The exact way of judicature in Astrology is, first,
by being perfect in the nature of the planets and Signs.
Secondly, by knowing the strength, fortitude or
debility of the Planets, Significators,
and a well poysing of them and their aspects and severall mixtures, in your judgment.
Thirdly, by rightly applying the influence of the
positure of Heaven erected, and the
Planets aspects to one another at the time of the Question, according to naturall
(and not enforced) maximes of Art; for by how much you endeavour to strain a judgment
beyond nature, by so much the more you augment your Errour.
A Planet is then said to be really strong when he hath
many Essential dignities,
which are known, by his being either in his House, Exaltation, Triplicity, Terme
or Face, at time of the erecting the Figure. As Example:
ESSENTIAL DIGNITY, HOUSE. In an scheam of Heaven, if you
find a Planet in any of
those Signs we call his house or houses, he is then essentially strong, and we allow
for that five dignities; as Saturn in Capricorn, Jupiter in Sagittarius, &c.
In Judgment, when a planet or Significator is in his own house, it represents a man
in such a condition, as that he is Lord of his own house, estate and fortune; or a
man wanting very little of the Goods of this world, or it tels you the man is in a very
happy state or condition: this will be true, unlesse the
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significator be retrograde, or combust, or afflicted by any other malevolent Planet
or aspect.
EXALTATION. If he be in that Sign wherein he is exalted,
you may allow him four
dignities essentiall, whether he be neer the very degree of his exaltation, yea or
not; as Mars in Capricorn or Jupiter in Cancer.
If the Significator be in his exaltation, and
no wayes impedited, but Angular; it
presents a person of haughty condition arrogant, affirming more unto him then his
due; for it's observed, the Planets in some part of the Zodiack doe more evidently
declare their effects then in others; and I conceive this to be in those Signs and
degrees where fixed Starres of the same nature with the Planet, are more in number,
and neerer the Ecliptick.
TRIPLICITY. If he be in any of those Signs which are alotted
him for Triplicity,
he hath allowed him three dignities; but i herein you must be cautious; as for
example:
In a Question, Nativity, or the like,
if you find the Sun in Aries, and
the Question, or Nativity, or Scheam erected be by night, and you would examine the
Sun his fortitudes, he shall have four dignities for being in his exaltation, which
continues through the Sign; but shall not be allowed any dlgnity, as being in his
triplicity; for by night the Sun ruleth not the fiery Triplicity, but Jupiter; who
had he been in place of the Sun, and by night, must have had allowed him three
dignities: and this doe generally in all the Planets, Mars excepted, who night and
day ruleth the watry Triplicity.
A Planet in his triplicity, shews a man modestly indued
with the Goods and Fortune
of this world, one prettily descended, and the condition of his life at present time
of the Question, to be good; but not so, as if in either of the two former dignities.
TERMS. If any Planet be in those degrees
we assign for his Terms, we allow him two
dignities; as whether day or night, if Jupiter be in one, two, three or four, &c.
degrees of Aries, he is then in his oen Terms, and must have two dignities therefore,
and so Venus in any of the first eight degrees of Taurus, &c.
A Planet fortified, onely as being in his own
Terms, rather shews a man more of the
corporature and temper of the Planet, then any
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extraordinary abundance in fortune, or of eminency in the Commen-wealth.
FACE. If any Planet be in his Decanate,
Decurie or Face, as Mars in the first ten degrees of Aries, or in Mercury in
the first ten degrees of Taurus, he is then
allowed one essentiall dignity; for being in his own Decanate or Face, cannot then
be called Peregrine.
A Planet having little or no dignity, but
by being in his Decanate or Face, is almost
like a man ready to be turned out of doors, having much adoe to maintaine himself in
credit and reputation: and in Genealogies it represents a Family at the last gasp, even
as good as quite decayed, barely able to support it self.
