HylegAndAlcocoden

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

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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

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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.

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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

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