The Sun is the giver of life and an important influence in all of Astrology and because of this, there are certain accidental happenstance that come upon the state of the Sun during different times. This section is set to explain all of the different aspects of the Sun for the student so that they may incorporate these accidents into their judgments to give a more accurate reading. Some of these accidents which will be explained here are usually the result of Planets and their interaction with the Sun rather then the Suns mutability itself, some of which include; Combustion, Via Combusta or the Combust way, Cazimi, and discussions pertaining to Occidental and Oriental positioning. All of these specifically refer to accidents which are caused by the Sun and afflicted upon the other Planets.
Combustion & Under the Sun's Beams
The first and chief of these accidental causes are called Combustion and being Under the Sun's Beams. Under the Sun's beams is the state of a Planet which travels into the Orb of influence of the Sun and only occurs during a conjunction. Combustion and being Under the Beams of the Sun are considered a significant debility to any Planet. Because the Sun is considered a hot and mighty Planet, this influence is thus afflicted onto Planets which come into the vicinity of its Rays or the beams in which it releases from its body. This is especially debilitating to a Planet in which has the opposite natural inclination to the Sun (Hot & Dry). In order to understand and know if a Planet is in the Suns influence it is important to understand the Orbs of each of the Planets as they all have different orb allowances. John Gadbury provides us with a simple orb allowance for the Planets and they are thus;
Saturn - 10°
Jupiter - 12°
Mars - 7°30'
Sol - 17°
Venus - 8°
Mercury - 7°
Luna - 12°30'
Now that we know the orb of influence concerning each Planet we can find all of Planets which will be in Under the Sun's Beams simply by taking Sol's orb which is 17° and adding it to the Planet in which we fear is debilitated and thus come to a product and with that product divide it by two being that the orb of influence rules over both sides of the Planet and not only from one.
For example, if we fear that Saturn is Under the Sun's Beams we add 10° to 17° and get the sum of 27°. Since this sum applies to the entire orb and our Planets are fixed mediums between the orb, we need to find the moiety or the half of the center of this sum and therefore simply divide it into two. The product of this subtraction be 13.5 or 13°30' (30 minutes being half of 1 whole degree whcih is equal to 60 minutes). Therefore Saturn being close to the Sun on either side by 13°30' will be considered Under the Sun's Beams. For quick reference here is a table illustrating at what degree each Planet is Under the Sun's Beams
Saturn - 13°30' of the Sun.
Jupiter - 14°30' of the Sun.
Mars - 12°15' of the Sun.
Venus - 12°30' of the Sun.
Mercury - 12° of the Sun.
Luna - 14°45' of the Sun.
It may have be noted by the observant student that the term Under the Sun's Beams is used instead of Combustion in the former explanation and this is because there is a difference between being Under the Sun's Beams and Combustion. As explained by William Ramesey (who uses both terms independently although gives very little explanation behind his purpose, which is clear to those who are diligent), the Planet in conjunction with the Sun only goes into Combustion when it is within a 8°30' orb of it. However, the Planet is still influenced when it is within the Sun's orb (or Under the Sun's Beams) however it is not as debilitated as it being in Combustion. For example, Saturn with a 7° application to the Sun is considered Combust however with a 9° orb only Under the Sun's Beams. It is important here also to note that applying Combustions are worse for the Planet then separating. Finally the last point of interest that should be mentioned is, William Ramesey states that the orb of Under the Sun's Beams is always 17°. I will not argue with the Traditional authors purpose but state that one is free to use whichever rules best work for them as the degree is so large the influence of this debility is weak.
Here it should be further noted that Venus and Mercury because of their speed are often Combust or Under the Sun's Beams because of their closeness to the Sun in all charts making some aspects by these two Planets impossible to achieve. Interestingly to note, Mercury, the Planet which encounters Combustion and affliction from the Sun most often, share one quality (dryness) with the Sun but it also an adverse nature to the Sun, coldness. Because it is not completely opposite to the Nature of the Sun the suffering of Combustion is deemed as less destructive then a Planet who is Cold and Moist, such as of the Moon. Venus however is also afflicted heavily by this being naturally Cold and Moist.
Cazimi
It suits our purpose next to speak of Cazimi or vel Cor de Solis or the Heart of the Sun. In the Heart of the Sun all Planets are protected from the damaging beams of the Sun and therefore receive full benefits that the Sun departs without being damaged by its afflictions. Cazimi only happens when a Planet is within 0°17' of the Sun. Therefore if we find the Sun in 1° of Aries and Saturn in 1°15' of Aries as well, Saturn is considered in Cazimi with the Sun. This is one of the most benevolent and beneficial places a Planet can be in its Accidental Dignities. Any Planets found in the Nativity in Cazimi with the Sun bring out the qualities of the Planet and amplify the prosperity of the signification of the Planet. This means that Mercury in Cazimi of the Sun can make a man a great and renown Scholar.
Via Combusta
Via Combusta, while not exactly related to the afflictions of the Sun (but afflictions to the Sun), is a form of debility related to Combustion, specifically inflicted against the Sun and Moon (although John Gadbury includes the other Planets, specifically citing Mercury). When the Sun or Moon (or if you choose to include the other Planets) are found in the latter 15 degrees of Libra to the first 15th degree of Scorpio they are considered Via Combusta, or the Way of Combustion or Combust Way. The purpose behind this debility having specific relation to the Sun and Moon is the fact both of these Luminaries have their Falling in Libra (Sol) and Scorpio (Luna). This is especially debilitating to the Sun as when he hits this point in Libra his days decrease and he becomes weak and has very little practical use. Its interesting to note that John Gadbury does not include this in his Table of Dignities and Debilities therefore it is hard to analyze how debilitating this aspect really is. William Ramesey is adamant however that this is one of the worst debilities that the Moon can have or be in. There is no referenece to the debility score of Via Combusta except through Schoener relating the work of Montulmo who states that Via Combusta is a 2 (or -2) debility which is fairly low for the significant negative comments made about this position by other Traditional authors.
Oriental & Occidental
Finally it is important to discuss Oriental and Occidental directions of the Planets because they are an important fortitude (or debility) to consider. It is important here to first note that the directions Oriental and Occidental do not have to do with the placement of the Heavens during the casting of the chart (meaning the East or Oriental Angle and the West or Occidental Angle) but with the position of the Sun. If a Planet was to rise before the Sun, it would be considered Oriental, or East of the Sun. If it were to rise after the Sun, it is considered Occidental or West of the Sun. For example, Jupiter being in the 3rd House and the Sun in the 5th House, tells us that Jupiter is Oriental because it will rise before the Sun. The signs of the Zodiac move in opposite the direction of the numbering of the Houses, so rather than follow House 1,2,3 they move 3,2,1 and rise from the Ascendant into the 12th House (then to the 11th, 10th, & etc. with the Ascendant being Sun rise and the 10th House being Noon). With this knowledge it is simple to note whether a Planet be Oriental or Occidental of the Sun. Furthermore for the desirous student I will state which Planets have fortitudes or debilities with regards to their direction;
Saturn, Jupiter and Mars being Occidental from the Sun are considered in fortitude and fortunate.
Venus, Mercury and Luna being Oriental form the Sun are also considered in fortitude and fortunate.
However, if you find the reverse to happen, consider them to be debilitated by this accident or placement. The fortitude & debility score for Oriental and Occidental is only considered a 2 and therefore it doesn't have much power but it should still be considered and noted. This is especially true in concerns with regards to the timing of things. When a Planet is Occidental it tends to bring slow results and reverse for Oriental.
