LESSON XX
In the past two lessons you have been instructed in our method for the delineation of a nativity. Although we recommend that you follow the methods we have taught we do not want to limit you. Every successful astrologer starts out by mastering the fundamentals of chart erection and delineation as you have done. However the truly competent astrologer eventually develops his own particular flair for chart delineation. In other words you will gradually progress and develop your basic knowledge of chart delineation far enough that you will be able to delineate with fewer and fewer references. You will in effect be giving the delineation your own personal touch. This will bring you very close to your clients. This is important because your clients must have confidence in you.
Lesson XX is a continuation of our sample chart delineation, but now we are approaching the more complicated area of progression and transits. When you understand our method for construction of progressions and transits you will be able to erect a chart for any time or place.
"1 Day for 1 Year". This is the phrase generally used in reference to the way which astrological progressions are computed. It is the basis for the calculation of a progression according to the procedure employed by us. The life of every human being on this earth is geared to earth's two cyclic movements, which are it's daily rotation on it's own central axis and it's yearly revolution around the central point of the Solar System, the Sun itself plus its movement through the Universe as a part of our galaxy. The day-cycle is the most basic period as it refers to the alternation of light and of darkness. It is determined by the rising and setting of the sun. The year cycle deals with seasonal changes and it is measured by the change in position of the setting, (or rising), sun, south and north of a middle position which is the equator.
There is an old saying to the effect that, "a temple is not built in one day". The building of the temple is a process. So too the building of a person's character is not accomplished in one day. It is a never ending process which correlates with the continual motion of the planets and the universe. Before the construction of the temple can begin a blue-print must be drafted which describes the basic type of building to be erected. So too the birth-chart (nativity) is a blue print of the fundamental character potential which we are born with. Just as the basic blue-print for the temple is subject to change and modification along the way our character and personality development is subject to change as we grow older. These changes in our continual maturation process are the subject of what astrologers call progression. Through progressions and transits (more about transits later) we can define and study the changes which the motion of the universe brings to each and every one of us. A progression is the calculation for any given date, time, and place, of the advanced positions of the Sun, Moon and Planets of the nativity. We then study this in the relationship to the individual involved.
We teach the 1 day = 1 year system of progressions. It is based on the orbital movements of the planets allowing one day's movement after birth corresponding to each year of life of the native, or as we said above: 1 day for 1 year. You don't have to know the mathematics behind this rule you simply have to know the rule and how to use it. It involves the recalculation of the birth for a new time and place. The chart is erected according to the procedures outlined in Lessons XVI and XVII for the new day and a comparison is made between the location of the planets, in the positions to which they have arrived on the new day and their positions in the birth chart. Judgement is made from the angular relationships (aspects) so formed. When you, as an astrologer, wish to take a look at a chart, in order to get an idea of the development of a person's planetary pattern in any one year, you merely compute which day in the Ephemeris of the birth year corresponds to the year you wish to assess. You then compute the positions of the planets and signs as you were taught for that day just the same as you did for a nativity. The following shows you how to compute the day for the year you wish to assess.
The same sample chart which we erected in Lessons XVI and XVII and delineated in Lessons XVIII and XIX will now be used to demonstrate how we set up the progressed chart. Our client was born on June 6, 1949 in Bronx, New York. The year we wish to progress our nativity to is 1973.
Following the rule of adding 1 day for each year of the native's life since birth we get:
|
|
Calculations |
day |
month |
year |
|
|
Birth Date |
6 |
6 |
49 |
|
|
Age on birthday in 1973 |
+ 24 |
(one day for a year) |
|
|
|
By addition |
30 |
6 |
1949 |
Hence the date we use for the progression of our sample chart to 1973 is June 30, 1949. Referring to Diagram 1 in this lesson we can find the positions of the planets for the first day of June, 1949. Then by referring to Diagram I pp. 8 of Lesson XVII or pp. 1 of Mac Craigs Ephemeris we can make note of the daily rate of speed for each planet. By simple application of the procedure principles outlined in Lesson XVII we can ascertain the sign positions of the planets for the date in question. These are the progressed positions.
