Working Paper on Astrological Physiognomy: History and Sources

The Vital Temperament, pp. 103-106.
<strong>Working</strong> <strong>Paper</strong> on Astrological Physiognomy: History and Sources
“As this temperament depends upon the preponderance of the vital or nutritive organs,
which occupy the great cavities of the trunk, it is necessarily marked by a breadth and thickness
of body proportionally greater, and a stature and size of limbs proportionally less than the motive
temperament. Its most striking physical characteristic is rotundity. The face inclines to
roundness; the nostrils are wide; the neck rather short; the shoulders broad and rounded; the
chest full; the abdomen well developed; the arms and legs plump but tapering, and terminating in
hands and feet relatively small. The complexion is generally florid; the countenance smiling; the
eyes light; the nose broad, and the hair soft, light, and silky.
In a woman of this temperament (which seems to be peculiarly the temperament of woman),
the shoulders are softly rounded, and owe any breadth they may possess rather to the expanded
chest, with which they are connected, than to the bony or muscular size of the shoulders
themselves; the bust is full and rounded; the waist, though sufficiently marked, is as it were,
encroached upon by the plumpness of the contiguous parts; the haunches are greatly expanded;
the limbs tapering; the feet and hands small, but plump; the complexion, depending on nutrition,
has the rose and the lily so exquisitely blended that we are surprise that it should defy the usual
operations of the elements; and there is a profusion or soft, and fine flaxen or auburn hair. The
whole figure is plump, soft and voluptuous. This temperament is not so common among
American women as could be desired.
Persons of this temperament have greater vigor, but less density and toughness of fiber than
those in whom the motive predominates. They love fresh air and exercise, and must be always
doing something to work off their constantly accumulating stock of vitality; but they generally
love play better than hard work.
Mentally, they are characterized by activity, ardor, impulsiveness, enthusiasm, versatility,
and sometimes by fickleness. They are distinguished by elasticity rather than firmness, and
possess more diligence than persistence, and more brilliancy than depth. They are frequently
violent and passionate, but are as easily calmed as excited; are generally cheerful, amiable, and
genial;’ always fond of good living, and more apt than others to become addicted to the
excessive use of stimulants. Their motto is dum vivimus, vivamus – let us live while we live.
There is great enjoyment to them in the mere sense of being alive – in the consciousness of
animal existence. The English furnish some of the best examples of the vital temperament. Out
illustration gives a good idea of it so far as its outlines are concerned.
An undue and abnormal preponderance of the absorbent system, and a sluggish action of the
circulatory organs, give rise to the lymphatic temperament, described in a previous section,
which presents forms softer and more rounded even than those we have been describing, but
lacking their well-defined and graceful outlines. A feeble color of the skin; a flabbiness of the
flesh; a lack of expression in the countenance; insurmountable sloth, and a general apathy both of
body and mind characterize this state of the system, which is so evidently the result of disease
that we see no propriety in classing it with the natural temperaments.”
©Regulus Astrology LLC, 2010. All Rights Reserved.
77