Learning Classical Horary Astrology by Lee Lehman Skyscript Book Review
"Consider that all things nether the Moon universally, whether men, beasts, or plants, are changed, and never remain in the same land � wait upon your ain genesis, and y'all shall find your thoughts moved to choler, so often as the Moon transits the place where the body or aspect of Mars was in your genesis; and to melancholy when she doth the like to Saturn; the reason is, because the Moon is assimilated to the body of man; whose vertue as well as her light increaseth and diminisheth; for she brings downwardly the vertue of the other Planets to the creatures, and to human being every bit he lives upon the world."
- Culpeper
The Earth and the Lunar Human relationship
Culpeper's quote above is like in essence to that of the great classical astrologer Ptolemy, who wrote of the Moon:
The Moon,... as the heavenly body nearest the earth, bestows her effluence most abundantly upon mundane things, for near of them, animate or inanimate, are sympathetic to her and alter in visitor with her; the rivers increase and diminish their streams with her calorie-free, the seas plow their own tides with her ascent and settings, and plants and animals in whole or in some part wax and wane with her. [i]
In fact we know that view of the Moon is far more than ancient, and was being recorded at least as early equally the 7th century BC, where religious texts refer to the Moon as the 'Womb that gives birth to everything on world'; the 'progenitor and destroyer of the land', and the god whose give-and-take 'settles downwardly on the globe to make the earth greenish and produce vegetation'. [2]
In modern science the connexion between the Moon's cycle and earthly rhythms is so well known that information technology is at present considered a meteorological or biological principle, rather than an astrological one. Only the Moon'southward interplay with the Lord's day has been seriously studied, and in this information technology is known to deed as a cosmic trigger for many natural rhythms and breeding cycles. Its effect upon tidal flows makes it reasonable to assume that its waxing, waning, and changing states accept far-reaching effects upon all physical conditions, including the human ane since the homo trunk is mainly comprised of h2o.
We tin can become some sense of the Moon's ability to limited harmonious or subversive weather in our surround by considering the tidal effects that relate to its solar aspects. Tides are created as the Moon passes overhead, dragging a bulge of water backside information technology, with a second bulge created on the reverse side of the Earth. High tides occur at new and full Moons, when the Sun, Moon and World fall in line with each other and there is a strong focus to their gravitational force. Low tides occur at a quarter Moon, when the Moon is square the Sun and their gravitational pulls conflict with and annul each other. Both highs and lows represent periods of atmospheric bombardment which touch on the Earth in many means. The surface tension of all h2o is increased, and even the density of air surrounding the Earth ebbs and flows similar the tides in the sea.
Ancient astrologers recognised the conjunction, foursquare and opposition of the Lord's day and Moon every bit unfortunate periods, total of tension; and claimed that when the lights of heaven are in such a relationship in that location is a land of imbalance in all mundane and human diplomacy. At that place is no shortage of modern statistics to support this assertion. Many documented studies show that suicide rates increase around the full Moon, and that new Moons, quarter Moons and total Moons all indicate crunch periods when reported incidents of violence and accidents increase. One study, conducted betwixt 1956 and 1970, examined four,000 murders that had taken place in Miami and Cleveland, U.s.a.. The investigating psychologist, Arnold Leiber, wrote that he was 'astounded' at the fashion the murders peaked around the new and full Moon: "Our results indicated that murders become more than frequent with the increment in the Moon'due south gravitational force". [iii]
In the by, belief in the power of the Moon to touch homo too as geological behaviour was widespread and deep-rooted, based upon personal observation and the accumulated experience of many generations. 'Moon madness' was taken very seriously, hence the Latin word Luna forms the origin of the words 'lunacy', 'lunatic' and 'loony'. Lunacy grows worse at full and new Moon - taught the 16th century doctor Paracelsus, referring to a illness that had been recognised since Classical times, and which became official under British Law in the mid-nineteenth century. The 1842 Lunacy Human action defined as a 'Lunatic' a demented person enjoying lucid intervals during the outset ii phases of the Moon and affected with a catamenia of fatuity in the menstruation following after the full Moon.[4]
The aboriginal Greek Philosopher Thales taught that all physical life derives mainly from h2o. Whilst his teachings are now regarded as only a stepping-rock in the evolution of the theory of elements and humours, many of the points he argued have lasting significance. H2o covers 78% of the Earth's surface and the Moon's clan with water is strongly embedded into its astrological influence. According to Ptolemy:
The Moon principally generates moisture; her proximity to the globe renders her highly capable of exciting damp vapours, and of thus operating sensibly upon animal bodies by relaxation and putrefaction. [5]
Recent surveys also support tradition in showing that the Moon'southward influence over the Earth'southward waters does non only extend to rivers and tides, but also furnishings rainfall cycles and the rhythms of bodily moisture (such every bit the menstrual cycle which mirrors its 28 solar day period). Observations collected from 1,544 weather stations in North America from 1900 to 1949 reveal that heavy rain occurs well-nigh on the days immediately following the full and new Moon. [six] The increase in haemorrhaging during full Moons is well-known to medical practitioners, and confirms astrological belief that information technology is unwise to 'let' blood during the opposition of the Dominicus and Moon. [seven] In fact, the agonizing result of the full Moon upon public behaviour is then familiar to emergency services that the website of the United Dynamics Corporation, which serves the needs of American police forces, includes detailed information about the need to integrate lunar cycles into staffing levels. Its homepage includes the comment "The Full Moon has long been suspected by Law Enforcement Officers, Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors as a trigger for abnormal behaviour and increased problems." [eight]
The Moon and 'elementary bodies'
"The course of the Moon is to be observed in many operations both in the Bounding main and Rivers, Vegetables, Shel-fishes, as also in the basic and marrow of men, and all creatures; besides seed sown at the wain of the Moon, grows either not at all, or to no purpose."
