"Rhetorius the Egyptian" was a noted classical astrologer of early Byzantine era, who enlightened us from the lost Treasuries of Antiochus. There exist varied claims about the time of Rhetorius. Famous scholar and translator James Holden in his ‘History of Horoscopic Astrology’ maintains that Rhetorius the Egyptian lived around 505 A.D. Late David Pingree dated Rhetorius to the early 7th century on the basis of a horoscope (February 24, 610 A.D.) found in section 110 of Compendium. However, in the preface of the modern English translation of the Compendium, James Holden refutes Pingree’s claim by stating that said horoscope is hypothetical and merely explains a certain principle. Recently Benjamin Dykes appeared with the support of Pingree. Whatever be the age of Rhetorius, the uncertainty about his time does not shorten the towering height of this genius astrologer.
The Compendium of Rhetorius is not only a rich source of late Roman and early Byzantine astrological thinking but also a compilation of the discourses of the earlier Hellenistic astrologers. Like his contemporaries, Rhetorius penned his Compendium in Greek despite he was not ethnically Greek. It comprises around 118 sections or articles. David Pingree first translated the Compendium into modern English, but could not publish it. Later James Holden rephrased and retranslated his earlier version of 1985. In 2005, under the aegis of American Federation of Astrologers (AFA), Holden’s translation publically appeared as Astrological Compendium Containing His Explanation and Narration of the Whole Art of Astrology.
The objective of this write-up is to highlight some unknown rather rare astrological combinations in Compendium, for, there are many pearls of astrological wisdom that is found nowhere else. Take for instance the section 82 to section 96 of Compendium that deals with various kinds of actions and pursuits, in other words, yogas pertaining to different professions.
1) Architects and Masons
Saturn in conjunction with Mars in Aries or Taurus or Leo, or being in square to Mars, or being aspected by Mars without any aspect from the natural benefic planets, makes roofers, or those who walk on walls, or architects, or potters, or lamp makers.
2) Carpenters and Artisans
If Saturn and Venus and Mars are aspecting each other in masculine signs, especially in Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, they indicate carpenters and tanners and those who cut leather into thongs. And, if Mercury is also in aspect, stone-masons, or quarrymen, or stone polishers are suggested. And if Jupiter and the Moon are in aspect, they make gem-engravers or marble workers.
3) Mechanics
Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Moon in angular (kendra) houses or aspecting each other from angles, make mechanics (those who work with devices or machines).
4) Tailors
Mars and Venus together or in square, in each other’s Terms make tailors, linen-weavers, and dealers in linen cloth.
5) Mimes and Conjurers
Mercury and Venus in their signs of fall, in their own Terms, or in those of each other, make mimes or public performers, especially in Capricorn. Mars and Mercury occupying the 4th house from ascendant show rope-walkers and conjurers. Mercury, Mars, Venus and Moon in cadent houses, and aspecting each other, make jugglers.
6) Musicians
Venus in the domicile of the Sun, or in its own domicile, with Mercury, especially in angular house produces reed-pipe players, guitarists, or musicians.
7) Seamen and Sailors
Saturn in 10th house or ascendant in watery sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), with Mars and Sun, or they are in aspect by square or opposition, yield sailors or steersmen or ship captains. The Moon when about to conjoin Saturn in descendant (7th house) in watery sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) also produces seamen.
8) Lame Genius
If Saturn and Mercury are in a domicile of Saturn and the Moon chances to be in Taurus, they make a wise orator, or a mathematician having very refined intellect. But it simultaneously causes rheumatism in the feet or in the ankles.
9) Astrologer or Diviners
If Mercury chances to be in a good house (i.e. in kendra or kona), and especially in a domicile of Saturn, without combustion, and aspected by Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, then this combination makes astrologers, diviners, or priests. And if Saturn chances to be in the ascendant in a domicile of Mercury, or if Mercury is in the ascendant, it implies an expert of astrological calculations.
10) Physicians
Mars and Venus being together or in square or opposition in their climes make physicians or learned philosopher. Mars and Mercury in the domiciles or Terms of Venus make physicians.
11) Falconers and Bird-feeders
If Mercury is not combust by Sun, and it is in conjunction with Moon, and they are aspecting each other’s Dodecatemories (dwadasamsas), and Mars and Saturn chance to be in opposition to each other in the angles, they make masters of the hounds and hunters. And if Mercury and the Moon chance to be in the winged signs (i.e. in Virgo and in Sagittarius) and in the first degrees of Pisces, they signify falconers or bird-feeders.
