ON DIRECTIONS

Sepharial
A variety of methods have been employed by astrologers at different periods and in various countries to ascertain the precise time at which the portents of the horoscope will find fulfilment.

The Hindus divide the whole life into periods called dashas, and these are again divided into bukthis, and these again into antarams; so that a very close calculation may be made by this means. The method, however, is based upon the Sayana system of astronomy, which reckons from the fixed star Revati (Fomalhaut) and ignores the precession of the equinoxes. The system is perfectly consistent, but it cannot readily be applied to the European zodiac; and it may be omitted from the exposition without hurt to its integrity. The student is referred to the work of Parashara known as Parashara Hora for full instruction as to the methods of this System.

The Chaldeans - and after them the Arabians - took account of the progress of the planets and the luminaries after birth, accounting each day after birth as a year of life; and from the aspects formed between the celestial bodies by their progress among themselves and as regards their positions at the birth, they judged of the course of events. This system is the one most in vogue among astrologers today, and, rightly regarded, it is undoubtedly a ready means to a correct forecast of the time and nature of events.

Claudius Ptolemy took account chiefly of the rising and culmination of the bodies by the rotation of the earth on its axis, whereby the bodies are carried round the earth forming aspects to the radical positions.
The measure of time used by him was that of Right Ascension, accounting 4 mins. or 1 degree to each year of life.
The analogy between this system and that of the Arabians is that the Sun’s progress in the zodiac after birth is at the approximate rate of 1 degree per day, which is accounted as 1 year of life, while 1 degree of Right Ascension is also equal to 1 year of life.

Placidus confirmed this system and added the mundane aspects, bringing the bodies to the cusps of the Houses to form “directions “to the Ascendant and Midheaven, and to proportionate distances from the meridian or horizon to form mundane aspects to other bodies not at birth upon the cusps. In this system one-third of the semi-arc of a planet was accounted equal to one House, and half the semi-arc was equal to an aspect of 45°, the semisquare.

The method consistently used in practice is as follows:
For each year of life add one day to that of birth and set the figure for the hour and place of birth. This will give the progressed Midheaven, the progressed Ascendant, and the progressed place of the Sun. The aspects formed by these to the planets at birth and in the progress will constitute PRIMARY DIRECTIONS, and the aspects formed by the progressed planets to the Midheaven, Ascendant, Sun and Moon in the Radix will also be included in this category.
This system has the advantage of calculating the Arcs of Direction and equating them by the Sun’s true motion at the same time. How many Arcs calculated by the latter method find fulfilment at the fractional part of the year represented by the minutes of a degree? The influence of an Arc of Direction extended over a considerable period and that it was brought into effect by the concurrence of Secondary or Lunar Directions, transits and eclipses.
While the precise time of the crises and the specific nature of events may be known by reference to the radical import of the planets involved, and to the aspects formed by the Moon in its progress.

The PRIMARY DIRECTIONS, therefore, will comprise:
1. Aspects formed by the progressed Midheaven to the radical and progressed places of the planets.
2. Similar aspects formed by the progressed Ascendant.
3. Similar aspects formed by the progressed Sun.
4. Aspects formed by the progressed planets to the Midheaven, Ascendant, Sun and Moon in the Radix.