Multiwheel Superimposition

This is a special option that determines the manner in which charts are aligned with one another (i.e. superimposed). The usual manner of superimposition is “zodiacal”, meaning that when charts are displayed in a biwheel, for example, 0 Aries in one chart is aligned with 0 Aries in the other chart. This method is the one used in almost all astrological books and publications.

However, it is also possible to align charts by other methods, for example according to their house cusps, or according to the position of points within the charts.

The options available are...

•Zodiacal (Normal) – This is the default option when the program is first installed, and should always be selected unless you specifically wish to use non-standard superimposition methods.

•By Sign of Selected Point – This will align 0 degrees of the sign of the selected superimposition point in the superimposed chart with 0 degrees of the sign of the selected base point in the base chart. In this case the superimposition adjustment will always be an exact factor of 30 degrees.

•By Exact Position of Selected Point – This will align the exact zodiacal position of the selected superimposition point with the exact position of the selected base point in the base chart. In this case the superimposition adjustment can be any angle.

The last two options require a specific chart point to be selected. For example, if the “Exact Position of Selected Point” option is selected, then the selected superimposition point and base point might both be set to Ascendant. In this case, when a biwheel is displayed, the outer chart will have its ascendant aligned exactly to the ascendant of the inner chart, so that the houses of each chart coincide with one another.

This option never affects a single chart on its own – it only affects multiwheels, reports or page objects that show chart inter-relationships. Specifically, the items affected are:

•Biwheels – The outer chart is adjusted. The inner chart remains fixed.

•Triwheels - The two outer charts are adjusted. The inner chart remains fixed.

•Quadriwheels - The three outer charts are adjusted. The inner chart remains fixed.

•Quinquiwheels - The four outer charts are adjusted. The inner chart remains fixed.

•Synastry aspects – Chart B is adjusted. Chart A remains fixed.

Further options are as follows.

Use Radix Point in Subsidiary Charts – This option only affects subsidiary charts (such as progressed charts) that are superimposed onto other base charts. In this case it is possible to superimpose the charts by aligning the subsidiary (progressed) point with the base chart, or alternatively by aligning the radix position of the selected point of the progressed chart. For example, if we view John’s progressed chart in a biwheel around Susan’s natal chart, and we have selected to superimpose by exact position of ascendants, then, when this option is switched off, John’s progressed ascendant will be aligned to Susan’s natal ascendant. However, when this option is switched on, John’s natal (radix) ascendant will be aligned to Susan’s natal ascendant, instead.

Display Superimposed Positions – This option determines whether the planets and zodiac of the superimposed chart retained their original zodiacal positions in the wheel or reports, as opposed to the entire chart being shifted in the zodiac to appear as if it was aligned with the zodiac of the base chart. For example, if we view John’s natal chart in a biwheel around Susan’s natal chart, and we have selected to superimpose by exact position of ascendants, then, when this option is switched off, John’s ascendant will be notated with its original (un-superimposed) zodiacal position, and the zodiac of the outer chart will be shown as offset from that of the inner chart. However, when this option is switched on, John’s ascendant will be notated with its superimposed position (i.e. identical to Susan’s ascendant position), and the zodiac of the outer chart will appear to align exactly with the zodiac on the inner chart. The purpose of this option is to allow inter-chart aspects to be seen much more readily than would otherwise be the case.

Note: Using these options can cause much confusion if you are not familiar with the concept of superimposition. After use, please remember to switch this option back to Zodiacal (Normal) in order to avoid the likelihood of mistaking a superimposed zodiac with an erroneously calculated chart!