Astro Gold Windows 6 User Guide

1)

WHEEL:

Single wheel

2)

GRID:

Aspect grid

3)

WHEEL & GRID:

Single wheel & aspect grid

4)

POINTS LIST:

For each chart point - longitude, motion direction (D/Rx), travel, latitude, right ascension, declination, azimuth, altitude

5)

HOUSE CUSPS:

Lists house cusp longitudes to second of arc plus a separate tabulation of nearest aspects from chart points to house cusps. Notably, this works with transformed house cusps of harmonic, duad and antiscia charts, rather than adopting the equal house cusps that are necessary for chart wheel display (as they keep the houses in a displayable order)

6)

SYZYGYS & ECLIPSES:

Shows at birth the major lunar phases, and nearest prenatal and postnatal eclipses

7)

WHEEL + BASICS:

A page of information => a single wheel, scores for elements/sign and house modalities/polarities

=> a list showing point glyph, longitude, motion direction (D/Rx), house; nearest aspects less than 1° orb sorted from smallest to largest orb

See NOTES below for information on how the score for elements, sign and house modes, and polarities are calculated

8)

BEGINNER / CLIENT:

A page of information - general info on signs and aspects

=> a single wheel, scores for elements/sign and house modalities/polarities

=> a list showing chart point glyph, chart point, point sign, point house

9)

ASPECT PATTERNS

Lists a range of standard aspect patterns found in the currently selected chart, showing which points are involved and a relative orb indicating the pattern tightness from 0.0 (tightest pattern orbs) to 1.0 (loosest pattern orbs). This is based on a root mean square ensemble calculation of all relative aspect orbs involved in the pattern.

Clicking on an entry in the tabulation highlights that aspect pattern entry and applies a filter to the aspect ring of the selected chart's wheel, filtering it to show only the aspects involved in the selected pattern.

The aspect patterms included are:

•Stellium (any 3 points or more all conjunct one another)

•T-Square

•Grand Trine

•Yod

•Thor's Hammer

•Grand Cross

•Kite

•Mystic Rectangle

•Hard Rectangle

•Focussed Yod

•Rosetta

•Hele

•Double Yod Key

•Square Key

•Quintile Kite

•Grand Quintile

•Diamond

•Stretched Pentagram

•Star of David

10)

PROG LUNAR
PHASES:

Shows progressed lunar phases over the lifetime. The lunar phase entry that is highlighted by a grey band is the one that is current now.

11)

LIFETIME ARCS:

"Life Time Astrology" is a book by A.T.Mann describing a “time scale” that can be aligned with a chart to date significant events in the native's life. Astrology has a series of twelve houses that seem like a sequence, and lifetime arcs maps the houses to sequential influences in the native's lifetime. But rather than starting at the ASC as the birth moment, everything starts at the cusp of the 9th house as the Conception point, when the parents made love and conception occurred. Thus from the 9th house cusp to the Ascendent is the Gestation Octave, time within the mother which is an intrauterine repetition of the entire evolutionary process, which Jung called “The Collective Unconscious.” The native takes on karmic lineages from the father and mother, added to the mother’s attitude, feelings and experiences while she carries the native, as karmic imprints or samskaras (in Buddhism).

The Ascendant is birth as a process of delivery, and echoes how the native expresses themselves. Childhood is represented by the first four houses up to seven years old, and is the development of the personality (emotional body) within the home and family system. From the 5th house cusp back up to the 9th house cusp is the Maturity Octave, stretching to the end of life out in the world. There is also a Transcendent Octave, a higher level of gestation which influences the higher, more collective impulses that are often transpersonal, beyond the daily personal life.

The Life Time Arcs show a list of dates from Conception to Old Age in a logarithmic time scale, showing a sequence of planetary sensitive points (aspect angles from each planet’s natal position) that show a succession of planetary patterns that describe the life in time. This sequence is similar to the structure of DNA and are sequenced in groups of three (like midpoints ortriplicities) that show what happens as aging and growth occur.

=> For each arc there is a date, the aspect to the sensitive point, the radix chart point making the aspect, the native's age on that date, and the longitude of the sensitive point

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can adjust the date format, and opt to also include detailed events prenatally as well

12)

SUN SIGN WHEEL:

For use when doing Sun Sign columns etc. For the selected chart this sheet shows a single wheel, with the Ascendent at 0° of a the selected zodiac sign.

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can select the sign for the chart.

