In the Matheosis Libri VIII, it seems that benefic planets (like Jupiter) in the 12th house results in strong enemies and enemies' defeating the nativity, and weaker malefic planets may lead to the winning of the nativity over his/her enemies. I wonder if that's true and what kind of combination of planets can endow the nativity with the glory of victory over enemies/competitors. And if the above is right, what influences can it has on the nativity's competition when the weak malefic planets in the 12th house/as the ruler of the 12th house relates to the lord of the ascendant (e.g. mutual reception, in conjunction, or the same planet (rising Aquarius) etc.)?

Hi Aimer,

I was trying to find the passage in Firmicus Book 8, but couldn’t. In any case, it seems a bit odd and I don’t recall other authors speaking this way (I’m thinking mainly of Sahl, Bonatti and Lilly).

To judge enemies and one’s victory over them, it really depends on a lot of things. As a general rule, benefic planets tend to prevent the evil signified by a house, and malefic planets, especially if afflicted, will increase said evil. So, the idea is that if Jupiter is in the 12th house, all things being equal, it’s an indication that the native has Jupiterian-type enemies, and probably few of them, or that they won’t hurt the native as much. On the contrary, if you find an afflicted Mars in there, it’s more problematic for the native.

Usually, connections between the Moon (or the Ascendant or the lord of the ascendant) and the lord of the 12th will indicate more enemies in the native’s life, or that it’s a stronger theme in that native’s life. To see who ‘wins’ so to speak, you would look at the strongest planet overall between the planets involved in that aspect (angularity, essential dignities, etc.) and that should give you an answer. Reception will add to the story. Let’s say you have a square between the lord of the ascendant and the lord of the 12th. If the lord of the 12th receives the lord of the ascendant, it’s better for the native. If the reverse, the native invites trouble and it’s bad for him or her. If there’s a mutual reception, everyone will be in trouble. Aspects from benefit planets (especially when dignified) help the native escape those issues too.

I’m not sure what you mean by the same planet. You mean having Capricorn on the 12th and Aquarius rising? Or Aquarius ruling both 12th house and ascendant? In that case Saturn would be ruling both, and it’s a textbook testimony for a native that shoot himself in the foot and makes costly mistakes for themselves.

But remember, those are just general guidelines. To properly understand the matter, you need to look at planets in the house, planets in aspect to the house, the planet ruling the house in question (lord of the sign or almuten of the house), and any aspect to that lord or almuten of the house. Remember too that those configurations in the nativity are not always ‘turned on’. Predictive techniques (Profections, Transits, Returns, directing through the terms and Primary directions) will help you figure out ‘when’ trouble with hidden enemies should arise (if promised at all), and the solar revolution/return will often add details to the condition of the planets, telling you if the bad configuration in the nativity will be improved or on the contrary if it will worsen in that specific year.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit