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Inside this issue
Much that once was is lost and none now live who remember it some
things which should not have been forgotten were losthistory became leg-
end and legend became myth
- - J .R.R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings


One of the biggest misconceptions alive and well today is that our astrological founda-
tions are no longer relevant or useful in our enlightened age. Since the advent of our mod-
ern scientific era, it has been assumed that we have evolved past the need for these
religious fables of the ancients. Modern scientific rationalism demands that both astrol-
ogy and religion express the principles of their respective disciplines in scientific rational-
ist terms.

Because of our love for this ancient art, it is our goal to demonstrate that the Classical
Astrology of the Hellenist and Medieval astrologers can be just as new, fresh, and good as
ever to us if we can sweep away all this clutter and fabrication of man's modern interpre-
tations. If we sweep away all this hubris, get back down, and delve underneath to find the
foundations, then we can discover the Plan, how it was supposed to be.

But to rediscover the foundations it takes an archaeologist who comes and clears away the
rubble! He digs out the foundation concepts from under all the rubble and reveals it as it
was and reveals a vision of how it could be. Its been there all along and is just as good
and relevant as ever, but we can't build on that Foundation again until we get rid of all the
rubble of confusion and misconceptions.

With Foundations, we are trying to clear away a little more of the rubble to try to un-
cover once again what the ancients taught and meant.
Steven Birchfield A.M.A & Martien Hermes
Wel come to the first Issue
Foundations
WINTER SOLSTICE 2006
VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1
The Life and Times of
Mshallh
By Steven Birchfield
How things come about
Astrologically
By Martien Hermes
Questions and Answers:
Timing in Horary
By Steven Birchfield
Traditional Moon Phases
By Steven Birchfield
A
D

F
U
N
D
U
M

A
S
T
R
O
L
O
G
I
A

Steven Birchfield

I am 56 married with 12 children. I have 2 degrees in
engineering and a MA in Middle Eastern philosophy and Social
Anthropology.

I began studying astrology in 1971. In 1994 I began my studies
in Classical astrology. I completed my studies with Robert
Zollers Medieval Diploma Course in 2004.
A Compelling Horary: Will I
Speak at the Conference?
By Martien Hermes

We wish one and all a holiday
season that is full of love and joy.

Merry Christmas and a blessed
New Year to all.

Steven and Martien
Martien Hermes

I'm 47 years old, married, father to two daughters. I've studied
astrology since 1983 and from 1994 onwards, ancient astrology
became my prime field of interest. From 1998 until J anuary
2007, I was the publisher of the first Magazine on Traditional
Astrology in Holland ever, named "Anima Astrologiae".
I have been going through some material seeking to find
what I can on the lunar phases, pre-Renaissance.

Actually, there is quite a bit of material on the subject. The
ancients called them the defluxions of the Moon. There were
two approaches to discussing this. One was to simply dis-
cuss the phases and their general signification and find the
ruler of the phase (as Vettius Valens does) or there was given
a random variety of examples given of the Moon in a certain
phase and separating from or joining another planet in that
phase (as is found in the Liber Hermetis).

But what was fascinating and surprising to read was what
the Ancients regarded as the phases of the Moon. Our post-
Renaissance understanding of the lunar phases is:

1 Conjunction (new Moon)
2 Crescent (45)
3 First Quarter (90)
4 Gibbous (135)
5 Full Moon (180)
6 Disseminating phase (225 as Rudhyar called it)
7 Last Quarter (270)
8 Balsamic (315)

The following are the phases the ancients recognised:

1 Conjunction
2 The rising of the Moon or simply light This is when the
Moon first emerges from the rays of the Sun (ca. 15 or 1
day, from the Sun) and you see that slender sickle in the
west just after Sunset. This was the Moons first light.
3 Then came the first Crescent
4 Then the first Quarter or First Half
5 Then the First Double-convex
6 The Full Moon
7 The waning of the light was the opposite of light when
the Moon moved ca. 12-15 past the opposition.
8 The 2nd double-convex
9 The last Quarter or Second half
10 The 2nd Crescent
11 The setting is that final slender sickle of a Moon you see
in the early morning in the east just before daylight, be-
fore she disappears completely under the rays of the Sun.

Basically, there were two phases that we never hear about in
post-Renaissance astrology but I have actually read a lot
about in pre-Renaissance, only I now just realise what the
ancients meant. The rising of the Moon and the setting of
the Moon was not talking about the Moons relation to the
horizon, but it was talking about the Moons (or any planets)
exiting or entering the Suns rays; its first and last light be-
fore and after combustion. This was an interesting discovery
for me at least.

Compiling all the references will take a bit of work, but I
thought perhaps at least I could quote Valens here, to give
you an idea of these early considerations.

This is taken from Chapter 36 in the 2
nd
Book of Valens An-
thology:
[1]


The 11 figures of the Moon in relation to the Power of
their Effects: The figures of the Moon are 7 by a natural
reckoning, but we have found 11 just as in others. First
is the Conjunction; Second, Rising; then when it is 45
away from the Sun it makes a phase which is Crescent;
then until 90, Half; then until 135, Double-convex; then
until 180, Whole Moon; then when it is 45 away from
Whole Moon (which is 225) it makes its second Dou-
ble-Convex phase; then until 270, the second Half;
then until 315, the second Crescent; then until 360 the
Setting phase. There is also another figure of it when it
first begins to wane.

What each phase signifies and what kinds of effects it
has We will append how the figures in question are
also taken in relation to their effect-description and how
they are fitting for a certain god.

By god, he is of course referring to one of the planets.

The Conjunction, then, gives indications for reputation
and power and kingly and sovereign dispositions, and
for all of the public activities connected with cities, and
for parents and marriages and mysteries, and for all
general and cosmic matters; similarly also, the lord of
the Conjunction both of latitude and of the course.

