Hyleg and Alcocoden

Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden

I. Finding the Hyleg Paulus p74-76

Gives productive places by day as the 1st, 10th, 11th, 7th and 8th; by night, the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 5th, 11th, 2nd and 8th. In a day chart, see if the Sun is in a productive place; in a nocturnal chart, look for the Moon in a productive place. If the Sun or Moon is found in a productive place find the planet having the most dignities1 in its [Sun or Moon’s] place; if it is at a morning rising or on a pivot (angle) and “in it’s own throne” (exaltation?) and higher [in the chart] than the light of the sect, it has rulership2. If the Sun or Moon is not in a productive place, then examine the New or Full Moon prior to birth to see if it is in a productive place. If not, check the place of the Part of Fortune or Part of Spirit or the Lord of the Ascendant and if one of them is in a productive place; aspected by it’s domicile, term or trigon3 master; then the place takes on the role of Hyleg and the ruler “is taken as the authority of the native”4. Paulus’ whole aim is in attempting to find the planet which has rulership over the nativity which he uses as ascertain the years given to the native i.e. his focus is on finding the Alcochoden. Heliodorus p152-154

Sometimes the Sun itself is ruler if it has a “better count” i.e. if the Sun is in domicile and in a productive place it becomes both the Hyleg and the ruler. If the Sun or Moon cannot be taken, see which of the Part of Fortune, Part of Spirit, Asc or syzygy is the best placed and look to the planet having the “better count” for the ruler . Ptolemy Book III, Chapter 10

Gives five hylegical places: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

MC 1st (5 deg before Asc and 25 degrees below) 11th 7th 9th

The regions of greatest importance are the Sun, Moon, Asc, PoF and their rulers. 1

Appears to use the domicile, exaltation, term ruler and the trigonal master i.e. the triplicity ruler for the sect(?) 2 Rulership is being used to indicate the Alcochoden. 3 Believe this refers to the triplicity ruler for the sect of the chart. For example, if the Asc is in a Fire sign in a day chart, the Sun would be the trigon master, in a night chart Jupiter would be the trigon master. 4 The “ruler” must also be in a productive place.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden

In a day chart, examine Sun Moon Almuten5 of the Sun, new Moon prior to birth, Ascendant6 Ascendant In a night chart, examine Moon Sun Almuten of Moon, full moon prior to birth, Part of Fortune if the chart is conjunctional, the Asc, otherwise the Part of Fortune [Note that if a day chart is preventional you still look for the last conjunction prior to the birth; if the night chart is conjunctional you look to the last full moon.] If both the luminaries or sect rulers7 are in hylegical places, take the one that is in the place of greatest authority; the almuten is preferred only when it is in a position of greater authority and has dignity with both the lights (Sun and Moon). [Basically, you are looking for one of the above in a hylegical place. Ptolemy does not accept any planet in a non-hylegical place as the hyleg] Al-Biruni pp. 522

The Hyleg is sought from five places: 1. Lord of the time, day (Sun) or night (Moon) 2. Moon by day, Sun by night 3. Ascending degree 4. Part of Fortune 5. SAN One of these, as determined by the proper rules (presumably Ptolemy’s rules), will be the hyleg. Abu’Ali

Gives the following as hylegical candidates by day: 1. Sun 2. Moon 3. Asc if chart is conjunctional 4. Part of Fortune 5. SAN

5

Gives 1 point to each of triplicity, domicile, exaltation and term rulers as well as to any planet in aspect to the position. 6 Almuten must have three or more points(?) 7 Zoller gives the ruler of the proper sect as the almuten of the diurnal planets in a day chart or nocturnal planets in a night chart

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden And in a night chart 1. Moon 2. Sun 3. Part of Fortune 4. SAN With the following guidelines: 1. The potential Hyleg must be angular or succedent 2. If the Sun, must be in a masculine sign or quarter (1,11,12,4,5,6) 3. If the Moon, must be in a feminine sign or quarter (1,2,3,7,8,9) 4. Must be aspected by one of it’s domicile, term exaltation, triplicity or decan rulers. 5. If the Part of Fortune is used it must be aspected by its domicile, exaltation or term ruler (triplicity rulers don’t count) Masha’allah

Basically same as Abu’Ali but says to use the “lord of the domicile” of the SAN or Part of Fortune rather than the place itself and, if neither the Sun, Moon, SAN or PoF lead to the hyleg, use the Asc if it is aspected by its sign ruler. Alchabitius

By day, 1. Sun if in 1st, 10th, or 11th regardless of sign 2. Sun in 7th, 8th or 9th if he is in a masculine sign 3. Moon in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th or 8th regardless of sign 4. Moon in 10th, 11th, 4th, 5th or 7th if in a feminine sign By night, 1. Moon in Asc, 10th, 11th 2. Moon in 7th, 8th, 9th in a feminine sign 3. Sun in 7th, 4th, 5th 4. Sun in Asc or 2nd if in a masculine sign If the Sun or Moon is not fit to be hyleg use the SAN or Part of Fortune if they are angular or succedent, or the Asc if they are not. Moon usb is not fit to be hyleg The Hyleg must be aspected by one of its rulers Bonatti

Uses Sun, Moon, PoF, Asc and SAN as potential hylegs. General Rule: the hyleg must be aspected by at least one of its rulers (same as Abu’Ali) In a day chart, the potential hyleg is 1. Sun if in 1st, 11th or 10th 2. Sun in 7th, 8th, or 9th if it is in a masculine sign 3. Moon if in an angle or succedent house and in a feminine sign

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden 4. Part of Fortune if chart is preventional and it is in a hylegical place or conjunct the Asc 5. Asc if chart is conjunctional and if it is aspected by any of it’s rulers or the Moon 6. SAN By night, you start with the Moon instead of the Sun; same rules apply. Bonatti’s comments on looking for the hyleg: 1. Ptolemy rejected an 8th house hyleg 2. Dorotheus rejected an 8th or 7th house Sun as hyleg unless it was in a masculine sign in a day chart; he allowed it as hyleg in a nocturnal chart if it was in the 1st or 2nd house in a feminine sign 3. Moon angular or succedent is a fit hyleg regardless of sign although it is better if it is in a feminine sign in a woman’s chart or a masculine sign in a man’s chart 4. Dorotheus rejected a 9th House Moon as hyleg; Ptolemy accepted her if she was in the 9th in a feminine sign 5. SAN acceptable if the Sun, Moon, Asc ruler or any of the benefics are angular or succedent and aspect the SAN Schoener

Rules according to Ptolemy Hylegical Places: MC, Asc, 11th, 7th, 9th (5º before and 25º after the cusp for all houses) For a Day chart: 1. Sun 2. Moon 3. Almuten of conjunction preceding birth, Sun and Asc (must have at least three dignities in these places8) 4. Ascendant For a Night chart: 1. Moon 2. Sun 3. Almuten of the Full Moon preceding the birth, Moon, Part of Fortune (with 3 dignities) 4. If the chart is Conjunctional, the Ascendant; if Preventional, the Part of Fortune Cautions: a) if more than one planet is suitable, take the one with the greatest virtue and power in the strongest hylegical place b) if the luminary is weak in essential dignities or in a weak place and the Almuten is in a strong place and strong in essential dignity prefer the luminary Note: Schoener judges a planet’s strength or weakness based on the following: 1. Combust or free from combustion 8

Not sure if this means the Almuten must have at least one dignity in all three places or have at least three dignities in total. Best guess would be at least one dignity in each place.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden 2. 3. 4. 5.

Direct or Retro; slow or fast in motion In own dignities or not Evilly aspected by Infortunes or well aspected by Fortunes Angular, Succedent or Cadent

He describes an angular, retro and peregrine Jupiter as weak and unfortunate. An angular Saturn, in domicile, direct and square the Sun, fortunate and strong. A Mercury angular, in his terms, combust and retro is weak The Moon succedent, in triplicity, free of combustion, sextile Jupiter and slow “is declared sound” The teachings of Others on the Hyleg9 For a Day Chart: 1. The Sun in the Asc, 10th or 11th regardless of sign 2. The Sun in the 7th, 8th or 9th if in a masculine sign 3. The Moon in the Asc, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, or 8th in any sign 4. The Moon in the Asc, 10th, 4th or 5th in a feminine sign For a Night Chart: 1. The Moon in the Asc, 10th, or 11th regardless of sign 2. The Moon in the 7th, 8th or 9th in a masculine10 sign 3. The Sun in the 7th, 4th or 5th in any sign 4. The Sun in the Asc or 2nd in a masculine sign 5. The Sun in the Asc or 5th in a feminine sign If the luminaries cannot be used; take the degree of the New or Full preceding the birth if it is angular or succedent. Cautions: A combust Moon cannot be Hyleg. No planet can be hyleg unless it is aspected by one of it’s dispositors.

9

These rules are bit of hash job on earlier authors; Rob Hand, in a footnote, says “It resembles a number of different Arabic authors with added errors. Since Schoener does not appear to have used it [the nonPtolemy method for finding the Hyleg], no great care seems to have been taken in reporting it accurately” 10 This should probably read ”feminine sign”. Robert Hand, in a footnote on p36 of the text says “The places where the Sun or Moon can be in either male or female signs are those houses which are in masculine quadrants for the Sun and feminine quadrants for the Moon. Those houses where the sign has to be masculine for the Sun or feminine for the Moon are houses which are in quadrants of the opposite sex.” The masculine quadrants are those containing the 12th, 11th and 10th houses and the 4th, 5th and 6th houses.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden Summary on Hylegical Places

All sources appear to agree that the 1st, 10th and 11th are acceptable. They all appear to reject cadent houses with a few exceptions given for the 9th and 3rd: Ptolemy accepts the 9th Alchabitius accepts the 9th for the Sun in a day chart if in a masculine sign, the Moon in a night chart if in a feminine sign. Bonatti accepts a 3rd House Moon as hyleg preferring she be in a feminine sign but Alchabitius accepts a 3rd House Moon in a day chart regardless of sign; rejecting her in the 3rd in a night chart. The rest of the houses are a toss up. •

Ptolemy rejects any house below the horizon except the first 25º of the 1st House.

•

The 7th appears to be acceptable for the Sun by day if he’s in a masculine sign and the Moon by night if she’s in a feminine sign. Although Ptolemy and Paulus do not make this distinction.

•

Paulus accepts the 8th by day or night; Abu’Ali accepts it for the Moon if she is in a feminine sign. Bonatti does the same and also accepts an 8th house Sun if he is in a masculine sign. Alchabitius accepts an 8th House Moon as hyleg by day regardless of sign but only if she is in a feminine sign by night. Dorotheus rejects any 8th house planet as hyleg.

•

Paulus accepts the 2nd in night charts. Alchabitius accepts the Moon in the 2nd by day regardless of sign and the Sun by night if he’s in a masculine sign.

•

Paulus accepts the 5th in a night chart. Alchabitius accepts the Moon in the 5th in a day chart if she’s also in a feminine sign or a 5th House Sun by night in a masculine sign.

