Article on Combustion
"Combustion is probably one of the more difficult concepts, since there are so many variations of it. Please keep in mind that my responses are based upon a principle that I have continually advanced (e.g., interpret the planetary influences both ways). The Professor has never commented on whether he agrees with this or not, so this may not be strict SA.
First, combustion is not a binary event. A planet at the outside range of combustion doesn't really suffer much weakness. The exception to this is the Moon. The Moon is still considered somewhat weakened if within 72 degrees of the Sun. This is a more minor weakness.
Next, here are the various permutations of combustion:
Benefic combust with Benefic Sun:
There are actually two flavors of this scenario. If the benefic planet is combust AND within the 5 degree range of conjunction, then the significations of both the Sun and the combust planet will be enhanced by each other's energy. In fact, the Sun will take over the significations of the combust planet and promote them far better than could the planet to which those significations rightfully pertain. However, if the combust planet is outside the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then the combust planet's significations will suffer and no benefit is derived.
Benefic combust with Malefic Sun:
Again there will be two flavors of this scenario. If the benefic planet is within the 5 degree orb of conjunction with the Sun, then the combust planet's significations are severely harmed. They are not only weakened, but afflicted as well. However, since I interpret the transits both ways, I would say that the Sun's significations will be enhanced by the benefic planet. On the other hand, if the combust planet is outside the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then the planet's significations will suffer, but not as badly since it is not afflicted. The Sun will derive no benefit under this scenario.
Malefic combust with Benefic Sun:
If the malefic planet is within the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then the combust planet's significations are somewhat mollified by the benefic warm & generous nature of the Sun. The benefic Sun will not be harmed unless it is weak and the malefic is within 5 degrees, or the Sun is strong and the malefic is within 1 degree.
If the combust planet is outside the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then its significations will suffer through weakness, but no harm befalls the Sun. Under this latter scenario, the combust planet not only serves to afflict other points in the chart, but is also unable to protect/promote his own significations.
Malefic combust with Malefic Sun:
If there is a conjunction with an orb of 1-4 degrees, and the Sun is considered strong, then the combust planet is weakened and afflicted, and no harm is done to the Sun. If there is a conjunction within a 1 degree orb, then Sun is afflicted regardless of his natal strength. If there is a conjunction within 5 degrees, and the Sun is considered weak, then the combust planet is weak and afflicted, and the Sun is afflicted by the combust planet. Outside the 5 degree orb, the combust planet is weakened and his ability to protect/promote his significations are harmed, but the Sun does not suffer at all by this configuration.
Under all conditions, for the above permutations, a combust planet's significations suffer under the influence of a slow malefic transit affliction.
- Ron Grimes
First, combustion is not a binary event. A planet at the outside range of combustion doesn't really suffer much weakness. The exception to this is the Moon. The Moon is still considered somewhat weakened if within 72 degrees of the Sun. This is a more minor weakness.
Next, here are the various permutations of combustion:
Benefic combust with Benefic Sun:
There are actually two flavors of this scenario. If the benefic planet is combust AND within the 5 degree range of conjunction, then the significations of both the Sun and the combust planet will be enhanced by each other's energy. In fact, the Sun will take over the significations of the combust planet and promote them far better than could the planet to which those significations rightfully pertain. However, if the combust planet is outside the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then the combust planet's significations will suffer and no benefit is derived.
Benefic combust with Malefic Sun:
Again there will be two flavors of this scenario. If the benefic planet is within the 5 degree orb of conjunction with the Sun, then the combust planet's significations are severely harmed. They are not only weakened, but afflicted as well. However, since I interpret the transits both ways, I would say that the Sun's significations will be enhanced by the benefic planet. On the other hand, if the combust planet is outside the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then the planet's significations will suffer, but not as badly since it is not afflicted. The Sun will derive no benefit under this scenario.
Malefic combust with Benefic Sun:
If the malefic planet is within the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then the combust planet's significations are somewhat mollified by the benefic warm & generous nature of the Sun. The benefic Sun will not be harmed unless it is weak and the malefic is within 5 degrees, or the Sun is strong and the malefic is within 1 degree.
If the combust planet is outside the 5 degree orb of conjunction, then its significations will suffer through weakness, but no harm befalls the Sun. Under this latter scenario, the combust planet not only serves to afflict other points in the chart, but is also unable to protect/promote his own significations.
Malefic combust with Malefic Sun:
If there is a conjunction with an orb of 1-4 degrees, and the Sun is considered strong, then the combust planet is weakened and afflicted, and no harm is done to the Sun. If there is a conjunction within a 1 degree orb, then Sun is afflicted regardless of his natal strength. If there is a conjunction within 5 degrees, and the Sun is considered weak, then the combust planet is weak and afflicted, and the Sun is afflicted by the combust planet. Outside the 5 degree orb, the combust planet is weakened and his ability to protect/promote his significations are harmed, but the Sun does not suffer at all by this configuration.
Under all conditions, for the above permutations, a combust planet's significations suffer under the influence of a slow malefic transit affliction.
- Ron Grimes