Besiegement

Definition

Besiegement is when a planet is caught between the two malefics — Mars and Saturn, the planets traditionally read as the hardest. It happens in one of two ways: by body, where the planet sits between Mars and Saturn along the zodiac, having just moved away from one of them toward the other; or by aspect, where it takes difficult angles — usually squares or oppositions — from both at once. Besiegement by body is the harsher form; besiegement by aspect is also read as a setback, but a less acute one.

In Tradition

Traditional Western astrologers read besiegement as a serious accidental weakness: the besieged planet is pictured as trapped between two hostile forces and unable to act freely. Astrologers agree it is a setback, and that besiegement by body is the stronger reading. The medieval Arabic-Latin tradition and the English horary tradition under Lilly both keep the doctrine as part of weighing a planet's overall condition.

In Practice

An astrologer checks whether a planet's place along the zodiac falls between Mars and Saturn — that is, whether it has just moved away from one of the two and is now closing in on the other within the usual orbs (the allowed margins). They also check whether the planet takes hard angles, typically squares or oppositions, from both Mars and Saturn at the same time. In horary judgment, a besieged significator (the planet standing in for the matter or person) points to pressure from several directions with no easy way out. The setback can be eased somewhat when the besieged planet holds essential dignity — natural strength in its sign — or when a benefic planet steps in by aspect or completes the matter first.

Historical Origin

The doctrine appears in medieval Arabic-Latin astrology under terms including muhasara ("siege") and was set down for the English horary tradition by William Lilly in Christian Astrology (1647). Bonatti treats besiegement among the conditions of a planet's cosmic state in Liber Astronomiae, and Lee Lehman documents its modern reception in Essential Dignities.

Etymology

Origin: Old French. Meaning: From assieger (to sit before, lay siege to) — a planet under siege from two malefics.

Further Reading

• William Lilly, Christian Astrology
• Lee Lehman, Essential Dignities
• Anthony Louis, Horary Astrology Plain & Simple