Athanasius Kircher, Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae (Rome: Scheus, 1646): ‘The Selenic Shadowdial or the Process of the Lunation’.
The influence of the Moon is of as much if not of more importance than that of the other planets. The Moon is always for the one asking the question and is a very good and strong testimony for the querent if in either the 1st 4th or 10th house of the horoscope, but if the Moon be in the 7th house it favors the adversary, or if better aspected to the ruler of the 7th than to the 1st it also favors him more, and if in good aspect with both the ruler of 1st and 7th it shows a favorable settlement of the matter. When in any house of the figure it is judged the same as if the ruler of the 1st was in that house.
The weakest and most detrimental influence the Moon can have is to be void of course, which is to be past all aspects and to form no other while in the sign where it may be. When this happens, seldom any question or any undertaking of any kind will amount to anything.
Retrograde planets have no apparent influence whatever. Should the ruler of the house to which the question refers be retrograde, you can place no confidence in it whatever, although every other testimony may be favorable, the ruler of the matter retrograde will upset the matter.
The ruling planet retrograde generally shows lack of skill and management on the part of such individuals as the retrograde planet may represent.
Arcane XVIII : La Lune – Le Tarot d’Albrecht Dürer
FOR MAKING CHANGES.
The 1st house, its ruler and the Moon are to rule the party inquiring and also shows their present place and condition. After asking the question you should look to the ruler of the 1st and Moon to learn what may be afflicting your present position. If you find the ruler of the 1st afflicted in the 7th it would be of no benefit to make the change, as the 7th and its ruler represent the place to which you would move. Likewise the ruler of the 7th be weak and afflicted shows that your change would be from bad to worse. If the ruler of the 1st be stronger than the 7th it is better to remain where you are.
If the question be concerning position or employment then look to the 10th house and its ruler. If the rulers of the 1st and 10th are in evil aspect it is better to change, or if the 1st be strong in the 4th it is better to change. If the 4th and 7th houses with their rulers be afflicted while the 1st and 10th are strong it is better to continue where you are.
