• But also, if Venus is posited in a domicile of Mercury, but Mercury is badly posited in the nativity, they always impel [the Natives] to sexual relations with boys due to a perverted love. But so that this may be more clearly understood, when Venus is in a domicile of Mercury, namely if Mercury is in the IMC, or in the DSC, or in the 8th house from the ASC, or in the 6th, or the 12th, or in the anafora of the ASC, or in their own dejections, i.e. in those <houses>’ in which they are humiliated, then that which we have said is done.

‘Lover of boys’ may also denote pedophile in general sense in my opinion.

You may find many similar aphorisms on this account, some of them will be strikingly accurate and some of them partially accurate. Your own practice and investigation of such charts will make your observation on different nuances of a particular chart better. It is a matter of recognizing the tendencies. Sometimes some people may have tendencies toward pervert lusts but they channel this energy through some other non-harmful action. It is all a matter of measuring the testimonies of the witnesses (the factors in the chart), recognizing the different kind of tendencies, impulses one man can have, and then summarizing where a particular chart would express itself, this is a sign of experienced and knowledgeable astrologer.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! I hope you have had very fun evening [or you will have, it is about 4AM at my country]. I had fun evening indeed, an evening that finished with a very interesting esoteric discussion where at a dinner party at my friends, I was introduced as an astrologer to some people [friends of my friends] who then become interested to know more about astrology, and what is the difference between the astrology they know of from papers and different internet pages, and what I was referring to as ‘traditional’ astrology. The easiest way I was trying to explain them the difference is ‘the traditional is more concrete, it speaks about life events and not psychology of a person only [even though it can say a lot of about this too, probably more then many modern schools]. My friends have a video projector so I thought I could use it for demonstrating some astrology to them [they were familiar with the planetary glyphs and the other basic stuff for going along with my explanations]. I opened a chart from astro.com and started the demonstration on my own chart.
I thought I could use the Firdaria [as it is becoming my favorite technique, I think it is on the spot, very workable] and the period at which I am currently in.

Almost 12 years now I have a problem with dry eyes. I can’t stay long enough in front of a PC screen nor read too much any sort of text [be it on a paper or on screen], especially if I do not put eye drops [artificial tears] into my eyes more often. So, when I am forced to sit in front of my PC for too long [when I have projects I must to finish], I get dark circles beneath my eyes. It is interesting that this problem as far as I know is not in my family [I investigated it back to at least 3 generations on both sides].

So I presented to them this problem of mine and now when I opened the chart I tried to show them the astrological factors involved, that are showing the problem in form of a symbolical language.

I am currently under Mercury Firdaria [on a general level]. This Mercury started the rulership in 2002. Now, this is the year when the problem started to develop little by little (chronic problem). If we examine the disposition of Mercury in my natal chart – in order to see what we can expect from its rulership by Firdaria – we can notice that it rules the 12th house of long illnesses [illnesses that last for a long duration of time]. This is one of the significations of the 12th house and the one we are looking for for this explanation of the fact that I have such a one that is persisting for almost 12 years now. If we then examine the position of Mercury, we will notice that it is in another house related to illness, that is, the 6th house. We have now two witnesses that some illness can arise for the time being in which Mercury rules the times. One of the people asked ‘but isn’t this a self-fulfilling prophecy, an autosuggestion by your side and you studying these things?’ ‘No, it is not’, I replied, ‘I didn’t begin to study astrology till 2008th, and the problem began 6 years prior.’  Other person from the group asked me how do I know what kind of illness there could be for the native given the predisposition of this planet. I replied that beforehand we can guess that the illness could be related to a dryness because Mercury is in a dry sign [Capricorn]. The thing that the problems with the eyes may arise is given, in my opinion, through the position of Mercury on the longitudinal position [projection] of the fixed star Facies around 8°Capricorn. This star is at the gaze of the Archer:

Taken from http://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Facies.html

Some [like Robson] say that this star has bad influence on the eyes. Now, my vision is very good, but the problem with the dry eyes, is still, an eye problem. I think I have read at the ancient writers too, that this star has something to do with the eyes, but in this moment I don’t have any reference in front of me.

It was quite interesting how astrology can intrigue people. For us who are practicing it on a daily level, it seems a second nature, but to people who are living their life with what is visible, what is tangible, speaking about some metaphysical truths that correlate to our lives, using mystical, mystery language, it can be quite surprising and thought provoking. Such was this interesting post New Years’ celebration.

Then I explained to them that things in life never (or rarely) are only black and white. It is the same thing with the symbolical language. It is not that I’ve got only bad things in this 12 year period. Mercury also rules the 3rd. The 3rd symbolizes ‘intelligence’, ‘knowledge’, ‘expertness in religion law’ (Al-Biruni). I read a lot, my library became so vast that people when they come to my place often time ask me ‘have you read all these books?’, my reply is ‘you haven’t yet seen my PDF library’ [laugh]. Did I become and expert in religious law?’ Well, I kind of did become. For many years I was in Orthodox Christianity and studied almost all the official books they study on the Theological Faculty. I hang out with many priests and went on different religious conferences. Notice also that Mercury is in conjunction with L9 Jupiter. I finished the Musical Faculty with very good grades and became passionate about musical harmony and orchestration. I studied a lot on these subjects. So, even though I’ve had this problem with the eyes on one side, I did have some benefits from studies, self-development, and involvement with different religious groups. Not to mention that this Mercury [as I’ve explained here] symbolizes my involvement with astrology!

We arranged another meeting in the following days with these people, as they were very curious to learn more about astrology. I plan to make a presentation on the subject of traditional astrology for them, and show them many other exciting things I’ve found in my own research and practice of the subject.

Have a great holidays and don’t forget to have Fun!
Ile