No one appears to accept a 12th or 6th House hyleg. Zoller follows Dorotheus in rejecting an 8th House hyleg. When dealing with the luminaries; sect appears to be of prime importance. In Day charts, we’re looking for the: • Sun above the horizon in a masculine quarter (11th or 10th), or • Sun above the horizon in a feminine quarter (7th, 9th) in a masculine sign, or • Moon below the horizon in a feminine quarter (4th, 5th), or • Moon below the horizon in a masculine quarter (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in a feminine sign In Night charts, we’re looking for the: • Moon above the horizon in a feminine quarter (9th, 7th), or • Moon above the horizon in a masculine quarter (10th, 11th) in a feminine sign, or

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden • •

Sun below the horizon in a masculine quarter (1st, 2nd), or Sun below the horizon in a feminine quarter (4th or 5th) in a masculine sign

In either a day or night chart, the 1st, 10th and 11th appear to be acceptable for either the Sun or Moon although Rob Hand points out that if the Moon is in the 5º before the Asc she is in a masculine quarter and should therefore be in a feminine sign and if the Sun is in the 25º following the Asc he is in a feminine quarter and should therefore be in a masculine sign. The same logic would apply to the 5º before the 10th, if the Sun is found there, he should be in a masculine sign as technically he’s in a feminine quarter. Summary on potential Hylegs

Potential hylegs are the Sun, Moon, Part of Fortune, Asc and SAN. Or instead of using the PoF, Asc and SAN itself, you are to take the Lord of the place or the Almuten of the place. Some instructions advise you to look for the Almuten of all these places. As a general rule, the potential Hyleg must aspect at least one of its dignity rulers. Ptolemy appears to be the only exception in this, preferring a planet with two or more dignities and no aspect over a planet in aspect with only one dignity. Alchabitius rejected the Moon as hyleg if she was under the Sun’s beams. Heliodorus rejected any planet as hyleg if it was USB. The Hyleg is the giver of life. Once it is found, we need to look for the Alcochoden or giver of years.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden

II. Finding the Alcochoden Paulus

If the ruler is well situated it gives it’s [major] years as follows: Saturn Jupiter Mars

57 years 79 years 66 years

Venus Mercury Moon

82 years 76 years 108 years

Sun

120 years

If the ruler is not the Sun or Moon and it is aspected by Venus, it receives her least years (8); with Mercury, 20 years; with Saturn, when well and personably placed, adds 30 years but “when it happens not to be in its own [domicile?] ” it subtracts 30 years; with Jupiter, add 12 years; with Mars well and personably placed, add 15 years but “when not in its own” subtract 15 years. [These are the minor years of the planets]. If the aforesaid benefics (Jupiter and Venus) are in the declines or USB or subtracting in numbers [retro] and making a baleful aspect to the ruler they neither add nor subtract years. Also, if the ruler of the birth is USB and cadent it gives its least years: Saturn Jupiter Mars Sun

30 years Venus 12 years Mercury 15 years Moon 19 years when in a masculine sign

8 years 20 years 25 years

Heliodorus

Uses the rulers of domicile, term, triplicity and exaltation and looks to the one which has the “better count” by “being well or on a pivot [angle] or in Good Spirit [11th] or postascending or being in Good Fortune [5th?] or trine the Sun” If the ruler is USB it cannot be used; another must be found. Gives an example for a nocturnal chart with Moon in 2nd at 15 Gemini. Mercury rules by sign and triplicity in Mars [Chaldean] terms Mercury has the better count being domicile and triplicity ruler; Mars is in the 6th, a decline, therefore Mercury is ruler Ruler gives its years unless cut down by the destroyer which is said to be the planet with the lesser count, in the example, Mars Says something about the destroyer “fastening down the bounds” – think it means that if the destroyer is in a term following the ruler and if the ruler moves into those terms during a “bad” year (by revolution?) the destroyer can cut down the ruler’s years

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden Ptolemy

Take the planet that has the most dignities in the place of the Hyleg. His method of ascertaining the number of years given is based on directing the Alcochoden to the degrees of the malefics. The method requires a study book of its own. He does, however, make an interesting comment: “For in general we must not admit any planet, either to destroy or to aid, that is under the rays of the Sun, except that when the Moon is prorogator the place of the Sun itself is destructive when it is changed about by the presence of a maleficent planet and is not released by any of the beneficent ones.” Which seems to imply that an aspecting planet which is USB neither adds nor subtracts years and that if the Sun is with or aspected by a malefic and not aspected by a benefic nor in the terms of a benefic it becomes malefic. Al-Biruni pp. 522

The planet with the most dignities in the place of the Hyleg and in aspect to it becomes Alcochoden. The Alcochoden, depending on it’s power or weakness gives years or months. If angular, it gives its greater allowance; succedent, it’s middle allowance; cadent, it’s lesser allowance. If it is a maleficent or weak, every fortune in favourable aspect or in reception with it, adds its lesser allowance; every infortune in unfavourable aspect, subtracts its lesser allowance in years or months according to the strength of the fortune or infortune. These are the years of the life if Saturn or Mars do not interfere (by direction, profection, progression, etc.) Al-Biruni also describes a system of primary directions and talks of the about anaeretai (destroyers) in the degrees11 of the Asc and Moon and the cusps of the 4th, 7th and 8th interfering with the given life span. Abu’Ali

Once the Hyleg has been found, look to the ruler of it’s term, domicile, exaltation, triplicity and face. Whichever one of these aspects the Hyleg becomes the Alcochoden. If more than one is in aspect, take the one with the most dignities and which is closest by degrees12.

11 12

Probably a reference to the Asc and Moon moving into the terms of malefics. That is, the planet closer in zodiacal degrees, not the one whose aspect is closest to perfect.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden If the Sun is Hyleg and it is in Leo or Aries and none of its rulers are in aspect; it becomes the Alcochoden as well as the Hyleg. The same for the Moon if she is in Taurus or Cancer. If the Alcochoden is in its own domicile, exaltation or triplicity; oriental13 and free from the malefics, combustion and retrogradation; in an angle, it gives its greater years; in a succedent, its middle years; and in a cadent house, its lesser years. If a planet is diminished in effectiveness or is occidental its years are reduced. Following examples are given: • • •

in the 4th or 7th14, gives medium years occidental and peregrine, minor years occidental, peregrine, retrograde and combust, gives its minor years and months as months and days

If the Alcochoden is within 12º of the North Node, add ¼ of the years it signifies; if within 12º of the South Node, subtract ¼ of the years signified. And the closer the planet is to the NN or SN the better or worse it will be15; with the Moon suffering the most. If the Alcochoden signifies a short life and Jupiter and Venus are in the Asc and MC, they will add their lesser years unless the term of the Asc and the Moon is impeded by Saturn or Mars; or, Jupiter or Venus rules the 8th. Planets aspecting the Alcochoden add or subtract years as follows: • • • •

A fortune conjunct, sextile or trine; strong in its own right, adds its lesser years; if in medium strength, adds its lesser years as month; weak, adds its lesser years as days or hours. A fortune in square or opposition neither adds nor subtracts from the years. An infortune in square or opposition16 subtracts its lesser years. An infortune in sextile or trine neither subtracts nor adds years.

Mercury, if with fortunes, will add his minor years; with malefics, subtract his minor years. Mars is the greatest impediment. When the Hyleg is directed by the degrees of Ascension to the bodies or rays of the malefics, it signifies the destruction of the native (regardless of the years given??)

13

In an ‘oriental’ quadrant i.e. in the East The text gives ..in an angle (but as I have said, with the exception that it is not oriental)” 15 Appears to imply that if the planet is 6º or 2º away more than ¼ years should be added or subtracted but no examples are given. 16 The conjunction of an infortune is not specifically mentioned nor is its strength or weakness but presumably similar rules, to those of the fortunes, would apply. 14

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden Masha’allah

The ruler of the Hyleg’s term, triplicity, domicile, exaltation or face which aspects the Hyleg. If more than one are in aspect, take the one with the most dignity in the place of the Hyleg and closest to it by degree. If the Sun is in Leo or Aries then it is both Alcochoden and Hyleg17 whether or not it aspects the Hyleg. Same for the Moon if she is in Taurus or Cancer. If the Alcochoden is in an angle or in its own domicile or in its exaltation or triplicity, direct in motion and free from combustion, it gives its major years. If in a succedent place with no aspects from the malefics, it gives its middle years. If cadent with no essential dignity, it gives its minor years. An increase or decrease in the years it gives only occurs with respect to the planets strength or debility. If the planet is oriental and in good state, it gives the greater years. If occidental and in evil aspect with another planet, it gives its minor years. If occidental, in evil aspect with another planet and retrograde, it gives its minor years as weeks. If it is in an evil house, retrograde and aspected by a lighter planet, it will give its minor years as days. When the NN is within 12º degrees, it adds ¼ of the planets years; when within 12º of the SN, it subtracts ¼ of the planets years. And if it is in partile conjunction with the Sun or Moon “it takes away nothing.” The effect is more strongly seen when the Sun or Moon are Alcochoden; more so with the Moon. If Jupiter is with Venus in the Asc, each adds its minor years unless the infortunes impede them and the Moon is also in bad state. If Jupiter or Venus is in the Asc and is ruler of the 8th, the newborn will die before it lives. If a fortune is with or aspects the Alcochoden by sextile or trine and it (the fortune) is in a good house, it will add its minor years. If the fortune is weak, it will add its minor years as months and if its retrograde and impeded by an evil planet, it will add its minor years as days. If an infortune is with the Alcochoden and receives the Alcochoden and they are in square or opposition and they are conjunct the lord of the 8th, the minor years of the Alcochoden are given as hours. If Mercury is in a good house and in good aspect to the Alcochoden it will add its minor years; if in an evil house and in evil aspect, it subtracts its minor years. Mars aspects are the strongest. The native will die when the Alcochoden is directed to an evil planet which impedes it.. 17

This is slightly different from Abu’Ali who says this is true only when the Sun or Moon has been granted the hylegical dignity.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden Alchabitius

[Only have a translation of Alchabitius’ Computation of the Hyleg]. Bonatti

Examine the dispositors of the Hyleg to see which one is in aspect to the Hyleg. If more than one is in aspect, take the one which “is closer to degree by aspect or by conjunction”18 If they all “aspect equally” then a) take the one which has the most dignities in the place of the Hyleg, or, if they have equal dignities, b) take the one which is angular or succedent, or, if they are all angular or succedent, c) take the one closest to its cusp, or, if they are still equal, d) take the one who is strongest in its own place i.e. having the most essential dignity in its own place, or, if they are still equal e) take the one closest to the Sun without being combust If any planet is 3º before or 5º after either the Asc or MC, “make him a participator with the Hyleg” whether or not he has dignity there (in the place of the Hyleg?) and if he does have dignity there he will be stronger than another planet not with the Asc or MC. If the planet does not have dignity, his participation will be weaker. If the Alcochoden is in the Asc or 10th, in Haym, in his own dignities gives his major years. If succedent, oriental (esp. in the 11th), in any of his own dignities and free from impediments, gives his middle years. If cadent under the same conditions, he gives his minor years but if impeded by being retro or in his detriment or fall, or peregrine, or besieged by malefics, he will give his minor years as months and minor months as weeks but if he also combust, he will give his minor years and months as hours or, at the most, days. If a benefic, strong, fortunate and received19, aspects by conjunction, sextile or trine it will add its own minor years plus its middle years as months. If he does not receive the Alcochoden, or the aspect is a square or opposition20, he will give his minor years plus the major years as days. But if the fortune is impeded it will only add its minor years as months.