12) Bath Workers
If Saturn is aspecting the Moon, and Moon’s Dodecatemory (dwadasamsa) is in the Terms of Saturn then bath workers and bath attendants are born. But if they chance to be in cadent houses (3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th) or in the IC angle (4th house), it makes marble polishers.
13) Drunkard and Lewd Persons
Mars and Venus be in conjunction or in opposition, while their Dodecatemories (dwadasamsas) are without any strong aspect of the others then drunkards, armed robbers, adulterers, and exiles are the outcome. In addition, if Saturn (especially from feminine sign) also casts aspect upon (said Venus and Mars) then it shows lewd persons and lechers.
14) Killers and Criminals
Mars and Mercury in Leo in angular house, without aspect or association of Jupiter, Venus and the Sun, make fierce and cruel souls, characteristically those who are thinking about shedding blood for nothing, or cheats, perjurers, sacrilegious persons, forgers, and treacherous persons.
15) Removers of Corpses
Saturn in conjunction with Mars and Mercury, and all of them aspecting each other’s Dodecatemories (dwadasamsa), without any aspect from the benefics, make grave-diggers or removers of corpses or grave-robbers.
A Note on Dodecatemory and Term
Students and experts of Indian astrology are well aware of various type of vargas (divisional charts), and they presume that application of zodiac’s division is confined to Jyotish only. Some of the Indians mistakenly believe that western astrology does not weight and utilize divisional charts. But in reality, most of the classical western canons (especially ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and Medieval Persian astrological works) heavily rely on certain kind of divisional charts and their rulership.
Term, Decanate, Novenaria and Dodecatemory are off and on referred in delineation of the astrological combinations. Though, traditional westerns astrologers do not use to draw separate chart for these zodiacal divisions. They consider the ruler of the division, their nature, position, aspect and relationship in main birth chart.
Dodecatemory is identical to the Indian Dwadasamsa or the 12th division of a sign. It is also called Duodecima. Each segment of Dodecatemory consists of 2o30’ and there is no difference between ruler of Indian Dwadasamsa and western Dodecatemory.
Term (also called Bound or Limit) is the division of each zodiac sign into 5 unequal segments and ascribed to the 5 non-luminaries (i.e. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury). Unlike navamsa, the span and lordship of Term does not follow zodiacal or any other order. In fact, the size of the Terms was actually based on how many degrees of the celestial equator rise with a given sign at the certain geographical place. These portions of celestial equator translated into zodiacal degrees, called Terms. Conventionally the Egyptian Terms are widely used and referred.
One of the interesting facts is that most of the Indian astrologers do use Term when dealing with varshphala (annual charts). However, in Jyotish and Tajik system of annual return, Term (Bound) is known as Hadda.
| Sign | 1st Term Range & Lord | 2nd Term Range & Lord | 3rd Term Range & Lord | 4th Term Range & Lord | 5th Term Range & Lord |
| Ari | 00–60 Jup | 60–130 Ven | 130–210 Mer | 210– 250 Mar | 250–300 Sat |
| Tau | 00–80 Ven | 80–140 Mer | 140–220 Jup | 220–270 Sat | 270–300 Mar |
| Gem | 00–60 Mer | 60–120 Jup | 120–170 Ven | 170–240 Mar | 240–300 Sat |
| Can | 00–70 Mar | 70–130 Ven | 130–190 Mer | 190–260 Jup | 260–300 Sat |
| Leo | 00–60 Jup | 60–110 Ven | 110–180 Sat | 180–240 Mer | 240– 300 Mar |
| Vir | 00–70 Mer | 70–170 Ven | 170–210 Jup | 210–280 Mars | 280–300 Sat |
| Lib | 00–60 Sat | 60–140 Mer | 140–210 Jup | 210–280 Ven | 280–300 Mar |
| Sco | 00–70 Mar | 70–110 Ven | 110–190 Mer | 190–240 Jup | 240–300 Sat |
| Sag | 00–120 Jup | 120–170 Ven | 170–210 Mer | 210–260 Sat | 260–300 Mar |
| Cap | 00–70 Mer | 70–140 Jup | 140–220 Ven | 220–260 Sat | 260–300 Mar |
| Aqu | 00–70 Mer | 70–130 Ven | 130–200 Jup | 200–250 Mar | 250–300 Sat |
| Pis | 00–120 Ven | 120– 160 Jup | 160–190 Mer | 190–280 Mar | 280–300 Sat |
The 3rd house in horoscope is ruled by dozens of significations (from siblings to place of death, and from courage to performing arts). But hand is one of the neglected features of 3rd house. While the sign Gemini – 3rd from Aries – signifies hands of Kalapurusha (symbolic celestial man). Third house and Gemini also reveal all kinds of expertise that carry out through hands.
