Chart Types: A Comprehensive Guide¶

This guide covers astrological chart types from a theoretical and practical perspective — explaining not just how each chart is calculated, but why it exists and when to use it.

Table of Contents¶

Foundational Concepts
The Natal Chart
Progressed & Directed Charts
Return Charts
Relationship Charts
Horary Charts
Electional Charts
Mundane Charts
Relocation & Spatial Charts
Harmonic Charts
Heliocentric & Alternative Perspectives
Vedic/Jyotish Chart Types
Uranian & Cosmobiological Charts
Draconic & Nodal Charts
Fixed Star Techniques
Traditional Timing Techniques
Chinese Astrological Systems

Foundational Concepts¶

Before diving into chart types, it’s essential to understand the fundamental choices that affect any chart.

Tropical vs Sidereal Zodiac¶

Tropical Zodiac:

Anchored to the seasons (0° Aries = Vernal Equinox)
Dominant in Western astrology
The zodiac “moves” relative to the fixed stars (~1° per 72 years due to precession)

Sidereal Zodiac:

Anchored to the fixed stars
Dominant in Vedic (Jyotish) astrology
Currently ~24° behind tropical (the “ayanamsa”)

Sidereal Position ≈ Tropical Position - Ayanamsa
Example: Tropical Sun at 15° Aries ≈ Sidereal Sun at ~21° Pisces

Ayanamsa Variants:

Lahiri (most common in India, official government standard)
Krishnamurti
Raman
Fagan-Bradley (Western sidereal)
Galactic Center (experimental)

When It Matters: The choice is fundamental and non-negotiable within each tradition. Mixing systems creates interpretive chaos.

House Systems¶

House systems divide the celestial sphere into twelve sectors. They agree on the what (dividing space around the native) but disagree on the how.

Quadrant-Based Systems (divide the angles):

System	Method	Best For
Placidus	Temporal divisions of semi-arcs	Most popular in modern Western; struggles at high latitudes
Koch	Birth place’s house cusps at ASC degree	Similar to Placidus with different cusp positions
Regiomontanus	Celestial equator divisions projected	Horary tradition (William Lilly)
Campanus	Prime vertical divisions	Spatial/local emphasis
Porphyry	Trisection of quadrants	Simple; good for high latitudes
Alcabitius	Similar to Porphyry with semi-arc adjustment	Medieval tradition
Topocentric	Observer-centric refinement of Placidus	Precision-focused modern use

Non-Quadrant Systems:

System	Method	Best For
Whole Sign	Each sign = one house, ASC sign = 1st	Hellenistic revival; Vedic astrology
Equal House	30° from ASC for each cusp	Simplicity; high latitudes
Equal (MC)	30° divisions centered on MC	MC-focused equal variant
Morinus	Equator-based, ignores ecliptic	Theoretical interest

The House System Debate:

There is no universally “correct” house system. The choice often reflects:

Tradition (Hellenistic → Whole Sign; Medieval → Regiomontanus; Modern → Placidus)
Latitude (polar regions break quadrant systems)
Philosophical orientation (fate vs. psychology; space vs. time)

Practical Recommendation: Learn one system deeply before comparing. Whole Sign offers conceptual clarity; Placidus offers nuance for intermediate house cusps.

The Natal Chart¶

What Is a Natal Chart?¶

The natal chart (also: nativity, radix, birth chart, geniture) maps the heavens at the moment of first breath from the perspective of the birth location. It is the foundational chart in horoscopic astrology.

Required Data:

Date of birth
Time of birth (ideally to the minute)
Location of birth (latitude/longitude)

Without Birth Time:

Solar chart (Sun placed on ASC) — crude approximation
Noon chart — planets approximately correct, houses meaningless
Sunrise chart — traditional alternative

Chart Components¶

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     NATAL CHART                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PLANETS          Position, sign, house, aspects       │
│  ANGLES           ASC, MC, DSC, IC                      │
│  HOUSES           12 life domains                       │
│  ASPECTS          Angular relationships                 │
│  NODES            Lunar nodes (fate/karma axis)         │
│  LOTS/PARTS       Calculated points (e.g., Part of     │
│                   Fortune)                              │
│  FIXED STARS      Optional stellar influences           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Rectification¶

When birth time is unknown or uncertain, rectification uses life events to work backward to the correct time.

