Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques, Volume II: Delineating Planetary Meaning

DEVELOPED UNDER THE SHADOWS of the Egyptian temples, Hellenistic astrology is an ancient form of divination inherited from Mesopotamian wisdom traditions. Distilled in Græco-Roman antiquity, and refined in the fires of philosophy and astronomy, it forms the bedrock of traditional western astrology (while also bearing profound similarities to Jyotish or Vedic astrology). Drawing on a body of Greek texts that have remained largely untranslated for almost two-thousand years, Demetra George brings the contemporary practice of astrology back to its ancient roots. Scholar, translator, and practitioner, her work reveals the potent cosmological veins that bear the lifeblood of traditional astrology. Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice is, in essence, a training manual for the study and practice of Hellenistic astrology. In two volumes, it provides the complete foundations and detailed dynamics of ancient chart-reading techniques. Each volume and each technique is richly illustrated with diagrams, example charts, and practical exercises. Volume 2: Delineating Planetary Meaning If the planets are the essential forces ruling life in the sublunary world, the houses are the principles that bring them down to earth and ground them in our everyday reality. Volume two begins by exploring the ancient house system-the twelve topics or places of life-in order to provide a synthesis of planet-based and house-based approaches to distilling meaning from a chart. It then explores the different systems for delineating the rulers and lords of the nativity as a whole. Like the helmsman's rudder that steers the vessel through the waters of existence, the masters and lords of the nativity provide the overarching principles that guide the native's path through life. Front Contents List of Figures List of Tables Symbols and abbreviations used in this book Historical Note Acknowledgments Part Seven: Down to Earth 61. Down to Earth. The Astrological Houses Origins of the Houses The Names of the Houses and the Topics they Signify The Great Circles of the Celestial Sphere House Systems 62. Classifications of the Houses The Relative Angularity of the Houses Angular Houses Succedent Houses, Cadent Houses, and the Angular Triads The Relative Favorability of the Houses Angularity and Favorability in Quadrant and Equal House Divisions The Houses and Chronological Ages Joys of the Houses Derived Houses 63. Topics of the Houses A Note on Sources 64. The First House. The Hour-Marker (Hòroskopos) 65. The Second House. Gate of Hades (Haidou Pule) 66. The Third House. Goddess (Thea) 67. The Fourth House. Subterranean Place (Hupogeion) 68. The Fifth House. Good Fortune (Agathe Tuche) 69. The Sixth House. Bad Fortune (Kake Tuche) 70. The Seventh House. Setting (Dusis) 71. The Eight House. The Idle Place (Argos) 72. The Ninth House. God (Theos) 73. The Tenth House. Midheaven (Mesouranema) 74. The Eleventh House. Good Spirit (Agathos Daimon) 75. The Twelfth House. Bad Spirit (Kakos Daimon) 76. Summary and Source Readings Conclusion Primary Source Readings for Part Seven: The Twelve Houses Part Eight: Interpreting the twelve Topics of Life 77. Placing the planets in the Houses. Guidelines 78. The Nature and Condition of the House. Angularity, Favorability, Witnessing Step One: The Condition of the House Exercise 40: Evaluating the Condition of a House 79. Delineating a planet in a House Step Two: The Condition of the Planet Exercise 41: Delineating a Planet with its Condition in a House 80. Planets and House rulerships Step Three: Integrating Planetary Rulerships Exercise 42: A Planets House Rulerships 81. The planet's Domicile Lord Step Four: The Condition and Location of the Domicile Lord Exercise 43: A Planets Assistance from its Domicile Lord 82. The outcome of House Topics. Introduction Delineation Guidelines after Jean-Baptiste Morin (Morinus) Benefic and Malefic Planets, Conditions, and Houses The Fortunate Houses The Unfortunate Houses 83. The delineation of Huose Topics Step Five: