and the seasons, while the planets rule the sun-spots, it is clear that the planets really rule the seasons. And again, seeing that the planets rule the seasons, while the seasons largely affect the well-being of men and nations (to say nothing of animals), it follows that the planets influence the fates of men and nations (and animals). _Quod erat demonstrandum._ Let us return, however, to the more reasonable astrology of the ancients, and enquire into some of the traditions which Bacon considered worthy of attention in framing the precepts of a sound and just astrology. It was natural that the astrologers of old should regard the planetary influences as depending in the main on the position of the celestial bodies on the sky above the person or place whose fortunes were in question. Thus two men at the same moment in Rome and in Persia would by no means have the same horoscope cast for their nativities, so that their fortunes, according to the principles of judicial astrology, would be quite different. In fact it might happen that two men, born at the same instant of time, would have all the principal circumstances of their lives contrasted--planets riding high in the heavens of one being below the horizon of the other, and _vice versâ_. The celestial sphere placed as at the moment of the native's birth was divided into twelve parts by great circles supposed to pass through the point overhead, and its opposite, the point vertically beneath the feet. These twelve divisions were called 'houses.' Their position is illustrated in the following figure, taken from Raphaël's Astrology. [Illustration: Particular Significations OF THE _Twelve Celestial Houses_, According to various Astrological Authors. Sun-rise. Cusp of the _Ascendant_. LIFE and HEALTH Cusp of the _Second House_. RICHES Cusp of the _Third House_. KINDRED and SHORT JOURNEYS Cusp of the _Fourth House_. INHERITANCES Mid-night. Cusp of the _Fifth House_. CHILDREN Cusp of the _Sixth House_. SICKNESS Cusp of the _Seventh House_. MARRIAGE Sun-set. Cusp of the _Eighth House_. DEATH Cusp of the _Ninth House_. LONG JOURNEYS Cusp of the _Mid-heaven_. HONOR Noon-day. Cusp of the _Eleventh House_. FRIENDS Cusp of the _Twelfth House_. ENEMIES ]