The Message of the Stars[5]
[PAGE 92] THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS
CHAPTER V
THE INFLUENCE OF THE TWELVE SIGNS
WHEN RISING
ARIES, THE RAM
Aries is mythologically represented as a ram and the symbol describes
most accurately those born under its influence; a pointed and protruding
sheep like nose, wide forehead, pointed chin and the resultant triangular
face noted in many people, are unmistakable indications of their rising
sign. Light brown or reddish tint of the hair is a pronounced characteris-
tic of the Arian,; the body is slender and well formed; if the first part of
the sign is rising the body is shorter, and the complexion darker than given
by the latter degrees.
Planets in the rising sign will modify the description however, and the
student must use his knowledge of the character of the planets in conjunc-
tion with the description of the Sign. The Sun and Mars make the complexion
more florid, the Moon and Saturn make it paler and darker, Jupiter and Venus
make the body more portly. Saturn shortens. Uranus and Mercury lengthens.
This applies to all the signs, but is especially marked when a planet rises
in the sign it rules. Mars in Aries rising would give fiery red hair and a
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face full of freckles. The Sun rising in Leo would give a florid complexion
with flaxen hair, but if Saturn were there, instead it would shorten the
body and darken the hair.
Aries people are bold, self-confident and impulsive; they aim to lead,
dislike to follow, are always ready to take the initiative in any movement
that appeals to them, but often lack persistence to carry their projects to
a conclusion over serious obstacles.
The Sun, and Mars the Ruler, rising in Aries would intensify the above,
but as a thorough explanation will be given under the heading "The Intrinsic
Nature of the Planets," the student is referred thereto. We may mention
it here, however, as a peculiarity that Aries people live through fevers
to which others succumb. We have known their hair to fall out, and the tem-
perature to remain four degrees above the usual maximum for many hours with-
out fatal result.
TAURUS, THE BULL
Taurus is represented by a Bull in the Zodiac, and the bodies generated
under this sign are usually short and stocky. They have a strong neck with
the bump of amativeness well developed, large lobe of the ear, heavy jaws,
full face; nose short and stubby. Dark eyes and wavy hair frequently give
them considerable beauty. The eye of the Taurian may never dart bolts of
fire such as those wherewith the Arian would annihilate his enemies; it is
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softer, but under provocation it becomes sullenly expressive of the passive
resistance wherewith these people win their battles. It then marks the
difference between the impulsive Aries and the stubborn Taurus. The inner
phalange of the thumb is large and heavy, the calves well developed and the
foot chubby. In walking the Taurian usually plants his heel first, and
heaviest.
Taurus people are pre-eminently "thorough and steadfast" in everything
they do: In love, in hate, in work or play, they persist in a given direc-
tion, and neither reason nor argument will turn them. They are verbose and
argumentative in defense of their actions or opinions; they grasp new ideas
slowly, with difficulty and conservatively, but once comprehended and es-
poused, they always remember what they have learned and defend their opin-
ions to the last ditch.
The Sun rising in Taurus gives an unusually firm physique, and accentu-
ates the Taurus pride in strength. THE MOON, being the planet of fecundity,
is exalted in this exceedingly fruitful sign; hence people with the Moon in
Taurus have large families, particularly if the configuration is in the
fifth house, for that designates children.
Venus, the ruler of Taurus, rising in that sign, makes the form beautiful
as well as strong, also giving artistic ability and musical inspiration.
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GEMINI, THE TWINS
When Gemini is rising the body generated is tall and slender, the arms
and limbs are particularly long, fingers slender, hair dark, eyes hazel.
