THE TWELVE SIGNS

There are 12 constellations of fixed stars in the sidereal zodiac, named after various living creatures because of their fancied similarity to these animals or people. The 12 signs of the tropical zodiac defined by the four seasons carry the same names as the constellations but have nothing to do with the stars. The four cardinal signs are determined by the four cardinal points of the Earth’s orbit. These points are the Spring and Fall Equinox, and the Summer and Winter Solstice. The cardinal signs follow the beginning of the four seasons and the boundaries of the other signs are determined by trisection of the intervening space between any two adjacent cardinal points. The signs are organized according to quality and element.

ELEMENT
QUALITY       FIRE             EARTH         AIR               WATER
CARDINAL               A                           v                            z                             D
FIXED                                                g                                                          B                                             K                                                H
MUTABLE                I                                               F                                                          C                                             n

 

The Fire and Air Signs are considered diurnal and masculine, and the Earth and Water Signs are considered feminine and nocturnal. If you have a masculine planet in a masculine sign then the behaviour of the person represented by that planet is more masculine. The same applies for feminine planets in feminine signs, which represent people who behave in a very feminine way. Cardinal signs take the lead, and a cardinal sign on the ascendant shows an earlier start. A Cardinal Cross shows an immediate forward movement. People represented by planets in Cardinal Signs easily change their minds and may be wavering and inconstant. Fixed signs take root and establish the matter so that it is already underway at the time of asking. A fixed cross denotes sure development, there is no stopping the proceedings. It indicates a person who is determined and persevering who resolutely pursues his goal despite obstacles in the way. Mutable signs follow after because of present contingencies, generally deferring to someone else and doing what is expedient under the circumstances. A mutable cross denotes a very unstable situation and a matter or person that will change markedly. A mixed cross has signs of differing qualities on the 1st and 10th, qualifying your reading. The matter begins according to the quality of the sign on the 1st and continues according to the quality on the 10th. A chart with a mixed cross has intercepted signs, signifying interference that is accounted for by the house where the rulers are.
The Bestial or quadrupedal signs are A B g I v, since they represent animals that run on four legs. The fruitful signs are the Water signs, D H L, and with these on the cusp of the 5th house, children are a foregone conclusion. The Mute signs or those of a low or no voice are the Water Signs, since they represent animals that make no sound. The Barren signs are C g F, which indicate few if any children if these signs are on the cusp of the 5th unless there is a planet in the 5th, especially one of the rulers of a water sign. If the w or V are in the 5th, then even with barren signs there will be children. The Feral or savage signs are g and I. A person with a significator or ruler in A retains some of the qualities of that sign. He is impetuous, aggressive, tough and looking for sex. In B he is steadfast and resolute, somewhat confused and uncertain, weakened by some private imperfection. If the w is the significator of the question concerning barrenness and it or the ruler of the 1st or 5th is in a water sign, then there is no question that the querent is fruitful. The human or articulate signs are the three Air Signs, C, z, K, and F, since they are all represented by a human figure.

Description of the Twelve Signs and Their Places

A is a masculine diurnal sign, Cardinal and equinoctial. It is a Fire Sign, warm and dry and breezy, bestial, intemperate, violent and seeking luxury. It is the day sign of U and it is the angle of the East.
Places: A rules pastures where sheep, goats, pigs and other small livestock are fed or are kept, and stables or kennels for smaller animals or livestock. It rules sandy and hilly ground, a place of refuge for criminals. A rules lands newly opened or tracts of ploughed ground and pasture, virgin territory, sandy stretches, burned ground and unfrequented areas affording a place of refuge for lawbreakers.
INDOORS: A rules hot places like the fireplace, chimney, furnace, bake oven or kilns. It rules rooms where cutting is done such as butcher shops. It rules the East wall in the room, along a straight line. Indoors it rules wallpaper, plaster, the ceiling or roof.

 

B is a feminine sign, Fixed, cool and wet, bestial, an Earth Sign, South by East, and it is the night sign of T.
Places: It rules stables where horses are kept, low houses, or sheds where farm implements are stored. B  rules pastures and feeding grounds far away from any houses. It rules flat and even ground, or where bushes have lately been pulled out, or where wheat and corn have been sowed, or where there are stands of small trees. B  rules lately cultivated meadows and pastures within sight of the house, with lawns, trees and plantings near the dwelling.
            Indoors: B rules low rooms with low ceilings. It rules quiet dim rooms and ground floor storerooms and tiled floors. The Southeast wall of the house or room is where you find the significator.

C is an Air Sign, cool dry and breezy, diurnal, masculine, barren, Mutable, human. It is the day sign of  S, West by South.
Places: C rules barren hills and mountains, granaries, high places. It rules areas reached on foot and West by South in direction, usually requiring a climb. C rules the loft in a barn, the mailbox, storehouses, posters and billboards. It rules street and direction signs, weather vanes and whatever tells us something through gestures, such as signals, advertisements that go on and off, traffic lights and the coloured or white line in traffic lanes, and detour signs along the road.
Indoors: C rules rooms lined with wood paneling, the plastering and walls of houses, the halls, or where play takes place. It rules the stairway and upstairs rooms, escalators and ladder ways, a companionway aboard ship, a study, schoolroom, playroom, telephone booth and conversation or reading corner. It also rules the upper part of the room or piece of furniture where you find the significator. C rules  trunks, chests of drawers, filing cabinets or storage receptacles or desks. It rules the West wall and follows a meandering line.

D is the only sign of the w, and is the first sign in the Water element. It is wet and cold, feminine, nocturnal, Cardinal, a solstice sign, mute or low of voice, fertile.
Places: D rules the sea, great rivers and navigational waterways. Inland it rules places near rivers or streams, springs, water wells, cellars in homes, bathhouses, marshy ground,
ditches with rushes or sedges, sea banks, trenches and cisterns. D rules reservoirs, moats, canals, and run-offs, lakes, ponds, hydrants and water pipes, ownership of real estate. It is NORTH.
            INDOORS D rules the kitchen, cellar, laundry, sink and pumps, water pipes. Following an irregular line toward the North wall of the house or room where the planet lies.

g is the only sign of the Q, by nature hot and dry, diurnal, masculine, commanding, bestial and barren, it is East by North, and a Fire Sign and Fixed
Places: g rules king’s palaces, castles and forts. It also rules forests and parks, animal preserves, dens and deserts. g rules parks, playgrounds, the front yard and the parking strip that is decoratively planted with flowers to enhance the appearance of property or street. g rules places that are high, rocky and hard to reach, such as forts and natural fortresses. The 4th house rules the querent’s place of residence and the 3rd is its near neighbourhood. The 9th is opposite, a distant neighbourhood. The Q in g in the 3rd house indicates that the property is in the querent’s neighbourhood, larger than usual and easier to see from a distance. It is neither open to the public nor easy to get into. It faces East by North, and any residence on it would have many windows on the sunny side because the Q keeps it bright.
Indoors: Near fireplaces, stoves or chimneys. g rules the main hall, living room, playroom, card room, dining room, music room, fireplace, picture windows and den. The Q rules the North East wall of a room and up where you would have to reach for it to find what is being sought. Usually there is a lack of orderliness, or periods of great disorder giving a jungle effect.

