“And when you find that out,” continued the Brother, “as you stand on the sign in the wheel, I will tell you something of your disposition, nature, and inclinations. Another thing I will mention is that a special color is also assigned to each sign, also a jewel which is called one’s birth gem, and which it is fortunate for one to wear. We planet people wear ours on our third finger.”
“Why on the third finger?” queried Harold.
“Because three is a sacred number and is symbolical of many things. Another fact about these signs is that each represents one of the four elements, fire, earth, air, or water. Look at the wheel in the dome and you will see that each of its divisions is colored according to the element it represents, red for fire, brown for earth, blue for water, and white for air. There are three red, three brown, three white, and three blue sections.
“When the early astrologers were consulted by two people with regard to marriage, and found that one was born under a sign representing fire, while the other was born under one representing water, they would advise them not to marry, for one would be warm-hearted, impulsive, and impetuous while the other would be slow and easy-going, so that, not being congenial, they would not be happy together. Fire is quenched by water, while water is disturbed and made to steam or boil by fire.”
“How very interesting this study of the stars must be,” said Harold.
“I mean to pursue it,” said the Prince.
“If you think simply the signs are interesting to hear about, you would find the position of the planets in the different signs perfectly fascinating, but the stars are a life-long study and the longer one studies them the more absorbed one becomes. Shall we begin our circuit around the hall now? I am always interested to know through what door one is inclined to enter.”
As they leisurely sauntered along they plied the Brother with numberless questions and when any of their number would stop unusually long before any door, the others would immediately ask, “Do you think that leads to your sign?” or “Do you truly feel inclined to enter that door?” and so between questions and much laughter they finished their first round.
CHAPTER XI.
Over the first doorway they saw a ram’s head and the first sign of the Zodiac called Aries, while on either side of the broad steps leading to the portico were lambs lying at rest.