SATURN
JUPITER
MARS
THE SUN
VENUS
MERCURY
These interpretations are only intended to be general indications, for much depends upon the sign and house wherein the conjunction takes place as to its action upon the character or destiny. In the above list the meaning of the conjunctions has not been given so fully nor so explicitly as one could wish, but where so many have to be dealt with it is obvious that great detail would be out of place, and that hints only can be given.
We now come to the evil aspects, which are the square and the opposition. The word ‘evil’ is only used here for convenience, since it is customary among students to divide aspects and influences into what are termed ‘good’ and ‘evil’—by which is usually meant favourable or unfavourable from a material standpoint. It would be far better to use the words harmonious and discordant, which convey the real idea more closely. Anyone who knows anything of music is aware that discords are no less necessary in a composition than concords, and that a true artist can utilise the very harshest tones in such a way as to produce a beautiful effect. And thus also the Great Musician is capable of using all those planetary vibrations which we term ‘evil’ in such a way as to further His great scheme of beauty and progress. In a minor degree man has this power too, and by learning how to control the discordant vibrations playing through him he can utilise them for high purposes: in the horoscopes of great characters we usually find some powerful oppositions or squares, in addition to some of the more harmonious aspects. In a general sense the squares and oppositions give grit and energy, but in the main they give adverse conditions and trying circumstances, with an uphill fight against fate.
For the rest, it must be understood that these aspects are ‘evil’ only in the sense of abuse of the influence through ignorance or by a perverted expression of its true nature.
The following is the general effect of squares and oppositions when either planet is ruler, or significator.
EVIL ASPECTS: OPPOSITIONS OR SQUARES
| When slower planet is significator | When quicker planet is significator |
NEPTUNE
URANUS
SATURN
JUPITER
MARS
THE SUN
VENUS
MERCURY
Care must be exercised in using any of the above aspects, for they may be much modified and improved by sign and position, also by other more favourable aspects. In a minor degree they will apply also to the semi-square or sesquiquadrate aspect, which are as it were weaker expressions of the same influence, as explained on p. 47.
We have next to consider the ‘good’ aspects by which we mean those that are definitely harmonious and favourable in their action in every sense. But what has been said under the heading of ‘evil’ aspects should not be lost sight of when considering the nature of the ‘good’ aspects. Just as nothing in itself is evil, so nothing in itself is good, but may be perverted; and instances can be found where, in a weak horoscope, the good influences are made ‘ducks and drakes of’ so to speak, being used simply to minister to personal gratification or selfish indulgence. Yet such cases are comparatively rare, and, harking back to our musical simile we may say that, in a general sense, the good aspects are like the passages of smooth, sweet harmony that follow on the turbulent first movement of a symphony, where the soul appears to dwell for a while in a calm and undisturbed atmosphere, in which strength is gathered and balance restored after the turmoil of battle. Every great nation has shown its most marked periods of artistic productiveness shortly after a series of struggles for constitutional or political emancipation, the strength developed in the former being balanced by the sense of beauty cultivated in the latter: and in the same way we may think of the favourable or ‘good’ aspects as designed to harmonise the nature, just as the ‘evil’ ones are intended to stimulate it to achievement.
GOOD ASPECTS: TRINES OR SEXTILES
NEPTUNE
| When slower planet is significator | When quicker planet is significator |