[PAGE 244]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
                                 CHAPTER XII
                        SATURN, THE PLANET OF SORROW
                            KEYNOTE:  OBSTRUCTION
   A fruitful method of acquiring knowledge is by comparison of similars and
contrasts  of opposites;  thus lights and sidelights are brought out,  which
otherwise may escape attention.
   Applying this method to the Sun and Saturn,  we remember that the keyword
of  the Sun is "Life,"  and at the vernal equinox when the Sun is in  Aries,
the sign of its exaltation,  we may readily note the powerful effect of  the
crestwave  of vital fluid then poured  over the earth.   Nature  is  vibrant
with  life,  which races through the forms of all kingdoms and  endues  them
with such abundance of vitality that they are compelled to generate in order
to take care of the overflow.  Life manifests as motion;  but the keynote of
Saturn is Obstruction,  therefore that is the planet of decrepitude and  de-
cay, and consequently when the Sun is in Libra, the sign of Saturn's exalta-
tion,  at the fall equinox,  Nature is tired and ready for its wintry sleep.
The  human frame also is energized by the solar life contained in our  food,
which enters our system through the head and throat, governed by the exalta-
tion signs of the Builders, the Sun and Moon, and is eliminated  by  the Sun
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and Moon,  and is eliminated by the activity of the liver and kidneys  ruled
by Saturn and his exaltation sign, Libra.
   In youth,  when the Sun forces surge through the frame,  assimilation and
excretion balance,  but as time goes on, "Chronos" or Saturn accumulates ob-
structions  in  the organs of excretion,  and elimination is  gradually  re-
stricted,  the avenues of life are dammed up, and decrepitude and decay turn
the scales of life (Libra) towards the realm of death.
   Similarly  in other departments of life; where the Sun makes  the  social
favorite,  by  imbuing him with optimism and a bright  sunny  smile,  Saturn
makes recluses and sours existence with frowns and pessimism;  where the Sun
furthers  our worldly affairs and makes things run smoothly,  Saturn  causes
provoking  delays of the most inexplicable nature;  all the world  seems  to
conspire to frustrate our plans.
   In the Kingdom of God all things are balanced to produce the highest  ul-
timate  good to all,  and so the influence of Saturn is used to  offset  the
exuberant life of Mars.   The intrinsic nature of Saturn is OBSTRUCTION;  he
is slow and persistent as Mars is impulsive and quick to change; he takes no
chances,  but looks before he leaps, and his cold, calculating reason misses
no flaws in any scheme.
   In the horoscope of a young soul Mars is dominant and the man grows along
physical lines much as animals do under the law of the survival of the  fit-
test, but gradually the  thumbscrews  of  Saturn  are  put  on,  squares and
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oppositions bring sorrow and suffering;  Saturn is placed above Mars in  the
horoscope, to frustrate and check him, till it seems as if every effort were
futile because of the Saturnian obstruction.
   Elijah  could not hear the voice of guidance in the fire,  the storm  nor
the  earthquake,  but  when the tumult was over he heard  "the  still  small
voice"  to cheer him;  and likewise with us, while we yield to the unchecked
Mars  impulses  our lives are too turbulent to admit of communion  with  the
Higher Self,  but when the sorrows of Saturn have chastened the unruly  Mars
spirit, when the night seems darkest, as in Elijah's cave, then we also hear
the voice that shall speak peace after the storm.
   The leash of Saturn is not pleasant;  we sometimes chafe,  fret and  fume
while being thus held in leash,  but meanwhile we ripen and are more fitted,
when the obstruction is removed,  to have or use that which Saturn  delayed,
for  as we develop physical muscle by overcoming physical obstacles,  so  we
cultivate  soul  power by the resistance spiritually engendered  by  Saturn.
The teaching which he gives may be summed up in the motto:  "Patient persis-
tence in well doing."
   Most of us when considering Saturn in the horoscope are inclined to  look
upon him as evil on account of the affliction be brings,  but that is only a
one-sided view, for there is nothing evil in God's Kingdom.  What appears so
is merely good in the making.  When we remember  that  the  destiny shown by
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our  horoscope is of our own making in past existences then we shall  under-
stand that Saturn only marks the weak spots in our horoscope,  where we  are
vulnerable and liable to go wrong.   When the weak points have been  brought
out through temptation,  AND WE HAVE YIELDED,  the punishment follows  auto-
matically as a natural and logical sequence, for every wrong acts carries in
itself  the  seed of punishment which brings home to our  consciousness  the
mistakes  we  have made.   We must hold clearly before our mind's  eye  that
through  the  planets incline to a certain life of action  we,  as  evolving
Egos,  are  supposed to discriminate between good and evil and  choose  only
that which is good.   If we fail in this respect and YIELD to the temptation
the  transgression  merits a just recompense under the laws  of  nature  and
these  are the things signified by Saturn.   WE ARE NOT PUNISHED BECAUSE  WE
ARE TEMPTED BUT WE ARE PUNISHED BECAUSE WE YIELDED.   Supposing for instance
that Saturn is in Cancer,  then it is plain that in the past we have yielded
to  an inordinate desire for food, that in consequence our digestive  organs
have  become impaired and that if we do not learn frugality and  discrimina-
tion in the choice of our good we shall be punished by digestive  disorders.