- Culpeper [9]
Traditional gardening lore teaches that the waxing and waning of the Moon reflects a monthly cycle of water content in the Earth and its produce, with the full Moon representing the time of greatest wet. The first quarter of the waxing Moon is the ideal time to plant seeds, re-pot plants, sow lawns, etc.; but if the conditions is particularly dry the gardener is brash to plant his seeds at the full Moon, when the Globe receives more wet. Full Moons are also favoured for harvesting plants that need to be rich in moisture content, such equally grapes, tomatoes, and strawberries, while plants that produce 'beneath the ground', such every bit potatoes and carrots, are best planted during the 'nighttime of the Moon'. The drier period of the waning Moon is the time for killing weeds, cut back dead growth, harvesting root vegetables and drying herbs, flowers and fruit.
Inside humoral philosophy, wet denotes sensitivity and responsiveness to external stimuli. The moist quality of the Moon supports its reputation as a highly impressionable - and therefore markedly changeable - planet, capable of arresting and transmitting the influence of whatever superior planets it is in contact with. Of the neutrality of the Moon's ain nature, the 17th century astrologer William Ramesey writes:
She is neither fortunate nor unfortunate, just every bit she is placed and in configuration with either the Fortunes or Malevolents. [x]
The Moon'south swift movement acts like a shifting focus in star divination, highlighting the influence of the planets it draws into contact with, or triggering the latent potential of natal positions so that they are experienced at a concrete level. As Culpeper says: "you shall detect your thoughts moved to choler so frequently as the Moon transits the place where the body or attribute of Mars was in your genesis".
In his article 'The Sublunar Sphere' [xi] David Plant describes the Moon every bit "vital in animating the planetary configurations", referring to the way that the Moon acts equally a mediator betwixt the celestial and terrestrial regions. But equally well as existence an activating gene, the impressionable and responsive nature of the Moon allows information technology to become charged with the free energy information technology is in contact with, which it brings forwards to its next planetary contact. In traditional works there is a strong repetition of the principle that the Moon transfers planetary 'light' or 'virtue' from one planet to another, and brings their influence downwardly to physical manifestation:
"Draw your attending to the Moon in all works every bit if she were the chief of all the other planets because she brings about evident manifestations and judgements in all things in the world. She pertains to the power of generation and corruption and she is the mediatrix in the advance of your work, receiving the influences and impressions of the stars and planets and pouring them out to the inferiors of this earth."
- Picatrix [12]
"For she is the schoolmistress of all things; the bringer down of all the planets' influences, and a kind of 'internuncio' between them, carrying their virtues from i to the other, past receiving the disposition of one planet and bearing it to another."
- Guido Bonatus [13]
Traditional astrological techniques such as horary and electional star divination maintain this heavy reliance upon the Moon, using it as an important co-significator in every nautical chart. This approach is evident in even our earliest sources, with the ancient text of Dorotheus describing the Moon every bit "the indicator at the base of every action". [14] Information technology is often stated that the Moon is the co-significator for the querent in every horary; however whilst this is truthful, it's influence is more extensive than that - the Moon too reveals the 'action' or the full general drift of events and every bit such it demonstrates the underlying motivation towards the event, and the way that the querent's involvement may or may not be supported by external events.
"She is virtually powerful in operation of all the other Planets on Elementary bodies, by reason of her proximity to usa, and her swiftness, past which she transfers the light and influence of all the Superiors to us, by her configuration with them."
- William Ramesey [xv]
As David Plant explains in his commodity, by describing the Moon as the most powerful in functioning on 'elemental bodies', Ramesey draws upon Aristotelian philosophy which sees the Moon as the principal operator upon the physical globe. The sub-lunar sphere is 'elemental' in that here physical presence (equanimous of the corruptible elements) dominates pure spiritual presence. Astrological philosophy regards the Moon every bit having the greatest significance over the mundane world or animate being spirit; in some respects interim equally the planetary embodiment of the 'Spirit of the Earth'.
Although this view originated out Aristotle's geocentric perspective of the heavens, and therefore may appear antiquated; in fact it is not diminished by the adoption of the heliocentric perspective since the Moon orbits the Globe as its satellite and is a body to which heliocentricity does not apply. The Earth and Moon combine to grade a binary system, with a shared center of gravity that lies within the Earth, and the term 'satellite' seems particularly advisable since it is used by and large to indicate something which extends from a larger torso with the purpose of receiving and transmitting data. Just for the Moon to transmit an influence, it has to be 'in contact' with the planets involved. As Ramesey says, the Moon transfers the influence of the superiors "by her configuration with them". Similar any satellite, the Moon cannot transmit signals which are, for itself, out of range.
When the Moon 'Translates Calorie-free' or becomes 'Void'
"If you lot notice the Moon void of all the planets, none of them aspects it, and none is in the ascendant or aspecting the dominant, so this native is void of practiced in livelihood, possesses pain and hardship in the pursuit of what he needs"
- Dorotheus [16]
"The 10th [way in which the Moon can be afflicted] is when she is void of grade, that is, not joined to whatsoever planet past body or attribute"
- Bonatus [17]
A good bargain of controversy surrounds the correct definition of a void of course Moon - because there have been so many unlike labels and variations of qualifying details set out by historical sources. The accompanying article, Void of Course Moon References, illustrates that the Moon'southward lack of attribute to other planets has always been considered a significant decrepitude, although authors have diverse opinions upon the correct specifications for when the Moon is 'void', 'void of course', 'running through a vacuum', 'feral', 'desart', 'wild' or 'isolated'. Taking the overview, it is clear that a lull of free energy and motivation is expected whenever the Moon is out of orb of aspectual contact with all the other planets. There would therefore seem to be no controversy in referring to the Moon as 'void' (ie, empty of influence), whenever it is fully separated from its last aspect and not however within orb of its next aspect.
