William Lilly Primary Directions - Houses - Rumen Kolev

1
WILLIAM LILLY
AND
HIS METHOD OF PRIMARY DIRECTIONS
by Rumen Kolev, winter of 1998
A detailed research into the primary directions of William Lilly as given in his 'Christian Astrology',
1647, 'Regulus Publishing Co.', 1985. Pages 487-831.
Published in March 1998 in the journal 'The Primary Directions' and in the Feb. 99 issue of the USA
journal 'Considerations'.
The title page of Andreas Argolus'
'TABULAE PRIMI MOBILIS'
published in Rome in 1610.
William Lilly most probably used the tables from this book for
his calculations of primaries.
WILLIAM LILLY AND HIS METHOD
OF PRIMARY DIRECTIONS
by Rumen Kolev
The predictive methods of William Lilly can be found in his book,
'Christian Astrology', published in 1647. For the research made here, I
used the edition of 'Regulus Publishing Co.' from 1985. Pages
487-831 deal exclusively with predictive techniques.
All calculations and recalculations of primary directions and
variables in this article are made with the computer program 'Placidus'.
Lilly opens chapter 98 in his 'Christian Astrology' with an example
chart (p.500). Pointing at the importance of a rectification for the 'judgement',
he describes three ways to rectify a horoscope (p.502-519): Trutina Hermetis,
Animodar and Accidentia Nati. Up to page 506 Lilly explains the first two
methods. His conclusion ( p.506, bottom lines) is clear cut, '...neither the Trutine
of Hermes, or this (Animodar), are of so sure foundation, as that Correction
which is performed by Accidents (Accidentia Nati or rectification
by past events with primary directions).'
6z 3z
37x
William Lilly's Example
Chart
19 September, 1616
( Julian ), 2:24:30
PM, Geo. Lat. 53z N
<
5z 1z
00x
44x
0z
21z
55x
44x
R
1z
RAMC = 222z 10x,
MC = 14z 39x I,
ASC= 6z 37x P
RAMC = Right
Ascension of MC.
02x
9z
FIGURE
1
2
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Recalculated with
computer
29 September,
1616 ( Gregorian)
UT = 2:14:05 PM,
Geo. Lat. 53z N
<
1z
35x
RAMC = 222z 10x,
MC = 14z 39x I,
ASC= 6z 41x P
FIGURE
2
William Lilly's Example
Chart
Long. Lat.
RA
Dec
TABLE 1
Recalculated with
computer
Long. Lat.
RA
A06z 37xu0z 0x 186z 04x 02z 38xS A 06z 43xu0z 0x
S 01z 44xE5z 0xN 058z 30x 25z 38xN S 01z 37xE 5z 11xN
D 03z 34xu1z 32xS 182z 40x 02z 49xS D 05z 06xu1z 21xN
F 06z 54xu1z 0xS 186z 43x 01z 50xS F 07z 58xu1z 16xN
G 00z 54xT0z 28xN 123z 14x 20z 32xN G 00z 44xT 1z 05xN
H 21z 55xO0z 37xS 261z 11x 23z 52xS H 21z 51xO 0z 05xN
J 09z 02xW2z 58xS 037z 36x 11z 42xNJ 09z 00xW2z 40xS
186z 10x
058z 20x
185z 12x
187z 49x
123z 13x
261z 08x
037z 29x
Dec
02z 40xS
25z 36xN
00z 47xS
01z 59xS
21z 05xN
23z 09xS
12z 00xN
I reconstructed the horoscope by adjusting the right ascension of the
MC.
From the data above , it becomes clear that D and F are the planets
seriously deviating from their positions in the computer recalculation.
To a lesser extent, this is the case also with G and H.
The positions of J, the S and the A are fairly exact. The S in the charts
on pages 500 and 742 is in 1z 14x E. However, this must be a typographical
error since on pages 512 and 774 the correct position of the S is given as
1z 44x E.
3
In the beginning of page 507 (chapter 100), Lilly mentions that some astrologers
use transits or profections for rectification purposes and gently sweeps these
aside as ineffective and dubious, '...as I could never find any verity or probability
in either of those two wayes in my practice, so do I leave them to any who are
desirous to practice them...' His kindness goes even further and he directs the
'desirous' to treatises by Origanus, John Schonar and Pezelius where these
ways of rectification are explained. Done with that, Lilly swiftly and
industriously turns himself to elucidate the method of rectification, which he
holds for best, namely- through eminent past events and their correlation with
primary directions (Accidentia Nati). On page 508 he writes: '...by (primary)
direction (of the Asc., MC, the A, S and <[Pars Fortunae]) most of the
affairs and contingencies belonging to every man or woman in a natural course
of life are found out, both in quality What, and in measure of time When.'
For rectification purposes Lilly advocates using primary directions to
the Asc. and MC only, since the directions to the other three hylegiacall places
do not change much with a change in the birth time1. According to Lilly, we
should first procure ourselves with a list of prominent past events in the native's
life, looking specifically for such events that can be associated with the
symbolism of the Asc. or MC. For the ascendant these are: sicknesses, afflictions,
injuries...of the body. For the MC: honours, marriage, promotions...
1- Some of the Placidian mundo interplanetary directions may have even higher time sensitivity
than the directions to the Asc or MC. In the Placidian system, the directions used in the
rectification are: 1. of planets to angles, 2. mundo parallels, 3. mundo rapt
parallels and 4. planets mundo to house curves.
Directions of type 1,3 and 4 change their hitdates with 1 year if we change the birth
time with 4 minutes. The mundo parallels have the highest time sensitivity. It depends on
several factors. Every mundo parallel has its own time sensitivity. It can reach as much as 4
years change in the hitdate for a 4 minutes shift in the birth time!
Or 1 year for 1 minute!
From what was practiced in the regiomontanian system, however, it is true that in this
system only the directions to the Asc and MC are fitted for rectification purposes. These
directions have a time sensitivity of 1 year change in the hitdate per 4 minutes shift in the birth
time. The only mundo directions that were ever practiced in the Regiomontanus system were
the
mundo
conjunctions
and
oppositions,
but
having low time sensitivity, they turn out to be useless for rectification.
Other mundo directions like mundo parallels, rapt parallels et cetera, are theoretically
possible in the Regio system. This was shown for the first time by Jerry Makransky in his
book ' Primary Directions ' published in 1988.
However, these
directions were never practiced. Well, they probably deserve some testing at least !
4
M
WILLIAM LILLY
M
The events where the body (health) is concerned, should correspond with
primary directions to the Asc. The events where the social position of the native is
concerned, should correspond with primary directions to MC. Next, Lilly proceeds
to the explanation how to calculate quickly the primary directions. He constructs a
table with the ecliptical positions of what he deems the most important points. These
points are such that when they come by primary direction on the horizon (ascendant)
or the meridian (midheaven), a corresponding event is expected to happen. What are
these points? According to Lilly, they are the big aspects of the planets, the Ptolemaic
terms1, the housecusps (regiomontanian) and the antiscia and contra-antiscia of the
planets. This table, however, can be useful only for directing the points with latitude
zero and Lilly directs also points with a latitude, like the bodies of the planets or
their places of opposition, antiscia and contra-antiscia with a latitude.
It becomes more interesting on page 514, when Lilly practically rectifies or
rather confirms that the given birth time is correct. Obviously his client, a certain
merchant, is so young, that Lilly with great pains collects only 4 events:
TABLE 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
Came to a Master of quality
A journey beyond sea of great concernment
Sick of a burning Feaver
Another Feaver and much Melancholly
aged 16 years 07 months
aged 20 years 04 months
aged 20 years 10 months
aged 24 years 11 months
Since the first event concerns the social status of the native, Lilly logically
looks for a primary direction to MC2. And since the event is a good one, he searches
for the time when a 'good' zodiacal point has hit the midheaven. This time should be
around the time of the event, maybe with a +-5 years deviation allowed, which will
transcribe to a +- 20 minutes uncertainty in the birth time 3 .
To check out the directions that could possibly fit in the nature of the first
event, Lilly constructs a small table with directions of 7 points to MC.
1- There are 3 systems of terms: Egyptian, Ptolemaic and Chaldean. The majority of the ancient,
medieval and renaissance astrologers used the Egyptian system of terms. Lilly used the Ptolemaic
one. However, he was in an error, pushing the beginnings of the terms with 1 degree forward.
2- The date when a certain point will hit MC is calculated thus: the distance in right ascension is
measured between MC and the point of question. This distance is converted in time of life with the
formula 1 degree = 1 year which is the key of Ptolemy or 1 degree = 1 year 5 days 8 hours which is
the key of Naibod, a key preferred by Lilly.
3- Or 5 years * 4 minutes = 20 minutes.
5
Four of them are terms of planets, one is the zodiacal contra-antiscion
of Mars, another one is the 11th housecusp and the last one is a zod. ^G. The
zod. ^G hits MC in 16 years and 7 months of age (Ptolemy key). Lilly underlines
here the fact that G is the Lord of the 10th house and its ^ happens to be in
the terms of H(ptolemaic).
A recalculation with the computer for the reconstructed chart shows
this direction to hit in age 16 years and 5 months.
Directions to MC
14z 39x I, RAMC= 222z 10x obliquity =23.4876
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
page 515 of
for the reconstructed
'Christian Astrology'
horoscope
Promissor
Position
RA
Arc
Position
RA
Arc
TABLE 3
15z 00x I 222z 31x 00z 21x 14z 00x I 221z 32x 00z 38xc1
22z 00x I 229z 35x 07z 45x 21z 00x I 228z 33x 06z 23x
(07z 25x)2
terms of J
26z 00x I 235z 44x 13z 34x 27z 00x I 234z 42x 12z 32x
(11z 30x)2
3
zod. CA of G 29z 06x I 236z 53x 14z 43x 29z 16x I 237z 03x 14z 53x
11 housecusp 30z 00x I 237z 48x 15z 38x
00z 12x O 238z 01x 15z 51x
terms of H
00z 00x O 237z 48x 15z 38x
00z 00x O 237z 49x 15z 39x
zod. ^G
00z 54x O 238z 45x 16z 35x
00z 44x O 238z 34x 16z 24x
terms of F
terms of D
Lilly makes a mistake in determining the beginnings of the Ptolemaic terms.
He pushes each term (except the first terms of the signs) with one degree forward.
See chapter 99 or page 510 of the Regulus edition. However, he is not consistent.
Sometimes he uses the correct Ptolemaic terms as in the table of the directions with
Pars Fortunae on page 777. In other places he alternates between the correct Ptolemaic
terms and those pushed forward. In other places there are gross errors- most probably
typographical ones.
Superscript explanations to the table above:
1- This direction calculated with the correct beginning of the term, turns out to be
converse. Lilly computed only direct directions.
2- The arcs of the directions of the terms of D and J are typo errors. In brackets
are given their correct arcs according to the data from the context. Look at page
515, for example, where Lilly correctly calculates the direction with the terms of D
coming to 07z 25x,although in the table just above it, stands 07z 45xas its
directional
arc.
3- CA is the abbreviation for contra-antiscion.
6
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
The last direction in the list, the direction of the zodiacal ^G to the
MC, is the direction which Lilly associates with the first event- the rise of the
native to the title 'Master of Quality'. And since the hitdate with the key of
Ptolemy is the same as the time of the event, 16 years and 7 months, Lilly has
all reasons to keep in the back of his mind that the birth time given is most
probably correct.
At this point I would like to mention that Lilly, like all astrologers who
lived in his times or earlier, directed only direct1. Doing so, I believe, they all
were in a big error. Directions of planets mundo to the angles are very efficient,
no matter whether they are direct or converse. Let's check it out ourselves. If
we use the converse directions of planets to the angles (Asc., MC, IC, Desc.)
on the example chart of Lilly, we can see two directions that perfectly match the
first event from his list- the zodiacal and the mundo direction of H, the symbol
for social status, converse to the ascendant. The first one means how many
minutes before the birth, the ecliptical projection of H has been exactly on the
horizon. The second one means the same, but for the body of H. Here 4
minutes = 1 degree distance = 1 year according to the key of Ptolemy. Calculated
with the computer, the zodiacal direction of H converse to the ascendant hits
when the native has been 16 years and 3.5 months old. The mundo one- when
he has been 16 years and 5.5 months old ( with the key
of Ptolemy ).
To confirm that the birth time is correct, however, means not one
direction only corresponding well with one event. Several directions should
match important events. And important events should tie up with directions of
low frequency only. The orb, in such case, can be around 1-3 months.
To go back to Lilly, he does not fail to notice (page 517) that the zod.
#A hits MC in the 23rd year of life (computer recalculation- 22 years 8 months)
and the zod. #F- in the beginning of the 24th (computer recalculation- 24
years 6 days). When asked by Lilly, the merchant confirms that at this time
he was 'with great esteem and successe'.
1- In modern terminology, 'to direct direct' means to turn the celestial sphere in her
natural direction of apparent rotation (east to west) and see the time when a certain point
named Promissor will come to another point ( or curve or circle) which stays fixed on the
sphere (the Significator). To direct converse, we do the same thing, but rotate
the celestial sphere in the opposite direction (west to east).
It must be kept in mind that the terminology of the primary directions up to the
end of the 19th century was different and quite confusing. Although the notions of
'direct' and 'converse' directions existed, they meant then something very different
from what they mean in the modern terminology.
7
Having found 3 directions corresponding well with events and periods,
increases the confidence of Lilly in the initially given birth time.
Now, to seal his ripening conclusions with the stamp of certainty, Lilly
looks for directions to associate with the sicknesses of the native. Since the
ascendant is the significator of the health, Lilly addresses himself to the directions
to the ascendant (page 517). Lilly does not explain the mathematical algorithm
of the computation1, but gives a ready table. The zodiacal +G (latitude = 0)
comes to the eastern horizon (asc.) in 19 years 10 months and 10 days (computer
recalculation- 19 years 8 months 18 days). This direction is the same as the
ecliptical projection of G direct to the western horizon(desc.).
Although with one year deviation, Lilly takes this direction to correspond
with the 'Feaver' the native has had when 20 year and 10 months old. We
should not forget, that for rectification, Lilly used the primary directions which
are the fastest to compute, namely directions that can be computed with a table
of houses or a set of special tables. In these times, many astrologers like Maginus,
Argolus, Regiomontanus and others designed tables for speedy calculations.