Gemini people are quick, active and alert in all their movements, habitual
restlessness being noticeable in the expression of the eyes, which differs
in that respect from more fixed tendencies of the eyes of those born under
the two preceding signs, although of course we do not mean that the Arian
always looks angry and the Taurian stubborn, nevertheless, there is a
settled tendency in those directions noticeable when these people are not
occupied in a certain direction; but the Gemini people have an expression
which is much more vivid, changeable and past finding out. They have
acutely inquiring minds, and always want to know the reason why, but often
lack persistence to follow clews to the end, and thus they meet disappoint-
ment. Being tactful they avoid giving offense even under provocation, and
are therefore generally liked by all; though their own affections are not
deep. Two distinct classes are born under this sign; one, too fond of read-
ing, should cultivate independent thought, instead of repeating other
people's ideas, or aping their manners; the other is scientific, well bal-
anced and reserved; a model for any person.
The Sun rising in Gemini brings out all the noblest traits of the sign;
it makes the nature more settled and contented, gives more persistence and a
particularly healthy and active body.
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Mercury, the ruler, rising in Gemini, sharpens perception, gives ability
as a writer, or speaker, but makes the person born with that position ex-
tremely irritable, vacillating and fond of change of scene and employment.
Such people are best fitted for traveling salesmen.
CANCER, THE CRAB
The chief peculiarities of the crab are a clumsy body, slender limbs and
powerful claws.; people born with Cancer rising express them all. They have
a large upper body, augmented in later years by a prominence of the abdomen
acquired by over-eating. The mandible or lower jaw is powerfully hinged to
the cranium, the face is therefore widest between the ears, the mouth is
also large, and the whole construction similar to the crab's claw. The face
is full, the hair brown, the eyes blue, complexion pale and sickly, for the
Cancer person has the least vitality of any. The limbs are extremely slen-
der in proportion to the large upper body, so the structure appears "top
heavy," and he walks with a "rolling" gait.
Cancer people are very fond of the home and its comforts, they are quiet,
reserved and adapt themselves to conditions, hence they are easy to get
along with; their anger is shortlived, and they hold no spite. Though lack-
ing in physical prowess, they are no hypocrites, but always have the courage
of their convictions; they voice and defend them too.
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The Sun rising in Cancer brings out and accentuates all the good
qualities mentioned above, giving more ambition and pride; it also increases
the vitality, and is a particular boon in that respect to people with Cancer
rising on account of their very low life force. Cancer, with its rule; the
Moon, governs the stomach and hence alimentation; Leo and its ruler, the
Sun, have charge of the heart and circulation. If these signs and planets
are well placed in the horoscope, they counteract most other afflictions and
a long lease of life is assured, but if they are afflicted, much sickness
results unless intelligent care is applied to modify the omen.
The Moon, the ruler, rising in Cancer, will give much instability to the
natures, and Jupiter, being exalted there, will bring fortune and fame.
LEO, THE LION
The lion is the king of beasts and even in captivity is an embodiment of
stateliness and pride. The typical Leos of the Zodiac also express pride in
every movement and a stateliness which will not escape attention of the keen
observer; the expansive chest, the massive shoulders, the strong arm and the
large head contrast noticeably with the more slender but still muscular un-
der body; and as Aries has the sheep face, so the typical Leo has certain
feline features. The complexion is florid, eyes large and full, blue or
grayish in color, expressing laughter, cheerfulness and content. The whole
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frame is well knit and strong, having great endurance and recuperative
power.
It is really wonderful how the symbology of the signs is brought out in
the different kinds of people born under them. People who are born under
Leo always want to be noted; they are aggressive and want to attract atten-
tion everywhere they go. They aim to be leaders, not followers.
Leo rules the heart, and it is a marked characteristic that people with
Leo rising unafflicted, have hearts bigger than their pocketbooks, they give
generously of their time, money or knowledge without thought of self. If
the Sun rises in Leo, this trait becomes almost prodigality, but if Saturn
is there to afflict instead, he will counteract it sot that they will either
circumscribe their gifts with conditions to such an extent that they retain
practical control, or they will spend their means on themselves.
Leos are honest and faithful; being children of the day star, they love
light and truth, are above subterfuge and aim straight at their object.