Methods:

Primary directions to angles matching major life events
Progressed angles to natal planets
Solar arc directions
Transits to angles during pivotal moments
Physical appearance correlating to ASC sign (unreliable alone)

Tools: Rectification requires testing multiple potential times against known biographical data.

Progressed & Directed Charts¶

Progression and direction techniques “move” the natal chart forward in symbolic time to reveal unfolding developmental themes.

Secondary Progressions¶

The Core Principle: One day of planetary motion after birth = one year of life.

Progressed chart for age 30 = chart cast for 30 days after birth

What Moves:

All planets progress (Sun ~1° per year, Moon ~1° per month)
Angles progress in most systems
Progressed Moon is the primary timer (~2.5 years per sign)

Interpretation Focus:

Internal development, psychological evolution
Progressed aspects to natal planets
Progressed planets changing signs
Progressed New and Full Moons

Progressed Lunation Cycle:

Progressed New Moon  → New 30-year cycle begins
Progressed Crescent  → Emergence, struggle
Progressed First Q   → Crisis in action
Progressed Gibbous   → Analysis, refinement  
Progressed Full Moon → Culmination, awareness
Progressed Dissem.   → Sharing, teaching
Progressed Last Q    → Crisis in consciousness
Progressed Balsamic  → Release, endings

Tertiary Progressions¶

Principle: One day = one lunar month.

Use Case: Faster-moving timer than secondary progressions; useful for fine-tuning timing within a progressed year.

Minor Progressions¶

Principle: One lunar month = one year.

Use Case: Rarely used; some astrologers find it useful for emotional timing.

Converse Progressions¶

Principle: Count backward from birth instead of forward.

Converse progressed chart for age 30 = chart cast for 30 days BEFORE birth

Philosophy: Accesses pre-incarnational themes, karmic inheritance, or the “unlived life” running parallel to conscious development.

Application: Compare direct and converse progressed charts; where they converge, themes intensify.

Primary Directions¶

The Oldest Technique: Used since Ptolemy. Based on the diurnal rotation of the Earth.

Principle: Approximately 1° of right ascension along the celestial equator = 1 year of life.

When a directed planet reaches a natal angle (or vice versa),
a corresponding life event manifests.

Key Variants:

Ptolemaic (semi-arc method)
Regiomontanus (under-the-pole)
Placidian (temporal house-based)

Characteristics:

Angles and their directed aspects are paramount
More “fateful” in interpretation than secondary progressions
Preferred by traditional astrologers for major life events

Solar Arc Directions¶

Principle: All planets and points advance at the Sun’s progressed rate (~1° per year).

Solar Arc at age 45 ≈ Natal positions + 45°

Advantages:

Simple to calculate
Outer planets “move” meaningfully (unlike progressions)
Popular in modern predictive work

Interpretation:

Solar arc planet conjunct natal planet/angle = activation of both
Use tight orbs (0°30’ – 1°)

Degree-for-a-Year (Symbolic Directions)¶

Principle: Each planet advances exactly 1° per year.

Variants:

Naibod rate (59’08” per year — mean Sun motion)
Degree-for-a-year (exactly 1°)

Use Case: Simplified primary directions; easy mental math.

Return Charts¶

Return charts mark the moment a planet returns to its exact natal position, initiating a new cycle.

Solar Return¶

Definition: The chart cast for the moment the transiting Sun returns to its exact natal degree and minute. Marks the astrological “birthday.”

Key Considerations:

Factor	Notes
Location	Cast for where you are at the moment, not birth location (debated)
Precessed vs. Non-Precessed	Some use tropical return; some precess to sidereal natal Sun
Validity Period	Sunrise-to-sunrise (some) or moment-to-moment (most)

Interpretation Priorities:

SR Ascendant sign and ruler
SR Sun house placement
Planets on SR angles
SR Moon sign and house
SR chart aspects
SR planets conjunct natal planets/angles

Relocation Controversy: Some astrologers travel for better solar returns. Critics argue the birth location should always be used. The jury remains out; experiment for yourself.

Lunar Return¶

Definition: Monthly chart when the Moon returns to its natal position (~27.3 days).