The most simple one which Lilly used in his preliminary rectification, is a table
of all 360 degrees of the ecliptic and their corresponding oblique ascensions
(OA) in different geographical latitudes. We find the OA of the point of interest
and we subtract from it the OA of the ascendant. The result is the arc of the
direction. The oblique ascension of the ascendant is simply
RAMC + 90z.
Directions to the ASC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
page 517 of
for the reconstructed
'Christian Astrology'
horoscope
TABLE 4
OAasc= 312z 10x ASC = 6z 37x P OAasc= 312z 10x ASC = 6z 41x P
Promissor
Antiscion of H
^J
terms of H
terms of G
terms of J
CA of S
terms of J
+G
Position
OA
08z 05x P 313z 34x
09z 02x P 314z 29x
13z 00x P 318z 10x
20z 00x P 324z 05x
26z 00x P 328z 38x
28z 16x P 330z 14x
00z 00x { 331z 26x
00z 54x { 332z 02x
Arc
01z 24x
02z 19x
06z 00x
11z 55x
16z 28x
18z 04x
19z 16x
19z 52x
1- Look at the explanations beneath figure 3.
8
Position
Arc
08z 09x P 01z 26x
09z 00x P 02z 16x
12z 00x P 05z 03x
19z 00x P 11z 05x
25z 00x P 15z 43x
28z 23x P 18z 08x
00z 00x {19z 14x
00z 44x {19z 43x
M
WILLIAM LILLY
M
All these directions are only the zodiacal. In his practice, Lilly of
course also directed planets mundo (the bodies of the planets) to the ascendant
and MC. We may assume, he supposed that the mundo direction of G to the
descendant (in his terminology- the opposition of G to the ascendant cum
latitudine) most probably would hit around the same time when the sickness of
the native occurred. And indeed, on page 765 he gives the arc of this direction
as 20 degrees 46 minutes which means 20 years 9 months and 6 days of age
(computer recalculation- 21 years 9 months 24 days).
Another important point here is the fact that the majority of the
astrologers of this era and those who have lived earlier, ventured into prediction
usually talking of future events taking place during a certain year of the life of
the native and almost never specifying the season or the month.
I guess, the reason of their caution was simply their experience, which
showed them that the events generally deviated from the corresponding directions
often with 1 or even more years. The real reason for this were, apart from the
orbs of influence of the directions, the inexact positions of the planets they were
working with and some astrologers of this time, as Placidus
for example, have been aware of this.
Working with the most powerful Placidian mundo directions, I have
observed in my practice the average deviation between the hitdates of the
directions and the events to be around 1-3 months. This concerns powerful
directions and correspondingly big events. Such events occur no more than 3050 times in life. Of course, there were many instances of hits within days
only. Some kinds of directions prove to be more exact, others less so.
Talking about the direction of G to the descendant, William Lilly does
not omit to write about the whole events-climate at that time- the native was not
only sick with feaver, but also 'was robbed of some things, and in danger of
losing more, and was also in danger of fire...' All of these events like a gang of
naughty kids talk only of one thing- that their common father is nobody but a
powerful direction of G! Here we notice that Lilly, like most other old masters
of primary directions, knew that a strong primary direction triggers not only an
isolated event, but also a period in which many events, small or big, may happen;
all of them falling under the symbolism of the direction. I name this the 'multievent effect' of a direction. When we water a garden with a hose, there is a
main current hitting the ground- like the kernel of a direction, materializing in
the 'big event', but there are also many bigger and smaller sprinkles of water
around- the multitude of smaller events spread out in time around the main
9
event. If, when rectifying a chart, we are not sure whether a particular direction
is associated with a certain event, it pays off to ask for more events, no matter
how small, which happened around the same time. Their symbolic integral will
show us beyond doubt the common father of them all, just like in the case
discussed by Lilly.
N. Pole
Zenith
=
Birthplace
n
izo
r
Ho
OA of +G
IC
14z39xW
OA of Asc.
Equator
DA
MC
14z39xI
ASC
06z37xP
Ecliptic
+G
0z54x{
S. Pole
FIGURE
3
On the figure above is shown the example chart of Lilly drawn in 3
dimensions, observed from point East. The observer is in the planes of the equator
and the horizon. Because of the apparent rotation of the celestial sphere,
the point +G
which is in 0z54x{ (acc. to Lilly) will eventually reach the horizon.
The arc of the direction Zod. +Gdirect =
Z = OA+G - OAZ.
OAZ = RAMC + 90z. OA+G = RA+G - AD+G.
AD+G = arcsin [ tan ( δ+G ) * tan ( Φ ) ].
Here, δ is declination and Φ is the geographical latitude of the birthplace.
The AD (ascensional difference) shows with how many degrees the day semi-arc of
the point is greater or lesser than 90z. OA is for Oblique Ascension that shows the
position of a certain point in relation to the horizon.
10
M
WILLIAM LILLY
M
Horizon
Equator
Horizon
+G(0z54x{ )
Diurnal Path
of +G(0z54x{ )
ASC
6z37xP
9
8
7
10 11 12
Houses 1
2
Houses
6 5 4
Ecliptic
Equator
2nd
Regiomontanian
3rd
howse-circles
Diurnal
Path
of +G
(0z54x{ )
3
Horizon
Meridian
FIGURE
4
South
Pole
Diurnal Path
of +G(0z54x{ )
Directional Arc
Ecliptic
Horizon
+G(0z54x{ )
FIGURE
5
ASC 6z37xP
A 3-Dimensional representation of the example horoscope of Lilly and the direction
Zod. +Gd.= ASC. We can clearly see the Diurnal Path of the point +G (0z54x{ ). This is
the circle around the Poles-axis along which the point moves due to the 24-hours apparent
rotation of the celestial sphere. Wherever the diurnal path of the point crosses the horizon is
where the point will rise. The arc measured in time (equatorial degrees) between the point
and its point of rise (along its diurnal path) is the arc of the direction of the point to the
ascendant ( the eastern horizon).
The print-out is from the Program 'Placidus', version 2.0.
The explanatory labels and arrows are superimposed.
11
Now, we can make a table with the directions and the events used by Lilly for
the rectification. The key of transformation will be the key of Naibod,
which Lilly employed in his practice.
GREGORIAN
GREGORIAN
DATE
ASSOCIATED
HITDATE
EVENT and AGE of event
DIRECTION (Naibod)
1. Came to a Master
of quality
16 y. 07 m. Apr. 29 1633
Zod. ^G= MC
2. A journey beyond sea of great
concernment 20 y. 04 m. Jan 1637
none
3. Sick of a burning
Feaver
20 y. 10 m. Jul 1637
Zod. +G= Asc
4. Esteem and Success
22.0 - 23.0 y Sep 1638 -Sep 1639 Zod. #A= MC
Zod. #F= MC
4. Another Feaver and much
Melancholly 24 y. 11 m. Aug 1641
none
Lilly
Jul 27 1633
Computer
May 23 1633
Nov 26 1636 Oct 03 1636
Aug 21 1638 Oct 08 1639
Nov 29 1639 Feb 07 1641
If we take in account that any 4 minutes shift in the birth time would push the
hitdates of these directions with 1 year backward or forward, it is clear that the birth
time must be correct at least within +- 2 minutes exactness.
This, however, will
be true only in case we believe in the high efficiency of the
directions used by Lilly1. I think that the zod. directions to the Asc. and MC have
low to moderate efficiency and that there are more efficient directions:
RE-RECTIFICATION OF LILLY'S EXAMPLE CHART
WITH PLACIDIAN MUNDO DIRECTIONS
Attempting to rectify the chart with the mundo Placidian directions can be an
interesting and rewarding experience. We will compute with the key of Naibod.
Obviously, the direction Mundo Hconv.= Asc should correspond with the obtaining of
the master of quality 'degree'. The hitdate is June 16, 1633. In case we want it to hit
exactly in the time of the event (April 29 1633),
1- In contrast, Placidus on page 211 (example 14) of his 'Primum Mobile' (Cooper's
translation) declares the directions of zodiacal aspects to the ascendant and the
midheaven 'altogether as nothing' ! Nowhere in this book of Placidus is there any
evidence that he calculated and used zodiacal points to the angles ! Placidus preferred
to work with the mundo directions which he amply computed in all his examples.
12
M
WILLIAM LILLY
M
we should push the birth time back since the direction is converse. Working
only with this direction, we will come to a rectified birth time of 2:13:34 PM
or with 29 seconds earlier than the initial time. To check out the other events,
I calculated only the four strongest types of directions in the Placidian system:
mundo and zodiacal of planets to angles, mundo of planets to house curves
and mundo parallels and rapt parallels with the S and the A. In each year
of the life of the native, there are, on the average, only 2 directions of these
kinds1.
WITH RECTIFIED BIRTH TIME: 02:13:34 PM
PLACIDIAN MUNDO DIRECTIONS
Gregorian
Gregorian
EVENT and AGE DATE
DIRECTION
HITDATE (Naibod)
1. Came to a Master of quality
16 y. 07 m.
Apr. 29 1633 Mundo Hconv.= ASC
May 01 1633
2. A journey beyond sea of great concernment
20 y. 04 m.
Jan 1637
Mundo Jdir.= #ASC
Jan 02 1637
( Mundo Jdir.= 3rd House Curve )
3. Sick of a burning Feaver
20 y. 10 m.
Jul 1637
Zod. +G= Asc
Nov 20 1636
4. Esteem and Success
22.0 - 23.0 y Sep 1638 -Sep 1639 Mundo Ddir.= #MC
Jul 22 1639
( Mundo Ddir.= 8th House Curve )
4. Another Feaver and much Melancholly and Scurvy
24 y. 11 m.
Aug 1641
Mundo KAdir.= n (Desc) Sep 05 1641
n (Desc) = rapt parallel around the western horizon
1- The number of directions that Lilly used for the rectification is roughly the same as
the number of the placidian mundo directions that I used.
The frequency of a certain kind of direction is an important parameter in its
evaluation as in respect to its possible strength i.e. its suitability to correlate with big
events. The lower the frequency of a kind of direction (i.e. it happens more seldom) the
bigger the possibility that it could correspond with big events.
A common mistake of many astrologers is to take techniques with very high
frequency as transits, for example, and try to correlate them with big events.
On the other hand, it is true, that not any technique with low frequency corresponds
to big events! Big events, however, necessarily should correspond to a
technique with a low frequency.
13
Done with the rectification, Lilly proceeds with explanations how to
erect a chart in the Regiomontanian house systems and other topics. On page
651 he starts the section 'The Effects of Directions' which is the last section of
the book. Lilly writes about the authorities in the field he drew fromRegiomontanus, Maginus, Leovitius, Manginus, Zobulus and Argolus. Lilly
explicitly states, 'At this day we use no method in Directions but Argolus...'
From this alone, we can safely conclude that most probably he directed
regiomontanian as far as the fact that all these authors directed as per
Regiomontan though at least one of them, Maginus, knew how to direct also as
per Ptolemy1. Unlike Morin or Naibod, Lilly is honest and a real scholar enough
to admit that his method of directing (Argol) is different from what Ptolemy
left i.e. directing by 'Diurnall and Nocturnall Horary times'2.
On pages 652-654, Lilly gives rules for interpreting a direction:
1. We should consider whether the direction is 'good or evil'. Good aspects
mean good directions and evil aspects- evil directions.
2. The significator or the point that stays still3 signifies what area of life will be
affected or the persons who will be affected. How? The significator does this
first by his symbolic meaning (Lilly uses the phrase 'of himself'). If, for example,
the significator is the S, then what will be affected is the family life, the journeys,
the wife, the older sister or the mother of the native. On the second place Lilly
puts what the significator means 'by Accident' i.e. the house it is in or the house
it rules. If in the 8th, it may mean inheritance or somebody lately deceased
et cetera.
1- In his book 'Tabulae Primi Mobilis' published in Venice in 1604, Ioannes Antonius
Maginus explains in canons 46-48 the Ptolemaic method of directing. It is the same as that
which was later developed by Placidus and became known as the semi-arc method. Maginus
also explains and exemplifies the Ptolemaic house system (page 25) which
now is known as the Placidian house system. Placidus was born in 1603.
2- 'Diurnal (Nocturnal) Horary Times' is a term from 'Tetrabiblos' chapters 14 and 15 (Modes
of Prorogation) where Ptolemy de facto describes what is today known as Placidian primary
directions (semi-arc method). The 'Diurnal ( Nocturnal ) Horary Times' as a term was replaced
somewhere in the 19th century by the term 'day ( night )
semi-arc'. Both have the same meaning.
3- Most of the old authors from the 15-17th centuries accepted as significators only 5 points:
the ASC, MC, the A , the S and < [ Pars Fortunae]. William Lilly, however,
employed as significators all planets.
14
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
The point that is being moved or the promissor1 signifies, symbolically
and through a house position or rulership, the cause of the event: things and
persons. If it is F, the cause of the event may be a young and charming
woman. If G- a young and energy driven man.
In this respect, Lilly seems to subscribe more to the Cardanian teaching,
that the planetary symbolism has to have priority in the interpretation rather
than the Morin's accidental determinations. An example to illustrate the
difference: According to Morin, for instance, a direction of H or its aspects to
the ascendant may mean decease or even death, if H happens to be in the 12th,
8th or 6th house or has rulership over them. In contrast to this, Cardan teaches
that this is but impossible, because of the essential nature of H as a
benefic. It seems as if Lilly sides more with Cardan.
On page 654 starts chapter 157 where Lilly discusses the duration and
the strength of the directions. He writes, ' when both of them (significator and
promissor) are in their Essentiall Dignities (in signs of rulership, exaltation...)
and in angles, the effects of their direction shall be evident and manifest...'. In
chapters 158-165 Lilly interprets zodiacal aspects, terms, house cusps and
fixed stars directed to all 5 classical significators.
In chapter 166, Lilly discusses three different keys for transforming
the directional arc into time of life. The Ptolemy key equates 1 degree to 1 year.
The key of Naibod equates 1 degree to 1 year 5 days and 8 hours. The key of
Tycho Brahe measures the travel of the A in RA for the birthday and
equates this to 1 year.
