There is a software release that should be of interest to those using primary directions.

In particular I want those who have either calculated directions by hand or are familiar with various direction types to check my work (registered users can login to the registered users page here to download:

http://www.astrology-x-files.com/upgrades.html

I'm reasonably confident with the semi-arc method, circle of position and placidus under the pole, but would like some checking on mundane directions of Placidus and the Polich Page topocentric methods in particular.

From the readme file:

Version 6.4.0.1 - Includes several new options in regards to primary directions which are based upon Dr. Martin Gansten's PDDC course and Ed Falis's Astroframes program. Thanks to Dr. Martin Ganstin and Ed Falis for making this possible. First, this update isn't quite complete, but I wanted it available to help test some results. This update follows the same conventions that Martin Gansten outlines in his course and so far uses the traditional meanings of direct and converse. Later there will also be a neo-converse option for modern direction types. There are some symbols you should be aware of and I have made the following abbreviations which show in the direction list output:

Under M/Z:

M = Mundane (this is classical mundane direction and aspects are cast from the fixed point always as this was the convention of Placidus. Here direct and converse is a matter of perspective since the fixed point must always cast the aspect, if the aspect is the promissor, then the direction is converse. Likewise if the fixed point happens to be the significator, this is direct. If you have "aspects of significators" checked, then the significator must be the fixed point in the direction which means that it is a direct direction. Aspects of promissors generate converse directions. Ignore the direct/converse drop down list in this case since whether you want direct directions or converse depends only upon whether you have these two checkboxes checked at bottom right of the Selections tab.

MM = This is a mundane direction according to Magini who cast aspects in right ascension measured along the equator instead of the ecliptic. Note that in many cases there will be duplicates where directions match. This is because there are situations where latitude in zodiaco and mundane are the same definition. They differ though when it comes to aspect calculations and when their definitions of latitude differ.

Z = This is a zodiacal direction with no latitude. It was the most favored direction type of antiquity (Ptolemy) and was typically used with the Ptolemy key.

ZL = This is zodiacal with latitude. Here this will be the same as mundane conjunction, but when aspects are cast, they are cast along the small circle parallel to the ecliptic.

ZB = This is zodiacal direction according to the method of Bianchini in assigning latitude.

As for the Significator and Promissor columns, I have reversed these to fall more in line with Gansten's conventions for naming directions so that you can read it in order. The significator of a direction is always listed first and the promissor last. Saying that Sun to the conjunction of Mars is not a statement about the motion of the sky. It is traditionally a statement of astrological import similar to the relationship of a subject to a direct object.

Under the D/C column:

D = Direct
C = Converse
D/C = direct or converse (only happens in placidian mundane conjunctions)
NC = Neo Converse (not available yet)

Under the date column you have the ability to select short or long date format. Long date format includes the time of day (UTC).

Julian Date is the julian date number. I include this column so that you can have a true date sort by clicking on the header.

Under the Type column:

PSA = Proportional Semi-Arc method of Ptolemy (this is also sometimes called the Placidian semi-arc method).
RPC = Regiomontanus Position Circle method (aka circle of position method or the rational method)
PUP = Placidus Under the Pole - this is a curve fit that Placidus invented which is meant to approximate the PSA method that is mathematically more elegant.
PPT = Polich-Page Topocentric method.

Under the Key column is the key used to translate the adjacent AOD (arc of direction) into a date:

Ptolemy = 1 degree is 1 year
Naibod = average daily motion of the Sun is the rate of travel (as a yearly constant).
Placidus = average daily motion averaged over the arc of direction (requires iteration).
Brahe = average daily motion of the Sun on the birth date in question is the rate of travel.

In the Time Lord System Options (F5) there is a new Fixed Stars tab. Ignore it for now until I've finished linking it to the primary directions component. There are several new checkboxes on the Selections tab which match what I've alrerady mentioned above; the houses as significators is now operational (but these assume zero latitude at present and would not be appropriate for many house systems), but I have yet to link directions to bounds, antiscia, or fixed stars. The mundane and rapt parallels are also not finished.

You should also be aware that selecting too many directions will slow down calculations. This is why I have included a progress bar to the right on the main direction window. I have not included the Cancel button yet because it is not fully operational (setting the listview back into proper order after endupdate). When it comes to primary directions, less is definitely more. Selecting every option available will generate a huge list that will be impossible to navigate. The reason for all the options is to cover the entire range of directions historically used by various astrologers through history. In their own practice, they never used all the options available to you now, but selected what was important for the subject matter they were looking at. I suggest you do the same. The Themes tab is there for this purpose and it will group settings according to various astrological traditions throughout history. I will set these groups in a default arrangement when this module is finished according to author (Ptolemy, Lilly, Regiomontanus, Placidus, etc).

