Foundations Issue 1 2006

7/27/2019 Foundations Issue 1 2006

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Brieflyh igh lightyour pointofinteresthere.

Br ieflyh igh lightyour pointofinteresthere.



Inside this issue Much that once was is lost and none now live who remember it some

things which should not have been forgotten were losthistory became leg-

end and legend became myth- - J.R.R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings

One of the biggest misconceptions alive and well today is that our astrological founda-tions are no longer relevant or useful in our enlightened age. Since the advent of our mod-ern scientific era, it has been assumed that we have evolved past the need for thesereligious fables of the ancients. Modern scientific rationalism demands that both astrol-ogy and religion express the principles of their respective disciplines in scientific rational-ist terms.

Because of our love for this ancient art, it is our goal to demonstrate that the ClassicalAstrology of the Hellenist and Medieval astrologers can be just as new, fresh, and good asever to us if we can sweep away all this clutter and fabrication of man's modern interpre-tations. If we sweep away all this hubris, get back down, and delve underneath to find thefoundations, then we can discover the Plan, how it was supposed to be.

But to rediscover the foundations it takes an archaeologist who comes and clears away therubble! He digs out the foundation concepts from under all the rubble and reveals it as itwas and reveals a vision of how it could be. Its been there all along and is just as goodand relevant as ever, but we can't build on that Foundation again until we get rid of all therubble of confusion and misconceptions.

With Foundations, we are trying to clear away a little more of the rubble to try to un-cover once again what the ancients taught and meant.

Steven Birchfield A.M.A & Martien Hermes

Welcome to the first Issue

FoundationsWINTER SOLSTICE 2006VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

The Life and Times of

MshallhBy Steven Birchfield

How things come about

AstrologicallyBy Martien Hermes

Questions and Answers:Timing in Horary

By Steven Birchfield

Traditional Moon PhasesBy Steven Birchfield

ADFNDUMASTROLOGIA

Steven Birchfield

I am 56 married with 12 children. I have 2 degrees inengineering and a MA in Middle Eastern philosophy and SocialAnthropology.

I began studying astrology in 1971. In 1994 I began my studiesin Classical astrology. I completed my studies with RobertZollers Medieval Diploma Course in 2004.

A Compelling Horary: Will I

Speak at the Conference?By Martien Hermes

We wish one and all a holiday

season that is full of love and joy.

Merry Christmas and a blessedNew Year to all.

Steven and Martien

Martien Hermes

I'm 47 years old, married, father to two daughters. I've studiedastrology since 1983 and from 1994 onwards, ancient astrologybecame my prime field of interest. From 1998 until January2007, I was the publisher of the first Magazine on TraditionalAstrology in Holland ever, named"Anima Astrologiae".


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I have been going through some material seeking to findwhat I can on the lunar phases, pre-Renaissance.

Actually, there is quite a bit of material on the subject. The

ancients called them the defluxions of the Moon. There weretwo approaches to discussing this. One was to simply dis-

cuss the phases and their general signification and find theruler of the phase (as Vettius Valens does) or there was givena random variety of examples given of the Moon in a certainphase and separating from or joining another planet in that

phase (as is found in theLiber Hermetis).

But what was fascinating and surprising to read was whatthe Ancients regarded as the phases of the Moon. Our post-Renaissance understanding of the lunar phases is:

1 Conjunction (new Moon)2 Crescent (45)

3 First Quarter (90)4 Gibbous (135)5 Full Moon (180)6 Disseminating phase (225 as Rudhyar called it)7 Last Quarter (270)8 Balsamic (315)

The following are the phases the ancients recognised:

1 Conjunction2 The rising of the Moon or simply light This is when the

Moon first emerges from the rays of the Sun (ca. 15 or 1day, from the Sun) and you see that slender sickle in thewest just after Sunset. This was the Moonsfirst light.

3 Then came the first Crescent4 Then the first Quarter orFirst Half5 Then the First Double-convex

6 The Full Moon7 The waning of the lightwas the opposite of lightwhen

the Moon moved ca. 12-15 past the opposition.

8 The 2nd double-convex9 The last Quarter orSecond half10 The 2nd Crescent

11 Thesettingis that final slender sickle of a Moon you seein the early morning in the east just before daylight, be-

fore she disappears completely under the rays of the Sun.

Basically, there were two phases that we never hear about inpost-Renaissance astrology but I have actually read a lot

about in pre-Renaissance, only I now just realise what theancients meant. The risingof the Moon and the setting of

the Moon was not talking about the Moons relation to thehorizon, but it was talking about the Moons (or any planets)

exiting or entering the Suns rays; its first and last lightbe-fore and after combustion. This was an interesting discovery

for me at least.

Compiling all the references will take a bit of work, but Ithought perhaps at least I could quote Valens here, to give

you an idea of these early considerations.

This is taken from Chapter 36 in the 2nd

Book of ValensAn-thology:

[1]

The 11 figures of the Moon in relation to the Power oftheir Effects: The figures of the Moon are 7 by a naturalreckoning, but we have found 11 just as in others. Firstis the Conjunction; Second, Rising; then when it is 45away from the Sun it makes a phase which is Crescent;then until 90, Half; then until 135, Double-convex; thenuntil 180, Whole Moon; then when it is 45 away fromWhole Moon (which is 225) it makes its second Dou-ble-Convex phase; then until 270, the second Half;

then until 315, the second Crescent; then until 360 theSetting phase. There is also another figure of it when itfirst begins to wane.

What each phase signifies and what kinds of effects ithas We will append how the figures in question arealso taken in relation to their effect-description and howthey are fitting for a certain god.

By god, he is of course referring to one of the planets.

The Conjunction, then, gives indications for reputationand power and kingly and sovereign dispositions, andfor all of the public activities connected with cities, andfor parents and marriages and mysteries, and for allgeneral and cosmic matters; similarly also, the lord ofthe Conjunction both of latitude and of the course.