18

This differs from the earlier authors who say that we should take whichever is ‘closest’ to the Hyleg; not the one in closest aspect. 19 Not quite sure if the Alcochoden must receive the fortune or vice versa; think the fortune must receive the Alcochoden based on the wording “You will see whether the planet to which it [the Alcochoden] is joined,...were a benefic and were strong and fortunate...However, if he did not receive him, with the aforesaid conditions...” 20 This also differs slightly from earlier authors who say a fortune in square or opposition neither adds nor subtracts years.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden If the aspecting planet is a malefic conjunct, square or opposed to the Alcochoden, subtract the malefics minor years. But, if the malefic is in his own dignities, he will only subtract 1/3 of his minor years. Mercury adds his minor years if he is with fortunes; subtracts them if he is with malefics. Bonatti subtracts ¼ of the Alcochoden’s years if it is within 12º of the SN and says his experience does not support the addition of ¼ years if it is within 12º of the NN. Schoener

Gives the following for determining the years given by the Alcochoden: 1) If the Alcochoden is angular and unimpeded, gives its greater years; succedent, it’s middle years; cadent, its minor years 2) Saturn, Mars, Sun, Mercury or Moon unfortunate and square or opposed to the Alcochoden subtract their least years 3) Saturn or Mars in good aspect neither take nor give years 4) Sun, Mercury or Moon fortunate in bad aspect, take away their least years; in good aspect, add their least years 5) Jupiter or Venus in any aspect add their least years 6) NN within 12º adds ¼ of the Alcochoden’s own years as determined in (1) 7) If the Alcochoden is Combust and moving towards the Sun it will “lose its entire virtue” and yield only days and hours He then gives the following rules “according to Others”: 1) The Alcochoden in the 10th, 1st, 11th or 5th in a sign of its own nature, oriental21, direct, free from combustion gives its greatest years In the 7th, 4th, 9th or 2nd, its middle years In the 3rd, 8th, 6th, or 12th, its least years 2) Jupiter and Venus in any aspect add their least years 3) Mercury if strong and sextile or trine, free from the infortunes, adds its least years 4) Sun or Moon in sextile or trine add their least years 5) If the Alcochoden is in its Fall or Retro, it takes away ½ of the years it gives If combust, gives months or days instead of years 6) Sun or Moon conjunct, opposed or square take away their lesser years 7) Saturn or Mars conjunct, opposed or square take away their lesser years Sextile or trine, neither add nor subtract years

21

Must mean “oriental of the Sun” as the 5th is in the occidental side of the chart

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden Summary of finding the Alcochoden and the years it gives

They all appear to agree that the Alcochoden must be a planet with dignity in the place of the Hyleg; all except Ptolemy require the Alcochoden aspect the Hyleg. Initially, the years given are based on the years allotted to the planet which is found to be the Alcochoden and as shown in the following table:

W V U Q T S R

Minor Years Middle Years Major Years 30 43.5 57 12 45.5 79 15 40.5 66 19 69.5 120 8 45 82 20 48 76 25 66.5 108

The condition of the planet determines whether minor, middle or major years are given. As a general rule, if the planet is in an angular house gives its Major years; in a succedent house, it’s middle years; in a cadent house, it’s minor years. However, the planet’s dignity and cosmic condition must also be taken into account. For example, Bonatti tells us that a planet in a cadent house gives his Minor years but if the planet is also in detriment or fall or peregrine or besieged by malefics then he gives his minor years as months and if he is combust as well he will give his minor years as days or possibly hours. We are obviously expected to use our judgment in determining just how strong the planet is based on it’s house location, dignity or debility and cosmic state. We must then consider which planets are aspecting the Alcochoden as these can add or subtract from his years. As a rule, Saturn and Mars in evil aspect subtract their minor years from those given by the Alcochoden; Jupiter and Venus in good aspect, add their minor years. But again, we must consider the strength and condition of the aspecting planet. Bonatti tells us that a benefic, strong, fortunate and received in sextile or trine adds his minor years plus his middle years as months. But if the benefic is in square or opposition he gives his minor years plus his major years as days. Some of the authors tell us that a benefic in evil aspect or a malefic in good aspect neither adds nor subtracts years. Bonatti still adds years for the fortunes. He also modifies the number of years subtracted by a malefic if it is in its essential dignities. All appear to agree that combustion is the worst affliction and Schoener goes so far as to tell us that an Alcochoden in combustion and moving towards the Sun “lose its entire virtue”. We are also reminded to take into account the distribution of the planets. If Jupiter and Venus are in the Ascendant, regardless of whether or not the aspect the Alcochoden, add their minor years while any planet on the MC, again whether in as aspect or not, participates with the Hyleg. Exactly how they participate is not explained; one can only assume that Saturn closely conjunct the MC will reduce the native’s years or Jupiter increase them.

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Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden The Four Differentia of Life Expectancy

Further clues as to how one can determine the years given to the native can be found by examining the four differentia. Bonatti and Omar of Tyberias give lists of positions which are to be examined when considering each differentia. By definition, any chart which has a Hyleg and Alcochoden is a fourth differentia chart. If we can’t find a Hyleg or Alcochoden then we are to discover which of the other differentia the chart falls in. A first differentia chart indicates a native who will not be nourished or reared. The second indicates a native who takes nourishment but is not reared. The third indicates one who takes nourishment and is reared but will not have a long life i.e. may not live past their 12th year. First Differentia Omar of Tyberias

Bonatti

Ascendant degree and it’s lord The angles and their lords Sun and it’s lord Moon and it’s lord Three triplicity lords of the Ascendant Part of Fortune and its’ lord SAN22 and it’s lord

Ascendant degree and it’s lord Ascendant’s triplicity lords the other angles and their lords Sun and it’s lord Moon and it’s lord Sun’s triplicity lords Jupiter Venus diurnal planets in a day chart nocturnal planets in a night chart Part of Fortune and his lord SAN and it’s lord

Second Differentia Ascendant Ascendant, its lord and triplicity lords the angles other angles, their lord and triplicity lords Sun and its lord Sun and its lord and its triplicity lord23 Moon and its lord Moon and its lord and its triplicity lord three triplicity lords of the Ascendant Jupiter Part of Fortune and its lord Venus SAN and its lord

Sun and its lord Moon and its lord lord of the Ascendant

Third Differentia lord of the Ascendant Sun Moon lord of the house containing the Sun lord of the house containing the Moon

Bonatti appears to be following Omar and then some. 22 23

This is the place of the New Moon or Full Moon immediately preceding the birth. Bonatti says to use the “lord of the triplicity” according to whether the chart is diurnal or nocturnal

Page 15 of 18

Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden For the first and second differentia we are to find the Almuten of the given places and judge the length of life from its condition. For example, if we find it cadent and partile conjunct a malefic, or if the Ascendant is found in the same condition, the native will take no nourishment and die (1st Differentia). If there are a few degrees between the Almuten or Ascendant, the native takes nourishment and lives a little longer (2nd Differentia). The same occurs if the three triplicity lords of the Ascendant, the luminaries and their lords and the SAN and its lord are all cadent; or, if the native doesn’t die, it will not be entirely human. Or if the malefics are in the angles and the Almuten is cadent and the Ascendant is aspected by a malefic or the Moon is evilly aspected by a malefic, the life is shortened. If the benefics are in the angles or in their own dignities or if the Ascendant ruler is strongly dignified and the Part of Fortune in good condition; the life is lengthened. Bonatti gives some interesting instructions in the 2nd Differentia concerning the relative strength of a malefic impeding the Almuten. If the malefic is 1. angular and in a fixed sign, ”there will be years” according to the degrees24 between the malefic and the Almuten 2. succedent and in a common sign, “there will be months” 3. cadent and in a moveable sign, “there will be days” 4. angular in a common sign, “it will take away a sixth part of those years” 5. succedent and in a moveable sign, “it will take way a quarter part of those months” 6. cadent and in a moveable sign, “it will take away a third part of those days” Robert Zoller, in Tools and Techniques of the Medieval Astrologer – Part One speculates on the various house/sign combinations House Cadent Succedent Angular

Sign Fixed Fixed Fixed

Years* (-1/4) (-1/6) =arc

Cadent Common (-1/3) Succedent Common (-1/4) Angular Common -1/6 Cadent Mobile Succedent Mobile Angular Mobile

-1/3 (-1/4) (-1/6)

* Fractions in parentheses are speculative

But a fortune adds years or months or days by a 1/6th, 1/3rd or ¼ depending on its house and sign

24

Degrees by Right or Oblique ascension

Page 16 of 18

Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden These instructions relate to primary directions (arc in the above tables refers to the arc of the direction) however they reinforce the concept of benefics and malefics adding or subtracting years from the life. An Almuten is not sought in the third differentia; rather we are to gauge the strength and overall condition of the places themselves. We are told that they should all be free of retrogradation, conjunction, square or opposition of the malefics and from the rulers of the malefic houses as these conditions help the life; even if the planets in question are cadent. They do not; however, prolong the life into old age. Omar, in discussing the fourth differentia, says it describes a chart which has a Hyleg and Alcochoden and which has the lords of the rearing free from the malefics. He refers back to the beginning of the chapter, or the first differentia, for a list of the lords. Bonatti restates all the significators, giving: • • • • • • • • • •

the Ascendant and its lord the Ascendant’s triplicity lords the other angles and their lords the luminaries and their lords Jupiter Venus the lords of the houses containing Jupiter and Venus the diurnal and nocturnal planets according to the sect of the chart the Part of Fortune and its lord the SAN and its lord

And once again, we are told to consider the Almuten of all these places. In effect, we are being told that while a chart may have a Hyleg and Alcochoden they cannot be considered solely on their own. We must take the overall condition of the chart into account when judging the years of the life. And Schoener warns us we “must not make an examination half asleep”. Conclusion What all this boils down to is that we have inherited a framework within which we can study the natal charts that cross our path. The only way we can determine how well the framework will hold up is by testing it against reality. This will require the examination of a large number of charts25; charts whose times are reasonably accurate.

25

Zoller recommends a minimum of 200 charts be used to test any technique.

