Hi StellarTiggy,
What other significations are there to find out the ultimate status of the individual?
Delineation of Rank and Social Status is one of the most important things one need to look into a particular natal figure. All astrologers I've read (ancient) dedicate at least one chapter in their books on this particular issue.
In my own practice, I have tried the method of Ptolemy, which follows many later astrologers from Hephaistio up to Schoener and found him reliable but not as Valens' method for delineating the personal "power" of the nativity.
Greater part of the 2nd book of his
Anthology, is dedicated on this issue. The Greek word he uses here is "
Hupostasis" which means something like Substance, or Foundation, a foundation of the nativity, the Basis of the Nativity. In other words, delineation of how much power and personal happiness this nativity have.
Anthology is so beautifully put in order in this regard. In his first book Valens gives explanations on the basic nature of the planets, signs, significations of every particular term and also methods for calculation of the ascendant. In 2nd book he starts with delineating the Basics of the Nativity, and this is the Prosperity, or the potential for prosperity which the chart bears.
In what follows, I will give my notes from my personal studies of this book of Valens.
So, for investigating the ?basis of the nativity? (hupostasis), Valens advises us first to look at the light of the sect:
1. The Light itself, how itself is situated and which stars it has in aspect.
(
If the Light itself is poorly situated, in bad sign, i.e. house [whole signs for topics], but its triplicity lords are in good shape and in good houses this means that the native's beginnings in life are poor and weak by means of prosperity, but his later years are more blissful, to use this word)
2. In which Triangle (triplicity) lies.
(
The triplicity in which the Light lies is also of great importance. If the Light lies in triplicity of a sect member [ruled by a sect member], this is great, if it is in its own triplicity [of which the Light is ruler] it is much better)
3. The first and second ruler of the triangle (on pivot, succedent or cadent, rising or setting, or whether is in its own sign).
{
Later on Valens incorporates and the third ruler}
4. Malefic or Benefic having in aspect (witnessed by).
?Having determined all this, then make the prediction?.
So, these are the basic things we need to look for general "power" of the nativity.
If the trigon lords are on AC, MC or some other advantageous zoidia signs) then Valens says
forecast a fortunate and illustrious nativity.
If they follow an angle: moderate fortune.
If they are cadent, unfortunate nativity.
We will see later in the tradition, Masha'allah and his student Abu Ali' using this same method. In the Judgments of Nativities, Abu Ali' gives many illustrious examples of this approach. But Valens gives too.
We can notice also that in the Perso-Arabian and Medieval Latin period, same these trigon lords, alongside with the trigon lords of the ascendant, were part of the calculating life expectancy of the native. Namely, in calculating the differentia charts, and whether the charts shows potential for life or the chart negates life.
From this we can conclude that the triplicity lords of the Light of the Time are representing the basic Vitae, the Life Power, or to say it better: "Support for the Life".
But why the Triangle? There is some mystical power in the triangle.
Proclus tells us that
"The triangle is the chief agent in the production of sublunary things." And also testifies: "
The Pythagoreans assert that the triangle is the ultimate source of generation and of the production ofspecies among things generated."
So, examining the trigon lords of the Light of the Time is of particular importance for delineating not only the life and vitae expectancy, but also for delineating the prosperity and fortune of the native.
In one of the examples (nr.3 later in the same chapter) after explaining the basis of nativities, Valens gives a Sun in 7th in Aquarius with the first trigon ruler Saturn in Aries in 9th, and Valens says that because this Saturn was cadent, this signified that the native came from an ?ordinary? conditions to become wealthy and powerful because the second lord Mercury was at 7th (angular).
So here we can see an example where the first lord of the triplicity represents the stages early in life, while the second lord represents the stages later on in life.
Medieval astrologers like Bonatti, divided these - in their cases 3 - Lords in to 3 equal measures of life time (25 years each, though this number varies in different authors).
Valens' method of delineating when the particular trigon lord will become activated is by using ascensional times of the sign in which this trigon lord is placed.
Valens tells us that cadent trigon ruler gives:
"This star which is a ruler and preceeds an angle is a diminisher of fortune: it puts men in the power of others; it brings men into vicissutides and reduces their rank; it afflicts them with injuries, diseases, and criminal charges, as well as poverty."
So, a cadent planet being a ruler is really weak testimony for the expectancy of the prosperity and fortune of the native. It puts the native under the control and influences of others, in other words, it is repressed, dominated by those above him in social ladders.
In my own practice, I've seen people with cadent lords of the Light of the Time working for other people or for some greedy private corporations where the salary is not constant and the amount varies up to the desire of the owner of the company. One can not be blind and not to recognize a form of modern slavery in this.
But having angular trigon lord ruler is not enough. As in every delineation, one need to examine the aspectual relationships this lord receives. Squares and Oppositions by the two malefics are most dangerous. Having Mars square Sun is sure way that the social status is threatened by infamy and public disputes, quarrels and the social status gained, can turn in some damage, because the nature of the malefics is to negate everything good signified by the other parties, i.e. planets (which signifies something good, in this case, prosperity).
