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These descriptions are useful in showing the modifications brought to bear (by the sign ascending) on the planet's influence. But, when no planets are in or near the ascendant at birth, the following descriptions of the temperament and form of body produced by each sign ascending at birth should be used.

Aries () is a hot and fiery sign and produces a lean body, spare and strong, large bones, grey eyes, with a quick glance and sandy or red-coloured hair. The temper is violent. It governs the head and face; its colour is white.

Taurus () differs greatly, in its effects, from the preceding sign; it is cold and dry, and gives a broad brow and thick lips. A person born under it is melancholy and slow to anger but, when roused, furious and difficult to be appeased. It governs the neck and throat; its colour is red.

Gemini () is in nature hot and moist and produces a person of straight, tall body, sanguine complexion, brilliant eyes and light brown hair. The temperament of those born under Gemini is lively and the understanding good. This sign governs the arms and shoulders; its colours are red and white.

Cancer () is by nature cold and moist; it produces a native fair and pale, short in stature, with a round face, sand-coloured brown hair and grey eyes. Those born under it are phlegmatic, indolent and gentle tempered. Women born under this sign generally have many children. It governs the breast and stomach; its colours are green and russet-brown.

Leo () is a fiery, hot and dry sign. When it rises at birth without any planet being near the ascendant, the native will be of tall stature, with yellow hair, ruddy complexion and oval face, and he will have a quick glance and a strong voice. It governs the heart, the back and the neck; its colours are red and green.

Virgo () is an earthy, cold, barren, feminine sign. When it ascends, it shows a well-formed body, slender and tall, straight, dark-brown hair and a round face. The mind of the native is ingenious, but rather inconstant. It governs the belly; its colour is black speckled with blue.

Libra () is an aërial, sanguine, masculine, hot and moist sign. Rising at birth it produces a well-made body, with long limbs, an oval and beautiful face, sanguine complexion, straight flaxen hair and grey eyes. Those born under it are courteous, just and honourable. It governs the loins; and the colours under its rule are black, crimson and tawny.

Scorpio () is a moist, phlegmatic, feminine sign. It gives a strong, corpulent body, low stature, thick legs, hair growing low on the forehead and heavy eyebrows. Those born under this sign are reserved, thoughtful, subtle and malicious. It governs the lower parts of the body; the colour under its rule is brown.

Sagittarius () is a fiery, masculine sign. The person born under its rule is handsome, with a rather long face and features, chestnut hair, inclined to baldness and ruddy complexion; the body strong and active. Those born under this sign are fond of field sports, are good riders, and are lovers of animals. They are kindly, generous and careless of danger. This sign governs the thighs and hips, and rules yellow and green.

Capricorn () is an earthy, cold, dry, feminine sign. It produces a person of slender stature, with a long neck, narrow chest and dark hair. The mind is quick, witty and subtle. It governs the knees and hams and, in colours, it rules black or dark brown.

Aquarius () is an airy, moist, masculine sign. In a nativity where no planets are in or near the ascendant, it would produce a person of a well-set, strong body, long face and delicate complexion, with brown hair. It governs the legs and ankles and rules the sky-colour or blue.

Pisces () is a watery, cold and feminine sign. It produces a person of short stature and fleshy body, with a rather stooping gait. Those born under its influence are indolent and phlegmatic. It governs the feet and toes and presides over the pure white colour. It is needful to remember the colours belonging to the signs, as they are especially useful in horary questions.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE NATURES OF THE SEVEN PLANETS AND OF THEIR ESSENTIAL AND ACCIDENTAL DIGNITIES

Of the seven planets Jupiter and Venus, because of the heat and moisture predominant in them, are considered by the ancients as benefics or causers of good. The Moon is so considered for the same reasons, though in a less degree.

Saturn and Mars are causers of evil or malefic; the first from his excess of cold, and the other from his excess of heat. The Sun and Mercury are deemed of common influence—that is, either of good or evil, according to the planets with which they are connected.

The planets have particular familiarity with certain places in the zodiac by means of parts designated as their houses, and also by their triplicities, exaltations and terms.

The nature of their familiarity by houses is as follows:—

Cancer and Leo are the most northerly of all the twelve signs; they approach nearer than the other signs to the zenith of this part of the earth, and thereby cause warmth and heat; they are consequently appropriated as houses for the two principal and greater luminaries; Leo for the Sun, as being masculine; and Cancer for the Moon, as being feminine.

Saturn, since he is cold and inimical to heat, moving also in a superior orbit most remote from the luminaries, occupies the signs opposite to Cancer and Leo; these are Aquarius and Capricorn, and they are assigned to him in consideration of their cold and wintry nature.

Jupiter has a favourable temperament, and is situated beneath the sphere of Saturn; he,