Directed Charts

Zodiacal Directions

A chart is directed by adding a fixed arc to every point in the chart, including the chart angles. Therefore a directed chart maintains the same aspects as the chart upon which it is based, but different zodiacal positions. In Solar Fire, the fixed arc that is applied is determined by the arc of the secondary progressed Sun’s longitude, or by the arc of the derived Ascendant or Vertex once the Midheaven has been progressed by the same longitude as the secondary progressed Sun. Which of these methods is used depends on which method of directions is currently selected for the chart or dynamic report.

Primary Mundane Directions

Primary directions are created by the diurnal rotation of the earth about its own polar axis. Hence each planet or chart angle is directed along its own diurnal arc, starting from its natal position. Each degree of rotation is deemed to correspond to 1 year in the life of the individual. Aspects are deemed to be formed between directed and natal planets when their relative positions in their diurnal arcs are in angular relationship. (Note that this is quite different from aspects of zodiacal longitude.). For example, if the Sun is natally situated in the 10th house at 90% along its arc from its rise to its culmination, then Saturn will be in natal mundane square to it when it is directed to a position in the 1st house which is at 90% along its arc from its nadir to its rise across the horizon. If this occurs after Saturn has been directed by 24.5 degrees along its diurnal arc, then it is deemed that directed Saturn makes a mundane square to the Sun when the individual is 24 and a half years old.

This method is also known as "Placidian" directions as apparently practiced by Ptolemy, Alcabitius, Montulmo, Lucas Gauricus, Simmonite, Zadkiel, Alan Leo, Pracht, Kloekler and Placidus himself.

Van Dam Primary Directions

This method has also been called “Primary Event Analysis”. This is a variation of the Primary Mundane (Placidian) method, using a different time-measure, as introduced by Wim van Dam. The derived positions are given in zodiacal longitude (unlike primary mundane directions, which are expressed in term of a pseudo-arc).