I have only just started but summer 2000 could be "promising" based on a an eclipse and a transit but I need to do some more work.

Matt

Hello

On this chart, I tried first a method explained by Herv? Delboy in his book, "Astropronostic des p?riodes critiques de la vie par les directions primaires", which he applies to 100 charts of famous or notable people. His site is here <http> Unfortunately, I am afraid there is nothing in English. I tried his method because it is simple and easy to use, and, on top of being serious research, I heard it gives good results.

In this method, zodiacal positions are not used. One uses mundane positions and the aspects between them. They are called "domitudes" in French. You can use various house systems. Delboy uses Regiomontanus. In any case, by definition, the Ascendant has a domitude of 0? and the MC a domitude of 270?. Every house has 30?. Each planets has a domitude, measured in degrees, which corresponds to its position in the house where it is placed. The software AstroPC of Aur?as calculates these domitudes. Once you have these, it is very simple to calculate by hand when a planet will meet another point or an aspect to this point. In his book, Delboy uses Ptolemy's key of 1? for a year of life, and I have done the same, using also Regiomontanus houses.

With this method, I could not find any primary direction of Mars or Saturn to the Moon which could explain the facts, so I took the Sun as hyleg, which anyway seems adequate for a day chart. Seeing that the native died in an accident, I chose Mars rather than Saturn as anaereta. So it is the following primary direction which, in my opinion, may indicate the death of the native. The domitude of Mars is 91?, the domitude of the Sun is 324?.4. The promittor, Mars, squares the significator, the Sun, when Mars has moved backwards for 36?.6, that is at the age of 36.6 years or on 8th january 2002.

Le us see what the transits were, around that date. But first, what kind of accident can I imagine from the chart ? Scorpio, with Neptune, is intercepted in the 5th house. This, in my opinion, shows danger while engaged in some sport or leisure activity. The Water element, and Saturn, the lord of 8th in Pisces, may show that death occurred in water. Let us note also that Venus, the first lord of the Water triplicity in day charts, is important here, as it is the triplicity lord of the Moon, Mars, Saturn, the Ascendant, the MC and the Part of Fortune. And Venus, the lord of 5th, is in 12th.

Now the transits :

- On the New Moon of 13th January 2002, the Sun, the Moon and Venus are at 22-23? Capricorn, conjunct to the 7th cusp, which also means death.

- Mars has just passed over natal Saturn, reviving the natal opposition (1st January 2002).

- Saturn, lord of 8th, is transiting the natal Sun by conjunction (August 2001 to April 2002), reviving the natal square.

- The mean North Node is transiting natal Venus by conjunction (3rd january 2002). In the natal chart, the two are next to each other.


For the sake of comparison, I tried another date, which I obtained from Morinus software, using mundane directions, Regiomontanus houses and Ptolemy key. Here we have the promittor Mars squaring the significator, the Sun, on 10th June 1997.

In June 1997, Mars is conjunct natal Mars, Saturn squares the natal Ascendant and Uranus is transiting the 8th cusp. But I find that there are not enough adverse influences on the Sun to explain the facts.

Therefore, my answer is the native died on or around January 2002.

I have just received Martin Gansten's book, after waiting for 3 months, but I have not finished reading it.

Regards

I scrutinized only the last 10 years.
Based on solar returns, PSSR, secondary progressions and transits, my conclusion is that the most dangerous period was between June 2002 to Dec 2002. The most critical days are around 30 June 2002, +/- 3 days.

For the possible time span I will make a addition. It could be also the time about the 30. June 1995. This fits also in the "system" which I am using. So there are two dates, one in 1994 and one 1995. I think June 1995 is more close to the real time!

Wolfgang

This is tough!

Using common methods, I have two periods that stand out.

Sep 1998 and May 2002

Curious to see the final results.

I have just bought a second-hand ephemeris for 2001 to 2050 (somewhat optimistic given my age). Anyway I started at 2002 and the first critical day that I have found is 8th April 2005 with Saturn transitting the natal ascendant squared by an eclipse.

