The various significations arising from the aspects of the starry heavens at the time of birth are so exceedingly numerous, that we must refer the curious in such matters to the works themselves, in which all these pretended revelations are minutely recorded.
Mankind rank astrologically as being of four temperaments.
1. One class is said to answer to the fiery trigon, also called diurnal, masculine, and choleric, consisting of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, which contains the spirited, generous, magnanimous, and princely natures.
2. We have next the earthy trigon, being nocturnal, feminine, and melancholic, consisting of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, containing the careful, sordid, and penurious qualities.
3. Thirdly, the aërial trigon, which is diurnal, masculine, and sanguine, consisting of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, contains the humane harmonies, and courteous principles. And--
4. Fourthly, the watery trigon, which is nocturnal, feminine, and phlegmatic; namely, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, including the cold, prolific, cautious and severe qualities.
Take as a brief illustration of the manner in which Astrologers presumptuously assign to the planets their several offices relating to human nature the following:--
Those born when Aries ascends are born under the sign Aries and planet Mars. This is the diurnal, fair, and masculine house of Mars, and partakes also largely of the nature of the magnanimous Sun, and the benevolent and moral Jupiter, who rule the fiery trigon, of which Aries is the first sign.
As affecting physiognomy we are assured that:
The Scorpio noses are more aquiline than those of Aries, and are more frequently conspicuous for a sort of bracket shape beneath, which prevents the under part of the nose from forming a right angle with the upper lip; while the under lip, both being usually small, recedes in a greater degree, as if drawn tightly against the teeth; so that the mouth appears in the act of pronouncing the word SEVERE.
When we meet in volume after volume with page after page of such composition as this, when we reflect on the sublimity of the heavens and the paltriness of such combinations as are here given of the planets with mundane affairs, we ask the reasons for arriving at such judgments. To be told that it is so because it is so; or because it was an ancient belief, and is to be found in the writings of Ptolemy, Nostradamus, Dr. John Dee, William Lilly, or Zadkiel; or because it has often proved as true in its predictions as the telling fortunes by means of a pack of cards, is no evidence whatever; yet the Astrologer boasts of his very paralogisms.