Concerning the disposition and quality of the mind, we must look principally to the planets in the Ascendant, the influences of which over mind and body have already been given in the chapter on the seven planets. We must, however, always bear in mind that Mercury has chief dominion over the mental faculties, whilst the sentient passions are governed by the Moon and the planet in the ascendant. The Moon well-aspected, that is, in trine, sextile, or conjunction to Mercury at birth, will give to the native excellent abilities, ingenuity, versatility and wit. Even the evil aspects of the square and opposition are better than no aspects at all, though these sometimes produce a cynical and obstinate nature.
The abilities of those born when Mercury is in "cazimi" (that is, within seventeen minutes of the Sun's centre) are of the highest order.
Mercury in conjunction with Saturn at birth gives clear judgment and a love of occult subjects.
Venus in good aspect with Mercury gives love of music and an artistic nature.
If Mercury and the Moon throw no aspect to each other and are afflicted by Mars and Saturn, the native will be liable to become insane.[10]
The fortune of wealth is determined by the Sun and the Moon; if they are in good position, that is, angular and well-aspected by the two luminaries, the native will be rich. If the Sun and the Moon are well placed, and if there be benefic stars in the Mid-heaven, the native will rank high in the world. If the contrary, the native never rises above mediocrity; and if Saturn afflicts the Mid-heaven, he meets disgrace. If Mars is strong and in good aspect to the Sun and Moon, he will gain military glory. Jupiter on the Mid-heaven and the Sun and Moon in trine to each other, the Moon, having the trine of Jupiter, is one of the best positions for rising in the world. Jupiter in the tenth house will cause the native to do fairly well in the world; but Saturn in that house, if not extremely well-aspected, will bring him to shame and beggary.
Concerning the nature of employment, the dominion of the employment is claimed by the Sun and by the planet on the Mid-heaven. If Mercury should rule alone he produces writers, teachers of science, merchants and bankers; also, if well-aspected to Saturn and the Moon, astrologers and students of all occult matters; if Jupiter is in conjunction, then the native will be an orator, actor, or painter and his pursuits will lead him into the society of persons of rank.
Venus ruling makes wine-merchants, dealers in colours, dyes, perfumes, drugs, garments or apparel, &c.; if connected with Saturn, she makes persons have to do with amusement, players, jugglers, &c.; if with Jupiter, persons attending exhibitions and priests who have much personal decoration such as Catholic priests, bishops, &c. and they will gain by women. Mars ruling alone makes martial men and, if in Scorpio, Cancer, or Pisces, naval men.[11] The Sun joined with him, being near the Mid-heaven, or in aspect, makes persons dealing with fire or metals, the latter especially if in Taurus or Leo. If Mars be separated from the Sun, he makes shipwrights, smiths, agriculturists, stonemasons and carpenters.
If Saturn bear testimony in addition to Mars, persons become mariners, workers in mines, wells, vaults, &c., underground, keepers of cattle, cooks, butchers. If Jupiter join with Mars, they will be soldiers, innkeepers, tax-gatherers, mechanics. If Mercury and Venus become joint arbiters of employment, they produce musicians, dancers, poets, weavers and painters, &c. Jupiter in connection with them makes magistrates and senators and also teachers of youth. Mercury with Mars makes surgeons, statuaries, boxers. If Mercury be more powerful, they will be scientific; and if Mars be stronger, they will be more violent and cruel in their practices.[12] If Saturn join these two, they will be thieves (especially if the Moon be in ill aspect to Mercury); if