Here Valens is saying that not only the Conjunction indi-
cates these things, but also the lord of the Conjunction. I am
assuming here, he is speaking of the planet ruling the sign
where the conjunction occurs, its disposition in the chart and
its essential dignity and accidental signification.

The Rising of the Moon (which is called Light) and the
lord of this gives indications for the determination con-
cerning length of life and what one does and concerning
the support for what is about to be, and confirms the
actions of the Conjunction. And just as the monthly and
cosmic movements are considered from the first visibil-
ity, so the lord of the Light shows the general effects.
Hermes also joins in assisting until the 4th day of the
Moon.

Valens descriptions of the significations of this phase when
the Moon is 12 - 15 away from the Sun, make me wonder if
this particular lord of the Light is not in fact the lord of the
bounds the Light appears in, rather than the lord of the
sign, which obviously in many cases, is the same as the Lord
of the Conjunction. I say this because Valens is often am-
biguous about just which lord he is talking about. In his dis-
Moon Phases Traditional
Page 2 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

[1]
Book II, chapter 36 The Anthology by Vettius Valens,
translated by Robert Schmidt and published by Golden Hind Press
1994 (Volume VII of the Greek Track from Project Hindsight).
cussion in Book III on longetivity and about the ruler of the
predominator, that is to say the Alchocoden of the Hyleg, he
says the ruler is the lord of the bounds. Since a particular
indication of this phase concerns length of life and support
of the previous Conjunction, I am open to the possibility that
Valens in this particular case, is speaking about the lord of
the bounds or term ruler where first light occurs. And he
says that Mercury will assist in this phase for 4 days.

The Crescent formation [45] signifies the upset and
the expectations in life, and what concerns women and
mother. And Hermes assists until the 8
th
(day).

In this phase, he only specifies Mercury as assisting rather
than the lord the Crescent is ruled by.

The Half formation [90]
gives indications concerning
injuries and ailments and
whatever happens violently;
and furthermore, concerning
children and worth and fu-
ture goods. And Aphrodite is
configured until the 12th
comes about.

The Double-Convex phase
[135] gives indications con-
cerning happiness and fu-
ture advancement and being
away from home and the
sympathy of kin. And the
Sun is also similar until the
14th comes about.

The Whole Moon [180]
gives indications concerning
good and ill repute
[reputation] and being away
from home, also concerning
things that happen violently,
and things that issue forth from excess and things that
wax from the least, and concerning sympathies and
ailments and political oppositions and sympathies of
parents. And it also has the colour of the setting zoid-
ion.

This is interesting since he says that the Whole Moon is
coloured by the sign on the cusp of the 7th house, the
setting zoidion! This would no doubt include the signifi-
cation of that place. In this case, though, it is not the 7
th
of
the chart, but rather the 7th from the Conjunction since what
we are seeing is almost a derived chart based on the con-
junction!

The first lord of the waning light gives indications con-
cerning the diminishment of belongings and difficulties
and things that go toward depression, and concerning
sudden falls. And Ares is equipotent to the post-
descension and is lord until the 21
st
day of the Moon.

Here, as with the rising light, there is reference to a specific
lord. The Moon is 12 15 from the opposition. I am again
inclined to consider the term lord the waning light falls in.
One difference here however, is his reference to this phase
corresponding to the post descension which is a direct
reference to the 8
th
house. The previous phase corresponded
to the 7
th
! And he says that it is Mars who is assisting, or
equipotent.

The second Double-Convex [225] gives signs for be-
ing abroad and greater actions and for happiness. And
Zeus is equipotent to the god and lord until the 25
th
day
of the Moon.

Here now Valens makes it exceeding clear that not only is
there a planet that assists, but
that there is a ruler of the
phase, which is most likely the
ruler of the sign the phase falls
in.

The second half [270]
gives signs for old matters
and ailments of long dura-
tion and for children. For,
Kronos is equipotent until
the 30
th
comes about.

Now, Saturn assists until the
new moon or up until the
moon sets under the beams of
the Sun. This period also in-
cludes the last Crescent at
315.

The lord of the Crescent
gives signs concerning the
death of the wife and inactiv-
ity and plundering.

Finally, the setting gives signs for bonds and constric-
tions and hidden matters, for accusations and disen-
franchisements.

And the order of the figures of the Moon is thus, but the
co-mixtures with the 5 gods and the Sun are [in agree-
ment] with the pivot points.

Im not sure what Vettius meant with his last statement that
co-mixtures with the 5 planets and the Sun are in agree-
ment with the 4 angles (the pivot points).

We can make some organisation out of all of this, which is
very interesting.

1. The Conjunction or New Moon, from 0 - 12, has as
ruler, the lord of the sign the conjunction occurs in.
Moon Phases Traditional cont...
Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
2. The Rising Light, 12 or 15 until 45, has the lord of its
sign (or perhaps even the bound lord) and Mercury.
3. The First Crescent, 45 until 90, has the lord of its sign
and Mercury.
4. The First Half or First Quarter, 90 - until 135, has the
lord of its sign and Venus.
5. The First Double-Convex, 135 until 180, has its lord
and the Sun.
6. The Whole Moon, 180 until about 192 195, has the
lord of the sign it falls in.
7. The Waning Light, 192 195 until 225, has the lord of
its sign (or perhaps terms) as ruler and Mars.
8. The 2nd Double-Convex, 225 until 270, has the lord of
its sign and J upiter as rulers.
9. The 2nd Half or Last Quarter, 270 until 315, has as
ruler the lord of its sign and Saturn.
10. The 2nd Crescent, 315 until about 345 347, has as
ruler, the lord of its sign AND Saturn.
11. The Setting Light, ca. 345 - 347 until 360, has the
ruler of the sign it falls in.

