Essays on the Foundations of Astrology
By Charles E.O. Carter (1887 - 1968).
179 Pages | Softcover | First published in 1947, second edition 1978 | Theosophical Publishing House, London | ISBN: 0722951329.
Charles Carter (1887-1968), the greatest British astrologer of the twentieth century, wrote this book in London during World War II. It was his first book in more than a dozen years. It is the author's hope that it may contain some ideas that are worth preserving and possess novelty, although much that it contains will necessarily be reminiscent of what has appeared in his earlier works.
From Chapter I - 'The Sun, Moon and Minor Planets' (p. 9):
" To the Ancients there were, of course, seven planets. That agreed admirably with, and perhaps was the origin and prime example of, the septenary principle they loved so well. The seven were the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The first two they call respectively the Greater and Lesser Luminaries. Mercury was a sort of odd man out; he was the messenger of the Gods, changeable by nature and accepting the value of whatever other planet or planets with which he might be in close aspect. Then came Venus and Jupiter, respectively the Lesser and Greater Benefits, naturally disposed to goodness in morals and to success and happiness; and lastly Mars and Saturn, were the Lesser and Greater Malefics, indicative of evil habits and dispositions and of difficult circumstances. This scheme simply and well-balanced, seemed to the medieval mind self-evidently true. In the arrangement of opposed good and evil planets, each considered as being ruled by an angel or archangel with innumerable subordinated spiritual beings, we seem to see a clear trace of Zoroastrian thought. The benefits are the servants of Ormuzd, the malefic are the agents of Ahriman. "
Carter's books, penetrating & full of unique insights, are ideal for intermediate & advanced astrologers. They are, in fact, virtually in a class by themselves. Carter's books are organic wholes. He shows how individual astrological factors combine to create living, breathing people. It is this constant interplay of factors, and Carter's brilliant, lucid exposition, that makes his books so precious. C.E.O. Carter (1887 - 1968) was the most outstanding British astrologer of the 20th century. After the death of Alan Leo, Carter ran Leo's Astrological Lodge at the Theosophical Society, from 1920 to the 1952. He was first Principal of the Faculty of Astrological Studies, which he helped found in 1948. He edited The Astrologer's Quarterly from 1926 until 1959. During his lifetime, most of his books were published by the Theosphical Society.
Essays on the Foundations of Astrology
By Charles E.O. Carter (1887 – 1968).
179 Pages | Softcover | First published in 1947, second edition 1978 | Theosophical Publishing House, London | ISBN: 0722951329.
Charles Carter (1887-1968), the greatest British astrologer of the twentieth century, wrote this book in London during World War II. It was his first book in more than a dozen years. It is the author’s hope that it may contain some ideas that are worth preserving and possess novelty, although much that it contains will necessarily be reminiscent of what has appeared in his earlier works.
From Chapter I – ‘The Sun, Moon and Minor Planets’ (p. 9):
” To the Ancients there were, of course, seven planets. That agreed admirably with, and perhaps was the origin and prime example of, the septenary principle they loved so well. The seven were the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The first two they call respectively the Greater and Lesser Luminaries. Mercury was a sort of odd man out; he was the messenger of the Gods, changeable by nature and accepting the value of whatever other planet or planets with which he might be in close aspect. Then came Venus and Jupiter, respectively the Lesser and Greater Benefits, naturally disposed to goodness in morals and to success and happiness; and lastly Mars and Saturn, were the Lesser and Greater Malefics, indicative of evil habits and dispositions and of difficult circumstances. This scheme simply and well-balanced, seemed to the medieval mind self-evidently true. In the arrangement of opposed good and evil planets, each considered as being ruled by an angel or archangel with innumerable subordinated spiritual beings, we seem to see a clear trace of Zoroastrian thought. The benefits are the servants of Ormuzd, the malefic are the agents of Ahriman. “