Here Valens is saying that not only the Conjunction indi-cates these things, but also the lord of the Conjunction. I amassuming here, he is speaking of the planet ruling the sign

where the conjunction occurs, its disposition in the chart andits essential dignity and accidental signification.

The Rising of the Moon (which is called Light) and thelord of this gives indications for the determination con-cerning length of life and what one does and concerningthe support for what is about to be, and confirms the

actions of the Conjunction. And just as the monthly andcosmic movements are considered from the first visibil-ity, so the lord of the Light shows the general effects.Hermes also joins in assisting until the 4th day of theMoon.

Valens descriptions of the significations of this phase whenthe Moon is 12 - 15 away from the Sun, make me wonder ifthis particularlord of the Lightis not in fact the lord of thebounds the Light appears in, rather than the lord of thesign, which obviously in many cases, is the same as the Lordof the Conjunction. I say this because Valens is often am-biguous about just which lord he is talking about. In his dis-

Moon Phases Traditional

Page 2VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

[1]Book II, chapter 36 The Anthology by Vettius Valens,

translated by Robert Schmidt and published by Golden Hind Press1994 (Volume VII of the Greek Track from Project Hindsight).


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cussion in Book III on longetivity and about the ruler of thepredominator, that is to say the Alchocoden of the Hyleg, hesays the ruler is the lord of the bounds. Since a particularindication of this phase concerns length of life and support

of the previous Conjunction, I am open to the possibility thatValens in this particular case, is speaking about the lord of

the bounds or term ruler where first light occurs. And hesays that Mercury will assist in this phase for 4 days.

The Crescent formation [45] signifies the upset andthe expectations in life, and what concerns women andmother. And Hermes assists until the 8th (day).

In this phase, he only specifies Mercury as assisting ratherthan the lord the Crescent is ruled by.

The Half formation [90]gives indications concerninginjuries and ailments andwhatever happens violently;and furthermore, concerningchildren and worth and fu-ture goods. And Aphrodite isconfigured until the 12thcomes about.

The Double-Convex phase

[135] gives indications con-cerning happiness and fu-ture advancement and beingaway from home and thesympathy of kin. And theSun is also similar until the14th comes about.

The Whole Moon [180]gives indications concerninggood and i l l repute[reputation] and being awayfrom home, also concerningthings that happen violently,

and things that issue forth from excess and things thatwax from the least, and concerning sympathies andailments and political oppositions and sympathies ofparents. And it also has the colour of the setting zoid-ion.

This is interesting since he says that the Whole Moon is

coloured by the sign on the cusp of the 7th house, thesettingzoidion! This would no doubt include the signifi-cation of that place. In this case, though, it is not the 7

thof

the chart, but rather the 7th from the Conjunction since whatwe are seeing is almost a derived chart based on the con-junction!

The first lord of the waning light gives indications con-cerning the diminishment of belongings and difficultiesand things that go toward depression, and concerning

sudden falls. And Ares is equipotent to the post-descension and is lord until the 21

stday of the Moon.

Here, as with the rising light, there is reference to a specificlord. The Moon is 12 15 from the opposition. I am again

inclined to consider the term lord the waning light falls in.One difference here however, is his reference to this phasecorresponding to the post descension which is a directreference to the 8th house. The previous phase corresponded

to the 7th! And he says that it is Mars who is assisting, or

equipotent.

The second Double-Convex [225] gives signs for be-ing abroad and greater actions and for happiness. AndZeus is equipotent to the god and lord until the 25

thday

of the Moon.

Here now Valens makes it exceeding clear that not only isthere a planet that assists, butthat there is a ruler of the

phase, which is most likely theruler of the sign the phase fallsin.

The second half [270]gives signs for old mattersand ailments of long dura-tion and for children. For,Kronos is equipotent untilthe 30th comes about.

Now, Saturn assists until the

new moon or up until themoon sets under the beams ofthe Sun. This period also in-cludes the last Crescent at315.

The lord of the Crescentgives signs concerning thedeath of the wife and inactiv-ity and plundering.

Finally, the setting gives signs for bonds and constric-tions and hidden matters, for accusations and disen-franchisements.

And the order of the figures of the Moon is thus, but theco-mixtures with the 5 gods and the Sun are [in agree-ment] with the pivot points.

Im not sure what Vettius meant with his last statement that

co-mixtures with the 5 planets and the Sun are in agree-ment with the 4 angles (the pivot points).

We can make some organisation out of all of this, which isvery interesting.

1. The Conjunction or New Moon, from 0 - 12, has asruler, the lord of the sign the conjunction occurs in.

Moon Phases Traditional cont...



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2. TheRising Light, 12 or 15 until 45, has the lord of itssign (or perhaps even the bound lord) and Mercury.

3. The First Crescent, 45 until 90, has the lord of its signand Mercury.

4. The First Half or First Quarter, 90 - until 135, has thelord of its sign and Venus.

5. The First Double-Convex, 135 until 180, has its lordand the Sun.

6. The Whole Moon, 180 until about 192 195, has thelord of the sign it falls in.

7. The Waning Light, 192 195 until 225, has the lord ofits sign (or perhaps terms) as ruler and Mars.

8. The 2nd Double-Convex, 225 until 270, has the lord ofits sign and Jupiter as rulers.

9. The 2nd Half or Last Quarter, 270 until 315, has asruler the lord of its sign and Saturn.

10. The 2nd Crescent, 315 until about 345 347, has asruler, the lord of its sign AND Saturn.

11. The Setting Light, ca. 345 - 347 until 360, has theruler of the sign it falls in.

It is interesting to see the planets assisting are in the Chal-dean order of the planets corresponding to the variousphases: from Mercury symbolising the new to Saturn the

end of things.

