Aquarius (mental signs); and the water triplicity, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces (emo-
tional signs).
One finds the same set of four elements and the same classification of signs by
element in Vedic astrology. The connotations are basically the same as in Western
astrology.
In contrast, there are five elements in Chinese astrology—earth, water, fire,
wood, and metal. In this system, the elements are not permanently associated with
each of the signs of the zodiac. Rather, each one of the 12 signs of the East Asian zodi-
ac can be a different element. For example, an individual born as an Ox in 1949 is an
earth Ox; an Ox born in 1937 is a fire Ox; an Ox born in 1973 is a water Ox; etc.Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Hand, Robert. Horoscope Symbols.Rockport, MA: Para Research, 1981.
Tester, Jim. A History of Western Astrology.New York: Ballantine, 1987.ELEUTHERIA
Eleutheria, asteroid 567 (the 567th asteroid to be discovered, on May 28, 1905), is
approximately 84 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 5.5 years. It was
named after the Greek goddess of liberty—hence, “eleutherophobia,” meaning fear of
freedom, and “eleutheromania,” meaning the irresistible need for freedom. There was
also a festival instituted after the victory of the Greeks over the Persians that was
called Eleutheria. The sign and house position of this planetoid in a natal chart indi-
cates where and how one seeks greater freedom, as well as how one struggles for liber-
ty. If prominent in a natal chart (e.g., conjunct the Sun or the ascendant), it may
show a person for whom liberty and victory over obstacles are life themes.Sources:
Kowal, Charles T. Asteroids: Their Nature and Utilization.Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Ellis
Horwood Limited, 1988.
Room, Adrian. Dictionary of Astronomical Names.London: Routledge, 1988.
Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.ELEVATION
Elevation is the angular distance of a celestial body above the horizon. An elevated
planet in a natal chart, especially if it is near the midheaven and in the tenth house, is
said to exert a particularly strong influence on the entire chart. In traditional astrolo-
gy, elevated malefic planets, especially when elevated above the Sun and Moon, were
said to exert an unfavorable influence over the entire chart. Modern astrologers have
largely rejected this interpretation. For instance, a well-aspected Saturn (traditionally
considered the Greater Malefic) placed in the tenth house is in the house of its acci-
dental dignity, and although this placement may indicate delay, it also indicates ulti-
mate success (should other factors support this interpretation) in one’s profession.Eleutheria
[220] THEASTROLOGYBOOK