In the Wheel of Life the cardinal signs denote the rim or tyre which is ever on the move, having the greatest acceleration. The Common Signs represent the spokes of the wheel, uniting the tyre to the nave, and in that sense representing the power of adaptability. The Fixed Signs represent the nave, which remains quiescent and still, being useful by that pivotal stability and apparent non-entity. Thus, while the Sign-groupings of the planets are useful in giving the keynote of the nature and disposition, the particular faculties and characteristics are to be judged only from the aspects of the planets to the Moon and Mercury. Further, it will be noted that those planets which occupy the 3rd and 9th Houses, and those also which are just rising at the moment of birth, will strongly impress themselves on the nature, apart from any aspects they may hold to the Mental Rulers. This is on account of the natural relationship of those Houses to the mind and its means of expression. Due attention must be paid to the position and aspects of those planets which are in aspect to the Mental Rulers, for if they be badly placed, in uncongenial signs, and themselves badly aspected by other planets, they will not act with the same directness and force as they otherwise would do. It is of course admitted, in all astrological inquiries, that the effects of heredity, training and association count for something. A man who is generated from a vitiated parentage, badly nourished and imperfectly trained, cannot be expected, even with the best aspects, to manifest the highest faculties in their fullest or most perfect expressions. I have not the slightest doubt that many a clodpole was born under similar aspects to those which obtained at the birth of Shakespeare, Raphael, Newton, or Cæsar. I am not dismayed. _Non gli astri muovono solamente per Roma!_ Who shall tell the tale of the world’s starved, neglected, and submerged genius? We are doing the right thing, at all events, in keeping the school-door wide open. But to continue. The inspirational and ardent temperament is indicated by the majority of planets being in Fiery signs. The mental or intellectual temperament is shown by the majority in Aerial signs. The psychic or emotional temperament by the majority in Watery signs, and the practical or sordid temperament by the majority being in Earthy signs. The rising sign at birth often impresses itself strongly on the mind of the Subject, and its characteristics are those which belong to the planet which governs it, and the “elemental” nature of the sign itself. Thus you have the chief keys to the estimate of character in the individual, and when once the student is convinced by experience of the paramount reliability of this method of character-delineation, its uses will need no special pointing. Mental and Brain Disorders.