[PAGE 112]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
                                 CHAPTER VI
                     THE INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS
   The nature of gun powder which causes it to explode under certain circum-
stances is neither good nor bad,  the quality of its action being determined
by the way its power is used.  When it furthers the welfare of the community
it is called good, and evil when used in a manner derogatory to our well be-
ing;  so also with the planets, they are neither good nor evil,  each having
its  intrinsic  nature and acting in a manner consonant  therewith  save  as
modified by the circumstances under which its powers are exerted.   When  we
know  the nature of a sign and the nature of a planet,  we may  combine  the
two,  and thus obtain the correct reading of the stellar script by  our  own
reasoning instead of depending upon authorities.   For instance,  the Sun is
hot, full of vital force, and exercises an influence that buoys us up in the
body and spirit.  When its rays fall upon us with moderate strength it makes
us  stronger and more cheerful,  for there is an atmosphere  of  generosity,
out-going  love and kindliness in the Sun.   Thus if the Sun at birth is  in
the weak sign, Cancer, naturally the effect would be to modify the weak con-
stitution described in the foregoing signature of the signs; the heat of the
[PAGE 113]                                   INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS
Sun  would give a more florid complexion to the Cancer person,  the  general
health and recuperative powers would be materially augmented,  not to  speak
of the changes that would be manifested in the disposition,  giving more am-
bition,  hopefulness and buoyancy to the temperament. Suppose,  on the other
hand,  that the Sun is in Aries when that sign is rising at the birth  of  a
person, then the fire of the Sun, added to the fire of the sign Aries,  will
increase  the  boldness and the intrepidity of the person to such  a  degree
that they may become foolhardiness, particularly, if Mars,  the ruler of Ar-
ies,  is also there increasing the warlike tendencies.   Those are traits of
character,  but the physical body will also suffer from this excessive hear,
the  blood  will race through the veins of such a person like a  Niagara  of
liquid fire, and fevers will be a frequent experience, as the superabundance
of vitality burns out the physical easement.  Were the cold,  slow and slug-
gish Saturn there instead of the Sun and Mars,  he might squelch almost  all
of the Aries characteristics both mental and physical.  If we consider Aries
symbolized  by a stove in which a fire is burning,  it would make  the  same
difference whether the hot Mars, or the cold Saturn,  were placed there,  as
it  makes  a  difference  whether  we pour oil  or  water  into  the  stove.
Similarly, all the other planets produce various results, according to their
intrinsic natures and their various combinations.  For the sake of lucidity,
and ready reference, let us first set down the word which describes the most
[PAGE 114]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
salient characteristics of each planet.
         The Sun...................................Life
         Venus................................Coalition
         Mercury.................................Reason
         The Moon...........................Fecundation
         Saturn.............................Obstruction
         Jupiter...............................Idealism
         Mars............................Dynamic Energy
         Uranus................................Altruism
         Neptune...............................Divinity
   In the foregoing,  the essential natures of the planets have been  given;
where they are well aspected by another planet these natural characteristics
are  enhanced so far as the benefic planets are concerned,  but when  evilly
aspected, the nature of Venus, which is love and rhythm, becomes folly,  li-
centiousness and sloth;  the philosophy,  law-abiding tendencies,  mercy and
lofty aspirations of Jupiter turn into lawlessness, disregard of others, and
low pursuits;  the lofty spirituality of the Sun will express itself as just
animals  spirits and physical health.  In regard to the planets of the lower
nature,  good aspects of Mars turn the desires toward constructive  objects,
as well regulated activities, while evil aspects are responsible for the de-
structive  expression of the desire nature.   Saturn,  when  well  aspected,
gives  mechanical  and  executive  ability  capable  of directing the desire
[PAGE 115]                                   INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS
nature.   It shows the brainy,  persevering man able to cope with,  and con-
quer, material obstacles; the organizer and the promoter; the scientific in-
vestigator, who follows material lines.  As Jupiter, well aspected,  denotes
the  high-minded philosopher,  the worth law-giver,  the sincere and  ardent
priest,  in fact, all who have high and lofty aspirations,  so Saturn,  when
evilly aspected, denotes the evil-minded, creed-bound sectarian, the materi-
alist,  and enemy of society, whether church or state.  As Jupiter gives the
lofty,  expansive and benevolent mind, so Saturn,  evilly aspected,  gives a
sarcastic, concrete and narrow tendency.