The question is do I find more testimony for this this date or do I keep going forward and finding out if this kind of thing is common and risk finding a time when he has already died?

For the moment I say summer 2005.

Matt

ps

Having said that I note that the lunar return of 30th March has some challenging aspects to the natal.In rare cases the misfortune happens before the eclipse so I now revise the time to first week of april 2005.

As I found this tough going with my normal (and rather circumscribed) set of tools, I have decided to give it a go using the approach found in Placidus, Partridge and (most particularly) Worsdale. This will also help me to evaluate the usefulness of that approach. I am not sure whether I hope to be right or not: if these methods turn out to work, I may have to re-examine my views on certain 'modern' (post-1600) techniques!

Putting personal preferences to one side, then, and donning my Worsdale hat, it is clear that only the Moon is fit to become 'the true prorogator of life'; and between the native's age of 18 and 45, it encounters only two directions capable of 'producing personal dissolution'. These are:

- Moon to the sesquisquare of Saturn in mundo, direct motion, arc of direction 31?50' (with parallax correction, as recommended but seemingly not used by Placidus, 28?36')
- Moon to the semisquare of Mars in mundo, direct motion, arc of direction 33?58' (with parallax correction, 30?39')

Mixed with these directions is the Moon to the quintile of Jupiter in the zodiac, direct motion; but Worsdale would not have considered it capable of saving the native, as Jupiter itself was afflicted by the mundane square of Mars (direct motion) and the zodiacal sesquisquare of the same malefic (converse motion) around the same time.

According to Worsdale it is normally the first direction that shows the actual time of death, while the directions following in 'the mortal train' indicate its quality and circumstances. In this case, the first direction would perfect around February, 1996 (with parallax correction, around January, 1993), using the key of Placidus.

By secondary direction, the hyleg is directed to the opposition of Saturn just before the age of 30 years 8 months, corresponding to February, 1996. By transit, Saturn would then be conjunct its natal position and opposite Mars. Between late December, 1995, and February, 1996, Mars itself would be transiting the natal and directed positions of both ascendant and the hyleg by opposition.

About the quality and circumstances, Ptolemy (Tetrabiblos IV.9) states that natives die 'by violent and conspicuous means whenever both the evil planets dominate the destructive places, either in conjunction, or in quartile, or in opposition, or also if one of the two, or both, seize upon the sun, or the moon, or both the luminaries'. This is clearly the case here. For Saturn square or opposite Mars, Ptolemy particularly mentions death 'by being caught in the collapse of a house; and if they are in midheaven, above or below the earth, by a fall from a height'. He also states that when both malefics work together to cause death, such natives 'are even left without burial, and are consumed by wild beasts or birds' -- which agrees with what we know about the body not being retrieved.

Posting in two parts

Part I. Delineation. Longevity and Profile of the Native

LONGEVITY

Hyleg/Hilaj/Giver of Life. Figure is diurnal and Sun is preferred but disqualified by placement in the 12th house by whole sign houses. Moon angular in the 1st qualifies.

Anareta/Killing Planet/Cutter. By al-mubtazz scoring, Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon are the three high scoring killers. Scores are very similar for most planets. That combined with the fact that an angular Saturn is the 8th house ruler tells me that the al-mubtazz scoring method is unlikely to produce the correct results because the testimonies favoring a single planet are not overwhelming. Also that we should not shy away from considering the benefics as killers. Both Venus and Jupiter receive Saturn.

Alcocoden/Al-Kadukhadah/Giver of Years. Moon in her own sign of Cancer can trump all other alcocoden candidates. Conjunct the MC by a degree, Saturn also participates.