Step 1 - Principle XI
Pluto - On the first day of June, 1949 Pluto is listed in 14° of Leo. In order to locate the position of Pluto for June 30, the date of our progression, a simple multiplication process is normally necessary however by referring to Diagram I we discover that Pluto is in Stationary R at the time of our sample progression. So we merely take the position listed on the first of the month. Therefore the geocentric longitude for our progressed Pluto is P-14° Leo (we place a P in front of every progressed position) which is exactly the same sign position as in the nativity. (Its progressed position is not, however, placed on the nativity chart, but will be later placed properly on the progressed chart after we progress the signs and erect the progressed chart.) This holds true for all progressed positions we are computing here.
Step 2
On June 1st 1949 Neptune is listed in 13° of Libra. It is also listed that Neptune is Stationary Retrograde. Once again, as with Pluto, we may take the position listed on the 1st day of the month. In this case the geocentric longitude for our progressed Neptune becomes P-13° Libra which once again is exactly the same sign position as in the nativity.
Step 3
On the first day of June, 1949 Uranus is listed in 0° Cancer and it is also listed as Stationary Direct. For this reason we may assume the position on first of month. Hence the geocentric longitude for progressed Uranus is P-0° Cancer which, once again is exactly the same sign position as in the nativity.
Step 4
Saturn is also listed as Stationary Direct and we may, once again, take it's position on the first of the month. Hence our progressed geocentric longitude for Saturn is P-0° Virgo, once again, corresponding to it's natal sign position.
Step 5
Jupiter is listed as Stationary Retrograde, therefore it's position on the first of the month will also suffice. Hence, our progressed geocentric longitude for Jupiter is P-2° Aquarius, also corresponding to the natal sign position.
Step 6
Mars is not Stationary Retrograde or Direct, hence we apply our simple principles of multiplication and division in order to obtain Mars' geocentric position.
|
|
Mars' Daily Travel |
|
45 |
||||
|
|
# of Days to Progression |
|
x 30 |
||||
|
|
|
|
= 1350 |
||||
|
|
# of minutes in a degree |
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division |
60 / 1350 = 22o Distance traveled to progressed position |
|||||
(Note - it is not necessary for us to list the minutes)
The position of Mars on the first day of June is 24° Taurus. In the thirty days which passes to our progression date Mars travels 22°. This means that it travels the last 6° of Taurus and the first 16° of Gemini. Hence our progressed geocentric position for Mars is P-16° Gemini.
Step 7
The Sun is listed in 11° of Gemini on the first day of June 1949. Remember that both the Sun and Moon are never Stationary Retrograde of Direct hence the mathematical process is always a necessity when considering their position.
|
|
Sun's Daily Travel |
|
59' |
||||
|
|
# of Days to Progression |
|
x 30 |
||||
|
|
|
|
= 1770' |
||||
|
|
# of minutes in a degree |
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division |
60 / 1770 = 29o Distance traveled to progressed position |
|||||
The Sun travels 29° during the 30 days to our progression date. Once again on the 1st of the month it is listed in 11° of Gemini. Hence it will travel the last 19° of Gemini and the first 10° of Cancer, therefore our progressed geocentric longitude for Sun is P 10° of Cancer.
Step 8
On the first day of June the position of Venus is listed in 23° of Gemini.
|
|
Venus Daily Travel |
|
72' |
||||
|
|
# of Days to Progression |
|
x 30 |
||||
|
|
|
|
= 2160' |
||||
|
|
# of minutes in a degree |
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division |
60 / 2160 = 36o Distance traveled to progressed position |
|||||
Hence Venus travels the last 7° of Gemini and the first 29° of Cancer before reaching it's progressed date. So our progressed geocentric longitude for Venus is P 29° Cancer.
Step 9
Mercury is listed in 14° of Gemini for the 1st day of June. Since Mercury moves so rapidly and we are dealing with the last day of June we simply use the July 1st position of Mercury from the Ephemeris which is 18°
, therefore Mercury's position is P-18° Gemini. Note: Mercury's position must be approximated when it is near Stationary positions because it gathers speed as it moves to Direct and loses speed as it glows down to Retrograde. This is also true of Venus and Mars. When these planets are not near Stationary positions you use the daily speed and compute the movement. When they are near stationary positions you can estimate their positions by estimating between the position on the first of the month in question which here is June and the 1st of the previous or following month. In this case we use July the following month, because it is only one day away.