Again taking the overview, it as well seems obvious that when most authors refer to the Moon equally 'void of course' they mean that it is out of ob of an aspect and volition remain so for the duration of its transit through its current sign. One of the clearest definitions of this, and the way that medieval and renaissance astrologers expected the Moon to remain free of entering into the orb of application, is given past the German astrologer Johannes Sch�ner (1477-1547), who wrote in his Opusculum Astrologicum:
When a planet is separated from any other planet by conjunction or aspect, and is not joined to another by body or attribute, for as long every bit that planet is in the aforementioned sign, it is called void of course. However, this ought to exist understood co-ordinate the orbs and rays of the planets. Accept for example the following: If in that location is the Moon conjunct Jupiter in Sagittarius, and after her separation from Jupiter there is no planet in Sagittarius to which she can be joined past the moiety of orb or of the ray of whatever planet which she can aspect, in that example the Moon is said to exist void of course until she leaves Sagittarius and is joined to any planet in torso or in aspect. Simply we do not observe this just in the Moon. Another case, Saturn 9 Aries, Jupiter 10 Gemini, Mars 17 Gemini, Sunday 20 Aries, Venus five Pisces, Mercury 24 Aries, Moon 26 Taurus. There the Moon is aspected by naught in 26 Taurus, nor is anything joined to her, while she is in Taurus, wherefore she will be reckoned void of course. [18]
This is every bit skillful a definition as nosotros are probable to find regarding the traditional understanding of a void of form Moon. The chief difference between this, and that frequently taught in modernistic textbooks, is that the latter frequently fails to stress the importance of the orb, leaving modern astrologers to believe the Moon is void of course if it doesn't manage to perfect a future aspect in its nowadays sign, which would happen far more oft than the traditional definition would allow.
The rest of this article explores the utilise of translation of light and the void of course Moon according to the 17th century text of William Lilly: Christian Astrology.[19] This demonstrates that beyond the general definition of being void when out of all accomplish of planetary aspect, or 'void of course' when failing to enter into orb of a new aspect until its movement into a new sign, the Moon can as well be recognised as having temporary 'void of class' periods. These can occur when the Moon is within orb of an attribute, but where in that location is an inability to carry forward the influence of the last aspected planet to the adjacent; (so that, for example, translation of lite would not be possible). For the Moon to be legitimately described equally 'void of course' co-ordinate to the principle expressed in Lilly's piece of work, one of the post-obit conditions must be present.
- The Moon is fully separated (ie, out of orb) of its last aspectual contact and non yet within orb of its next aspectual contact (already defined as 'void' higher up).
None of the 35 charts published in Christian Astrology, nor whatsoever of Lilly'south horaries that I have seen published elsewhere demonstrate the Moon in such a condition. In fact, I don't call back the Moon existence in this position in any of my own horaries or in any other historical examples. This is non surprising since it describes a lack of influence or interest in both fields: the relevant by and future of the situation.
- The Moon is still within orb of its last aspectual contact but not yet within orb of its next aspectual contact.
It is expected that the Moon will remain responsive to the influence of its last planetary contact for as long as the two bodies remain within the limits of the orb. [20] Hence nosotros could argue that the Moon is not truly 'void' in this position. Nevertheless, Lilly refers to the Moon as 'ad vac [going to nothing]' in two of the three charts he publishes which accept the Moon still within orb of its last attribute but out of orb of its next aspect. [21] In one judgement he labours upon the significance of this, clearly describing the Moon every bit going to exist 'void of course' for a niggling time and interpreting a period of confusion and inactivity that corresponds with the number of degrees that the Moon must travel before it enters into orb of new aspects that perfect within its present sign. So fifty-fifty though the Moon is not yet empty of the influence of its previous aspect, the fact that it cannot presently communicate this influence forward to its next contact, shows that the Moon'southward 'class' is interrupted: the flow of virtue cannot resume until the Moon can communicate freely betwixt the planets.
- The Moon is within orb of its next aspect but it has already fully separated from its last aspectual contact.
There are nine charts in Christian Astrology that have the Moon in this position, and Lilly makes reference to the Moon being 'currently void of course' or separating from that condition in iv of them.[22] This is the contrary principle to the above and again demonstrates an interruption in the Moon's ability to communicate freely between the planets. Debate will obviously continue as to whether it is more often than not correct to consider the Moon fully 'void' or even 'void of form' in such a position, just Lilly'southward terminology can be justified considering as the Moon moves forward to consummate its electric current aspect there has been a gap over which the influence of its previous attribute cannot exist transmitted.
The second and third definitions are correct according to Lilly'south perspective, but they do not draw an empty, powerless Moon which is devoid of all significance; nor practise they suggest that the chart cannot exist read. They relate to either a recent or upcoming period of inactivity/communication breakdown, and describe periods were in that location is a potential interruption in the development of the state of affairs. Some of the most revealing charts will be examined at the end of this article to consider the impact of this in practical nautical chart judgement.
It is credible that the definition of a void of course Moon as understood by about modern astrologers bears little relation to William Lilly's technique, even though information technology was once assumed to be an accurate description of it. In this it is claimed that the Moon is 'void of course' from the moment that information technology perfects its last aspect within its present sign up to the moment that it enters a new sign. Students of Lilly's work were taught to wait this in the 1980s and early 1990s: the modern definition being originally taught by the Olivia Barclay Qualifying Horary Course, which instructed people like myself, Carol Wiggers, Sue Ward, Lee Lehman, John Frawley, Barbara Dunn, and many others who passed that viewpoint over to our own students. This supposition helped to generate the faux conventionalities that Lilly was a sloppy astrologer, inconsistent in the application of his own technique and willing to publish work that was riddled with errors.
Information technology was non until Sue Ward did some in-depth research into this matter and presented an article in 1992 (entitled 'The Void of Class Moon: An Important Discovery') that students of Lilly realised there was a need to await again at what he was actually doing in his charts with some of the blinkers removed. Maurice McCann likewise did important inquiry into this, resulting in his book The Void of Course Moon. [23]
Sue Ward rightly pointed out that the need for 'perfection' is not specified in Lilly's definition (most traditional definitions state that the Moon is void where it does not 'employ' or is non making 'an application'). A study of the technique within applied chart judgement shows that 'to use' or 'to make an awarding' ways to take entered into orb of an aspect, so the Moon is fully 'void' much less often than is commonly supposed (whenever it is out of orb of any attribute), yet by Lilly's definition it can be described equally 'void of course' (unable to transmit an influence forwards) much more than often than supposed.
