THE INHARMONIOUS ASPECTS

This is often said to be a very undesirable position and it has been portrayed as cunning,
malicious, full of suspicion and prone to underhandedness. This must be regarded as the worst
possible side of the configuration. At the same time it is true that there is often a tendency to plot
and scheme, sometimes very unnecessarily, so that one finds the type that is often referred to as the
cunning fool who plots when straightforwardness would not only be more honourable but also
more successful.
It is a combination that inclines to hardness or at least to a hard manner, and sometimes (if
Uranus is prominent) to what might be called the mannerisms of a Betsy Trotwood, abrupt and
outspoken, though the disposition is perfectly kind and well-intentioned. But afflictions between
Saturn and Mercury (sometimes Saturn and the Moon) are very common in the nativities of tyrants
and of narrow-minded and narrow-sympathied persons generally, who see only one rule and like to
enforce it rigidly and universally, being prepared to sacrifice everything to law and order. Even if the
nature is benevolent there is sometimes a liking for disciplining people: for example, the Prince
Consort inflicted a very austere upbringing on King Edward VII, and religious people with this aspect
join Orders with strict methods, the very word order touching a responsive chord in their hearts.
In politics it inclines of course to Conservatism, but it is only sometimes a stupid
conservatism, for, although afflictions of Saturn may produce stupid people, they often point to
shrewdness and hardheadedness, which knows when to give way.
At times the position betokens uncongenial responsibilities, and it can lead to ultimate failure
and downfall, with waning or eclipsed popularity. Others achieve success by dint of very hard work,
but even so the results are apt to prove disappointing or of no use.
It inclines to childlessness or to sickly and unfortunate offspring. The native is unhappy in
childhood.
There is always limitation in the life, and often there is considerable depression, but in a
good nativity we may also find many of the characteristics of the harmonious aspects, such as
industry, care, reliability, thrift and attention to detail. For it must be borne in mind that the two
planets have much in common, and , for purely practically purposes, it may be argued that Mercury
is better in Square to Saturn than in Trine to Jupiter. It is, however, certainly less amiable and as a
rule less happy in itself. It tends to aloof, stiff manners, or to plain and blunt behavior. There is often
a good deal of fear in the life, coming from some or other direction the fear, sometimes, that tyrants
feel and which drives them to their brutalities. Shyness and a retiring propensity are often
observable. The native rarely has many friends.