F is cold, dry and windy, barren, feminine, nocturnal, South by West. It is the sign and exaltation of S, and it is an Earth Sign and Mutable.
Places: F rules dairies, grain fields, granaries, malt houses, barns, haystacks, or the cold room where cheese and butter are stored. F rules more level, productive, improved ground, not difficult to reach, gardens, cornfields, grazing and pasture grounds for barnyard animals and fowl, South by West in direction. Dairies, haystacks, barns, storehouses for grain and dairy produce, fodder, malt houses.
Indoors: F rules the study where books are kept, closets and pantries, book cases, desks, dispensaries, the larder, the home office, rooms kept locked for precautionary reasons. F indicates the South West wall and in a meandering line.
z is an Air Sign, cool, breezy, pleasant and dry, masculine, Cardinal, equinoctial, human, diurnal, West, the day sign of T.
            Places: z rules hillsides, clear pure air, trees, hunting areas, and the tops of buildings. It rules places where wood is cut or sawed, tops of mountains,
            Indoors z rules upper airy rooms, alcoves, garrets or rooms within rooms, wardrobes and the top of a piece of furniture holding clothing, or its top drawer. It is high in the room, the West wall where you find the planet.
H is a Water Sign, extreme in its weather effects, cold, moist, nocturnal, feminine, Fixed and North by East, the night sign of U and the only sign of its modern ruler Z.
Places: H rules swamps, bleak stretches, drains, spots where vermin and poisonous reptiles breed. It rules garbage dumps, places of rot or stench, stagnant pools, tar pits and oil wells. H rules oil wells and tar pools because crude oil consists of the decayed bodies of dead animals and plants. It rules locations subject to flooding, ruins near water, cesspools. If W is there, then the pool contains the run off from mortuaries, and if T is there, then the runoff comes from vineyards and orchards. It rules dangerous drugs that remain locked up, rooms that can’t be opened. It rules mortuaries and crematoria. It is North by East.
      INDOORS: The toilet, sewer, sink, kitchen, bathrooms and its medicine cabinet. It is the Northeast wall. Planets in H may also indicate anything used to hold water or travel on water.

I is a Fire Sign, East by South. It is warm and dry, masculine, diurnal, Mutable, the day sign of V.
Places: I rules barns where horses or cattle are kept. It represents hills and the highest places, clearly visible ground and large estates and acreages. It also rules court of justice, lecture halls, and army barracks.
INDOORS: Upper rooms, the larger ones in the house, often near a fire, or where a safe is kept or ammunition stored. It is the Southeast wall.

v is an Earth Sign, and it is cold, dry, nocturnal, feminine, a Solstice Sign, Cardinal, bestial, South, the night sign of W and exaltation of U.
Places: v rules abandoned places, and slum areas. It rules woods, barren fields, and those lying fallow. v also rules mines and neglected farms, mountain peaks.
Indoors – Storage for farm tools and lumber, low roofs, dark ceilings, sparsely furnished or rather uncomfortable rooms. Belongings that are old and worn out, dark corners near the ground or floor where the quesited may be mislaid or lost. It is near the South wall of the room, and follows a crooked line.

K is an Air Sign, cold and dry, diurnal, Fixed, rational, humane, masculine, the day sign of W and the only sign of its modern ruler X. It is West by North.
Places: K rules ground that has been changed in character. It may have been changed from agricultural to residential, perhaps from commercial or industrial to residential. It may be reclaimed ground, due to irrigation, or desert opened to homesteaders. It is usually near transportation facilities and new buildings where modern methods operate.
INDOORS K rules modern architecture, eaves, built-in devices and equipment, Spartan and barely comfortable furnishings. Northwest

L is a Water Sign, North by West, cool, wet, feminine, nocturnal, Mutable, the night sign of V and exaltation of T. It is the only sign of its modern ruler Y. It is a sign of sickness and has little desire for action.
            Places: L as ruled by V represents ground that is lower and suitable for religious orders such as monasteries, convents, retreats and hermitages and missions intended to advance religion. L as ruled by Y rules secluded ground susceptible to sinking, it is low and prone to flooding, perhaps a beach or ponds frequented by waterfowl and where water plants and fish are found.
INDOORS L as ruled by Y indicates low ceilings, cold or damp floors, rooms in which water or other fluids are available and medicine is under lock and key or otherwise inaccessible. Only necessary furnishings, some of them designed to keep a child or adult from falling or getting out. Dark cells for punishment, photography or X-rays. It indicates the Northwest wall of the room where you find the planet.
L  rules lower ceilings and smaller rooms, adequately furnished and including some impressive belongings. Northwest.
TIMING IN THE CHART

