The oneiric role of the lunar symbolism

Italian version

Preface

Years ago, I published two articles, grouped here, that examined the possibility of formulating predictions using a progression method derived from the sidereal lunar month. This method employs the key “one day = one month” rather than the classic “one day = one year” of secondary progressions. Tertiary progressions, as they are called, have not gained wide acceptance in the astrological community, and even today, they receive little consideration, despite providing interesting results. The calculation method for these progressions has some complexities, but nothing that a professional astrologer cannot handle. I refer to the past because, in the early 1990s, personal computers had not yet achieved the widespread use they enjoy today, and their potential was still limited. Windows 3.0, designed to replace the MS-DOS prompt, featured a primitive graphical interface, which led many, including myself, to be reluctant to abandon the functional command line. Tertiary progressions require a high level of precision in calculations, often with many digits after the decimal point. To save time and reduce calculation errors, I created a BASIC program at that time to automate the more tedious aspects of the procedure. Today, most astrology programs include the calculation of tertiary progressions, but I have retained the calculation section for those who wish to practice and for historical reasons.

Tertiary Progressions

Published in: Professione Astrologo March 1992

In an upcoming article in “Linguaggio Astrale,” which I reference for technical notes, I have explored a method within predictive systems that focus on directions and progressions. The concept of ‘progressing’ a planet or sensitive point using a symbolic measure of time is certainly not new. However, the recent choice of using a time measurement based on the sidereal lunar month 1 in the so-called tertiary progressions is relatively novel.   

The result of the calculations is a sky chart that reflects the same ascensional relationship between the Sun and the Midheaven that existed at the time of birth 2. This chart illustrates the celestial configuration of a specific day, which is determined by adding the number of days equivalent to the sidereal lunar periods that have passed since birth.

Using an Aspectarian table and the key ‘one day = one tropical month’ 3, the moment at which the aspect between tertiary planets occurs and the conversion of this into real-time is established. Additionally, the aspects between tertiary and natal planets are considered in complement, such as directions taken on the ecliptic.

Some American astrologers proposed a methodological innovation based on the real-time arc. This concept involves dividing a person’s life arc, expressed in days and fractions of a day, by the actual number of lunar months (also measured in days and fractions of a day). This division helps determine the symbolic age of an individual in relation to an event that has already occurred.

In addition to the obvious insights that can be gained retrospectively, this approach also opens up interesting discussions about methods for correcting natal charts. In tertiary progressions, for instance, only the exact aspects are considered. If these aspects align with a significant event, they can confirm or refine the recorded birth time with precision down to a few seconds.

These results clearly rely on assumptions that we do not yet fully understand. While users of the method may express confidence, and even if my small case study yields some interesting findings, I wouldn’t feel comfortable proposing a working hypothesis for immediate use in astrology.

One often tends to apply standardised mental frameworks and interpretative schemes when faced with methodologies that actually require a more nuanced perspective. It is essential to maintain an inherent coherence within the system. For example, some tertiary aspects, while significant in their own right, may not involve easily detectable events. From this, we can hypothesise that either a) the system is fallible, or b) these aspects are potential, waiting to be revealed.

In exploring this final hypothesis, I examined the lunar symbolism inherent in tertiary progressions. This symbolism necessitates an interpretative framework that can transform images, emotions, and forms—still lacking light—into a means of prediction. Consequently, the horizon outlined in the tertiary theme can be seen as a realm of unexpressed matrices of secondary causes that, like water and fertile soil, contribute to the growth of the seed of consciousness.

An indirect confirmation of the oneiric role of the system arises from the observation that if the fulfilment of a tertiary aspect—once translated into real time—occurs during sleep, the event tends to be deferred until the subsequent waking state. Grazia Bordoni rightly pointed out that such “delaying” aspects could help interpret dreams, which may contain, in a nascent form, signs and symbols that are awaiting the activation provided by conscious thought. According to many, tertiary progressions require the overlay of a “catalysing” predictive system, such as secondary progressions based on the sun, which can activate the contours and images suggested by them. Those familiar with Von Klöckler’s work will recognise his insights regarding sidereal lunar revolutions 4. According to him, these revolutions hold interpretative value, particularly when the subject has a noticeable lunar dominance or when receptivity is more pronounced than active contributions, as is the case with tertiary progressions.

Tertiary Progressions in Practice

Published in: Linguaggio Astrale no. 85

Tertiary progressions were first introduced to the astrological community in 1960 by English astrologer Edward Lyndoe. This concept was based on a proposal made in 1951 by German astrologer E.H. Troinsky. The idea behind tertiary progressions involves a new measure of time, where one day is equivalent to one synodic lunar month 5, as opposed to the traditional approach of secondary progressions, which equate one day to one year.

