THE INHARMONIOUS ASPECTS

The configuration usually indicates an astute and cunning type of person, capable of deep
scheming and in fact generally hardly able to avoid some degree of deception, though not
necessarily for evil purposes. Sometimes the deception is of a quite innocent order.
It is probable that this characteristic arises from the delicate perceptions of the aspects which
enable the native to divine what others will do or try to do. It is employed in this way in the more
positive types of map (such as Bismarck). In negative types the same sensitiveness leads to a
retired life, often combined with an amiable disposition. The Square of Mercury and Neptune occurs
in the maps of both the nuns given in 1,001 Nativities. Benjamin Haydon, who shot himself through
chagrin, had the same configuration. Sometimes it leads to easy discouragement and lack of selfconfidence, because the native is too thin-skinned and worries unduly. Sometimes the same
sensitiveness causes fierce outbursts of resentful anger. Like all Neptunian aspects, it is not easy to
say in what precise way the contact will manifest; much will depend on the Rising Sign. It is clear
that lack of real self-confidence may easily induce a person to resort to deceit.
In the case of Vaillant, the French anarchist bomb-thrower, Mercury is in Square to Neptune,
as well as to Jupiter and Saturn. The violence in this case arises from the Moon rising in Scorpio
and Mars in that sign contacting all four of the above planets.
Active imagination and the insight into motives that results from sensitive perceptions may
be invaluable to a man of genius or even a man of practical sense; but in the case of persons of
weak judgment and understanding the same things may lead to all kinds of foolish and morbid
fancies.