It is interesting to see the planets assisting are in the Chal-
dean order of the planets corresponding to the various
phases: from Mercury symbolising the new to Saturn the
end of things.
2006 Steven Birchfield AMA
Moon Phases Traditional cont...
Page 4 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
The Life and Times of
Mshallh
This short essay is a brief examination of the astrology
found in the 8
th
century which is exemplified by the astro-
logical practice of Mshallh. Msh'allh (c.740-c.815),
known in the West as Messahalla, was an Egyptian J ew who
lived and worked in Basra. We know from various accounts
[1]
that as a young man he worked with Nawbakht the Per-
sian (c.679-777), who was the court astrologer to Caliph al-
Mansr, in electing the chart to rebuild Baghdad (762). Per-
haps this fact best demonstrates the respect he had already
gained as an astrologer who could not have been any more
than a young man in his early twenties.

We do not know the particulars of Mshallhs life. How-
ever, one might certainly draw some conclusions of what it
might have been like given the historical significance to
astrology of these years in which he lived. It will be a help
to the reader then, to regard his life in the context of the
times!

We need to take a brief look at history before Mshallhs
period in order to grasp the significance of this pivotal point
in astrological history. Under Alexanders Greek Empire and
the subsequent kingdoms, resulting from his death, the
knowledge, science and history of the world was valued
very greatly and great efforts were taken to preserve that
knowledge. The Royal (Great) Library was established in
Alexandria as well as several other sister repositories such
as was located in the Great Temple of Serapis, simply called
the Serapeum, which was in the south-western quarter of
the city of Alexandria but was considerably smaller.

Under the Roman Empire, this knowledge was not held in as
high esteem and several unfortunate civil wars led to the
burning and sacking of the Royal Library. As the decline of
the Roman Empire drew near, some records were either
moved or copied and archived in Constantinople. Yet for
this, with the rise of the influence of Christianity in the Byz-
antine Empire, further historical records were destroyed. For
example, in the fourth century the Emperor Theodosius (of
the Byzantine Empire) in 391 AD forbade by decree all non-
Christian religions. Theophilus, who was the Bishop of Al-
exandria from 385 to 412 C.E., moved ahead under this de-
cree and destroyed the Serapeum and its sister library,
condemning them as being the house of pagan doctrines.
Some few scholars survived for another generation till the
murder of Hypatia in 415 AD. After the Byzantine Emperor
J ustinian closed all of the schools in Athens (527 C.E.) the
last refuges of science and knowledge were yet to be found
in Alexandria, but even more so, the old traditions flourished
in Persia.

In the three centuries that followed, from the Vandal con-
quest and the occupation of Rome until the coronation of
Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor (c.800), the struc-
ture of western Roman society disintegrated and in particu-
lar education and knowledge of the sciences. Only in the
Byzantine Empire was there relative stability ensuring that
the arts and sciences were not totally eradicated.

In the midst of the degeneration of Europe, there arose in the
Middle East The Religion and with it came the conquest
of the centres of the remaining civilised nations by this new
Arab power: in 635 Syria fell; in 637, Iraq; Persia by 641
and Egypt following in 642. By 670, the Islamic Empire had
spread to occupy most of North Africa. By 711, they had
conquered Visigoth Spain and had it not been for their defeat
at Poitiers, France in 732 by Charles Martel they more than
likely would have occupied the greater part of Southern
Europe. While their empire rose quickly, unlike their Ger-
manic counterparts in Europe, their conquests left societies
and cultures, for the most part, intact enabling them to take
possession of an intellectual world rich in philosophy and
science.

As already mentioned, by 762, Baghdad was rebuilt and
with it, in 813, was founded the House of Knowledge (Bait
ha Hikma) establishing a place in which to assimilate the

[1]
Cf Al-Brn's The Chronology of Ancient Nations (London
1879, reproduced in Frankfurt-am-Main, 1984)
In this article we will investigate the method handed down
to us by Mshallh with regards to horary judgment. As all
of the later astrologers famous or not more or less follow
his instructions, it is very interesting to read Mshallhs
own text, especially as he illustrates them with quite a lot of
intriguing examples. If any book deserves the prefix The
Bible of it is this text On Reception with its sparkling
clarity and instructive and effective horary method. One can
read this book time and time again, and still discover new
insights and inside views on the art of horary astrology. Here
I will outline Mshallhs general method of delineating
horary charts, elsewhere I will apply his rules to a modern
horary.

Mshallhs method in short

1. Do we work primarily with lord of the 1
st
house or
with the Moon? Which one is stronger?

Mshallh:
[1]


That is, you will begin looking at the lord of the Ascen-
dant. If it aspects the rising sign, this will be the one [to
use] because of the strength of its testimony. Therefore,
[you will begin] working by means of it, and the Moon
will be made a sharer with the lord of the Ascendant in
whichever place the Moon may be.

If the ruler of the Ascendant makes an aspect by sign
(beholds) to the Ascendant, use the ruler of the Ascendant. It
is naturally the more powerful. If the ruler of the Ascendant
does not aspect the Ascendant by sign, then see whether it is
making an application to another planet which does aspect
the Ascendant by sign.

But if the lord of the Ascendant does not aspect the
rising sign either by itself or by another planet to which it
gives light, then it will be impeded and evil. For this rea-
son then work by means of the Moon just as you have
worked by means of the lord of the Ascendant.

So, if the ruler of the Ascendant is not fit, then one should
look at the Moon and subject it to the same kind of analysis
as the ruler of the Ascendant. If neither the ruler of the As-
cendant, nor the Moon qualify as significators according to
the criteria above, then one should see if another planet re-
flects their light to the rising sign. Mshallh:

The Life and Times of Mshallh cont...
Page 5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
wealth of knowledge they had inherited. Observatories were
constructed near Baghdad and Damascus. Translation of
Greek, Syriac, Persian and Sanskrit literature, philosophical
and scientific works were enthusiastically, if not passion-
ately, pursued. Astrologers, who had long fallen from favour
in both Byzantine and Roman cultures, now found benefac-
tors and patrons in the Caliphs of the Islamic Empire.

