M
Magic. In occult terminology, a mastery of occult forces and the hidden mysteries of nature. White Magic is that
exercised for a beneficent, helpful purpose; Black Magic, the abuse of super-normal powers when applied to a selfish
end. Cornell associates magical powers with Uranus and Scorpio and the 8th and 12th Houses.
Magnetism. In occult terminology, a form of elemental electricity which confers the power of attraction and creates
polarity. Almost every person and object has magnetic attraction. Physical magnetism is deemed to be allied to
electricity, hence associated with Uranus and Scorpio.
Magnitude. An adopted arbitrary geometric scale whereby to indicate the brightness of a celestial object; according to
which an increase of 5 magnitudes corresponds to 100-fold decrease in brightness. Apparent Magnitude As it actually
appears - ranging from -26.7 for our Sun to + 20 for the faintest stars which can be photographed by the largest
telescope. Absolute Magnitude. As it would be perceived if removed to a point from which its parallax would be 0.1"
of arc - ranging from -5 for the brightest of stars to +15 for the faintest, with our Sun about +5. The faintest star visible
to the unaided eye is of the sixth magnitude. Since greenish yellow registers best on the eye and blue-violet registers
best on the photo-plate, magnitudes vary somewhat according to the method of observation employed.
Major Planets. v. Planets.
Malefic. (n.) Applied to certain planets deemed to exert a harmful influence; chiefly Mars and Saturn. v. Planets. 2. (a)
As usually employed, it is loosely applied to an inharmonious aspect with any planet, and to a conjunction with any
malefic planet. (v. Planets.)
Afflicted by; in affliction with. Applied to certain aspects deemed to be inharmonious.
Mansions of the Moon. A series of 28 divisions of the Moon's travel through one complete circuit of 360 degrees,
each Mansion representing one day's average travel of the Moon (12° 51' 25.2", or roughly 13 degrees), beginning
apparently at the point of the Spring Equinox, or 0° Aries. In the Hindu system they are called Asterisms, and are
measured from the beginning of the Hindu Zodiac. The result is this series of cusps:
Cardinal Signs: 0° 0' 0" The nearest even degree:
...............12 51 25 ........... 13
...............25 42 50 ........... 26
Fixed Signs:... 8 34 15 ............ 9
...............21 25 40 ........... 21