House Outcomes Single Planet in a House Multiple Planets in One House Empty Houses Exercise 44: The Outcome of the Twelve Topics of Life 84. The Lord of a House Step Six: Location and Topics of the Lord The Direction of the Flow The Nature, Location, and Condition of the Lord of the House Hie Nature of the House Itself Long-term Prognosis Exercise 45: The Lord of a House 85. Integration. Bringing the Planet and House Approaches Together Summary Final Delineation of Planets in Houses Delineations for Chart One Delineations for Chart Two Exercise 46: Final Interpretation for Planets and Houses Next Steps Part Nine: Rulers of the Nativity 86. Rulers of the Nativity. An Introduction 87. Steering the ship of Life. The Domicile Lord of the Ascendant Nature of the Planet and its Zodiacal Sign House Location Favorable Houses Connected to the Ascendant Other Factors to Consider The Domicile Lord of the Ascendant and the Vital Times Exercise 47: The Domicile Lord of the Ascendant 88. Introducing Lots. The Lot of Fortune and the Lord of Fortune Use and Determination of Lots The Seven Hermetic Lots Cultural Context of the Lot of Fortune The Giver of Fortune and Prosperity Analyzing Fortune Fortune Houses The Lord of Fortune Exercise 48: The Lot of Fortune and the Domicile Lord of Fortune 89. The Triplicity Lords of the Sect Light. Bestowers of Happiness, Prosperity, Substance, and Eminence Triplicity Lords Identifying the Triplicity Lords of the Sect Light Analyzing the Triplicity Lords Angularity Sign Rulerships Witnessing by Beneiics and Malefics Other Factors Comparing the Two Triplicity Lords Timing with Triplicity Lords Summary Exercise 49: Triplicity Lords of the Sect Light 90. The Ultimate Rulers of the Chart. The Predominator, the Master of the Nativity, and the Lord of the Nativity 91. The Predominator. (Epikratetor) The Predominator According to Antiochus and Porphyry Outline of the Procedure According to Antiochus and Porphyry Exercise 50: Identifying the Predominator—Porphyry s Method 92. Variations in the search for the Predominator Dorotheus and the Predominator Valens and the Predominator Ptolemy and the Predominator Paulus and the Predominator Summary Exercise 51: Identifying the Predominator— Alternative Procedure 93. The Master of the Nativity. (Oikodespotes) Identifying the Oikodespotes The Global Role of the Oikodespotes Evaluating the Oikodespotes Exercise 52: Determine the Master and Joint-Master of the Nativity 94. The Lord of the Nativity. (Kurios) Procedure for Determining the Kurios Exercise 53: The Lord of the Nativity 95. The five Rulers of the Nativity. Final Summary Exercise 54: Final Summary of the Rulers of the Nativity 96. Lenght of Life. An Overview of Timing Methods Primary Directions The Ascensional Times of the Signs Planetary Periods Circumambulations through the Bounds The Horimaea 97. Lenght of Life. An Overview of Procedures The Predominator as Releaser (Aphetes) The Master of the Nativity The Killing Planet (Anairetes) The Procedures 98. Source Readings for the Rulers of the Nativity Primary Source Readings for Part Nine: The Rulers of the Nativity 99. Afterword Example Charts Part Ten: Glossary, Sources, Bibliography Glossary Annotated Bibliography of Hellenistic Astrologers Annotated Bibliography of Medieval Astrologers Bibliography Index Errata to Volume One. For editions published before April 2022 "Volume two : Delineating Planetary Meaning -- If the planets are the essential forces ruling life in the sublunary world, the houses are the principles that bring them down to earth and ground them in our everyday reality. Volume two begins by exploring the ancient house system-the twelve topics or places of life-in order to provide a synthesis of planet-based and house-based approaches to distilling meaning from a chart. It then explores the different systems for delineating the rulers and lords of the nativity as a whole. Like the helmsman's rudder that steers the vessel through the waters of existence, the masters and lords of the nativity provide the overarching principles that guide the native's path through life." -- Back cover