Kira's Astrology
Arabic Parts General Information
This is a short introduction along with several useful formulas and an example.
It is neither a primer nor a scholarly treatise on the history. I have also
written a longer article explaining the modern use of Arabic parts, sometimes
referred to as lots, with several examples of how to integrate them with
the methods commonly used by a majority of astrologers. Both articles are
written in a non-technical, straightforward style to benefit a larger reading
audience, including those early in their astrological studies. For an extensive
description of the origins , logic and philosophy of the ancient astrologers,
I refer you to Project Hindsight.
Working with the Arabic parts, more properly called lots, requires adding
a series of simple techniques to whatever methods an astrologer is using
for chart delineation. The result is a more directly colorful and descriptive
symbolic rendering, not requiring any technically challenging study. Actually,
the lots are so easy to include that even a beginning student can add them
to a chart, even before mastering interplanetary aspects. More advanced students
and professional astrologers will, of course, be able to use a wider range
of techniques based on the lots.
They are to be fully integrated into the chart; i.e., read in aspect to all
the planets and asteroids you work with, and in aspect to one another, and
using the same major and minor aspects that you customarily use for your
current tools. I have been using about 15 lots in every natal chart for more
than 20 years and I currently teach workshops explaining their importance,
functionality, meaning, and application.
Several software programs containing Arabic parts are available. Halloran
Software and Astrolabe both have programs; I understand there are others.
Call your favorite astrological software company when you are ready to include
the parts in your charts. Be aware that they may be referred to by either
name, lots or Arabic parts.
Over the years a few written sources of information about the lots have come
to my attention:
Lewellyn's "A to Z Horoscope Maker" was the original source
of many of the formulas I now use. The 1973 edition was a textbook used in
my first class, and additional formulas were given by my teacher. Before
you run out to purchase a copy of this textbook, which is probably still
being updated and reprinted, please be aware that there were a grand total
of two pages devoted to this subject, and some of the formulas were later
found to be in error. They may have been corrected at this date; I do not
know. I think my teacher's name was Jim, he had been a high school math teacher
and taught in a metaphysical bookstore in Concord, CA (does anyone remember
his name? If so, I would appreciate an e-mail
message, especially if you know where he currently is located.)
A terrific book written by Robert Zoller in 1980 is "The Arabic Parts
in Astrology: A lost Key to Prediction". Robert Zoller has worked
extensively with the Arabic parts. This book is not for the early student,
and it is not written in a modern style of English, but it is a goldmine
of beautiful work. It is difficult reading, very interesting, with a great
deal of insightful information. It was temporarily out of print; I understand
it is recently updated. My copy is borrowed from a friend who collects old
astrology books.
Last year Project Hindsight published a book called "Night & Day:
Planetary Sect in Astrology", written by Robert Hand, which contains
helpful and necessary information if you are going to try to calculate the
parts manually, rather than use a program containing that option. How necessary
is it? Well, some lots have different formulas depending on whether the Sun
in the given chart is above or below the horizon.The part of fortune and
the part of spirit will be the most immediately obvious example of changed
placement. As I continue to refine my work with the lots, I have also decided
that the sect-influenced formulas do indeed offer a more accurate placement
of a particular lot.
To incorporate the rules of sect into your chart delineation, while not essential
to using all of the lots, will be extremely helpful to those astrologers
who are comfortable with interpretation. Beginners can slowly integrate this
information, as I assume it will be taught by an increasing number of
astrological instructors. If you are not ready to add the rules of sect to
your knowledge base, absolutely use formulas that take it into consideration.
Follow closely the change of formulas for night or day birth. Also see my
article Comments About Sect.
We are fortunate to have this information based on the translations done
of the ancient texts. For several years I used identical formulas for day
and night births. I won't go into all the problems this caused in prediction
and how it limited my interpretations and understanding of the individual's
natal charts, but this error caused me to ignore the part of fortune. It
made no sense in my family's charts; we all had night births and therefore
I was using the placement for the part of spirit and it has different meanings.
Patricia Foreman's book, "Computers & Astrology", has a
substantial introduction to the Arabic parts with some interesting ideas
about calculating them using solar or lunar ascendants.
Recently I have been experimenting with another dozen parts, besides the
basic 15 or so that I am familiar with.