2006 Steven Birchfield AMA

Moon Phases Traditional cont...


The Life and Times of

Mshallh

This short essay is a brief examination of the astrologyfound in the 8th century which is exemplified by the astro-

logical practice of Mshallh. Msh'allh (c.740-c.815),known in the West as Messahalla, was an Egyptian Jew wholived and worked in Basra. We know from various accounts[1] that as a young man he worked with Nawbakht the Per-

sian (c.679-777), who was the court astrologer to Caliph al-Mansr, in electing the chart to rebuild Baghdad (762). Per-

haps this fact best demonstrates the respect he had alreadygained as an astrologer who could not have been any morethan a young man in his early twenties.

We do not know the particulars of Mshallhs life. How-ever, one might certainly draw some conclusions of what it

might have been like given the historical significance toastrology of these years in which he lived. It will be a helpto the reader then, to regard his life in the context of thetimes!

We need to take a brief look at history before Mshallhsperiod in order to grasp the significance of this pivotal point

in astrological history. Under Alexanders Greek Empire andthe subsequent kingdoms, resulting from his death, theknowledge, science and history of the world was valuedvery greatly and great efforts were taken to preserve that

knowledge. The Royal (Great) Library was established inAlexandria as well as several other sister repositories suchas was located in the Great Temple of Serapis, simply calledthe Serapeum, which was in the south-western quarter ofthe city of Alexandria but was considerably smaller.

Under the Roman Empire, this knowledge was not held in as

high esteem and several unfortunate civil wars led to theburning and sacking of the Royal Library. As the decline of

the Roman Empire drew near, some records were eithermoved or copied and archived in Constantinople. Yet forthis, with the rise of the influence of Christianity in the Byz-antine Empire, further historical records were destroyed. For

example, in the fourth century the Emperor Theodosius (ofthe Byzantine Empire) in 391 AD forbade by decree all non-Christian religions. Theophilus, who was the Bishop of Al-exandria from 385 to 412 C.E., moved ahead under this de-cree and destroyed the Serapeum and its sister library,condemning them as being the house of pagan doctrines.

Some few scholars survived for another generation till themurder of Hypatia in 415 AD. After the Byzantine EmperorJustinian closed all of the schools in Athens (527 C.E.) the

last refuges of science and knowledge were yet to be foundin Alexandria, but even more so, the old traditions flourishedin Persia.

In the three centuries that followed, from the Vandal con-quest and the occupation of Rome until the coronation ofCharlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor (c.800), the struc-ture of western Roman society disintegrated and in particu-lar education and knowledge of the sciences. Only in the

Byzantine Empire was there relative stability ensuring thatthe arts and sciences were not totally eradicated.

In the midst of the degeneration of Europe, there arose in the

Middle East The Religion and with it came the conquestof the centres of the remaining civilised nations by this new

Arab power: in 635 Syria fell; in 637, Iraq; Persia by 641and Egypt following in 642. By 670, the Islamic Empire hadspread to occupy most of North Africa. By 711, they hadconquered Visigoth Spain and had it not been for their defeatat Poitiers, France in 732 by Charles Martel they more thanlikely would have occupied the greater part of Southern

Europe. While their empire rose quickly, unlike their Ger-manic counterparts in Europe, their conquests left societiesand cultures, for the most part, intact enabling them to takepossession of an intellectual world rich in philosophy andscience.

As already mentioned, by 762, Baghdad was rebuilt and

with it, in 813, was founded the House of Knowledge (Baitha Hikma) establishing a place in which to assimilate the

[1]Cf Al-Brn's The Chronology of Ancient Nations (London

1879, reproduced in Frankfurt-am-Main, 1984)


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In this article we will investigate the method handed down

to us by Mshallh with regards to horary judgment. As allof the later astrologers famous or not more or less followhis instructions, it is very interesting to read Mshallhsown text, especially as he illustrates them with quite a lot ofintriguing examples. If any book deserves the prefix TheBible of it is this text On Reception with its sparkling

clarity and instructive and effective horary method. One canread this book time and time again, and still discover newinsights and inside views on the art of horary astrology. Here

I will outline Mshallhs general method of delineatinghorary charts, elsewhere I will apply his rules to a modernhorary.

Mshallhs method in short

1. Do we work primarily with lord of the 1st house or

with the Moon? Which one is stronger?

Mshallh:[1]

That is, you will begin looking at the lord of the Ascen-dant. If it aspects the rising sign, this will be the one [to

use] because of the strength of its testimony. Therefore,[you will begin] working by means of it, and the Moonwill be made a sharer with the lord of the Ascendant inwhichever place the Moon may be.

If the ruler of the Ascendant makes an aspect by sign(beholds) to the Ascendant, use the ruler of the Ascendant. Itis naturally the more powerful. If the ruler of the Ascendantdoes not aspect the Ascendant by sign, then see whether it ismaking an application to another planet which does aspectthe Ascendant by sign.

But if the lord of the Ascendant does not aspect the

rising sign either by itself or by another planet to which itgives light, then it will be impeded and evil. For this rea-son then work by means of the Moon just as you haveworked by means of the lord of the Ascendant.

So, if the ruler of the Ascendant is not fit, then one shouldlook at the Moon and subject it to the same kind of analysisas the ruler of the Ascendant. If neither the ruler of the As-

cendant, nor the Moon qualify as significators according tothe criteria above, then one should see if another planet re-flects their light to the rising sign. Mshallh:

The Life and Times of Mshallh cont...


wealth of knowledge they had inherited. Observatories wereconstructed near Baghdad and Damascus. Translation ofGreek, Syriac, Persian and Sanskrit literature, philosophicaland scientific works were enthusiastically, if not passion-

ately, pursued. Astrologers, who had long fallen from favourin both Byzantine and Roman cultures, now found benefac-

tors and patrons in the Caliphs of the Islamic Empire.