If the Moon, Moon grants her 108 major years. Though the Moon-Saturn trine and Moon-Mars sextile aspects are slightly outside moiety-of-orb, I judge both Saturn and Mars deduct their minor years anyway because of both planet?s angularity. Saturn deducts 30 and Mars deducts 15. Mercury falls in the Moon?s antiscion and is the planet to which the Moon applies. As the 12th house lord, I judge the Moon will deduct its 20 minor years. Net projection: 108 - 30 - 15 - 20 = 43 years.

If Saturn, Saturn grants his 57 major years from which Mars deducts 15 leaving a net projection of 42 years. Question is whether or not benefics Jupiter or Venus add years by square aspect with reception. Practically, with a 42 year projection yielding 3 June 2007 as a target longevity with the individual presumed deceased prior to the present time, benefics cannot add years. There is the more interesting possibility that as 12th house planets and high scoring killers, that Venus and Jupiter could be considered accidental malefics and subtract years. Traditional authors do not discuss benefics as accidental malefics deducting years but I have found a few cases where this seems to work. If so, longevity is much less than 42 or 43. Suppose Jupiter deducts 12 minor years as months (Jupiter in detriment and combust) and Venus deducts 8 minor years as years and 45 middle years as months. Net deduction is 12 year 9 months (from 42) leaving a net projection of 29 years 3 months. This is a projection I am not going to pursue for various reasons, but if the projection 42/43 or so fails, I suggest this is why.

Finally note that the Syzygy was a solar eclipse. For these cases, I have seen many exceptions to the rules. I also suspect that dynamic activity to the Syzygy degree (9GE13) may be relevant in timing the native?s disappearance. Also the possibility that recent solar eclipses may be involved in death. They are: 22-Sep-2006 (29VI17), 19-Mar-2007 (28PI00), 11-Sep-2007 (18VI24). The 2006 eclipse was conjunct the lot of Death (26VI26) and the 2007 eclipses conjunct Saturn and Mars respectively. Triggers to these eclipses should be considered as a part of the timing methodology.

Bottom line: The Alcocoden approach is a ballmark method of determining longevity. I have seen some aphorisms which state death should not be judged prior to the expiration of the alcocoden (sorry can?t remember source). Anyway, I will use the alcocoden as a ?ballpark? figure and establish the initial risk period from age 40 (3 June 2005) to the present time (14 Aug 2009).

Manner of death. As has been commented on, the posting of this exercise follows a total solar eclipse conjunct the Moon of this nativity; also the transiting mean South Node was conjunct the Moon the day this was posted. Moon placed in the bound of Saturn/Cancer, significator of floods in mundane astrology, is relevant; and confirmed by recent floods, typhoons, and mudslides in Asia over which the recent solar eclipse was visible. Saturn placed in the water sign of Pisces, elevated in the 10th, also provides confirming testimony to the role of water in the native?s death. An elevated Saturn promises some type of fall. With Saturn placed in the 9th by whole sign houses, the house of journeys, death at sea, swept from a vessel by a typhoon or otherwise falling in rough waters comes to mind. This is reinforced by placement of both the Lot of Travel (2CA12) and the Lot of Travel by Water (19SC16) in water signs. As another alternate, I have seen Saturn/Pisces the significator for castles with moats, or some type of compound isolated from society. Falling from the high walls of this type of structure is another possibility. In addition, Mars falls in the 3rd of short-term travel by whole sign houses. Focusing on the Saturn-Mars opposition, it seems that travel of some sort plays a part in the native?s disappearance.

PROFILE OF THE NATIVE - BUILDING BLOCKS OF DELINEATION

Temperament - Sanguine/Phlegmatic. Ribeiro?s methodology yields a primary phlegmatic secondary sanguine temperament on the account of the Moon/Cancer placed in the Ascendant and ruling the Ascendant giving so many testimonies for phlegmatic. Deb?s description of the native suggests sanguine is dominant. In support is the Gemini stellium, Moon?s application to Mercury/Gemini, Moon conjunct Mercury by antiscia, Ascendant?s bound ruler Jupiter in Gemini, and Asendant?s rising decan (Pisces/decans of Varahamihira) is also Jupiter/Gemini.

