Planetary Exaltations

Saturn exalted in Aries, a sign ruled by Mars.

Jupiter exalted in Cancer, ruled by the Moon.

Mars exalted in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn.

Sun, exalted in Aries, ruled by Mars.

Venus exalted in Pisces, ruled by Jupiter.

Mercury, exalted in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn.

The planet Mars, therefore, is linked up with the Moon through Saturn, which rules the sign in which Mars is exalted. Much else might be said regarding planetary numbers and Kabalas depending thereon, but it is, perhaps, advisable that some margin should be left for the exercise of the reader’s ingenuity, should he wish to pursue the subject further. I will therefore turn to the consideration of another aspect of the same subject.

CHAPTER XV
PLANETARY SOUNDS

Having dealt with the subject of planetary numbers we may now consider that of Planetary Sounds, these being an obvious connection between Number, Form, Sound and Colour. Number underlies all forms, all sounds and all colours, for modes of vibration in the same universal medium give rise to all of these. Thus it is said that the Logos or Word gave existence to all living forms. Those who have constructed Sound-forms by means of the Eidophone will readily understand how all forms may be derived from simple or complex sounds. Sound is also related to colour, and there are those who are sensitive enough to see sounds and to hear colours.

The seven notes of the gamut are related to the seven celestial bodies, thus—

C D E F G A B

Sun Saturn Mercury Moon Mars Venus Jupiter

The colours answering to these are—

Orange Indigo Blue Green Red Yellow Violet

The numbers following the order of the gamut bring us once more into touch with the inevitable apposition of the fire and water elements, represented by Mars and the Moon, to which reference has already been made in the preceding chapter. The numbers thus arranged are—

SunSaturnMercuryMoonMarsVenusJupiter
1-4857-2963
18 18
9 9 9
Mars

If we multiply this number 9 into the number of the signs of the zodiac we shall obtain 108, which gives us the key to the Ashtottaravàk or 108 sounds of the Mantrasara. Let us look at the origin of these, 108 sounds, since they have been much exploited without any specific explanation of their origin.

In Indian Astrology there are 27 lunar asterisms or Moon-stations which are each of 13° 20´ in extent. It has already been said that the whole period of man’s life is taken at 120 years, or an arc of 120°, which is one-third of the circle, and by dividing this by 9 we obtain an arc of 13° 20´, which is the extent of a lunar asterism or Moon-station. These Moon-stations were in great repute among the Arabian astrologers, who attached specific influences to them, but in the West they have been entirely neglected. They still continue to form the basis of all Indian calculations, and, as will be shown, are at the root of the planetary sounds.

Each asterism of 13° 20´ is again divided into four padams or quarters each of 3° 20´, which is the value of the Navamsha or one-ninth part of a sign of 30°. Now since there are four amshas in each asterism and 27 asterisms in the circle, there are 108 amshas, and these correspond with the 108 sounds.

There are five primary vowel sounds, and each of these lasts for 24 minutes, or one Indian hour, which is equal to 6° of the zodiac or one-fifth of a Sign. Therefore the 5 vowels are distributed through the 5 parts of the Sign. The vowels are—

aheeooaeoh
âîûéô

They are all long and pure vowel sounds. The compounds such as oi in “oil,” ow as in “now,” etc., are produced from a combination of these.

These five primary vowels range through the several Signs and are taken up by successive consonants attached to each of the Signs. These consonants extend throughout the Signs to which they are attached, as L through Aries, V through Taurus, etc., so that the five Indian hours or 120 minutes during which Aries is in evidence, are related to the five vowels in connection with the consonant L, as Lah, Lee, Loo, Lae, Loh, and these are succeeded by Taurus with the sounds Vah, Vee, Voo, Vae, Voh.

By taking into account the five vowel sounds, the consonants attaching to the various Signs, and the relative positions of the planets at any given time, a mantram may be formed which is in exact harmony with the astral vibrations obtaining at that particular time. Mantrams are also formed from the positions of the planets at the time of a person’s birth. Some of these mantrams are traditional with Hindu families and others have been adopted. At one time they were delivered with the horoscope immediately after a birth had taken place, but many of these ancient practices have fallen into disuse among the moderns.

Here follows a complete table of the sounds showing the Signs and parts of Signs to which they are attached.