It was amongst this cultural rebirth that Mshallh grew
up. He was more than likely exposed to several different
cultural astrologies. We know for certain he worked with the
Persian astrologer Nawbakht and quite likely his son Ab
Sahl ibn Nawbakht.
[2]
There is the very good chance he also
had contact with astrologers like the Greek, Theophilus of
Edessa
[3]
(c.695-785). Likewise, during the last half of the
8
th
century a number of Indian astrologers visited the court
at Baghdad bringing with them Hindu books on astronomy
and astrology. The best known of these was Kankah,
[4]
who
came to Baghdad during the reign of the Caliph al-Ma'mn
(754-775).

What is evident is that this period, centred at the time of
Mshallhs life, provided the congregation of several
lines of astrology, i.e. that of the Hellenistic astrologers,
Persian (or Chaldean) astrologers, and elements from Indian
Astrology. Without a doubt, this period and place became a
crossroads and conjunction of the main astrological
influences, cultures and teachings.

Some of Mashaallahs writings,
Kitb tahwl sin al-mawld or Book of the Revolution of
the Years of Nativities
On the Eclipses of Luminaries, of Conjunctions of the
Planets, and on the Revolutions of the Years
Kitb al-mawld or The Book of Nativities
On Reception or Interrogations
On Conjunctions, Religions, and Peoples

Steven Birchfield 2006
How things come about
Astrologically

[1]
Mashaallah (800). On Reception Edited and Translated with
commentary and appendix by Robert Hand. ISBN: 0-9662266-2-3.
Page 20, especially in the 2
nd
paragraph

[2]
Ab Sahl ibn Nawbakht succeeded his father as court astrologer
to the to Caliph al-Mansr.

[3]
In his old age he was made court astrologer to the successor of
al-Mansr; the Caliph al-Mahd (d.785). He also wrote some very
important volumes on astrology, Works on Elections for Wars and
Campaigns and Sovereignty; Astrological Effects; Collection on
Cosmic Beginnings. For the most part these works were on mun-
dane and electional astrology and these books have been preserved
more or less intact, along with fragments of their Arabic versions.
Some selections from the Greek texts have been published in the
CCAG. He was largely influenced by the writings of Dorotheus and
Hephstio.

[4]
Among his books, there were Calculations for Nativities, about
periods of time; Secrets of Nativities; Conjunctions, a large book;
Conjunctions, a small book.
But they should be sharers in everything, nor does
either of them possess anything separately without its
partner. And likewise if one of them should gain an ad-
vantage and the other should suffer harm, the one
which has gained the advantage will necessarily enter
into possession over that other planet and over the mat-
ter sought for according to the quantity of the harm to its
partner.

In other words, which ever of the two indicates a good out-
come rules over the matter but will be somewhat limited in
its final outcome because of the damage done to the other
planet which will limit the goodness indicated by the other!

Sahl Ibn Bishr
[2]
seems to allude to the same thing but in
the context of afflictions to the rulers when he says:

This is an exposition of the stable angles; and the tes-
timonies of the stars on their effects on the earth are
three, from which things are sought, i.e. the ruler of the
ASC and the Moon and the ruler of the thing; if two of
them shall have been free from the aforesaid evils, i.e.
the ruler of the ASC and the ruler of the thing, two parts
of the thing will be perfected; [and] i.e. if one of them is
safe, a third part of that thing which was wanted will be
perfected. That is, if there is one testimony, he will have
a third part; and if there are two testimonies, he will at-
tain two parts of those things that he has sought; and if
all the testimonies are conjoined, and if the ruler of the
ASC and the ruler of the thing and the Moon are safe
from retrogradation and combustion, safe from the evil
planets, and safe from fall or cadency, he will attain
everything that was sought; and if they are received
with their own testimonies, and the one that receives
them is also received, it will increase the good of it.
Know, therefore, those questions that are conjoined and
that agree in all things!

Earlier, Mshallh says that if for example the lord of the
Ascendant does not see the rising sign and is not joined to a
planet(s) that does; nor does it immediately join with a
planet upon leaving its sign, then it indicates its harm. If on
the other hand the Moon at the same time indicates good,
then the outcome will be good but it is moderated by the
degree of harm to the lord of the Ascendant! So while it is
true we are going to work with specifically one of these two
significators, i.e. the lord of the Ascendant or the Moon,
they are always partners in signification, and in order to get
a complete perspective of the outcome, we must examine
both!

The main point though here, is that both significators of the
querent give a combined picture of the outcome and both are
necessary in judgment.

2. To which planet is this ruler of querent joined?
How things come about Astrologically cont...
Page 6 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
And if the lord of the Ascendant does not aspect the
rising sign, you should look at whether it is being joined
to a planet which does aspect the rising sign from its
own place and gives its own light to the rising sign.

So if the lord of the Ascendant falls in aversion, then look
and see if there is a planet transferring its light to the Ascen-
dant. That is achieved by one of two ways: a) the significa-
tor of the Ascendant is itself applying to a heavier planet that
aspects the ascendant sign or b) a lighter planet than the
significator of the Ascendant is separating from the signifi-
cator of the Ascendant and beholding the rising sign.

If either of these conditions happens, we can work with the
ruler of the ascendant.

If the ruler of the Ascendant nor the Moon see the ascendant
nor have their light reflected, and thus cannot qualify as
significators according to the criteria above, then one should
see which of them, i.e. the Ascendant ruler or the Moon, will
be first to leave the sign it is in. This stands to reason; be-
cause when that significator does, it is then changing from
aversion to the rising sign, to an aspect to the rising sign.

That one becomes the primary significator of the querent
and one should see what application that planet first makes
upon entering the new sign. Msh'allh demonstrates this in
his 2
nd
example of an ill person. In that case he chose the
Moon to work with first because she would be first to leave
her sign even though both the Moon and lord of the Ascen-
dant aspected the rising sign and the Sun was stronger in
testimony by being angular.