            The degrees required to complete or perfect an aspect will give you the starting point toward finding the time needed to bring the matter to completion. The significator may be representing either the querent or quesited as the case may be, or the coruler w if one significator is making no aspect to the other. The w in most cases is the most dependable significator. Note the quality of the sign the significator is in, combined with the quality of house it is in. This combines to produce the equivalent of days, weeks, months or years.  Both significators have to indicate the same timescale in days, weeks, months or years. When the aspect perfects, that is the time the event will occur, even if the two planets are not in aspect in the chart. It does not matter whether either significator is retrograde.

TABLE FOR THE MEASURE OF TIME

Cardinal          Signs and Angular Houses………………………………………………...        Days
     “                              Succeedent Houses ………………………………………………     ……….           Weeks
     “                              Cadent Houses…………………………………………………………….    Months
    
Mutable          Signs   and        Angular Houses ………………………………………………           Weeks
     “                              Succeedent Houses………………………………………………………..    Months
     “                              Cadent Houses …………………………………………………..      ………..          Years

Fixed               Signs and Angular Houses………………………………………………..       Months
     “                              Succeedent Houses………………………………………….…………….    Years
     “                              Cadent Houses ............................………..…...                       Time Unknown – Very Long

            You must carefully examine the planet that the ruler of the ascendant or the w applies to. This indicates the performance or completion of the quesited matter if that planet sextiles or trines the ruler of the ascendant or the w. It does not matter whether that planet is a Benefic or not, or whether or not it receives the ruler of the ascendant or the w. Consider how many degrees of orb are between them until the aspect perfects, and you may answer it will be the same number of days as are degrees between the significators, if they are both in cadent houses. In succeedent houses it will that many weeks, and in angular houses it will be that many months. You must use your own discretion here to first make a rough estimate of the time needed, and then give a precise answer. If the matter requires years instead of months, then you may express the time in that measure. This is especially so if the ruler of the ascendant, the w and the other significators are in angular houses. If one planet is angular and the other succeedent, then this indicates months, and if one is succeedent and the other one cadent, then it will be that many weeks. If one planet is in angular houses and the other one cadent, then it indicates months. Timing may be judged by the house and sign of the significator, or if the significator is unusable, then use the coruler w’s aspect to the significator. Planets in Cardinal signs operate promptly, in Mutable signs pretty soon, and in Fixed signs after a while. In Angular houses they act as soon as possible, in Cadent houses in a minute, and in Succeedent houses whenever they get around to it or whenever they can. The fixed sign and cadent house combination often operates only when all other hope is gone. Above all keep in mind an estimated practical figure, and then use the difference in degrees for an estimated length of time. See page 70 for additional instructions.

TABLE FOR THE MEASURE OF DISTANCE

To determine the approximate distance of a person, animal or object, take the planet ruling the house of the quesited. Then find its distance from the querent by calculating the absolute number of degrees between the planet and the w and look to see if the planet is in North, South or zero latitude. See if it is in angular, succeedent or cadent houses. The w and the other planet do NOT have to be in aspect, nor does any aspect have to perfect. If D is on the cusp of the quesited, then use the degree on the cusp in D for the quesited, and the distance between the w and the cusp for the actual distance.