We  will then be tempted to indulge in dainties and perhaps we will have  an
aversion for the simple foods which are best for us.   The temptation,  how-
ever,  will cause no trouble to the stomach unless we yield and satisfy  our
appetite.  Then the food, and not an avenging Deity, automatically  punishes
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us until we learn to curb our appetite.   Similarly in other departments  of
life,  if Saturn is on the Ascendant or in the Third of Ninth Houses and ad-
versely  aspected  to  Mercury or the Moon it causes us to  brood  over  our
troubles and fills our lives with gloom.   It gives an obstruction there  to
warn us that we should be more sociable and not turn our faces away from the
sunshine  of life.   God is at the helm of the universe,  His ministers  are
continually  working with us for good,  there is really no reason for  blues
and  if we cannot see it today Saturn is going to tighten his grip  tomorrow
and  crush harder and harder until with the sheer courage of desperation  we
burst his bonds and jump out into the joy and sunshine of life.
   If it were not for the chastening, subduing influence of Saturn we should
be liable to run amuck and burn out the lamp of life quickly in the  exuber-
ance  of  spirits.   Saturn  is well symbolized  as  Father  Time  with  his
hour-glass  and scythe.   He does not permit us to leave the school of  life
until  the  time has been run and the course is  finished.   Furthermore  he
gives to humanity many of its noblest qualities.  When he lays a restraining
hand upon the flighty Moon or Mercury, the swift "messenger of the gods," he
deepens  the mind and makes it more serious and better able  to  concentrate
upon the problems of life.  He makes the mind resourceful and better able to
cope with the difficulties of our existence.  Tact and diplomacy, method and
system,  patience  and  perseverance,  honor  and  chastity,   industry  and
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mechanical ability, justice and fair-mindedness all come from Saturn when he
is well-aspected and it is only when we transgress the principles for  which
he stands that under the influences generated by his adverse aspects he pun-
ishes  us  until  he has brought us to our knees to pray to  our  Father  in
Heaven for forgiveness and strength to overcome our lower nature.
                         SATURN IN THE TWELVE HOUSES
   SATURN  IN THE FIRST HOUSE and well-aspected is a fortunate sign  for  no
matter  how  a person may be handicapped in the start of life  the  ultimate
success is assured through the patience,  persistence,  self-control and re-
straint of the person through a well-placed Saturn.  Such people have a won-
derful capacity for work.   They seem never to tire and never to give up  no
matter what the obstacles.   They have infinite confidence in themselves and
their  ability  to accomplish that which they undertake and  therefore  they
eventually win.  But when Saturn is weak and afflicted in the First House it
makes the person timid and averse to undertake responsibility; subtile,  se-
cretive,  and distrustful of other people; of a gloomy disposition  and  in-
clined  to seek isolation.   Such people are usually shunned by  others  and
doomed to sorrow,  disappointment,  delay and general trouble through  life.
This is also a bad  sign  for  health,  particularly  in  the earlier years.
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Bruises to the head, colds, and if Scorpio is rising,  constipation;  in our
Leo poor circulation,  in Cancer poor digestion, in Libra obstruction of the
kidneys,  renal  calculi and other urinary difficulties and so on  with  the
other signs.
   SATURN IN THE SECOND HOUSE when well-aspected and particularly in its ex-
altation sign Libra,  brings money by inheritance and ability to increase it
by present economy,  careful,  conservative investments and similar methods.
Some  of  the very wealthiest of the world's financiers have had  Saturn  in
this position.   They obtain the money wherewith to start from ancestors in-
dicated  by Saturn and from the saturnine ray in this house they derive  the
business  acumen and far-sighted methods that enable them not only  to  hold
their  own as so many do whose wealth comes through Saturn but also  to  in-
crease the inherited estate.  If Saturn is weak or afflicted,  however,  the
life is sure to be passed in poverty.
   SATURN IN THE THIRD HOUSE when well-aspected gives a serious,  sober  and
thoughtful mind,  capable of concentration and well able to grapple with the
most profound sciences and other serious subjects in life.   It gives  tact,
diplomacy, justice, honest and all the other saturnine virtues of the mind.
