In the next part (of section 40, Violent Deaths) Valens makes an argument against evaluating *all* parts of life from a single planet ('the ruler of the nativity'). Instead, he says, one planet rules the 'basis' and another rules property and death. (the general principle he *seems* to elucidate here seems to be that while there maybe one planet that gives the overall 'tone' of life, different planets, ruling different houses also have their influence)
"Instead, the unfavourably situated star creates the lesser man, but the ruler of rank and livelihood, found at an angle and receiving the chronocratorship,renders the man illustrious. If so, then this star which makes the man fortunate, if found at an angle or in operative places, keeps him fortunate during its own chronocratorship.
But when the star comes to have another star which causes disease, infirmity, or some other critical affliction in superior aspect or in opposition,then it will yield and its influence will weaken. Many other noteworthy things happen in the life of man, things which come about not through the activity or operation of one house ruler, but through the activity of many"
The last sentence is key . Valens goes on to repeat this idea in a different form,
"If anyone researches thoroughly the Places and the house rulers, he will determine quite easily the area in which the nativity is fortunate and the area in which it is unfortunate"
He then goes on to deal with violent deaths.
First a few 'if x then y' rules.
01. If the ruler of the New/Full Moon in a nativity is turned away from its sign, or unfavorably situated (I interpret this as in fall, detriment,) and aspected by a malefic it results in a violent death.
Question: Does this rule apply only to new/full moons or to the Moon in general?
02. If Saturn, Mars, or Mercury (?? huh why Mercury) is situated in the sign of the Moon on the fortieth day (huh? what does forty days have to do with anything?)
03. Malefics in the descendant or the sign preceeding the descendant bring violent death or diseases that cause miserable deaths
04. The 8th place from the ascendant has the same influence on the cause of death, as does the 8th place from the Lot of Fortune. These places and their rulers foretell the nature of death. (this seems to be the general principle)
Next, there is a listing of which sign causes what kind of death. As far as I can see the main principle is that the 8th house from Sign X (let this be called Sign Y) 'destroys' sign X. In other words, if the Ascendant is Aries, Scorpio is the 'destroying sign' and so on.
thus
"Aries is destroyed by Scorpio. Since they are both domiciles of Mars, Mars is a destroyer of itself.
Therefore [Aries] causes suicides, those who throw themselves from heights,and those ready for death; accomplices in crime, bandits, and murderers (i.e.those who bring a cause of death on themselves), plus those perishing from animal attacks, from fires, or from collapsing buildings. [It also causes men to die] from animals, bleeding, or attacks."
In addition, take into account the nature of each sign (so watery for Pisces ?) and that of any planets in aspect, each of which will add its nature to the diagnosis.
Thus malefics in aspect to the Places ( I interpret this to mean 8th from ascendant and Fortune) cause violent deaths. Benefics (in aspect to the Places of Death) indicate disease, fever, or injury.
A slightly confusing example follows
"For example: Gemini is destroyed by Capricorn and Aquarius by Virgo, i.e. Mercury by Saturn and Saturn by Mercury. Now if these stars have the relationship of opposition or square in a nativity, they cause men to have short lives or a wretched death, since the Life giver is in opposition to the ruler of Death.
If they have no relationship, but simply behold each other without being intheir own domiciles, they bring setbacks, trials, exile, and other temporarymisfortunes. (Consider the arrangement of Mars and Mercury as having the same effects.)
"
I *think* what Valens is saying here is
Ascendant is Gemini (so 8th from Gemini is Capricorn).
Fortune is in Aquarius (so 8th is Virgo).
(I'm assuming this, otherwise this example makes no sense. Why select Gemini and Aquarius in the first place)
*then*
we have Mercury as Lord of Ascendant (and so life giver) and Saturn as lord of 8th.
From Fortune we have Saturn as Life giver, and Mercury as cause of death.
Now examine the relationship between these. If in opposition (and, I presume square) they bring violent deaths."
I have *no idea* what Mars (consider the arrangement of Mars and Mercury) has to do with anything here. (Minderwiz, help)
What I am still somewhat confused by is
The generic 'examine 8th from native and fortune and their lords' seems to be generic advice for *all* deaths.
There must be extra factors which distinguishes *violent* deaths. (all people don't die violently).
Are these extra factors only those detailed in 'if then rules' 01 through 03 + 'malefics/benefics aspecting the 8th' and 'life and death lords in opposition'? (so 5 checks for violent deaths)
What would indicate 'died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by friends and family'?
Let us try an example (next post)