Conclusion: Native is an easy-going, talkative individuals with many friends. Has a depressive/phlegmatic streak which lies below the surface.

Manners - Saturn/Mercury. Al-mubtazz of both Ascendant and Moon is the Moon; when a luminary is the al-mubtazz I take the bound ruler of the luminary instead, thus Saturn. Al-mubtazz of Mercury is Mercury. So Saturn-Mercury.

Conclusion: Montulmo/Schoener states Saturn/Mercury if fortunate means the native has an acute intellect, an investigator, and is learned; if unfortunate, envious, robber, deceiver, and involved in diabolical matters. Though oriental, Saturn is peregrine and ruled by a 12th house Jupiter in detriment. Mercury is also 12th house lord. This is a mixed combination; I judge the native is involved in learning and investigation of secrets and illicit activity. With Saturn conjunct Achernar, nature of Jupiter; and Jupiter conjunct Aldebaran, nature of Mars but interested in the truth (a/c Brady), I judge the native is not involved in diabolical matters. Yet because Saturn (no matter how bonified by fixed stars) is conjunct the 10th whatever the native is interested in studying/investigating will cause him unwanted attention from authorities which harms his social status and career.

Ruler of Chart - Moon (Ibn Ezra). Mercury and Jupiter also score fairly high. Picatrix says individuals ruled by the Moon are governed by the natural spirit and are lovers of women, joking, games and playing. If Mercury or Jupiter; conquered by the rational spirit and interested in learning and justice.

Moon's Configuration. Moon separates from Mars and is void of course; alternative, Moon applies to Mercury.

Maternus on Moon separating from Mars and VOC: ?The full Moon moving away from Mars toward nothing wastes inheritance and destroys parents, imposes some kind of affliction on them, or causes an evil death. To the natives themselves she predicts death from wild beasts or from a fall from high places; some die of public execution.? Bram translation, p. 133.

Maternus on Moon separating from Mars and applying to Mercury, Full Moon (waxing Moon): ?this indicates convictions and sentences at court, deportations by sentence of the judge, and a violent death.? Bram translation p. 126.

Conclusion: Either configuration is problematic, especially because Mars is the out-of-sect malefic which adds some choler to the native?s character. It also suggests that a choleric action of some kind sets into motion problems for the native.

PROFILE OF THE NATIVE - CONCLUSION

This figure yields a negative feedback loop in the following way: Cancer rising seeks emotional security. Moon in the bound of Saturn/Cancer (ruled by Saturn/Pisces) separates from Mars/Virgo and applies to Mercury/Gemini/12th. Native is sensitive to his immediate environment and as the collective result of Saturn/Mars influences (parental conflict, job problems, real estate problems) the native withdraws and seeks information, gossip, chatter (also sexual activity) with his friends. But because Mercury as 12th house lord in turn rules Mars (directly) and Saturn (through Jupiter), the types of secret intellectual/sexual activity the native finds solace in restarts the cycle.

Part II. Times when the Native faced the Greatest Risk of Death

Beginning with the initial date range of 3-Jun-2005 to 14-Aug-2009.

1. FIDARIA

Saturn-Saturn. 3-Jun-2005
Saturn-Jupiter. 29-Dec-2006
Saturn-Mars. 24-Jul-2008, still in effect.

Key observation is the native started his 11 year major Saturn Fidaria period on 3-Jun-2005 at the age of 40, in line with alcocoden projections of 42 and 43. Because there are so many possible killers, cannot choose a particular subperiod.

2. DIRECTING THROUGH THE BOUNDS - DISTRIBUTORS

Method of Ptolemy, Key = 1 degree/years, Moon?s full latitude used, Egyptian bounds.

Ascendant - Mercury/Leo since 1-Jun-2004.
MC - Venus/Taurus since 22-Jun-2004.
Moon - Mars/Leo since 16-Mar-2006.
Sun - Jupiter/Cancer since 2-Apr-2005.

