Lunar Mansion 23: Al Sa'd al Bula, or The Jackal

About Lunar Mansion 23

The Arabic name for Lunar Mansion 23 is Al Sa'd al Bula, which means "the lucky one of the swallower." In the Tropical Zodiac, Lunar Mansion 23 extends from 12°51’22″ Capricorn to 25°42’51″ Capricorn.

I nicknamed this mansion The Jackal. When the Moon is here, it's an auspicious time to destroy what imprisons you.

Do: Tear down barriers. Remove impediments to healing and growth.

Don't: Arrange social gatherings.

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Lunar Mansions in History

Astrologers throughout the ages have commented on the meaning of the lunar mansions. Here's what's been written about Lunar Mansion 23.

From al Biruni, 11th Century

Sa'd bula, the glutton, marked by two stars on the left hand of Aquarius, between them is a third about to be devoured by the glutton.

From Abenragel, 11th Century

Indian Astrology - Good for medicine, for putting on new jewelry and clothes, for a journey in the middle third of day. Bad to entrust something to someone.

Dorotheos - Good for partnerships. Bad for marriage, since wife will mistreat husband and they will not be together much, for entering a ship, if a short voyage is wanted, for buying slaves. If captured, he will soon regain liberty.

From Picatrix, 11th Century 

The twenty-third Mansion is Zaadebola, and it is for destruction and devastation. When the Moon has passed into this Mansion, fashion a seal of iron in which you should sculpt the image of a cat having a dog's head. Cense it with the hair of a dog, and say: You, Zequebin, drive out everyone from such and such a place, and destroy and devastate it. When this Mansion has come to the Ascendant, set this seal out under the stars, and the following night bury the aforesaid seal in the place which you wish to destroy. And it shall be as you desire. And know that the name of the lord of this Mansion is Zequebin.

From Henry Cornelius Agrippa, 16th Century 

Sabadola. Zobrach. Swallowing. Causes divorce, freedom of captives, healing of sick. Destruction and wasting. A cat having a dog’s head.

From Vivian Robson, 20th Century 

Al Sa'd al Bula. mu with nu Aquarius. (Alan lists Epsilon (ε) Aquarius, Albali, as the brightest star in this mansion). The Good Fortune of the Swallower. Causes divorces, liberty of captives and heals the sick. With Moon here, marry, sow, take medicine and lead an army.

From Peter Stockinger, 21st Century 

Sa’d Bula’, The Good Fortune of the Aviator. Signification: Favourable for doctors, politicians and soldiers. Unfavourable for marriage, children and contracts. Make pentacles for friendship and healing.

From Christopher Warnock, 21st Century

This is a mansion of divorce and separation, symbolized in the image of the mansion of the proverbial enemies, the cat and the dog. When this mansion appears, it can signify that we are engaged in conflict or soon to be so. It indicates separation, divorce and the end of friendship. We are attempting to meld two factors that are inherently opposite and at odds with each other. Such a combination, the mansion reveals, will not last. The 23rd mansion also warns that we are in a situation antithetical to our needs and ill-suited to our personality. While this mansion might be considered malefic, it does serve to compel a break from the past and so create a space for new beginnings. For example, Sa'd Bula can signify the weakness before recovery from an illness, and thus the painful beginning of a healing process. This mansion tells us to examine our current situation closely and be willing to break free from an untenable position, such as that of the cat with a dog's head. 

Keywords: devouring force, swallowing up, devastation, wasting, decrease and diminishment.