Fast and Easy Primary Directions

Primary directions are one of the oldest predictive techniques in Western astrology.  Although they were widely used in classical and traditional astrology, they fell out of popularity in modern times because they were considered rather difficult to calculate in comparison with the more recent secondary progressions (introduced in the 17th century).  Modern software programs have now made primaries more accessible and they are regaining popularity.

The fact that modern computer programs often have a “chart animate” feature allows the user a quick and easy way to visualize how the directed chart will appear as the client ages.  The rule of thumb in primary directions is that each degree on the Equator (measured in Right Ascension) that crosses the MC equals one year of life.  Because it takes almost 4 minutes for one equatorial degree to pass over the MC, each 4 minutes added to the birth time advances the chart by about one year of life in the system of primary directions.

[A technical note: more precisely, one degree of Right Ascension equals 3 minutes and 59.34 seconds.  This figure is arrived at by dividing the length of the sidereal day (23.934444 hours) by the number of degrees in a circle (360 degrees).  If you want to use the more precise figure, you multiply your current age by 3 min 59.34 secs [3.989074 minutes] and add that result to the birth time to calculate the primary directed chart for your current age.]

An example will make this procedure clear.  Let’s consider the chart of actress Shirley Temple.  Her birth data, rated AA, from astro.com is

23 April 1928 at 21:00 (= 9:00 PM )


Place
Santa Monica, California, 34n01, 118w29


Timezone
PST h8w (is standard time)

Here is her natal chart:

[image error]

Now let’s consider a major health crisis.  In November of 1972 at the age of 44.54 years she was treated for breast cancer with a radical mastectomy.  The possibility of surgery for breast cancer is indicated in the “natal promise” of her chart in that she has Pluto in Cancer (breasts) in the 8th (life-threatening experiences) in close square to 6th house ruler Venus in her fall in Aries.   One might expect that when Pluto is activated by primary direction, that is, when Pluto arrives at the western horizon by primary motion, this natal promise might manifest.

To direct her chart at a rate of one degree of R.A. over the MC equals one year of life, we can multiply 4 minutes for year year of life by 44.54 years, which give the result 178.16 minutes.  If we use the more precise figure, we multiply 3.98907 minutes times 44.54 years, which gives a result of 177.673 minutes to be added to the birth time.

Her birth certificate says she was born at 9:00 PM.  To this time we add 177.673 minutes (which is 2 hours and 57 minutes and 41 seconds, so the the “primary directed birth time” for age 44.54 years becomes 11:57:41 PM.  Here is the chart set for this adjusted birth time:

[image error]

The above chart is basically the natal chart advanced by primary direction to age 44.54 when she had her breast surgery.  Pluto, which occupies the Cancer 8th house, is now on the Descendant and has just recently opposed the directed Ascendant, which lies in the Venus bound of Capricorn at 15 Cap 26.  Hence, by the method of distributions, the divisor for this period of her life is a fallen Venus in Aries, and its participating planet is Pluto which lies in opposition.  The symbolism fits perfectly with the natal promise of surgery for breast cancer, and the timing by primary direction is extremely close to the date of the surgery.