It was amongst this cultural rebirth that Mshallh grewup. He was more than likely exposed to several different

cultural astrologies. We know for certain he worked with thePersian astrologer Nawbakht and quite likely his son Ab

Sahl ibn Nawbakht.[2]

There is the very good chance he alsohad contact with astrologers like the Greek, Theophilus ofEdessa[3] (c.695-785). Likewise, during the last half of the8th century a number of Indian astrologers visited the court

at Baghdad bringing with them Hindu books on astronomyand astrology. The best known of these was Kankah, [4] who

came to Baghdad during the reign of the Caliph al-Ma'mn(754-775).

What is evident is that this period, centred at the time ofMshallhs life, provided the congregation of several

lines of astrology, i.e. that of the Hellenistic astrologers,Persian (or Chaldean) astrologers, and elements from Indian

Astrology. Without a doubt, this period and place became acrossroads and conjunction of the main astrologicalinfluences, cultures and teachings.

Some of Mashaallahs writings,

Kitb tahwl sin al-mawldorBook of the Revolution of

the Years of Nativities

On the Eclipses of Luminaries, of Conjunctions of the

Planets, and on the Revolutions of the Years

Kitb al-mawldorThe Book of Nativities

On Reception orInterrogations

On Conjunctions, Religions, and Peoples

Steven Birchfield 2006

How things come about

Astrologically

[1]Mashaallah (800). On Reception Edited and Translated with

commentary and appendix by Robert Hand. ISBN: 0-9662266-2-3.Page 20, especially in the 2nd paragraph

[2]Ab Sahl ibn Nawbakht succeeded his father as court astrologer

to the to Caliph al-Mansr.

[3]In his old age he was made court astrologer to the successor of

al-Mansr; the Caliph al-Mahd (d.785). He also wrote some veryimportant volumes on astrology, Works on Elections for Wars andCampaigns and Sovereignty; Astrological Effects; Collection onCosmic Beginnings. For the most part these works were on mun-dane and electional astrology and these books have been preservedmore or less intact, along with fragments of their Arabic versions.Some selections from the Greek texts have been published in theCCAG. He was largely influenced by the writings of Dorotheus and

Hephstio.[4]

Among his books, there were Calculations for Nativities, about

periods of time; Secrets of Nativities; Conjunctions, a large book;Conjunctions, a small book.


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But they should be sharers in everything, nor doeseither of them possess anything separately without itspartner. And likewise if one of them should gain an ad-vantage and the other should suffer harm, the onewhich has gained the advantage will necessarily enterinto possession over that other planet and over the mat-ter sought for according to the quantity of the harm to itspartner.

In other words, which ever of the two indicates a good out-come rules over the matter but will be somewhat limited inits final outcome because of the damage done to the other

planet which will limit the goodness indicated by the other!

Sahl Ibn Bishr[2]

seems to allude to the same thing but inthe context of afflictions to the rulers when he says:

This is an exposition of the stable angles; and the tes-timonies of the stars on their effects on the earth arethree, from which things are sought, i.e. the ruler of theASC and the Moon and the ruler of the thing; if two ofthem shall have been free from the aforesaid evils, i.e.the ruler of the ASC and the ruler of the thing, two partsof the thing will be perfected; [and] i.e. if one of them issafe, a third part of that thing which was wanted will beperfected. That is, if there is one testimony, he will havea third part; and if there are two testimonies, he will at-tain two parts of those things that he has sought; and ifall the testimonies are conjoined, and if the ruler of theASC and the ruler of the thing and the Moon are safe

from retrogradation and combustion, safe from the evilplanets, and safe from fall or cadency, he will attaineverything that was sought; and if they are receivedwith their own testimonies, and the one that receivesthem is also received, it will increase the good of it.Know, therefore, those questions that are conjoined andthat agree in all things!

Earlier, Mshallh says that if for example the lord of the

Ascendant does not see the rising sign and is not joined to aplanet(s) that does; nor does it immediately join with aplanet upon leaving its sign, then it indicates its harm. If onthe other hand the Moon at the same time indicates good,then the outcome will be good but it is moderated by the

degree of harm to the lord of the Ascendant! So while it istrue we are going to work with specifically one of these twosignificators, i.e. the lord of the Ascendant or the Moon,they are always partners in signification, and in order to geta complete perspective of the outcome, we must examineboth!

The main point though here, is that both significators of thequerent give a combined picture of the outcome and both arenecessary in judgment.

2. To which planet is this ruler of querent joined?

How things come about Astrologically cont...


And if the lord of the Ascendant does not aspect therising sign, you should look at whether it is being joinedto a planet which does aspect the rising sign from itsown place and gives its own light to the rising sign.

So if the lord of the Ascendant falls in aversion, then lookand see if there is a planet transferring its light to the Ascen-dant. That is achieved by one of two ways: a) the significa-tor of the Ascendant is itself applying to a heavier planet thataspects the ascendant sign or b) a lighter planet than the

significator of the Ascendant is separating from the signifi-cator of the Ascendant and beholding the rising sign.

If either of these conditions happens, we can work with theruler of the ascendant.

If the ruler of the Ascendant nor the Moon see the ascendantnor have their light reflected, and thus cannot qualify assignificators according to the criteria above, then one shouldsee which of them, i.e. the Ascendant ruler or the Moon, willbe first to leave the sign it is in. This stands to reason; be-cause when that significator does, it is then changing from

aversion to the rising sign, to an aspect to the rising sign.

That one becomes the primary significator of the querentand one should see what application that planet first makes

upon entering the new sign. Msh'allh demonstrates this inhis 2nd example of an ill person. In that case he chose the

Moon to work with first because she would be first to leaveher sign even though both the Moon and lord of the Ascen-

dant aspected the rising sign and the Sun was stronger intestimony by being angular.