Formulas and Basic Meanings of Individual Lots
The following list contains the formulas and meanings of the parts I currently
recommend. Just choose a few of the basic ones, and watch the transits of
planets to them. They are interpreted not alone, but in aspect to planets,
asteroids, and other parts. If you are a beginning astrology student, you
can at least look at conjunctions. For those astrologers who are familiar
with progressions, either secondary or solar arc, and solar returns, they
work well used that way, too.
The formulas I currently use do not always agree with all texts. Throughout
history, several different formulas have been suggested for the same lot.
For instance, there are five different formulas for the part of marriage.
This is not the time to go into the history, which Project Hindsight addresses
quite well. In order to decide which formula works for a given lot, I suggest
you experiment with the various formulas until you understand the nuances
or differences between them to decide which one to use in any given condition.
For more information on this subject, check out Arabic
Parts Formula Selection, which again focuses on examples and formulas
rather than history, but I also explain some of the questionable formulas
and my experience with them, and my reasoning for the current choices in
formulas. It was not fun being the only astrologer I knew who used the lots.
Few astrologers have extensive experience with the lots at this time, but
at least I don't get the blank stares anymore.
There are at least two ways to calculate the lots manually. This is the first
one that I learned and it is the one I use when I do not have the computer
handy. The general formula for an Arabic part calculation is A + B - C =
part, and this is most often asc + planet - planet = part. To calculate the
part of marriage, which refers to very close relationships, and one's attitude
toward those at any given time, the formula is as follows: asc + cusp of
7th house - Venus. Assuming an ascendant of 21 degrees and 12 minutes Leo,
+ a 7th cusp of 21 degrees, 12 minutes Aquarius, - 19 degrees and 58 minutes
Sagittarius {Venus}, it would look like this:
5
+11 |
21
21 |
12
12 |
16
-9 |
42
19 |
24
58 |
| 7 |
22 |
26 |
Note that 24 minutes must be changed by one degree to 84 minutes in order
to minus this 58 minutes. The one degree has come from the 42 degrees, which
will then be 41 degrees. If the number representing the sign to be subtracted
from the sum was more than the sum, then add 12 to the sum before subtracting
the last planet. The part of marriage for this individual is 22 degrees and
26 minutes of Libra.
Formulas for most practical Arabic parts, and what they represent:
Note: C means cusp of the stated (number) astrological house;
R means ruling planet of that individual's stated house;
MC is the midheaven of the chart you are working with.
Basic Arabic Parts
| Part |
Formula |
Meaning |
| Part of Astrology |
AS+ME-UR |
describes astrology's place in individual's life, modern formula |
| Part of Discord |
AS+JU-MA |
opinion strongly held; may reflect an area of challenge to beliefs or actions |
| Part of Father |
AS+SU-SA |
additional description of father's qualities; often his actual Sun sign |
| Part of Female Children |
AS+VE-MO |
self-explanatory |
| Part of Health |
AS+MA-SA |
an additional indicator of physical or mental health, neutral |
| Part of Friends |
AS+MO-UR |
self-explanatory, a modern formula |
| Part of Identity |
AS+SA-MO |
if you can say "I am this," you understand how to delineate this part |
| Part of Male Children |
AS+JU-MO |
self-explanatory |
| Part of Marriage |
AS+C7-VE |
very close relationships, including best friends; romances, some marriages,
indicated in "willingness to relate" |
| Part of Mother |
AS+MO-VE |
additional description of mother's qualities; often her actual Sun sign |
| Part of Passion |
AS+MA-SU |
describes intensity of response to life and can sometimes be sexual |
| Part of Plays |
AS+VE-MA |
all types of gambling and risk-taking behavior; has been indicated in wins
by Jupiter transits,often misnamed in other texts |
| Part of Profession |
AS+MO-SA |
additional information about career interests and activities |
| Part of Property |
AS+C2-R2 |
things you own, appliances, personal items, your home; almost anything you
can buy, sell or make |
| Part of Sudden Advancement |
AS+PF(part of fortune)-SA
|
self-explanatory |
| Part of Travel |
AS+C9-R9 |
journeys long or short, by land, air, or sea |
| Part of Vocation |
MC+MO-SU |
work you love to do; your calling or hobby |
|
