In the above nativity, that of the renowned scientist, Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, there is to be found a judicious blending of Saturn and Venus; this is not only denoted by their mutual reception, but is also confirmed by the conjunction of the Sun, Mercury, and Venus in the sign Capricorn, the house of Saturn.

    The first decanate¹ of the sign Scorpio ascends, and its ruler Mars is placed in the humane sign Aquarius. The square aspect of Mars to the planet Saturn is to a considerable extent modified by the mundane position of these planets, and the destructiveness which it generally indicates takes in this case the form of mental energy, adding [[p. 207]] considerably to the determination and perseverance usually denoted by the presence of Mars and Saturn in fixed signs. A noteworthy feature is the parallel of the Sun and Moon with no less than four planets out of the seven, which alone makes this a somewhat remarkable nativity.

    Some men are honest because it is to their interest, or because they feel it their duty to be so, but in this case the native could not be otherwise than honest because it is his nature to be so, and we find in the blending of the influences that tactfulness is combined with a desire for straightforwardness. It does not require much astrological skill to know that this is the horoscope of a scientist, yet one who has succeeded in blending the social qualifications with the scientific mind. And instead of being unsympathetic, cold, and far too abstracted from the life of the everyday world, the seven planets occupying earthy signs clearly prove that Dr. Wallace is a thoroughly practical man, well qualified to be the author of various valuable books dealing with quite separate subjects; and with five planets in cardinal signs, we can understand that he has been a successful traveller, one who has gained experience at first hand.

    The many planets in earthy signs denote his long life of usefulness. The month of May in the year 1909 will be a critical time for him, when Saturn by transit will reach the cusp of the sixth house, the house of sickness, and Mars will pass to the opposition of the M.C.; during this time, moreover, the planet Uranus will be transiting the third house of his nativity.

    We should judge from this nativity, that Dr. Wallace has always tried to keep an open mind, free from bias, and steering clear of prejudice. The Moon in Sagittarius, in sextile aspect with Mars, allows him to be free in the expression of his opinions, while the conjunction with Mercury and Venus will keep his mind from becoming hard and set: this, blended with the trine aspect of Jupiter, causes him to be a man of sound judgment and strict morals, and the world could do with a good many more such scientists.

    [A proof of this article having been sent to Dr. Wallace, in the course of his courteous reply he says: ". . . . There are a few small differences between your estimation of my character and my own, which such of your readers as may care to refer to My Life may discover. I should also like to refer them to Chap. XVII., in which they will find two phrenological estimates of my character by perfect strangers."]

Note Appearing in the Original Work

    1.The data of birth have been obtained from Dr. Wallace himself: the time given was, however, approximate.--Ed. [[on page 206]]