Planet In                                                                                             0 Latitude                                                       N Latitude                                  S Latitude
Angular Houses………………         nearby………………. 1 mile…           ………….       2 miles
Succeedent Houses ………….          ½ mile………………. 2 miles…………….     3 miles
Cadent Houses……………….          1 mile……………….. 3 miles……………      indefinite

The following methods are an alternate rules for distance. For fugitives, calculate the distance between the w and the fugitive’s significator, their aspect and what signs they are in. For Cardinal signs allow 17 houses or furlongs (201.168 meters) for every degree, in Mutable signs allow 5 furlongs, and in Fixed signs allow 1 furlong or house for every degree. This is related to the lost possession, and whether it is in the town or out in the fields.
To find the distance between the querent and his lost possession or animal that is shown to be away from home, take the ruler of the 1st and 2nd and note the difference in their degrees, whether in aspect or not, for the basic distance. If the w is in a cardinal sign, take twice that difference, in a mutable sign, take ½ the difference, and in a fixed sign, ¼ of that difference. This gives the distance in real miles. If D is both on the 1st and 2nd cusps, the w is considered the coruler of the 1st, and we use the difference between its own degree and the degree on the 2nd house cusp for the basic distance. Then we multiply that difference by 2, ½ or ¼, as before, according to whether the w is Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable.
If the significator of the thief is in a fixed sign, then count three miles for every house between it and the ruler of the ascendant. In Mutable signs, every house between the ascendant and the significator of the thief counts for one mile. If the significators are in cardinal signs, then there are as many houses in the town between the thief and owner as are between the ascendant and the significator of the thief. If the ascendant is fixed, then allow three miles for every house, if mutable, then allow one mile for every house, and in cardinal signs allow ½ mile. If the significator is angular, then the thief is still in town, in succeedent houses he is not far off, and in cadent houses he is far away.
Those who practice in the country frequently follow these rules. Calculate how many degrees are between the significator of the thief and the w and whether the signs are fixed, cardinal or mutable. In fixed signs allow a mile for every degree, in mutable signs so many tenths of miles, and in cardinal signs so many rods. The number of degrees between the ruler of the 7th and the ruler of the hour indicate so many thousand paces between the querent and the fugitive. Look how many degrees the significator is into its sign, and that is how many miles the cattle are from the place where they were, and in that house or sign where the ruler of the 4th is.

 

DIRECTION BY HOUSE AND SIGN

The planet representing the quesited is the significator. Where you find that planet by house and sign, there you will find the quesited. The distance between the w and the significator of the quesited will give you the distance to the quesited.
 
                                                  BY SIGN                                                                                                                  BY HOUSE
                               
                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                SOUTH  E by S                                                                                                                                                        SOUTH   S.S.W.                 
                                                                                v                    I                                                                                                                                   11                   10                         9                 8                                                                                                                                            
                                 W by N                                                   N by E                                                                                       S.S.E.                                                      W.S.W.                               
                                                K                                                                               H
                                L                                                                      z                                                      12                                                                7
                  N by W                                                                                   WEST                                                        E.S.E.                                                                       WEST                 
                                                                                                                               
                                A                                                                                                                             1                                                                   6                
                   EAST                                                                                                    S by W                                                                    EAST                                                                          W.N.W.              
                                                                                                                                                                F                 
                                                B                                                                                            g                                                                         E.N. E                                                         N.N.W
                                   S by E                   C                             D             E by N                                                                                                       2                3                4                              5                                                                                                                                                                                                              W by S     NORTH                                                                                                                                                  N.N.E.     NORTH
                                                                               
                 

Where you find the planet by house will give you the direction to find a location or room inside a house. For longer distances, you have to travel the specified distance to the location signified by the planetary sign. This will give you the direction to that locale. The planet representing the quesited is his significator. Where you find the planet by Sign and House, there you will find the quesited. When the quesited is shown to be on the home grounds because its ruler or the ruler of the 4th is in the 4th or in any other angle or in an air sign, then it is close by or at least within easy walking distance. If conjunct a cusp it is near a door, gate or window, or near the boundary line of a property. For direction by sign, use primarily the direction of the cardinal signs of each element. Fire is East, Air is West, Earth is South and Water is North.