William Lilly, turns out, used Naibod as the most exact key and Ptolemy
for initial orientation.
From here on, up to page 741 (chapter 175), Lilly writes about the
profections, the solar return chart and the transits.
From chapter 175 to chapter 185 Lilly gives a short interpretation of
the example chart. Then on page 765 he gives tables with primary directions
to the five hylegiacal places- the Ascendant, the MC, the A, the S and <.
1- The notation of the other old authors, which they inherited, by the way, from
Ptolemy, is misleading and confusing. They directed only direct or with the rotation
of the celestial sphere. The significator of a direction was called not the point that
stayed still, but only one of the five classical significators: the ASC, MC, the A, the
S or <, no matter whether it was fixed or moved. Happily, W.Lilly has simpler and
easier to understand notation.
15
DIRECTIONS TO THE ASCENDANT
Pages 765-768 of the tables are a table with the directions to the
ascendant. Altogether they are 104. The meaning of these directions is to
compute the time after birth when a certain point, the Promissor, due to the
apparent rotation of the celestial sphere, will rise i.e. will hit the eastern horizon.
This time can be measured in hours and minutes as well as degrees and arcminutes. The simple conversion formula is 24 hours = 360 degrees. The timearc is accepted in Astrology to be measured in degrees. The algorithm is, first
to calculate the AD (Ascensional Difference) of the promissor from its declination
and the geographical latitude of the birth, then its OA (Oblique Ascension) and
then to find out the directional arc by subtracting the OA of the Promissor from
the OA of the Ascendant.
The logic and the algorithm 1
were already given in the explanations under Figure 2.
Now we will proceed with a full analysis. First, what are the points
which Lilly directs to the eastern horizon (the ascendant) ?? They are:
Modern terminology
Terminology of Lilly
# of such directions
1. planets MUNDO to... Ad corpus... cum latitudine
1 ( of J )
(or The bodies of the planets to... )
2. planets Zodiacal to...
Ad corpus...
1 ( of J ) + 1 of /
(The zodiacal projections of the planets to...)
3. The zodiacal oppositions Ad +...cum latitudine 3 ( of G, D and F )
of the planets with latitude to...
Directions #3 are the same as the directions of the bodies of the planets to the
western horizon (descendant) i.e. planets MUNDO to the descendant. Here,
Lilly takes the zodiacal opposition of a planet by longitude and
assigns to it the latitude of the planet with the reverse sign.
4. The zodiacal oppositions
Ad +...
4 ( of G, D, A and F )
of the planets ( latitude = 0 )
5. The major aspects of
Ad ^...
15
the planets ( #, % and ^ )
6. The minor aspects of
Ad !...
43
the planets ( !, @, $, &, *, _, 36z and 108z )
In Lilly's notation: 72z ($) is a heart, 36z is a heart with a line at the
bottom, 108z is a heart with a triangle at the bottom, 150z (_) is designated
with $ , 144z (* ) is two hearts, 45z (@ ) is a square with a 'T'
over it , 135z (&) is a square with a 'C' over it.
1- The directions of points to the ascendant and MC are explained in detail in my
book ' Primary Directions ', volume 1.
16
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Modern terminology
Terminology of Lilly
# of such directions
7. The Ptolemaic terms
Ad ter. ...
21
8. The zodiacal antiscia
Ad Ant. (CA) ...
6
and contra-antiscia of the planets
9. The antiscia and
Ad Ant. (CA) ... cum latitudine5
contra-anrtiscia of the planets with latitude
10. The zodiacal projections of stars Lucid. Lyrae aust. (Vega) 1
11. The housecusps (regiomontanian) Ad Domum...
3 (of 2,3 & 4)
1
ANTISCIA & CONTRA-ANTISCIA ACC. TO LILLY
What did Lilly understand by the terms ' antiscia and contra-antiscia ' and '
antiscia and contra-antiscia cum latitudine' ? The antiscion (Ant.) of a point is its
mirror image around 00 R when the point is in the northern signs (or around 00 P if
it is in the southern signs). The latitude of the antiscion is the same as that of the
original point. The contra-antiscion (CA) is the mirror image around 00 U and has
the same latitude, but with the opposite sign. So, 'antiscion and contra-antiscion' of a
planet apply to the ecliptical projection of the planet, while 'antiscion and contra-antiscion
cum latitudine' apply to the body of the planet i.e. here also the
latitude is observed.
Antiscion of S cum
FIGURE
S Moon
latitudine
6
1z44xE,
Contra-Antiscion of S
28z16xR, b=5z00xN
b=5z00xN
28z16xP, b=0z
Zod. projection
of the Moon
Antiscion of S
Contra-Antiscion of S
cum latitudine
28z16xP, b= 5z00xS
28z16xR, b=0z
1z44xE, b=0z
Q
W E
R T Y
U
I
O
P
{ }
In directions, the effects of the antiscia of a planet were considered as if
they were the planet itself. The contra-antiscia were treated as if they were + of
the planet.
I was able to recalculate with the computer all 104 directions to the
ascendant present in the table of Lilly. They were recomputed on the reconstructed
chart. Now we will proceed by presenting a table with all 104 directions calculated
by Lilly, showing the points, their coordinates and the directional arcs- according
to Lilly and according to the computer recalculation on the reconstructed chart.
1- Argolus, whom Lilly claims to follow, computed the coordinates of the antiscia and
the contra-antiscia in the same way as explained here. However, he directed only ant. and
contra-ant. with latitude. 'Pandosion Sphaericum', Andreae Argoli, Patavii, 1653.
17
Table with the Directions to the ASC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
pages 765-768 of
on the reconstructed
'Christian Astrology'
horoscope
OAasc= 312z 10x ASC = 6z 37x P OAasc= 312z 10x ASC = 6z 41x P
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
*
1 %F S.
06z 54x P 0z 00xN 00z 14x
07z 58x P 0z 00xN 01z 15x
08z 05x P 0z 00xN 01z 24x
08z 09x P 0z 00xN 01z 26x
2 Ant.H
3 ^J D.
09z 02x P 0z 00xN 02z 19x
09z 00x P 0z 00xN 02z 16x
*
4 Ant.Hcum lat08z 05x P 0z 37xS 02z 39x
08z 09x P 0z 05xN 01z 16x
5
6
7
8
*
Zod. Lucid. Lirae 10z 00x P 0z 00xN 03z 14x
ter.H
13z 00x P 0z 00xN 06z 00x
&S D.
16z 44x P 0z 00xN 09z 14x
ter.G
20z 00x P 0z 00xN 11z 55x
*
9 108zJ D.
10 108zD S.
11 !H S.
12 108zA S.
13 108zF S.
14 ter.J
21z 02x P
21z 34x P
21z 55x P
24z 37x P
24z 54x P
26z 00x P
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
12z 44x
13z 08x
13z 24x
15z 26x
15z 39x
16z 28x
09z 58x P
12z 00x P
16z 37x P
19z 00x P
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
03z 10x
05z 03x
09z 06x
11z 05x
21z 00x P
23z 06x P
21z 51x P
24z 43x P
25z 58x P
25z 00x P
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
12z 41x
14z 18x
13z 20x
15z 30x
16z 25x
15z 43x
1- S. and D. are abbreviations from the Latin 'Sinister' and 'Dexter', accordingly- Left (east
of the planet) and Right (west of the planet) aspects. East of the planet means also that the
aspect is measured in the direction of succession of the zodiacal signs. This notation
comes from the fact that when we observe the sky facing South, the East
will be on our Left. And if you want to see the ecliptic without breaking your neck, you
better watch the sky facing South ( in the northern geo. latitudes ).
4- Lilly did not give the coordinates of some points in his tables with directions. In
such cases I give in italic the coordinates which, most probably, Lilly used. The
comparatively large difference between the arc of Lilly and the recalculated one, comes
from the inexact latitude of Jupiter Lilly worked with. I recalculated the direction with
the data of Lilly ( 08z 05x P 0z 37xS ) and came to a directional arc of 02z 36x 14c.
5- This is the star VEGA. Lilly directed the zodiacal projections of the stars and not the
stars proper (which would be mundo directions). Why did he do this ? Most probably
because it was much easier.
Anyway, a mundo direction of Vega to the ascendant is but impossible since
in this case Vega happens to be circumpolar (always above the horizon).
9- A sesquiquintile ( quintile and a half ) of Saturn.
18
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to the ASC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
15 36zHS.
27z 55x P 0z 00xN 17z 49x
27z 51x P 0z 00xN 17z 45x
16 CA S
28z 16x P 0z 00xN 18z 04x
28z 23x P 0z 00xN 18z 08x
17 ter.J
00z 00x {0z 00xN
19z 16x
00z 00x {0z 00xN 19z 14x
*
00z 54x {0z 00xN 19z 02x
00z 44x {0z 00xN 19z 43x
18 +G
19 ^S D.
01z 44x {0z 00xN
20z 24x
01z 37x {0z 00xN 20z 18x
*
00z 44x {1z 05xS 21z 49x
20 +G cum lat.00z 54x {0z 28xS 20z 46x
03z 34x {0z 00xS
21z 36x
05z 06x {0z 00xN 22z 32x
21 ^D S.
06z 37x{0z 00xN
23z 29x
06z 43x {0z 00xN 23z 31x
22 ^A S.
23 ^F S.
06z 54x {0z 00xN 23z 39x
07z 58x {0z 00xN 24z 16x
24 @H S.
06z 55x{0z 00xN
23z 40x
06z 51x {0z 00xN 23z 36x
25 ter.D
07z 00x {0z 00xN
23z 43x
06z 00x {0z 00xN 23z 05x
26 %J D.
09z 02x {0z 00xN
24z 55x
09z 00x {0z 00xN 24z 53x
*
27 CAJ cum lat.20z 58x {2z 58xN 26z 09x
21z 00x {2z 40xN 26z 44x
28 ter.F
13z 00x{0z 00xN
27z 10x
12z 00x {0z 00xN 26z 36x
29 108zS D.
13z 44x {0z 00xN
27z 34x
13z 37x {0z 00xN 27z 30x
*
30 CAS cum lat.28z 16xP 5z 00xS 28z 31x
28z 23xP 5z 11xS 28z 59x
31 &D S.
18z 34x{0z 00xN 30z 08x
20z 06x {0z 00xN 30z 53x
32 CAJ
20z 58x {0z 00xN
31z 19x
21z 00x {0z 00xN 31z 20x
33 ter.H
21z 00x {0z 00xN
31z 21x
20z 00x {0z 00xN 30z 50x
34 &A S.
21z 37x {0z 00xN
31z 39x
21z 43x {0z 00xN 31z 41x
35 &F S.
21z 54x {0z 00xN
31z 48x
22z 58x {0z 00xN 32z 18x
18- The directional arc here is again a typo error. The true arc should be 19z 52x. Lilly
gives the OA of the point as 332z 02x. Since the OA of the ascendant is 312z 10,
theirdifference has to be 19z 52x. Within the data of Lilly, the recalculation of the directional
arc comes to 19z 49x 52c.
20-Within the data of Lilly, the recalculated directional arc is 20z 43x 35c.
27- The directions of points with latitude, in the tables of Lilly, do not have a longitude
nor a latitude given, but only their OA. I assign to these points the coordinates which I
suppose, most probably, Lilly used. For example, a recalculation using the supposed data
Lilly used, shows for this direction an arc of 26z 12x 35c. This result is very close to the
arc of Lilly and ergo, confirms our theory about how Lilly computed
the positions of the antiscia and contra-antiscia with latitude.
30- With the data of Lilly the recalculation of the directional arc results in 28z 28x 27c.
19
# Promissor
Table with the Directions to the ASC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
36 #H S.
37 Domum 2
38 ter.G
39 $J D.
40 *D S.
41 ter.F
42 *A S.
43 *F S.
44 _G D.
45 %S D.
46 _D S.
47 $H S.
48 /
49 _A S.
50 _F S.
51 *G D.
52 ter.H
53 #J D.
54 ter.D
55 & G
56 $S D.
21z 55x {0z 00xN
23z 30x{0z 00xN
26z 00x {0z 00xN
27z 02x {0z 00xN
27z 34x {0z 00xN
00z 00x } 0z 00xN
00z 37x } 0z 00xN
00z 54x } 0z 00xN
00z 54x} 0z 00xN
01z 44x } 0z 00xN
03z 34x } 0z 00xN
03z 55x } 0z 00xN
05z 50x} 0z 00xN
06z 37x } 0z 00xN
06z 54x} 0z 00xN
06z 54x} 0z 00xN
09z 00x } 0z 00xN
09z 02x } 0z 00xN
15z 00x } 0z 00xN
15z 54x } 0z 00xN
18z 44x } 0z 00xN
21z 51x {0z 00xN
23z 35x {0z 00xN
25z 00x {0z 00xN
27z 00x {0z 00xN
29z 06x {0z 00xN
00z 00x } 0z 00xN
00z 43x } 0z 00xN
01z 58x } 0z 00xN
00z 44x } 0z 00xN
01z 37x } 0z 00xN
05z 06x } 0z 00xN
03z 51x } 0z 00xN
07z 36x } 0z 00xN
06z 43x } 0z 00xN
07z 58x } 0z 00xN
06z 44x } 0z 00xN
08z 00x } 0z 00xN
09z 00x } 0z 00xN
14z 00x } 0z 00xN
15z 44x } 0z 00xN
18z 37x } 0z 00xN
31z 46x
32z 36x
33z 16x
34z 13x
35z 11x
35z 35x
35z 54x
36z 27x
35z 55x
36z 18x
37z 49x
37z 17x
38z 53x
38z 31x
39z 02x
38z 31x
39z 03x
39z 28x
41z 32x
42z 14x
43z 46x
57 Ant F cum lat. 23z 06x } 1z 00xN 43z 32x
58 ter.G
21z 00x } 0z 00xN
44z 20x
59 %H S.
21z 55x } 0z 00xN
44z 42x
22z 02x } 1z 16xN
20z 00x } 0z 00xN
21z 51x } 0z 00xN
42z 40x
43z 55x
44z 39x
60 Ant F
61 Ant.A
62 @J D.
