Lunar Mansion 9: Al Tarf, or The Eye

About Lunar Mansion 9

The Arabic name for Lunar Mansion 9 is Al Tarf, which means "the glance." In the Tropical Zodiac, Lunar Mansion 9 extends from 12°51’22″ Cancer to 25°42’51″ Cancer.

I nicknamed this mansion The Eye. When the Moon is here, it's an auspicious time for making separations or divisions. 

Do: Pull back and conserve your energy. Release what no longer serves you. Forgive.

Don’t: Dwell on the past.  Travel or schedule unnecessary appointments.

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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 9.

From Al Biruni, 11th Century

Altarf, the eyes of the lion; these are two bright stars, one from Leo, the other from outside it, apparently about a cubit from each other.

From Abenragel, 11th Century

Indian Astrology: Bad for sowing, journeys, entrusting anything to anyone, or seeking to harm anyone.

Dorotheos: Good for voyages, swift on outward and return journeys. Marriages contracted will be harmonious for a while, then discordant. A slave bought will deceitful, accuse his master, and run away. A partnership started will involve fraud on either side. If captured, long imprisonment.

From Picatrix, 11th Century

The ninth Mansion is Atarfa, and it is for [creating] weakness and infirmity. When the Moon has traveled into this Mansion, fashion the image of a man with no genitalia out of lead, and with his hands covering his eyes; and upon his neck write the name of the lord of this Mansion. Cense this image with pine resin, and say: You, Raubel, make such and such a child fall ill or cause the blood to flow from the child of such and such. And ask whichever of these two [things] you desire, and it shall be done as you wish if you perform properly what is written above. And know that Raubel is the name of the lord of this Mansion.

From Henry Cornelius Agrippa, 16th Century

Achaam or Alcharph: eye of Leo. 12°51’22″ Cancer. Hinders harvests and travellers, creates discord between men. To cause infirmities .The image of a man wanting his privy parts, shutting his eyes with his hands.

From Vivian Robson, 20th Century

Al Tarf. lambda Leo (Alterf). The Glance (of the Lion's Eye). Hinders harvest and travelers and causes discord. With Moon here, plant, build, marry, but do not travel.

From Peter Stockinger, 21st Century

Al-Tarf(a), The Glance of the Lion’s Eye. Signification: It favors marriage and increases the force of personality in men, but in women it exercises a bad influence on marriage and makes them sullen, discouraged and unhappy. Unfavorable for journeys. Make pentacles to separate from companions.

From Christopher Warnock, 21st Century

This mansion generally implies a negative answer to questions. It warns of approaching misfortune, particularly with regard to health and travel. The manifestation of this energy might be more inwardly directed, too, foretelling of a time of depression or disappointment. We are naturally unhappy to see the ninth, or any other malefic mansion, appear in answer to our queries. Our ego-selves, what the Sufi refer to as the nafs or lower soul, insatiably pursues its own satisfaction, security and success in endeavors. We may feel affronted by the portents of the Ninth mansion, and question the usefulness of knowing a future that does not correspond to our desires.  But while perhaps we cannot direct events, we do have power over our perception and reaction to challenging times. Al Tarf gives us heed to prepare. By cultivating acceptance, emotional stability and the wisdom that all things have purpose, burdens grow much lighter. Moreover, the constant orbit of the moon through her mansions assures us that whatever our current state, it will not last. This too shall pass. 

Keywords: divine wrath, severity, disempowerment, infirmity, frustration and misfortune