Use Case:

Emotional themes for the month
Short-term timing within solar return year
Particularly relevant for Moon-ruled charts (Cancer ASC)

Interpretation: Focus on:

LR Ascendant and Moon house
Aspects to LR Moon
Which natal houses are activated

Planetary Returns¶

Each planet’s return marks a cycle of that planet’s archetypal domain.

Planet	Cycle	Significance
Mercury	~1 year	Mental/communication themes (3 returns/year due to retrogrades)
Venus	~1 year	Relationship, value, aesthetic themes (similar complexity)
Mars	~2 years	Action, assertion, conflict cycles
Jupiter	~12 years	Expansion, belief, opportunity cycles (ages 12, 24, 36…)
Saturn	~29.5 years	Maturation, responsibility, structure (ages 29-30, 58-60)
Uranus	~84 years	Liberation, awakening (usually once per lifetime)
Neptune	~165 years	(No personal return)
Pluto	~248 years	(No personal return)

Saturn Return Special Note:

First Saturn Return (~29-30)  → Adulthood, life structure solidifies
Second Saturn Return (~58-60) → Elderhood, legacy assessment
Third Saturn Return (~88-90)  → Rare; final integration

The Saturn Return is among the most reliable and profound transits. Cast a chart for the exact moment and interpret as you would a solar return.

Demi-Returns and Quarter Returns¶

Demi-Return (Opposition): Planet opposes its natal position.

Saturn demi-return (~age 14-15) → Adolescent rebellion against structure
Jupiter demi-return (~age 6, 18, 30...) → Re-evaluation of beliefs

Quarter Returns (Squares): Opening and closing squares in the cycle.

Saturn opening square (~age 7) → First tests of structure
Saturn closing square (~age 22) → Preparation for first return

Use Case: Understanding the full planetary cycle, not just the return.

Progressed Solar Return¶

Definition: Solar return calculated for the progressed Sun’s position rather than natal.

Principle: Blends progression and return techniques.

Use Case: Advanced timing; rarely used but theoretically coherent.

Relationship Charts¶

What Are Relationship Charts?¶

Relationship charts create a single chart representing the relationship as its own entity — not the interaction between two people (that’s synastry), but the relationship itself as a third thing that emerges from the union.

Synastry (Reference)¶

Synastry is not a chart but a comparison: one chart overlaid on another.

Person A's Mars conjunct Person B's Venus
→ Analysis of interaction, not a new chart

Include here for context: Synastry shows how two people affect each other; composite/Davison shows what the relationship is.

Composite Charts¶

Method: Calculate the midpoint of each planet pair between two natal charts.

Composite Sun = midpoint(Person A's Sun, Person B's Sun)
Composite Moon = midpoint(Person A's Moon, Person B's Moon)
... and so on for all planets

Characteristics:

Mathematical construct (no actual moment in time)
Typically rendered house-less (no meaningful Ascendant)
Focuses on planetary aspects within the composite
Popular in modern psychological astrology

Schools of Thought:

School	Approach
Hand/Arroyo	Pure midpoints, no houses, aspect-focused
Derived Angles	Use midpoint ASC/MC as derived angles, add houses
Reference Location	Calculate houses for a meaningful location (city where couple met, lives, etc.)

The Near/Far Midpoint Problem:

Every two points have two midpoints (180° apart). Standard practice uses the near midpoint. Some astrologers consider both.

Person A's Sun at 10° Aries
Person B's Sun at 20° Libra
Near midpoint: 0° Cancer or 0° Capricorn (180° apart)
Standard: Use the shorter arc → 0° Cancer

Davison Relationship Chart¶

Method: Find the midpoint in both time and space between two birth events, then cast a real chart for that moment and place.

Davison DateTime = midpoint(Person A's birth time, Person B's birth time)
Davison Location = midpoint(Person A's birth place, Person B's birth place)

Characteristics:

Represents an actual astronomical moment
Has a real Ascendant and house system
Can be progressed and directed like any natal chart
Developed by Ronald Davison in the 1970s

Geographic Midpoint Methods:

Method	Description	Use Case
Simple Average	`(lat1 + lat2) / 2, (lon1 + lon2) / 2`	Fast; acceptable for nearby locations
Great Circle Midpoint	True geodesic midpoint on Earth’s surface	Accurate for any distance

Which to Use — Composite or Davison?