23z 06x } 0z 00xN
23z 23x } 0z 00xN
24z 02x } 0z 00xN
45z 09x
45z 16x
45z 32x
22z 02x } 0z 00xN
23z 17x } 0z 00xN
24z 00x } 0z 00xN
44z 43x
45z 13x
45z 29x
63 Ant D
26z 26x } 0z 00xN
46z 28x
24z 54x } 0z 00xN
45z 50x
31z 49x
32z 35x
33z 46x
34z 15x
34z 30x
35z 36x
35z 52x
36z 00x
36z 00x
36z 23x
37z 16x
37z 20x
37z 52x
38z 30x
38z 37x
38z 37x
39z 30x
39z 31x
41z 57x
42z 19x
43z 26x
*
57- The antiscion of F with a latitude, acc. to the data Lilly used, should be in 23z 06x } 1z
00xS. However, if we direct this point we'll come to an arc of 46z 45x 47c. If we try with the
point 23z 06x } 1z 00xN., the directional arc will be 43z 31x 19c. Obviously, Lilly made a
mistake assigning to the point the latitude of F
with the opposite sign
( 1z 00xN. ). Having done so, he came closer to the correct arc !
20
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to the ASC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
64 ter.J
27z 00x } 0z 00xN
46z 41x
26z 00x } 0z 00xN 46z 16x
65 ter.H
00z 00x } 0z 00xN
47z 50x
00z 00x } 0z 00xN 47z 50x
66 ^G D.
00z 54x Q 0z 00xN 48z 10x
00z 44x Q 0z 00xN 48z 07x
*
07z 58x Q 1z 16xS 52z 59x
67 +F cum lat. 06z 54x Q 1z 00xN 48z 27x
68 #S D.
01z 44x Q 0z 00xN 48z 30x
01z 37x Q 0z 00xN 48z 27x
*
24z 54x } 1z 21xN 43z 40x
69 Ant D cum lat.26z 26x } 1z 32xS 48z 55x
03z 02x Q 0z 00xN 49z 00x
03z 00x Q 0z 00xN 49z 00x
70 36zJ D.
03z 34x Q 0z 00xN 49z 12x
05z 06x Q 0z 00xN 49z 49x
71 +D
72 +A
06z 37x Q 0z 00xN 50z 24x
06z 43x Q 0z 00xN 50z 26x
73 +F
06z 54x Q 0z 00xN 50z 30x
07z 58x Q 0z 00xN 50z 56x
74 ter.F
07z 00x Q 0z 00xN 50z 33x
06z 00x Q 0z 00xN 50z 10x
75 !J D.
09z 02x Q 0z 00xN 51z 21x
09z 00x Q 0z 00xN 51z 21x
76 108zH S.
09z 55x Q 0z 00xN 51z 42x
09z 51x Q 0z 00xN 51z 40x
*
77 +F cum lat. 06z 54x Q 1z 00xS 52z 07x
07z 58x Q 1z 16xS 52z 59x
78 108zG D.
12z 54x Q 0z 00xN 52z 52x
12z 44x Q 0z 00xN 52z 49x
79 ter.D
15z 00x Q 0z 00xN 53z 43x
14z 00x Q 0z 00xN 53z 19x
80 @S D.
16z 44x Q 0z 00xN 54z 25x
16z 37x Q 0z 00xN 54z 22x
81 Domum 3
18z 34x Q 0z 00xN 55z 09x
18z 27x Q 0z 00xN 55z 08x
82 ^H S.
21z 55x Q 0z 00xN 56z 33x
21z 51x Q 0z 00xN 56z 33x
83 ter.G
22z 00x Q 0z 00xN 56z 35x
21z 00x Q 0z 00xN 56z 11x
84 36zS D.
25z 44x Q 0z 00xN 58z 11x
25z 37x Q 0z 00xN 58z 08x
85 ter.J
27z 00x Q 0z 00xN 58z 35x
26z 00x Q 0z 00xN 58z 19x
86 ter.F
00z 00x W 0z 00xN 60z 04x
00z 00x W 0z 00xN 60z 04x
87 %G D.
00z 54x W 0z 00xN 60z 28x
00z 44x W 0z 00xN 60z 25x
88 !S D.
01z 44x W 0z 00xN 60z 51x
01z 37x W 0z 00xN 60z 48x
67- Recalculating with what should be logically the Lilly's data, namely 06z 54x Q
1z 00xN, the directional arc results in 48z 53x 23c.
69- Computer recalculated with coordinates 26z 26x } 1z 32xS , the arc is 48z 55x
23c.
77- '+F cum lat.' shows up as directions number 67 and 77. Directing the point 06z
54x Q 1z 00xS with the computer gives an arc of 52z 07x. However, the point +F
cum lat. should has 1z 00xN as a latitude and not 1z 00xS. Without doubt, this is an
error. Lilly has omitted the direction of +D cum lat.
21
Table with the Directions to the ASC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
89 _D D.
03z 34x W 0z 00xN 61z 46x
05z 06x W 0z 00xN 62z 26x
90 _A D.
06z 3?x W 0z 00xN 63z 09x
06z 43x W 0z 00xN 63z 12x
06z 54x W 0z 00xN 63z 17x
07z 58x W 0z 00xN 63z 48x
91 _F D.
06z 55x W 0z 00xN 63z 18x
06z 51x W 0z 00xN 63z 16x
92 &H S.
93 ter.D
09z 00x W 0z 00xN 64z 19x
08z 00x W 0z 00xN 63z 49x
09z 02x W 0z 00xN 64z 20x
09z 00x W 0z 00xN 64z 19x
94 Zod. ~J
95 *D D.
09z 34x W 0z 00xN 64z 36x
11z 06x W 0z 00xN 65z 23x
12z 37x W 0z 00xN 66z 09x
12z 43x W 0z 00xN 66z 13x
96 *A D.
97 *F D.
12z 54x W 0z 00xN 66z 18x
13z 58x W 0z 00xN 66z 52x
98 Domum 4
14z 39x W 0z 00xN 67z 13x
14z 39x W 0z 00xN 67z 13x
99 *H S.
15z 55x W 0z 00xN 67z 53x
15z 51x W 0z 00xN 67z 52x
100 ter.H
16z 00x W 0z 00xN 67z 57x
15z 00x W 0z 00xN 67z 24x
101 &D D.
18z 34x W 0z 00xN 69z 22x
20z 06x W 0z 00xN 70z 15x
*
102 Mundo J 09z 02x W 2z 58xS 69z 30x
09z 00x W 2z 40xS 68z 55x
103 72zG D.
18z 54x W 0z 00xN 69z 34x
18z 44x W 0z 00xN 69z 28x
104 &A D.
21z 37x W 0z 00xN 71z 07x
21z 43x W 0z 00xN 71z 12x
THE DIRECTIONS TO THE ASCENDANT- CONCLUSIONS
Working with the data he had, Lilly calculated the arcs fairly exactly.
The mistakes: direction # 18.
The errors: # 57 and the controversy around the double show-up of the
direction +F cum lat. to the ascendant in directions # 67 and # 77. One of
them, most probably, has come in place of the omitted direction +D cum lat. to
the ascendant. To the technical errors, I would include also the fact that Lilly
has pushed the beginnings of the Ptolemaic terms with one degree forward.
Further, I would question the assertion of Lilly that ' At this day we
use no method in Directions but Argolus...'. Argolus directed the zodiacal
aspects with a latitude. Lilly directed them with a latitude zero. Argolus1
directed the Egyptian terms. Lilly directed Ptolemaic terms.
102- Computer recalculated with the coordinates of Lilly, 09z 02x W 2z 58xS , the
arc comes to 69z 26x 36c.
1- 'Tabulae Primi Mobilis', Andreae Argoli, Romae 1610.
'Pandosion Sphaericum', Andreae Argoli, Patavii, 1653.
22
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
DIRECTIONS TO MC
We will turn our atention now to Lilly's directions to the MC. He
tabulated 54 such directions:
# of directions
1. Planets mundo to MC:
1 ( of H )
2. Planets zodiacal to MC:
1 ( of H )
3. Planets mundo to IC:
1 ( of S )
( or The zod. +of planets with a latitude to MC )
4. Planets zodiacal to IC :
1 (of S )
( or The zod. +of planets with latitude = 0 to MC )
5. Major aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
8
6. Minor aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
22
1
7. Ptolemaic terms :
11
8. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia of planets:
2 ( of H and G )
9. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia with latitude:
2 ( of H and G )
10. Zod. projections of stars:
2 ( Antares & Vega )
11. Housecusps ( regiomontanian ):
3 ( of 11, 12 and the asc. )
Table with the Directions to the MC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
pages 769-771 of
on the reconstructed
'Christian Astrology'
horoscope
RAMC= 222z 10x MC = 14z 39x I
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
1 36zH D.
15z 55x I 0z 00xN 01z 16x
15z 51x I 0z 00xN 01z 12x
2 @D S.
18z 34x I 0z 00xN 03z 55x
20z 06x I 0z 00xN 05z 29x
3 108zG S.
18z 54x I 0z 00xN 04z 15x
18z 44x I 0z 00xN 04z 06x
4 ter.D
21z 00x I 0z 00xN 06z 23x
21z 00x I 0z 00xN 06z 23x
5 @A S.
21z 37x I 0z 00xN 07z 00x
21z 43x I 0z 00xN 07z 06x
6 @F S.
21z 54x I 0z 00xN 07z 17x
22z 58x I 0z 00xN 08z 23x
7 !H D.
21z 55x I 0z 00xN 07z 18x
21z 51x I 0z 00xN 07z 15x
8 ter.J
27z 00x I 0z 00xN 12z 32x
27z 00x I 0z 00xN 12z 32x
9 CAG
29z 06x I 0z 00xN 14z 43x
29z 16x I 0z 00xN 14z 42x
*
10 CAGcum lat.29z 06x I 0z 28xN 14z 50x
29z 16x I 1z 05xS 14z 37x
1- Surprisingly, the terms Lilly directed to MC are the correct Ptolemaic terms and
not those pushed with 1 degree forward, which he employed to the ascendant.
10- Lilly should have directed the point 29z 06x I 0z 28xS. The arc calculated
with this point is 14z 35x 29c. Calculated with 29z 06x I 0z 28xN, the arc is 14z
48x 28c.
23
Table with the Directions to the MC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
11 Domum 11 30z 00x I 0z 00xN 15z 38x
00z 12x O 0z 00xN 15z 50x
00z 00x O 0z 00xN 15z 38x
00z 00x O 0z 00xN 15z 38x
12 ter.H
*
13 +S cum lat.01z 44x O 5z 00xS 16z 20x
01z 37x O 5z 11xS 16z 09x
14 ^G S.
00z 54x O 0z 00xN 16z 35x
00z 44x O 0z 00xN 16z 25x
15 +S
01z 44x O 0z 00xS 17z 27x
01z 37x O 0z 00xS 17z 19x
03z 34x O 0z 00xN 19z 22x
05z 06x O 0z 00xN 20z 59x
16 #D
*
04z 24x O 0z 00xN 20z 15x
17 Zod. Antares 04z 30x O 0z 00xN 20z 21x
18 #A S.
06z 37x O 0z 00xN 22z 34x
06z 43x O 0z 00xN 22z 41x
06z 54x O 0z 00xN 22z 53x
07z 58x O 0z 00xN 24z 01x
19 #F S.
20 ter.H
08z 00x O 0z 00xN 24z 03x
08z 00x O 0z 00xN 24z 03x
21 _J D.
09z 02x O 0z 00xN 25z 09x
09z 00x O 0z 00xN 25z 07x
22 ter.D
14z 00x O 0z 00xN 30z 28x
14z 00x O 0z 00xN 30z 28x
23 Domum 12 14z 46x O 0z 00xN 31z 19x
14z 51x O 0z 00xN 31z 23x
24 *J D.
15z 02x O 0z 00xN 31z 25x
15z 00x O 0z 00xN 31z 32x
25 $D S.
15z 34x O 0z 00xN 32z 09x
17z 06x O 0z 00xN 33z 48x
26 &G S.
15z 54x O 0z 00xN 32z 31x
15z 44x O 0z 00xN 32z 20x
27 $A S.
18z 37x O 0z 00xN 35z 28x
18z 43x O 0z 00xN 35z 34x
28 $F S.
18z 54x O 0z 00xN 35z 47x
19z 58x O 0z 00xN 36z 54x
29 ter.J
19z 00x O 0z 00xN 35z 52x
19z 00x O 0z 00xN 35z 52x
*
30 Mundo H
21z 55x O 0z 37xS 38z 01x
21z 51x O 0z 05xN 38z 58x
31* Zodiacal H
32 &J D.
33 *G S.
34 ter.G
35 ter.F
36 _G S.
37 _S D.
21z 55x O
24z 02x O
24z 54x O
25z 00x O
00z 00x P
00z 54x P
01z 44x P
0z 00xS
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
39z 03x
41z 19x
42z 17x
42z 23x
47z 50x
48z 50x
49z 45x
21z 51x O
24z 00x O
24z 44x O
25z 00x O
00z 00x P
00z 44x P
01z 37x P
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
38z 57x
41z 17x
42z 05x
42z 23x
47z 50x
48z 38x
49z 35x
13- Recomputing with Lilly's data i.e. 01z 44x O 5z 00xS, the arc comes to 16z 19x
48c.
17- The arc of the mundo direction of Antares to the Meridian (MC) is 19z 20x.
30- Recomputing with 21z 55x O 0z 37xS, the arc comes to 38z 58x 58c. I was not
able to figure out the genesis of this error.
31- Recomputing with 21z 55x O 0z 00x , the arc comes to 39z 01x 26c.
24
M WILLIAM
# Promissor
38
39
40
41
42
43
*
44
%D S.
ter.D
ascendant
%A S.
%F S.
*S D.
Ant.H
Table with the Directions to the MC
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
03z 34x P
06z 00x P
06z 37x P
06z 37x P
06z 54x P
07z 44x P
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
51z 45x
54z 23x
55z 04x
55z 04x
55z 23x
56z 18x
05z 06x P
06z 00x P
06z 41x P
06z 43x P
07z 58x P
07z 37x P
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
53z 23x
54z 22x
55z 06x
55z 09x
56z 30x
56z 07x
08z 05x P 0z 00xN
56z 38x
08z 09x P 0z 00xN
56z 42x
08z 09x P 0z 05xN
56z 42x
*
45 Ant.Hcum lat.08z 05x P 0z 37xS
46 ^J D.