Their will is firm to attain by honorable means, They make good orators and
hold their audiences by personal magnetism. They are very attractive to the
opposite sex, and the lower nature should be held firmly in check, otherwise
serious trouble and heartache may ensure. The French, as a race, are ruled
by Leo, and afford ample illustration of this point.
The Sun rising in Leo, unafflicted, gives a body of wonderful strength,
vitality and recuperative power; superior in its wiriness to the body
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generated by the Sun in Taurus; but if Mars is afflicted in Leo, palpitation
of the heart will ensue. Saturn here will cause regurgitation unless care
is taken in early years to avoid strain.
VIRGO, THE VIRGIN
People born when Virgo is rising are above middle stature. The upper
part of the head is much more developed than the lower, the weak chin, show-
ing lack of will and the large brain indicating greatness of intellect, be-
ing therefore earmarks of the Virgo. The face is thin, the complexion sal-
low, the hair brown and the eyes hazel or grey. The feet are small, the
toes turn inwards and give these people a peculiar labored walk.
Virgo people are very quick and active in youth, they learn with facil-
ity, and do not work hard for knowledge; they seem to breathe it in without
an effort. They acquire linguistic and elocutionary powers most readily,
are fluent writers but are often cynical, cold and unforgiving when they
have been injured. They are extremists in their food, and make hygiene a
fad; they often fancy that they have every imaginable disease, because Virgo
is the sixth sign and has a certain affinity with the sixth house, denoting
health the and disease.
Mercury, the ruler, is also exalted here and gives pronouncement of all
the good which otherwise might be expected from the Sun.
Virgo people are slender in youth, but when the Sun of Life passes the
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Meridian and begins to throw its shadows toward the East, we find in them a
tendency toward corpulence of body, particularly of that part ruled by
Virgo, namely, the abdomen. They neglect to take exercise, and naturally on
this account a sluggish condition of the intestines may set in which retains
the poisons in the body and robs life of its joys, making one indifferent.
In this fact lies the greatest danger of the Virgo people. Once they get
into the rut of sickness, they actually "enjoy" poor health. They love to
talk over their symptoms with other people, and they resent any thought or
suggestion given to them that they are not sick, or that they can get well.
The presence of Saturn in Virgo, or the sixth house, accentuates this ten-
dency in the very highest degree, and therefore it is an almost infallible
sign that the native will have or be subject to chronic illness, the nature
of the disease being denoted by the aspect, and the afflicting planets.
In order to deal successfully with Virgo people when they have once be-
come subject to disease, and get them out of it at all, it is necessary to
be firm almost to the verge of cruelty. But though one may seem cruel in
enforcing upon them the regime that is necessary to bring them away from
themselves, this is really the greatest kindness that can be shown, for once
these people are in the grip of sickness they stubbornly refuse to let go;
they will resort to the most cunning, even childlike schemes to excite
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sympathy, particularly from strangers, and they will represent any effort to
show them that they are not helpless invalids. At the very slightest sug-
gestion of a hopeful nature, they sometimes lost their temper in the most
unwarranted manner. But when at last they are given the deaf ear by every-
body, when people who are in their immediate environment can be persuaded to
show them no sympathy, then they may come to themselves. They need a shock
to bring them out and away from their condition. And until they get that
they never can be cured.
The Virgos make splendid nurses, if they can keep from taking on the con-
ditions of the patient. The Virgo people never can bear to see blood shed
or touch dead things. They feel bodily injury to others more that harm done
to themselves, and are in fact splendidly described by the word "chicken
hearted."
LIBRA, THE SCALES
Elegance may be said to express in one word the physical peculiarities of
the Libran. The body is slender and graceful in youth, it becomes more
plump as life advances, but even the portliness of the Libra body is pleas-
ing. The complexion is smooth and clear, eyes are soft and blue with a kind
expression; the mouth is unusually well formed and the teeth particularly
fine and even.
Libra people have extremely strong conjugal affection, so strong, in
fact, that it overshadows all other considerations. The Leos love their
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families, but their hearts take in all the world besides; not so the
Librans; they are ready for any sacrifice to give comforts to those in their
own immediate home circle, but they are also prepared to sacrifice any other
family for their own, if necessary.