13)

SUN SIGN WHEELS:

For use when doing Sun Sign columns etc. For the selected chart this sheet shows 12 wheels, each with the Ascendent at 0° of a different zodiac sign

14)

ESSENTIAL DIGNITIES:

For each chart point - ruler, exaltation, triplicity, term, face, detriment, fall, the overall score for the planets out to Saturn

Also shows the planetary day and hour, and the hour of the day or night the chart time is

15)

HOUSE
DIGNITIES:

Has a tabulation listing house cusp numbers, longitudes, dispositors and almutens (using traditional rulerships).

16)

PLANETARY SECT:

Comprises sect (distinction between day and night) information for the chart. Diurnal= the sun is above the horizon. Nocturnal = the sun is below the horizon.

The first column ("Pt") is the planet, and the second column ("nature") is the intrinsic sect nature of the planet (diurnal or nocturnal).
The 3rd column (“Cht”) is the sect of the whole chart which is the same as the sect of the Sun (so whatever it is it will be the same for all rows).
The “Plc” column shows the actual planet's sect (above or below the horizon).
The “Sgn” column shows whether that planet is in a diurnal (masculine) or nocturnal (feminine) sign.
If the planet’s nature concurs with its placement, sign and the chart's sect, then it has a dignity known as “In Hayz”.
If its nature opposes all of them, then it has a negative form of dignity known as “Ex Conditione”.

The last column ("Munakara") delineates that the planet is in a state of contention. Planet A is in Munakara (state of contention) when it is ruled (using traditional rulers) by Planet B, which has a different sect nature to itself, and Planet B is ruled by Planet C which also has a different sect nature to itself.

E.g. the Sun (has a diurnal sect nature) is in Aries, and so is ruled by Mars (which has a nocturnal sect nature). Because Mars rules the Sun yet has a different sect nature to the Sun, potentially there may be discord between them.

Whether that potential discord will become actual then depends on the sect condition of the planet ruling Mars. If the sect nature of Mar's ruler is the same as the sect nature of Mars (nocturnal) no further disharmony is involved and the potential discord is unlikely to become actual. But if Mar's ruler has a different sect nature (i.e diurnal) to Mars sect nature (nocturnal), that means further disharmony is involved and the original disharmony between the Sun and Mars will manifest, and the Sun is in Munakara - a state of contention.

"Munakara gives us an idea of the dangers of crossing boundaries  – twice – and the trouble a planet can get into when it moves through enemy territory. Imagine the youngest child in a family of three siblings. If the middle child is getting picked on by the eldest because they are suffering their own torments, then retaliation goes back to the smallest child, who risks danger from both its elder siblings.

Each of the planets reacts differently to being in munakara according to its own character and its significations are often areas of stress for the individual". Munkara information is from Joy Usher, and her source is Al-Biruni, Book of Instruction in Art of Astrology,  Notation 497, p. 308

17)

ALMUTENS

Shows a list of 14 selected compound almutens with the highest scoring planets and their almuten dignity scores. Clicking on any almuten shows an interpretation popup.

For astrologers working with classical methods, Astro Gold includes both Al-Qabīṣī’s simple Almuten Figuris calculation and Ibn Ezra’s Chart Almuten, two influential approaches that were widely used in medieval astrology.

Abraham Ibn Ezra (c. 1089–1167) was a renowned Jewish astrologer, scholar, and philosopher whose astrological writings helped transmit Arabic astrological knowledge into medieval Europe through Latin translations. Astro Gold uses the Latin tradition of Ibn Ezra’s Chart Almuten method as preserved in these medieval sources.

Al-Qabīṣī (Abū al-Ṣaqr al-Qabīṣī, c. 980), one of the most influential astrologers of the Arabic tradition, is best known for his clear and practical approach to astrology. Astro Gold implements his straightforward Almuten Figuris calculation method, making this important traditional technique easily accessible within the software.

In traditional astrology, the Chart Almuten is the planet that holds the greatest overall authority or influence within a chart, determined through a system of accumulated essential dignities and planetary strengths. Astro Gold uses unweighted dignity scores and 5 degree cusp offsets.

Special thanks to Rob Bailey of Old School Astrology for his valuable historical research and assistance in bringing these traditional methods to Astro Gold.

18)

DIGNITIES / HORARY:

A page of information => planetary day and hour, a 30° modulus strip

=> a list showing point glyph, longitude, speed, travel, declination

=> a list showing point glyph, ruler, exaltation, triplicity, term, face, detriment, fall, score

=> a list showing a very few closest aspects with orb shown as time from exact

19)

DIGNITIES/
SECTS:

Shows the 16 closest Aspects, the Essential Dignities and the Planetary Sects (see sheet #12 above for info on planetary sects).