This write-up tries to address the hands. Classical Jyotish sources point out issues related to hand that are no longer appealing to people, for instance, use of hands in war, whether one’s hand will be cut-off by kings or not, or hands will be suffered from leprosy etc.
The fundamental thesis or one-liner is “planets sambandhi with 3rd house/lord reveal the things native's hand usually holds, uses or excercises”. For sambandha (planetary relationship), simply follow four kinds of relationship, described by Parashar. However, the relationship (sambandha) between a house and planet is bit different from relationship between two planets. A planet may relate to a house or sign through (a) occupation, (b) aspect, (c) rulership. On secondary level, dispositors also appear functioning. Say, Libra and Taurus are occupied by enemy of Venus, or natural malefic planets, then effect of Venus will automatically turn problematic and malign.
Following outcome are based on scribe’s inference from Jyotisha sources, and observation from real life. It would be injudicious and misleading to just see what planet is in 3rd house. Instead, the greater number of planetary relationships depicts a picture. If two powerful benefics are aspecting a malefic in 3rd house, then simply follow result of benefic. A mere Jupiter in 3rd house does not necessarily indicate a man holding a sacred bead (simrun) in his hand, unless lord of 3rd be natural benefic and trinal houses are domiciled by natural benefic planets. Similarly, blindly concluding that a native holds a stick or staff only on the basis of Saturn in 3rd may be misleading, unless other related planetary signature are not present. Girls, having natural benefics in 3rd house or with 3rd lord, used ornament their hands with henna (mehndi) and do manicure.
Sun sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
Native’s hand holds signing authority or any other kind of command. On account of his courage, he will exercise certain extent of power in his life. His hands will also produce fire and light. Does it mean that a man will always holds a match-box or torch in his hands? Obviously not. But his hands are somehow related to light in any way or in any form (depending upon the presence of fiery signs), whether he is an executive of energy sector, or village watchman having lantern in hand. He may also encounter world of showbiz for a short time. With Sun under influence of sattwic graha, he is fond of burning the lamps and candles in temples and shrines. Sun in 3rd house or with 3rd lord is a welcome condition. This yields an opportunity to shake hands with executives or leaders of any field. Sun rules over all things related to authority. He holds a card or pass that allows him to enter the exclusive company or club of elites. A powerful Sun in said condition shows that native’s hand will ring the bell of authority’s office and he will often travel with executive class. Something of gold or golden colour is there in his wrist or fingers. Moreover, his hands are good in hunting. If Sun is in 3rd house, or sambandhi with 3rd house, or in Gemini then native should leave the house after switching-on a light (or lamp or a small orange bulb) of pooja room or drawing room. (This is a totka/remedy, and not for daily routine but for leaving home for some important task).
Moon sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
This shows a man with sweating hands, or a man having glass of water, drink, or cup of tea most of the time (provided rasi/amsa is watery or there is a watery planet in 9th house, or at least Moon is void of fiery planet’s relation). He is used to drink water during meal more frequently than others. The man will have a habit of washing his hands unnecessarily. If said Moon is in a malefic sign then drink or tea often slips from the hands of native. But he may be dexterous in propelling the oar or driving the sailing boat. If Saturn is sambandhi with mentioned Moon then water related affairs influences his profession (e.g. fisheries, beverage, salesmanship etc.). Waning or afflicted Moon indicates that native is one among siblings who has to wash family clothes from his/her hands (this is a common astrological signature in the charts of Asian household girls). Waxing Moon in 3rd and another benefic in 9th may give not only beautiful hands but also attractive chest and hips to women (provided no natural malefic in or aspects langa). Moon yields expert hands in all watery affairs. With little guidance, this native can become good, perhaps very good swimmer (if there is not heavy influence of fiery planets on tanubhava). Don’t wonder if his computer or mobile desktop has wallpaper of river, lake or waterfall. During discussion, he likes sharing tea or cold drink, especially with women. He is fond of making and serving coffee and tea from his own hands. If Moon is in 3rd house, or sambandhi with 3rd house, and/or in Gemini then for a successful endeavour, native should leave the house after taking a few sip of water or milk (this is just a remedy).