Page 17 of 18

Notes on the Hyleg and Alcocoden References Al-Biruni, The Book of Instruction in the Elements of Astrology, translated by R. Ramsay Wright, Luzac & Co.: London, 1934. Reprinted Ballantrae: Brampton, ON. Abu’Ali Al-Khayyat, The Judgment of Nativities26, translated by James H. Holden, AFA, Tempe, Arizona, 1988 Bonatti, Liber Astronomiae, Tractus X, col. 675, translated by Robert Zoller in his Tools and Techniques of the Medieval Astrologer – Vol I, New Library Limited, 20012002, eBook http://www.new-library.com/zoller/books/ Paulus Alexandrinus and Olympiodorus, Late Classical Astrology with the Scholia from Later Commentators27, translated by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum, Arhat, 2001 Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, translated by F. E. Robbins, Harvard University Press, London, 1940 Schoener, Johannes, On the Judgments of Nativities, Book I28, translated by Robert Hand, Arhat, 2001

26

Appendix 2 of this text contains a translation of When there is a Hyleg in the Nativity or Not and The Indication of Time from the Alcochoden from Masha’allah’s Book of Nativities 27 Heliodorus comments are from the Scholia of the Paulus text. 28 Appendix 2 of this text contains a translation of the Fourth Differentia from Alchabitius’ Isagogue and Appendix IV contains translations of the Four Differentia as given by Omar of Tyberias in his Three Books on Nativities, Book I, Section and those given by Bonatti from Liber Astronomiae, Book IX, Second Part, Chapter I

Page 18 of 18

The Hyleg and Alcoccoden By Bernadette Brady (First Published in: The Australis 97 Congress Papers) Life and Death It is only in the last one hundred years that science and medicine have made sufficient advances to free us from the concerns of our own length of life. Those of us who live in the western world expect to live a long and healthy life and feel we have the right to assume that every child will also live and fulfil society’s expectations of adulthood. Of our own children we expect that they will reach maturity and accordingly we plan for their future, in a sense investing in them in the hope that they will also provide us with family and security in our old age. How valid this modern belief is can be questioned. However, we do know that this was not the common belief held throughout most of human history. For apart from modern times the continuing life of a new born child could not be assumed and there was every reason to assume that the child would not be reared successfully. The parents therefore would naturally have questions concerning whether they should produce another heir, whether the child should be named or educated or trained in a profession, or whether he or she should be allowed to enjoy a happy, if not short life, which contained no education or expectations of their adulthood. These may seem offensive questions to our modern expectations but when resources were limited and one’s safety and quality of old age depended upon one’s ability to produce and rear heirs, these were vital questions concerning the chart of the new born child. Thus Hellenistic, Arabic and Medieval authors devoted large sections of their writings to this subject and although modern medicine buys for us a certain comfort zone and we find death an offensive thing to acknowledge, the fact still remains that some of us are born with greater vitality than others. In our modern world this may or may not reduce our life expectancy but based on the simple fact that people do vary in their vitality and health, these ancient techniques, which have been considered unofficially taboo by modern astrology, are well worth a consideration. Techniques to determining life expectancy are really concerned with questions of the vitality and life force in a chart rather than the timing of a person’s death. This is evident by the fact that calculations give the length of life provided the person is not killed in a sword fight, run over by a speeding chariot, pushed off a cliff or lost at sea. In other words, the methods were for looking at how much “life” or power was given to a chart provided you were not accidentally killed before hand and this length of life was considered to be when your life energy would wind down. So these techniques are about judging the vigour and physical resilience of a chart, how strongly a chart claims life and therefore how strongly it will hang onto it.

The Techniques and Principles Methods vary from one author to the next and it would be impossible to cover all of these techniques but fortunately there is sufficient common ground to be able to grasp the basic principles. No one single planet was considered to give life. The ancients did not have the concept that, let us say Jupiter, because it was the great benefice, was the planet that described the length of life of the individual. Such qualities or abilities were not connect to a specific planet but rather were “chosen” by the chart. A planet gained authority over certain specific parts of the native’s life by virtue of its position, house, sign, aspect in that person’s chart. Such a planet would gain a title which would indicate its authority in a particular horoscope1. In determining the life force and the possible length of life of a chart there are three planetary titles. The Hyleg is a planet in the chart that fulfils certain conditions. Once found, it signifies that life is present. Generally the planet’s individual nature does not reflect on the quality of this life force, but the presence of a Hyleg tells the astrologer that life is granted to the horoscope. The astrologer will then look for the planet, which has a certain relationship to the Hyleg, and this planet is called the Alcoccoden. The duty of the Alcoccoden is to allocate the years or length of life. If there is no Hyleg in a chart, there can be no Alcoccoden. In addition to the Hyleg and the Alcoccoden, the length of life was divided into five categories: A child could die before he or she took any form of nourishment. In other words, dies at birth or very shortly there after. A child could take nourishment but die later. The Age of Rearing2 covered the period from birth to age four years. The above two points would be described as the child not strong enough to be successfully “reared”. Dies before the age of 12 years old. Lives to adulthood but dies before reaching old age Lives to old age. Thus any birth chart, via planetary patterns or the absence of a Hyleg or the condition of the Alcoccoden, would be deemed to fall into one of these five categories called Differentia3. If a chart was considered a First Differentia chart, the prediction for the infant would be that it would die without taking nourishment. A Second Differentia chart is one where the child takes nourishment but will not be reared; and so on. So the first step by the ancient and or medieval astrologer in determining the length of 1

In modern astrology we generally call the planet that rules the Ascendant the “Lord of the Chart”. Such a statement is an example of a planet gaining a title due to its relationships in a particular chart. 2 Trans R.Ramsay Wright Al-Biruni The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology Luzac & Co London 1934. Page 324 3 The fifth condition was not actually called the 5th Differentia but was the result of a 4th Differentia chart which had a good Alcoccoden.

life was to determine whether the chart was a First, Second, Third or Fourth Differentia chart.

Differentia – Definition The First Differentia Chart If the chart fulfils the following conditions, it is deemed to be a First Differentia Chart and the native dies without taking food. First Differentia - Ptolemy according to Bonatti4 Look at the main Luminary of the chart (Sun by day and Moon by night.) If the degree of this luminary as well as the degree of the Ascendant are both in a partile5 conjunction, square or opposition to a non-dignified Malefic6. AND the rulers of BOTH Luminaries are cadent. Then the chart is deemed a First Differentia chart. First Differentia - Ptolemy - from Tetrabiblos Book III7 If either8 luminary be in an angle and one of the malefics is either conjunct that luminary or on the midpoint of the two luminaries, while at the same time no benefic may partake of the configuration AND the rulers of the luminaries are also located in places belonging to or controlled by malefics, then the chart is a First Differentia chart

First Differentia Charts Ptolemy according to Antonius de Montulmo9 Consider the degree of the Ascendant and its lord, as well as the place of the main luminary and its triplicities rulers and if it is found that they have been rendered 4

Zoller, Robert. Tools and Techniques of the Medieval Astrologers. 1981 Page 14. It is not unusual for authors to misquote older sources and this could come about for many reasons, one being the lack of source material; and the other being a way of justifying their own variations on techniques. 5 Same degree. Ie 100 Taurus to 100 Leo is a partial square. 6 Saturn or Mars not in rulerships or exaltation. 7 Ashmand J.M Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos Foulsham & Co 1917. Page 126 8 The Hindsight translation of Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos Book III differs and stresses that BOTH luminaries have to be involved with both malefics and the aspecting has to be partile. [Schmidt R. Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos Book III Page 26. ] 9 Hand, Robert trans. Antonius De Montulmo On the Judgment of Nativities Part 1. Project Hindsight. The Golden Hind Press 1995. Page 25

unfortunate, are cadent or receive aspects from the malefics, then the chart is a First Differentia chart. Second Differentia charts The same as First differentia charts but instead of partile aspects from the malefics to the luminaries, there are orbs involved. Although there are differences of opinion, it would seem that if the Ascendant and/or the main luminary is being affected by malefics and are cadent, or in poor zodiacal state or have dispositors in poor condition or their triplicities rulers in poor condition then they cannot fight off this challenge from the malefics10 and death occurs in infancy. An example from my own files. This is the chart of a infant that died at 6 days old.

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Figure 1 – Infant that died at six days old

Both Luminaries are in feminine signs and the Sun is cadent with the Moon Succedent in the 8th11. The rulers of the Luminaries (Jupiter in both cases) are in detriment and cadent (within orb of being considered in the 12th) The Ascendant is receiving an applying conjunction of Mars, which is also in Fall and in the 12th house. The Sun, although not receiving a square, opposition or conjunction from Mars or Saturn, is receiving a square form the modern planet Neptune12. The three triplicity rulers of the 10

It is interesting to note that Ptolemy actually defined the malefics as having malefic natures because their qualities of Hot, Dry or Cold were considered anti-life. 11 The Alcabitius house system is used for all charts in this paper. 12 The use of modern planets in this technique may or may not be valid. At this stage of my work I will note their involvement but only as a supporting statement for what is already being indicated by the older planets.

main Luminary are Venus, Mars and the Moon. Venus is exalted in Pisces but cadent and conjunct the Dragon’s Tail (South Node). Mars is in Fall in the 12th and the Moon in Pisces is combust. Because the conjunction of Mars to the Ascendant is not within the same degree, the chart would be deemed a Second Differentia chart. That is to say the infant takes nourishment but will not be reared. As already stated the infant died when six days old. Franklin Roosevelt Jr Natal Chart 18 Mar 1909 8:10 PM EST +5:00 ?, ? 40N45 073W57

Geocentric Tropical Alcabitius True Node

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Figure 2 - Franklin Roosevelt Jr – died when only a few months old.

Another example is the chart of Franklin Roosevelt Jr, who lived to be only a few months old. The Moon is the main luminary and looks comfortable in Aquarius in an angular house. However, its dispositor is Saturn in Fall in the 6th house. The triplicity rulers of the Moon are Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter. Mercury is in Detriment and Fall in Virgo, Jupiter is in Detriment and retrograde and Saturn, as already stated, is in Fall in the 6th house. The Lord of the Ascendant is Venus, exalted in Pisces but Under the Beams of the Sun and within a 30 square to the nodal axis. Its dispositor, Jupiter, is in Detriment and retrograde. The other luminary, the Sun is cadent with its dispositor also the badly-placed Jupiter. The degree of the Ascendant is squared by an exalted Mars which is damaged by not only its conjunction to the modern planet Uranus but also by its dispositor being Saturn in Fall and cadent.

The infant Roosevelt died when a few months old after being ill for about a week.

The Almudebit Method of determining the Differentia of a chart Another technique for determining the Differentia grading of a chart was to calculate what was known as the Almudebit. This is the planet that has the greatest dignity over a particular list of planetary and or angular positions in a chart. Bonatti’s method: Almudebit - Bonatti in Liber Astronomiae Tractatus Decimus13 The Almudebit is the planet with the most dignity in the following places: (a) The degrees of the four angles. (b) The Rulers of the four angles. (c) The Triplicity Rulers of the four angles. (d) The Sun. (e) The Moon. (f) Ruler of the Sun sign. (g) Ruler of the Moon sign. (h) The Part of Fortune. (i) the Ruler of the Part of Fortune. (j) The Ruler of the conjunction (New Moon before birth) or Prevention (Full Moon before birth) whichever lunation occurred prior to birth. The planet or planets that have the most dignity by Ruler = 5 , Exaltation = 4, Triplicity=3, Term14=2 and Face =1 was called by Bonatti the Almudebit. The Differentia grading was then determined by the following considerations of the Almudebit15.