Although some authors have claimed that orbs are not of any great importance in horary, [24] Lilly's work shows that he regarded them as very significant, and his apply of translation of lite and his definition of the Moon as void were dependant upon them. But earlier returning to the relevance of 'void of course', it is important to sympathise how the result of 'translation of light' fits into this. Start consider the meaning of the word 'void' according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language - all of the definitions given here are relevant in this matter as we shall see.
As an adjective:
- Containing no matter; empty.
- Not occupied; unfilled.
- Completely lacking; devoid: void of understanding.
- Ineffective; useless.
- An empty infinite.
- A vacuum.
- An open up space or a pause in continuity; a gap.
- A feeling or state of emptiness, loneliness, or loss.
The Moon's power to Translate Low-cal
Because the Moon has the role of collecting planetary virtues and 'bringing them down' to earth, it is considered 'void' or empty of significance whenever information technology is out of orb of any aspect. Because it is too responsible for carrying planetary virtues "from 1 to the other" it can become 'void of course' wherever information technology loses the ability to commit the virtue it has nerveless forrad to its side by side contact. Lilly's piece of work shows that the Moon tin can only make a translation of light between two planets that are simultaneously within its achieve. This is reliably demonstrated in all the occasions where he refers to the Moon transferring the virtue of its final contact to the adjacent: both planets being within the Moon's orb. Becoming 'void of course' in this way presents a break in continuity - a gap - over which the Moon loses the power to transmit. Examples where Lilly refers to the Moon translating light are detailed below:
p.177 ff. A tradesman of this city In this nautical chart the Moon is separating (ie, still inside orb) from the sextile of Mars and the conjunction of Mercury. It is applying (within orb) to the conjunction of Venus. Lilly says that the Moon was "transferring the light and nature of Mercury and Mars to the querent [Venus]"
It is frequently assumed that translation of light only occurs betwixt the terminal and next points of contact just this is not the example equally this judgment demonstrates - the Moon can acquit forward the influence of Mercury as well as Mars to Venus; both are relevant because both are currently inside the orb of the Moon, equally is Venus.
p.200 ff. A report on Cambridge
Moon is within orb of a separating sextile from Jupiter and within orb of an applying foursquare to Venus. Lilly describes the Moon as "transferring his [Jupiter'due south] light and virtue to Venus". [Jupiter = 8.28 Aries | Moon = 12.43 Gemini | Venus = 15 Pisces]
p.219 ff Master B His Houses
Moon is inside orb of a separating conjunction with Mars and an applying foursquare to Saturn. Lilly writes of the Moon translating the influence of Mars to Saturn. Both are inside orb of the Moon. [Mars = xi.06 Virgo | Moon = xix.38 Virgo | Saturn = 21.25 Sagittarius]
p.289 ff Whether the ill would live or dice
Moon is separating from the conjunction of Mars and the sextile of Mercury; applying to the square of Jupiter. Lilly refers to the Moon transferring the influence of Mercury (1st ruler) to Jupiter (8th ruler) as supporting testimony for his judgement of death. Both are within orb.
p.389 ff If she should ally the man desired?
Moon is separating from the square of Jupiter; applying to the trine of Mercury. Lilly refers to the Moon conveying the lite of Jupiter to Mercury. Both are within orb. [Jupiter = 13.20 Cancer | Moon = xiii.49 Libra | Mercury = 14.47 Gemini]
p.421 ff If accept the portion promised?
Moon is separating from the conjunction of the Sun (ruler of the 8th business firm); applying to the trine of Saturn (ruler of the 1st). Lilly says that the Moon translates the virtue of the Dominicus to Saturn, assuring the querent of the coin he was promised. Both are inside orb. [Sunday = 2.25 Leo | Moon = ten.xx Leo | Saturn = xv.21 Sagittarius]
p.452 ff Prince Rupert
Moon is separating from the trine of Jupiter; applying to the trine of Saturn. Lilly refers to the Moon transferring the influence of Jupiter to Saturn in his judgement. Both are within orb. [Jupiter = x.24 Pisces | Moon = x Cancer | Saturn = 18.40 Pisces]
There are other charts that fulfil this condition where the principle of translation is used or implied in the judgement simply not specifically termed every bit such. [25] However, of the considerable number of charts where either the Moon's last or adjacent aspect are out of orb, Lilly never makes employ of the principle of translation of light. This may not have been the instance for other authors, a betoken for which we suffer from a lack of admission to judged charts; but it does appear to have been the case for Lilly.
From a more modern source - Nicholas De Vore in his Encyclopedia of Astrology - we also find an expressed demand for the translating planet to exist simultaneously within orb of the planets it is translating betwixt. In offering up a definition for translation he writes:
The conveyance of influence which occurs when a transiting planet, while separating from an aspect to 1 planet is found to be applying to an aspect to another, in which consequence some of the influence of the offset aspected planet is imparted to the second aspected planet by a translation of calorie-free. For example, presume an Horary Figure in which Jupiter or Saturn, the Significators of the parties to the negotiation of an agreement, are in no aspect to each other; merely Venus while separating from Jupiter is applying to an aspect of Saturn. There results a translation of calorie-free from Jupiter to Saturn, which is a powerful testimony that Venus represents a person or an idea that will bring about a settlement. The nature of the aspect, and of the aspecting and aspected planets through which the translation is achieved, determines whether the event will be fortuitous. [26]
At get-go glance Lilly'southward older definition does not appear to specify this 'in orb' requirement; but if we read it once more with an emphasis on the discussion 'presently' pregnant at the same time, nosotros meet that it does:
Translation of light and nature is, when a light Planet separates from a more weighty one, and presently joins to another more heavy. [27]
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English language Linguistic communication states that whilst the word presently ways 'in a curt fourth dimension' according to modern utilize, its archaic meaning, which dropped from utilize subsequently the 17th century, is 'at the present time; currently'. [28] With this in mind we can see that Lilly's definition of translation is consistent with his demonstrated apply of it, and that it is only applied when the translating planet is in orb of the ii or more planets it is translating between.