In most other traits the Librans express aptly the symbolism of their
sign, a pair of scales, and their characteristics might be expressed in the
word: "Changeability." They are people of "moods," because Saturn is ex-
alted here and weighs upon the mind; the changes are sudden and extreme;
they may follow a fad with as much zest as if their life depended upon it,
and them without a moment's warning, drop it and take up something entirely
opposite there are no half-way measures in the swing of the scales. Being
naturally given to change, they are most adaptable to circumstances, and do
not fret over reverses, but set about with vim and vigor to restore their
fortunes.
Aries and Libra may be said to be the battlefields of the Sun and Saturn:
Life and Death, Joy and Sorrow. The Sun is exalted in Aries, and vanquishes
Saturn; hence the intrepidity of Aries people. In Libra the scales tip the
other way; there Saturn is exalted, and conquers the Sun; this gives a
softer tone to the Libran, whose kindly politeness contrasts markedly with
the Arian's brusque address. Venus, the ruler of Libra, is not alone re-
sponsible for this trait, Taurus people are blunt, though Venus rules. Venus
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rising in Libra gives artistic ability, Saturn turns the mind in scientific
directions.
Librans usually have well shaped hands and feet, and are very proud of
them.
SCORPIO, THE EAGLE
The nose is the most prominent feature of the Scorpio; it is large,
heave, and hooked, resembling the bill of the eagle, the brows are bushy,
the eyes sharp and piercing; the jaw is very heavy; the glint of the eye,
and the set of the jaw indicate the great determination which is the most
prominent characteristic of the Scorpio. The face is angular, complexion
murky, and hair dark, with a peculiar ruddy tinge noticeable when the sun
shines on it. The teeth are large and subject to early decay. The body is
short and thickest, with a short, thick neck resembling that of the opposite
sign, Taurus.
Scorpio people always stand up for their rights, and never submit to im-
position, through prone to ride roughshod over others. They are full of
worries over things that may happen, but never do, and thus make life a bur-
den to those around them. Sarcasm that stings like a scorpion is ever upon
the tip of their tongue, yet their love is strong, and their aspirations
lofty. Thus there are two natures struggling in the Scorpios and they need
much sympathy and forbearance from their friends. In the hour of danger
they never flinch, but perform deeds of heroism with a disregard for self
that amounts to foolhardiness. The mind is sharp, cool and collected,
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therefore Scorpio men make good army officers and excel in surgery. The
Scorpio woman has a large family.
The Sun in Scorpio accentuates the good traits, and gives a love mysti-
cism; but Mars, the ruler, brings out the worldly side of the sign and makes
scoffers and skeptics.
SAGITTARIUS, THE CENTAUR
People born with Sagittarius rising are even taller that those born under
the opposite sign, Gemini, the men in particular having large hands and
feet. The size and weight of the bony frame is often too much for the
ligaments of the spine to support, so these people often develop a decided
stoop in later years. The face is long and well formed, the nose well pro-
portioned, dark kindly eyes and dark chestnut hair. The body is very ac-
tive, but requires much rest, as the recuperative powers are below the aver-
age.
The symbol of this sign shows that there are two widely different classes
born therein. One, designated by the animal body of the Centaur, is frankly
in for "a good time," they are sporty, soldiers of fortune, of roving pro-
clivities, fond of games of change, and ready to risk their all on the turn
of a card, the speed of a horse, or a game of ball, while Aries or Scorpio
people may become pugilists, and Taurus people take up wresting as a profes-
sion. The sports of Sagittarius have no element of cruelty in them.
Sagittarians when afflicted may become criminals, their crimes are never
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violent, however, but rather results of their indulgence of the animal na-
ture.
The other class is the extreme opposite, symbolized by the human part of
the sign. Here is the man rising above the animal nature, bending the bow
of aspiration and aiming at limitless space, signifying the loftiest longing
of that immortal spark of incipient divinity we call the soul. This class
is law abiding and of the highest morals; from it come the pillars of the
church and beloved rulers of state famed for integrity, benevolence and jus-
tice.
