This course explores Primary Directions, a powerful predictive technique that was part of the essential prognostic toolbox of Hellenistic, Medieval, and Renaissance astrologers.
In the 24 hours after birth the Earth makes a complete rotation on its axis, causing the sky to appear to rotate around the Earth from east to west and bringing the positions of natal planets over the positions held by other natal planets and points in the birth chart. Such alignments are called primary directions, and they are considered symbolically to represent important manifestations of the natal promise. The use of directions is found in the texts of Dorotheus, Ptolemy, Masha’allah, Abu Ma’Shar, al-Qabisi, Bonatti, Lilly, Morinus, and even Alan Leo early in the 20th century.
Designed for students without sophisticated mathematical backgrounds, this course provides clear instruction about the history, conceptual foundations, and practical use of primary directions as a prognostic technique.
Required reading includes Martin Gansten’s book, Primary Directions: Astrology's Old Master Technique. Also recommended is Gansten's more recent book, Annual Predictive Techniques. After completing this course, students will understand the underlying astronomy and conceptual basis of primary directions and how to integrate this classical technique into their practice, along with other prognostic methods.
This is an intermediate level course and assumes a foundational knowledge of planets, signs, houses, aspects, and essential dignities.
- Teacher: Anthony Louis