However, this result has been dislocated past the fact that Lilly gives 2 important passages where he describes translation of light; the one noted above and another on p.125 where he specifies a need for the translating planet to be received into one of the dignities of the planet it is translating from. The source for both passages appears to be the 1557 treatise of Claude Dariot: A Brief and Most Easy Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars.
Dariot himself probably rested upon an earlier source, just the fact that he also gives 2 similarly conflicting definitions of translation - one at affiliate viii which specifies no need for reception but implies that both planets should be within orb "as Mercury, separating himself from the Sun and applying to Venus, doth transport the low-cal and virtue of the Sun unto her"; and another in his 21st chapter, which states that translation occurs when a planet separates from one planet "of whom he has been received, and applyeth to the other significator before he doth behold or apply unto whatsoever other planet" - makes it likely that Lilly was reproducing elements of Dariot's Introduction into his own.
Nosotros therefore take two usually repeated definitions of translation, one of which calls for reception, and the other which does non require reception but which appears to stress the importance of the application to the future contact occurring simultaneously with the separation from the final. We can see from his charts that Lilly adhered to the latter and under these circumstances did not experience constrained past a need for the translating planet to exist received by the planet it translated from.[29]
Lilly's Void of Form Examples
It was likewise Dariot who left united states ane of the clearest accounts of how "Application happeneth when the circles or beams of the planets come to bring together together";[30] that is, when they first move into moiety of the orb. This is seen as a betoken of 'contact' from which the planets are able to express an influence upon each other. The influence increases until fully expressed at 'completion' (or perfection), and remains in force - though diminishing - until the planets are separated as they laissez passer beyond the limits of the orb. This means two things:
- If there is an acting between the Moon'southward last attribute and its adjacent, and so that information technology is not within orb of them both simultaneously, the Moon is unable to communicate the forcefulness of the one to the other and will enter a period when it is temporarily void of grade. This is so, even if the Moon will go along to perfect an aspect earlier the finish of its current sign.
- Merely if the Moon is in orb of an applying aspect, information technology will bring any influence it has to that planet, fifty-fifty if it must enter a new sign to practise so.
p.439 ff. If Presbytery shall stand?
Lilly has written in the chart class: "Moon a opposition Venus ad vac, ad square Mars et Jupiter [Moon from opposition of Venus, to void of course, to square of Mars and Jupiter]" - indicating that in that location is a period after the Moon opposes Venus when it is out of orb of an applying aspect, earlier it then enters into orb of its applying square to Mars and Jupiter at the end of the sign. Lilly refers to this twice in his judgment maxim:
"We have the Moon separating from Venus in the eighth, then going to be Vacua Cursus [empty/void of course], afterward she squares with Mars, then with Jupiter"
and later:
"we discover the Moon, in plain linguistic communication (subsequently a little beingness void of class) run hastily to the square of Mars and Jupiter".
Although the Moon is nonetheless close within orb of its separation from Venus, information technology must motion forward around 2-3 degrees earlier it enters into the recognised orbs of Mars and Jupiter. This is the span of its 'void of course period'; we can be fairly confident of this because of the judgement that Lilly applies to the chart. This is one of Lilly's political charts and the length of the judgement, besides as the overall precision of adding, illustrates the care and deep thought that he gave to something that he knew could stir political feathers and get out him open to stinging criticism if he fabricated astrological mistakes.
Since the judgement of this chart is relevant to understanding Lilly's use of technique, the backdrop to the question deserves some explanation. The question was asked in March 1646 as Presbyterianism, (a staunch class of Protestant Christianity particularly favoured in Scotland), was gaining political strength. King Charles I was proposing to brand it the official religion of both Scotland and England, a motility which would accept secured the support of Scottish Royalists in his struggles against Parliament. The question concerned whether that move would succeed. The proposal received support from some of the more than conservative members of Parliament, and the Church of England was to embrace Presbyterianism by an deed of the Long Parliament in 1647. Even so, information technology's influence was to be dramatically challenged in 1648 as Cromwell, who refused to have its authoritarian imposition on the beliefs on other Protestants, rose to the highest office of the country to lead the 'second civil war' that resulted in the execution of the king. In Dec 1648 the ability held by Presbyterian MPs was ended when 96 of them were purged from Parliament.
Despite the powerful political consequences, this is a religious matter, and so Lilly takes the heavily afflicted Venus, ruler of the ninth house, equally the principal significator for the current country of religious partitioning and the influence of Presbyterianism. He regards Saturn in the 9th as a secondary significator and suggests from this that "Presbytery shall be likewise strict, sullen and dogged for the English Constitutions". Lilly is also interested in Jupiter as the natural significator for religion, and the fact that Jupiter is stationary and turning direct provides a background for his judgement that current events will be subject to afterward alteration. He sees the Moon's forthcoming squares to Mars and Jupiter equally indicating the prospect of future conflict over the matter, when the public will challenge the religious regime, precipitated because "the soldiery and then, or some men of fiery spirits will arise". [31]
The detail of this part of his judgement appears to hinge upon the temporary void of course Moon period - as there are less than 3 degrees before the Moon moves into is future applications, and then Lilly refers to a period of less than three years wherein the public will be confused and unsure of what is happening, before the soldiers (Mars) begin to human action, and "the Commonality [Moon] volition defraud the expectation of the Clergy [Jupiter]". So as the Moon moves into the orb of its next contacts, it one time again resumes its activating role.
What nosotros see from this, is that whether or not Lilly refers to the Moon as 'currently void of course' or 'separating from void of course' as it moves forrard to enter into the orb of its adjacent attribute, the Moon is capable of 'bringing downwards' the influence of other planets from the moment that it moves into their range, and for as long as it remains then.
p.165 ff. Instance of another ship
In this example Lilly reviews the Moon's final attribute. This is something he routinely does to get a grounding for the groundwork of the question, even if the Moon's terminal aspect is well out of orb or occurred in the previous sign.[32] This is relevant in symbolising the last result to affect upon the situation under scrutiny. In this case he has to trace the Moon right back to the centre of the previous sign to find it: a square to Saturn. Since the affected Saturn rules the 8th house of death and the ninth house of sea journeys, he judges this to show that the Ship had met the "danger (of expiry) viz, shipwreck" some time before the question was asked. From that point on the Moon had remained void of course until its present application to Saturn by trine.