Step 10
For the first day of June, 1949 the Moon is listed in 6° of Leo.
|
|
Moons Daily Travel |
13o |
10' |
|
|
|
+ 30 |
+ 30 |
|
|
|
390o |
300' or 5o |
|
|
|
+ 5o |
|
|
|
|
= 395o |
|
Thus the moon will travel 395° from it's position on the first of the month which is 6° Leo. In other words for our sample progression the Moon travels through the complete zodiac once and stops in 11° of Virgo. Therefore, the progressed geocentric longitude for the Moon is P-11° Virgo.
Note: We do not feel it is necessary to progress the position of the Moon's Nodes when considering a progression.
We now must compute the Sidereal Time for Noon of the progressed date in question. We always use 12 Noon for the time to erect a progression. If our client is now living elsewhere than his birth-place of N.Y.C. then the corresponding new longitude and latitude for that place must be inserted instead of the old. At the present time our client has taken up residence in Chicago, Ill. and does not plan on moving in the near future. You always set up the progression for the present place of residence. It is our belief that if someone is living in one place at the present and yet moving in the very near future the progression should be erected according to the longitude and latitude for the future residence. Unless of course your client would like a progression for both and so requests this.
By following the principles outlined in Lesson XVI we can chart the basic progressed positions of the signs for our sample chart.
Principle 1 - Progression time and Birth Information
The date, time and place in questions for the erection of our sample progression is June 30, 1949 12:00 Noon in Chicago, Ill.
Principle II - Longitude and Latitude Information for Chicago, Ill.
|
|
Longitude |
87 V 39 |
|
|
|
Latitude |
41 N 52 |
|
|
|
Longitude in time |
5h 51' |
|
Principle III
1. Standard time Zone - Central. Chicago is part of the central standard time zone.
2. From the date June 30, we know that Daylight Savings Time is in effect. To correct this, we merely subtract one hour from the existing time.
|
|
12h 00' |
noon |
|
|
|
- 01h 00 |
|
|
|
|
11h 00' |
A.M. |
|
Principle IV - Correction to Local Mean Time
1. The location is three degrees east of the 90th Meridian which sets the Central Standard Time.
2. 3 Degrees multiplied by 4 minute (per degree) yields 12 minutes in time
|
|
11h 00' |
|
|
|
|
+ 00h 12' |
(we add here because it's East of the Meridian) |
|
|
|
11h 12' |
A.M. L.M.T. |
|
Principle V - Calculation for the interval of time between the noon previous to the birth or event, and the actual L.M.T.
llh l2' A.M. is L.M.T.
From the noon previous to the birth the interval of time is 23h 12' 00''
Principle VI - For Sidereal Correction refer to Diagram 3.
|
|
23h corrects to |
|
3' 47'' |
|
|
21' corrects to |
|
+ 0' 03'' |
|
|
|
|
3' 50'' |
3' 50" which must be added to our figure as attained by Principle V. Thus we have:
|
|
23h 12' 00'' |
|
|
|
|
+ 00h 03' 50'' |
|
|
|
|
23h 15' 50'' |
|
|
Principle VII - Sidereal Correction for Longitude in Time as noted in Principle II.
|
|
Longitude in Time |
|
5h 51' |
|
|
05h corrects to |
|
00' 49'' |
|
|
51' corrects to |
|
+ 00' 08'' |
|
|
|
|
= 00' 57'' |
which must be added to the time which we have obtained in Principle VI.
|
|
23h 15' 50'' |
|
|
|
|
+ 00h 00' 57'' |
|
|
|
|
23h 16' 47'' |
|
|
Principle VIII - Computations for the noon previous to the birth or event. Please see Diagram 4. According to the instructions we have,
|
|
Sidereal Time from Table B for 1949 |
|
18h 43' 13'' |
|
|
Sidereal Time from Table A for Jan. 1st |
|
- 18h 39' 51'' |
|
|
|
|
= 3' 22'' |
3' 22" must be then added to the Sidereal Time for Noon on June 29, which is the noon previous to the progressed date taken from Table A.
|
|
06h 25' 34'' |
|
|
|
|
+ 00h 03' 22'' |
|
|
|
|
06h 28' 56'' |
corrected Sidereal Time for noon June 29. |
|
Principle IX - To the Sidereal Time for Noon achieved by Principle VIII add the time resulted in Principle VII. The result is the Sidereal Time of the chart for the progression sought.