So this rule applies also, when both significators see or as-
pect the ascendant, but both are void in course. Mshallh
is however not much concerned with void planets:

For the number of degrees that exist before the Moon
or the ruler of the Ascendant leave the sign they are in,
indicates the tardiness and inactivity of events while that
planet is void in course.

They do not necessarily indicate whether or not a matter will
be perfected, it simply shows tardiness. How much tardi-
ness or how long of a delay is shown? As many degrees as
are left in the sign the significator is in.

[Both rulers used]

Perhaps one other thing should be mentioned here. It is pos-
sible to work with either the lord of the Ascendant or the
Moon in any question, but regardless of which one we work
with, both share in the final outcome of the matter.
Mshallh:


[2]
Holden, J ames H., M.A., (2003); Sahl Inn Bishr The Introduc-
tion to the Science of the Judgments of the Stars Translated
from the Twelfth Century Latin Version. Phoenix, Arizona. Page 28
If the joining together is from the opposition or square
aspect, there will be some difficulty, delay, and effort in
the matter.

But if the joining together is from the trine or sextile as-
pect, the matter will be without effort and without hard-
ship. It happens in a similar manner in [the case of] a
bodily conjunction.

And understand that if the planets which have dominion
over the matter are in [one of] the four angles, they dis-
pose of the matter, hasten, arouse, and perfect it.

But if the querent should ask you about the good or evil
in which he may be, or [if he should ask you] what fu-
ture he should expect afterward, and you find the plan-
ets which have dominion over the matter in the angles,
the matter will be one that endures whether good or
bad.

Also, examine the joining together of planets which are
in the angles, their reception and the giving of support
through this of your affair, if God should will.

4. If the querents significator does not make its first ap-
plication to the lord of the question, and neither in or
from houses ruling the quesited, but rather to some other
planet

Mshallh instructs us to look at the first and immediate
application of that (second) planet (the one applied to). If
this second planet does itself make an immediate application
to the lord of the question, all is still well.

A series of such applications culminating in a received ap-
plication to a benefic will perfect the matter. The only ex-
ception to this is cases of life and death in which a benefic
happens to be ruler of the eighth house and where in addi-
tion there is no reception between the benefic and the sig-
nificator of the querent; the querent will die of his illness.

The main point is that each planet, as it applies to another
planet, commits its disposition to that planet. The applying
planet pushes its disposition onto the second planet so to
speak. Then the second planet may in turn push its disposi-
tion onto yet another, or it might reject the disposition be-
cause of lack of reception in which case the matter is de-
stroyed.

So whatever planet is last in this chain of applications is
very important in determining the outcome of a question.
Sahl called this planet the receiver of the disposition, and it
decides ultimately whether the matter will be perfected or
not. Careful analysis of this planet informs us of how this
success or lack thereof will come about. Any affliction of
this planet can destroy the matter, even if it was perfected
and the promise seemed fulfilled.

So, when relevant rulers do not apply to each other, observe
which planet(s) is joined to the Moon or lord of the ascen-
How things come about Astrologically cont...
Page 7 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Whenever this first joining is immediately to the ruler of the
quesited, the matter is perfected. It doesnt matter if this
planet is malefic or benefic, in dignity or not, and reception
is not required. This is the most straightforward method of
perfection.
[3]


3. When there is no joining of relevant rulers

Then see whether planets are in the ascendant and/or the
house representing the matter sought. But Mshallh
warns

However, the outcome of a matter and its prohibition
does not happen according to a planet which is in the
Ascendant but happens in the name of the lord of the
Ascendant, or in the name of the Moon, and according
to the stars to which they are being joined, and the join-
ing together, reception, and the rendering of the recep-
tion of these stars.

So, if the Moon or the lord of the 1
st
house apply to a planet
in the house representing the matter, or planets in this house
apply to the ruler of the first house or planets in the ascen-
dant, we have perfection.

Mshallh tells us that a planet in the ascendant or in the
house of the question has a share in the outcome. If a planet
in the house of the question commits its disposition to a
planet in the Ascendant and the lord of the ascendant is not
harmed, then we have perfection. This is especially the case
if that planet in the ascendant has some authority there by
having dignity in the sign it is in. The rulers thus situated
will perfect the matter under the following conditions:

If the application from a relevant house is to a fortune, the
matter will be perfected, whether or not that fortune re-
ceives it, and it need not have any dignity in that house.
If the application is to a malefic planet which has dignity
in that place, the matter will be perfected and reception is
again not necessary.
If the application is to a malefic planet which has no dig-
nity in that place, and it receives the lord of the Ascen-
dant, or the Moon, the matter will be perfected.
If the application is to a malefic planet which has no dig-
nity in that place, and it does not receive the lord of the
Ascendant, or the Moon, the matter will be destroyed.

Mshallh:


[3]
Translation and collection of light are two other methods that can
join relevant significators and perfect the matter, however
Mshallh does not explicitly mention them.
of a sign or degrees belonging to (B). If so, there is recep-
tion. If then (B) is also in something of (A), the applying
planet, then we have mutual reception.

The only thing to be added here is that Mshallh only
used receptions involving sign-rulership or domicile, and
exaltation. Abu Mashar adds

The strongest of these is the Lord of the House or of
the exaltation. The Lord of the term or <that of the>
triplicity or decan are weak unless two or more of them
are joined. One of them may receive the other also by
aspect without application, although the reception by
application is stronger.

So, later astrologers also considered a reception by at least
two of the lesser dignities, as a strong reception. We will
likewise do so here.

These rules Mshallh applies to three issues and illus-
trates them with several examples. First, he illustrates an 8
th

house issue of whether a person who is ill will die or not;
second, 2
nd
house and 8
th
house issues concerning substance
acquired or not; thirdly, the 10
th
house matter of Kingship,
whether acquired or not, which can nowadays be applied to
issues concerning career. I would encourage the study of
these charts in his book.