Hyleg Moon in bound of malefic (Mars) since early 2006, age 40y 9m 12d. Again, some similar testimony from alcocoden and Fidaria methods. Mars/Leo is a heroic/rescue type of placement. Native more choleric/less phlegmatic under this Distribution. More of a risk taker.

3. ANNUAL PROFECTIONS (30 degrees per year)

3-Jun-2005. Age 40. 5th house profected year. LOY = Mars. LOP = Jupiter.
3-Jun-2006. Age 41. 6th house profected year. LOY = Jupiter. LOP = Mars.
3-Jun-2007. Age 42. 7th house profected year. LOY = Saturn. LOP = Sun.
3-Jun-2008. Age 43. 8th house profected year. LOY = Saturn. LOP = Venus.

The Nodes, SAN, Mars, and Saturn form a grand square. The logical things to look at is when either the profected ASC or Moon sets off this configuration. ASC and Moon are close together; Moon will set it off first, then the ASC.

prof Moon in Sag, end of 5th house year: 7-Oct-2005 to 23-Jan-2006.
prof ASC in Sag, end of 5th house year: 15-Jan-2006 to 3-May-2006

prof Moon in Pisces, end of 8th house year. 31-Aug-2008 to 23-Jan-2009.
prof ASC in Pisces, end of 8th house year. 8-Dec-2008 to 3-May-2009.

4. SOLAR RETURNS

Natal location, non-precessed solar returns.

By delineation, travel is connected to the native?s disappearance. So I will favor returns when travel is indicated. I will also consider returns when the Ascendant/Moon is afflicted by malefics/killing planets; especially when these bodies fall in the 4th, 7th, or 8th houses. Taking these steps yields the 2005 and 208 returns.

2005 Solar Return - Delineation

Indications the native will travel this year:

(1) LOY Mars in 3rd of short-term travel
(2) Lot of Travel by Water 19SC16 falls in natal 5th, highlighted by the profected annual ASC, and is conjunct the return?s MC by three degrees. Both Mars and Saturn form a grand trine with this lot and the return?s MC.
(3) Mercury, natal 12th lord returns to his natal sign and rules the return?s 9th house of travel. Mercury combust excites Mercury?s desire to travel.

Indications of danger to health this year:

(1) Return ASC opposes natal ASC.
(2) Lord of Year Mars ingresses to sign of natal Saturn.
(3) Saturn ingresses to sign of natal Ascendant and Moon, in return?s 7th house.
(4) Saturn rules the return?s ASC by sign; Mars by exaltation.
(5) Moon falls in bound of Saturn/Aries.
(6) Moon damaged by conjunction to North Node, falls in 4th house.
(7) Moon separates from Saturn and applies to Venus making natal return.
(8) Mars applies to trine of Saturn.

2005 Solar Return - Timing

Monthly Profections

Times of danger based on monthly profections where LOY Mars is positioned or rules by house of the return (one could also take months where Mars is positioned or rules the natal instead of the return):

3-Dec-2005 to 3-Jan-2006. 11th house monthly profection. Mars by rulership.
3-Apr-2006 to 3-May-2006. 3rd house monthly profection. Mars by position.
3-May-2006 to 3-Jun-2006. 4th house monthly profection. Mars by rulership.

The fact that the directed Moon did not enter the bound of Mars/Leo until 16-Mar-2006 suggests to eliminate the 11th house profected month from consideration.

Transits

Mars made its Cancer Ingress on 13-Apr-2006 and stayed through 3-June-2006. Cancer is the sign of the natal Ascendant and Moon. Note this period overlaps the risk period identified by annual profection from 15-Jan-2006 to 3-May-2006. I could take the overlap 13-Apr-2006 to 3-May-2006 or just leave the Mars Ingress of Cancer alone which is what I think I will do.

Primary Directions

7-Jun-2006. sin. square Saturn (l=SA) c. => Moon (l=MO).