So this rule applies also, when both significators see or as-

pect the ascendant, but both are void in course. Mshallhis however not much concerned with void planets:

For the number of degrees that exist before the Moonor the ruler of the Ascendant leave the sign they are in,

indicates the tardiness and inactivity of events while thatplanet is void in course.

They do not necessarily indicate whether or not a matter willbe perfected, it simply shows tardiness. How much tardi-ness or how long of a delay is shown? As many degrees asare left in the sign the significator is in.

[Both rulers used]

Perhaps one other thing should be mentioned here. It is pos-sible to work with either the lord of the Ascendant or theMoon in any question, but regardless of which one we work

with, both share in the final outcome of the matter.Mshallh: [2] Holden, James H., M.A., (2003); Sahl Inn Bishr The Introduc-

tion to the Science of the Judgments of the Stars Translatedfrom the Twelfth Century Latin Version. Phoenix, Arizona. Page 28


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If the joining together is from the opposition or squareaspect, there will be some difficulty, delay, and effort inthe matter.

But if the joining together is from the trine or sextile as-pect, the matter will be without effort and without hard-ship. It happens in a similar manner in [the case of] abodily conjunction.

And understand that if the planets which have dominionover the matter are in [one of] the four angles, they dis-pose of the matter, hasten, arouse, and perfect it.

But if the querent should ask you about the good or evilin which he may be, or [if he should ask you] what fu-ture he should expect afterward, and you find the plan-ets which have dominion over the matter in the angles,

the matter will be one that endures whether good orbad.

Also, examine the joining together of planets which arein the angles, their reception and the giving of supportthrough this of your affair, if God should will.

4. If the querents significator does not make its first ap-

plication to the lord of the question, and neither in orfrom houses ruling the quesited, but rather to some other

planet

Mshallh instructs us to look at the first and immediate

application of that (second) planet (the one applied to). Ifthis second planet does itself make an immediate applicationto the lord of the question, all is still well.

A series of such applications culminating in a received ap-plication to a benefic will perfect the matter. The only ex-ception to this is cases of life and death in which a benefic

happens to be ruler of the eighth house and where in addi-tion there is no reception between the benefic and the sig-

nificator of the querent; the querent will die of his illness.

The main point is that each planet, as it applies to anotherplanet, commits its disposition to that planet. The applying

planet pushes its disposition onto the second planet so tospeak. Then the second planet may in turn push its disposi-

tion onto yet another, or it might reject the disposition be-cause of lack of reception in which case the matter is de-stroyed.

So whatever planet is last in this chain of applications isvery important in determining the outcome of a question.

Sahl called this planet the receiver of the disposition, and itdecides ultimately whether the matter will be perfected ornot. Careful analysis of this planet informs us of how thissuccess or lack thereof will come about. Any affliction ofthis planet can destroy the matter, even if it was perfected

and the promise seemed fulfilled.

So, when relevant rulers do not apply to each other, observewhich planet(s) is joined to the Moon or lord of the ascen-



Whenever this first joining is immediately to the ruler of thequesited, the matter is perfected. It doesnt matter if thisplanet is malefic or benefic, in dignity or not, and reception

is not required. This is the most straightforward method ofperfection.[3]

3. When there is no joining of relevant rulers

Then see whether planets are in the ascendant and/or the

house representing the matter sought. But Mshallhwarns

However, the outcome of a matter and its prohibitiondoes not happen according to a planet which is in theAscendant but happens in the name of the lord of theAscendant, or in the name of the Moon, and accordingto the stars to which they are being joined, and the join-ing together, reception, and the rendering of the recep-tion of these stars.

So, if the Moon or the lord of the 1 st house apply to a planetin the house representing the matter, or planets in this house

apply to the ruler of the first house or planets in the ascen-dant, we have perfection.

Mshallh tells us that a planet in the ascendant or in thehouse of the question has a share in the outcome. If a planetin the house of the question commits its disposition to a

planet in the Ascendant and the lord of the ascendant is notharmed, then we have perfection. This is especially the caseif that planet in the ascendant has some authority there byhaving dignity in the sign it is in. The rulers thus situatedwill perfect the matter under the following conditions:

If the application from a relevant house is to a fortune, thematter will be perfected, whether or not that fortune re-

ceives it, and it need not have any dignity in that house.

If the application is to a malefic planet which has dignity

in that place, the matter will be perfected and reception isagain not necessary.

If the application is to a malefic planet which has no dig-

nity in that place, and it receives the lord of the Ascen-dant, or the Moon, the matter will be perfected.

If the application is to a malefic planet which has no dig-nity in that place, and it does not receive the lord of theAscendant, or the Moon, the matter will be destroyed.

Mshallh:

[3]Translation and collection of light are two other methods that can

join relevant significators and perfect the matter, howeverMshallh does not explicitly mention them.


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of a sign or degrees belonging to (B). If so, there is recep-

tion. If then (B) is also in something of (A), the applying

planet, then we have mutual reception.

The only thing to be added here is that Mshallh onlyused receptions involving sign-rulership or domicile, andexaltation. Abu Mashar adds

The strongest of these is the Lord of the House or ofthe exaltation. The Lord of the term or triplicity or decan are weak unless two or more of themare joined. One of them may receive the other also byaspect without application, although the reception byapplication is stronger.

So, later astrologers also considered a reception by at least

two of the lesser dignities, as a strong reception. We willlikewise do so here.

These rules Mshallh applies to three issues and illus-trates them with several examples. First, he illustrates an 8th

house issue of whether a person who is ill will die or not;second, 2nd house and 8th house issues concerning substance

acquired or not; thirdly, the 10th

house matter of Kingship,whether acquired or not, which can nowadays be applied toissues concerning career. I would encourage the study ofthese charts in his book.