2006 by Martien Hermes
How things come about Astrologically cont...
Page 8 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
dant. This planet can and will perfect the matter, but only
under the following conditions:

a. If the planet applied to is a fortune, and it is in an angle,
or in a strong place, the matter will be perfected, and re-
ception is not necessary (although always desirable). The
indication strong place refers however to four things:

Strong through essential dignity
strong in sect
strong by phase to the Sun
Strong by house position

So it is not simply dependent on whether or not a planet is
angular or succedent. A planet can be cadent, but still be in a
strong place, being one of the others!

b. If the planet applied to is a malefic, and it receives the
applying planet, the matter will be perfected.
c. But If the planet applied to is a malefic, and it is not the
lord of the quesited, and it does not receive the lord of the
Ascendant (or the Moon), and that malefic does not com-
mit its disposition to another planet, then the matter will
not be perfected; the malefic then destroys the matter.
d. If the planet applied to is a malefic and it commits its dis-
position to yet another malefic which in turn receives the
planet handing over the disposition lord of the Ascendant,
the matter will be perfected.
[4]


[Reception]

The definition of reception by Robert Hand is,

Reception exists when a planet applies toward one of
its dispositors according to the five essential dignities,
or the dispositor applies toward it. The received planet
commits disposition to the receiving planet, which sim-
ply means that the receiving planet takes on the respon-
sibility for handling or arranging (the original meaning of
to dispose) the affairs of the received planet.

I have a bit of a simplistic, but in my mind, efficient manner
to check reception. In Dutch, this is called an
Ezelsbruggetje a Donkeys bridge, meaning a simple way
to get a grip on a complex concept. Here it is; whenever a
planet (A) applies to another one (B), I always check if (A)
is in something of (B). This something being a sign, part
Questions & Answers
Question:

Dear Steven,

I have a doubt concerning the timing in horary astrology and
I'm asking your help. Can you kindly help me?

The doubt is: Angular Houses - represents a long time
according to some teachers. Cadent Houses - represents a
short time.

In Christian Astrology, Page 175, 176 or page 87 from
Ascella edition, Lilly says,

..you may answer that it shall be for many days as are
the numbers of degrees betwixt the Significators, if they
be both in Cadent houses: if they be in Succedent
houses of Heaven, it will be so many weeks; if in the
Angles, the time will be so many months...

This passage says the same thing that some teachers say, but
as you know in other passages Lilly says absolutely the
opposite of this!


[4]
Msh'allh actually says,

If that malefic commits its disposition to another malefic which in
turn receives lord of the Ascendant, the matter will be perfected.

In all of his examples, it is the reception of the planet handing over
disposition that is essential and not just the reception of the Lord of
the Ascendant.
The pivotal places, or angles, advance matters. The pivotal
houses were the centre of action from the houses on either
side of it it wasnt a pillar, it was a hinge which is what
the Greek word pivot means!

The Greek word for the cadent houses means decline and
the reason it was called a decline or receding house is be-
cause the diurnal (or primary) motion carries planets in the
cadent houses away from the angles while it carries planets
in a succedent house to the angle. Therefore, the declines or
cadent houses indicated change and moving and travelling,
e.g. the third and ninth houses which had to do with travel-
ling, was and could be beneficial to the native as these
places also aspect the Ascendant. But the sixth and twelfth
houses which were associated with being forcibly being
carried away into illness, slavery and servitude; they were
inconjunct the ascendant and associated with things that
afflict the life of the native!

With these things in mind lets look at something else
Mshallh writes immediately after the preceding state-
ment above,

But if the querent should ask you about the good or
evil in which he may be, or [if he should ask you] what
future he should expect afterward, and you find the
planets which have dominion over the matter in the an-
gles, the matter will be one that endures whether good
or bad.

In this statement, Mshallh seems to be agreeing with
Bonatti and Lillys statements and contradicting his other
statement that the angles hasten the matter! So what is the
truth of the matter?

Now if we think that means that in every question, the an-
gles indicate the slowness of a matter and the cadent houses
the quickness and speed of a matter then we will be wrong!
Can you see something in the above situations and quotes
that would tell us why this is true?

The answer to this conundrum (mystery) is very simple ac-
tually. Both statements are true and it is the question that
determines how we should regard the angles, succedents and
cadent houses!

Lets look again closely at what Mshallh says in both
these statements. In the first statement he says,

And know that planets which are cadent from the an-
gles cause every matter which is not yet [come to
be] to slow down and one waits for it to happen

Now consider his second statement,

But if the querent should ask you about the good or
evil in which he may be,

Do you see the key to this riddle now? The angles hasten
Page 9 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
In Liber Astronomiae - On Horary, First part, page 46,
Bonatti discussing a subject very similar to the Lilly also
says,

...say that there will be that many days to the time of
the accomplishment of the matter if both planets are in
cadents. If they are in succedents there will be weeks; if
they are in angles, there will be months.

So, it appears that Lilly uses/copy the same rule of timing
based on what bonatti wrote about the same subject -
acquire substance of the King! Lilly in his Catalogue
mention Bonatti, so he certainly read it.

What confuses me is the difference of opinions about -
Angular long, Cadent short.

I think that the subject of fast and short time must have to do
with the movement of the houses, but I have difficulties in
understand it. I sincerely hope that you can elucidate me
about this confuse approach of timing a horary chart.P

Answer:

Dear P,

I sympathise with your confusion, for the record is indeed
confusing. The matter of what the houses indicate with re-
gards to long or short periods of time is not one based on the
primary or diurnal movement of the houses (signs).

Lets go back a ways to one of the first writers on horary and
one to whom the majority of latter writers such as Bonatti
and Lilly refer for their understanding.

