Nelson was born with the Sun in the sign Leo, and the Sun, its ruler, in elevation. Shakespeare was born with the Moon in Taurus, with Venus its ruler in elevation. Thus we see that all those who have distinguished themselves in their sphere of life have the ruler of the Moon-sign in a prominent position in their horoscopes, and further that the exact position of the Moon as to decanate and degree gives us the particular setting of the character and the special faculty by which they are distinguished. Yet while the study of character and environment from the point of view of Astrology is in every way satisfactory to those who take it seriously in hand, it does not in itself afford that degree of evidence that is looked for by people newly acquainted with its claims and teachings. For human character is a very complex thing, and universally shows the admixture of elements that are common to all in a greater or less degree. It is rather in the specialization of some one characteristic that persons become distinguished. It is sometimes in the suppression of some prevailing characteristic that others attain distinction. Thus we see that the selfless devotion of one man to the needs of others draws him away from the mass of commonly selfish people. Accentuation and abnegation may thus both claim their hold upon the public esteem, yet always it is thoroughness that makes its mark in the world, and by that I mean the steadfast adherence to a plan of life which wins its way through in the end. So then, we see that the evolution of the unit from the mass, the specialization of faculty in the individual, is the law of Nature, and it hardly needed the philosophy of Nietzsche or the cult of the Superman to enforce the fact upon our minds. And yet, after all, there is no individual evolution possible for man apart from the race to which he belongs, and when all is done that self-effort can accomplish, when we have specialized and perfected to the highest possible degree, what remains but that we must perforce acknowledge our indebtedness to the world and find our whole destiny to consist in the service of mankind. Thus Bulwer Lytton makes Zanoni to say: After all I perceive that the common lot of mankind is its greatest and its sweetest blessing! Astrology at all events has no higher doctrine than this: Study how best to serve. CHAPTER XXVII THE LAW OF SEX Synthetic Philosophy and Comparative Theology have sought wisely to establish a common basis for human thought and aspiration. From the complex of life and thought they have argued to fundamental unity. It has been well said that the foolish and superficial look for differences in things about them, but the wise seek for the underlying identity. In the last analysis of things animate and inanimate, we are faced by the insoluble fact of sex distinction.