Ex.
|
|
23h 16' 47'' |
time resulting from Principle XVII |
|
|
+ 06h 28' 56'' |
Sidereal Time for noon June 29 |
|
|
29h 45' 53'' |
|
|
|
- 24h 00' 00'' |
|
|
|
= 5h 45' 53'' |
Sidereal Time for Chart |
Principle X - We must now turn to the Table of Houses, and under the proper latitude select the Sidereal Time which is nearest to the Sidereal Time for the chart, and from the tables, find the Signs and degrees and place them on the proper House cusps of the chart.
Ex. The nearest latitude listed in the A P Table of Houses in 4I N 54 and the nearest Sidereal Time is 05h 46' 55". The table for this time reads as follows: (We furnish this information in the event that you do not have the A P Table of Houses.)
|
X house |
27° Gemini |
|
XI house |
1° Leo |
|
XII house |
1° Virgo |
|
ASC house |
27° Virgo 17" |
|
II house |
23° Libra |
|
III house |
23° Scorpio |
The Signs are thus inserted onto a blank horoscope sheet. (Se Diagram 2) Consider this chart now in comparison with a copy of the original natal chart and note any basic changes. The most striking point is that the ascendant is now 27° Virgo 26' whereas in the natal chart it was 29°
40'. Our Gemini client is almost done now with the influence of Virgo as his ascendant. Libra is almost in the ascendant position and this fundamentally implies that our Gemini's natural criticism (provided by Virgo) should be evolving into a sense of justice and understanding. More about this later, but for now, before we insert the planets, lets note any other changes. Basically each sign has progressed to the next lowest house from the one which it originally occupied in the nativity. In other words, whereas Aries was on the 9th House Cusp in the natal chart it has now moved down to the VIII house Cusp. Whereas Gemini was intercepted in the 10th House in the natal chart it is now on the 10th House Cusp and Cancer is now intercepted in that same 10th House. In our natal chart we have Sagittarius intercepted in the 4th house yet in the progression Sagittarius is on the cusp of the 4th House and Capricorn is now intercepted in that same 4th House. Remember that the fundamental change is simply that all the signs have moved one house downward from their natal position.
We must now insert the progressed positions of the planets and this is done for you in Diagram 5.
Please make note that when erecting our nativity we calculated sign position first and then planetary position. In our consideration in this lesson, of the progressed positions of these same signs and planets that order is reversed as we first consider planetary position and secondly the position of the signs. This was not done to confuse you but rather, to let you know that it does not matter which you do first. Some astrologers feel more comfortable estimating planetary position first and others prefer to consider sign position first. It is of little consequence which you decide to compute first. After you have erected several charts you will know which way is most comfortable for you.
Referring to Diagram 5 please note that before each listed planet is the letter P which indicates that we are considering a progressed planet. This is necessary to avoid confusion. Many astrologers prefer to list the progressed positions of the planets and signs on the same horoscope sheet as the natal chart. We feel that this is not practical because it merely clutters up the natal chart and makes it difficult to read. Whereas we stress simplicity and completeness we also recommend neatness. A progressed chart will be that much easier to read if you insert the planetary and sign information on a separate horoscope sheet. It is perfectly logical to assume that the task of comparing a progression and a nativity is an easier task when both the natal and progressed sign and planetary information are carefully inserted into two separate horoscope sheets. Probably the most effective way of noting the difference in planetary position between the natal and progressed charts is to list both sets of planets next to each other with the necessary sign and house information. Once this is done we can take mental note of the changes and start to weigh their impact on our client. The planets from the natal and progressed charts line up in the following manner.