The Sun rising in this sign is sure to bring preferment even to those
born in lowly and obscure circumstances, and accentuate all good shown in
the sign; so will Jupiter, the ruler.
Sagittarius rules the thighs and therefore, naturally, configurations
from this sign, if afflicted are likely to cause accidents to those parts.
And it is notable fact that Sagittarius are very liable to broken bones un-
der circumstances where people under other signs seldom meet injury.
In the eighth degree of Sagittarius we have the fixed star Antares, which
has a very evil effect upon the sight. Two other nebulous spots in the Zo-
diac have a similar influence. One is Ascelli in Leo 6, the other Pleiades
in Taurus 29. The Sun, or Moon, in one of those places and adversely
configurated with one of the malefics, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, or Neptune
gives trouble with the eyes, according to the nature of the evil aspect; or
vice versa, if Saturn, Mars, Uranus or Neptune are in one of the nebulous
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spots adversely configurated to the Sun or Moon a similar trouble will be
experienced. Should a planet like one of the above named by in retrograde
motion the aspect is much worse, for when the planet has ceased to retro-
grade and goes direct in the Zodiac again, it will pass over which ever one
of these nebulous spots it is close to a second time and thereby cause an
added damage. There may be, however, a compensating side to this aspect,
for it sometimes happens that while an evil configuration to one of these
nebulous spots, (and Antares is the worst,) deprives a person of his sight,
a benevolent configuration awakens in him a second-sight which will mitigate
the loss in a degree that only those who have that sight can appreciate.
The Sagittarian must learn to realize his ideals within instead of seek-
ing them without. We are in this school of experience for the purpose of
overcoming, and it is not by running away from one place to another that we
gain experience. By staying in one place, by doing our very best to attain
our ideals where we are, we make our ideals come true.
CAPRICORN, THE GOAT
Capricorn rising gives a short, slender, narrow-chested body with a thin
neck, thin silky dark hair, a pale peaked face with small, weak eyes. It
makes the chin pointed and turned upwards, the nose pointed and turned down-
wards, an impediment in the speech, ill formed lower limbs and an awkward
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walk. The vitality is very low, and these children are reared with great
difficulty, but once infancy is past, they exhibit a tenacity that is truly
amazing, and often become very, very old; they seem to dry up into a mass of
wrinkled skin and bone that is all but imperishable, this, on account of the
Saturn ray which rules Capricorn. It is noticeable also, that all who have
that planet prominent in the nativity show the before mentioned wrinkling of
the skin, even though they may retain corpulence conferred by other con-
figurations.
Ambition and suspicion are ruling characteristics, an inordinate desire
for recognition of their claims to superiority and advancement; also suspi-
cion that others are trying to subvert or withhold the covet prize, is ever
with these people. It causes them much unnecessary worry, and may result in
habitual melancholy, particularly if Saturn is afflicted. They ought to
seek amusement outdoors, read funny stories and otherwise try to cultivate a
sense of the humorous from childhood, for this is one of the saddest signs,
and needs all possible encouragement.
Capricorn people are successful in detective work, where secret practices
are used to trap others. and persistence is required to ferret out a mys-
tery, for they never give up. The afflicted Capricorn is very revengeful,
and if by Mars, may shed blood to satisfy a grudge. The Sun rising brings
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out the Justice, Purity and Honor of the sign, makes Captains of Industry
such as forward the great enterprises of the world.
