Solar Arc Directions : An Easy Predictive Astrology Technique
What are Solar Arcs?
Solar Arc Directions are one of the oldest and easiest predictive timing techniques used in Astrology. The Sun is simply moved ahead one degree per year of life. Then all the other planets are moved the same number of degrees as the sun. Well, this is the simple way to work with Solar Arc Directions.
How It Works (Quick and Simple Method)
- Progression: Start with the Natal Chart and progress it forward by one degree for each year of life. For example, if you’re interested in the 25th year of life, move the chart forward by 25 degrees.
- Arc Calculation: Subtract the position of the Natal Sun from the Progressed Sun. This difference is called the ‘arc’.
- Apply to Natal Placements: Add this arc to all other planets and sensitive points (such as the Ascendant or Midheaven )in the Natal Chart. These new positions are the “arced” placements.
Why Use Solar Arcs?
- Symbolic Maturity: Solar Arcs symbolize how the birth chart has “matured” over time. They reflect important moments and shifts in a person’s life.
- Incorporating Outer Planets: Solar Arc Directions allows us to consider the outer planets (like Uranus, Neptune and Pluto)and thus more universal themes in an increased personalized way in our interpretation.
Practical Applications
- Life Events: Solar Arcs can pinpoint key life events, such as career changes, relationships or personal growth.
- Turning Points: Aspects involving arced planets often coincide with turning points or shifts in consciousness.
- Transits and Progressions: Combine Solar Arcs with Transits, Secondary Progressions and Solar Returns for a comprehensive analysis.
Solar Arc Movement is actually based on Secondary Progressions
In Solar Arc Directions the Sun is actually moved at the same rate as the Secondary Progressed Sun, that is ‘one day of solar motion is symbolically equivalent to one year of life’. This works out to be approximately one degree for one year of life. (That is where the simple method comes from.) The rough estimation works very well for general work but if you are getting down to exact timing most astrologers will use Astrology software. Accordingly when using software choose the ‘solar arc directed chart’ for the desired date and then you will proceed to get the exact calculation.
What is the difference between Solar Arcs and Secondary Progressions?
Solar Arc Directions are different from Secondary Progressions in that the rest of the natal points and planets are also moved at the same rate as the Sun (approximately one degree per year) . In contrast when doing Secondary Progressions all of the planets are attributed one year for one day’s movement (as in the ephemeris). This means they each move at their own specific progressed rate. Again, most Astrologers will use Astrology software to pull up the secondary progressed chart for the exact date and time they are looking for. However, it is a good skill to be able to pick up an ephemeris, know someone’s birthday and recognize their life laid out in secondary progressions in just a page and a half.
The mental stumbling block for some in regards to Solar Arc Directions is the imposed solar movement on each planet. A movement which may seem more contrived or somehow less bona fide than Secondary Progressions. However any of the planets can be ‘directed’ in this manner. The sun is just primarily chosen because of it’s central role in the solar system and thus central role in the birth chart (As Above So Below).*One key point to note is that the Solar Arc Directed Sun and the Solar Progressed Sun actually move in unison because the base of their movement is the same.
Astrologer's face a paradox:
While they grapple with one of the most exciting prospects in their field, they also encounter a significant obstacle. The crux of the matter lies in the elusive understanding of how and why Astrology works. Since the scientific revolution, skeptics have questioned its validity, casting doubt on its foundations. However, amidst this uncertainty, there exists an incredible opportunity during this transformative age of discovery.
Enter quantum physics—a discipline that unveils the profound differences between our assumed reality and the intricate building blocks of the cosmos. As quantum principles challenge classical intuition, they hint at a deeper connection. Perhaps Astrology, in its various forms, is woven into the mathematical fabric of the universe, shaping our experience of reality.”
Predictive Techniques and Fractal Geometry
Consider this phenomenally insightful statement from Nicholas Campion made in “The Practical Astrologer”:
“Behind the principle of progression lies the ancient belief that any complete unit of time shares the same essential quality as every other complete unit, even those of a different duration. Thus one day, one week, one month and one year all represent in their own ways the same basic cycle of experience; the day moves on its endless cycle symbolizing a phase in the life of the Sun; the seven days of the week symbolize one complete journey through the seven traditional planets; the month is based on the vital passage of the Moon from new to full and back again, and the year moves through the cycle of the seasons.” (1996 Saunders)
Astrologers take these planetary cycles of time that Nicholas Campion is speaking of and ‘dice’ and ‘section’ them for prediction based practices based on this principle he is speaking of above. And reading this I can’t help but think of the similarity in nature of that practice to the contributions of Benoit Mandelbrot. Mandelbrot discovered fractal geometry, giving us fractal dimension and self-similarity terms that changed forever the worlds of chemistry, physiology, fluid mechanics and statistical mechanics. Prior to Mandelbrot we did not see the patterns in nature. To me it seems like Astrology is just a methematical pattern woven in space-time that we have learned to analyze in small pieces with regards to it’s significance to human existence.
