Progressions In Western Astrology

Many Progressions in Western Astrology have improved the prediction process. Primary directions and secondary directions used in this system have been explained clearly in this article. Ranging from simple methods to complex ones, Western Astrology has seen tremendous upliftment for making predictions. Read on to know more about them. 

Western Astrology
Many techniques are used for making predictions. Vedic Astrology uses Shadvarga Charts and the Dasha Systems. Progression is a common technique used for prediction in the Western Astrology. There are various methods of progression techniques. Some use mathematical complex spherical trigonometric equations, which are difficult for the common man to understand. However, some are easy and are done by using simple calculations. Now-a-days, there are many softwares available in the market for calculating the progressed positions of the planets and the aspects they make with the natal positions, for deciphering the birth chart.

Primary Direction

This technique is the most ancient and is widely used by the ancient astrologers. It was the predictive technique used by Placidus. It uses the principle that "earth completes one full rotation around the sun in 24 hrs". Primary directions rest on this basic premise according to which the actual motion of the heaven in the hours following birth brings the planets and other points to significant places in the natal chart and shows the unfolding of events in years to come. Also, each degree of such motion corresponds to approximately one year of life. As the earth turns on its axis, seemingly making the heavens turn around our vantage point, it completes a full circle of 360° in 24 hours, or 1440 minutes. One degree of primary motion therefore equals about 4 minutes of clock time (1440/360 = 4). This 1° motion is symbolically equated with one year, so that every hour after birth covers 15 years of life events. The directions formed to the natal chart within six hours of birth will then correspond to a full 90 years of life; and if a planet were to rise exactly two hours after a person’s birth, we could expect whatever the planet signifies in the chart to manifest around 30 years of age in a way that affects the native’s life, health, body and temperament (signified by the ascendant).

Primary directions have been a major predictive technique of ‘Western’ Astrology for more than 1,500 years. This technique is based on the rotation of Earth around its axis (the primary motion), bringing planets and other chart points to new positions in the sky. Each degree of rotation, takes around 4 minutes and corresponds to one year of life. Every direction has two elements: The significator and the promissor. Significator is considered more passive as determining the area of life concerned and the promissor is considered more active as determining the nature of the event. The correct interpretation of a direction rests on the understanding of each planet’s nature and significance in the natal chart, including its house position, aspects, dignities and rulership. 

Secondary Direction 

Modern astrologers use secondary progressions. Secondary Directions are based on the theory, that since each actual day's revolution of the Earth finds the Sun advanced one degree beyond the point where it was on the preceding day, and since the extra four minutes of rotation required to traverse this degree is the equivalent of the day required for the Earth to traverse the degree in its annual revolution, one degree of rotation is equal to one day's revolution. Out of this, it is concluded that, since a degree is equal to a day, and a day is equal to a year; therefore, a degree is equal to a year. The method of progression is based on the formula “1 day equates to 1 year”. This technique advances all planets so that each day of planetary movement corresponds to each-year of life. For secondary progressions one examines progressed positions and how these positions aspect other progressed planets and angles. For solar arcs directions, the directed planets and angles are always in the same positions relative to one another. Here, we only use aspects that directed positions make to natal positions.

There are two methods used for secondary progressions namely, Naibod system and the more common Radix system. The Sun and the Midheaven progress at an average rate of 59'08" per day (the so-called "Naibod Arc") to form aspects to the radical positions of the planets; while the planets move at varying rates to form aspects to the radical positions of the Significators.

Prediction is done based on the angles and degree cal aspects formed between the ascendant, Moon and Sun to various other planets in the progressed charts. For example, if there is a good aspect on the ascendant in the 25th year of the progressed chart from Venus, it could result into marriage of the individual.

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