*
47 Zod. Vega
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
ter.H
&S D.
ter.G
108zJ D.
108zD S.
!H S.
108zA S.
LILLY M
56z 40x
09z 02x P 0z 00xN
57z 40x
09z 00x P 0z 00xN
57z 38x
10z 00x P 0z 00xN
58z 43x
09z 58x P 0z 00xN
58z 40x
12z 00x P
16z 44x P
19z 00x P
21z 02x P
21z 34x P
21z 55x P
24z 37x P
60z 53x
66z 00x
68z 25x
70z 35x
71z 08x
71z 30x
74z 22x
12z 00x P
16z 37x P
19z 00x P
21z 00x P
23z 06x P
21z 51x P
24z 43x P
60z 52x
65z 50x
68z 24x
70z 32x
72z 46x
71z 27x
74z 29x
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
THE DIRECTIONS TO MC- CONCLUSIONS
The directions to MC seem to be computed OK, excepting directions
# 10 and 30. A question, however, arises, why did Lilly use here the correct
Ptolemaic terms after arguing in chapter 100 (Page 510) that they should be
pushed with one degree forward and after using these revised terms in his
directions to the ascendant. The astrologers who worked with the correct
Ptolemaic terms Lilly accused in a 'vulgar Errour' ! Yet, he himself takes now
a seat among them !... This inconsistency is so simple and easy to notice that, I
guess, Lilly was not in his best shape writing the final and most complicated
chapters. The nature of the mistake points at a tired man in a big hurry...
44- Recomputing with Lilly's coordinates, 08z 05x P 0z 00x, the arc is 56z 37x 45c.
45- Recomputing with Lilly's coordinates, 08z 05x P 0z 37xS, the arc is 56z 40x 15.
47- Lilly directed the zodiacal projection of the star and not the star proper (which
would be a mundo direction). The arc of the star mundo to MC is 53z 43x.
25
THE INTERPLANETARY DIRECTIONS
Finished with the directions to the ascendant and MC, Lilly goes on
with a list of directions to the A. He tabulated only results, without explaining
the algorithm. I was almost sure that he directed regiomontanian. However, to
play it safe, I decided to check out the Poles of the planets computed by Lilly
and given in the final page of the chapter (p.831).
Basically, there were only two possibilities: Lilly directed either regio
or Lilly directed placidian under the pole. No other systems of primaries were
known and practiced in these times. I know of one exception though- the system
of primaries developed by Cardan. However, Cardan first, apparently did not
have any followers and second, there were neither 'Poles' nor 'Circles of Position'
in his system. The term 'Circle of Position', which Lilly used, is
much more reminiscent of the regio way of directing.
Expecting to confirm the regio credo of Lilly, but open-minded, I
calculated with the program the regio and the placidian Poles of the Planets in
the example horoscope:
COMPUTER CALCULATED
Lilly's
Placidian
Regio
Planets 'Circle of Position'
Pole
Pole
A
S
D
F
G
H
J
<
40z 00x
28z 56x
39z 23x
40z 00x
24z 31x
40z 49x
41z 00x
28z 52x
38z 59x
39z 00x
27z 34x
37z 54x
51z 00x
47z 51x
51z 18x
52z 00x
43z 54x
51z 32x
08z 00x
48z 00x
04z 54x
41z 08x
08z 36x
47z 49x
The results confirmed my suspicion- Lilly directed regio.
The regio algorithm of computation of interplanetary directions is too
lengthy to be given here in full detail. That's why I'll restrict myself only to
explaining the meaning of the regio directions. The presentation of the full
regio algorithm is a topic for a separate article.
We already know that, according to the modern terminology, the
Significator in a primary direction is the point which stays fixed on the celestial
sphere. The significators in the interplanetary directions, used by the old
26
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
astrologers, were the A, the S and <. Only few authors used as significators
also the rest of the planets.
Now, assuming that the significator stays still and the whole sphere, with
all its points, turns around the axis of the cel. poles, the question is: When will a
certain point (the Promissor) arrive to a conjunction with the significator ?
Regiomontanus' answer was- When the point, carried with the
apparent rotation of the celestial sphere, reaches the house circle1 that goes
through the significator. This house circle should go through 3 points: the
significator and the two crosspoints of the Horizon with the Meridian.
North Point
of the
Horizon
Horizon
Meridian
North
Pole
Regio housecircle tru
the Sun
FIGURE
7
Meridian
Regio 9th house
house-circle
Regio housecircle tru
the Sun
Equator
Meridian
Horizon
SUN
Horizon
South
Point of the
Horizon
A 3-Dimensional representation of the example horoscope of Lilly and the
house circle through the A. See how the Meridian, the Horizon, the house circle
through the A and all house boundaries join at the North and South points of the
horizon. The print-out is from the Program 'Placidus', version 2.0.
1- A house circle is a great circle passing through the two crosspoints of the Horizon with
the Meridian ( the North and South Points of the horizon ). A great circle is a circle
on the celestial sphere whose plane goes through the center of the sphere.
27
Regio housecircle tru
the Sun
Meridian
Equator
SUN
Horizon
Diurnal Path
of H
FIGURE
8
Directional Arc
of Mundo H=A ( REGIO
)
Equator
9 10
8
7
H
Houses11
6
12
Horizon
1
5 Houses
2
4
3
Diurnal
Path
of H
South
Meridian
Regio housePole
circle tru
the Sun
A 3-Dimensional representation of the interplanetary Regiomontanian direction
Mundo. Hd.= A in the example horoscope of Lilly . We can see the Diurnal Path of H.
This is the circle around the Poles-axis along which H moves due to the 24-hours apparent
rotation of the celestial sphere. Wherever the diurnal path of Hcrosses the house circle
through the A is where H will come into conjunction (acc. to Regio-montanus ) with the
A . The directional arc is the arc between H
and this point. It is
measured in time (equatorial degrees)
The print-out is from the Program 'Placidus', version 2.0. The explanatory
labels and arrows are superimposed.
DIRECTIONS TO THE SUN A
The directions of points to the house circle through the Sun are 70:
Points
# of directions
1. Planets mundo:
1 ( of H )
2. Planets zodiacal:
1 ( of H )
3. Planets mundo (to the night arc of the house circle):
2 ( of S and J )
( or The zod. +of planets with a latitude to the day arc of the circle )
28
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
41. Planets zodiacal (to the night arc of the house circle): 2 ( of S and J )
( or The zod. +of planets with latitude = 0 to the day arc of the circle )
5. Major aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
9
6. Minor aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
30
7. Ptolemaic terms:
15
8. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia with latitude:
1 ( of G )
9. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia of planets:
1 ( of G )
10. Zod. projections of stars:
3 ( Antares, Spica & North Scale)
11. Housecusps ( regiomontanian ):
5 ( of 9, 10, 11, 12 and the asc. )
I was able to recalculate with the program 62 of the 70 directions. The
8 directions left out are the 3 directions with stars and 5 with half-quintiles
and sesqui-quintiles.
Table with the Directions to the SUN A
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
pages 771-774
Circle of Position= 40z 00x,
Pole= 39z 23x,
OD (Oblique Descension)= 183z 51x
OD = 183z 59x
OD is under its own Pole
# Promissor
1 _J S.
2 $H D.
3 ter.H
4 $G S.
5 &S S.
6 Zod. Spica
7 Domum 9
*
8 ter.F
9 #H D.
Position
09z 02x U
09z 55x U
11z 00x U
12z 54x U
16z 44x U
18z 33x U
18z 34x U
OD is under its own Pole
Arc of
Direction
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
01z 25x
01z 57x
02z 35x
03z 42x
05z 59x
07z 05x
07z 06x
19z 00x U 0z 00xN
21z 55x U 0z 00xN
07z 21x
09z 08x
Arc of
Position
Direction
09z 00x U 0z 00xN
09z 51x U 0z 00xN
11z 00x U 0z 00xN
12z 44x U 0z 00xN
16z 37x U 0z 00xN
01z 22x
01z 52x
02z 33x
03z 36x
05z 56x
not recomputed
18z 27x U 0z 00xN 07z 03x
19z 00x U 0z 00xN
21z 51x U 0z 00xN
07z 23x
09z 09x
1- The house circle through the A has two arcs: one is above the radical horizon
( day-arc); the other is below the radical horizon (night-arc). The radical A is above the
horizon and that's why Lilly directs the points to the day-arc of the Solar housecircle.
To direct a point to the night-arc of the regio house circle through the A is the same
as to direct its +
(with the opposite latitude) to the day arc.
The
directional arcs are always equal.
8- This should be the terms of D and not of F. A typo error.
29
Table with the Directions to the SUN A
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
10 ter.G
24z 00x U 0z 00xN 10z 25x
24z 00x U 0z 00xN 10z 29x
11 *S S.
25z 44x U 0z 00xN 11z 30x
25z 37x U 0z 00xN 11z 30x
12 ter.G
00z 00x I 0z 00xN 14z 12x
00z 00x I 0z 00xN 14z 19x
00z 54x I 0z 00xN 14z 47x
00z 44x I 0z 00xN 14z 48x
13 %G S.
01z 44x I 0z 00xN 15z 19x
01z 37x I 0z 00xN 15z 23x
14 _S D.
*
15 +J cum lat. 09z 02x I 2z 58xS 16z 31x
09z 00x I 2z 40xN 23z 46x
03z 34x I 0z 00xN 16z 31x
05z 06x I 0z 00xN 17z 42x
16 !D S.
17 ter.G
06z 00x I 0z 00xN 18z 08x
06z 00x I 0z 00xN 18z 18x
18 !AS.
06z 37x I 0z 00xN 18z 33x
06z 43x I 0z 00xN 18z 47x
06z 54x I 0z 00xN 18z 45x
07z 58x I 0z 00xN 19z 38x
19 !F S.
20 @H D.
06z 55x I 0z 00xN 18z 46x
06z 51x I 0z 00xN 18z 53x
21 +J
09z 02x I 0z 00xN 20z 12x
09z 00x I 0z 00xN 20z 22x
22 36zD S.
09z 34x I 0z 00xN 20z 35x
not recomputed
23 North Scale .09z 48x I 0z 00xN 20z 45x
not recomputed
24 36zA S.
12z 37x I 0z 00xN 22z 41x
not recomputed
25 36zF S.
12z 54x I 0z 00xN 22z 53x
not recomputed
26 ter.F
14z 00x I 0z 00xN 23z 39x
14z 00x I 0z 00xN 23z 53x
27 MC
14z 39x I 0z 00xN 24z 08x
14z 39x I 0z 00xN 24z 21x
28 36zH D.
15z 55x I 0z 00xN 25z 00x
not recomputed
29 !D S.
18z 34x I 0z 00xN 26z 58x
20z 06x I 0z 00xN 28z 24x
30 108zG S.
18z 54x I 0z 00xN 27z 13x
not recomputed
31 ter.D
21z 00x I 0z 00xN 28z 48x
21z 00x I 0z 00xN 29z 05x
32 @A S.
21z 37x I 0z 00xN 29z 16x
21z 43x I 0z 00xN 29z 38x
33 @F S.
21z 54x I 0z 00xN 29z 29x
22z 58x I 0z 00xN 30z 36x
34 !H D.
21z 55x I 0z 00xN 29z 30x
21z 51x I 0z 00xN 29z 44x
35 ter.J
27z 00x I 0z 00xN 33z 29x
27z 00x I 0z 00xN 33z 48x
36 CAG
29z 06x I 0z 00xN 35z 11x
29z 16x I 0z 00xN 35z 40x
15- Here Lilly again makes an error. He did not write the coordinates of the point he directed,
but a little detective work will show that he has directed 09z 02x I
2z 58xSouth. If we recompute the direction with this point, the arc will result in 16z 49x, which
is very close to Lilly's result. In his speculum, however, the latitude of J is
2z 58xSouth and the lat. of +J with a latitude should be 2z 58xNORTH.
Directing 09z 02x I 2z 58xNorth gives arc of 23z 50x.
30
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to the SUN A
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
37 ter.G
00z 00x I 0z 00xN 14z 12x
00z 00x I 0z 00xN 14z 19x
38 %G S.
00z 54x I 0z 00xN 14z 47x
00z 44x I 0z 00xN 14z 48x
00z 00x O 0z 00xN 35z 58x
00z 00x O 0z 00xN 36z 16x
39 ter.H
00z 54x O 0z 00xN 36z 41x
00z 44x O 0z 00xN 36z 54x
40 ^G S.
01z 44x O 0z 00xN 37z 23x
01z 37x O 0z 00xN 37z 37x
41 +S
42 #D S.
03z 34x O 0z 00xN 38z 56x
05z 06x O 0z 00xN 40z 38x
43 Antares
04z 30x O 0z 00xN 39z 45x
not recomputed
06z 37x O 0z 00xN 41z 35x
06z 43x O 0z 00xN 42z 04x
44 #A S.
06z 54x O 0z 00xN 41z 51x
07z 58x O 0z 00xN 43z 10x
45 #F S.
08z 00x O 0z 00xN 42z 50x
08z 00x O 0z 00xN 43z 13x
46 ter.F
*
47 +S cum lat.01z 44x O 5z 00xN 43z 13x
01z 37x O 5z 00xS 31z 12x
48 _J D.
09z 02x O 0z 00xN 43z 46x
09z 00x O 0z 00xN 44z 07x
49 ter.D
14z 00x O 0z 00xN 48z 23x
14z 00x O 0z 00xN 48z 46x
50 Domum 12 14z 46x O 0z 00xN 49z 01x
14z 51x O 0z 00xN 49z 35x
51 *J D.
15z 02x O 0z 00xN 49z 22x
15z 00x O 0z 00xN 49z 44x
52 $D S.
15z 34x O 0z 00xN 49z 53x
17z 06x O 0z 00xN 51z 46x
53 &G S.
15z 54x O 0z 00xN 50z 12x
15z 44x O 0z 00xN 50z 26x
54 $A S.
18z 37x O 0z 00xN 52z 51x
18z 43x O 0z 00xN 53z 22x
55 $F S.