   When Saturn is afflicted in the  Third  House  it  indicates trouble with
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brethren,  danger when traveling, delays and disappointments in obtaining an
education.   It also fills the mind with gloomy forebodings,  worry and gen-
eral despondency.
   SATURN IN THE FOURTH HOUSE, well-aspected,  shows gain from  inheritance,
also success from investments and administration of houses and lands,  agri-
culture  or  mining property under careful and economical  management.   The
success  grows  better as life advances.  When Saturn is  afflicted  in  the
Fourth House it signifies the early death of one of the parents,  in harmony
and trouble in the home, loss of property and consequent poverty.   This po-
sition whether well or ill aspected makes the person a recluse in the latter
years of life.
   SATURN IN THE FIFTH HOUSE when well-aspected by the Sun and Jupiter would
be good for speculation  in  the  things  that  are ruled by Saturn: houses,
lands and mines. This position and its aspects would also give the person  a
chance of appointment to public office, especially in matters connected with
education.   If Saturn is afflicted in the Fifth House it indicates trouble,
disappointment  and  delay in courtship,  particularly  during  the  earlier
years,  or else the affections are centered upon someone who is  much  older
than the person whose horoscope is being judged.  It decreases the number of
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children and indicates probable death of those who are born,  also that they
will bring a great deal of trouble to the person.
   SATURN  IN THE SIXTH HOUSE,  well-aspected,  gives the person ability  to
handle  employees  and workmen in general in a most  efficient  manner,  for
though  such a person is quiet and subdued he is at the same time  firm  and
serious.  He has a way about him which employees respect and which calls for
instant  obedience  to his commands without causing  the  resentment  called
forth by a blustering, bellowing Mars.
   When  Saturn  is afflicted in the Sixth House it means a  great  deal  of
sickness in the life and if in a weak sign like Virgo the person is in  dan-
ger of becoming a chronic invalid, for one he is in the grip of sickness the
recuperative powers are so poor it is almost impossible for him to  recover.
The nature of the principal illness will depend upon the sign that is on the
cusp of the Sixth House or of the Twelfth, but usually with such people many
complications set in after this.   Also a person with an afflicted Saturn in
the  Sixth House finds it almost impossible to secure employment and  it  is
evident  that such a person has indeed a hard life,  being unable to earn  a
living when able to be about.
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   SATURN IN THE SEVENTH HOUSE when well-aspected denotes a marriage partner
endowed with the saturnine virtues,  chastity and discretion,  tact and dis-
crimination, prudence and economy, which will be of great help to the person
in building up his fortunes socially as well as financially;  and this is  a
very fortunate position save for the fact that Saturn in the Seventh  House,
whether well-aspected or afflicted,  indicates the early death of the  part-
ner.   An afflicted Saturn in the Seventh House designates a  glum,  gloomy,
cold  and disagreeable companion who is always restraining  and  obstructing
the person.   "Don't"  is the word most frequently on the tongue.   It  also
gives trouble and loss through litigation and people with this aspect should
never  go to law or enter into partnerships for they will always be  subject
to treachery.
   SATURN IN THE EIGHTH HOUSE when well-aspected or placed in either of  its
own  signs,  Capricorn or Libra,  gains my marriage or inheritance with  the
ability to properly care for whatever wealth is acquired in that manner.  It
is also a sign of long life and death from natural causes,  but if Saturn is
afflicted in the Eighth House or weak by sign,  especially in Aries or  Can-
cer,  the  financial prospects of the person will be decidedly  worse  after
marriage and chronic debility may be expected.
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   SATURN IN THE NINTH HOUSE when Saturn gives a deep,  serious and thought-
ful mind with ability and inclination for the study of law, science and phi-
losophy,  physics or metaphysics.  It is a splendid position for a president
of a corporation or college,  a judge or a divine.   Such people always make
their mark in the world, the scope of being naturally dependent upon the na-
ture of the aspects and the line of endeavor selected by the person.
   When  Saturn  is afflicted in the Ninth House he makes  a   narrow-minded
bigot,  critical and sarcastic;  he also gives liability to trouble and loss
through law, danger on voyages and trouble in foreign lands.
   SATURN  IN  THE  TENTH HOUSE shows a strong  self-reliant  and  ambitious
spirit  with the patience and perseverance which make a person  destined  to
rise in life.   It is the signature of the self-made man,  self-made by  all
the sterling saturnine ventures, tact, foresight, honesty and systematic ap-
plication to business.   Such people are destined to become captains of  in-
dustry, presidents of banks or hold other high positions involving great re-
sponsibility.