Factor	Composite	Davison
Houses	Problematic/derived	Natural, valid
Progression	Cannot truly progress	Can progress/direct
Philosophy	Symbolic/psychological	Concrete/temporal
Transit responsiveness	Transits to midpoints	Transits to real positions

Recommendation: Use both. They reveal different facets of the relationship.

Multi-Person Composites¶

Composite technique extends to groups:

Family composite = midpoints of all family members
Business partnership = midpoints of all partners

Caveat: Interpretation becomes more abstract with more people. Focus on tight aspects and emphasized houses.

Coalescent Charts¶

Alternative to Composite: Instead of midpoints, use the harmonics of combined charts.

Rarely Used: Primarily of theoretical interest in harmonic astrology circles.

Horary Charts¶

What Is Horary Astrology?¶

Horary (“of the hour”) is the art of answering a specific question by casting a chart for the moment the question is asked and understood by the astrologer.

Philosophical Basis: The moment of sincere inquiry contains the answer. The universe reflects the querent’s situation at the moment of asking.

Casting a Horary Chart¶

Required Elements:

Exact time the astrologer understands the question
Location of the astrologer (traditional) or querent (modern variant)
A sincere, specific question

"Should I accept the job offer from Company X?" ✓
"What does my future hold?" ✗ (too vague)

Strictures Against Judgment¶

Traditional horary recognizes “warning signs” that the chart may not be readable:

Stricture	Meaning
Saturn in 7th	Astrologer hindered; judgment impaired
Moon void of course	Nothing will come of the matter; no action
Early Ascendant (0-3°)	Too early to ask; situation not yet ripe
Late Ascendant (27-30°)	Too late; matter already decided
Via Combusta Moon (15° Libra – 15° Scorpio)	Difficulty seeing clearly

Modern Practice: Many astrologers note strictures but don’t automatically refuse judgment. Context matters.

Key Horary Significators¶

Querent (the one asking)    → 1st house ruler, Moon
Quesited (the thing asked)  → House ruler based on topic

Marriage question:           7th house ruler = partner
Career question:             10th house ruler = career
Lost object:                 2nd house ruler = possessions

Horary House System¶

Traditional Preference: Regiomontanus (William Lilly’s choice)

Modern Alternatives: Placidus, Whole Sign (some contemporary practitioners)

Decumbiture Charts¶

A Specialized Horary: Cast for the moment a person falls ill (“takes to their bed”).

Use: Medical astrology; prognosis and treatment timing.

Electional Charts¶

What Is Electional Astrology?¶

Electional astrology selects optimal times to begin activities — the inverse of horary (which reads a given moment) and natal (which interprets a past moment).

Principle: Beginnings contain endings. Choose auspicious conditions for the “birth” of an enterprise.

Key Electional Considerations¶

General Principles:

Factor	Ideal Condition
Moon	Waxing (for growth), applying to benefics, not void
Ascendant ruler	Dignified, unafflicted, angular
Malefics (Mars, Saturn)	Cadent (3, 6, 9, 12) if possible
Benefics (Venus, Jupiter)	Angular (1, 4, 7, 10)
Mercury	Direct (especially for contracts, communication)
Retrograde planets	Avoid in houses relevant to the matter

Topic-Specific Considerations:

Marriage:        Venus and 7th house emphasized; Moon applying to benefics
Business launch: 10th and 2nd house strong; Jupiter well-placed
Surgery:         Moon not in the sign ruling the body part; Mars controlled
Travel:          9th house unafflicted; avoid Moon in fixed signs

Practical Limits¶

Perfect elections rarely exist. Electional astrology prioritizes:

Most critical factors for the matter
Avoiding the worst configurations
Accepting compromises on lesser points

Inceptional Charts¶

Once an event occurs, its “birth chart” can be analyzed like a nativity:

Business incorporation chart — the company’s “natal chart”
Wedding chart — the marriage’s chart
First meeting chart — the relationship’s inception
Contract signing — the agreement’s chart

Mundane Charts¶

Mundane (“worldly”) astrology applies chart techniques to nations, governments, historical events, and collective phenomena.

Ingress Charts¶

Definition: Charts cast for the Sun’s entry into cardinal signs.