2006 by Martien Hermes



dant. This planet can and will perfect the matter, but onlyunder the following conditions:

a. If the planet applied to is a fortune, and it is in an angle,

or in a strong place, the matter will be perfected, and re-ception is not necessary (although always desirable). The

indication strong place refers however to four things:

Strong through essential dignity

strong in sect

strong by phase to the Sun

Strong by house position

So it is not simply dependent on whether or not a planet isangular or succedent. A planet can be cadent, but still be in astrong place, being one of the others!

b. If the planet applied to is a malefic, and it receives the

applying planet, the matter will be perfected.c. But If the planet applied to is a malefic, and it is not the

lord of the quesited, and it does not receive the lord of theAscendant (or the Moon), and that malefic does not com-mit its disposition to another planet, then the matter willnot be perfected; the malefic then destroys the matter.

d. If the planet applied to is a malefic and it commits its dis-

position to yet another malefic which in turn receives theplanet handing over the disposition lord of the Ascendant,the matter will be perfected.[4]

[Reception]

The definition of reception by Robert Hand is,

Reception exists when a planet applies toward one ofits dispositors according to the five essential dignities,or the dispositor applies toward it. The received planetcommits disposition to the receiving planet, which sim-ply means that the receiving planet takes on the respon-sibility for handling or arranging (the original meaning ofto dispose) the affairs of the received planet.

I have a bit of a simplistic, but in my mind, efficient mannerto check reception. In Dutch, this is called anEzelsbruggetjea Donkeys bridge, meaning a simple wayto get a grip on a complex concept. Here it is; whenever aplanet (A) applies to another one (B), I always check if (A)is in something of (B). This something being a sign, part

Questions & Answers

Question:

Dear Steven,

I have a doubt concerning the timing in horary astrology andI'm asking your help. Can you kindly help me?

The doubt is: Angular Houses - represents a long timeaccording to some teachers. Cadent Houses - represents a

short time.

In Christian Astrology, Page 175, 176 or page 87 fromAscella edition, Lilly says,

..you may answer that it shall be for many days as arethe numbers of degrees betwixt the Significators, if theybe both in Cadent houses: if they be in Succedenthouses of Heaven, it will be so many weeks; if in theAngles, the time will be so many months...

This passage says the same thing that some teachers say, but

as you know in other passages Lilly says absolutely theopposite of this!

[4]Msh'allh actually says,

If that malefic commits its disposition to another malefic which in

turn receives lord of the Ascendant, the matter will be perfected.

In all of his examples, it is the reception of the planet handing overdisposition that is essential and not just the reception of the Lord ofthe Ascendant.


9/12

The pivotal places, or angles, advance matters. The pivotal

houses were the centre of action from the houses on either

side of it it wasnt a pillar, it was a hinge which is whatthe Greek word pivot means!

The Greek word for the cadent houses means decline andthe reason it was called a decline or receding house is be-

cause the diurnal (or primary) motion carries planets in thecadent houses away from the angles while it carries planets

in a succedent house to the angle. Therefore, the declines orcadent houses indicated change and moving and travelling,e.g. the third and ninth houses which had to do with travel-ling, was and could be beneficial to the native as these

places also aspect the Ascendant. But the sixth and twelfthhouses which were associated with being forcibly being

carried away into illness, slavery and servitude; they wereinconjunct the ascendant and associated with things thatafflict the life of the native!

With these things in mind lets look at something elseMshallh writes immediately after the preceding state-ment above,

But if the querent should ask you about the good orevil in which he may be, or [if he should ask you] whatfuture he should expect afterward, and you find theplanets which have dominion over the matter in the an-gles, the matter will be one that endures whether goodor bad.

In this statement, Mshallh seems to be agreeing withBonatti and Lillys statements and contradicting his otherstatement that the angles hasten the matter! So what is the

truth of the matter?

Now if we think that means that in every question, the an-gles indicate the slowness of a matter and the cadent housesthe quickness and speed of a matter then we will be wrong!Can you see something in the above situations and quotes

that would tell us why this is true?

The answer to this conundrum (mystery) is very simple ac-tually. Both statements are true and it is the question thatdetermines how we should regard the angles, succedents andcadent houses!

Lets look again closely at what Mshallh says in both

these statements. In the first statement he says,

And know that planets which are cadent from the an-gles cause every matter which is not yet [come tobe] to slow down and one waits for it to happen

Now consider his second statement,

But if the querent should ask you about the good orevil in which he may be,

Do you see the key to this riddle now? The angles hasten


In Liber Astronomiae - On Horary, First part, page 46,Bonatti discussing a subject very similar to the Lilly alsosays,

...say that there will be that many days to the time ofthe accomplishment of the matter if both planets are incadents. If they are in succedents there will be weeks; ifthey are in angles, there will be months.

So, it appears that Lilly uses/copy the same rule of timingbased on what bonatti wrote about the same subject -

acquire substance of the King! Lilly in his Cataloguemention Bonatti, so he certainly read it.

What confuses me is the difference of opinions about -Angular long, Cadent short.

I think that the subject of fast and short time must have to dowith the movement of the houses, but I have difficulties in

understand it. I sincerely hope that you can elucidate meabout this confuse approach of timing a horary chart.P

Answer:

Dear P,

I sympathise with your confusion, for the record is indeedconfusing. The matter of what the houses indicate with re-

gards to long or short periods of time is not one based on theprimary or diurnal movement of the houses (signs).

Lets go back a ways to one of the first writers on horary andone to whom the majority of latter writers such as Bonattiand Lilly refer for their understanding.

Mshallh tells us in his book on horary, On Reception,

And understand that if the planets which have domin-ion over the matter are in [one of] the four angles, they

dispose of the matter, hasten, arouse, and perfect it. [1]

The other Arabic astrologers called a planet in an angle or

succedent house as alichelwhich means perfection or asother astrologers called it, advancing the matter. As weread above from Mshallh it was called this because theyadvance the matters quickly and surely. But advancing inthis case does not necessarily only mean to do somethingquickly, it also means e.g. like moving to the head of the line

in a movie theatre. It advances the matter to a place of im-portance and priority like having the first number whilewaiting in a government office. A planet in an angle getsfirst priority! Of course, that also means that if it has priority

it will be taken sooner than another matter with less priority.