Good evening,

It is always pleasing to see software houses strive to improve their programmes, especially concerning the implementation of old techniques like primary directions.

Perhaps Zoidsoft, whilst working on primary directions, will manage to implement, at least as a user selectable option, Dr H's (Regulus Astrology) suggestions in his paper:

Primary Directions Notation: Towards a Uniform Presentation Standard

especially concerning listings of the confines, linked (of course ) to the user's selection of confines system. And, when working on confines, hopefully Zoidsoft will finally implement the Chaldaean confines as a selectable configuration option, automatically applying the correct set according to the sect of the chart (Astro PC from Aur?as, Paris, has this functionality).

Dr H and Professor Martin Gansten have a history of public disagreement (but, as far as i know, not yet coming to blows ) concerning some doctrines of primary directions. Nevertheless, for the mere student it is useful to be able to apply and compare different approaches with software.

Delphic Oracle might thus, at least for a time, 'lead the pack' in certain ways.

Best regards,

lihin

lihin wrote:especially concerning listings of the confines, linked (of course ) to the user's selection of confines system. And, when working on confines, hopefully Zoidsoft will finally implement the Chaldaean confines as a selectable configuration option, automatically applying the correct set according to the sect of the chart (Astro PC from Aur?as, Paris, has this functionality).

Interesting you mention this now... I've just completed the Chaldean system of confines / terms and I have just finished directing through the bounds according to Ptolemy chiefly and secondarily through the other available direction methods (Regiomontanus circle of position, Placidus under the pole and Polich Page Topocentric method). Historically though, the proportional semi-arc method was preferred (also called the Placidian semi-arc).

While I have read some of Dr H's work, I'm not completely familiar with the standards he proposes. What I have done is create the ability to save "themes" which are a group of settings related to a particular tradition of direction. For instance one can set up directions through the bounds and rays according to Ptolemy for the Sun and then select these options and save all of this as a "Theme". This update should be available tomorrow.

Version 6.4.1.8 - Added mixed latitude options (Significator with latitude and promissor no latitude and vice versa) to the Primary Directions general tab along with the Kundig Key so that Polich Page topocentric directions can be calculated authentically. If there are any other direction types that use mixed latitude, let me know because this release only applies that option to the Polich Page method. There are two new abbreviations under M/Z to match this option: ZS = Zodiacal with latitude of significator (no latitude for promissor), ZP = Zodiacal with latitude for promissor (no latitude for significator).

The directions through the bounds appear to be fixed for the southern hemisphere. To test this I used the Circumambulations through the ascendant and the values match to the date. The problem was the AD (ascensional difference) was negative in the southern hemisphere and the subsequent algorithm doubled the ascensional difference when it should have been canceled.

The Placidus Under the Pole method has also been reworked (and debug data added). Along with this is another option to include debug data or exclude it in the Primary Directions general options.

Version 6.4.1.7 - The Primary Directions component now has synchronized debug data which allows for checking of the calculations of every direction by clicking on the direction under the M/Z column. This same action will also calculate autogenerated charts for the date of the direction. In order to see the internal data, just grab the splitter control near the top of the window and drag down. You will see two memo fields filled with data (one for the significator and the other for the promissor).

In the Derived charts window, there are now 2 new revolution types based upon Ile Spasev's article http://beyondtheheaven.wordpress.com/20 ... volutions/. There is a 3rd type suggested there that isn't implemented but the two that are, are named Gauricus Monthly Revolution and Solar Monthly Profections. These are actually like return charts but the first one adds 28 days, 2 hours and 17 minutes which is a synodic cycle of the year divided by 13. The other is simply the addition of exactly 30 degrees to the Sun's position to get the chart of a monthly profection. In the Gauricus monthly revolution, you will be presented a dialog window after clicking OK in the Derived charts window so that you can add charts and modify the time zone which is critical to getting an accurate ascendant. Simply click on the chart(s) you are interested in and it will open the add chart you are already familiar with for setting up natal charts. It also allows you to filter out monthly revolution charts you aren't interested in.

Primary directions are now effectively finished in Delphic Oracle. See the readme for more info:

http://www.astrology-x-files.com/delphi ... eadme.html