18z 54x O 0z 00xN 53z 08x
19z 58x O 0z 00xN 54z 36x
56 ter.J
19z 00x O 0z 00xN 53z 14x
19z 00x O 0z 00xN 53z 38x
57 Zod. H
21z 55x O 0z 00xN 56z 09x
21z 51x O 0z 00xN 56z 31x
58 Mundo H
21z 55x O 0z 37xS 56z 54x
21z 51x O 0z 05xN 56z 37x
59 &J D.
24z 02x O 0z 00xN 58z 21x
24z 00x O 0z 00xN 58z 44x
60 *G S.
24z 54x O 0z 00xN 59z 16x
24z 44x O 0z 00xN 59z 30x
61 ter.G
25z 00x O 0z 00xN 59z 22x
25z 00x O 0z 00xN 59z 47x
62 ter.F
00z 00x P 0z 00xN 64z 43x
00z 00x P 0z 00xN 65z 08x
63 _G S.
00z 54x P 0z 00xN 65z 43x
00z 44x P 0z 00xN 65z 56x
64 _S D.
01z 44x P 0z 00xN 66z 36x
01z 37x P 0z 00xN 66z 54x
47- Lilly makes an error. He should have used 01z 44x O 5z 00xSouth for the point +Swith
a latitude. Instead, he used a lat. of 5z 00x North. How do we know this, if Lilly did not
give the coordinates he used ? Regio-Directing 01z 44x O 5z 00x North to
the A( with all other data as in the chart Lilly used ) gives arc of 43z 24x.
If we direct the point 01z 44x O 5z 00xSouth, we'll get 31z 33x.
31
Table with the Directions to the SUN A
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
65 %D S.
03z 34x P 0z 00xN 68z 39x
05z 06x P 0z 00xN 70z 42x
06z 00x P 0z 00xN 71z 24x
06z 00x P 0z 00xN 71z 43x
66 ter D
67 Ascendens 06z 37x P 0z 00xN 72z 06x
06z 41x P 0z 00xN 72z 35x
68 %A S.
06z 37x P 0z 00xN 72z 06x
06z 43x P 0z 00xN 72z 38x
06z 54x P 0z 00xN 72z 25x
07z 58x P 0z 00xN 74z 03x
69 %F S.
07z 44x P 0z 00xN 73z 22x
07z 37x P 0z 00xN 73z 39x
70 *S D.
THE DIRECTIONS TO THE SUN A- CONCLUSIONS
In the directions to the A, Lilly used the correct Ptolemaic terms.
The errors are in directions # 15 and 47. These are directions with
+J with a lat. and +S with a lat. Lilly took the wrong signs for the
latitudes. That this may has been his own method of directing, cannot be a
viable argument, since at other places he took the correct sign. The +of a
planet with a latitude has to have the same latitude as the planet, but with the
opposite sign. If the point + is opposite the planet in longitude, why not also in
latitude?! This practice and the practice of assigning a latitude to the aspects,
is something I could trace through Argolus, Maginus and Gauricus back to
Regiomontanus1 (1436-1476).
DIRECTIONS TO THE MOON S
The directions of points to the house circle through the Moon are 54
and all of them are erroneous. The reason is a mistake in Lilly's calculation of
the Oblique Descension (OD) of the Moon under its own Pole (40z) which he
gives as 74z 16x. The OD of the Moon under its own Pole, which we'll note as
ODS S , is calculated as follows: ODS S = RAS + ADS S(Ascensional
Difference of the Moon under its own Pole). The ADSS computed with Lilly's
data gives 23z 33x or ADS S = arcsin[ tan( δ S ) * tan(Pole S ) ]=
=arcsin[ tan(25z 28x) * tan(40z) ]= 23z 33x. Ergo, the ODSSof Lilly should
be = RAS + ADSS= 58z 30x + 23z 33x = 82z 03x.
No matter how much I strained my brains, I was not able to figure out
the genesis of this most serious error of Lilly. Maybe he just took the wrong
entry from the tables of Argolus. The correct ODSSis with 7z 47x greater
than that of Lilly. We can expect the correct arcs to be so much shorter.
1- 'Tabulae Directionum et Profectionum Clarissimi Viri..', I. Regiomontani,
1551
32
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
The 54 points Lilly directs to the Moon are as follows:
Points
# of directions
1. Planets mundo:
1 ( of G )
2. Planets zodiacal:
1 ( of G )
3. Planets mundo (to the day arc of the house circle):
1 ( of H)
( or The zod. +of planets with a latitude to the night arc of the circle )
4. Planets zodiacal (to the day arc of the house circle):
1 ( of H)
( or The zod. +of planets with latitude = 0 to the night arc of the circle )
5. Major aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
12
6. Minor aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
19
7. Ptolemaic terms:
11
8. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia with latitude:
2 ( of H and S)
9. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia of planets:
2 ( of H and S)
10. Zod. projections of stars:
2 ( Aldebaran and Praesepe )
11. Housecusps ( regiomontanian ):
2 ( of 6 and 7 )
Table with the Directions to the MOON S
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
pages 774-776
Circle of Position= 40z 00x,
Pole= 40z 49x,
ODSS= 74z 16x
ODSS= 82z 47x
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
1* ^D D.
2 Aldebaran
3 ^A D.
4 ^F D.
03z 34x E
04z 30x E
06z 37x E
06z 54x E
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
05z 59x
07z 09x
09z 47x
10z 08x
05z 06x E 0z 00xN 00z 03xc.
not recomputed
06z 43x E 0z 00xN 01z 57x
07z 58x E 0z 00xN 03z 29x
5* ter.H
6 !J S.
07z 00x E 0z 00xN
09z 02x E 0z 00xN
10z 15x
12z 44x
07z 00x E 0z 00xN
09z 00x E 0z 00xN
7* ter.F
8 Domum 6
9 36zJ S.
10 108zD D.
14z 00x E
14z 45x E
15z 02x E
15z 34x E
18z 47x
19z 39x
20z 01x
20z 40x
13z 00x E 0z 00xN 09z 38x
14z 51x E 0z 00xN 11z 52x
not recomputed
not recomputed
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
1-The recalculated direction is converse.
5-The terms in direction #5 are the correct Ptolemaic.
7- The correct Ptolemaic terms of F start in 13z 00x E.
33
02z 18x
04z 46x
# Promissor
Table with the Directions to the MOON S
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
11 @G D.
12 108zA D.
13 108zF D.
15z 54x E 0z 00xN
18z 37x E 0z 00xN
18z 54x E 0z 00xN
21z 04x
24z 16x
24z 36x
15z 44x E 0z 00xN 12z 56x
not recomputed
not recomputed
14* ter.J
21z 00x E 0z 00xN
27z 03x
26z 00x E 0z 00xN
24z 50x
15* +H cum lat. 21z 55x E 0z 37xS
27z 27x
21z 51x E 0z 05xS
20z 01x
*
16 +H
17 @J S.
18 36zG D.
21z 55x E 0z 00xN
24z 02x E 0z 00xN
24z 54x E 0z 00xN
28z 06x
30z 31x
31z 30x
21z 51x E 0z 00xN 20z 07x
24z 00x E 0z 00xN 22z 35x
not recomputed
19* ter.G
20 ter.G
21 !G D.
22 !S S.
23 %D D.
24 Domum 7
25 %A D.
26 %F D.
25z 00x E
00z 00x R
00z 54x R
01z 44x R
03z 34x R
06z 37x R
06z 37x R
06z 54x R
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
31z 37x
37z 10x
38z 10x
39z 03x
41z 00x
44z 10x
44z 10x
44z 30x
20z 00x E
00z 00x R
00z 44x R
01z 37x R
05z 06x R
06z 41x R
06z 43x R
07z 58x R
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
17z 58x
29z 16x
30z 04x
31z 01x
34z 43x
36z 22x
36z 24x
37z 40x
07z 00x R 0z 00xN
44z 36x
20z 00x R 0z 00xN
49z 17x
27
*
ter.F
14-From 20z 00x E begin the Ptolemaic terms of G and not of J . The terms of
J start in 26z 00x E. A typographical error ?
15- Let us assume that Lilly is correct and ODS S = 74z 16x. If we direct 21z 55x E
0z 37xN. to this 'assumed' Moon, we'll get an arc of 28z 40x. If we direct 21z 55x E 0z 37xS. we'll
get 27z 26x . The result of Lilly is 27z 27x . Ergo, Lilly directed the point 21z 55x E
0z 37xS. This is an error. The correct latitude of the point +H with a latitude is 0z 37xN
since radical H , acc. to Lilly, has a latitude of 0z 37x South. Here, Lilly directs an
erroneously calculated '+Hwith a latitude' to an erroneous S . Remarkably, the +H -error
diminishes the error in the arc due to the ODS S -error with 01z 13x ! Still, the
difference from the correct arc is more than 07z.
16- Working with Lilly's data for everything and recomputing with 21z 55x E 0z 00xN,
the arc results in 28z 03x.
19- See the explanations under the line on this page for the direction # 14.
27-From 06z 00x R
begin the Ptolemaic terms of H and not of F . The terms
of F start in 20z 00x R.
34
M WILLIAM
# Promissor
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to the MOON S
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
28* CAH cum lat. 08z 05x R 0z 37xS 44z 59x
29 36zS S.
07z 44x R 0z 00xN 45z 21x
08z 05x R 0z 00xN 45z 43x
30 CAH
31 #J S.
09z 02x R 0z 00xN 46z 11x
08z 09x R 0z 05xS 37z 46x
not recomputed
08z 09x R 0z 00xN 37z 52x
09z 00x R 0z 00xN 38z 44x
32* ter.D
33 @S S.
13z 00x R 0z 00xN
16z 44x R 0z 00xN
50z 37x
54z 10x
13z 00x R 0z 00xN
16z 37x R 0z 00xN
42z 42x
46z 09x
34* ter.H
35 $J S.
20z 00x R 0z 00xN
21z 02x R 0z 00xN
57z 14x
58z 11x
06z 00x R 0z 00xN
21z 00x R 0z 00xN
35z 39x
50z 11x
28z 23x R
23z 06x R
21z 51x R
24z 43x R
25z 58x R
27z 00x R
27z 51x R
28z 23x R
00z 00x T
5z 11xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
63z 21x
52z 04x
50z 57x
53z 29x
54z 33x
55z 26x
56z 09x
56z 36x
57z 56x
00z 44x T 1z 05xN
59z 53x
36*AntS cum lat.28z 16x R
37 $D D.
21z 34x R
38 _H D.
21z 55x R
39 $A D.
24z 37x R
40 $F D.
24z 54x R
41 ter.J
27z 00x R
42 *H D.
27z 55x R
43 Ant.S
28z 16x R
44 ter.J
00z 00x T
45* Mundo G
5z 00xS 58z 39x
0z 00xN 58z 40x
0z 00xN 58z 59x
0z 00xN 60z 22x
0z 00xN 61z 37x
0z 00xN 63z 25x
0z 00xN 64z 12x
0z 00xN 64z 27x
0z 00xN 65z 57x
00z 54x T 0z 28xS
66z 06x
28-Lilly should have directed this point with latitude 0z 37xN. Working with Lilly's ODSS, the
arc of the CA with lat. 0z 37x N is 46z 28x . With lat. 0z 37x S , the arc is 44z 58x .
32- This is the correct beginning of the Ptolemaic terms of D in R.
34- See the explanations under the line for the direction # 27 on page 34.
36- It is unfathomable why Lilly takes here 5z 00xS for the latitude of the point when it is obvious
that it should be 5z 00x N, equal to the latitude of the radical S
(according
to Lilly's data). At least, this is what the logic and Argolus cry in one voice.
Working with Lilly's ODSS, the arc of the antiscion with lat. 5z 00xN is 70z 45x.
With lat. 5z 00xS, the arc is 58z 40x.
45- Taking all parameters as given by Lilly and recomputing with 00z 54x T 0z 28xN, the arc
results in 67z 12x. Working, however, with 00z 54x T 0z 28xSouth, the arc is 66z 05x. Lilly again
has taken the wrong sign for the latitude, since G
in his chart has latitude
of 0z 28x North !
35
# Promissor
*
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
Zod.G
#S S.
Praesepe
#D D.
ter.D
#A D.
#F D.
&H D.
%J S.
Table with the Directions to the MOON S
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
00z 54x T
01z 44x T
02z 03x T
03z 34x T
06z 00x T
06z 37x T
06z 54x T
06z 55x T
09z 02x T
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
66z 42x
67z 23x
67z 38x
68z 51x
70z 46x
71z 15x
71z 28x
71z 29x
73z 06x
00z 44x T 0z 00xN 58z 32x
01z 37x T 0z 00xN 59z 15x
not recomputed
05z 06x T 0z 00xN 62z 01x
06z 00x T 0z 00xN 62z 43x
06z 43x T 0z 00xN 63z 16x
07z 58x T 0z 00xN 64z 13x
06z 51x T 0z 00xN 63z 22x
09z 00x T 0z 00xN 65z 01x
THE DIRECTIONS TO THE MOON S- CONCLUSIONS
Basically, since Lilly made a gross error computing the Oblique Descension
of the S under its own Pole, all directions to the S are wrong.
At closer scrutiny, it turns out, the directions numbered 15, 28, 36 and 45
contain other errors. All these directions are directions of points with a
latitude and Lilly took the wrong signs for them.
Another thing is the directions with terms, numbered 14, 19, 27 and 34.
Here Lilly made mistakes in the rulers. This, of course, may be errors of the
printer.
Still another thing is that some of the terms are the correct Ptolemaic terms
(#5) and some (#7) are those of Lilly ( Ptolemaic terms pushed
with 1 degree forward ).
DIRECTIONS TO PARS FORTUNAE <
On page 777, Lilly puts in a table directions to <. For the longitude of <
Lilly gives 00z 36x Y ! It is again a difficult task to understand why Lilly took 00z
36x Y for the longitude of < when, in the chart, it is correctly placed in 01z 44x Y.
The latitude of the point is clearly zero, since Lilly gives its declination as 11z 19x
North and the point 00z 36x Y can have such a declination only with latitude zero.
In this way, I will sweep aside the bold suggestion of Dimitar Kojouharov that Lilly
maybe used the Placidian < which is situated on the diurnal path of the S. If <
that Lilly used, was the Placidian < then it should
have had the declination of the S, namely 25z 38x North.