   When  Saturn is afflicted or weak by the sign he nevertheless  gives  the
person  who has him in the Tenth House,  ability to rise,  but when he  does
rise it is by underhanded trickery and questionable  business  methods which
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in the end bring exposure, downfall and dishonor.   It is said that Napoleon
had Saturn in the Tenth House.
   SATURN  IN THE ELEVENTH HOUSE when well-aspected gives friends among  the
aged and wealth who will be of benefit to the person in helping him to real-
ize his hopes,  wishes and ambitions;  but when Saturn is afflicted here  he
should  beware of seeking friends older than himself,  for they will  always
endeavor  to make use of him for personal ends and desert him when he is  no
longer of use to them.
   SATURN  IN THE TWELFTH HOUSE gives a secluded life in a position  or  oc-
cupation  where the person does not come into contact with the general  pub-
lic.   When well-aspected it is good for success in an official capacity  in
public institutions, asylums, hospitals or prisons.  When afflicted there is
danger of being bed-ridden for many years,  imprisoned,  or employed in  ob-
scure positions.
                         SATURN IN THE TWELVE SIGNS
   SATURN  IN  ARIES  is  weak and therefore  unable  to  express  his  best
qualities to their full and legitimate extent even if well-aspected.  Never-
theless  he gives a minor measure of poise,  self-reliance,  discretion  and
tact, industry, patience and perseverance.  But when Saturn is  afflicted in
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Aries  the person is quickly angered and apt to hold spite,  and also  of  a
jealous, malicious, and vindictive disposition.
   SATURN  IN  TAURUS when well-aspected makes a person slow of  speech  but
that he says will have weight and be well worth hearing.   It gives a  quiet
disposition,  slow to decide,  but stubborn in maintaining a  position  once
taken.   These people are close-mouthed, and my be trusted to keep their own
and other people's secrets well.   When Saturn is afflicted in Taurus,  par-
ticularly  by Mercury he always causes trouble with the speech and  gives  a
quick temper,  especially if Mars is also an afflicting planet.   This posi-
tion makes financial difficulties.
   SATURN  IN GEMINI when well-aspected gives a deep,  one-pointed,  orderly
and  scientific mind,  adaptable to circumstances and able to cope with  all
the exigencies of life.   Love of mathematics is usually pronounced and when
literature  is taken up as a vocation the more serious branches  devoted  to
industrial and mechanical subjects are preferred.   When Saturn is afflicted
in  Gemini,  it gives trouble through brothers and sisters,  literature  and
law,  danger on short journeys.   An afflicted Saturn in Gemini  also  gives
trouble with the lungs.   Such people should therefore be particularly care-
ful not to catch cold.
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   SATURN  IN CANCER is always weak and his virtues therefore find  it  dif-
ficult to express themselves when he is in this position.    Nevertheless he
gives reliable judgment concerning houses, lands,  mines etc.,  and gains by
investing in these things; when well-aspected, he favors thrift, economy and
solid comfort in the home with quiet, peaceful and comfortable conditions in
the latter part of life.   He makes the person frugal and gives a good  con-
trol of the appetite.   But when afflicted he indicates domestic infelicity,
the  person being held back in life by a gloomy kill-joy partner who is  al-
ways restraining every ambitious thought.   Trouble,  sorrow and disappoint-
ment increase as the life advances and to this is added ill-health, for Sat-
urn  in  Cancer indicates that the stomach is weak and the gums  subject  to
pyorrhoea, hence there is inability to properly digest the food, so that un-
less  such people have sufficient will to curb their appetites  they  become
the victims to chronic indigestion.  Saturn in Cancer also indicates a reli-
gious tendency and an inclination toward study of the deeper sciences.
   SATURN  IN LEO when well-aspected gives favor from people higher  in  the
social  scale and success in obtaining public appointments where the  Satur-
nine virtues, tact,  diplomacy,  discretion and system,  honor and executive
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ability are required.  The constitution of these people is not overly strong
by  they may maintain perfect health by the conservation of energy as  indi-
cated by Saturn.   When Saturn is afflicted in Leo however,  they are  cruel
and  quick-tempered,  jealous,  and do not scruple to stoop  to  underhanded
methods to satisfy an ambition.  This position also indicates heart trouble.
   SATURN IN VIRGO gives a studious, deep,  scientific mind of studying  the
deeper problems of life.   It indicates an innate ability to manage  others.
It  gives a thrifty,  economical and frugal nature,  but when Saturn is  af-
flicted  in Virgo the mind usually centers upon disease and the  person  be-
comes a confirmed hypochondriac.  These people are the nest customers of the
patent medicine vendors for most of their ills are usually imaginary.   This
position does however, carry with it a liability to intestinal diseases.