   It  is  wonderful to contemplate how the planetary  forces  balance  each
other so perfectly that universal equilibrium is maintained despite the dis-
turbances of the 1700 millions who inhabit the earth alone,  not to speak of
other spheres.   Every moment of time our actions,  individually and collec-
tively,  interfere with terrestrial equipoise, and were not  this  instantly
restored,  the earth must leave its orbit,  fly off at a tangent and be  de-
stroyed.  Nor are physical disturbances most potent in disturbing or restor-
ing  balance,  it  being a fallacy to confound solidity  and  rigidity  with
strength,  as most thoroughly explained in our lecture No.  19,  "The Coming
Force."  A train has no strength itself, but must be solid because it is op-
erated upon by an invisible gas called steam.   There is no force in a rigid
hammer; but when driven by a column of flexible liquid,  like  water, backed
[PAGE 116]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
by  an elastic cushion of compressed air, the force stored in the  air,  the
force  stored  in  the air drives the powerful  hydraulic  ram  irresistibly
through whatever comes before it.  Likewise subtle, invisible,  stellar rays
are  the  factors  which  maintain our ponderous planet  in  its  path,  and
spiritual  disturbances generated by mankind are naturally the  most  subtle
force which interferes with the earth's equipoise.
   Each  planet has its opposite,  and therefore every time we  radiate  the
quality  of  one planet,  we call forth a counter current  of  corresponding
force, and by the action and reaction of those forces in and upon us and our
environment we learn the lessons of life.   Do we vibrate to the love ray of
Venus, instantly Mars comes to tempt, and tries to turn love to lust, but it
depends upon US whether we remain steadfast in virtue or yield to vice.   Do
we court the ideal of Jupiter;  do we aim to elevate the standard of  church
or state,  instantly the Saturnine forces invite to self-aggrandizement  and
appeal  to  the passion for power.   With US it lies to remain true  to  the
ideal and reap laurels that last through eternity,  or yield to the  promise
of present gain or worthless gold which we repay in sorrow when Saturn turns
and becomes the chastiser.   Each horoscope shows the tendencies in even the
humblest life,  and opportunity continually knocks.   May we all be prepared
to meet it as spiritual astrologers.
[PAGE 117]                                   INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE PLANETS
                          HOW TO TEST THE HOROSCOPE
   It  sometimes happens that a momentary mental aberration causes even  the
best of mathematicians to make a mistake in his figures and if an error  oc-
curs  when casting a horoscope an immense amount of labor may be wasted  be-
fore it is discovered.   There is an easy method of verifying the figure  in
the  main points by a glance at the position of the Sun.   The cautious  as-
trologer never neglects to make use of this method,  and we would  specially
recommend it to beginners who are naturally more prone to miscalculate  that
those who have long experience.
   When  you  have  calculated the place of the Sun and entered  it  in  its
proper house and sign,  note at once if its position coincides with its  ac-
tual  place in the sky at the time of day when the child was born.   If  the
birth occurred about sunrise, the Sun must be near the ascendant;  if in the
middle of the forenoon the Sun should be somewhere in the eleventh house, if
near noon the Sun will be found near the Midheaven in a correctly cast horo-
scope,  and  in the middle of the afternoon it is in the  eighth  house.   A
child  born near sunset has its sun close to the cusp between the sixth  and
seventh houses,  and if the birth occurs about 9 p.m., the Sun will be in or
near the fifth house.   When birth is at midnight the Sun is near the nadir,
and  a child born about 3 o'clock in the morning has the Sun in or near  the
second house.
   If  you  find  that  the  Sun  is  in its proper position relative to the
[PAGE 118]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
houses,  you  may confidently proceed with your calculations and  place  the
other  planets.   If not,  you have made a mistake which must  be  corrected
before you go further.
   When  someone hands you a horoscope calculated by another astrologer  and
asks you to read it, look first at the time of birth and then see if the Sun
is in its proper position relative to the houses,  and the right sign as de-
termined  by  the month,  for if you start to read from an  improperly  cast
horoscope you lay yourself liable to ridicule.   Suppose Saturn were on  the
ascendant and you accuse that person of being melancholy; when he denies the
indications and you discover that Mars and Mercury should be there in  Scor-
pio,  it is not probably that he will accept your explanations; he will more
likely  sneer at astrology and astrologers;  nor can we deny that  from  his
point of view such condemnation is justified.   Therefore be careful to look
at the Sun.   Other mistakes may occur, but that is the most serious and the
most easily detected.