Questions & Answers cont

[1]Chapter VIII, p. 36, On Reception by Mshallh


10/12

than middling and the cardinal sign of Aries will be a little

faster than middling. The signs belonging to the Moon and

Venus advance matters quickly Libra and Cancer (the car-dinal signs) quicker than Taurus (a fixed sign). Mercury'ssigns accomplish things the fastest. Another consideration iswhether the sign is one of long or short ascension! Signs oflong ascension slow the matter. And lastly one would exam-

ine whether the sign is cardinal, common or fixed; fixedsigns cause the endurance of things; common signs mid-

dling; cardinal signs indicate the quickness of change.

3) And last but not least was the question of which house.Depending on the question asked, then the angles either pro-

duce the shortest or longest periods of resolution. The succe-dent houses always produced the middling or mean re-

sults. The cadent houses would produce either the longestdelays or denials and the shortest durations, depending onthe question!

So if a querent did come to me and ask if he would loose hisjob and I found the significator of the matter a superiorplanet, in an angle, in a sign belonging to a superior, in afixed sign of long ascension then I would probably say dontfret about it, you are not going to loose your job. If I foundthe significator of the matter an inferior planet, in a succe-dent house, but in some good dignity (exaltation, domicile

or at least two if its lesser dignitys), in a cardinal sign ofmiddling ascension then I might be more inclined to say you

will not loose your job, for now! I might judge he is noton as solid ground and that while he will not soon loose hisjob he certainly could later!

This is why you find that Lilly in his timing method of whena stolen or lost item will be returned says,

Behold the application of the two Planets that Signifythe recovery, and number the Degrees that are betweenthem, or from the one to the other, and determine days,weeks, years, or hours, in this manner; Behold theplace they are in, or the place of their application; for ifthey be in moveable Signs, the shorter time is required,or it shall be in weeks, or in months; in fixed Signs it

Signifies Months or Years; in common Signs a meanbetwixt both: help your self from these judgments: or ifthe Significator be quick in motion, they Signify it shallbe recovered quickly, or lightly: which Significators, ifthey are falling from angles [i.e. cadent from the an-gles], signifies a time short, wherein the Goods shall berecovered: These Judgements are made properly forthis Chapter; you must not judge in other things bythese, or by this Method.

As you can see, Lilly considers several of these variablesthat I have listed. All of these variables will affect the timing

of any prognostication! But more important is the last sen-tence in this paragraph where Lilly warns that you must notjudge in other things by this method! The reason he says thisis because of the differences the question itself creates, i.e. amatter that is or one which is not yet!


matters which have not yet come to be but they cause mat-ters in which the querent may already be to endure!

In Lillys example of when would money lent be paid back,the matter is that of a current situation, i.e. the querent hasloaned money to someone, or has sold him or her somethingor has performed a service and seeks remuneration. The

matter already exists! We are asking a question about a cur-rent situation! So when Lilly says the angles cause delay inthe repayment of what was loaned he is in effect saying thecurrent situation of someone owing the querent money willendure!

If on the other hand, the querent asks, will I obtain this posi-tion or job (for example) the matter does not yet exist and ithas not yet happened at all, so the significator perfecting thematter in an angle would hasten it!

If the querent asked, there is a rumour at work that people

are going to be laid off, will I be laid off and when will ithappen then we are speaking of the good or bad which hispresent situation will produce and the significators in theangles would indicate the endurance of his job while thecadent houses would indicate his loosing his job and thatpretty quickly! Do you understand these differences that thequestion itself creates?

Therefore, if we assert that the angles always indicate theslowness of a matter and the cadent houses the quickness ofa matter we will be wrong very wrong!

But the teaching on timing does not stop with the houses

alone. For example, if a cadent house is expediting a matterquickly, it could mean not only days but also it could meanweeks. Why is that? Simply because the houses were notthe only consideration!

Whether or not a matter will proceed quickly or slowly has

never been determined solely by whether the planets areangular, succedent or cadent. There are 3 principle thingsthat influence the speed of an outcome.

1) The planet itself e.g., whether it is fast or slow in itsmotion and its essential strength. It is also important

whether the planet is an inferior planet or superior planet. Ifthe significator is Saturn or Jupiter, the matter will proceedslowly; if it is the Sun or Mars, middling; if it is the Moon,Venus or Mercury then quickly!

2) The sign the signs belonging to the two superiors, Sagit-

tarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces slow the matterdown! So for example, the fixed sign Aquarius really willslow down the accomplishment of the matter! The signsbelonging to the Sun and Mars, i.e. Leo, Scorpio and Ariesare middling. So the fixed sign Leo would tend to be slower

Questions & Answers cont


11/12

In questions of having a lost or stolen item returned, thequestion is whether the current situation of the lost or stolenitem will endure or not!

My own conclusion from the historical record and that veri-

fied in experience is that both conditions are true and weneed to pay close attention to the context of the question inorder to arrive at the correct conclusion.

Best regards,Steven Birchfield

the rising sign.

Neither is there a lighter planet joined and separating

from Mars and beholding the rising sign.

Therefore in this matter, Mars is ill-disposed to signify forme the querent.

We now check out the Moon. Although the Moon is in theAscendant she is also in aversion to the rising sign, as she is

in Sagittarius as well. The Moon is applying to Mercury inthe 11

thhouse, but this doesnt help as Mercury is also in

aversion to the rising sign. The Moon is however also joinedand applying to Saturn in Pisces, which does behold therising sign. Therefore the Moon can be used as my significa-tor, in spite of her aversion to the rising sign.

