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Free-Will. A doctrine that applies to the exercise of the will in overcoming the obstacles of
terrestrial environment and cosmic influences, whereby so to control and direct cosmic forces
operating at a given time, as to transmute them into power under control. It is opposed to any
such yielding to an influence as that which is called Fate. According to this concept the hour
and place of birth, and the planets thereby located in the Figure, represent the tools with
which the individual is enabled to work out his destiny. How he uses them, how he applies
his individual gifts, is in his own hands by virtue of the divine gift of Free Will. This
philosophy thus removes from astrological teachings the fatalistic doctrine which is
repugnant to all who believe that Man's control of his ultimate destiny is in his own hands.
Friendly planets. Ptolemy appeared to believe that those planets which have rulership,
exaltation or triplicity in each other's Signs should be classed as friendly planets. Other
authorities class them as follows:
Sun - unfriendly only to Saturn.
Moon - unfriendly only to Mars and Saturn.
Venus - unfriendly only to Saturn.
Mars - friendly with Venus only.
Jupiter - unfriendly only to Mars.
Saturn - friendly only to the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter.
Just how Saturn can be friendly to the Sun when the latter is unfriendly to him is nowhere
explained, and James Wilson says the entire concept is nonsense. However, a little thought
will discern its basic truth when the qualities of the various vibrations are considered, and as
regards the Sun-Saturn objection what Ptolemy probably meant was Saturn's application in
beneficent aspect to the solar orb, for no one can deny that a sextile or trine from Saturn to the
Sun mightily strengthens the latter and agrees with its purpose.