What is called the great triangle, or the Triangle of Mars, is formed by the lines of life, head, and the hepatica (Plate XXII.).
When, as is very frequently the case, the line of health is altogether absent, its place must be filled by an imaginary line to form the base of the triangle, or (as is often found) the line of sun forms the base (a-a, Plate XXII.). This latter is by far the greatest sign of power and success, although the subject will not be so broad-minded and liberal as when the base of the triangle is formed by the line of health.
The shape and positions of the great triangle must be considered by themselves, although it contains the upper, the middle, and the lower angle, which three points will be dealt with later.
When the triangle is well formed by the lines of head, life, and health, it should be broad and inclose the entire Plain of Mars. In such case it denotes breadth of views, liberality and generosity of spirit; such a person will be inclined to sacrifice himself to further the interests of the whole, not the unit.
If, on the contrary, it is formed by three small, wavy, uncertain lines, it denotes timidity of spirit, meanness, and cowardice. Such a man would always go with the majority even against his principles.
When in the second formation of the triangle it has for its base the line of sun, the subject will then have narrow ideas but great individuality and strong resolution. Such a sign, from the very qualities it exhibits, contains within itself the seeds of worldly success.
The Upper Angle
The upper angle (b, Plate XXII.) is formed by the lines of head and life. This angle should be clear, well pointed, and even. Such will indicate refinement of thought and mind, and delicacy toward others.
When very obtuse, it denotes a dull matter-of-fact intellect with little delicacy and feeling and a very small appreciation of art or of artistic things or people.
When extremely wide and obtuse, it gives a blunt, hasty temper, a person who will continually offend people. It also denotes impatience and want of application in study.
The Middle Angle
The middle angle is formed by the line of head and that of health (c, Plate XXII.). If clear and well defined, it denotes quickness of intellect, vivacity, and good health.
When very acute, it denotes a painfully nervous temperament and bad health.
When very obtuse, dullness of intelligence and a matter-of-fact method of working.
The Lower Angle
The lower angle (d, Plate XXII.), when very acute and made by the hepatica, denotes feebleness, and littleness of spirit; when obtuse, it denotes a strong nature.
When made by the line of sun and very acute, it gives individuality, but a narrow view of things; when obtuse, it gives a broader and more generous mind.
The Quadrangle
The quadrangle, as its name implies, is that quadrangular space between the lines of head and heart (Plate XXII.).
It should be even in shape, wide at both ends, but not narrow at the center. Its interior should be smooth and not crossed with many lines, whether from the head or from the heart. When marked in this way, it indicates evenness of mind, power of intellect, and loyalty in friendship or affection.
This space represents within itself the man’s disposition toward his fellows. When excessively narrow, it shows narrow ideas, smallness of thought, and bigotry, but more in regard to religion and morals, whereas the triangle p. 138 denotes conservatism as regards work and occupation. With religious people this is a remarkable sign, the hand of the bigot always having this space extremely narrow.
On the other hand, the space must not be too wide. When it is, the subject’s views of religion and morals will be too broad for his own good.
When this space narrows so much in the center that it has the appearance of a waist, it denotes prejudice and injustice. Again, the two ends should be fairly equally balanced. When much wider under the Mount of the Sun than Saturn, the person is careless about his name, position, or reputation. The opposite of this is shown when the space is narrow. It is in such a case a sign of intense anxiety as to the opinion of other people—what the world thinks, and what one must do to keep up one’s reputation.
When excessively wide under Saturn or Jupiter and narrower at the other end, it denotes that the subject will change from the generosity of his views and broadness of mind to become narrow and prejudiced.
When the quadrangle is abnormally wide in its entire length, it denotes want of order in the brain, carelessness of thought and ideas, an unconventional nature, and one imprudent in every way.
When the quadrangle is smooth and free from little lines, it denotes a calm temperament.
When very full of little lines and crosses, the nature is restless and irritable.
A star in any portion of the quadrangle is an excellent sign, particularly if it be under some favorable mount.
Under Jupiter it promises pride and power.
Under Saturn, success in worldly matters.
Under the Mount of the Sun, success in fame and position through art; and between the Sun and Mercury, success in science and research.