Influence of Saturn (was Re: A midget in glasses,)

[Erica <cymru1ca@yahoo.ca>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51102

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Pen Robinson <pen at p...> wrote:
> 
> On Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003, at 19:59 Europe/London, Falcon wrote:
> >   Me: Mathematical or not, when "mean" is used in conjunction 
with 
> > "stature" it is describing a person's average height. The context 
is 
> > that she is talking about his physical description. "Mean" when 
used 
> > to describe someone refers to their average size. It don't matter 
how 
> > much you disagree with it, that's the way it is.
> 
> Interesting to see this interpretation of 'mean stature' 
as 'average 
> height' when applied in this instance.
> 
> Obviously, 'mean stature' can denote 'average height' when applied 
to a 
> group.  But an individual (1) cannot *have* an 'average height',  
unless
> 
> (a) he is a most unusual individual who is 5'2" on Mondays but 6' 
tall 
> on Friday night, in which case his 'mean stature' might be, oh, 
5'7" or 
> so,
> 
> or
> 
> (b) the speaker is referring to his height since he was, say, three 
> years old.
> 
> Neither of these is, I submit, very likely.
> 
> 'Mean' has many, er, meanings.  In a literary sense, it 
means 'small'.
> 
> Pen
> <feeling a bit silly today>
> 
> (1)  An individual can be *of* average height, but that is not the 
same 
> thing.

We are debating two *literary* meanings of mean (as an adjective...) 

1)  *low in value or amount* eg paid no mean amount for the new 
shoes" (Origin: from Old English gaemne, common)

 i.e. Harry is vertically challenged

2) *Intermediate in size, extent, quality, time, or degree; medium.*
(Origin from Middle English mene, middle, from Old French meien, from 
Latin medinus, from medius)

Being of middle age and a mean stature. --Sir. P. Sidney.

 i.e. Harry is of average height

Whether shrimpy or middling Trelawney indentifies it as a Saturn-
influenced attribute:


William Lilly, Of the Planet Saturn and his significance (from WL's 
Christian Asrology 1st ed. 1647, reprinted 1985 Regulus)

Corporature Most part his Body more cold and dry, of a *middle 
stature*; his complexion pale, swartish or muddy, his Eyes little and 
black, looking downward, a broad Forehead, black or sad Hair, and it 
hard or rugged, great Eares; 

from The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Children born under Saturn
If he be Lord of the nativity, he maketh the children of proud heart, 
lofty in honours, sad, keeping anger, upright in counsel, disagreeing 
with their wives, malicious; of stature lean, pale, slender, and hard 
favoured, thick lips, wide nostrils and cold of nature

Erica (Googling at work)