Venus in the first house gives good health, but sensuality as regards the opposite sex; in the second riches by means of women; in the third, in a woman's horoscope, by means of lovers above her in rank; in the fourth inheritance; in the fifth many children; in the sixth illness from excesses; in the seventh a good and beautiful wife and very few enemies; in the eighth a good dowry with the wife and a natural death; in the ninth good fortune by sea; in the tenth honour and preferment through the means of some one of the opposite sex; in the eleventh sympathetic friends; in the twelfth freedom from the power of private enemies. This if Venus be strong; if weak the good fortune is less pronounced.
Mercury in the first house gives noble thoughts, graceful elocution, and love of art and science; in the second profit by intellectual work; in the third mathematical skill, swift and prosperous journeys; in the fourth the gain of an inheritance by craftiness; in the fifth clever children; in the sixth thieving servants and diseases of the brain; in the seventh a fomenter of quarrels, but a discreet wife; in the eighth death by consumption; in the ninth wonderful ability, especially in occult matters; in the tenth much preferment for ability; in the eleventh inconstant friends; in the twelfth secret enemies, but they will not much affect the destiny. This is when Mercury is well-dignified. If weak the good fortune is much lessened.
The Moon in the ascendant, or first house, shows the native will travel and will gain the favour of noble persons; in the second she sometimes gives unstable fortune, riches, and poverty alternately; in the third long journeys; in the fourth profit by travelling; in the fifth many children; in the sixth diseases of the brain, but good servants; in the seventh honourable marriage; in the eighth danger by drowning, but otherwise a long and healthy life; in the ninth many long sea voyages, inconstancy in religion, and love of art; in the tenth great honours; in the eleventh the friendship of noble personages; in the twelfth the common people will be the native's enemies and do him much wrong.
The Dragon's Head when posited in the first house shows poverty; in the second a good estate; in the third honest kindred and fortunate journeys; in the fourth gain by travels; in the fifth long life and good children; in the sixth health and good servants; in the seventh a virtuous wife; in the eighth many legacies and a natural death; in the ninth prosperity at sea; in the tenth honour; in the eleventh faithful friends; in the twelfth open enemies.
The Dragon's Tail in the same places signifies the contrary in all things.
CHAPTER XI.
ON FORMING A GENERAL JUDGMENT ON A NATIVITY
Respecting the distribution of the doctrine of nativities, we are to consider first the parents, then the duration of life; the shape and figure of the body; after these the quality of the mind; then as to fortune in regard to honours as well as wealth. In succession to these the character of the employment; the questions relative to marriage, children, and friendships; then that concerning travel; and lastly, that concerning the kind of death which awaits the native from the configuration of the heavens at his birth.
The Parents.—In conformity with nature, says Ptolemy, the Sun and Saturn are allotted to the person of the father, and the Moon and Venus to that of the mother; and the mode in which these luminaries and planets may be found posited, with reference to each other as well as to other planets and stars, will intimate the situation of affairs affecting the parents.
If Mars should be in bad aspect to the Sun, the father will receive some injury to the face or die suddenly; but a long life is presaged if Jupiter or Venus be in any mode whatever configurated with either the Sun or Saturn.