This direction, with latitude and made by converse motion, is replicated in the return and falls just four days after Mars transits the natal Moon on 2-Jun-2006.

2008 Solar Return - Delineation

Indications the native will travel this year:

(1) Return?s Ascendant ruler Venus in the 9th of foreign travel.
(2) Besides ruling the Ascendant, Venus rules the return?s POF in 1st, an increased incentive for the native to travel in order for financial gain.
(3) Venus approaches the Sun and is combust. This makes her desire for travel (and sex while traveling) insatiable.

Indications of danger to health this year:

(1) Return ASC square natal ASC.
(2) Return ASC falls in natal 4th house end-of-life.
(3) This is a profected 8th house year. 8th house is death.
(4) Hilaj Moon conjunct Algol.
(5) Moon in 8th of death separates from Jupiter in 4th and is VOC.
(6) Jupiter/detriment/retrograde opposes natal ASC and Moon, in return?s 4th. Jupiter is one of several high scoring killing planets.
(7) Saturn ingresses to Virgo, sign opposed to natal Saturn. According to Maternus, the transit of Saturn opposed Saturn is a time of difficulty and comprises one of the classic dynamic measurements of midlife crisis.
(8) Mercury, natal 12th house lord, is placed and rules the 9th of travel. Mercury retrograde means mistakes in travel, most likely getting lost.

2008 Solar Return - Timing

Monthly Profections

3-Oct-2008 to 3-Nov-2008. 12th house monthly profection. Saturn by position.
3-Feb-2009 to 3-Mar-2009. 4th house monthly profection. Saturn by rulership.
3-Mar-2009 to 3-Apr-2009. 5th house monthly profection. Saturn by rulership.

Transits

Mars made its Pisces Ingress on 14-Mar-2009 which lasted until 22-Apr-2009. This set up trMars opposed trSaturn, both opposite to natal signs. And during the Saturn-Mars Fidaria period to boot. This is a very dangerous period. These transits also trigger the 11-Sep-2007 solar eclipse which was partile conjunct natal Mars.

Primary Directions

4-Mar-2009. REG. Jupiter (l=JU) c. => ASC.
3-May-2009. REG. MC c. => Mercury (l=ME).
27-May-2009. REG. ASC d. => Jupiter (l=JU).

Jupiter conjunct ASC by converse motion is a partial recapitulation of the return?s Jupiter opposed natal Ascendant.

Note that most of these transits and directions overlap one of the risk periods highlighted by annual profection: 8-Dec-2008 to 3-May-2009.

===========================================================

Overall Conclusion:

?The native should exercise caution regarding his health and safety during 13 April to 3 June 2006 and 14-Mar-2009 to 3-May-2009. Travel by water and travel near bodies of water should be avoided during these time periods.?

That's interesting, Dr H - when I first did the calculations for hilaj/kakudajh (sorry, transliteration without representation) I came up with approximately 28 years, too, and death by drowning/flood/water/a fall.

I'm only playing at home, though, and the 28 years seems to be not a possibility given the time of Deb's astrological practise.

MARTIN! Is Worsdale's book still available somewhere? I used to have it, and while I can't say it's exactly bedtime reading, if we put his glee aside, there's still a lot of useful to be found there.

Still rebuilding the astrological library, and definitely participating only from the safety of my house as a member of the studio audience in this one - not enough time, too many migraines, and a highly unco-operative computer at this point.

So none of that counts - except I wasn't using the same methods as Dr H, but we still seemed to arrive at the same approximate initial length of life calculation.

Olivia wrote:MARTIN! Is Worsdale's book still available somewhere? I used to have it, and while I can't say it's exactly bedtime reading, if we put his glee aside, there's still a lot of useful to be found there.

A quick web search indicates that Kessinger Publishing is your best option. Their books are not pretty, and I am sure Worsdale would have called them Pirates (yes, with a capital P!), but I agree that the work is worth having.