Ingress	Date	Significance
Aries Ingress	~March 20	Most important; the astrological new year; sets tone for the year
Cancer Ingress	~June 21	Summer Solstice; mid-year check
Libra Ingress	~September 22	Autumn Equinox
Capricorn Ingress	~December 21	Winter Solstice

How to Read:

Cast for a nation’s capital
Angles and angular planets show major themes
10th house = government, leadership
4th house = the people, land, opposition

Duration Rules (traditional):

If cardinal sign rises: valid for 3 months (to next ingress)
If fixed sign rises: valid for 6 months
If mutable sign rises: valid for the full year

Lunation Charts¶

New Moon Charts: Cast for each New Moon; shows the themes for the lunar month.

Full Moon Charts: Culmination, revelation, tension point mid-cycle.

Interpretation:

Focus on the house containing the lunation
Aspects to the lunation from other planets
Ruler of the lunation sign

Eclipse Charts¶

Solar Eclipses: New Moons that conjoin the lunar nodes; more powerful, longer-lasting effects.

Lunar Eclipses: Full Moons at the nodes; revelations, endings, emotional intensity.

Eclipse Families:

Saros cycles group eclipses by 18-year periods
Each Saros series carries a signature theme
Bernadette Brady’s work on eclipse interpretation is foundational

Duration of Effect:

Traditional rule: 1 year of effect per hour of eclipse duration
Modern practice: Effects peak when planets transit the eclipse degree

Great Conjunction Charts¶

Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction (~every 20 years):

Marks generational/political cycles
Elemental cycle: conjunctions stay in one element for ~200 years, then shift
2020: Shift from Earth to Air (Aquarius) — technological/social revolution themes

Other Great Conjunctions:

Saturn-Pluto: Collective reckoning, power structures (2020, 1982, 1947…)
Jupiter-Pluto: Expansion of power, wealth extremes
Outer planet conjunctions: Generational themes

National Charts¶

Countries, like people, have birth charts.

Examples:

USA (Sibley): July 4, 1776, 5:10 PM, Philadelphia — Sagittarius rising
USA (Gemini rising variant): same date, different time
France (Fifth Republic): October 6, 1958, 6:30 PM, Paris

Controversies: Many nations have disputed “birth” moments. Use the chart that works empirically with transits and progressions.

Relocation & Spatial Charts¶

Relocated Natal Chart¶

Principle: Recalculate the natal chart’s houses for a different location, keeping planetary positions fixed.

Born in New York → Relocated chart for Tokyo
Same planets, same signs, different houses and angles

Use Case: Understanding how a location activates different life areas.

Example:

Natal Saturn in 6th → Relocated Saturn on MC in new city = career challenges/authority there

Astrocartography (ACG)¶

Developer: Jim Lewis (1970s)

Method: Project planetary lines onto a world map, showing where each planet is angular.

MC line:  Planet on Midheaven at that longitude
IC line:  Planet on IC (opposite MC)
ASC line: Planet rising at that latitude/longitude
DSC line: Planet setting

Reading the Map:

Beneficial planets angular = favorable experiences
Challenging planets angular = difficult experiences
Crossing points (paran lines) = combined planetary influence

Paran Lines: Where two planetary lines cross creates a paran — a zone of combined influence.

Jupiter MC crossing Venus ASC → Expansive, pleasant, possibly lucky region
Saturn MC crossing Mars ASC → Difficult, demanding, potentially dangerous

Local Space Charts¶

Method: Project planetary positions as compass directions from the birthplace, creating directional lines.

Venus at 45° azimuth → Northeast direction carries Venus themes
Saturn at 180° azimuth → Due south carries Saturn themes

Application:

Feng shui-like spatial orientation
Choosing which direction to travel, place furniture, etc.
Less commonly used than ACG but interesting for local-scale decisions

Geodetic Charts¶

Principle: Assign 0° Aries to 0° longitude (Greenwich), with the zodiac wrapping around the Earth.

Use: Each location on Earth has a “natural” Ascendant and Midheaven.

Application: Understanding the inherent nature of a place, independent of any individual’s chart.

Harmonic Charts¶

What Are Harmonics?¶

Harmonic charts multiply all planetary positions by a given number, then reduce to the zodiac circle.