   SATURN IN LIBRA is exalted and very strong and therefore his good aspects
bring  out all the fine saturnine qualities and on that account  secure  for
the  person public esteem and recognition.   The marriage partner is  chaste
and pure as gold.  This position also brings good health and long life,  but
when Saturn is afflicted in Libra the marriage partner is either treacherous
or  removed by an early death.   If the person goes to law he is  likely  to
lose, and become the object of public disfavor.  He  will also be subject to
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urinary troubles.
   SATURN IN SCORPIO when well-aspected gives a rare mechanical turn to  the
mind,  a resourcefulness under the most difficult conditions, an indomitable
courage and a patient persistence before which even the most difficult  con-
struction problems must give way.   Hence such people make exceedingly  able
engineers  and are invaluable in all pioneer undertakings;  they  blend  the
fire  of Mars with the forethought of Saturn and are  therefore  invincible.
They  gain by legacy,  economy and thrift and their financial  fortunes  are
much  improved after marriage.   Good health and a long life are also  indi-
cated, but when Saturn is afflicted in Scorpio the marriage partner is poor,
dull,  egotistical  and  exacting  and the person is  liable  to  worry  and
ill-health; constipation and piles are the basic causes when then affect the
nerves and the whole system.
   SATURN  IN SAGITTARIUS when well-aspected gives a charitable and  philan-
thropic  disposition  with a desire to elevate humanity by  self-help  under
just laws and true religious impulse.  It couples all the saturnine  virtues
with the benevolent Jupiterian spirit of aspiration so that such people  al-
ways aim to work for the public good according to their ability and  station
in life.  Therefore they are trusted, honored,  respected and in much demand
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for positions where these qualities are of value,  in social,  industrial or
religious  circles.   When Saturn is afflicted in Sagittarius he  makes  the
person  insincere,  cynical and sarcastic, ambitious to  fill  positions  of
trust and honor but for selfish purposes,  liable to become involved in  law
and  lose  thereby.   This position also affects the lungs  and  the  person
should be very careful not to catch cold.
   SATURN  IN CAPRICORN when well-aspected is strong and therefore his  vir-
tues are also pronounced, with honesty and integrity  as staunch as the Rock
of Gilbraltar and the determination to work toward the desired goal no  mat-
ter  how long it may take.   Hence in spite of all handicaps  and  obstacles
people  with a well-aspected Saturn in Capricorn ultimately achieve a  large
measure of success and are generally esteemed by their contemporaries.   But
when Saturn is afflicted in Capricorn the mind is gloomy and the person sees
life from a biased point of view.  There is a general sense of  dissatisfac-
tion which sometimes develops into a diseased mind.   These people are  cun-
ning, underhanded and not to be trusted.
   SATURN IN AQUARIUS when well-aspected gives a humane outlook upon life, a
sympathetic  and friendly disposition,  very distinct and deliberate  speech
and  a  seriousness in all affairs of life.   These  people  therefore  make
friends among the aged,  the  wealthy  and  the intellectual who are able to
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help then rise in life.   But when Saturn is afflicted in Aquarius it  makes
the  disposition shrewd,  cunning and alert to prey upon others  by  gaining
their confidence and friendship and such people therefore sink to the  lower
levels of society.   This position also carries with it a tendency to  heart
trouble and varicose veins.
   SATURN  IN PISCES when well-aspected gives a tendency to success in  some
quiet peaceful line of life where these people do not come into contact with
the public, such as laboratory or research work or in connection with insti-
tutions  for  the  care  of  wards  of  the  community;   they  are  regular
"home-bodies"  but  when Saturn is afflicted in Pisces it  gives  danger  of
confinement by a chronic disease or liability to imprisonment.   The  person
makes many enemies who will be persistent in their persecution of him.
                            THE ASPECTS OF SATURN
   THE SUN SEXTILE OR TRINE SATURN endows the person who is fortunate enough
to have it with some of the finest faculties in the gamut, for it brings out
the best qualities in the two planets.  It gives foresight, method and orga-
nizing ability with the moral stamina to carry any project determined on  to
a successful conclusion despite delays and  obstacles.  Yet the person makes
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no  enemies in so doing,  for this configuration also makes him the soul  of
honor, kind and considerate; he would never stoop to do anything mean for he
is  sincere and just in his dealings with all men,  but on the  other  hand,
when he believes a certain course of action to be right he will never swerve
there  from  through heaven and earth be moved against him.   These  aspects
bring success in political and judicial positions,  also in connection  with
mining or agriculture.  The person often benefits by legacy, but recognition
and success are generally delayed till middle life.