36
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
For the Oblique Descension of < under its own pole, Lilly gives 165z
30x. Working with the data Lilly used, the correct < is in 01z 44x Y and its OD
under its own pole of 48z would be 166z 04x 30c.
The < of the recalculated chart is in 01z 35x Y and its OD under its
own pole is 165z 55x , not far away from Lilly's 165z 30x.
In the end of the table ( page 780 ), Lilly writes ' Some direct the <
converse, or against the succession of Signs, you do no more but subduct the
Promittor from the Significator, and so go backwards.'...
Here, the suggestion of Lilly is that we just compute the OD of the
points which are situated in direction of decrease of the longitude (as to the <)
and subtract their OD's from the OD of the <. So, all OD's are to be computed
under the pole of the <. Doing so, we actually direct the points against the
celestial rotation until they come to the house circle passing through <.
Well, to direct < converse, in the manner of Regiomontanus, is actually
not so easy as Lilly wants it. Regiomontanus did it by directing < , with the
celestial rotation, until < reached the house circle passing through the
other point.
If, for example, we want do direct < 'conversely' to ^G, in the way
Regiomontanus practiced it, we first have to compute the Pole of ^G with a
complicated algorithm, then its AD (Ascensional Difference) under its own
pole and then its OD under its own pole. Then we have to compute the OD of
< under the pole of ^G. And finally we will find the directional arc by
subtracting the OD of ^G from the OD of <. Both OD's are computed under
the pole of ^G. The whole exasperating procedure has to be repeated for each
other point that we want to direct < to. This is how Regiomontanus
directed <1.
The 93 points Lilly directs to Pars Fortunae are as follows:
Points
# of directions
1. Planets mundo:
4 ( of F, D , A and H )
2. Planets zodiacal:
4 ( of F, D , H and ? )
3. Planets mundo (to the night arc of the house circle):
2 ( of Jand S)
( or The zod. +of planets with a latitude to the day arc of the circle )
4. Planets zodiacal (to the night arc of the house circle): 2 ( of Jand S)
( or The zod. +of planets with latitude = 0 to the day arc of the circle )
5. Major aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
10
6. Minor aspects of planets (lat. = 0 ):
39
1- 'Tabulae Directionum et Profectionum Clarissimi Viri..', I. Regiomontani,
1551
37
7. Ptolemaic terms:
18
8. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia with latitude: 3 ( of F, D and G)
9. Zod. antiscia and contra-antiscia of planets:
3 ( of F, D and G)
10. Zod. projections of stars:
3 ( Spica, North Scale and Antares )
11. Housecusps ( regiomontanian ):
4 ( of 9, 10, 11 amd 12)
Table with the Directions to Pars Fortunae <
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
pages 777-780
'Circle of Position'= 48z 00x,
Pole= 47z 49x,
OD<<= 165z 30x
OD<<= 165z 55x
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
1 36zA D.
00z 37x Y 0z 00xN 00z 01x
not recomputed
2 36zF D.
00z 54x Y 0z 00xN 00z 10x
not recomputed
*
00z 54x Y 0z 00xN 00z 10x
00z 44x Y 0z 00xN 00z 27xc.
3 !G S.
4 %S S.
01z 44x Y 0z 00xN 00z 35x
01z 37x Y 0z 00xN 00z 01x
5 !D D.
03z 34x Y 0z 00xN 01z 34x
05z 06x Y 0z 00xN 01z 52x
6 108zH D.
03z 55x Y 0z 00xN 01z 45x
not recomputed
7 ?
05z 50x Y 0z 00xN 2z 45x
07z 36x Y 0z 00xN 03z 08x
8 !A D.
06z 37x Y 0z 00xN 03z 09x
06z 43x Y 0z 00xN 02z 42x
9 !F D.
06z 54x Y 0z 00xN 03z 18x
07z 58x Y 0z 00xN 03z 20x
10 36zG S.
06z 54x Y 0z 00xN 03z 18x
not recomputed
*
11 ter.F
07z 00x Y 0z 00xN 03z 21x
07z 00x Y 0z 00xN 02z 50x
12 ^J S.
09z 02x Y 0z 00xN 04z 23x
09z 00x Y 0z 00xN 03z 52x
13 @G S.
15z 54x Y 0z 00xN 07z 46x
15z 44x Y 0z 00xN 07z 13x
14 ter.J
18z 00x Y 0z 00xN 07z 49x
18z 00x Y 0z 00xN 08z 19x
15 108zS S.
19z 44x Y 0z 00xN 09z 37x
not recomputed
16 %H D.
21z 55x Y 0z 00xN 10z 40x
21z 51x Y 0z 00xN 10z 12x
17 CAF
23z 06x Y 0z 00xN 11z 14x
22z 02x Y 0z 00xN 10z 17x
18 CAA
23z 23x Y 0z 00xN 11z 22x
23z 17x Y 0z 00xN 10z 52x
19 ter.G
24z 00x Y 0z 00xN 11z 40x
24z 00x Y 0z 00xN 11z 13x
20 &J S.
24z 02x Y 0z 00xN 11z 41x
24z 00x Y 0z 00xN 11z 13x
3-The recalculated direction is converse.
11-All terms directed to the < are the correct Ptolemaic. Only the terms of G in dir. # 42
are pushed forward with a degree. Lilly forgot to direct the terms of Hin Y.
38
M WILLIAM
# Promissor
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to Pars Fortunae <
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
21* CADcum lat. 26z 26x Y 1z 32xN?? 12z 10x
22
23
24
25
26
27
*
CAFcum lat. 23z 06x Y
CAD
26z 26x Y
ter.J
00z 00x U
#G S.
00z 54x U
*J S.
03z 02x U
Zod.D
03z 34x U
1z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
12z 38x
12z 49x
13z 30x
14z 55x
15z 56x
16z 11x
24z 54x Y 1z 21xS
09z 44x
22z 02x Y
24z 54x Y
00z 00x U
00z 44x U
03z 00x U
05z 06x U
1z 16xS 08z 29x
0z 00xN 11z 39x
0z 00xN 14z 05x
0z 00xN 14z 26x
0z 00xN 15z 31x
0z 00xN 16z 32x
1z 16xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
0z 00xN
28* Mundo F
29 ter.F
30 Zod.A
31 Zod.F
06z 54x U
06z 00x U
06z 37x U
06z 54x U
1z 00xS 16z 23x
0z 00xN 17z 20x
0z 00xN 17z 38x
0z 00xN 17z 46x
07z 58x U
06z 00x U
06z 43x U
07z 58x U
32* Mundo D
33 _J S.
34 $H D.
35 ter.H
36 $G S.
37 &S S.
38 Spica
39 Domum 9
40 ter.D
03z 34x U
09z 02x U
09z 55x U
11z 00x U
12z 54x U
16z 44x U
18z 33x U
18z 34x U
19z 00x U
1z 32xN 18z 21x
0z 00xN 18z 47x
0z 00xN 19z 13x
0z 00xN 19z 44x
0z 00xN 20z 39x
0z 00xN 22z 31x
0z 00xN 23z 24x
0z 00xN 23z 26x
0z 00xN 23z 38x
05z 06x U 1z 21xN 18z 26x
09z 00x U 0z 00xN 18z 24x
09z 51x U 0z 00xN 18z 49x
11z 00x U 0z 00xN 19z 22x
12z 44x U 0z 00xN 20z 13x
16z 37x U 0z 00xN 22z 07x
not recomputed
18z 27x U 0z 00xN 23z 02x
19z 00x U 0z 00xN 23z 19x
19z 42x
16z 58x
17z 18x
17z 54x
21-What was the point Lilly directed for 'CA Dcum lat.' is unfathomable. I tried with 6 pairs of
coordinates which Lilly may have used, but could not come close to his result.
22-Computing with the data Lilly used and with the point 23z 06x Y 1z 00xN gives arc
of 12z 38x. This time, Lilly used the correct latitude for the point.
28-Computing with the data Lilly used and with the point 06z 54x U 1z 00xS gives arc
of 16z 21x.
32- If we compute with the coordinates for D Lilly had for the chart, namely 03z 34x U 1z 32x
South, we will come to an arc of 14z 01x. If we compute with 03z 34x U 1z 32x North, we'll get
18z 22x. So, after erring first in the position of D and then in < , taking the wrong sign for the
latitude of D , brings Lilly almost on top of the correct result !!
Small errors tend to cancel out. Sometimes, thanks God, even big ones do !!
39
Table with the Directions to Pars Fortunae <
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
41 #H D.
21z 55x U 0z 00xN
25z 07x
21z 55x U 0z 00xN
24z 45x
42 ter.G
25z 00x U 0z 00xN 26z 41x
24z 00x U 0z 00xN 25z 52x
25z 44x U 0z 00xN 27z 03x
25z 37x U 0z 00xN 26z 41x
43 *S S.
00z 00x I 0z 00xN 29z 19x
00z 00x I 0z 00xN 29z 01x
44 ter.G
*
09z 00x I 2z 40xN 38z 00x
45 +J cum lat. 09z 02x I 2z 58xS 29z 47x
46 %G S.
00z 54x I 0z 00xN 29z 48x
00z 44x I 0z 00xN 29z 25x
47 _S S.
01z 44x I 0z 00xN 30z 15x
01z 37x I 0z 00xN 29z 54x
48 !D S.
03z 34x I 0z 00xN 31z 15x
05z 06x I 0z 00xN 31z 50x
49 ter.H
06z 00x I 0z 00xN 32z 27x
06z 00x I 0z 00xN 32z 20x
50 !A S.
06z 37x I 0z 00xN 32z 58x
06z 43x I 0z 00xN 32z 45x
51 !F S.
06z 54x I 0z 00xN 33z 08x
07z 58x I 0z 00xN 33z 28x
52 @H D.
06z 55x I 0z 00xN 33z 09x
06z 51x I 0z 00xN 32z 50x
53 +J
09z 02x I 0z 00xN 34z 21x
09z 00x I 0z 00xN 34z 05x
54 36zD S.
09z 34x I 0z 00xN 34z 39x
not recomputed
*
55 Zod. N. Scale 09z 48x I 0z 00xN 34z 47x
not recomputed
56 36zA S.
12z 37x I 0z 00xN 36z 28x
not recomputed
57 36zF S.
12z 54x I 0z 00xN 36z 40x
not recomputed
58 ter.F
14z 00x I 0z 00xN 37z 18x
14z 00x I 0z 00xN 37z 05x
59 MC
14z 39x I 0z 00xN 37z 45x
14z 39x I 0z 00xN 37z 29x
60 36zH D.
15z 55x I 0z 00xN 38z 30x
not recomputed
61 @D S.
18z 34x I 0z 00xN 40z 12x
20z 06x I 0z 00xN 40z 59x
62 108zG S.
18z 54x I 0z 00xN 40z 25x
not recomputed
63 ter.D
21z 00x I 0z 00xN 41z 38x
21z 00x I 0z 00xN 41z 35x
64 @A S.
21z 37x I 0z 00xN 42z 13x
21z 43x I 0z 00xN 42z 04x
65 @F S.
21z 54x I 0z 00xN 42z 24x
22z 58x I 0z 00xN 42z 55x
66 !H D.
21z 55x I 0z 00xN 42z 25x
21z 51x I 0z 00xN 42z 09x
67 ter.J
27z 00x I 0z 00xN 45z 56x
27z 00x I 0z 00xN 45z 45x
68 CA G
29z 06x I 0z 00xN 47z 27x
29z 16x I 0z 00xN 47z 24x
69 Domum 11 30z 00x I 0z 00xN 48z 11x
00z 12x O 0z 00xN
48z 06x
45-Lilly directs here + J with the wrong latitude, 2z 58x South, instead of
2z 58x North. Directing +J with lat. 2z 58xS gives arc of 29z 50x. With 2z 58xN: 38z 46x.
56-Lilly writes this star as ' Luc. Lanc. aust.', South Scale. However, by its coordinates,
it is clear that it should be 'Luc. Lanc. borealis', North Scale.
40
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to Pars Fortunae <
William Lilly's
Computer recalculation
Arc of
Arc of
# Promissor
Position
Direction
Position
Direction
70 ter.H
00z 00x O 0z 00xN
48z 11x
00z 00x O 0z 00xN
47z 57x
*
29z 16x I 1z 05xS 45z 41x
71 CA Gcum lat. 29z 06x I 0z 28xN 48z 15x
72 ^G S.
00z 54x O 0z 00xN
48z 48x
00z 44x O 0z 00xN
48z 31x
01z 44x O 0z 00xN
49z 27x
01z 37x O 0z 00xN
49z 11x
73 +S
74 #D S.
03z 34x O 0z 00xN
50z 53x
05z 06x O 0z 00xN
51z 55x
51z 36x
not recomputed
75 Zod. Antares 04z 30x O 0z 00xN
76 #A S.
06z 37x O 0z 00xN
53z 19x
06z 43x O 0z 00xN
53z 13x
77 #F S.
06z 54x O 0z 00xN
53z 33x
07z 58x O 0z 00xN
54z 15x
78 ter.F
08z 00x O 0z 00xN
54z 28x
08z 00x O 0z 00xN
54z 17x
79 _J D.
09z 02x O 0z 00xN
55z 20x
09z 00x O 0z 00xN
55z 08x
*
21z 55x O 0z 00xN
25z 07x
80 –S cum lat. 01z 44x O 5z 00xN 57z 02x
81 ter.D
14z 00x O 0z 00xN
59z 38x
14z 00x O 0z 00xN
59z 29x
82 Domum 12 14z 46x O 0z 00xN
60z 23x
14z 51x O 0z 00xN
60z 16x
83 *J D.
15z 02x O 0z 00xN
60z 35x
15z 00x O 0z 00xN
60z 24x
84 $D S.
15z 34x O 0z 00xN
61z 04x
17z 06x O 0z 00xN
62z 21x
85 &G S.
15z 54x O 0z 00xN
61z 22x
15z 44x O 0z 00xN
61z 04x
86 $A S.
18z 37x O 0z 00xN
63z 55x
18z 43x O 0z 00xN
63z 53x
87 $F S.