Asc = 1 /51 E Ruler Asc = N 17/51 L MC = 17/45 A Ruler MC = Q 22/31 D Dsc = 1/51 K Ruler Dsc = S 25/32 E IC = 17/45 G Ruler IC = P 28/53 L Three Trip rulers of Asc N,R ,S N 17/51 L R 26/32 C S 25/32 E Three Trip rulers of MC N,R,S N 17/51 L R 26/32 C S 25/32 E Three Trip rulers of Dsc S,O,R S 25/32 E 13

N 5+3

M

O

P

Q

3

2 2

4 +3

3 5 3

4+3+1 5+3+1

3+2

3 1

5+3 3 3 1 5+3

2 5+3

5+2+1 3 3

3+2 3

2+1

5+2+1 3 3

3+2 3

2+1

3

3

5 4+3

1

4 +3

3 2+1

3

2 5+3

4 +3

5+3

op cit Zoller, Page 12. The Egyptian terms have been used for all the Almudebit calculations 15 op cit Zoller, page 14. 14

5+3 3 4+3+1 2

2+1 3

1 5+3

R 3+2 5+2+1 3 4+2 3 3 3+2 5+3

3

S 3+1 3

O 26/41 L R 26/32 C Three Trip rulers of IC S,O,R S 25/32 E O 26/41 L R 26/32 C N 17/51 L Ruler of the N = R 26/32 C M 13/42 L Ruler of the M = R 26/32 C Part of Fortune 27/42 D Ruler of the PF = M 13/42 L Ruler of the full moon before birth 40 F

3 1

4+3 5+3

5+3 3 1 3 1 3 1

3 78

3 60

4 +3 4+3

5+3 5+3+1 3

1 63

3 4+3

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4+3 5+3 2 5+3

3 48

5+2 73

3+2+1 5 3

125

3+2 3 3+2 3+2 3+2 2

72

Figure 3 – Almudebit Table for infant

The Condition of Almudebit: Case 1 If the Almudebit is cadent (greater than 5 degrees from an angle and behind it) AND a Malefic forms a partile conjunction, square or opposition to the Almudebit, then the chart is a First Differentia chart. Case 2 If the Almudebit is cadent (greater than 5 degrees from an angle and behind it) AND a Malefic is forming a partile conjunction, square or opposition to the ASCENDANT AND the malefic has no dignity, THEN the chart is a First Differentia chart. Case 3 If the Almudebit is cadent (greater than 5 degrees from an angle and behind it) AND a malefic is forming a partile conjunction, square or opposition to either luminary, THEN the chart is a First Differentia chart.

Second Differentia Charts - take nourishment but is not reared The Second Differentia chart - one where the native takes nourishment BUT lives only until a direction takes the Almudebit to the Malefic or vica versa - is exactly the same as above for any three cases except that if the aspect from the malefic is not partile but rather has “longitude”, or orb as we know it, then the chart is deemed to be a Second Differentia chart.

Using the first chart as an example of Bonatti’s method of calculating the Almudebit, the following almuten table can be constructed. Jupiter is the Almudebit of the chart as it scores 125 points. Jupiter in the chart is cadent as well as in Detriment AND a malefic is forming a conjunction to the Ascendant (Case 2). Because the Malefic (Mars) is not forming a partile conjunction but rather one which has an orb, then the chart moves from being a 1st Differentia chart to a 2nd Differentia chart. Franklin Roosevelt Jr’s Almudebit is Venus. Six degrees from the Alcabitius 6th house cusp, so although not technically cadent it is within a few degrees of being cadent. If the Almudebit is cadent, then the astrologer looks to see if 1) The Almudebit or 2) the Ascendant or 3) one of the Luminaries receives a hard aspect from a malefic. In this case the modern malefic Pluto forms a non-partile square to the Almudebit Venus, implying that the chart is a 2nd Differentia chart16. Third Differentia Charts - The child dies before the age of 12 years old. The Almudebit is not used in this case. If the chart has no Hyleg and therefore no Alcoccoden, it is a Third Differentia chart EVEN if the rulers of the luminaries and the Ascendant are: a) Not retrograde, combust or in partile conjunction to a malefic; or b). Not in partile aspect to the ruler of the houses (or sign) of a place of a malefic; or c). Not in cadent houses.

Fourth Differentia Charts - Charts that reach maturity and can obtain old age. Any chart that has a Hyleg and thus an Alcoccoden and whose Almudebit is not cadent while either it (the Almudebit) or the Ascendant or the Luminaries are being weakened by a malefic. Other Opinions: Antonius de Montulmo - On the Judgment of Nativities17 also talks about the Differentia charts although he does not name them. He gives his preferred method which is to find the Almudebit but rather than looking at its condition, he takes the same list of points and looks to see if each one of the rulers of said points is cadent and so on. So each ruler is evaluated separately. If ALL fail, then the chart is a 1st or 2nd differentia. 16

It is interesting to note that the Venus is on the edge of cadency. However, if he was born a few minutes earlier than the recorded 8.10 pm, then his Venus would be in the 6th and Saturn in Fall would have been forming a conjunction to the Descendant, thereby well and truly placing the chart into the domain of the 2nd Differentia grading. 17 Hand Robert, Antonius de Montulmo On the Judgment of Nativities Part I. The Golden Hind Press 1995. Page 25

The Hyleg and Alcoccoden If the chart proves not to be a First or Second Differentia via the examination of the Luminaries and Ascendant situation or by going to the calculation of a Almudebit18, then the next step it to determine what is known as the Hyleg, the “giver of life”.

Hyleg methods The methods of finding a Hyleg vary from one author to the next. Ptolemy’s Method19 The Hyleg places are the 1st (5 degrees above and 25 below the Ascendant) 11th, 10th, 9th and 7th house20. 1) Look for either luminary to be in a Hyleg place (if both take the Sun) 2) If Point 1 fails, then calculate the Almuten of the degree position of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Part of Fortune and the Conjunction before birth. This planet MUST have honour, by any dignity, in at least three of the above zodiacal places. This planet is then the Hyleg.

Bonatti’s Method21 Diurnal and Nocturnal Charts In Bonatti’s method, the Hyleg can only be one of the following: The Sun, Moon, degree of the Ascendant, the Part of Fortune, the degree of the Conjunction or Prevention. The Sun as Hyleg If the Sun is in the 1st, 11th or 10th in a masculine or feminine sign, then it is the Hyleg. 18

In order to make this work simpler SolarFire 4 has the ability to construct any type of Almuten table that the astrologer may require, so the Almudebit can be easily found for any chart. 19 op cit Ashmand, page 133. 20 Bonatti considered that a planet in a cadent house within about 8 degrees of an angular house is considered to be angular. A planet in an angular house and 5 degrees from a succeedant house is considered to be succeedant. And a planet in a succeedant house which is 3 degrees from the cadent house cusp is considered to be cadent. 21 op cit Zoller, page 32.

If the Sun is in the 7th, 8th or 9th in a masculine sign, then it is the Hyleg. If the Sun is not the Hyleg, then move to the Moon. The Moon as Hyleg If the Moon is in ANY angular house or a succedent house and in a feminine sign and ANY of the four rulers of her degree (Rulership, Exaltation, Triplicity and Term22) aspect her then she is the Hyleg. Degree of Ascendant as Hyleg - Conjunctional If the Sun and the Moon cannot be Hyleg and the chart is Conjunctional, then take the degree of the Ascendant. And if any of the above rulers of the Ascendant aspect the Ascendant, it will be the Hyleg. If the Ascendant is not the Hyleg, then use the Part of Fortune. Part Fortune as Hyleg - Preventional If the Sun and the Moon cannot be the Hyleg and the chart is Preventional, then take the Part of Fortune23. And if any of the above rulers aspect the Part of Fortune, it will be the Hyleg. If the Part of Fortune is not the Hyleg, then use the Ascendant. Use the Degree of the Prevention or Conjunction as Hyleg If all of the above fail, then look to see if any of the four rulers of the Conjunction aspect the degree of the Conjunction. For Conjunctional charts only. (Bonatti does not add to look to the degree of the Prevention in the same way for Preventional charts) If the Hyleg is still not found, then the Hyleg is said to be frustrated and the life of the native will be short. In other words, it is a 3rd Differentia chart.

Finding the Alcoccoden24 The Alcoccoden is the planet that forms a Ptolemaic aspect to the Hyleg and has the greatest dignity in the Hyleg’s place. Thus one looks to the planets that are forming aspects to the Hyleg. If more than one planet aspects the Hyleg and has dignity there, then it is the planet that scores the most points. For example, the ruler would score 5 points but if another planet which aspects the Hyleg was also exalted in the place of 22

Egyptian terms The Part of Fortune is calculated according to whether the chart is a diurnal or nocturnal. 24 op cit Zoller, page 33. 23

the Hyleg and ruled the term of the degree of the Hyleg, then it would score 7 points and would be considered the Alcoccoden. If two planets score the same, i.e. one is the ruler the other is a triplicity ruler which scores 3 points and also the term ruler which scores 2 points, then the planet that forms the aspect with the smallest orb is selected. If no such planet forms an aspect to the Hyleg, then the chart is considered not to have a Hyleg. Once the Alcoccoden is found, then it is examined to determine the length of life. There are sets of rules to follow based on House placement, zodiacal condition and aspects received by other planets that are best considered while working through an example. Charlie Chaplin’s Hyleg and Alcocoden Charlie Chaplin was born on the 16th April 1889 at 8.00pm GMT, London 51N31, 00W0625. Charles Chaplin Natal Chart 16 Apr 1889 8:00 PM UT +0:00 Walworth, London 51N29 000W05

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Figure 4 – Sir Charles Chaplin – Length of Life.

25

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Chaplin, Charles My Life in Pictures Peerage Books London 1985. Page 40

The First Step is to consider if the chart is either a First or Second Differentia chart. Using Ptolemy’s method, the main luminary is the Moon as it is a nocturnal chart and the Moon is angular. In addition, the triplicity rulers of the Moon as well as the Ascendant are the Moon, Venus and Mars. All three are angular, and even though Mars and the Moon are in difficult zodiacal condition, angularity gives them strength. As well as the Almudebit of his chart is Venus which is angular. So the chart is not a First or Second Differentia chart. The Second Step is to look for a Hyleg. Charlie Chaplin’s Moon in Scorpio on the Ascendant would be the Hyleg in both Ptolemy’s or Bonatti’s method, provided a planet which has dignity in the place of the Moon aspects it. With the Moon as the Hyleg the Alcoccoden would be Mars, as it opposes the Moon and the Moon is both in Mars’ rulership as well as in its term. Thus Mars aspects the Hyleg and has the greatest dignity in the place of the Moon. Having determined the Alcoccoden, the astrologer can now measure the length of life. Every Planet has a number of years allocated to it. These years are divided into Lesser, Middle and Greater years (see figure V). The allocation of the number of years to the Alcoccoden is determined by its condition. The aspects it receives adds or subtracts years depending on the planet doing the aspecting26. Generally speaking, an angular planet in good condition gains the greater years whereas a cadent planet in poor zodiacal condition would attract only the Lesser years. The many shades of grey in between these two conditions seem to be a judgement call by the astrologer.27 Mars, as Alcoccoden, is in Detriment but it is angular, so one could calculate the following length of life: Mars - Middle years - 40.5 years

26

There is considerable differing of opinion by authors as to the methods of allocating years to the Alcoccoden. A good discussion of this is put forward by Antonius de Montulmo in his work On the Judgement of Nativities Part 2 Trans Robert Hand. Golden Hind Press. Berkeley Springs, 1995 27 I tend to give the Greater years to any planet that is angular, or Succeedant provided that it is not in Detriment or Fall. The Middle years I will give to an Angular or Succeedent planets in Detriment or Fall; or a cadent planet provided it is not in Detriment or Fall. The Lesser years I would only give to a cadent planet in Detriment or Fall.