AQUARIUS, THE WATER BEARER
The stateliness and pride of those born under the sign of Leo are not
missing in the typical Aquarian, but while in the Leo these qualities are of
a lower, more bestial nature agreeable to the sign, they are manly pride and
stateliness in the true Aquarian. Libra generates a beautiful body but more
effeminate as it were, whereas the Aquarian beauty is truly manly or wom-
anly; the fearless eye is kindly and drooping eyelashes are peculiar to this
sign. The forehead is square, and the well developed poise tells of intel-
lect, the large domed head shows the spiritual side of the nature and the
chin is sufficiently developed to give purpose to all actions. Thus the
typical Aquarian is the highest grade of humanity; but therefore, also ex-
ceedingly rare, for the variants produced in each sign from the typical, by
the interposition of one or more planets are so different that the type is
often unrecognizable in the majority of its features. Aquarians are most
loyal to friends, therefore they attract many, keep them through life, and
are much benefited by them. Like Capricorn, this sign is ruled by Saturn,
and he gives to the Aquarian the same retiring nature and tendency to
melancholy which marks the Capricornian, but also the persistence in the
following a given course; and whatever financial success comes to these
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people is the result of continued and patient effort; Aquarians are very de-
liberate and long suffering; they never act in a hurry, and therefore seldom
have cause to regret their actions, save when reason has been stilled
through play upon their sympathies, for under such circumstances they are
readily imposed upon. the love nature is very strong, but they are not as
demonstratives as the Leo. It is noteworthy that the qualities of opposite
signs are always reflected; Leo in Aquarius, reflects love; Taurus mirrors
the passion of Scorpio; the Gemini body is a reflex of the bony Sagittarius
frame, etc.
The Sun and Saturn bring out more prominently the good traits of
Aquarius; this sign, where Saturn rules and Libra, where he is exalted, are
therefore under his most benign influence. The Sun in Aquarius adds much
hope and life to the nature, and thus counteracts the melancholy trait pre-
viously mentioned.
PISCES, THE FISHES
The typical Piscean is short, flabby and fleshy with a waddling gait not
unlike those born under the sign Cancer, but differs from them by having a
stouter body. The feet are often tuned in, but larger that those born under
Virgo. The body is weak and deficient in recuperative force. The complex-
ion is medium, the eyes blue, watery and expressionless, the nose large and
flat.
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There is a strong tendency to mediumship among the Pisces people, and
therein is a danger greater than any other on earth. No one should "sit for
development" and degenerate into the tool of low spirits, but Pisces people
in particular are "lost" if taken control of. They cannot free themselves,
either in this life or the next, because generally inert and devoid of will-
power. They are timid, and even the mean are tearful on the slightest
provocation; they love leisure more than comfort, and do no work which is
not absolutely necessary to keep body and soul together. They love change
of scene, rove about considerably, generally in an aimless manner. Being
fond of good things to eat and drink, particularly the latter, and lacking
will to curb their appetite when afflicted, they frequently indulge their
craving to such an extent that they become habitual drunkards.
The Sun rising in Pisces gives more energy and ambition, Jupiter, the
ruler, strengthens the morals, and Venus exalted in this sign, gives great
musical talent, but accentuates the tendency to alcoholic indulgence, which
mars the lives of so many splendid musicians.
When many planets are in Pisces, the person will have a hard life, be-
cause he or she will not want to take up life's burden, but will love to
dream; such people become recluses; they seek to master the hidden arts, oc-
cultism and mysticism; are not guided by reason, but rather by their likes
and dislikes, and unless they can find an occupation that is otherwise
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isolated from the ordinary business and trend of life they will feel out of
place. They are prone to incur the enmity of people with whom they come in
contact intimately, nobody seems to get along with them, and nearly every-
body, whether he or she shows it or not, will take a dislike to them.
There is, however, a higher side to Pisces; the person who finds himself
with Pisces on the ascendant is at the end of one cycle of progress and at
the beginning of a new. He stands, as it were, upon the threshold of some-
thing higher. Therefore, he is usually not able to live up to the possi-
bilities of the sign which requires self-sacrifice and non-resistance in ab-
solutely Christlike fashion. The tendency is therefore to drift upon the
sea of life and dream dreams of future greatness. This tendency must be
counteracted by every effort of the will, for otherwise life will be a fail-
ure, and later the stern whip of necessity will be applied to goad him or
her into action.