   THE SUN CONJUNCTION OR PARALLEL SATURN.  Either aspect has a very  detri-
mental effect upon health,  especially in the common signs where the  resis-
tance  is fundamentally low;  in Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces it  gives  a
tendency to tuberculosis.  It does least damage in the fixed signs where the
resistance is greatest,  but when sickness does get a grip on the person  it
hangs  on like grim death,  for this configuration lessens the power of  the
body to throw off disease quickly, hence recuperation is very slow.  This is
especially  true in a man's horoscope;  in a woman's figure it  affects  her
husband's health.
   THE  SUN SQUARE OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN.   These aspects are  adverse  to
that  which  is  generally  termed  success,  but  they give an abundance of
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experience,  so they are excellent form the standpoint of the soul.   It may
truly be said of the person who has either that "the best-laid plans of mice
and men gang aft agely," for no matter how carefully be may plan his affairs
he will be subjected to delays and meet obstacles which will thwart his  de-
sires;  his  marriage often is unhappy and is likely to end  in  divorce  or
early death of the partner;  there is difficulty in finding and keeping  em-
ployment,  trouble with employers and authorities, a feeling as if  he  were
held  in leash all his life and denied expression in any  direction.   These
are the outward experiences but they are generated by the inner nature,  and
until that changes he must suffer the whiplash of necessity.   In the  first
place such a person has a tendency to crawl into a shall and shut himself in
and others out.   He is pessimistic and a kill-joy,  has little or no regard
for  the feelings of others and is very obstinate.   In the horoscope  of  a
woman  it signifies marriage to one much older,  a person who will hold  her
with  a very tight rein;  it augurs death of the husband and  often  several
marriages which are terminated by death or divorce.
   These configurations often bring legacies but either there is trouble and
litigation  over the bequests,  or the person squanders the estate after  he
receives it.  If Saturn is in Libra, his exaltation-sign, the latter part of
the  life  may be better because the person has taken the lessons of life to
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heart and mended his ways.
   VENUS SEXTILE  OR TRINE TO SATURN.   The good qualities of Venus are love
and affection and the good qualities of Saturn are tact, diplomacy ,  method
and  system,  justice,  thrift and economy, and we may therefore judge  that
when these two planets are configurated in good aspect they make the  person
faithful and true,  just and honorable,  diplomatic and tactful,  systematic
and methodical, qualities which make for success in all departments of life.
Therefore  a person with these aspects will be much sought as a  friend  and
adviser, or as a person to be trusted with any commission requiring sterling
honesty and ability.   The make him simple in his tastes and of  impeachable
morality.   Hence either is what one may call one of the luckiest aspects in
the gamut.
   VENUS PARALLEL,  CONJUNCTION,  SQUARE OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN brings  out
the evil qualities of the two planets and troubles which are thus  generated
usually come through the person's relations with the opposite sex.  It makes
him  underhanded and scheming to gratify his passions,  often in an  unusual
manner,  and his perverted desires are usually directed against someone  who
is  much younger than himself.   If regular marriage relations  are  entered
into, such  a person is often a demon of jealously which makes life a burden
[PAGE 265]                                       SATURN THE PLANET OF SORROW
for the marriage partner on account of his suspicious nature.   People  with
these  afflictions  are  also stingy in all money  matters  and  exceedingly
avaricious.   They have very poor business judgment and are therefore liable
to  losses,  failure and bankruptcy.   During the earlier years people  with
these configurations should beware of dealings with older people who will be
prone to take advantage of them,  but later on it will be their turn to prey
upon the young.
   MERCURY SEXTILE OR TRINE TO SATURN acts as a brake upon the flighty  mind
and gives it a seriousness,  depth and concentration which is of inestimable
value in life.   The forethought and profound reasoning ability indicated by
these  aspects  insure success in whatever vocation the person  may  pursue.
The  patient persistence which permits no temporary failure to stand in  the
way of ultimate success,  also caution and diplomacy make such people invin-
cible in the long run.  Therefore they generally become prominent in connec-
tion  with some serious enterprise such as secret societies,  the church  or
even in politics.  They are in demand for high positions where a steady hand
is  required on the helm.   But they do not usually shine for they are  very
quiet, subdued and serious in their manner and demeanor.  They are absolute-
[PAGE 266]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
ly honest, hence they make the very finest judges obtainable.
   MERCURY CONJUNCTION OR PARALLEL TO SATURN.  These aspects also give depth
to the mind and forethought, together with all the other good qualities enu-
merated as resulting from the sextile or the trine,  if Mercury is otherwise
well-aspected;  but not in so full a measure, or at any rate the person does
not seem to be able to externalize them as readily,  hence does not meet the
same assured success as given by the definitely good aspects;  he also  suf-
fers  from the tendency to melancholy denoted by the square  or  opposition,
especially if the aspect occurs in one of the common signs or in  Capricorn,
and if in Gemini it interferes sadly with the dexterity; such people tend to
drop everything they take into their hands.   These aspects also give an em-
barrassing  timidity and if Mercury is afflicted the  undesirable  qualities
enumerated as resulting from the square or opposition may be looked for.
