EARTHQUAKES.
The prediction of earthquakes in different parts of the world is one of the most interesting subjects in Mundane Astrology.
It has been ascertained that earthquakes are caused by the action of eclipses, and through the position of planets in the four fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, and more especially Taurus and Scorpio.
The following rules have been laid down by various writers, to which we have supplemented some notes and comments.
1. Earthquakes generally follow close on the heels of eclipses and especially in those countries where the eclipse falls on the meridian or nadir. Also if there be
any planets in fixed signs at the moment of eclipse, then earthquakes will occur in those parts of the world where such planets are either rising, setting, culminating, or on the nadir. Thus, if, at an eclipse, the planet Saturn should be in a fixed sign, and distant 45 degrees from the meridian, then earthquakes will occur in that part of the world which is the same distance from Greenwich, east or west, according to the position of Saturn.
2. At the period of the earthquake many aspects will be found between the planets at the time, but specially the planets will form numerous aspects with the previous eclipse and the planets places at such time. Thus an eclipse may presignify an earthquake, but it will not come to pass until it is aspected by some planet, or numerous aspects are formed by the planets to the place of the eclipse.
3. Earthquakes happen more frequently when there are planets, especially Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, in the signs Taurus and Scorpio.
4. Earthquakes also happen in those localities where great conjunctions of the planets fall on the cusp of the fourth house. For example, a map should be erected for the time of the great conjunctions of the planets, and whenever such conjunction falls on the nadir, or cusp of the fourth house, an earthquake is sure to occur.
5. The planet Jupiter when in Taurus or Scorpio, and in conjunction, opposition and parallel with Mercury, is one of the most prolific sources of earthquakes.
6. Observe the planets’ places at each quarterly figure, and at the New Moon nearest such Ingress, and note in what part of the world the malefics are placed on the cusp of the fourth house. In this locality seismic disturbances will occur.
7. Earthquakes generally happen when there are many planets on or near the four cardinal points, i.e., the first degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
8. The countries and localities in which earthquakes will happen can be known in two ways. First, by reference to the signs ruling the different countries and cities, and secondly, by noting the actual longitude in which eclipses, planetary conjunctions, and positions at the four Ingresses, are vertical to the meridian or on the nadir. The signs in which such eclipses, conjunctions, etc., occur should also be noted.
9. Earthquakes may also occur near the perihelion of great comets, that is, at the time when comets are nearest the Sun or Earth.
A few illustrations of the action of eclipses, and planetary conjunctions, in causing earthquakes, are here given, as examples for students to follow.
A great earthquake occurred in Syria on August 13 th, 1822; it was preceded by an eclipse of the Moon on August 3 rd. The Moon at such eclipse was in 10° 2’ K in square to Saturn in 9° 49’ B, and on the day of the disaster Saturn was in exact square to the place of the eclipse.
On June 27 th, 1886, Mars and Jupiter were in conjunction in Virgo 29° 50’, and at Charletown, U.S.A., at the moment of conjunction, these planets were on the cusp of the fourth house. A serious earthquake occurred practically annihilating the town.
On October 31 st, 1893, Mars and Saturn were conjoined in Libra 12° 28’, and, at Kuchan in Persia, this conjunction fell exactly on the cusp of the fourth house, and a serious earthquake followed, killing over 12,000 people.
At the annular eclipse of the Sun on November 11 th, 1901, Jupiter and Saturn were on the Lower Meridian at St. Pierre, Martinique, and six months afterwards occurred a dreadful calamity when the whole city was out by the eruption of Mont Pelee.
Numerous instances can be recorded of the action of Solar and Lunar eclipses, great conjunctions, etc., in causing earthquakes, but the few mentioned will suffice to show their actions.