Lyndoe discarded the traditional synodic lunar month of 29.530588 days and instead adopted a symbolic unit of measurement based on the 28-day female menstrual cycle. However, after extensive experimentation, he concluded that achieving better results was possible by using the length of the sidereal lunar month, which is approximately 27.322 days.

To analyse this, he divided the tropical solar year, which is 365.25 days, by the length of the sidereal lunar month (27.322 days). From this calculation, he derived a formula indicating that 13.3683478515 days in the ephemeris are equivalent to one year. Using tables that approximated a value of 13.375, this method led to an increasing deviation over the years. Additionally, Lyndoe did not utilise the correct value for the mean solar period. The exact numerical ratio is 365.24219878125: 27.3215821756 = 13.3682667582 6.

In 1970, American astrologer Garth Allen proposed modifications to address what he saw as significant flaws in Lyndoe’s method, particularly regarding the use of approximate tables. These somewhat complex modifications involved utilising the Besselian year and the resulting advance of sidereal time along the Earth’s equator 7.

The true revolution in this type of progression came with the shift away from calculations based on the average cycles of the Sun, the Moon, and the female menstrual cycle. Instead, it introduced the concept of using the actual lifespan of the individual, expressed in days, hours, minutes, and seconds. By dividing this lifespan by the number of actual lunar months (also counted in days, hours, minutes, and seconds), one can accurately determine the symbolic age of the individual in precise time units.

How to calculate the time elapsed from birth to the occurrence of an event

To begin, we need to convert the birth data to a common denominator of days and fractions of days by using the reference to Julian days (hereinafter referred to as J) 8. For the purposes of this example, we will focus on the data for an individual whose birth time and the time of the event are precisely known.

  1. Birth date: 13 February 1958, 22:15 GMT, 44° N 50′, 11° E 38′. For 1 February, J is 21217 (at 0 GMT, proceeding from 1 January 1900).
  2. Add the number of days that have passed since the beginning of the month; in this case, it is 12 (the first day of the month is included in the calculation): 21217 + 12 = 21229.
  3. Convert the natal time into a decimal fraction of a day. First, if minutes are present, convert them into fractions of an hour: (15: 60 + 22): 24 = 0.9270833333333.
  4. Next, we will add the fraction of a day obtained to the number of J on the day of birth: 21229 + 0.9270833333333 = 21229.92708333.
  5. A similar process is used to convert the date and time of the event into J: 1 February 1991, 09:00 GMT = 33270.375.
  6. By performing a simple subtraction, we obtain the timespan expressed in J between the birth and the moment of the event: 33270.375 – 21229.92708333 = 12040.44791667.

The equation of lunar motion

Supporters of tertiary progressions emphasise the importance of precision in calculations, often requiring accuracy to the second. Therefore, it is not surprising to see a consistent number of digits after the decimal point. This level of precision is crucial because it allows for corrections to the exact minute of the natal time data, especially when progressions confirm an event in the individual’s life. Using accurate natal data enables predictions of future events with the same level of precision.

Since this method is based on lunar returns, it seems appropriate to enhance the calculations by incorporating the equations of motion and lunar velocity. These would account for the accelerations and decelerations of Earth’s satellite. However, to avoid making this exposition too complex, I will leave this task to interested readers, who can benefit from consulting the work of Von Klöckler 9. In this example, only the longitude of the natal Moon has been corrected, and the difference between the correct and incorrect data in the final result was minimal.

Calculating the lunar return

Dates are formatted as day/month/year (DD/MM/YYYY)

We need to calculate the lunar returns that precede and follow the chosen event. For example, the lunar return that follows the event occurs between the lunar positions of February 10 and 11, 1991, at 0:00 GMT.

Lunar longitude at 10/02/1991267° 53’ 26”
Lunar longitude at 11/02/1991279° 54’ 47”
Lunar longitude at birth270° 42’ 46”

To find the return time:

This describes the fraction of a day it takes for the Moon to return to its original position. As an alternative to this calculation, you can use the equivalence S : 24h = St : t, where t is the time it takes for the Moon to travel a certain distance. Here, S represents the Moon’s movement in 24 hours, and St denotes the distance travelled in time t. From this relationship, you can calculate t using the formula t = (24h × St) / S.

On 10 February 1991, at 0 GMT, the value of J is 33279. We need to add the fraction of a day that indicates the exact moment of the lunar return. From the result obtained, 33279.237713, we then subtract the value of J at birth, which gives us the time between birth and the subsequent lunar return: 33279.237713 – 21229.92708333 = 12049.310629. By dividing this figure by 27.321, the length of the sidereal lunar month, we can find out how many lunar returns have occurred since birth. The lunar return on 10 February 1991 was the 441st return.