Ruler of the matterWhat is the Lord of the quesited or matter? What should welook at as significator of speaker at a conference? Thereare several options I think. My first guess was to use the 11thhouse as this house signifies groups of people gathering.Finding Mercury there, natural ruler of speakers, is of

course an interesting position.

Lecturing and teaching could also be the third house, ruledby Saturn. Should the Moon indeed perfect her applicationto Saturn the matter would however come to naught as Sat-urn is retrograde. Saturn would therefore return the matter

handed to him by the Moon, thus destroying it.

Some would perhaps say a lecture at a conference is a 9th

house matter as it involves teaching, which then would givethe Sun as a ruler.

Of course honour and preferment has to do with the 10th

house and as such it is a professional action, and of course

there is honour involved as well. We then would use Mer-cury as the ruler of the quesited.

These are many possibilities of course, perhaps too many.

But an application of the ruler of the querent, the Moon, to

any of these might indeed perfect the matter. But actually, allof this might be a bit irrelevant as well because Mshallhsimply checks what the next application of the significatorof the querent is, and then considers whether or not thisplanet can perfect the matter, whether a significant ruler or

not! Of course being a significant ruler would help, butwhats quite revolutionary about Mshallhs whole con-

cept is that any planet under the right conditions canperfect the matter.

What is the Moons first aspect?So lets look at the Moon. The Moon will perfect her aspectwith Mercury first. Now that is interesting on three counts;

a. Mercurys natural signification to speech and speaking;b. because of his rulership of the 10th (professional actions);c. because of his location in the 11th house, which rules


A Compelling Horary:Will I Speak at the

Conference?

Years ago I was asked to be speaker in reserve for a confer-ence on astrology in Holland. When somebody would fall illshortly before or during the conference, I would step in and

do a lecture instead of the other person. My question was,will I speak at the upcoming conference?

Lets follow Mshallh and see what we get as an answer.

The Lord of the Ascendant is in the Ascendant but not the

Ascendant sign, so:

Mars in Sagittarius does not see Scorpio.

Mars is not joined or applying to a planet that does see

Questions & Answers Cont.


12/12

groups of people and thus conferences.

It is true Mercury falls in aversion to Virgo on the 10th

butthis aversion is mitigated as his inverse degrees of influence

is in the 13th

degree of Virgo and co-present with the cusp ofthe 10th.

Mercury, receiver of the dispositionFor Mercury to be able to perfect the disposition handedover to him by the Moon, he needs to be in good condition:

best of all being received although this is not a decisive con-dition, next being strong, and also preferably unafflicted. So,

what about Mercurys condition? Is it a malefic or beneficsignificator? It is in its own triplicity, oriental of the Sun,direct and in a very profitable house, the 11th. More impor-tantly, it does not commit its disposition to any other; there-

fore Mercury will indeed decide and signify the (end of the)matter of the querent! And what does the 11th signify? Ful-

filment of hopes and desires!

Will I speak?There is only one small thing that would suggest I mightspeak but in the end perhaps would not. That is the fact that

the Moon is applying to Mercury from Mercurys detrimentSagittarius. But we are told that that fact only hinders

reception and here we are not speaking of reception. Weare talking about the Moon committing her matters to Mer-cury, because she applies to him, and whether or not he willand can perfect them. In this there is no reception involved/

needed here. The aspect is a friendly sextile that suggestsease and smooth going, and Mercury is a benefic planet in agood place, and also has a very strong natural significationto the matter, so he is qualified to perfect the matter withoutreception being involved. If one is of the opinion that the11th house is indeed the house of conferences, as I am, then

Mercury in the 11th

is a benefic in the house signifying thematter being applied to by the ruler of the querent. These arevery positive indications suggesting I will indeed speak at

the conference, which I did. One speaker called off, (I re-ceived a letter about this on 16th of march 1996) and I spokeat the conference. I did on the 14th of april 1996 at 15.30

hours. A little less than 6 months later.

It is also interesting that the Moon is translating Jupiterslight (just separating) from a conjunction with Jupiter (Lordof the domicile she is in) and in her own face so we havetwo reasonably dignified contributions (she commits her

dignity and counsel) to the accomplishment of the matter.Jupiter in fact receives Mercury in his triplicity and his

terms.

By Martien Hermes

A Compelling Horary cont...


Martien HermesE-mail: [email protected]

Steven BirchfieldE-mail: [email protected]

Web site: Divine Astrologyhttp://home.online.no/~stebi/startpag.htm

Do you have a question or comment?

Wed love to hear from you!Contact Us!

Foundations: The VisionThe astrology as practiced up until the 17th century thatswhat the term tradional or classical astrology refers to wasfundamentally different from her modern counterpart. Fordiverse reasons this astrology has been, up until now,ignored and set aside as not fitting modern times, the

Zeitgeist.

Thanks to recent translations and renewed interest in thisancient astrology it has become clear that it is a remarkablysubtle and complex astrology, very elegant, pragmatic andrigourous. It is also clear that the study of this astrology has

restored many lost techniques and methods, of great valueto the practicing astrologer.

Ancient and medieval horoscopy is a very sensitiveinstrument, and a very intricate tool, that helps elucidate thephilosophy and esoteric teachings regarding life the

astrology from which it sprang.

Foundations: The Goal

The goal ofFoundations ad fundum Astrologia is topresent this ancient praxis, to research it and to demonstrateits validity.

Foundations ad fundum Astrologiastrives to furtherthe astrological know-how and methods of the ancients.

Critical research of modern assumptions and of the ancienttexts is the method used.

In the end we hope to lay anew a foundation under modernastrology that helps its practitioners get a (better) handle on

this Royal Art, so that again we can speak of a livingtradition, based on texts which have proven to be thematerial on which the horoscopic edifice was built.

Documents

Foundations Issue 1 2006