   MERCURY  SQUARE  OR  OPPOSITION TO SATURN makes  the  person  subject  to
trouble and delays all through life.   He is thwarted on every hand by slan-
der and secret enemies and this condition in time makes him bitter and  sar-
castic  with  the additional consequence that he is shunned by all  who  can
possibly get away from him, and  that  in time leads him to become a recluse
[PAGE 267]                                       SATURN THE PLANET OF SORROW
who shuts himself away to brood over his troubles.   Such a person sometimes
becomes a subject of melancholia of a most piteous character.  These aspects
also make the person cunning and untruthful.   They give the same desire  to
study the occult conferred by the good aspects,  but there is the great dif-
ference  that  while the good aspects of Saturn and Mercury incline  to  the
study of occultism from unselfish motives the bad aspects impel him to  fer-
ret out nature's secrets for person power or gain.
   THE  MOON  SEXTILE  OR TRINE TO SATURN imparts  all  the  best  saturnine
qualities tot he mind; it makes the person self-reliant, serious,  sober and
systematic,  careful  and thrifty in business affairs and gives  success  in
life through tactful and diplomatic dealings with others.   Such people  are
eminently reasonable and trustworthy in all matters of honor and justice and
gain great esteem in the community on that account.  Their patience and per-
sistence are inexhaustible.
   THE MOON CONJUNCTION OR PARALLEL TO SATURN is not always to be classed as
a bad aspect so far as the mental qualities go,  for in any case it  deepens
the mind and gives greater power of concentration,  but if Saturn is  strong
by sign, in Libra or Capricorn, and the Moon is otherwise well-aspected this
position also will impart the virtues of  Saturn,  through  under all condi-
[PAGE 268]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
tions  it  makes  the mind gloomy and the person is  subject  to  periodical
spells of melancholy;  but if Saturn is weak by sign, especially if he is in
Aries and if the Moon is otherwise afflicted,  then his conjunction is to be
judged  and  read the same as the square and opposition  The effect  of  the
conjunction also depends upon the department of life we are considering; for
instance,  the conjunction of the Moon and Saturn is good for  concentration
of the mind, but bad for the digestion, particularly in a woman's horoscope,
where it has also the tendency to obstruct the menses with all that that im-
plies, and in a man's horoscope it indicates the death of the marriage part-
ner.   Similar distinctions should be made when reading the conjunctions  of
the so-called malefics.
    THE MOONSQUARE OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN is one of the signatures of  sor-
row  in life,  for it makes the mind melancholy and full of worries so  that
the  person  is constantly carrying an atmosphere of gloom with him  and  as
thoughts  are  things this attitude of mind brings about delays  and  disap-
pointments in every department of life.  Such a person will experience  dif-
ficulties from persons and things signified by Saturn, probably parents, and
if he has money he may lose it and have difficulty in getting more.  Thus he
[PAGE 269]                                       SATURN, THE PLANT OF SORROW
may be in poverty all his life.   He will make more enemies than friends and
become subject to slander and scandal, but the disfavor he meets is undoubt-
edly  merited  for these aspects make the mind bitter and selfish  and  such
people are unscrupulous,  avaricious and entirely unfeeling with respect  to
others,  hence  they are under the whiplash of Saturn that  the  sorrow  and
troubles  which  they themselves are constantly feeling may make  them  more
mellow.   If the aspect is six,  five or even four degrees from being  exact
and if Saturn is in his exaltation sign Libra these aspects are not quite so
evil  in the latter part of life.   They may then imply that the person  has
learned  his lesson and as a consequence he may find himself in easier  cir-
cumstances.   The adverse aspects of Saturn to the Moon are very had for the
health, particularly in the woman's horoscope.  There they indicate obstruc-
tions of the female functions.  In the man's horoscope they either deny mar-
riage  or indicate the death of the marriage partner and their general  ten-
dency is to obstruct everything connected with the houses and signs  wherein
they are placed in the horoscope.
   JUPITER  SEXTILE OR TRINE TO SATURN gives a strong character with a  deep
and  profoundly philosophical mind,  a benevolent disposition with a  strong
sense of justice and fair play.  All  the  virtues of Saturn and Jupiter are
[PAGE 270]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
combined by these aspects and people in whose horoscope they are found  will
consequently  gain honor and esteem in the community where they  are.   They
will be looked upon as the pillars of society and gain prosperity  commensu-
rate with the environment in which they are placed,  for these aspects  give
sound financial judgment,  the ability to grasp opportunity when it is  met,
benevolence, devotion to duty, religion and all good objects in life.