DIRECTION BY HOUSE

12th        E.S.E                                                               3rd                          N.N.E.                                                 6th                          W.N.W.                                                           9th                          S.S.W.
1st                           East                                                                  4th                          North                                                               7th                          West                                                                10th      South
2nd         E.N.E                                                   5th                          N.N.W.                                                           8th                          W.S.W.                                                           11th        S.S.E.

Note that the houses adjoining an Angular house take that angles direction as their first and last initial if East and West. They take on the first and second initial if North or South. The remaining initial in each instance is that of the remaining angular house that is nearest. Look at the ruler of the ascendant and the ascendant itself, and see how many signs and degrees are between the ruler of the ascendant and the ascendant, and if the ruler of the ascendant is in a fixed sign, then allow four miles for every sign between it and the ascendant. If the ruler of the ascendant is in a mutable sign, allow 1½ mile for every sign, and if it is in a cardinal sign, allow ½ a mile for every sign between them. The remaining degrees are judged according to the sign that the ruler of the ascendant is in, so if it is cardinal, allow ½ mile.

DIRECTION BY SIGN

CARDINAL                                                                                                   FIXED                                                                                                MUTABLE

Fire                 A         East                                                                                         g          E-by-N                                                                                    I           E-by-S
Earth   v          South                                                                           B       S-by-E                                                                         F          S-by-W
Air                   z        West                                                                                       K         W-by-N                                                                                   C          W-by-S
Water  D         North                                                                          H         N-by-E                                                                                    L          N-by-W

Note that all the signs by element have the direction of their cardinal sign as a component of their own direction. Use these directions of the cardinal signs as your primary indication. The Water Signs denote lowlands, the Earth Signs are at ground level, Fire Signs are middle level or height, and Air Signs indicate highlands or upper level. To determine the approximate distance to the quesited, take the planet ruling the house of the quesited, and see if it is in North or South Latitude, or if it is 0 Latitude, as the Q always is. Make a note to see if it is a angular, succeedent or cadent house. Then find its equivalent distance in the first table on the previous page. These are the basic distances to start with, to be multiplied by the difference in degree between the w and the significator, whether in aspect or not. If D is on the cusp of the quesited, the w represents both the querent and quesited and can’t be used. In that case we take the degree of the house cusp in D for the quesited. Then the latitude and house position of the w denotes its equivalent basic distance. This is to be multiplied by the difference between the degree of the w and the degree of the house cusp in D, to calculate the real distance. The ultimate limit of this technique is about 180 miles, or 60 degrees times a factor of three. Beyond that, it is too far away to state accurately.

LOCATION BY ELEMENT AND HOUSE

In the following pages describing the places ruled by the planets and their signs, there are three things to remember: The Planet represents the quesited and describes it. The Sign it is in describes the place it is in, and the Element of that sign tells you where to look for it. The House it is in tells you the relative distance away. Where you find the planet by element and house, you also find what you seek. Each element receives its primary direction from its Cardinal sign.

AIR signs indicate the HIGHEST part of the house, such as the roof or eaves, or high in the room and to the WEST.

FIRE signs indicate closeness to a fireplace, stove heater, or chimney or outdoors where there has been a fire and near something made of iron. It is MIDWAY up in a room and to the EAST.
 
WATER signs indicate closeness to a faucet, sink or tub, in something used to travel on water or something used to hold water.  It is LOW in a room and to the NORTH.

EARTH signs indicate the object is at or below GROUND level, close to the floor or on the first floor of a building. It is on stone or gravel or cemented ground out in the open and to the SOUTH. It could be just above the ground on a low seat on a gravel deck or patio.

 

ANGULAR houses tell us that it is in the home, in the part where the person generally works with such things or suspects that it may be found.

SUCCEEDENT houses tell us that it is not in the house but not too far away. Perhaps it is in the garden or yard or garage close by, and not out of range.

CADENT houses tell us that it is farther off and may be lost, or thoroughly hidden and secluded. In the 3rd, it is in the neighbourhood, and far away in the 9th. In the 6th and 12th it is in a neighbourhood different in type from the querent’s.