Mshallh tells us in his book on horary, On Reception,

And understand that if the planets which have domin-
ion over the matter are in [one of] the four angles, they
dispose of the matter, hasten, arouse, and perfect it.
[1]


The other Arabic astrologers called a planet in an angle or
succedent house as alichel which means perfection or as
other astrologers called it, advancing the matter. As we
read above from Mshallh it was called this because they
advance the matters quickly and surely. But advancing in
this case does not necessarily only mean to do something
quickly, it also means e.g. like moving to the head of the line
in a movie theatre. It advances the matter to a place of im-
portance and priority like having the first number while
waiting in a government office. A planet in an angle gets
first priority! Of course, that also means that if it has priority
it will be taken sooner than another matter with less priority.
Questions & Answers cont

[1]
Chapter VIII, p. 36, On Reception by Mshallh
than middling and the cardinal sign of Aries will be a little
faster than middling. The signs belonging to the Moon and
Venus advance matters quickly Libra and Cancer (the car-
dinal signs) quicker than Taurus (a fixed sign). Mercury's
signs accomplish things the fastest. Another consideration is
whether the sign is one of long or short ascension! Signs of
long ascension slow the matter. And lastly one would exam-
ine whether the sign is cardinal, common or fixed; fixed
signs cause the endurance of things; common signs mid-
dling; cardinal signs indicate the quickness of change.

3) And last but not least was the question of which house.
Depending on the question asked, then the angles either pro-
duce the shortest or longest periods of resolution. The succe-
dent houses always produced the middling or mean re-
sults. The cadent houses would produce either the longest
delays or denials and the shortest durations, depending on
the question!

So if a querent did come to me and ask if he would loose his
job and I found the significator of the matter a superior
planet, in an angle, in a sign belonging to a superior, in a
fixed sign of long ascension then I would probably say dont
fret about it, you are not going to loose your job. If I found
the significator of the matter an inferior planet, in a succe-
dent house, but in some good dignity (exaltation, domicile
or at least two if its lesser dignitys), in a cardinal sign of
middling ascension then I might be more inclined to say you
will not loose your job, for now! I might judge he is not
on as solid ground and that while he will not soon loose his
job he certainly could later!

This is why you find that Lilly in his timing method of when
a stolen or lost item will be returned says,

Behold the application of the two Planets that Signify
the recovery, and number the Degrees that are between
them, or from the one to the other, and determine days,
weeks, years, or hours, in this manner; Behold the
place they are in, or the place of their application; for if
they be in moveable Signs, the shorter time is required,
or it shall be in weeks, or in months; in fixed Signs it
Signifies Months or Years; in common Signs a mean
betwixt both: help your self from these judgments: or if
the Significator be quick in motion, they Signify it shall
be recovered quickly, or lightly: which Significators, if
they are falling from angles [i.e. cadent from the an-
gles], signifies a time short, wherein the Goods shall be
recovered: These J udgements are made properly for
this Chapter; you must not judge in other things by
these, or by this Method.

As you can see, Lilly considers several of these variables
that I have listed. All of these variables will affect the timing
of any prognostication! But more important is the last sen-
tence in this paragraph where Lilly warns that you must not
judge in other things by this method! The reason he says this
is because of the differences the question itself creates, i.e. a
matter that is or one which is not yet!
Page 10 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
matters which have not yet come to be but they cause mat-
ters in which the querent may already be to endure!

In Lillys example of when would money lent be paid back,
the matter is that of a current situation, i.e. the querent has
loaned money to someone, or has sold him or her something
or has performed a service and seeks remuneration. The
matter already exists! We are asking a question about a cur-
rent situation! So when Lilly says the angles cause delay in
the repayment of what was loaned he is in effect saying the
current situation of someone owing the querent money will
endure!

If on the other hand, the querent asks, will I obtain this posi-
tion or job (for example) the matter does not yet exist and it
has not yet happened at all, so the significator perfecting the
matter in an angle would hasten it!

If the querent asked, there is a rumour at work that people
are going to be laid off, will I be laid off and when will it
happen then we are speaking of the good or bad which his
present situation will produce and the significators in the
angles would indicate the endurance of his job while the
cadent houses would indicate his loosing his job and that
pretty quickly! Do you understand these differences that the
question itself creates?

Therefore, if we assert that the angles always indicate the
slowness of a matter and the cadent houses the quickness of
a matter we will be wrong very wrong!

But the teaching on timing does not stop with the houses
alone. For example, if a cadent house is expediting a matter
quickly, it could mean not only days but also it could mean
weeks. Why is that? Simply because the houses were not
the only consideration!

Whether or not a matter will proceed quickly or slowly has
never been determined solely by whether the planets are
angular, succedent or cadent. There are 3 principle things
that influence the speed of an outcome.

1) The planet itself e.g., whether it is fast or slow in its
motion and its essential strength. It is also important
whether the planet is an inferior planet or superior planet. If
the significator is Saturn or J upiter, the matter will proceed
slowly; if it is the Sun or Mars, middling; if it is the Moon,
Venus or Mercury then quickly!

2) The sign the signs belonging to the two superiors, Sagit-
tarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces slow the matter
down! So for example, the fixed sign Aquarius really will
slow down the accomplishment of the matter! The signs
belonging to the Sun and Mars, i.e. Leo, Scorpio and Aries
are middling. So the fixed sign Leo would tend to be slower
Questions & Answers cont

In questions of having a lost or stolen item returned, the
question is whether the current situation of the lost or stolen
item will endure or not!

My own conclusion from the historical record and that veri-
fied in experience is that both conditions are true and we
need to pay close attention to the context of the question in
order to arrive at the correct conclusion.

Best regards,
Steven Birchfield
the rising sign.
Neither is there a lighter planet joined and separating
from Mars and beholding the rising sign.

Therefore in this matter, Mars is ill-disposed to signify for
me the querent.

We now check out the Moon. Although the Moon is in the
Ascendant she is also in aversion to the rising sign, as she is
in Sagittarius as well. The Moon is applying to Mercury in
the 11
th
house, but this doesnt help as Mercury is also in
aversion to the rising sign. The Moon is however also joined
and applying to Saturn in Pisces, which does behold the
rising sign. Therefore the Moon can be used as my significa-
tor, in spite of her aversion to the rising sign.