Harmonic position = (Natal position × Harmonic number) mod 360°

Example: 5th Harmonic (H5)

Natal Sun at 72° (12° Gemini)
H5 Sun = 72° × 5 = 360° = 0° Aries

Key Harmonics¶

Harmonic	Meaning	Notes
H1	Natal chart	Base chart
H2	Opposition	Duality, conflict
H3	Trine	Ease, talent
H4	Square	Challenge, manifestation
H5	Quintile (72°)	Creativity, talent, obsession
H7	Septile (51°26’)	Inspiration, the irrational, fated
H8	Semi-square/sesquiquadrate	Manifestation intensified
H9	Novile (40°)	Spiritual growth, gestation; related to Navamsa
H12	Semi-sextile	Subtle discomfort, integration

Interpretation¶

Conjunctions in harmonic charts reveal hidden patterns not visible in the natal:

Planets conjunct in H5 share creative/obsessive connection
Planets conjunct in H7 share fated/irrational connection
Natal chart shows the aspect only if within orb of the base angle

Age Harmonics¶

Principle: Cast the harmonic for the current age.

Age 45 → Harmonic 45 chart

Use: Timing technique; planets conjunct in the age harmonic are activated that year.

Heliocentric & Alternative Perspectives¶

Heliocentric Charts¶

Method: Cast the chart from the Sun’s perspective rather than Earth’s.

Key Differences:

No Moon (Earth-Moon system becomes a single point)
No retrograde motion (retrogrades are an Earth-observation artifact)
No houses (no ASC without Earth location)
Mercury and Venus can be anywhere in the zodiac (not limited to solar proximity)

Philosophical Use:

The “soul’s” perspective vs. the “personality’s” perspective
Some traders use heliocentric charts for market timing
Complements geocentric; not a replacement

Earthcentric vs. Topocentric¶

Geocentric (standard): Earth’s center as observation point.

Topocentric: The actual birth location on Earth’s surface.

Practical Difference: Very slight positional variations; topocentric is technically more accurate for house cusps.

Galactic & Cosmic Reference Frames¶

Galactic Center (26°–27° Sagittarius):

Some astrologers treat conjunctions to the GC as spiritually significant
Associated with cosmic downloads, higher purpose

Super Galactic Center (~2° Libra):

Even more speculative
Hypothesized as related to collective/cosmic themes

Vedic/Jyotish Chart Types¶

Jyotish (Hindu astrology) uses the sidereal zodiac and a distinct set of chart techniques.

Rasi Chart (D1)¶

The Main Chart: Equivalent to the Western natal chart.

Key Differences from Western:

Sidereal zodiac (Lahiri ayanamsa most common)
Whole Sign houses almost universal
Different house significators
Different aspect system (special aspects for Mars, Jupiter, Saturn)

Divisional Charts (Vargas)¶

Jyotish divides the zodiac into harmonic sub-charts for specific life areas.

Varga	Division	Domain
D1 (Rasi)	1	Overall life, body
D2 (Hora)	2	Wealth
D3 (Drekkana)	3	Siblings, courage
D4 (Chaturthamsa)	4	Property, fortune
D7 (Saptamsa)	7	Children
D9 (Navamsa)	9	Marriage, dharma, soul purpose
D10 (Dasamsa)	10	Career, actions
D12 (Dwadasamsa)	12	Parents
D16 (Shodasamsa)	16	Vehicles, comforts
D20 (Vimsamsa)	20	Spiritual practice
D24 (Chaturvimsamsa)	24	Education
D27 (Bhamsa)	27	Strengths, weaknesses
D30 (Trimsamsa)	30	Evils, misfortune
D40 (Khavedamsa)	40	Auspicious/inauspicious effects
D45 (Akshavedamsa)	45	General indications
D60 (Shashtiamsa)	60	Past life, karma

The Navamsa (D9) Special Status¶

The Navamsa is the second-most important chart after the Rasi:

Reveals the “fruit” of the Rasi chart
Essential for marriage analysis
Shows the soul’s deeper purpose (dharma)
Planets weak in Rasi but strong in Navamsa can still give good results (and vice versa)

Calculation:

Navamsa position = Planet's sign position × 9 (mapped to signs cyclically)