Shows a specific Almuten. Initially set to show the highest scoring planet(s) for the Almuten Figuris.

Other almutens available can be viewed by right-clicking on the current almuten and selecting the one you want to see in the resulting list:

20)

FIRDARIA:

Firdaria show significant astrological periods from birth to age 100

Each planet has a period of greater years and a period of lesser years

The individual’s life is broken up into time periods ruled by a planet or pair of planets

The quality of life at that time is shown by the nature of the planets involved, along with their condition in the natal chart

A Venus-Jupiter period would indicate great prosperity and joy, while a Mars-Saturn period would be one of hardship

The only thing you have to determine is whether the chart is diurnal or nocturnal

You then begin with either the Sun or Moon accordingly as the ruler of the first major period of life

Each major period is divided into 7 sub-periods, ruled in order by the other planets, beginning with the ruler of the major period

=> The list shows each planetary period and within that its sub-periods, when that period or sub-period begins and the native's age at that time

• In the gear icon(top right) there are two options - Standard (Nodes come after all the planets) or Nodal Variation (Nodes come after Mars)

21)

PROFECTIONS:

For the first year of life, by default the sign the Ascendant is in is the activated sign, and the ruler of that sign becomes the Time Lord for the first year.

After that, on your birthday each year, the following sign (in zodiacal order) becomes activated, and so the ruler of it then becomes the Time Lord for that year

Thus after 12 years all the signs in the chart have become activated, so in the 13th year the first sign becomes re-activated again, and so on

=> First nine 12 year periods in the native's life are listed, labeled with the native's age at the beginning of the period (the first period starting at the chart date).

 For each 12 year period listed, the 12 years within it are shown, labeled with the native's age at the beginning of each year.

 For each of those years the activated sign is shown, and it's ruling planet (which is the Time Lord for that year),

plus the 12 months within it are also shown, labeled with the native's age at the beginning of each month,

along with the activated sign and the Time Lord ruler of that sign

• The initial activated sign doesn't need to be sign the Ascendent is in. Using the gear icon(top right) you can select any sign, or the sign the following are in:

Ascendent, Midheaven, Sun, Moon, Lot of Fortune

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can also choose between:

   - Hellenistic (Wholesign);  using Profections (Wholesign/year or Wholesign/month) directions

   - Medieval (Sign);  using Profections (Sign/year or Sign/month) directions

22)

ZODIACAL RELEASINGS:

Also divide a person’s life into periods of time using activated signs, but the periods are longer e.g. decades

The number of years a sign is activated, is the same as the years of its ruler's planetary period (orbital period)

Any sign can be the sign that is (first) activated at birth, but by default the sign the Lot of Spirit is in is activated first. Use the gear icon(top right) to choose

Traditionally using the sign of the Lot of Spirit is best for things like worldly direction and career, and the Lot of Fortune for bodily health

Once the years associated with a sign have transpired in the native's life, the next period starts using the next sign in zodiacal order to the previous one, and so on

There are also sub-periods that are months as opposed to years long (level2), and sub-periods within those lasting weeks (level3) and within that sub-periods lasting days (level4)

In each level the same principle applies, i.e. the sign's ruler's planetary period is the number of years, or number of months, or number of weeks etc

=> Four levels are shown (years/months/weeks/days) with a list of activated signs applicable to each level,

plus for levels 1 and 2 the native's age when each sign is activated, and for levels 3 and 4 the day and time when each sign is activated

23)

LUNAR MANSIONS:

Are like a special zodiac just for the the Moon, based on the Moon's position relative to various groups of stars.

There are 28 lunar mansions, corresponding to the average of 28 days it takes the Moon to circle the zodiac, are 12° 51' in the zodiac, starting at 0 Aries.

=> For all Displayed Points the Mansion number is listed, along with its English, Picatrix and Arabic nameClicking on a row in the list pops up a brief interpretation for the relevant Mansion.

• The gear icon(top right) allows you to select the zodiac to use

24)

MIDPOINTS LIST:

For each chart point and midpoint - modality, sign, longitude, modulus used, house.

The modulus used can be 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180°, 360°

The list can be sorted by - point, sign, modality, modality & sign, or by modulus (if using this to sort by you also need to specify the specific modulus to use as well).
 

NOTE: Extra points (selected as Displayed Points) will not be included in these midpoint lists.

25)

MIDPOINT TREES:

For each chart point - shows any midpoints (or other points) the chart point is directly aspecting by the modulus used, and the orb involved.

The modulus used can be 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180°, 360°

The allowable orb can also be specified.