   JUPITER PARALLEL OR CONJUNCTION SATURN has the same beneficent  influence
as the sextile or trine,  though not in as great a measure and if Jupiter is
weak by sign or otherwise afflicted the aspects will probably count for very
little,  but in that case its effect upon the arterial circulation  will  be
obstructive,  giving a tendency to sclerosis of the arteries the same as the
opposition and square.
   JUPITER  SQUARE  OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN gives a  diffident,  vacillating
mind unable to form decisions,  always distrustful of others,  indolent  and
inclined  to  drift with the tide,  often a ward of society  either  in  the
poor-house or the prison,  for the character is basically dishonest.   These
aspects also give a tendency to arterio-sclerosis.
[PAGE 271]                                       SATURN THE PLANET OF SORROW
   MARS  SEXTILE  OR TRINE TO SATURN gives a capable,  determined and  ener-
getic  nature capable of intense and sustained actions and of obtaining  un-
usual results thereby.  The executive ability, dominant forcefulness and en-
durance of these people are remarkable and consequently they are  constantly
accomplishing  that  others cannot achieve.  On account of  these  qualities
they always rise to prominent positions and are much esteemed on account  of
their  ability  but seldom liked for these aspects also make  the  character
cruel and hard.  They give a strong physique and general good health.
   MARS CONJUNCTION,  PARALLEL,  SQUARE OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN.   These are
thoroughly bad aspects indicating a selfish,  violent,  harsh and cruel  na-
ture,  quick-tempered and vindictive, absolutely dishonest  and  untruthful;
unscrupulous and liable to public disgrace and imprisonment,  also to  acci-
dent and a violent death, but if one of the planets is essentially dignified
or  exalted the evil influence is much enhanced.   It should also be  remem-
bered  that such serious defects do not result from one aspect alone and  if
the other configurations in the horoscope are good the foregoing delineation
will only apply in a very mild measure.
   URANUS SEXTILE OR TRINE TO SATURN is fortunate for a public career in  an
officially capacity for it gives ambition  and determination with ability to
[PAGE 272]                                          THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
concentrate  upon  large problems and exercise authority,  plan  upon  large
problems and exercise authority,  plan and systematize.   It strengthens the
intuition so that such people are guided by an interior insight when new and
important steps have to be taken,  therefore they are in demand and find po-
sitions with large corporations where they win their way through sheer abil-
ity.   The mind is both mechanical and ingenious,  hence this position often
denotes the successful inventor,  particularly  along the lines of  electri-
city.
   URANUS  CONJUNCTION OR PARALLEL TO SATURN has an influence like the  good
aspects of the planets are elevated, in angles, essentially dignified or ex-
alted, as Saturn in Libra or Capricorn or Uranus in Aquarius or Scorpio; but
if the conjunction occurs in signs where either of the planets is weak, like
Aries,  Taurus,  Cancer,  or Leo then the influence will be detrimental  and
should be judged the same as the square or opposition.
   URANUS  SQUARE OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN gives an  unscrupulous,  dishonest
nature with an extremely violent temper.   The outbursts are as sudden as  a
bolt from the blue and exhaust the person completely.  These people are very
eccentric and look at everything from a peculiar angle;  they are  treacher-
ous,  idle,  indolent  and  altogether  dangerous  to  the community.  These
[PAGE 273]                                       SATURN THE PLANET OF SORROW
aspects  also indicate chronic or incurable diseases according to the  signs
wherein they are placed,  but as said, if the other indications in the horo-
scope are good the influence of a single aspect will not bring out such evil
characteristics and therefore the whole horoscope is to be carefully consid-
ered  before  judging the influence enumerated for they  may  be  materially
minimized by favorable indications in the horoscope.
   NEPTUNE SEXTILE OR TRINE TO SATURN is good for success in worldly affairs
for  it brings out the saturnine virtues--honor,  self-reliance,  determina-
tion,  etc.,  by which the person gains the confidence and esteem of others,
but  the principal effect is spiritual and therefore only felt by those  who
are able to respond because of other aspects in the horoscope.   To them  it
gives the ability to delve deeply into occult and mystical subjects, also to
become proficient in the art and practice of them.
   NEPTUNE CONJUNCTION OR PARALLEL TO SATURN has the same effect as the good
aspects  when it occurs in a sign where either of the planets are strong  as
Neptune is in Cancer and Pisces and Saturn in Libra and Capricorn.
   NEPTUNE SQUARE OR OPPOSITION TO SATURN lays the person liable to loss  by
deception, treachery or fraud.