But later in the chapter, Valens tells us that not all hopes are negated if these rulers are unfavorably situated. He says that we can look at the Part of Fortune:
"If the houserulers and their helpers are unfavorably situated it will be necessary to examine the Lot of Fortune and its houseruler. If they are found to be at an angle or just following an angle, with benefics in aspect, then the native will have some good fortune and rank. He will be subject of vicissitudes and reversals on occasion, but he will not be totally at loss."
So, having Part of Fortune situated in a good place, with its ruler also situated in good place, can somehow (though not as if the triplicity rulers of the Light were in good positions) pull out the prosperity in better position.
Abu Ali' says that angular Fortune brings all the great gifts of prosperity, while the cadent one signifies people who are poor and with little prosperity in life.
From this we can see, that there is a measure of gradation in the angularity, succedent and cadent positions of the particular points and planets in natal chart. Succedent planets/points are somewhat mediocre and vary between the other two (again measurement of 3!)
In the next chapter called:
NOTABLE AND DISTINGUISHED NATIVITIES AND IGNOBLE AND DEBASED NATIVITIES., Valens gives further examination of the prosperity of the native. Here is where Valens advises us to look at the so called "Exaltation of the Nativity" which can be calculated in this way.
If the Sun is Light of Time, then you calculate how many signs there are from the sign in which it is positioned up to Aries (its exaltation point) and then calcualte this same amount of distance from the ascendant. Where the calculation stops, this sign is the Exaltation of the Nativity, and its Lord will be particularly important in delineating prosperity and eminence.
For example, if the Ascendant is Cancer, Sun in Aquarius. From Aquarius to Aries, there are 3 signs. We calculate 3 signs from Cancer and we come to Virgo. Virgo is the Exaltation place, and Mercury its lord, "Lord of the Exaltation".
If Moon is Light of Time, then you calculate from Moon's placement (sign) to Taurus (Moon's exaltation) and you calculate this same distance from the ascendant.
Another important point, alongside Fortune, Spirit and Exaltation is The Lot of Basis which can be calculate by the formula (it should be taken the shortest arc between Fortune and Daimon): Asc + Fortune - Spirit (or reverse). It should always fall below the horizon!
So, having some of the Lords of these in the 10th from Fortune, brings great prosperity, especially having the ruler of the Fortune in the 10th of Fortune. But also, having the rulers of these exchanging places brings prosperity. For example, Ruler of Basis with Fortune, or ruler of Spirit with Basis and etc. Valens gives numerous aphorisms regarding this matter, and they should be studied closely.
11th sign from Fortune is the Place of Accomplishments or Acquisitions.
This is fortunate place too.
Let's examine Valens' first example.
"Since the birth was at night, I investigate the moon: this happens to be in Cancer, trine with Mars (Mars should be at Scorpio!). We find Mars rising just after the Ascendant and in its own house <Scorpio>, triangle <Scorpio>, and sect <nocturnal>. Then we find Venus sharing rulership with Mars, being in the Ascendant and in its own house <Libra>. Third, we find the moon at MC in its own house <Cancer>.
It is obvious that the nativity is distinguished, since the houserulers are configured so appropriately. Investigating the Lot of Fortune, I find it in Aquarius; Saturn is there, the ruler <of> and in <the> Good Fortune, in its own house <Aquarius> and triangle <Aquarius>. Likewise the 11th Place from the Lot of Fortune, i.e. the Place of Accomplishment, is <Sagittarius>, and Jupiter is there. I also found the exaltation of the nativity: from the moon to Taurus is eleven signs, and the same distance from the Ascendant in Libra brings me to Leo, in <the> Good Daimon. The sun is the ruler of this and since it is found to be at MC with respect to the Lot of Fortune, it made the birth even more illustrious and distinguished (Riley's translation, bold mine)."
So what do we see here is that Valens first investigates the light of the sect and the aspect with her triplicity ruler which happens to be ?rising just after the ascendant?, in its own house, triangle and sect!
Then he examines the second triplicity lord: Venus, and she is in Ascendant (at angle) and in its own house!
Then Valens examines the third triplicity lord, and this is the Moon itself and she is on MC in its own house, and Valens says:
?It is obvious that the nativity is distinguished, since the houserulers are configured so appropriately.?
Then Valens investigate the Lot of Fortune and sees it in Aquarius with its ruler there (Saturn) in the place of Good Fortune (5), also Saturn is in its own triangle.
Valens noticed Jupiter in the 11th place from the Fortune ? the place of acquisitions and Juptier rules also that place.
The exaltation falls in natural 11th in Leo of Good Daimon (11th sign from ascendant). So, Valens notices also the natural Good Houses! And Sun the ruler of exaltation is in 10th from Fortune which makes the nativity even more illustrious!
There are few other examples at the end of this chapter which can be very fruitful for any astrological investigation on the matter of prosperity, and taking time to contemplate them all is really wonderful experience.
Combining all these segments, had helped me a lot in my own practice, delineating the overall social standing, or potential for prosperity in natal charts.
Hope this helped.
Regards,
Ile
