The first conjunction falling in each triplicity, which is known as the “Great Mutation,” has a very important and lasting effect, and when the places of other conjunctions, eclipses, and lunations which occur after it fall thereon, or in opposition thereto, grave effects are sure to follow.
The influence of each mutation is spread over a period of just under two hundred years, and the effects are slow in operation and are brought into effects by the different eclipses, transits, etc., which fall thereon during such period.
The conjunction of Saturn and Uranus, and that of Uranus and Neptune, are generally connected with serious pestilence and famines, extending over a period of several years. The last conjunction of Saturn and Uranus in Scorpio caused many deaths through plague in India. Very little notice seems to have been taken of these conjunctions, but they are generally connected with serious evils, according to the sign in which they occur.
CHAPTER XXVI
The prediction of earthquakes in different parts of the world is one of the most interesting subjects in Mundane Astrology.
It has been ascertained that earthquakes are caused by the action of eclipses, and through the position of planets in the four fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, and more especially Taurus and Scorpio.
The following rules have been laid down by various writers, to which we have supplemented some notes and comments.
1. Earthquakes generally follow close on the heels of eclipses and especially in those countries where the eclipse falls on the meridian or nadir. Also if there be
any planets in fixed signs at the moment of eclipse, then earthquakes will occur in those parts of the world where such planets are either rising, setting, culminating, or on the nadir. Thus, if, at an eclipse, the planet Saturn should be in a fixed sign, and distant 45 degrees from the meridian, then earthquakes will occur in that part of the world which is the same distance from Greenwich, east or west, according to the position of Saturn.
2. At the period of the earthquake many aspects will be found between the planets at the time, but specially the planets will form numerous aspects with the previous eclipse and the planets places at such time. Thus an eclipse may presignify an earthquake, but it will not come to pass until it is aspected by some planet, or numerous aspects are formed by the planets to the place of the eclipse.
3. Earthquakes happen more frequently when there are planets, especially Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, in the signs Taurus and Scorpio.
4. Earthquakes also happen in those localities where great conjunctions of the planets fall on the cusp of the fourth house. For example, a map should be erected for the time of the great conjunctions of the planets, and whenever such conjunction falls on the nadir, or cusp of the fourth house, an earthquake is sure to occur.
5. The planet Jupiter when in Taurus or Scorpio, and in conjunction, opposition and parallel with Mercury, is one of the most prolific sources of earthquakes.
6. Observe the planets’ places at each quarterly figure, and at the New Moon nearest such Ingress, and note in what part of the world the malefics are placed on the cusp of the fourth house. In this locality seismic disturbances will occur.
7. Earthquakes generally happen when there are many planets on or near the four cardinal points, i.e., the first degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
8. The countries and localities in which earthquakes will happen can be known in two ways. First, by reference to the signs ruling the different countries and cities, and secondly, by noting the actual longitude in which eclipses, planetary conjunctions, and positions at the four Ingresses, are vertical to the meridian or on the nadir. The signs in which such eclipses, conjunctions, etc., occur should also be noted.
9. Earthquakes may also occur near the perihelion of great comets, that is, at the time when comets are nearest the Sun or Earth.
A few illustrations of the action of eclipses, and planetary conjunctions, in causing earthquakes, are here given, as examples for students to follow.
A great earthquake occurred in Syria on August 13th, 1822; it was preceded by an eclipse of the Moon on August 3rd. The Moon at such eclipse was in 10° 2’ K in square to Saturn in 9° 49’ B, and on the day of the disaster Saturn was in exact square to the place of the eclipse.
On June 27th, 1886, Mars and Jupiter were in conjunction in Virgo 29° 50’, and at Charletown, U.S.A., at the moment of conjunction, these planets were on the cusp of the fourth house. A serious earthquake occurred practically annihilating the town.
On October 31st, 1893, Mars and Saturn were conjoined in Libra 12° 28’, and, at Kuchan in Persia, this conjunction fell exactly on the cusp of the fourth house, and a serious earthquake followed, killing over 12,000 people.
At the annular eclipse of the Sun on November 11th, 1901, Jupiter and Saturn were on the Lower Meridian at St. Pierre, Martinique, and six months afterwards occurred a dreadful calamity when the whole city was out by the eruption of Mont Pelee.
Numerous instances can be recorded of the action of Solar and Lunar eclipses, great conjunctions, etc., in causing earthquakes, but the few mentioned will suffice to show their actions.
CHAPTER XXVII
The influence of comets on the affairs of the world is a fact which has been handed down from remote generations, and it has been found that, at the times when large comets made their appearances, great calamities have fallen upon the world in the shape of violent earthquakes, pestilences and famine. For instance, with respect to the great comet of Halley, whose return occurred in the present year, 1910, it was found that from about two years previous to its approach earthquakes and electrical storms were frequent. According to the Astrologer Cardan, the rising or first appearance of these phenomena should be considered, whether presenting themselves at the time of eclipses or at any other time. They incite heated and turbulent dispositions in the atmosphere and in the conditions of men. It is said that the comet first appearing in the East signifies the rising of some eminent law-giver; in the midheaven, of some eminent king; but generally serious troubles when in the West. In Cardinal signs they denote the death of great men, in Fixed signs foreign wars and invasion, and in Common signs sedition and pestilence. Their position in regard to the twelve houses should also be considered, as they seriously affect the matters and things ruled over by such houses. Thus in the ninth house, scandal or detriment to religion, in the tenth or twelfth, pestilence or scarcity of corn; in the eighth house, many sudden and terrible deaths. The part of the Zodiac in which they first appear should also be noted; for the countries ruled over by such signs will suffer many serious troubles.
We are also told by great writers that “comets and fiery swords and such like signs are wont to be fore-runners of great changes in the world.” History records the fact that a comet in the form of a sword hung over
Jerusalem for a whole year, previous to the destruction of that city by the Romans. An illustration in later days is recorded in the case of the late Russo-Japanese war; for one of the comets of 1903 was discovered and appeared in the sign Aquarius; and we are informed by an old author on Astrology that comets appearing in the sign Aquarius presignify war and bloodshed, and that the events presignified usually became apparent when the Sun arrives at the degree influenced by the appearance of the comet; and it is remarkable to note that the Russo-Japanese war broke out within a week of the time when the Sun passed this particular degree in the following February.