Despite the Moon'south electric current application to Saturn by trine, the tearing fixed star connections and dissentious indications in the nautical chart are overwhelming; so Lilly judged the ship was lost.
In this chart the Moon, equally the ruler of the ascendant, represents the send and those that sail in her. Lilly describes the Moon equally "at the time of the Question void of class", an indication that the ship and those that sail in her were lost at sea. This is not a definition that most astrologers would utilize, since the Moon is in a new sign and is well inside orb of its applying trine to Saturn. Mayhap he meant to say that at the time of the question the Moon had been void of course, but what Lilly emphasises in this judgment is that the Moon is unable to carry any directing influence forward to Saturn. It has only separated from its last square of Saturn in the previous sign (which indicated the time of 'death'), and will next use to the trine of Saturn and so the opposition of Mercury, (which as ruler of the 12th and 4th houses brings the unfortunate news of the drowning), so in a sense the Moon is void because it is empty of virtue. The near important point is that the recognition of a void of course period was a major gene in Lilly's judgement and we can see that he used it to denote a period of inactivity and defoliation: "and as the Moon had been void of course, so had no news been heard of her".
p.152 ff. If her son were with his principal or at her own house?
Many modernistic astrologers would define this Moon every bit void of course, because it perfects no aspects before information technology changes sign. But Lilly makes no reference to it being void of course, and he would not consider it such because the Moon is withal within orb of its last aspect and already within orb of its next. He tells united states "I observed further, that the Moon did apply to a sextile dexter of Saturn, Lord of the 4th business firm" - which helped to course his judgement that the son was at his mother'due south house and that they would be united. The Moon must enter a new sign before perfecting its sextile to Saturn, but it is within 7� at the time of the question, so within orb of application.
This is 1 of several examples where Lilly makes peachy employ of the Moon'southward awarding to one or more planets that it perfects with in the next sign. [33] This approach is not peculiar to Lilly; nosotros have a scarcity of accessible horaries from authors that preceded him in the medieval period, but of the examples nosotros practise possess nosotros can run across that they did not dismiss the value of aspects in orb that volition or take perfected over sign-boundaries, and some of them were surprisingly generous in the assart they gave.
p.401 ff. If his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex should have Reading?
Lilly notes on the chart course that the Moon is "a vac" [from zero] and applying to the sextile of Mars and the trine of the Sun. He doesn't term the Moon 'void of course' just states in his sentence that "the Moon separated (a vacuo [from naught]) and indeed in that location was piffling hope that it [Reading] would accept been gained in the time that information technology was".
At the time of this question the Earl of Essex, fighting for the Parliamentarian cause, was engaged in a siege on the Royalist stronghold at Reading. The question was asked past a human 'of honour' who favoured the Parliamentarian cause, and so Lilly assigns Essex to the ascendant and uses Mars equally his significator. The Moon's last aspect was a trine to Jupiter in its present sign, merely this is separated by over 17� degrees so well beyond the limits of the orb (widest orb allowed between the Moon and Jupiter is 12� fifteen'), and therefore not considered an influence that remains in present effect. The Moon perfects no future aspect in its present sign, but is already within orb of its application to Mars and the Sun, although the Moon must alter sign in guild to complete these aspects. This is a situation where modern definitions would write off the influence of this Moon as void of course and discount the relevancy of the awarding to Mars in the post-obit sign. Even so it is a pivotal point of Lilly's judgement that Reading would concord: "because the Moon was so directly to the sextile of the Lord of the Ascendant [Mars], without whatever frustration or prohibition".
Lilly describes the contempo 'empty' period of the Moon as denoting a time of "little hope" of effective resolution at the start of the siege, and he looks to the future application of the Moon to Mars to betoken the point at which Essex achieves his aims. The nautical chart is published for posterity and Lilly confesses that he was three days out in his prediction of when Reading would be successfully taken, because it was delivered on the 27th Apr whereas he had argued for the accomplishment 8 days after the question was asked, He points out, nonetheless, that information technology was on the eighth day that the ii armies entered into treaty, which made the generality of his prediction correct if not the specific details of how it ended. Although he doesn't state as much, information technology is fairly obvious that Lilly took this eight mean solar day fourth dimension span from the number of degrees that separated the Moon's applying sextile to the out-of-sign Mars.
Mostly, it is considered that the movement of a planet out of one sign into another brings a dynamic change, and then the free energy of that planet is fundamentally contradistinct, as if a 'reset' push button has been pressed. Therefore we might assume that if the Moon is carrying frontward a planet's influence, it needs to brand contact with another planet to discharge the influence before it leaves its present sign. However, since application denotes contact, a transfer of disposition begins every bit presently as the two planets move into orb of each other. Although the aspect is not completed earlier the change of sign, the fact that contact has been made is enough to ensure the planets remain locked into their relationship with each other until it is completed.
There are many charts in Christian Astrology that could be said to incorporate a void of course Moon if nosotros go by the modernistic definition; although there is only 1 where the Moon fails to enter into application of a new aspect before it gets to the terminate of its electric current sign: the 'Horse stolen at Henley' chart on p.467, which has the Moon separating from Saturn at xi� Leo and making no further applications in its current sign. Here Lilly disregarded the disease of a void of course Moon because of the "many good significations that the querent should recover his lost equus caballus", including a direct application betwixt the significator for the horse and the ruler of the querent'due south house of substance. He has explained that information technology is viable to do this in one of the about revealing comments he makes regarding the condition of void of course on page 122, where he succinctly captures the element of inactivity or lack of underlying motivation in writing:
"All manner of matters become hardly on (except the principal significators be very strong) when the Moon is void of course".