The years of the planets

Lesser Middle Greater

M 25 66.528 108

O 20 48 76

P 8 45 82

N 19 69.529 120

Q 15 40.5 66

R 12 45.5 79

S 30 43.5 57

Figure 5 – The Years of the Planets

Aspects to the Alcoccoden If benefics conjunct, trine or sextile the Alcoccoden, these planets add years to the life, usually the Lesser years of the planet making the aspect and the months in terms of the number of the aspecting benefics Middle years. If, however, malefics aspect the Alcoccoden by a conjunction, square or opposition, then they take years from the life via their Lesser years and the months of their Middle years. However, if they are in poor zodiacal condition then you add the number of years for the Lesser years and only days, instead of months, for the Middle years or if in very bad condition only the number of months for the Lesser years and if also retrograde then you add weeks not months. Charlie Chaplin’s Mars as Alcoccoden Venus is in Taurus conjunct Mars in Taurus, so to the 40.5 Middle years of Mars allocated to the Alcoccoden, and because Venus is in good condition we can now add the Lesser years of Venus (8 years) plus the months of her Middle years (45 months.) Thus 40.5 years plus 8 years plus 45 months which equals 52 years and 2 months. Jupiter in Capricorn, in Fall but in its own term also trines Mars and will therefore add the Lesser years of Jupiter (12 years) and, the days (rather than months) of his Middle years (45.5 days). Thus to 52 years 2 months, we add 12 years and 45.5 days which equals 64 years and 3.5 months

28

Trans Burnett, Yamamoto & Yano. Abu Masar The Abbreviation of the Introduction to Astrology. Brill. New York. 1994 page 81- Gives the Middle years of the Moon as 39.5 29

op cit Burnett, page 89- Gives the Middle years of the Sun as 39.5

Now Subtracting for malefics: Saturn square Mars subtracts the Lesser years of Saturn (30 years). This gives 64 years 3.5 months - 30 years = 34 years and 3.5 months. Therefore Charlie Chaplin should have died at age 34. But he lived to be 88 years old! If he was not born at 8 pm but 12 minutes earlier, then the Moon would not be Hyleg . The Sun in Aries would be close enough to the Descendant to be considered angular and would therefore, according to Bonatti, be the Hyleg. With the Sun as the Hyleg, the Alcoccoden is Jupiter in Capricorn. Jupiter trines the Sun which is in Jupiter’s triplicity as well as in the terms of Jupiter. Charlie Chaplin with the Sun as Hyleg and Jupiter as the Alcoccoden. Jupiter in Capricorn in a succeedant house yields the Middle years of Jupiter (45.5) years. We add years for Benefics: Venus in Taurus trines Jupiter thus we add her Lesser years of Venus (8 years) and the Middle years as months thus add 45 months. Moon in Fall, but angular and in the terms of Venus a benefic, sextiles Jupiter so we add the Lesser years of the Moon and the days of its Middle years (25 years plus 66.5 days). Thus we have: 45.5 years + 8 years + 45 months + 25 years + 66.5 days = 82.3 years. Subtract malefics - none aspect the Jupiter by square, opposition or conjunction. So if Charlie Chaplin was born 12 minutes early then his Alcoccoden would have given him 82.6 years of life. After that a direction to a malefic would indicate death. He lived till he was 88 years old. Bruce Lee - Length of Life Bruce Lee was born 27th November 1940 at 7.12 am PST San Francisco USA 37N47, 122W2630. He was a martial arts genius who also starred in films. He died suddenly one evening after lying down with a headache.

The Sun is the main luminary being a diurnal chart and it is free from a hard aspect to a malefic. There are no hard aspects to the Ascendant and the Lord of the Ascendant, 30

From Birth Certificate (Robert Paige, AA)

Jupiter, is in Taurus in the 5th house. The three triplicity rulers of the Ascendant are the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn. All three are angular or succedent. In addition, the Almudebit is Mars which is in the 11th in its rulership. So by any method, the chart is not a First or Second Differentia chart. Finding the Hyleg At first glance one would think that the Sun was the Hyleg, but no planet aspects the Sun31 and thus there can be no Alcoccoden. Therefore since the Sun cannot produce an Alcoccoden, it cannot take on the role of the Hyleg. If the Sun cannot be Hyleg, then look to the Moon. It is in Scorpio and in the 12th house. If she was in the 11th house, then as long as one of the rulers of the degree that she occupied aspected her she would be Hyleg. However being in the 12th house, the Moon cannot be the Hyleg. Lee, Bruce

Natal Chart 27 Nov 1940 7:12 AM PST +8:00 SAN FRANCISCO 37N47 122W26

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Figure 6 – Bruce Lee – Length of Life

The next step is to decide whether the chart is Preventional or Conjunctional32. Bruce Lee was born on a waning Moon, so it is a Preventional chart. We look therefore to 31

Since the modern planets have no Planetary Years, they cannot be considered as an Alcoccoden. Thus aspects from the modern planets to the Hyleg are not taken into account when finding the Alcoccoden. 32 The last lunation before birth is either a Full Moon (Preventional) or New Moon (Conjunctional)

the Part of Fortune. In his chart it is in Scorpio in the 12th. Any of the rulers of its degree position must aspect it for it to be considered the Hyleg and Mars fulfils this requirement with an applying conjunction. So the Part of Fortune is the Hyleg. Aspecting the Hyleg is: Moon - conjunction .. Triplicity rulership Mercury - conjunction .. Term rulership Mars - conjunction .. Rulership and triplicity rulership Venus wide conjunction .. triplicity rulership Jupiter - opposition.. no rulership. Mars is therefore the Alcoccoden as it has the greatest dignity in the degree of the Hyleg. Mars is in rulership and succedent . Thus we take the Greater years for Mars, (66 years) as it is in rulership and not being depleted in anyway. For any conjunction sextile or trine by a benefic add the Lesser years as years and the Middle years as months. However, remember, if they are in poor zodiacal condition then this is scaled down. Venus, succedent, in Detriment, and in the terms of the malefic Mars, conjunct Mars adds only the Lesser years as months - 8 months. Moon, succedent in Fall conjunct Mars adds 25 months33 66 years add 2 year 1 month = 68 years 2 months. For any conjunction, square or opposition by a malefic, subtract the Lesser years as years and the Middle years as months. Saturn opposes Mars so subtract 30 years and 43.5 months = 33 years 7.5 months 68 years 2 months - 33 years 7.5 months is 34 years 7.5 months. Bruce Lee died at age 32 years 7 months.

What this technique implies is that Charlie Chaplin has the opportunity for a long life. He is given the vitality or strength to resist the influences that drain the life energy and that this will see him well into old age. However, in the case of Bruce Lee, for all his physical strength and fitness as a martial arts expert, his actual “life-force” or ability to fight against the depleting influences and events that make up a person’s life are not as strong as one would expect. 33

This is a judgement call on the condition of the Moon although she is in the terms of Mercury, she is conjunct a malefic, Mars, as well as opposing the malefic Saturn and being squared by the modern planet Pluto. This was sufficient to surmise that the Moon would only add her Lesser years as months rather than years.

Summary of the technique: Step 1: Decide to which Differentia the chart belongs. This is regardless of whether the chart has a Hyleg Step 2: Find the Hyleg. 2b: If no Hyleg, then the chart is a 3rd Differentia chart Step 3: From the Hyleg find the Alcoccoden. 3a: If no Alcoccoden, then the supposed Hyleg cannot be a Hyleg and if no other Hyleg can be found, then the chart is deemed to be a 3rd Differentia chart. Step 4: From the condition of the Alcoccoden’s sign, house and aspects, determine the length of the life.

Discussion: So the question that now needs to be asked is do these techniques belong in the modern astrologer’s tool kit? In this world of modern medicine, far more people live to reach old age and in developed countries infant mortality has been dramatically reduced. Therefore, since the planets have not changed in their ability to make aspects and create 1st, 2nd or 3rd Differentia charts, one must conclude that “fate” can be, and is being cheated by science. However, if we remove the idea of predicting death and replace it with the concept of having a technique for measuring the vitality and life force in a chart, then these ancient methods do have a place in our modern life. In my practice I am often asked to consult on a new-born child’s chart and having a technique which allows me to look at the strength of the child is a very valuable tool. Potential crises can be minimised if the parents are aware that their child may be more sensitive to illness than one would first expect. A 2nd or 3rd Differentia chart can imply a weakened chart but not necessarily a death. An Alcoccoden, which has run out of time, does not mean that the person will die but may indicate a time of crisis and that after that period their energy may lessen or they may make such huge changes to their life that their life work is complete. Science cheats death every day, so apart from the ethics of the situation, it would be unwise of an astrologer to predict

a person’s death. However, the astrologer can, by revisiting these techniques, gain considerable insights as to the client’s ability to fight against the pressures of modern life. Bibliography Trans Burnett, Yamamoto & Yano. Abu Masar The Abbreviation of the Introduction to Astrology. Brill. New York. 1994 Chaplin, Charles My Life in Pictures Peerage Books London 1985 Trans R.Ramsay Wright Al-Biruni The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology Luzac & Co London 1934 Ashmand J.M Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos Foulsham & Co 1917 Trans Schmidt R. Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos Book III. The Golden Hind Press Berkeley Springs 1995 Trans Hand, Robert Antonius De Montulmo On the Judgment of Nativities Part 1. And Part II. Project Hindsight. The Golden Hind Press Berkeley Springs 1995. Trans Hand, Robert Masha’Allah Book of Nativities. Project Hindsight. The Golden Hind Press Berkeley Springs 1994. Trans Hand, Robert. Bonatti Guido Liber Astronomiae Project Hindsight. The Golden Hind Press Berkeley Springs 1994. Zoller, Robert. Tools and Techniques of the Medieval Astrologers. 1981

LA DETERMINAZIONE DELLA DURATA DELLA VITA: IL METODO DELL'HYLEG E DELL'ALCHOCODEN di Massimiliano Gaetano “Tra le cose che si considerano appresso alla questione della nascita, la principale è quella della durata della vita. Sarebbe difatti ridicolo se noi giudicassimo delle abitudini e delle azioni di un bambino che non può arrivare all’età adatta ad esplicarle” [Claudio Tolomeo, Tetrabiblos, Liber III, Cap. XI “Della durata della vita”]. Questo passo tolemaico esprime nella sua profonda sintesi la ratio che sta alla base della determinazione della durata della vita in Astrologia. La tematica della morte, della fine dell’esistenza organica e dell’esperienza fisica su questo piano materiale, è da sempre fonte di angoscia e di paura per l’uomo. Lo è particolarmente per l’uomo moderno che, in virtù delle recentissime conquiste scientifiche (si pensi, ad esempio, agli esperimenti di biogenetica, alla mappatura del DNA con conseguente possibilità di sua manipolazione), si è posto in una condizione di particolare preminenza nei confronti della natura e del creato. Eppure la morte continua a costituire per l’essere umano di ogni tempo fonte di timore e paura in quanto costituisce uno dei limiti insuperabili e invalicabili che mette in dubbio quel senso di onnipotenza che, a volte, pervade l’animo dell’uomo moderno, costituendone la prova della sua limitatezza. La morte, dunque, rimane un evento certo e ineluttabile di cui l’uomo è consapevole e del quale cerca di rimuoverne il pensiero. Nell’Astrologia ellenistica, il “dator vitae”, il punto che in una genitura rappresenta la vita, il luogo dove risiede la forza vitale, veniva denominato Afeta (dal gr. Aphetês), il cui equivalente in latino è “emissio”, inteso come “locus emittendi vim habens”. Tolomeo ne dà la definizione quando, a proposito dei luoghi afetici, afferma che questi “sono quelli nei quali si trova il pianeta governatore della vita” [Claudio Tolomeo, Tetrabiblos, Liber III, Cap. XI “Della durata della vita”]. Il pianeta governatore della vita è quello da cui la vita stessa promana (aphetês, missor, aphetikos, locus emittendi vim habens) e la cui forza è data dalla natura e dalla condizione nella quale si trova tale pianeta. Gli astrologi arabi chiamarono l’Afeta Hyleg che significa, appunto, “datore di vita” e sta ad indicare il pianeta che nel tema ci domina e influenza. Indica come la persona si comporta di fronte alla vita, come è fatta psicologicamente e che atteggiamento attua di fronte al mondo a seconda del segno zodiacale, qualunque esso sia. Non è detto che questo pianeta sia il più forte del tema. In contrapposizione all’Afeta vi è l’Anareta (o Anereta) che è, appunto, il pianeta ‘uccisore’ che, unendosi per direzione (per corpo, per raggio, per declinazione, nello zodiaco o nel mondo) all’Afeta, determina la fine della vita. Di norma l’Anareta è o Marte o Saturno oppure, talvolta, anche il Sole. La vita termina quando l’Afeta incontra per direzione l’Anareta, che è il punto che possiede virtù aneretica, ovvero la capacità di ‘uccidere’ l’Afeta. Nell’arco zodiacale sono posizionati tutti i pianeti, che rappresenteranno la nostra esperienza in quest’esistenza. Durante la vita viene percorso l’arco zodiacale toccando man mano tutti i punti rappresentati appunto dai pianeti: l’Afeta, o punto afetico, rappresenta il punto di inizio dell’arco celeste ed è il pianeta che si trova su di esso; l’Anareta, o punto aneretico, rappresenta il punto di fine di tale arco. Quando si è vissuto tutte le esperienze costituite dai pianeti, la vita dell’uomo giunge al termine.