|
Natal Planets |
Progressed Planets |
|
Sun 16° Gemini 10th House |
Sun 10° Cancer 10th House |
|
Moon 25° Libra 3rd House |
Moon 11° Virgo 12th House |
|
Mercury 17° Gemini 10th House |
Mercury 18° Gemini 9th House |
|
Venus 0° Cancer 11th House |
Venus 29° Cancer 10th House |
|
Mars 28° Taurus 10th House |
Mars 16° Gemini 9th House |
|
Jupiter 2° Aquarius 5th House |
Jupiter 2° Aquarius 4th House |
|
Saturn 0° Virgo 1st House |
Saturn 0° Virgo 11th House |
|
Uranus 0° Cancer 11th House |
Uranus 0° Cancer 10th House |
|
Neptune 13°Libra 2nd House |
Neptune 13° Libra 1st House |
|
Pluto 14° Leo 12th House |
Pluto 14° Leo 11th House |
There are some major differences which are now taking shape. The most striking and explosive changes are that both the Sun and the Moon have progressed into new signs. Whereas the natal Sun was in Gemini it has now progressed into Cancer and the natal Moon has progressed from Libra into Virgo. These two changes are radically important. Although our client is still experiencing the influence of his natal Gemini Sun and Libra moon he is now entering a new phase of his existence where a Cancer Sun and Virgo Moon are affecting him more intensely. We talk in detail about this in Lesson XXI which concerns, among other points, a delineation of the progression in light of the natal chart. Another striking point of critical significance is the heavy concentration of progressed planets in intercepted Cancer in the 10th House. No fewer than three planets, Venus, Uranus, and the Sun, are making their presence felt here. There has been a considerable build up of power in this House since the nativity was erected. The delineation of this centralization of progressed planets is left for the next lesson and we are merely commenting on it at this time. Before we go any further to the delineation of this progression there are a few things we must understand concerning the intricate world of transits.
Basically transits are the movements of the planets, utilized to depict cycles based on the relation of progressed transiting planets to the natal planets of the native. To study planetary transits is to compare the birth chart and the "state of the heavens" for any selected time. You can think of a transit as an aspect which is formed by an angular relationship between a progressed planet and a natal planet. In our simplified approach to astrology we feel that, when evaluating the influence of a progression in relationship to a nativity, it is necessary to consider the influence of aspects which progressed and natal planets form. Transiting planets and their aspects are of serious consequence - only when studied in relationship to a nativity. Transits do not change a nativity, they simply expand it yet such expansions are directly dependant on the birth chart. In other words without the birth chart there would be no progressions. Hence to examine a progression without relating it to a nativity is meaningless and has no part in our study. Correspondingly the aspects which the progressed planets form with the natal planets are of paramount significance. The influence of these aspects, formed by the transiting progressed planets, is part of our study in Lesson XXI, however we are introducing the subject here so that you may become familiar with it.
The concepts of transits and progression are extremely important and it is critical that you can distinguish between the two. Think of it this way: when we erected our sample nativity in Lessons XVI and XVII we stopped the motion of all the planets for a particular time, date and place and then estimated the impact of their influence on our hypothetical client. Now in the present Lesson we have erected a progressed chart for that same client. What we have accomplished here, in effect, is that we have stopped the motion of the planets once again, but this time for a progressed date. When we say that a planet is transiting we are merely defining it's motion through the zodiac. When we talk about a progressed planet we simply are referring to a transiting planet whose motion we have halted for a specific progressed time and place. For example, in our sample progression computed earlier in this lesson we halted transiting Mercury at 18° of Gemini which becomes it's progressed position. Now when we speak of a transit we are defining an aspect which is formed between a progressed planet (remember a progressed planet is simply a transiting planet whose motion we have stopped at a particular position in the zodiac) and a natal planet. The relationship between these words progressed, transiting, transit, and natal planets is simple yet it can be confusing. If you do not feel that you understand the relationship go back and reread this section very slowly for it is imperative that you grasp this basic difference. The majority of published and material available on this matter is very confusing.
NOTE:
Although we have taught you to progress a chart using the Noon method, there is an additional method in common use which is well worth mentioning. Many astrologers ascribe to the method in which the time of birth is also used for computation in the progression. In other words, instead of using Noon to set up a progression, we use the same time (birth time) that we used in setting up the Natal. We feel that both methods are acceptable and although this lesson uses the Noon method, please feel free to use the other method if it is more comfortable to you.
CONCLUSION
In the next Lesson we will carefully consider the progression in light of the nativity. You will be shown how to interpret the progressed aspects and how to identify the native's development. It is of paramount importance that you proceed cautiously, deliberately absorbing all the knowledge exposed to you along the way. Progressions are relatively complicated material, however, we have simplified the process so that all of our students may find success in this truly rewarding area of Astrology. In the next Lesson you will see how incredibly interesting your field can become. Through your patience and hard work you have developed a professional skill which enables you to help and guide people through the natural traumas of their lives. The self-satisfaction and contentment which follows such assistance is no small part of your reward.