Multitalented

As stated elsewhere, the planets may be classified in terms of the three departments of human nature: action (will), feeling, and thought. Some planets are stronger in one of these departments and others in another, but Uranus is remarkable for being equally strong in all three. This largely accounts for the sudden and unexpected nature of the events it brings about; for whether in the horoscope of birth or in directions, and whether for good or evil, its effects are often unforeseen and therefore surprising and not easily guarded against.

It is a planet of great power and energy and may in some respects be compared to chemical explosives which contain a large quantity of energy locked up within them but which are extremely unstable in nature and liable to undergo sudden decomposition on a very slight stimulus being applied from outside. In the case of Uranus, we have not only the great energy and the suddenness of its action but also the fact that it may produce its effects in any one or in all three of the departments just mentioned.

Because it is equally powerful in each department, those persons in whose horoscopes it is prominent often show marked and peculiar changes in their lives. It sometimes seems as if the planet's influence were exerted for a series of years in one direction only, largely to the exclusion of the other two; and that a change, often quite sudden, then takes place, under the influence of which the native lives a quite different kind of life for another series of years. In some cases, a third series can also be detected.

With some people, this change will affect the occupation (as for instance when Uranus is in the mid-heaven at birth): and when it occurs, one pursuit may be abandoned and a different one entered upon. With others, it may alter the affections or the religious opinions; and yet again it may affect intellectual affairs and studies. The manner of these changes will depend upon the position by sign and house in the horoscope of birth, but in any case they are remarkable — often sufficiently so to divide the life into chapters, so to speak, each telling a different tale.

It must not be supposed that because of these changes, the person in whose horoscope Uranus is the strongest influence is changeable in the sense of being vacillating, irresolute, easily led, or of weak will; for exactly the contrary is the case. It is true that such a person may change his opinions or his mode of life, sometimes within a short period only; but in each case he is intensely in earnest. The planet gives a strong-willed, positive, enthusiastic nature, very set on its own ends, difficult to influence, and disliking control.

If the whole solar system be taken into account, the Sun stands for the king, emperor, or head of the state. But the Sun is not really a planet; it is a central star, giving life to the whole system and synthesising all influences within it, being to the system exactly what the heart is to the body. If, therefore, the Sun be put aside and the classification of influences be confined to the planets, Uranus has better claims than any other to represent the king or ruler.

The natives of this planet frequently work their way to the front in their own sphere of life in one mode or another; sometimes through ambition and pride, and at other times through energy, enthusiasm, and determination. They find it difficult to work in a subordinate capacity and are so independent that they do not easily co-operate with other people at all, even in a friendly way. They seem intended by nature either for posts of authority and responsibility or for venturesome positions and pioneering work. They are sometimes discoverers, inventors, or explorers, either actually in the world around them or inwardly in the mental and moral worlds, where they formulate new rules, laws, methods, ideas, codes, and opinions. They seldom keep to the beaten track, but prefer to explore the unknown and to try new methods.

The influence of Uranus may be summed up under the three heads of action, feeling, and thought.

Uranus and Action

It is thought by some to favour societies, companies, associations, and public bodies, and occupations connected therewith. It has certainly been prominent in the horoscopes of several public men, leaders of popular opinion, those who possess what is called a "magnetic" personality. It tends to bring the native before the public, to broaden the horizon, not only of the mind but also of action and occupation, as its interests lie with the many rather than the few.

It influences those who follow new employments or out-of-the-way occupations; inventors and discoverers, but especially those who work along the most up-to-date of modern scientific lines, and those engaged in occupations furnished by their inventions.

It also attracts towards such subjects as mesmerism, hypnotism, astrology, spiritualism, psychical research, etc.; and most people who follow these lines, either professionally or otherwise, have Uranus prominent or strongly aspected in the horoscope.

It is doubtful whether, when considered alone, Uranus has any effect upon the accumulation of money although, if its aspects to the second, eighth, or tenth houses are fortunate, its natives may acquire wealth through 'strokes of luck', fortunate ideas, or through occupations governed by it or by the planet to which it is in good aspect.

