V

Vernal Equinox, The Spring Equinox. v. Equinox; Celestial Sphere.

Vertical. Virtually synonymous with perpendicular, save that vertical applies more to abstract
things and implies the general direction of the zenith, while perpendicular applies more to
concrete things and implies a general downward direction toward Earth's center. Astronomically
and astrologically it is employed with reference to the celestial circle, the circle in which one
stands when facing south. v. Celestial Sphere.

Vespertine. Said of a planet which sets in the West after the Sun. The reverse of Matutine (q.v.).

Via Combusta. The combust path. As employed by the ancients this doubtless referred to a
cluster of fixed stars in the early degrees of the constellation Scorpio. A birth Moon in that arc
was considered to be as afflicted as if it was in an eclipse condition - at or near one of the Nodes.
If so, the description would have to be revised by 1° every 70 years, to compensate for the
Precessional arc. This would probably place the Via Combusta in the region occupied by
Antares and opposed by Aldebaran, an arc now centering around 10° Sagittarius. A birth planet
or birth Moon in that arc would thus be described "in Via Combusta." Some of the older
authorities gave its location as the last half of Libra and the whole of Capricorn; others, from
Libra 15° to Scorpio 15°.

Vibrations. It is common to speak of impressions as vibrations. Bodies doubtless exude some
variety of emanations, which we now deem to be energy radiations, and whose vibratory
characteristics are termed frequencies. just as the thought embodied in music or audible sounds
is conveyed to the ear in sound frequencies, of a range from 60 to 6000 cycles a second, and
color in art and all things visible is conveyed to the eye in light frequencies of from 400 to 800
milli-micron wave lengths, so must there be a range of frequencies in which otherwise
unexpressed thoughts are projected from one brain to that of another attuned to receive it.
Occultists define Vibrations as psychic pulsations or magnetic waves.

Violent Signs. Aries, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Aquarius. v. Signs.