Varshaphal (Vedic Solar Return)¶

Also Called: Tajika system, Annual Horoscopy

Method: Solar return chart using Jyotish techniques

Key Features:

Muntha: A progressed point moving 1 sign per year from the Moon sign
Tajika aspects (different from Parashari aspects)
Sahams: Similar to Arabic Parts
Year lord (Varshesh): Key timing planet

Uranian & Cosmobiological Charts¶

Hamburg School (Uranian Astrology)¶

Founders: Alfred Witte, Friedrich Sieggrün (early 20th century Germany)

Key Innovations:

8 hypothetical trans-Neptunian planets (Cupido, Hades, Zeus, Kronos, Apollon, Admetos, Vulcanus, Poseidon)
Emphasis on midpoints as primary interpretation units
90° and 360° dial charts
Planetary pictures: three-body midpoint equations

The 90° Dial¶

Method: Fold the 360° chart into a 90° circle.

All conjunctions, squares, and oppositions become conjunctions on the 90° dial
Semi-squares and sesquiquadrates also become conjunctions

Use: Reveals hard aspect patterns more clearly; core Uranian technique.

Planetary Pictures¶

Structure: A = B / C (Planet A at the midpoint of B and C)

Sun = Mars/Saturn → Vitality checked by discipline; focused effort
Moon = Venus/Neptune → Emotional sensitivity; artistic/romantic idealization

Interpretation: Thousands of possible combinations; lookup tables exist.

Cosmobiology¶

Developer: Reinhold Ebertin (mid-20th century Germany)

Relationship to Uranian: Cosmobiology is a streamlined version:

Uses the 90° dial and midpoint emphasis
Rejects the hypothetical planets
Published “The Combination of Stellar Influences” — the foundational midpoint cookbook

45° Dial¶

Further compression of the chart:

45° dial brings semi-squares and sesquiquadrates into conjunction
with squares and oppositions

Use: Finding the tightest hard aspect structures.

Draconic & Nodal Charts¶

Draconic Charts¶

Method: Recalculate the natal chart with 0° Aries set to the North Node.

Draconic position = Natal position - North Node position

All planets shift backward by the North Node degree.

Interpretation:

The “soul chart” or pre-incarnational self
Shows deeper karmic patterns and soul intentions
Compare draconic planets to natal positions for insight

Nodal Charts (True vs. Mean Node)¶

Mean Node: Mathematically smoothed; moves steadily backward through the zodiac.

True Node: Accounts for actual lunar wobble; can move briefly forward.

Debate: Most Vedic and traditional Western use mean; some modern astrologers prefer true. The difference is rarely more than 2°.

Nodal Axis Emphasis¶

The Lunar Nodes (North/South) form an axis in any chart:

North Node (Rahu): Future direction, growth edge, unfamiliar territory
South Node (Ketu): Past patterns, innate gifts, release point

Planets conjunct either node take on karmic significance regardless of chart type.

Fixed Star Techniques¶

Conjunctions to Fixed Stars¶

Method: Note planets within 1° (or less) of major fixed stars.

Major Fixed Stars:

Star	Longitude (~2025)	Nature
Regulus	0° Virgo	Royal star; success, potential downfall
Spica	23° Libra	Benefic; gifts, protection
Aldebaran	9° Gemini	Royal star; military/intellectual success
Antares	9° Sagittarius	Royal star; intensity, danger
Fomalhaut	3° Pisces	Royal star; idealism, mysticism
Algol	26° Taurus	Losing one’s head; intensity, misfortune
Sirius	14° Cancer	Brilliance, ambition, burning

Parans¶

Method: Rather than zodiacal longitude, track when stars rise/set/culminate relative to planets.

If Jupiter rises as Spica culminates in the natal chart,
there is a paran between them regardless of zodiacal aspect.

Interpretation: Parans reveal connections based on local space rather than ecliptic position.

Traditional Timing Techniques¶

Annual Profections¶

Method: Each year of life activates a house (and its ruler) in sequence.

Age 0  → 1st house
Age 1  → 2nd house
Age 2  → 3rd house
...
Age 11 → 12th house
Age 12 → 1st house again

Interpretation:

The profected house ruler is the “Lord of the Year”
Transits to/from the Lord of the Year are especially significant
Planets in the profected house activate

Monthly Profections¶

Extension: Divide the year into 12 parts; each month activates a house.

