The Part of Fortune calculation, a frequent error

[gbrunati]

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The Part of Fortune calculation, a frequent error
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From many years ago, the quantity of Astrology programs in which the Part of the Fortune is calculated in a different way, has called strongly my attention. The difference in the location of the point is generally abysmal and it, by all means, generates great deflections in the interpretation; especially in Primary Directions where the Part of the Fortune is accepted generally as one of the main significators, beside of the Sun, the Moon, the Mid Heaven and the Ascendant.

Due to the former, I have decided to investigate on the matter, and, I have successfully obtained here references of some authors who, among others, in my opinion, have devoted throughout the centuries by their seriousness and rigor. Apparently one of the sources of the differences is the criterion that used when, following the sequence of the Signs, the Moon precedes to the Sun, or, that one is located after the first. The other source is the criterion that must be used according to, if the nativity occurs in the day or at night.

Which is clear is the conceptual principle, or in any case theoretical-philosophical, to call it some way, in the sense that the Part of the Fortune is for the Moon as the Ascendant is for the Sun (and nobody discusses this point); in other words, the Part of the Fortune is the Ascendant of the Moon, and thus it must be located in such way. Because of that, I have made a pair of examples, chosen between of those that usually have differences according to the software that is used, and I have tried to apply them to the criteria expressed by the mentioned authors. The development and the detail are the following:

Jean Baptiste Morin: February 23, 1583, Villefrance, France, 8:29' am.
Sun: 4º PIS 11' 29'' Moon: 16º PIS 43' 0'' Ascendant: 23º ARI 33' 6''
Fortune: 6º TAU 4' 36''
In decimal degrees longitudes: Sun: 334.1914 Moon: 346.7167 Ascendant: 23.5517

Nativo de Turrialba: January 9, 1942, Turrialba, Costa Rica, 4:00' am.
Sun: 18º CAP 31' 21'' Moon: 7º LIB 56' 56'' Ascendant: 21º SAG 7' 50''
Fortune: 10º VIR 33' 26''
In decimal degrees longitudes: Sun: 288.5225 Moon: 187.9489 Ascendant: 261.1305

In Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology (Breau, Weaver, Edmans) [Ref. 3], we can read:

"Part of fortune (also called Pars Fortunae, Fortuna, or Lunar Ascendant;...) The Part of Fortune is obtained by adding the celestial longitudes of the Moon and the Ascendant and subtracting from the result the longitude of the Sun. Thus the Part of Fortune represents the position of the Moon if the chart were rotated so that the Sun were on the Ascendant; in other words, the position of the Moon on a solar chart..."
346.7167 + 23.5517 - 334.1914 = 36.077º = 6º TAU 4' 36''
187.9489 + 261.1305 - 288.5225 = 160.5569 = 10º VIR 33' 26''

Henry-J Gouchon [Ref. 2]:

"...In order to calculate the Part of Fortune, the distance that separates the Moon from the Sun will be taken (following always the same order of the Signs), taking the Sun as starting point, and there off, the same distance from the AS will be counted, which will give Us the zodiacal degree corresponding to the Part of Fortune..."
346.7167 - 334.1914 + 23.5517 = 36.077º = 6º TAU 4' 36''
187.9489 - 288.5225 + 261.1305 = 160.5569 = 10º VIR 33' 26''

Dr. Adolf Weiss [Ref. 1]:

"...the point of the fortune… To this purpose the longitudes of the Asc and Moon are added … and then subtract from the result, the longitude of the the Sun… The point of the fortune is at the same distance from the Asc as much as the Sun from the Moon..."
23.5517 + 346.7167 - 334.1914 = 36.077º = 6º TAU 4' 36''
261.1305 + 187.9489 - 288.5225 = 160.5569 = 10º VIR 33' 26''

In Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos (tr. J.M. Ashmand) [Ref. 4], we find:

"...The Part of Fortune is ascertained by computing the number of degrees between the Sun and the Moon; and it is placed at an equal number of degrees distant from the ascendant, in the order of the signs. It is in all cases, both by night and day, to be so computed and set down, that the Moon may hold with it the same relation as that which the Sun may hold with the ascendant; and it thus becomes, as it were, a lunar horoscope or ascendant..."
346.7167 - 334.1914 + 23.5517 = 36.077º = 6º TAU 4' 36''
187.9489 - 288.5225 + 261.1305 = 160.5569 = 10º VIR 33' 26''

