Using Dynamic Reports and Time Maps
Contents
This chapter describes how to generate, view and print a report of transits, progressions or directions to any chart (hereafter referred to as the "radix" chart - a radix chart often refers to natal chart but it can also refer to an event chart). It also describes how to view the output in the form of a “Time Map”.
Before generating a dynamic report, it is necessary to have either cast or opened the chart for which you wish to generate the report. If you have not yet done so, see Casting a Natal Chart for instructions on creating a new chart, or page Retrieving Charts From a File for instructions on opening an existing chart.
Report Header
The full header of the dynamic report usually takes up about half a page, and includes details of all the selections you made to generate the report. It is possible to prevent this information from being printed in order to save this space. If this option is switched off, then only the base chart name and the name of the saved selection are printed.
>> To switch the full transit header option on or off
•Choose Full Transit Header from the Dynamic menu - This will switch it on if it was off, or off if it was on.
Note: If you want to show your report to others who may need to know the settings you used to generate your report, then ensure the report header option is switched on.
Report Accuracy
It is possible for Solar Fire to calculate its dynamic reports using two different methods
•With "Maximum Accuracy" switched on
In this case all dynamic report calculations are performed using an iterative method that ensures that the time given for each events is accurate to within one second of time. However, the "cost" of this accuracy is that it is considerably slower than less accurate methods.
•With "Maximum Accuracy" switched off
In this case some dynamic report calculations (i.e. aspect hits) are performed using a quadratic curve-fitting method, which approximates the correct result, and is generally not quite as accurate as the iterative method, but has the advantage of being much quicker. The loss of accuracy is usually very small - typically giving results within several seconds of the maximally accurate result, although in some isolated cases it could be out by up to ten seconds or more.
Typical users of Solar Fire will probably prefer to have the Maximum Accuracy option switched off, because it makes dynamic report and calendar generation much quicker, and still retains a level of accuracy which is more than adequate for most astrological purposes. However, those users who do need results which are always accurate to the nearest second of time should switch Maximum Accuracy on.
Note: All sign ingresses and planetary stations in dynamic reports and calendars are always calculated to maximum accuracy, regardless of whether the Maximum Accuracy setting is on or off.
>> To alter the report accuracy setting
•Choose Maximum Accuracy from the Dynamic menu - This will switch it on if it was off, or off if it was on.
Note: This option also affects the calendar module, because it uses dynamic reports which run in the background to generate its calendar events.