It favours travelling to some extent, partly on account of novelty and change of scene; and it gives a tendency to bohemianism, change of residence and of occupation.

It gives antiquarian tastes and inclines to some particular hobby and to broad humanitarian views.

With regard to health, it seems to act largely through the nerves and mind, and to be of more value in respect of vitalising power in middle and old age than in youth and infancy. It inclines to the newer and more unconventional modes of medical treatment, such as electricity, hypnotism, radiation, etc. When afflicting, the diseases it causes are usually deep seated, complicated, and often wholly incurable.

With regard to the will, considered by itself, Uranus gives a very strong and positive tendency to this side of the nature, and a very determined will while the impulse lasts; but it is a little apt to act erratically, to change suddenly, and to cause apparent contradictions in conduct. Yet there may be very intense and concentrated activity, capable of accomplishing much.

Uranus and Feeling

In good aspect to the Moon, it strengthens the imagination; to Venus, it intensifies the affections as well as giving love of beauty in colour and melody; to Jupiter, it increases the imaginative side of religion and mystical ritualism as well as beauty in form and harmony; to Mars, it gives great ardour, enthusiasm, and enterprise in any work that may be undertaken. It causes romantic attachments, often of a sudden and unconventional nature.

When afflicting, it causes estrangements, separations, wrong views, incompatibility of temperament. It has sometimes been regarded as the cause of all sorts of marital irregularities and as extremely inimical to a virtuous marriage, but this is probably only the result of its characteristic impulsiveness, unconventionality, and carelessness for established laws and customs, for its influence is not worse here than when it afflicts the mental rulers.

Uranians have a great many acquaintances if few intimate friends; they are often widely known and popular; it is easy to make their acquaintance and to associate with them, although it may at time be difficult to get on with them.

Uranus and Intellect

When afflicted, or when acting through an inharmonious nature, it causes eccentricity, abruptness of manner, brusqueness, neglect of or disrespect for established opinions and customs, and unconventionality sometimes amounting to rudeness and rebellion.

It has a close relation with the occupations and characteristics of Mercury, at least in its intellectual influence upon such as writing, speaking, travelling, etc.; but in whatever direction his activities are carried on the native of Uranus will think his own thoughts and go his own way, irrespective of opinion, custom, or precedent, and will show a great love of mental freedom.

In those who are really responsive to the higher influence of this planet, there is much intuition, response to higher thought, and ability to bring through into the waking consciousness knowledge gained in the inner spheres of being.

In many respects, Uranus and Neptune pair off together. [For further remarks on this head, see 'Uranus and Neptune Contrasted' in chap12. — AL] They were both discovered in modern times, although names taken from ancient mythology have been given to them. [Richard Tarnas comments on this (and on Pluto, discovered in 1930), in his Cosmos and Psyche. — Ed.] No record has been handed down that would suffice to prove that ancient astrologers were acquainted with their existence; but in spite of this, occultists report that occult investigation shows them to have been known in very ancient times and that such knowledge had been gained, not by the methods of the modern scientific astronomer but by the exercise of those faculties of seership always inherent in mankind though dormant in most.

Uranus, the Non-Specialist

Although the names given to Neptune and Uranus by astronomers are, from the ordinary point of view, arbitrary and fanciful, it is remarkable that astrological experience is, to some extent, justifying them. Neptune (Poseidon) was the god of the watery element; and the planet is found to have some sympathy with water, while those born under it often display characteristics associated with that division of human nature which is held to correspond to water, namely the feelings and emotions.

Uranus or heaven (Coelus in Latin) was the husband of Gaea, the earth, the father of Saturn and the grandfather of Jupiter. 'Earth' here means primal matter, and 'Uranus' stands for the creative Will that shapes it into forms and evolves a cosmos from it. This Will, individualised in man, becomes the creative power of the intellect, the energiser of the feelings, and even the motive force of the physical body: for the muscles contract to move the body only in response to the stimulus of the will.

[I have truncated this chapter, omitting some paragraphs alluding to speculations current in 1912 but of little direct relevance either to astrology or to the astronomy of 2010. — Ed.]