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The Burning Question: How Does Combustion Work in Natal Astrology?

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The Burning Question: How Does Combustion Work in Natal Astrology? Article: The burning question Copyright © 2005 Helena Avelar e Luís Ribeiro The burning question: how does combustion work in natal Astrology? By Helena Avelar and Luís Ribeiro (Published in The Astrological Journal, Vol. 47, n.4, 2005) Combustion is often overlooked by present-day Astrology and not taken into account in chart interpretation; however it is an important factor in delineation and should not be ignored. The traditional concept of combustion has proved to be not only valid, but also crucial for a complete understanding of an astrological chart. Combustion can be more than a simple “debility”, and if properly delineated it can give precise and accurate information. It shows the areas of the native’s life which are likely to be overwhelmed by circumstances, thrusting him or her into fame or infamy. In this article we will explore the interpretation of combustion in nativities adding some developments drawn from our professional experience. Understanding combustion and its effects What is Combustion? Combustion (and its satellite concepts of Under the Sun’s Beams and Cazimi) is directly related to a planet’s proximity to the Sun. When a planet is moving to a position near the Sun its light is gradually obfuscated by the King of the Heavens. As it moves into the Sun’s light the planet is increasingly more difficult to observe and eventually becomes invisible; this is the astronomical basis of combustion. Generally speaking, a planet is combust when it is too close to the Sun, but the astrological tradition has more definite rules for this concept. So when a planet is at a distance of 17º from the Sun it is said to be under the Sun’s beams; its visibility is reduced. When it draws even nearer to the Sun, by 8º or less, it is termed combust, or burned, it is then impossible to observe and as the planet’s light becomes obscured so too do its astrological effects. When the planet enters its extreme proximity, within less than 17’ of the Sun, it is called Cazimi, or in the Heart of the Sun. This is a special position where the power of the planet is greatly increased. Summarizing: a planet is combust when it is less than 8º from the Sun and more than 17’ from exact conjunction (1). Diagram 1 – Under the Sun’s Beams, Combustion and Cazimi 1 Article: The burning question Copyright © 2005 Helena Avelar e Luís Ribeiro Thus the concept of combustion derives from a crucial, but often underestimated, astrological fact: the importance of the Sun in the chart. (2) The Sun’s power and signification cannot be overstated in this matter. First of all, the Sun separates day from night and therefore forms the basis of Sect; the Sun’s movement marks the seasons of the year and generates the Zodiac itself; its position in the Zodiac determines the planetary rulership of the signs, and its position in the scheme of the heavens defines the natures and attributes of the planets, (superior and inferior (3), masculine and feminine (4), oriental and occidental (5)). Crucial to an understanding of combustion is the fact that the Sun also determines the amount of light carried by the planets: the further away a planet is from the Sun, the more sunlight it reflects. When this occurs it is said that the planet is increasing in light. (6) As light (visibility) is the basis of a planet’s power, the more light it carries, the more power it has. When a planet is approaching the Sun (or the Sun is approaching it, in the case of the superior planets) the planet’s light becomes secondary to that of the Sun, and as the planet decreases in light it loses power. At this point, the consequences of combustion come into effect, because when a planet is so placed it cannot be seen by an observer on Earth. What is the effect of Combustion? To discover the effect of combustion, we must refer to the Tradition where this principle was incorporated into the interpretative system. Research into the major Arabic and later European authorities reveals that combustion is considered to be an impediment, debilitating the planet and thus affecting its power to act. These are some examples: “The combust [planet] is like a captive, imprisoned, slandered and with no power” “When [a planet] is combust in his house or in the house of his exaltation it is like a man imprisoned in his home by his lord or king” “When [a planet] is with the Sun its strength is feeble and its meaning diminishes” The Centriloquy of “Bethem” (10th Century AD) “The 53rd Consideration is, whether the significator be under the Sun beams, for then he will be of small efficacy in anything as aforesaid; Yet the Malevolents will be something more strong in evil than the Benevolents in good.” The 146 Considerations of Guido Bonatus (13th Century AD) “The significator of the Querent combust, shows him or her in great fear, and overpowered by great person” Christian Astrology, William Lilly (1647) Combustion is thus identified with an extreme loss of power. In terms of importance, this affliction is considered to be similar to that of the zodiacal debilities of exile and fall, being in a cadent house, or afflicted by the infortunes (which generally refers to the squares and oppositions of Mars and Saturn). We can observe this in the work of Zahel, (7) or later in the work of Bonatti. (8) When these authors list the main debilities of the planets, under the Sun’s beams (often used as a synonym for combustion) is ranked in third place; cadent positions and retrograde motion taking first and second places respectively. However, when referring to the debilities of the Moon, combustion is listed first. Combustion can also acquire particular functions. For instance, concerning the issue of longevity, Ali Ben Ragel(9) states: “When the Alcocodem(10) is combust and so close to the Sun that [it] cannot be seen, it loses all its years; when it is in this state it gives no more than days or hours or things that have no name(11)”. Here we have a clear example of the idea that combustion removes 2 Article: The burning question Copyright © 2005 Helena Avelar e Luís Ribeiro the planet’s ability to act. In the same book, on the subject of marriage, Ben Ragel says: “When Venus is found under the rays of the Sun [it] signifies the native will marry a sickly woman and that his marriages will be done secretly and in hiding”. In this passage are found two distinct concepts: on the one hand the author says that combustion diminishes the quality (or strength) of the planet, in this case the wife, and that it equates to weakness and sickness; on the other hand he associates combustion with hidden actions – no doubt a direct consequence of the invisibility of the planet during that time. Combustion is also crucial when using the planets as significators of people with whom the native has a relationship, such as parents, children, partners and so on. It either reduces the planet’s ability to represent them, or it signifies some kind of misfortune that characterizes them. Thus we can enumerate the effects of combustion: - it removes meaning from the planet; - it diminishes the planet’s power to do good or evil; - it weakens the planet’s expression; - it signifies death, imprisonment, sickness, weakness and fear; - it removes the planet’s ability to represent certain people in the native’s life, or signifies that those same people are ill-conditioned, weak or sick; - it implies hidden activities. Summarizing then, combustion disables and disempowers any planet unfortunate enough to be so affected. It can disable physically, emotionally and mentally, and the Sun’s great force of light robs the planet of its own power through obliteration. Interpreting combustion Once the importance of combustion is acknowledged, it must be properly integrated into chart delineation. How can this be done? First of all it must be realized that there are several levels to the delineation of combustion; each succeeding level takes the interpretation of this principle from the general to the increasingly specific. Interpreting the combust planet only by its natural signification This is the most basic level and the most widely used in modern natal Astrology. The interpretation of combust planets (if it is ever taken in account) is commonly based on their universal meaning, that is, by way of their natural signification. For instance, Mercury is related to the intellect; if Mercury is combust, so the intellect is somehow affected, and similarly, combust Mars is interpreted as some kind of “weakened” action. Although this interpretation is correct, it is nevertheless incomplete and imprecise, for it is based upon generalizations derived from the universal meaning of the planets, and ignores the particulars of the chart. Interpreting the combust planet by its natural and accidental signification A more comprehensive understanding of combustion can be drawn from the planet’s particular role in the horoscope, that is, from its accidental signification. This approach does not exclude the natural signification of the planet, but emphasizes its position and the houses it rules which is more appropriate for a detailed delineation. However, there is still more that needs to be considered. Interpreting the combust planet and the Sun by their natural and accidental significations In our practice we have found that we can extend these concepts. The following suggestions are a development of the Traditional position from which a deeper understanding of combustion has made important contributions to our delineations.
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