18z 54x O 0z 00xN
64z 11x
19z 58x O 0z 00xN
65z 04x
88 ter.J
19z 00x O 0z 00xN
64z 14x
19z 00x O 0z 00xN
64z 08x
89 Mundo H 21z 55x O 0z 37xS 66z 13x
21z 51x O 0z 05xN
67z 04x
90 Zod. H
21z 55x O 0z 00xN
67z 07x
21z 55x O 0z 00xN
66z 56x
91 &J D.
24z 02x O 0z 00xN
69z 15x
24z 00x O 0z 00xN
69z 06x
92 *G S.
24z 54x O 0z 00xN
70z 09x
24z 44x O 0z 00xN
69z 52x
93 ter.G
25z 00x O 0z 00xN
70z 15x
25z 00x O 0z 00xN
70z 07x
71-Lilly directs the CA of Gwith the wrong latitude i.e. 0z 28x North, instead of
0z 28x South which is the opposite of the latitude of the radical G. Directing the CA of
G (within Lilly's data) with South lat. gives arc of 46z 48x; with North lat.: 48z 16x
80- Lilly directs the +S with latitude 5z 00x North which is the lat. of the radical S.
He should have directed +S with latitude 5z 00x South. Within Lilly's data, the arc of
+S with lat. 5z 00x South, directed to <, is 41z 06x; with lat. 5z 00x North: 57z 02x.
41
THE DIRECTIONS TO PARS FORTUNAE <- CONCLUSIONS
The errors are, as usual with Lilly, in the directions of points with
latitude: # 21, 32, 45, 71 & 80. Lilly directed to < the correct Ptolemaic terms.
THE FINAL PAGES
The final pages of the book ( 781-829) are a detailed predictive analysis
for 22 'future' years ( 29th to 50th of native's life). In the analysis Lilly employs
primary directions, solar return and profections in this order. The primaries
seem to be the most important tool for Lilly. In many instances Lilly states that
if the solar return and the profections are of the same character as the current
primary directions- they strengthen them; if of the opposite- they may cancel
the weak primaries or soften the strong primary directions.
In these analyses Lilly used directions to all planets and not only to the
five classical significators ( Asc, MC, A, S and < ).
On the last page (831) Lilly tabulates the Poles and the Oblique
Descensions or Ascensions of J, H, G, F and D. Let us compare their values
with those of the computer:
Planets
LILLY's
Pole OD or OA
COMPUTER CALCULATED
Pole
OD or OA
A
S
D
F
G
H
J
<
40z 00x
183z 51x
39z 23x
183z 59x
40z 00x
74z 16x
40z 49x
82z 47x
41z 00x
183z 05x
38z 59x
184z 35x
39z 00x
182z 57x
37z 54x
186z 15x
51z 00x
149z 02x
51z 18x
151z 59x
52z 00x
295z 03x
51z 32x
293z 41x
08z 00x
35z 57x
08z 36x
35z 38x
48z 00x
165z 30x
47z 49x
165z 55x
Asc.
MC
53z 00x
53z 00x
312z 10x
222z 10x
53z 00x
53z 00x
312z 10x
222z 10x
It seems, only the OD/OA of the Asc., MC , A, J and < have values
close enough to the computer recalculations. Consequently, only the directions
to these significators have a chance to be approximately of the same arcvalues in Lilly as well as according to the computer.
I will analyze only Lilly's calculations for two years, before my final
conclusions and wrap up.
42
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
Table with the Directions to various Significators
for the period 18 Sept. 1644 to 18 Sept 1645 ( Julian calendar )
with the key of Naibod
William Lilly's page 781
Computer recalculation
Hitdate of
Hitdate of
# Promissor
Significator Direction (Julian )
Direction (Julian )
1 108z J D.
=
H
28 Jan 1645
not recomputed
<
21 Feb 1645
10 Jan 1638
2 Zod. Ant S =
3 Zod. CA F =
G
05 Mar 1645
23 Sep 1641
=
J
05 Mar 1645
27 Apr 1645
4 !J S.
5 +H
=
S
24 Mar 1645
14 Feb 1637
6 Zod. CA A =
G
18 Apr 1645
10 Apr 1642
7 Terms D
=
D
12 May 1645
24 Oct 1645
8 108z D S.
=
H
01 Jul 1645
not recomputed
9 Terms G
=
G
25 Jul 1645
27 Jul 1642
10 &J S.
=
G
01 Aug 1645
28 Jul 1642
11 CAScum lat. =
ASC
29 Aug 1645
17 Feb 1646
As expected, most of the directions computed by Lilly deviate a lot
from the computer calculated hitdates.
The most important directions for Lilly are #2 and #5 which are directions
to the hylegiacal points < and S. His interpretation of Zod. Ant. S = < is:
'..much converse and dealing with vulgar people of Lunar condition, and some
profit by Saylors, Widdowes, Gentlewomen....profit by dealing in forraigne
parts...' All of the above is under the symbolism of the S.
The interpretation of +H = S is: '..slight joviall disease by drinking
( +Hfalls in the 6th house and H is in the 12th )...unkindness of acquaintance ( H
rules 11th )...not safe to visit any imprisoned friends ( H in the
12th )...Men represented by H..to be much prejudiciall to the Native this
year..Gentlemen, Clergy, Lawyers..( H as a symbol )'
Zod. CAA = G: '..prejudice in matter of Inheritance or Patrimony ( A
Lord of the 8th ) by means of Kindred or Soldiers ( G Lord of 3rd )'
108z D S. = H, '..delight in Books..to be grave, austere and religiously
inclined..'
In all interpretations, Lilly skillfully combines the meanings of the planets
as symbols and the meaning of the houses they are connected with ( through a
position or a rulership ).
43
for the period 18 Sept. 1646 to 18 Sept 1647 ( Julian calendar )
William Lilly's page 787
Computer recalculation
# Promissor
Significator Hitdate (Julian )
Hitdate (Julian )
1 Zod. CA F =
G
??
23 Sep 1641
2 +J cum lat. =
<
Dec 1646
10 Apr 1655
=
<
Dec 1646
26 Jul 1646
3 % G
=
F
??
22 Sep 1644
4 Terms D
5 @S conv. =
<
??
05 Dec 1647
=
ASC
Apr 1647
20 Jan 1648
6 & D
7 _ S S.
=
<
May 1647
19 Jan 1647
=
F
July 1647
20 Apr 1645
8 @ A
=
MC
Aug 1647
17 Aug 1647
9 Terms D
Directions #2 and #3 are the most important for Lilly.
Discussing +Jcum lat. = <, Lilly writes, '..the Native shall suffer in
his Wealth and Estate ( < ) by ancient Saturnine men or in things as Land,
Rents, annuities ( J )...impoverish..by means of the Dead ( radical < in 8th
)...+J is in Signes fixed which argue..the continuance of the matter...all crumbshouldered or splea-footed signified by J prove enemies...'. For &D= ASC
Lilly says, '...vexed by Mercuriall men...Atturneys, Merchants, Factors, agents
forreigne...' In the beginning of his analysis for the next 1647-1648 year Lilly
writes, ' It's not probable that the malice of the last yeers aspects...will be quite
extinguished...' This brings home that a strong direction was for Lilly not only
an event, but also a period.
THE INTERPRETATION
The interpretation of Lilly follows some simple rules. The Significator
shows 'the matter' or what will be affected by the direction. It is the ' what '
of the direction. On pages 653-654 Lilly explains:
ASC - Life and Body, Affections and Manners of Body and Mind.
S - Journeys, Matrimony, Wife, Women, relatives.
A - Health, Honour, Father, favour of great persons.
MC- Honour, Offices, friendship of Nobility, Kings.Trade, Profession, Mother
< - Riches.
J - Ancestors, Inheritances, Buildings, Possessions, Fears, Jealousies.
H - Glory, Children, Renowne, Riches, Religion, Sobriety.
G - Animosity, Victory, War, Lawsuits, Brethren.
F - Matrimony, Love, Pleasure, rich Ornaments, Maids, Women
D - Wit, Understanding, Trade, Industry, Negotions, Journeys, lesser Brethren.
To the pure symbolism of the significator Lilly adds also its accidental
44
M WILLIAM
LILLY M
meaning through the houses it is connected with.
The promissor shows ' the manner and the quality ' or the nature of the
event as well as the person it will come through. It is the ' how '.
If, for example, you have %D = < then watch out for lawyers ( D )
reaching for your pockets ( < ). If, on the contrary, you have ^F = S then
you may relax in you home ( S ) and expect a visit from a nice creature ( F ).
If Nirvana is what you want, then do not miss your L = ASC.
Lilly inspected the promissor closely. What is it ? In which house and
sign is it ? Is there anything else in the same house or sign ? He also examined
the region around the promissor. Were there other important points, neighbours
of the promissor: aspects, antiscia, terms, planets... Let us say, we are
deciphering the direction ^F = <. According to Lilly, we should see where is
the promissor ^F and also the original promissor which is casting the aspect,
namely F. Assume F is in the 2nd house in 18z16xT and ^F is in the 5th house
in 18z16xO. Let us say F rules the 11th and the 4th houses. We have now a full
description of the accidental determinations of the promissor: 2, 11, 4 and 5.
Lilly would not doubt to say: ' Much favour from Gentlewomen (F)
and friends (11) in respect to immobility and money (<, 4, 2).
Lilly also watched the chronological order of the directions. The
directions came to life in front of his inner eye. One event or succession of
connected events was unfolding in time through several directions coming close
one after the other. If we had %D = < and after couple of months the
^F = S, Lilly would say that ' much relief will come from the vexations of
the Atturneys ( %D ) through a young and beautiful woman ( ^F ), friend of
the native (11th house)..".
Important were also the other points around the promissor. Let us
assume that a well aspected H is close to the point ^F. This will certainly
change things. The region will become brighter. No matter that the direction H
= S may ensue after couple of years, the very presence of H around our
promissor will strengthen the direction of ^F.
And this was the interpretation style not only of Lilly, but of all master
astrologers of the renaissance. Different authors looked for different things,
but the principles were the same: The region around the promissor is important.
A strong direction is an event, but also a period. The directions are internally
connected and influence each other, just like the events in our life. The primary
directions are not only a predictive tool, but they give the key to the way how
our potentiality develops in time, the way the karmic seeds ripen in
interconnection, the way our archetypes, dormant in our psyche, unfold.
45
To illustrate the method, I like to think of the significator as a wayfarer
(technically it stays fixed), as a part of us or as one of our faces traveling
through the celestial sphere. Now it advances through a deep forest inhabited
with ghastly creatures ( if the region is dotted with %J, +G , &: ..),
now it comes to the palace of repose ( a region with F, #H , ^S ..).
THE TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE OF LILLY
It is obvious that the calculations of Lilly contain many errors. You may say
this comes from the times he lived in. I don't think so. I have checked out authors
who have lived a century and more earlier and they were much exacter. So, what are
the shortcomings of Lilly ?
I will readily enumerate
them:
1. Lilly, it turned out, could not cope with the latitudes. Almost every
direction of a point with a latitude is calculated erroneously.
2. Lilly invented a new set of quasi Ptolemaic terms, but was not
consistent employing them.
3. Lilly made a gross error computing the OD of the Moon.
4. Lilly did not explain anywhere the mathematical algorithm he was
following, nor did he gave any example calculations.
From the nature of the errors I concluded that Lilly was more probably
fabulously absent-minded or stressed-out in a haste rather than a bad matematician and a sloppy calculator. Or at least that's what I'd like to believe in!
What is the charm and boldness of Lilly ?
1. Lilly computed hundreds of directions.
2. Lilly gave clear rules and examples for the interpretation..
3. Lilly wrote the final chapters when a plague was in a full swing in London,
'visiting' also his own house, as he stated in the end of the book.
A PERSONAL OPINION
After all these calculations and recalculations, a question arises: What is the
efficiency of the system Lilly used ?! I have checked almost all systems of primary
directions and my preliminary conclusion is that the efficiency of the Regiomontanian
zodiacal directions is low.
It seems, the zodiacal directions
in any system, be it Placidian, be it Regio or else, are not the most efficient.
The directions to the Asc. and MC, Lilly computed, may have some
limited efficiency.
I prefer to work, for now, exclusively with the Placidian mundo directions
that I hold for the most efficient and mind-blowing system of primaries.
For a final conclusion more research is necessary.
46
M
WILLIAM LILLY
M
THE SYSTEM OF LILLY
A WRAP-UP
1. Lilly deemed the primary directions as the most reliable
predictive tool in natal astrology.
2. Employed the primary directions as the most reliable tool for
rectification of the birth time as well.
3. Directed Regiomontanian.
4. Used the Ptolemy key for initial orientation and the Naibod key
for more exact results.
5. Directed only direct ( with the rotation of the celestial sphere ).
To the < he directed points also against the diurnal rotation.
6. Lilly directed:
Planets and their +with a lat. ( mundo )
Planets and their +with zero latitude ( zodiacal )
J
ASC
Antiscia and contra-ant. with a lat. and with lat. = 0
H
MC
Aspects with zero latitude ( zodiacal )
TO A
G
Zodiacal projections of stars
F
S
Regiomontanian housecusps
D
<
Ptolemaic terms
7. Employed also solar return chart and profections. They could
influence the weak primaries.
8. Interpreted, combining the symbolic meanings with the accidental
( house ) determinations of the Significator and the Promissor.
9. A Strong primary direction meant for Lilly an event as well as a
period.
Bibliography
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
' Tabulae Directionum...',
' Tabulae De Primo Mobili...',
' Directiones...',
' Tabulae Primi Mobilis...' ,
' Tabulae Primi Mobilis... '
' Pandosion Sphaericum '
' Operum, Tomus Quintus...',
' Christian Astrology ',
' Primary Directions ',
' Primum Mobile ',
' Primary Directions ' vol. I,
I. Regiomontani,
1551
Lucae Gaurici,
Romae
1557
Lucae Gaurici,
Romae
1557
I. Antoniis Magini,
Venitiis 1604
Andreae Argoli,
Romae
1610
Andreae Argoli,
Patavii
1653
Hieronymi Cardani,
Lugduni 1663
W. Lilly, Regulus Publishing Co., 1985
J. Makransky, Dear Brutus Press, 1988
Placidus , I. for Study of Cycles, 1983
Rumen Kolev,
Zenith
1997
47