I know there are probably different ways to cast and read horary charts. Does the traditional method of reading a horary chart count the dignities the same as with traditional natal charts?

RC

I wouldn't ever "count" dignities. Dignity is about quality not quantity! "How strong is Jupiter?" "Five." It makes no sense. Usually we need to see if Jupiter is strong ENOUGH for what we want it to do, and don't need to go any deeper than that! Receptions are vital too, of course. Have you read Deb's horary articles? They're somewhere on the site. Go take a look and see if it helps you understand how dignities work in horary. Word of warning: There is limited use in drawing parallels between natal and horary. They are a different kettle of fish entirely, with their own systems and techniques. Remember horary is, traditionally speaking, the first rung on the ladder, and should be mastered first. Horary is where you learn your alphabet. Natal is where you learn to write a novel.

Keren

kerenhappuch wrote:I wouldn't ever "count" dignities. Dignity is about quality not quantity! "How strong is Jupiter?" "Five." It makes no sense. Usually we need to see if Jupiter is strong ENOUGH for what we want it to do, and don't need to go any deeper than that! Receptions are vital too, of course. Have you read Deb's horary articles? They're somewhere on the site. Go take a look and see if it helps you understand how dignities work in horary.
Keren

I was mainly trying to get my horary charts to jive with my traditional charts in my software and couldn't get the points to match. I finally determined it was the accidental dignities and debilities was checked in one but not the other and that was what was throwing things off.
I'm not too sure about how strong they (accidental digs/debs) should apply in horary charts at all since depending on the house system one uses, that all can change pretty dramatically. A person could ask the same question of two different astrologers and if they base their answer on accidental dignities or debilites in part, then they may disagree.

I understand the ancients used whole house systems. At least that made for consistency. I would like astrology to brought into more of a scientific scheme where you have more of a consistent test based & proven approach that would settle the question once and for all. I'm not sure if that will ever happen. People say pick the system you're going to use and stick with it for consistency. Well how is that consistent when others are using different methods?? May be consistent for that astrologer but that's a very ltd. view.

Looks like I have digressed a bit here....

kerenhappuch wrote: Word of warning: .... Remember horary is, traditionally speaking, the first rung on the ladder, and should be mastered first. Horary is where you learn your alphabet. Natal is where you learn to write a novel.

Funny, the little I learned, I learned the other way around. My mother who was brilliant at interpretation knew very little about horary.

Thank you for your input.

RC

From your post you make it sound like you use a point-scoring system on your software for accidental dignities and debilities... The thought of this scares me! Dignities are not quantifiable! You must let go of this idea if you are to get anything out of horary. No wonder you are frustrated that it doesn't seem to work.

I was speaking from a traditional point of view. There are six branches of traditional astrology, with horary at the bottom and mundane at the top. The idea is to start at the bottom and work one's way up. In an ideal world this would be the case. But modern astrology is focused on birthcharts, and so most people come to horary through natal (as did I, and probably most other forum members). This requires a bit of mental readjustment in order to work with horary, as we are dealing not with vague psychological concepts but with concrete and literal events. Back to basics as it were.

Keren

kerenhappuch wrote:From your post you make it sound like you use a point-scoring system on your software for accidental dignities and debilities... The thought of this scares me! Dignities are not quantifiable! You must let go of this idea if you are to get anything out of horary. No wonder you are frustrated that it doesn't seem to work.
Keren

I'm not frustrated because it doesn't work.... Just trying to get the software to use the point system I wanted.

As for using a point system, I think it may be useful in taking a quick glance at how a planet is placed. But I have never really used it in interpreting anything myself though I have seen some readings online where it was used successfully as a confirmation in showing who had a stronger influence in a chart in a case between two opponents in a trial proceedings.

In any chart you are going to have to apply subjective, qualitative reading. Its not a 2 + 2 =4 type thing.

RC

Dignities are vital in all areas of astrology, yet you seem unconvinced of the importance of accidental dignities. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your posts.

One must never rely on a computer program to do anything other than calculate the chart. The interpretation must be done by the astrologer. Programs are useful because they allow us to erect charts in a matter of minutes. This is their only use. To draw an analogy: Mercury is the messenger of the gods, not the message itself. Again, perhaps I have not understood your posts correctly.

kerenhappuch wrote:Dignities are vital in all areas of astrology, yet you seem unconvinced of the importance of accidental dignities. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your posts.

One must never rely on a computer program to do anything other than calculate the chart. .

Hello there,

I think we are in agreement on most but I am just not making myself clear I guess.
thx,
RC