Points to Note:
- To be 'void' implies a country of emptiness and a lack of impetus. In Lilly's charts we can meet that it is possible for the Moon to exist defined as temporarily void of form without remaining out of orb of aspect for the remainder of its move through the sign. These interludes are descriptive of periods where there is footling sense of clear motivation, clarity, or definable energy.
- Beware of the stock phrases that a void of course Moon means "information technology doesn't matter", "nothing volition happen/tin be washed", "in that location is nothing to worry most" or "the chart cannot be read". Lilly only says that "All way of matters go along hardly" when the Moon is VOC, and every bit the lost ship chart shows, this does not necessarily equate to having nothing to worry well-nigh. Each nautical chart is unique, but a more reliable principle is that in that location is a lack of momentum to drive the event forward. Some of Lilly'southward comments regarding the Moon when information technology is void of class include:
- �you shall seldom run across a business get handsomely forwards when she is so (p.112)
- � if the Moon was void of course, the news proved to exist of no moment, usually vain or mere lies, and very soon contradicted (p.192)
- �unless the Significators apply strongly, there'south seldom whatsoever Deal concluded � and yet both parties wrangle, and take some meetings to no purpose (p.377)
- If the main significators are stiff and constructive, a chart with a void of course Moon tin nonetheless have a positive outcome. A strong application is less dependant upon the need for back up from the Moon.
- To be void is a particular debility for the Moon, since it relies so heavily upon the influence of superiors for expression. The Moon'south role in transmitting virtue is the reason why it is taken every bit a natural significator for messages, messengers, letter carriers, general communication and the relaying of information betwixt one person and some other.
- Lilly'south utilize of translation of low-cal requires that the translating planet is inside orb of the planets it is translating between.
- The translating planet may translate the influence of more than than ane planet, providing they are both inside orb of aspect.
- In this case it is not necessary that the translating planet is received into the dignities of the planet it is translating from, but information technology might be a more than productive or welcomed translation when this occurs.
- Although Lilly's judgements contain fewer examples of collection, the same principle of needing to be within orb seems expressed in his definition on p.126, where he states that the planets existence nerveless should "both cast their several Aspects to a more weighty Planet then themselves". Ideally, information technology volition as well involve reception but this is a strengthening element and is not necessarily essential.
- Aspects that are 'out of orb' need not be ignored. Lilly regularly considered the Moon'southward last aspect to understand something of the background to the horary, regardless of how far back it was. He also considered the potential of aspects that were presently out of orb simply which would perfect before i of the planets moved into the adjacent sign. Only these were treated as currently inactivated and there was no sense of transmitting or collecting virtue between these planets.
Notes & References:
| 1] | Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, I.2; Trans. F.East. Robbins (Harvard Heinemann ed. 1940); Loeb Classical Library p.7. Back to text | |
| ii] | Run across 'The Hymm to the Moon god' translated by J.B. Pritchard in Aboriginal Near Eastern Texts relating to the Former Testament The tablet is assumed to have been compiled betwixt 668-633 BC just the text states that information technology was copied from an older limerick, the antiquity of which is unknown. Back to text | |
| 3] | R.E. Guiley, The Lunar Almanac, (London, Piatkus, 1991) p.147 Dorsum to text | |
| 4] | Robert Eisler, The Royal Art of Astrology, (London, Herbert Joseph Ltd., 1946); p.145. In Britain the Lunacy Act was replaced by the Mental Health Deed in 1959. Dorsum to text | |
| five] | Tetrabiblos, 1.iv; tr. J.Thousand. Ashmand, (London, David and Dickson, 1822); p.13. Back to text | |
| 6] | D. Bradley, Yard Woodbury and GW Bramble, 'Lunar Synodical Flow and Widespread Atmospheric precipitation', Science Mag, issue 137: 748-750 (1962). Dorsum to text | |
| 7] | The ancient text of Dorotheus advises against performing operations that could lead to haemorrhage when the Moon is new (until it has separated from the Dominicus past xiii degrees), and when information technology is in opposition to the Sun. Carmen Astrologicum, trans. David Pingree. Leipzig: Teubner, 1976; V.39. 2-iv. Back to text | |
| viii] | See www.policeops.com. A detailed article on the 'Full Moon Effect' is subtitled "Why does all hell seem to break loose on or around the Full Moon?". Its main thrust is that changes in ions in the air crusade "hyperactivity, depression, violent behavior, road rage, higher occurrences of migraines and asthma". (Accessed 10 Nov 2004). Back to text | |
| ix] | Semiotica Uranica or An Astrological Judgement of Diseases; 3rd edition, (London, Nathanial Brooke, 1658), p.4 Back to text | |
| 10] | Ramesey, W., (1653) Astrologia Restaurata (Astrology Restored). Facs. (Nottingham, Ascella, 1995); Chap. VII. Back to text | |
| 11] | Originally published in The Traditional Astrologer, issue 5: p.29 (1994). Available online at www.skyscript.co.uk/sublunar.html. Back to text | |
| 12] | Translated by Christopher Warnock. Quoted in his book The Mansions of the Moon, (Washington DC, Renaissance Astrology, 2006); p.22. The Picatrix is the Latin proper name for a compilation of many earlier works. It was originally published in Spain around 1000 AD under the title Ghayat al-Hikam (The Aim of the Wise) and was first translated into Latin in 1256. It was circulated secretly in manuscript form, a copy of which was owned by William Lilly (see Warnock, p.21). Back to text | |
| thirteen] | The Astrologer's Guide: Anima Astrologiae 'Beingness the One Hundred and Xl-six Considerations of the famous Astrologer GUIDO BONATUS translated from Latin by Henry Coley, together with the Choicest Aphorisms of the 7 Segments of JEROM CARDAN OF MILAN, edited by William Lilly'; (1676). Facs., London: Regulus, 1986. Con. 5. Guido Bonatus was a highly influential 13th century Italian astrologer. Dorsum to text | |
| fourteen] | Carmen Astrologicum, V.5.eighteen. | |
| 15] | Astrologia Restaurata, Chap. VII. Back to text | |
| 16] | I.12.vii Back to text | |