1

Il primo che ha parlato di Afeta e Anareta è stato Ermete Trismegisto nelle Tavole Esmeraldine. Su queste tavole aveva inciso delle Leggi, in cui affermava la regola del “ciò che è in basso è come ciò che è in alto“. Secondo questa legge esiste una relazione tra l’Ordine Celeste e l’Ordine Terrestre, un macrocosmo e un microcosmo che si devono unire. Ognuno è un microcosmo in un macrocosmo e riflette esattamente, ma in piccolo, l’universo circostante. Gli esseri umani sono legati al macrocosmo dalla durata della loro vita, non solo singola ma di tutti gli esseri viventi, ed attraverso lo studio dell’Afeta e dell’Anareta è possibile conoscere l’inizio e la fine della propria vita. Gli antichi astrologi consideravano la vita di ogni uomo collegata intimamente con una particolare configurazione astrale, una relazione “misteriosa” tra i pianeti e le loro posizioni e ciò che ci succede nella vita, come se l’uomo fosse tirato da qualcosa che non riesce a capire. Lo si può chiamare destino. Costituisce un lungo processo di lavoro che fa parte dell’evoluzione di ogni essere umano. Secondo quanto indicato da Tolomeo, per determinare l’Afeta o Hyleg bisogna distinguere tra genitura o natività diurna e notturna. Si ricordi che la genitura è diurna quando il Sole si trova sopra l’orizzonte (asse Ascendente-Discendente). Afferma a tal proposito Tolomeo che “il Sole sarà preferito nelle nascite diurne, a condizione tuttavia che si trovi nei luoghi afetici prima considerati, ma se non è tali luoghi, dovrà essere considerata la Luna. Se non possiamo servirci neppure di questa, considereremo il pianeta che ha maggiore potere e diritto di dominio sulla posizione del Sole, sul novilunio precedente e sull’ascendente: prenderemo cioè il pianeta che ha il maggior numero di quei cinque tipi di prerogative che abbiamo precedentemente insegnato [v. Tetrabiblos, Liber III, Cap. III: “la triplicità, il domicilio, l’esaltazione, i termini ed, infine, la configurazione”]. Nelle nascite notturne dovremo innanzitutto considerare la Luna, in seguito il Sole, e poi i pianeti che hanno maggiori prerogative nei confronti della Luna, della Luna piena precedente e della Parte di Fortuna. Quando ciò non è possibile, se la precedente sigizia era una Luna nuova, dovremo accogliere l’ascendente, mentre se era una Luna piena dovremo accogliere la Parte di Fortuna. Se invece i due luminari ed il pianeta che li domina si trovano in luoghi afetici, dovremo accogliere tra essi il più potente. Dovremmo invece scegliere il pianeta dominante sui due luminari solo quando, simultaneamente, esso occupa una posizione di grandissima dignità e presenta una posizione di dominio nei confrotni del Sole e della Luna” [Tetrabiblos, Liber III, Cap. XI “Della durata della vita”]. Nello stesso capitolo, Tolomeo chiarisce quale luogo deve definirsi “afetico”. Egli afferma che i “luoghi afetici sono quelli nei quali si trova il pianeta governatore della vita”, che “considereremo, tra i più significativi di essi, l’ascendente nei suoi primi cinque gradi in particolare, ma anche negli altri venticinque gradi seguenti; l’undicesima casa, che è detta quella del Buon Genio […]; poi il Medio Cielo […]; inoltre la nona casa, detta Casa di Dio […] ed infine l’Occidente […]” e che tra questi i luoghi più potenti sono, in ordine progressivo, “innanzitutto i gradi posti al Medio Cielo, poi quelli posti all’Ascendente, in seguito quelli nel segno che segue il Medio Cielo [ossia: la Casa XI, N.d.S.], quindi quelli posti all’Occidente [ossia: la Casa VII, N.d.S.], ed infine quelli situati nel segno che precede il Medio Cielo [ossia: la Casa IX, N.d.S.]”. Sintetizzando, secondo Tolomeo, Afeta o Hyleg è: 1. in genitura o natività diurna: • •

il Sole, se si trova in un luogo afetico (ossia: entro 5° sopra o 25° sotto l’Ascendente, oppure nella Casa X, XI, VII o IX); la Luna, se il Sole non soddisfa la precedente condizione e, quindi, se non si trova in luogo afetico (ossia: entro 5 gradi sopra o 25 gradi sotto l’Ascendente, oppure nella Casa X, XI, VII o IX);

2

•

•

il pianeta dominatore dell’hairesis diurna [ossia: il pianeta non combusto che governa almeno tre delle cinque dignità (domicilio, esaltazione, triplicità, confine, fase e di queste la fase è obbligatoria) sul Sole, sulla Luna Nuova oppure sull’Ascendente], se nessun luminare è l’Afeta (questo pianeta è il dominatore dell’hairesis diurna ed è l’Afeta se si trova in luogo afetico) oppure se, pur essendo entrambi i luminari in luogo afetico, tale pianeta (il dominatore dell’hairesis diurna) è in luogo afetico più potente; l’Ascendente, se nessun luminare è l’Afeta e il pianeta dominatore dell’hairesis diurna non esiste oppure, pur esistendo, non è in luogo afetico;

2. in genitura o natività notturna: • •

•

•

la Luna, se si trova in un luogo afetico (ossia: entro 5° sopra oppure 25° sotto l’Ascendente, oppure nella Casa X, XI, VII o IX); il Sole, se si trova in un luogo afetico (ossia: entro 25° sotto l’Ascendente) e se la Luna non soddisfa la precedente condizione e, quindi, non si trova in luogo afetico (ossia: entro 5° sopra oppure 25° sotto l’Ascendente, oppure nella Casa X, XI, VII o IX); il pianeta dominatore dell’hairesis notturna [ossia: il pianeta non combusto che governa almeno tre delle cinque dignità (domicilio, esaltazione, triplicità, confine, fase e di queste la fase è obbligatoria) sulla Luna, sulla Luna Piena oppure sulla Parte di Fortuna], se nessun luminare è l’Afeta (questo pianeta è il dominatore dell’hairesis diurna ed è l’Afeta se si trova in luogo afetico) oppure se, pur essendo entrambi i luminari in luogo afetico, tale pianeta (il dominatore dell’hairesis notturna) è in luogo afetico più potente; l’Ascendente (se la sizigia precedente la nascita è un novilunio) oppure la Parte di Fortuna (se la sizigia precede la nascita è un plenilunio e se la Parte di Fortuna si trova in luogo afetico, altrimenti l’Ascendente), se nessun luminare è l’Afeta e il pianeta dominatore dell’haresis notturna non esiste oppure, pur esistendo, non è in luogo afetico.

Secondo Guido Bonatti, famoso astrologo italiano del XIII sec., Afeta o Hyleg è 1. in caso di natività diurna (ossia: quando il Sole si colloca sopra l’orizzonte): • •

il Sole quando si trova nella Casa I, X o XI oppure nella Casa VII, VIII o IX e in segno maschile; la Luna quando si trova nella Casa I, IV, VII o X (casa angolare) oppure nella Casa II, V, VIII o IX (casa succedente), in segno femminile e in aspetto con uno dei dispositori del segno in cui si trova [ad esempio: Luna in Casa VIII in Capricorno in trigono a Saturno].

2. in caso di natività notturna (ossia: quando il Sole si colloca sotto l’orizzonte): •

•

la Luna quando si trova nella Casa I, IV, VII o X (casa angolare), o nella Casa II, V, VIII o IX (casa succedente), in segno femminile e in aspetto con uno dei dispositori del segno in cui si trova [ad es. Luna in Casa VIII in Capricorno in trigono a Saturno) oppure nella Casa III; il Sole quando si trova nella Casa IV, V o al Discendente oppure nella Casa I o II e in segno maschile.

3. in caso di natività sia diurna che notturna, quando nessuno dei due luminari (Sole oppure Luna) osservano le precedenti condizioni:

3

a) se la lunazione precedente la nascita era una Luna Nuova (congiunzione dei luminari): • •

l’Ascendente, a condizione che sia in aspetto con uno dei dispositori del segno in cui si trova (ad es. Ascendente in Bilancia in sestile a Venere); la Parte di Fortuna, se si colloca in Casa I, IV, VII o X (casa angolare) oppure in Casa II, V, VIII o XI (casa succedente).

b) se la lunazione precedente la nascita era una Luna Piena (opposizione dei luminari): • • •

la Parte di Fortuna, se si colloca in Casa I, IV, VII o X (casa angolare) oppure in Casa II, V, VIII o XI (casa succedente); l’Ascendente, a condizione che sia in aspetto con uno dei dispositori del segno in cui si trova (ad es. Ascendente in Bilancia in sestile a Venere); se né l’Ascendente o la Parte di Fortuna osservano le precedenti condizioni, la lunazione (nuova oppure piena) precedente la nascita a condizione che si colloca in Casa I, IV, VII o X (casa angolare) oppure in Casa II, V, VIII o XI (casa succedente).

Se l’Afeta o Hyleg non è identificabile, il tema natale si deve considerare come appartenente alla Tertia Differentia e sta indicare che il nativo avrà vita corta. L'Anareta (o Anereta) è invece il pianeta che dà delle prove e delle influenze negative. È il pianeta che si oppone o è in quadrato all'Afeta. È chiamato il pianeta della morte, che uccide, il distruttore, quello che, secondo alcuni autori, indica la morte. Perché un pianeta possa essere considerato Anareta deve essere posto, in ordine di importanza: 1. 2. 3. 4.

in Casa VIII; maestro della Casa VIII e malefico; che affligge l'Afeta o Hyleg; in cattivo aspetto con la cuspide della Casa VIII, o con Saturno, Marte e Urano (soprattutto se posizionato in ottava casa).