Birthday month → Profected house
Birthday + 1 month → Next house
etc.

Zodiacal Releasing¶

Method: A Hellenistic timing technique based on the Lot of Fortune (or Spirit).

Procedure:

Start from the Lot of Fortune sign
Each sign rules a period based on its planetary ruler’s years
Sub-periods divide each major period

Planetary Years:

Planet	Years
Sun	19
Moon	25
Mercury	20
Venus	8
Mars	15
Jupiter	12
Saturn	27

Interpretation:

“Peak periods” when the periods land on the Fortune ruler or angular signs
Developed by Hellenistic astrologers; revived by Chris Brennan and others

Decennials¶

Another Hellenistic Timing System: Based on planetary periods starting from the ASC or sect light.

Similar to Vedic Dashas in concept, different in calculation.

Firdaria¶

Persian Timing Technique: Planetary periods cycling through life.

Day births:

Sun (10 years) → Venus (8) → Mercury (13) → Moon (9) → Saturn (11)
→ Jupiter (12) → Mars (7) → North Node (3) → South Node (2) → [repeat]

Night births: Start from Moon, different order.

Sub-periods: Each major period divided among the planets.

Chinese Astrological Systems¶

Ba Zi (Four Pillars of Destiny)¶

Components: Year, Month, Day, Hour — each with a Stem and Branch

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Year Pillar │ Month Pillar │ Day Pillar │ Hour Pillar │
│  Stem+Branch │ Stem+Branch  │ Stem+Branch│ Stem+Branch │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Elements:

10 Heavenly Stems (5 elements × Yin/Yang)
12 Earthly Branches (the 12 animals)

Interpretation:

Day Stem = self, identity
Relationships between pillars show life patterns
Luck Pillars: 10-year periods derived from month pillar

Not a “chart” in the Western sense: More of a coded symbolic matrix than a circular diagram.

Zi Wei Dou Shu (Purple Star Astrology)¶

Method: Map stars (not astronomical stars — symbolic points) into a 12-palace grid.

Main Star: Zi Wei (Purple Star/Emperor Star) — its placement determines the whole pattern.

Palaces: Similar to houses (Self, Siblings, Spouse, Children, Wealth, Health, Travel, Friends, Career, Property, Fortune, Parents)

Interpretation:

Stars in palaces show life tendencies
Transformations and interactions between palaces

Distinct Tradition: Often considered more nuanced than Ba Zi for personality analysis.

Appendix: Chart Type Selection Guide¶

When to Use What:

Question	Chart Type
Who am I?	Natal chart
Where am I developmentally?	Secondary progressions
What’s happening this year?	Solar return, annual profections
What’s happening this month?	Lunar return, monthly profections
What’s being triggered now?	Transits to natal
When will X happen?	Primary directions, solar arc
Should I do X? (specific question)	Horary
When should I do X?	Electional
What’s the relationship like?	Composite, Davison, synastry
What’s the collective experiencing?	Ingress, lunation, eclipse charts
How does location affect me?	Relocation, astrocartography
What’s the soul-level pattern?	Draconic, Navamsa
What are the hidden talents/challenges?	Harmonic charts
What period of life am I in?	Profections, zodiacal releasing, Firdaria

Notes on Software Implementation¶

For developers building astrological software, each chart type implies specific calculation requirements:

Core Requirements (All Charts)¶

Ephemeris access (Swiss Ephemeris recommended)
Timezone and location database
House system algorithms
Aspect calculation

By Chart Type¶

Chart Type	Special Requirements
Progressions	Date offset calculation; progressed angles (Naibod or other rate)
Solar returns	Precise Sun longitude calculation; iterative time-finding
Composite	Midpoint calculation; near/far midpoint handling
Davison	Time midpoint; geodesic (great circle) midpoint
Horary	Void of course Moon detection; stricture flagging
Harmonic	Modular arithmetic for any harmonic
Astrocartography	Spherical projection; ASC/MC line calculation
Vedic vargas	Divisional chart mapping algorithms
Profections	Simple modular counting; Lord of Year identification

This document is intended as a reference for astrological practitioners and software developers. May the stars illuminate your path. ✧