| 17] | Consideration v. Back to text | |
| 18] | Originally published 1539. Translated and published by Project Retrospect, Latin Rail Volume IV, 1994. Back to text | |
| xix] | Lilly, W., (1647), Christian Astrology. Facs. London: Regulus, 1985. A copy of the text from volumes I & II is available online as a costless word document download at www.mithras93.tripod.com/books/books.html. (Accessed January, 2006). William Lilly's significance in this matter is often regarded as pivotal considering no other traditional work currently available demonstrates the interpretation of the technique as firmly as he does through his practical examples. | |
| xx] | For an explanation of the traditional arroyo to calculating aspectual orbs (denoted by the planets involved rather than the aspect involved) see 'The Classical Origin and Traditional use of Aspects' by Deborah Houlding, and the links that extend from that folio. Back to text | |
| 21] | The three charts are: p.399: A Figure erected to know whether Sir William Waller or Sir Ralph Hopton should overcome; p.439: If Presbytery shall stand?; p.467: A Equus caballus lost or stolen about Henley, if recoverable or not? Back to text | |
| 22] | p.165: An Example of another Ship; p.385: A Lady, if marry the Gentleman desired?; p.401: If his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex should accept Reading?; p.436: Terrible Dreams. The v charts that brand no reference to the condition are on pages 286, 392 (a poor example considering the Moon is only a few minutes out of orb), 455, 470 and 473. A failure to reference the condition does not mean that information technology was not recognised of course - like most horary astrologers Lilly concerned himself with detailing only the factors that were nearly instrumental in his judgement, not of trying to specify every condition that exists in the nautical chart. In the aforementioned way we wouldn't wait him to explain that the Moon is in the Via Combusta in every nautical chart where information technology is non a principal element of his interpretation. | |
| 23] | Sue Ward's original article was published in the Horary Practitioner magazine; issue 15, October 23, 1992. (JustUs & Associates. Issaquah, U.s.). Farther discussion was raised by Sue Ward'south response to Maurice McCann's article 'the Considerations before Judgement' (series 1 and 2, Volume 63, Astrological Quarterly, the magazine of the Astrological Lodge of London), and replies within the subsequent bug. Sue Ward'south more recent commodity 'The Consideration Before Sentence concerning the Moon when Void of Course' is bachelor online at www.worldastrology.net/articles/voc.html (accessed 6 November, 2005). Maruice McCann's volume on the void of course Moon was published by Tara Publications, 1997. Details are available on his website at www.tara-star divination.com. Although much of his content is very illuminating, I disagree with some of McCann's suggestions - for instance that Lilly was wrong to discount aspects to antiscia in his use of void of course, because this was non part of Lilly's usual technique or a principle that he advocated. Both authors deserve credit however for helping to stimulate a more critical appreciation of Lilly's work. | |
| 24] | For example, John Frawley, in his The Horary Textbook, claims "Any two planets in the same sign have an effect upon each other, no matter how far apart they may exist", only on the same page he asserts "we are mainly concerned with planets exactly aspecting each other". These perspectives seem incompatible and leave confusion as to whether the validity of aspects is adamant past the signs or the planets involved. (Apprentice Books, London, 2005) pp.97-98. Dorsum to text | |
| 25] | Examples include: 'A Woman of her husband at ocean' (p.417) and 'If Obtain the Parsonage?' (p.437). Back to text | |
| 26] | Philosophical Library, New York, 1947. Back to text | |
| 27] | CA., p.111. Back to text | |
| 28] | The definition is available online at world wide web.dictionary.com. Back to text | |
| 29] | For case, the Moon is not received into the dignities of Mars in the translation used in the chart 'Master B His Houses'. Dorsum to text | |
| 30] | A Brief and About Easie Introduction to the Judgement of the Stars, Fabian Withers translation, Chap.vii. Back to text | |
| 31] | Various factors of this nautical chart relate well to Cromwell, who in 1648 rose to the highest ofice in the country through his opposition of these policies. Alongside his margin note 'The soldiery will distaste information technology' Lilly writes: "If you would know who shall most afflict, or who shall begin the dance, or nigh of all oppose information technology? Saturn represents the countryman, for he afflicting the house properly signifying Presbytery shows the cause". Cromwell, though remembered for his 'fiery spirits' was by and large a "quiet, simple, serious-minded man who spoke piffling". He "was not a learned scholar" but was "born into a common family of English state Puritans, having none of the advantages of upbringing that would prepare him to be leader of a nation". See 'Oliver Cromwell: Lord Protector of England (1599-1658)' Traditional commentaries on Cromwell'south chart are reviewed past David Institute in his article 'The Nativity of Cromwell: Gadbury vs Partridge'. | |
| 32] | Other examples where Lilly reviews the significance of aspects that perfected in the previous sign include: p.392: A dog missing; (p.392 ff.); p.442: If accomplish the Philosopher's rock?; p.468: If Bewitched?; p.473: The Fourth dimension of his Excellency's Robert Earl of Essex, last setting along into the west. Back to text | |
| 33] | Other examples include: p.238: If the Querent should ever have children?; p.385: A Lady, If ally the gentleman desired?; p.401: If his Excellency Earl of Essex should take Reading? (in this case Lilly notes the Moon's application to the Sunday and Mars: both of which perfect in the next sign but are currently within orb); p.417: A Woman of her husband at body of water; and p.471: A Lady of her Husband at Sea. Dorsum to text |
Deborah Houlding is the spider web mistress of the Skyscript site. The past editor of The Traditional Astrologer mag, and author of The Houses: Temples of the Sky, her articles feature regularly in astrological journals. She has a particular interest in researching the origin and evolution of astrological technique and as a consulting astrologer specialises in horary. She is the principal of the STA school of traditional horary astrology, which offers courses by correspondence and intensive residential seminars.
© Deborah Houlding, October 2006.
Source: https://www.skyscript.co.uk/moon2.html