Conclusions:

As it can be appraised, all the examples agree in their result, reason why the conceptual aspect and its practical application maintain the rigor and the seriousness that must be expected. I recommend anyway to make some additional examples in order confirm the thesis. Another aspect that must be strongly considered is the care that must be taked, as much for the student as for the professional Astrologer, at the time of choosing the appropriate software for its activity, in order to it does not get into erroneous conclusions.
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References:

Ref. 1:
[Astrología Racional
Dr. Adolfo Weiss
Editorial Kier S.A.
Parte I, Cap. III]

Ref. 2:
[Gouchon Henry-J
Diccionario Astrológico
Iniciación al levantamiento e interpretación del horóscopo.
Luis Cárcamo, editor
Primera edición en español, 1987
I.S.B.N. 84-7627-021-6
Traducción: Luis Cárcamo.]

Ref. 3:
[Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology
Jean Louis Brau, Helen Weaver and Allan Edmands
McGraw-Hill Book Company
New York London, etc.]

Ref. 4:
[Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos (tr. J.M. Ashmand)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/astro/ptb/index.htm
CHAPTER XIII
THE NUMBER OF PROROGATORS, AND ALSO THE PART OF FORTUNE
http://www.sacred-texts.com/astro/ptb/ptb57.htm]


Present,
G. Brunati


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[piercethevale]

I'm only 'getting' part of this at best.
What is it that the sources, you quote, are exactly agreeing on?

From what I can see is that this is a construct for the part of Fortune for heliocentric astrology... that's a 'whole 'nother animal', if that is what is being employed here.
The PoF is a calculated point for the which the formula doesn't differentiate for any reason.
If one starts switching the placements of the "significator' and the 'trigger' you start delving into what is studied and somewhat employed by the 'Esoteric Astrologers' of Theosophistic origin.

The difference as to a waxing or waning Moon at birth does make a difference, I believe presently, in the understanding given by Dane Rudhyar, and his co-author and fourth wife, Leyla Rael, in their book , "Astrological Aspects, A Process Oriented Approach".

It's a "Cyclic Process", it's not a static process. The birth chart is only the beginning of a cycle. The waxing half of the cycle is about [ibid.] "the outworking of life through spontaneous, unconscious activity in answer to a need; the second hemicycle to conscious, mental and group-participatory evolution, part of which necessitates and is facilitated by the devolution or devaluing of what predominated during the first hemicycle. ... It is quite as senseless to believe that a waxing and a waning square have the same significance as it would be to say that the summer and the winter solstices have the same meaning in the seasonal cycle of the year beginning at the spring equinox."

The only difference that diurnal and nocturnal birth has to do with a 'mini-cycle' of the same principle. It is the understanding of this and the appropriate adjustments to interpretation that need revision, not the formula.
When one calculates for the Part of Hyleg...that Part which is the 'Root of all Parts' one takes the sign and degree of the Full or New Moon prior to birth and subtracts it from the sum of the Asc. and Moon at birth. You are not to consider a birth at day or night for that Part. One shouldn't for the Part of Fortune either. To do so gives you the Part of the Sun or Part of Soul [Sol], as the Part of Fortune is also known as the Part of the Moon.

What do you do when someone is born exactly at Sunrise...or Sunset? I was born exactly at Sunset. You do know that even though the Sun is exactly below the horizon that you still see it in entirety above the horizon? [it is a fact, a phenomena of optics...so what did the 'Ancients' know of that? I doubt that they did, or knew enough to compensate for it in their calculations.]

I take it that you haven't delved into degree symbolism?
I have found that the Sabians are genuine and that they are the ultimate tool of rectification. For the precepts they represent when applied to whichever 'Part' or 'Lot' one is considering you'll find that that particular precept is the appropriate concept of the abstract principle or action that the astrological Part presents as it is to the natal chart bearers life. Studying the accurate natal charts of well known personages of historical significance in retrospect of their lives is the only way to convince oneself of this, that I know of....except for true mundane national natal charts.
Unfortunately for nation charts the only two I'm certain of, no one seems to agree upon. Those being for that of the United States and India.
For India, what it took to rectify it was to use the time of 12:30 am in India for the date it became a nation in 1947. This is because India uses a time split between two time zones and the true "mid-night" in New Delhi occurs at that time. Mid-night is the start of the cycle. It is equivalent to a New Moon. [I believe the Hebrews lost this understanding during the captivity by Babylon.]