Ruler of the matter
What is the Lord of the quesited or matter? What should we
look at as significator of speaker at a conference? There
are several options I think. My first guess was to use the 11
th

house as this house signifies groups of people gathering.
Finding Mercury there, natural ruler of speakers, is of
course an interesting position.

Lecturing and teaching could also be the third house, ruled
by Saturn. Should the Moon indeed perfect her application
to Saturn the matter would however come to naught as Sat-
urn is retrograde. Saturn would therefore return the matter
handed to him by the Moon, thus destroying it.

Some would perhaps say a lecture at a conference is a 9
th

house matter as it involves teaching, which then would give
the Sun as a ruler.

Of course honour and preferment has to do with the 10
th

house and as such it is a professional action, and of course
there is honour involved as well. We then would use Mer-
cury as the ruler of the quesited.

These are many possibilities of course, perhaps too many.
But an application of the ruler of the querent, the Moon, to
any of these might indeed perfect the matter. But actually, all
of this might be a bit irrelevant as well because Mshallh
simply checks what the next application of the significator
of the querent is, and then considers whether or not this
planet can perfect the matter, whether a significant ruler or
not! Of course being a significant ruler would help, but
whats quite revolutionary about Mshallhs whole con-
cept is that any planet under the right conditions can
perfect the matter.

What is the Moons first aspect?
So lets look at the Moon. The Moon will perfect her aspect
with Mercury first. Now that is interesting on three counts;

a. Mercurys natural signification to speech and speaking;
b. because of his rulership of the 10th (professional actions);
c. because of his location in the 11
th
house, which rules

Page 11 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
A Compel l ing Horary:
Wil l I Speak at the
Conference?
Years ago I was asked to be speaker in reserve for a confer-
ence on astrology in Holland. When somebody would fall ill
shortly before or during the conference, I would step in and
do a lecture instead of the other person. My question was,
will I speak at the upcoming conference?
Lets follow Mshallh and see what we get as an answer.

The Lord of the Ascendant is in the Ascendant but not the
Ascendant sign, so:

Mars in Sagittarius does not see Scorpio.
Mars is not joined or applying to a planet that does see
Questions & Answers Cont.
groups of people and thus conferences.

It is true Mercury falls in aversion to Virgo on the 10
th
but
this aversion is mitigated as his inverse degrees of influence
is in the 13
th
degree of Virgo and co-present with the cusp of
the 10
th
.

Mercury, receiver of the disposition
For Mercury to be able to perfect the disposition handed
over to him by the Moon, he needs to be in good condition:
best of all being received although this is not a decisive con-
dition, next being strong, and also preferably unafflicted. So,
what about Mercurys condition? Is it a malefic or benefic
significator? It is in its own triplicity, oriental of the Sun,
direct and in a very profitable house, the 11
th
. More impor-
tantly, it does not commit its disposition to any other; there-
fore Mercury will indeed decide and signify the (end of the)
matter of the querent! And what does the 11th signify? Ful-
filment of hopes and desires!

Will I speak?
There is only one small thing that would suggest I might
speak but in the end perhaps would not. That is the fact that
the Moon is applying to Mercury from Mercurys detriment
Sagittarius. But we are told that that fact only hinders
reception and here we are not speaking of reception. We
are talking about the Moon committing her matters to Mer-
cury, because she applies to him, and whether or not he will
and can perfect them. In this there is no reception involved/
needed here. The aspect is a friendly sextile that suggests
ease and smooth going, and Mercury is a benefic planet in a
good place, and also has a very strong natural signification
to the matter, so he is qualified to perfect the matter without
reception being involved. If one is of the opinion that the
11
th
house is indeed the house of conferences, as I am, then
Mercury in the 11
th
is a benefic in the house signifying the
matter being applied to by the ruler of the querent. These are
very positive indications suggesting I will indeed speak at
the conference, which I did. One speaker called off, (I re-
ceived a letter about this on 16th of march 1996) and I spoke
at the conference. I did on the 14th of april 1996 at 15.30
hours. A little less than 6 months later.

It is also interesting that the Moon is translating J upiters
light (just separating) from a conjunction with J upiter (Lord
of the domicile she is in) and in her own face so we have
two reasonably dignified contributions (she commits her
dignity and counsel) to the accomplishment of the matter.
J upiter in fact receives Mercury in his triplicity and his
terms.

By Martien Hermes
A Compelling Horary cont...
Page 12 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1


Martien Hermes
E-mail: mahemes@tiscali.nl



Steven Birchfield
E-mail: stebi@online.no
Web site: Divine Astrology
http://home.online.no/~stebi/startpag.htm
Do you have a question or comment?
Wed love to hear from you!
Contact Us!
Foundations: The Vision

The astrology as practiced up until the 17th century thats
what the term tradional or classical astrology refers to was
fundamentally different from her modern counterpart. For
diverse reasons this astrology has been, up until now,
ignored and set aside as not fitting modern times, the
Zeitgeist.

Thanks to recent translations and renewed interest in this
ancient astrology it has become clear that it is a remarkably
subtle and complex astrology, very elegant, pragmatic and
rigourous. It is also clear that the study of this astrology has
restored many lost techniques and methods, of great value
to the practicing astrologer.

Ancient and medieval horoscopy is a very sensitive
instrument, and a very intricate tool, that helps elucidate the
philosophy and esoteric teachings regarding life the
astrology from which it sprang.

Foundations: The Goal

The goal of Foundations ad fundum Astrologia is to
present this ancient praxis, to research it and to demonstrate
its validity.

Foundations ad fundum Astrologia strives to further
the astrological know-how and methods of the ancients.

Critical research of modern assumptions and of the ancient
texts is the method used.

In the end we hope to lay anew a foundation under modern
astrology that helps its practitioners get a (better) handle on
this Royal Art, so that again we can speak of a living
tradition, based on texts which have proven to be the
material on which the horoscopic edifice was built.