L'Afeta o Hyleg non deve essere confuso con l'Alchocoden. Infatti, il primo è un punto che riguarda la salute e la resistenza dei singoli, è il "datore di vita" e si riferisce alla vitalità e forza di un individuo; il secondo, invece, si riferisce alla durata della vita stessa. L’Alchocoden è il pianeta che forma un aspetto tolemaico (congiunzione, esagono o sestile, triangolo o trigono, diametro o opposizione) con l’Hyleg e che ha la maggiore dignità sul grado zodiacale nel quale si trova l’Afeta o Hyleg. Quindi, mentre l’Afeta o Hyleh è il “Dator vitae”, l’Alchocoden è il “Dator annorum”. William Lilly nella sua Christian Astrology (pp.530-531), a questo proposito, afferma che “Gli Arabi osservarono inoltre quale pianeta avesse maggiore dignità essenziale nel luogo dell’Hyleg, e con quale aspetto osservasse questo luogo. Questo pianeta lo hanno chiamato Alcochodon, o datore di anni; ed erano del parere che il nativo potesse vivere molti, moltissimi oppure pochissimi anni significati da questo pianeta, secondo il corso naturale della vita […]”. L'Alchocoden promette un'aspettativa secondo il numero degli anni (minori, medi e massimi) del pianeta che lo costituisce in un determinato tema di natività.

Saturno Giove

ANNI DEI PIANETI Minori Medi Maggiori Massimi 30 43.5 57 256 12 45.5 79 426

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Marte Sole Venere Mercurio Luna

15 19 8 20 25

40.5 69.5 45 48 66.5

66 120 82 76 108

284 1461 1151 461 520

Il numero degli anni promessi varia a seconda la casa in cui è collocato l’Alchocoden, con la conseguenza che: • • •

se si colloca in casa angolare (I,IV,VII o X), promette i suoi anni maggiori; se si colloca in casa succedente (II, V, VIII o XI), promette i suoi anni medi; se si colloca in casa cadente (III, VI, IX o XII), promette i suoi anni minori.

Inoltre il pianeta che forma aspetto con l’Alchocoden può aggiungere o sottrarre a questo anni a seconda che sia benefico oppure malefico, dignificato oppure afflitto. Infatti, il pianeta in aspetto con l’Alchocoden: 1) quando è benefico: •

• •

se dignificato e in aspetto benefico (sestile o trigono) o in congiunzione, aggiunge i suoi anni minori, o i suoi anni minori + un numero di mesi pari ai suoi anni medi oppure i suoi anni minori + un numero di giorni pari ai suoi anni maggiori; se afflitto, aggiunge un numero di mesi pari ai suoi anni minori; se in aspetto malefico (quadratura o opposizione), non aggiunge e non sottrae nulla;

2) quando è malefico: • • •

se in aspetto malefico (quadratura o opposizione) o in congiunzione, sottrae i suoi anni minori; se dignificato, sottrae 1/3 dei suoi anni minori; se in aspetto benefico (sestile o trigono), non aggiunge e non sottrae nulla;

3) quando si tratta di Mercurio: • •

se è collegato ai benefici, aggiunge i suoi anni minori; se è collegato ai malefici, sottrae i suoi anni minori.

Inoltre, secondo Abu’Ali al-Khaiyat, "Se l’Alchocoden è a 12 gradi dal Nodo Nord, aggiungere ¼ dei suoi anni, con il Nodo Sud, sottrarre ¼. Quanto più vicino sarà il pianeta [al Nodo] migliore o peggiore sarà la sua influenza, la Luna soffre di più questo aspetto. Se l’Alcochoden dà la vita breve e Giove e Venere sono all’Ascendente o in X, aggiungere i loro anni minori a meno che l’Ascendente sia è impedito da una sfortunata configurazione o Giove e Venere governano l’VIII” [Abu’Ali al-Khaiyat, "De Iudiciis Nativitatum Albohali"]. Infine, in base ad alcune sperimentazioni con i pianeti trans-saturniani, è stato affermato che Urano toglie 10 anni, Nettuno 4 e Plutone 5 [Gary Warren Price, L’Alchocoden e il suo uso, in L.A. 126-411, pag. 86]. Alcuni esempi potranno chiarire l’uso del metodo dell’Alchocoden. I° Esempio

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Il primo tema di natività sottoposto ad esame è quello di Diana Spencer, principessa del Galles, nata il 1 Luglio 1961 a Sandringham (GB) alle ore 17h 45m.

In questo tema si nota che, pur essendo la carta diurna, il Sole non è Hyleg, in quanto si trova sulla cuspide della Casa VIII e in segno femminile. Passando ad esaminare la Luna, neanche questa non può ricoprire il ruolo di Hyleg in quanto sebbene formi opposizione con Urano (uno dei signori del segno in cui si trova) si colloca sulla cuspide della Casa III (casa cadente) e in segno maschile (Acquario). Pertanto, essendo la carta diurna, si passa all'analisi dell'Ascendente. Questo può essere considerato Hyleg, in quanto si colloca nel segno e nei termini di Giove e in aspetto di sestile o esagono con quest'ultimo. Ne consegue che Giove diventa Alchocoden del tema. Dato che Giove si trova in Casa II (casa succedente) e peregrino (essendo nel segno dell'Acquario), esso promette un tempo pari ai suoi anni medi (ossia: 45 anni e 6 mesi). Giove è in congiunzione partile con Saturno (pianeta malefico) e, quindi, bisogna sottrarre un terzo degli anni minori di quest'ultimo (ossi: 10 anni). In sintesi, si ha: 45 anni e 6 mesi – 10 anni = ______________ 35 anni e 6 mesi Diana Spencer morì il 31 Agosto 1997 all'età di 36 anni e 2 mesi. II° Esempio

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Il secondo tema sottoposto ad esame è quello di John Fitzgerald Kenndy Sr., 35mo Presidente degli Stati Uniti d’America, nato a Brookline (Massachusetts - Usa) il 29 Maggio 1917 alle ore 15h 00m.

Seguendo le regole esposte da Guido Bonatti e analizzando il tema di natività diurno, si può notare che il Sole in Casa VIII e nel segno dei Gemelli (segno maschile) è Hyleg. L'Alchocoden del tema è Mercurio, pianeta nel cui domicilio si colloca il Sole. Essendo in Casa VIII (casa succedente) e in condizione mediocre (è peregrino nel segno del Toro), Mercurio promette un tempo pari ai suoi anni medi (ossia: 48 anni). Mercurio si trova fisicamente congiunto sia con Giove che con Marte. Ne consegue che Giove aggiunge un tempo pari ai suoi anni minori + un numero di mesi pari ai suoi anni medi (ossia: 12 anni e 45,5 mesi) e Marte sottrae i suoi anni minori + un numero di mesi pari ai suoi anni medi (ossia: 15 anni e 40,5 mesi). Sintetizzando si ha: 48 anni + 15 anni 9 mesi 15 giorni – 18 anni 4 mesi 15 giorni = _____________________ 45 anni 5 mesi John Fitzgerald Kenndy Sr. morì a Dallas il 22 Novembre 1968 all'età di 46 anni e 5 mesi. III° Esempio

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Il terzo tema sottoposto ad esame è quello di Madre Teresa di Calcutta (al secolo Anjeza Gonxhe Bojaxhiu), religiosa cattolica fondatrice della congregazione religiosa delle Missionarie della Carità e beata, nata a Skopje (Macedonia) il 26 Agosto 1910 alle ore 14h 25m.

In questo tema si può notare che, pur essendo la carta diurna, Hyleg non è né il Sole (in quanto si colloca in Casa VIII e in segno femminile - la Vergine) e né la Luna (infatti, pur essendo in casa succedente - la Casa V - e in segno femminile - il Toro - non è aspettata da Venere, suo dispositore). Pertanto, si consideri l'Ascendente come Hyleg. Ne consegue che l'Alchocoden sarà Giove (maestro del Sagittario, segno in cui si trova l'Ascendente), il quale essendo in posizione angolare (a meno di 5° eclittici dalla cuspide del Medio Cielo) consente di attribuirgli il massimo dei suoi anni (ossia: 79 anni). Inoltre. Giove riceve un sestile applicativo da Venere (pianeta benefico) e questo permette di addizionare gli anni minori di Venere (ossia: 8 anni). In sintesi, si ha: 79 anni + 8 anni = ___________ 87 anni

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Madre Teresa di Calcutta morì a Calcutta (India) il 5 settembre 1997, esattamente a 87 anni e 9 giorni. IV° Esempio Il quarto tema sottoposto ad esame è quello di Marlon Brando, famoso attore americano, nato a Omaha (Nebraska - Usa) il 3 Aprile 1924 alle ore 23h 00m.

In questo tema si può notare che, pur essendo notturno, Hyleg non è la Luna (in quanto essa non è in segno femminile - l'Ariete è segno maschile - non è in quadrante femminile e poi è "sub radiis Solis" e, quindi, combusta). Passando all'altro luminare, il Sole, si nota che esso è particolarmente dignificato (infatti è esaltato, in triplicità e sulla cuspide della Casa V - casa del Sole) e può assumere in sè il ruolo sia di Hyleg che di Alchocoden. Essendo in casa succedente (ossia: in Casa V) si deve assegnargli i suoi anni medi (ossia: 69 anni e 6 mesi). Il Sole riceve un trigono da Giove dignificato nel segno del Sagittario e in Casa I (casa angolare) e ciò consente di aggiungere agli anni del Sole gli anni minori di Giove (ossia: 12 anni) e un numero di mesi pari agli anni medi di Giove (ossia: 45,5 mesi). Poichè il Sole riceve una quadratura da parte di Marte nel segno del Capricorno, bisogna sottrarre 1/3 degli anni minori di Marte (ossia: 5 anni). Infine, la congiunzione del Sole con la Luna combusta deve far sottrarre un numero di giorni pari agli anni minori della Luna (ossia: 25 giorni). In sintesi si ha:

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69 anni e 6 mesi + 15 anni 9 mesi e 15 giorni – 5 anni – 25 giorni = ________________________ 80 anni 2 mesi e 20 giorni Marlon Brando morì a Los Angeles (California - Usa) il 1 Luglio 2004, esattamente a 80 anni, 2 mesi e 28 giorni. Prima di concludere è necessario ricordare e sottolineare che se si vuole cercare con giustificabile approssimazione la durata della vita è necessario sempre considerare le direzioni primarie dell’Ascendente, dell’Afeta e dell’Anareta. Infatti, come è possibile notare nei suddetti esempi, il metodo dell’Alchocoden non deve essere utilizzato con lo scopo di rinvenire la data esatta in cui il destino pone fine alla vita di un individuo. Infatti, lo studio della durata della vita è molto più complesso e non può prescindere dall’utilizzazione della tecnica delle direzioni primarie (in primis quelle dell’Ascendente, dell’Afeta e dell’Anareta). In quest’ottica, gli anni ricavati con il metodo dell’Alchocoden sono indicativi piuttosto di un periodo di pericolo o crisi che può tradursi nella fine della vita solo in presenza di altre configurazioni concomitanti.

______________________________________________________________ L’articolo (salvo diversa specificazione), le traduzioni e il materiale didattico pubblicato su questo sito, sono stati prodotti da Massimiliano Gaetano, Socio Certificato CIDA, che ne reclama la proprietà intellettuale. Si prega quindi di contattare l’autore all’indirizzo [email protected] prima di qualunque eventuale utilizzo. In caso di autorizzazione dell’autore, verrà richiesto di citare la fonte (nome dell’autore e sito di provenienza).

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