Mars sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
The native will not necessarily hold gun all the time, but he may have inclination to exercise weapon in his life. He can easily become a good shooter or a body guard. Jyotish scriptures say that this planetary disposition gives fighting hands. Being labourer, he may also have hammer or drill-machine in his hand (if said Mars is sambandhi with or trine to Saturn without any beneficial aspect). In the presence of other evil combinations, he may also turn into an assassin or mercenary having arms and blood in his hands and ultimately compel to wear iron handcuffs. On a positive front, he has natural dexterity to open or fit a machine or automobile. Just think of an expert mechanic. If other benefic also sambandhi with such a Mars, then native will be a surgeon, or mechanical engineer. He may be at home in chopping vegetables and slicing meat. This is quite true for women in general, who usually take care kitchen affairs. Women of this planetary disposition are proficient in cutting clothes (via scissor) or cooking. But hands of native will definitely have mark of cut or burn.
Mercury sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
This is a very interesting planetary disposition, when a robust Mercury got sambandhi with 3rd house, its lord or resides in Gemini. The native will definitely be expert in any kind of communication. His hands carry pen, books, letters, laptop, computer mouse, or microphone. He publishes or broadcasts something in his life. Even a common household lady with this combination is a chatterbox and used to communicate messages among relatives and neighbours. Spreading information is the keyword here. A man whose fingers press the button (for letters and numbers), or use to turn the pages of book. This does not infer that all the people who uses mentioned articles surely have Mercury sambandhi with 3rd house or its lord. But the native of this combination will have natural interest and opportunities to exercise them more than others and with more proficiency. A typical example of Mercury sambandhi with 3rd house, its lord or Gemini, is a man who often indulges in mobile phone affairs (the widely used gadget of our age, ruled by Mercury). His fingers can smartly dance on computer keyboard and it is hard to beat such a native in board games or video games. He gathers smart amount of old and new books or sometime his house contains a nice library.
Jupiter sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
A man having sacred bead is an outcome of Jupiter involved with Gemini, 3rd house or its lord. If Jupiter, in said sambandhi position, be in moveable sign then native will roam a lot. His hand is always ready to press the button of play for religious songs, recitation, sonnets, bhajjan, naat, and qawwali (provided there is no influence of tamassic graha or sign on lagna and trikona). He will heed advises of learned and consultant. He will have the fortune of ring the bell of noteworthy sacred places. The laptop or mobile phone in his hands contains a desktop having image of deity, sacred symbol or temple. He will take the oath of allegiance to the hand of sage or guru. He will also carry the books on theocracy, philosophy, jurisprudence, custom and law. But this is subject to holistic figure of planets in nativity. If Jupiter is sambandhi with paapi graha, and/or planets in trinal (9th, 5th) houses are tamassic then situation will be different. But at least he will shake hand with the people of these areas (or live/interact them without any real benefit). He may also involve in writing and replying on the subject related to religion and nationhood. Moreover, native’s hand will not only help his siblings but also serve parents of spouse.
Venus sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
Jyotish cannons describe this position as a tight-fisted man, i.e., he is often proved miser in spending. But Venus related with 3rd house or its lord brings an innate inclination towards artistic pursuits. The native will be fond of playing musical instruments. His hands can produce beautiful melody, if he finds opportunity and environment. He has a great collection of songs in his iphone and computer directory. Another significant indication of such a related Venus is luxurious and fine articles or gadget in his hands. Usually new models of cell phone, walk-man, hand-bands and bangles are seen in their hands. Besides, he is born with beautiful fingers and appeared wearing costly ring with a gem. Being indicator of sex, Venus in said position or related to 3rd lord produces hands that are gifted in caressing and touching. Resultantly, art of his hands can arouse appeal in opposite sex. His hand often holds ‘hand of woman’ in his life: during childhood mother’s hand, in younghood spouse/girlfriend’s hand, and in old age daughter or nurse’s hand.
Saturn sambandhi with 3rd House/Lord or Gemini
With afflicted Saturn: a man with a stick in his hand, and it is true to real life as well. Saturn in 3rd directly casts an aspect over 12th house and gives weak legs (provided there is no relieving benefic aspect). That’s why Jataka Tatva maintains that native (of 12th house Saturn) holds a stick in his hand. However, this may happen in old age only, if there is no planetary signification of lameness in natal chart. But there are greater chances that native’s hand holds anything related to physical deficiency or old age (stick, wheelchair, walker etc). But in young or middle age, Saturn sambandhi with 3rd house or its lord also yields articles of labourer and servant in hand, i.e. spade, yoke, broom, brush, duster, cleaner etc. Powerful Saturn in mentioned sambandha makes one very industrious. Otherwise, his hands will carry the burdens of others. In other words, his hands do any work that cause meager or no monetary return. Obviously counter benefic aspect over such a Saturn or dispositor in desirable position does not render one a farmer, menial or labourer. But planet’s innate current remain underline and manifest in relevant dasha and antardasha. Even if native is rich, he likes to work in his garden or use to perform daily chores with his own hands.
