Modern astrologers are fascinated by
astrological methods which allow us to sort out our similarities
and differences by sign and house. We consider planets, aspects
and sign divisions in myriad combinations, always searching
for some new clue to our individuality. The ancient astrologers
were no different and some of them have passed down patterns
which are as new as this article and as old as time.
Marcus Manilius
was a Roman astrologer, born about the time of Christ. He based
his poetic astrological work on foundations of Greek thought,
for the most part, producing ASTRONOMICA. Manilius considers
all aspects of chart erection and delineation. He demonstrates
his thorough knowledge of astronomy and astrology throughout
his discussion. He states that the earth is a sphere and he
uses two arguments to support this idea: the behavior of the
constellations and the path and progress of the Moon's shadow
on the earth during solar eclipses.
"Manilius allots
the decanates (or decans - ten degree divisions of the zodiac)
to the signs of the zodiac. He assigns the first decanate of
the zodiac to Aries. The next ten degrees go to Taurus then
to Gemini. The sign of Taurus gets decanate rulership from the
signs Cancer, Leo and Virgo. This pattern continues until the
last decanate of Pisces finds Pisces for its ruler.
Manilius' system
of decanates depends on a simple elegance in approach. Using
this method of assigning decanate rulership, we discover that
every fire sign begins with Aries as the ruler of the first
decan. The appropriateness of this rulership is evident. Mars,
ruler of Aries, is a planet of energy and this fits well with
the fiery creativity we find in any fire sign.
The earth signs
all begin with Cancer as the ruler of the first decanate. At
first this connection may puzzle the reader, but when the need
for water and nurturing is considered, Cancer rulership of earth
decanates makes a lot of sense. Air signs follow the pattern
of having Libra as common ruler of the first decanate and the
intellectual thrust is maintained. Capricorn is found to begin
each water sign, adding a crystalline quality to these first
degrees of water signs. Water flows through the earth and thus
earth can provide a structure for water.
Further examination
of the pattern reveals that the cardinal and mutable signs all
contain a ruler which is conjunct or opposite to the sign itself,
while the fixed signs contain a decanate ruler which is square
aspect to the sign ruler. The fixed signs of the zodiac are
those which provide the most rigid structure and most stable
condition. The square aspect is one which provides the most
rigid tests and obstacles for us to overcome. Here again, the
sense of the pattern is borne out.
In Manilius' decanate
system each sign has a cardinal sign ruling the first decanate,
then one which is fixed, and then mutable. Each sign has one
decanate ruler which is of its own element. The first ten degrees
of each sign are ruled by a compatible sign, offering opportunity
for the best in that sign to be expressed
The reader is invited
to do some personal experimentation with this system of decanate
rulership. The system offers a fresh view of an already proven
astrological tool.
