1 86 The Law of the Rhythmic Breath 



activities and influences, whether heavenly or ter- 

 restrial. 



Briefly reviewing the first mentioned, we learn 

 that as a stellar body Mercury is exceptional in 

 many ways, and has always baffled the astronomer 

 in his efforts to obtain accurate data concerning its 

 constitution and environment. It is the smallest 

 planet in diameter but the swiftest in motion; has 

 the least mass but the greatest density, being two 

 and one-fourth times denser than the earth, and 

 only slightly less dense than the metal mercury; is 

 nearest to the sun and has the most eccentric orbit. 

 As seen from the sun, Mercury passes through one 

 constellation of the Zodiac in a fraction over seven 

 days, completing the circuit of the Zodiac in 

 eighty-eight days; and as seen from the earth it 

 makes three complete circuits of the sun in three 

 hundred and forty-eight days. Also from our 

 point of view, the planet is usually in the same con- 

 stellation with the sun, and is never farther away 

 than a nearby sign. 



The astronomer considers it more than doubtful 

 if Mercury has any atmosphere, and it has no satel- 

 lite. When it can be observed in the same tele- 

 scopic field with Venus, its totally different con- 

 stitution is plainly betrayed by its markedly lower 

 Albedo, or reflecting power; for Mercury ap- 

 pears as zinc or lead contrasted with the dazzling 

 silver-white radiance of Venus. Now, I should 