The list is scrollable allowing trees of unlimited length
 

NOTE: Extra points (selected as Displayed Points) will not be included in these midpoint trees.

26)

ASTEROIDS LIST:

Shows a list of Asteroids => glyph, name, number, longitude, motion direction (D/Rx), travel, latitude, right ascension, declination.

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can select the individual set of minor bodies used (or all of the sets), sort by any column except motion, or save the list as a PDF file. And if you haven't already, you can download any additional asteroids and extra bodies that are available, as well as extend the calculation range for the asteroids that you are using (see here for details).

27)

ASTEROID ASPECTS:

Shows the nearest aspects in a chart involving and asteroid or extra body, sorted from smallest to largest orb.

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can display all the aspects in a single column (which you need to scroll down to see everything), or display just the aspects that will fit on one screen (using two columns).

28)

ARABIC LOTS LIST:

A list of Arabic Parts => name, longitude, house

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can choose between Al Biruni's Parts, Bonatti's List of Commodities, Hellenistic Lots, or the Seven Hermetic Lots. You can also sort by any column, and save any list as a PDF.

29)

ARABIC LOT ASPECTS:

=> Aspects from either Al Biruni's Parts, Bonatti's Commodities, Hellenistic Lots or the Seven Hermetic lots to other points in the chart, sorted from smallest to largest orb.

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can display all the aspects in a single column (which you need to scroll down to see everything), or display just the aspects that will fit on one screen (using two columns).

30)

STARS LIST:

=> name, magnitude, longitude, latitude, right ascension, declination

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can choose the Star Set to use, or which column to sort by

31)

STAR ASPECTS:

=> point glyph, aspect, star name, orb ...sorted from smallest to largest orb

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can choose the Star Set to use. Also whether to view all the aspects in a single column (that you need to scroll down), or the just those closest aspects that can be displayed on one screen in two columns.

The Star Sets available are:

❖All Named Stars [507]

❖Benhenian (Hermes) Stars [15]

❖Brightest Stars ( Mag < 2.0) [48]

❖Ecliptic Stars (Lat < 10.0°) [132]

❖Hermes Stars [15)

32)

STAR PARANS:

Parans are mundane angles between stars and chart points that are (in any combination of) rising, culminating, setting or located at the IC (the paran types).

=> point glyph, point paran (rises/culminates/sets), star, star paran, orb

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can choose the Star Set to use, the maximum orb allowed, the paran types to display, and whether to view all the parans in a single column (that you need to scroll down), or just the closest aspected parans that can be displayed on one screen in two columns.

33)

NODES/APSIDES LIST:

=> point glyph, point longitude, ascending (north) node longitude, descending (south) node longitude, geocentric distance, heliocentric distance, perihelion, aphelion

All planets (except the Sun) have north and south nodes, just like the Moon does.

Apsides are the two key distances in the orbit of a planetary body about its primary body. In our solar system Perihelion is where a planet comes closest to the Sun, Aphelion is where a planet is furthest from the Sun.

Clicking on a row will pop-up Heliocentric orbital parameters for that point:

❖status (approaching or receding from the Sun)

❖distance info

❖next exact apside date

34)

NODES/APSIDES  ASPECTS:

(nearest aspects)

=> point 1 glyph, aspect glyph, point 2 glyph, point 2 name, aspect orb

• Using the gear icon(top right) you can choose the Node/Apside Types and the Tabulation Mode.

The Node/Apside Types available are:

❖Ascending (north) Node

❖Descending (south) Node

❖Perihelion

❖Apihelion

35)

BIWHEEL:

A BiWheel showing one chart in the inner wheel and a second chart in the outer wheel

36)

BIGRID:

A BiGrid (square shape), with planets from one chart across the top, and planets from a second chart down the left

Where they intersect any aspect between the planet from chart and the planet from the other chart is shown

37)

SYNASTRY:        

A page of information for two charts => 2 biwheels with the charts in different rings, a synastry grid

=> a list showing chart 1 point glyph, aspect glyph, chart 2 point glyph, orb - sorted from smallest to largest orb

38)

DUAL WHEELS:

A page of information for two charts => each chart in its own single wheel, a synastry grid

39)

TRI-WHEEL:

A TriWheel showing one chart in the inner wheel, a second chart in the middle wheel and a third in the outer wheel

40)

THREE WHEELS:

Three charts, each in their own single wheel

41)

QUADRI-WHEEL:

A QuadriWheel showing one chart in the inner wheel, a second chart in the inner middle wheel and a third in the outer middle wheel, and a chart in the outer wheel

42)

FOUR WHEELS:

Four charts, each in their own single wheel