Skyscript Astrology Forum

Hi all. I know that Morinus used the Regiomontanus house system, and I'm wondering if he also utilized the customary 5-degree offset rule in considering house position.

I'm asking because Morinus wrote about his own chart and said that his Venus was in the 12th house, which indeed it would have been using the 5-degree rule; but the Cornerstone book dealing with Morinus' techniques does not appear to utilize the rule in its example delineations. This would obviously make a huge difference when considering local determination/accidental dignities.

Am I correct in thinking that (for example) Morinus would have read a planet at 3 degrees of Virgo, conjunct the Ascendant at 6 degrees of Virgo, as a first-house planet, and thus angular and dignified by local determination?

Parenthetically, the Cornerstone book is riddled with typos and errors of syntax, and I know that it doesn't follow Morinus chapter-and-verse; but it contains one of the finest discussions of elements and qualities that I've ever encountered. Nowhere in it, however, have I seen reference to Morinus' use of the 5-degree offset with Regiomontanus.

Thank you in advance!

Morin rejected the 5-degree rule, but he did consider a planet near the cusp of the following house to have an influence on that house by being conjunct its cusp. In this context, 'near' would mean within the semi-diameter of the planet's orb as defined by Morin. These semi-diameters were very generous: between 6.5 degrees for Mars and 18 degrees (!) for the Sun -- although he then makes a distinction between 'extensive' and 'intensive' strength. The relevant discussion is found in Astrologia Gallica, Book 18, particularly chapters 2, 14-17.

Thank you so much, Martin!