The Kündig Sun Key for Directing a Chart

I recently came across a reference to the Kündig method of rectification.  Heinrich Kündig (born 23 April 1909, 9:33 AM, Thalwil, Switzerland) was an astrologer who developed a method of chart rectification based on the idea that a chart should be erected for the moment where there exists a perfect harmony between MC and the planets ruling MC/IC axis.  Apparently this method, which produces ten potential birth times, is popular in Scandinavia and in German-speaking countries but is little used in other parts of the world.  I have experimented a bit with this method and have not been impressed in the small number of charts I tested it against.

On the other hand, in his book Astrologische Prognose, in the chapter Der Wahre Zeitschlüssel (The True Time Key) Kündig discusses a rate (“key”) for directing a natal chart.  The Kündig key produces remarkable results.

In the method of secondary progressions, astrologers equate each day (24 hours) following the birth moment with one year of life. If I understand Kündig correctly, in directing a chart he equates one degree of ecliptic traveled by the Sun after the moment of birth to one year of life.  The twist is that he converts that one degree of ecliptic longitude to Right Ascension and then uses the value in R.A. (in degrees, minutes and seconds) to direct the chart.

To illustrate the use of this key, I tried to think of a dramatic event which should produce notable results.  What came to mind was the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

JFK was born on 29 May 1917 at 3 PM in Brookline, Massachusetts.  He died on 23 November 1963 at the age of 46.48 years (or more precisely 46.48724 years).

To calculate the Kündig Sun Key for directing, we start with the position of his natal Sun:

Kennedy’s Sun was at 7 Gemini 50′ 36″ with a R.A. of 66 deg 04′ 05″.

When the Sun advances exactly one degree of ecliptic longitude, it will be at 8 Gemini 50′ 36″ with a R.A. of 67 deg 7′ 48″.  (This occurs on 30 May 1917 at 21:01:50 GMT.)

These positions can be easily found using the online Sun & Moon Position Calculator.

Thus, when the Sun advances by one degree of ecliptic longitude from its birth position, it advances by 67 deg 07′ 48″ minus 66 deg 04′ 05″ degrees of Right Ascension = 1 deg 03′ 43″ of arc in R.A.

In other words, 01 deg 3′ 43″ of arc in R.A. is the Kündig Sun Key for directing the natal chart.  In decimal form, this key is 1.06194444 degrees of arc.

At the time of Kennedy’s death he was 46.48724 years old.  Multiplying his chronological age by the Sun Key we get 1.06194444 x 46.48724 = 49.36687 degrees of arc, which we must add to every position in his natal chart to produce the directed chart.

Here is JFK’s natal chart with the Kündig Sun Key directed chart superimposed:

JFK Natal Chart with Kündig Sun Key Directed Chart outside at the time of his death.

The outstanding features of this chart are:

Directed Sun conjunct natal Saturn (ruler of the 4th of endings) –  02′ orb.

Directed Saturn square natal Venus (ruler of the 8th of death) –  13′ orb.

Directed MC quincunx natal Uranus (stationary) — sudden shocking events  ( 03′ orb).

Directed Pluto square natal Jupiter in 8th of death ( 24′ orb).

Directed Chiron conjunct natal Mars at cusp of 8th of death ( 21′ orb).

The symbolism of the aspects formed by the directed chart with respect to the natal chart certainly portend risk to the life of the native and attest to the accuracy of the Kündig Sun Key in directing a chart.