Now, we need to repeat the same procedure for lunar return number 440. According to the ephemeris, this event occurred on 13 January 1991:

Lunar longitude at 13/01/1991259° 37’ 57”
Lunar longitude at 14/01/1991271° 28’ 26”
Lunar longitude at birth270° 42’ 46”

The value that we need to add to J for the date 13/01/91 is calculated as follows:

33251 + 0,93572643746= 33251,935726

This represents the value of J for the lunar return that precedes the event (no. 440).

Now, the next step is to calculate the portion of the lunar return leading up to the time of the event in question.

to which we add the moment of birth in J:

21229,92708333 + 0,67538212514 = 21230,588434

along with the number of lunar returns:

21230,588434 + 440 = 21670,602465

This is the result in J of the tertiary progression for the time of the event, which occurred on 30 April 1959, at 14:27:33 GMT, with the graph based on the coordinates of the location where the event took place.

Considerations on the use of tertiary progressions

The use of tertiary progressions in correcting natal times certainly does not limit the potential of the system; instead, it encourages the exploration of new and refined areas of investigation, all made possible by the rediscovered reliability of the horary element. Many American authors discussed in this consultation tend to employ a sophisticated approach to the concept of time, exploring various corrective methods and showcasing this intention through meticulous calculations, often expressed in decimals that obscure the traditional orbits of planetary influence. However, whether one agrees or disagrees, we must acknowledge their pioneering impact, which serves as a crucial impetus for advancing the field of astrology. A critical viewpoint, like that of Gouchon 10, who criticises the spread of systems lacking statistical validation, may be less valuable when those same systems—analysed from a symbolic standpoint—yield interesting insights.

When it comes to the methodological use of tertiary progressions, there is a consensus that tertiary charts should be created by maintaining the same ascensional relationship that existed at birth between the Sun and the Midheaven (MC). In other words, the same (local) birth time should be used, corrected with the equation of time 11, similar to how a daily horoscope is calculated.

To compile these charts, it is necessary to determine how many lunar periods fit within the timespan from birth to a specific moment. After identifying the number of periods, you can add this to the natal data and then create a chart in the format of a daily horoscope for the resulting date.

If you wish to explore the aspects between tertiary planets, using an Aspectarian, along with the principle that one day equates to one tropical month, can help identify when an aspect becomes active in real time. However, it is essential to remain within the scope of the tertiary chart. Alternatively, the aspects that gradually form between tertiary and natal planets can be interpreted as directions plotted on the ecliptic.

Defining a hierarchy of interpretative elements can be challenging because it is often difficult to determine how much of what appears significant is genuinely random. In fact, promoting a method that claims a deviation of no more than one hour inherently requires one to limit the influence of certain aspects drastically and to dismiss approximations. According to some authors, the tertiary aspects that develop during sleep are only revealed during the following period of wakefulness. This idea becomes plausible when we consider these tertiary aspects as indicators of potential that is yet to be explored. Only the circumstances highlighted by other forecasting systems—used as a supplementary tool—or the understanding that comes from their knowledge can turn these potentials into actions or events. It may sound like a convenient assertion, but it is intriguing to think that a system rooted in the changing phases of the moon is essentially just a collection of archived images awaiting the illumination of consciousness to bring them to life.

It is preferable to choose a classification that considers minor aspects and parallels of latitude rather than relying solely on planetary positions in the houses. The so-called “swarms,” which are tertiary configurations that develop collectively over 24 hours, enhance the likelihood of an event occurring, even if other methods do not provide indications.

Making a judgment without supporting experience is challenging, and the few cases I have examined lack both systematic and statistical perspectives. However, it is essential to highlight that tertiary progressions represent an effort—albeit a complex one—to refine the field of event forecasting, which could be seen as a hint of minimalist astrology. Moreover, they possess the undeniable appeal of progressive methods, encapsulating a qualitative contraction of time that shifts from a historical context to a symbolic one. This unfolding process generates a series of resonances, suggesting that actions can hold meanings that extend beyond their apparent transience, almost as if to convey that life can be experienced in a single moment.

  1. The sidereal lunar month is the duration it takes for the Moon to return to the same position relative to the fixed stars. This period lasts for 27.321 days. ↩︎
  2. That is to say: The distance in longitude between the Sun and the MC is the same as in the birth horoscope. ↩︎
  3. The tropical lunar month can serve as an alternative to the sidereal month in calculations. It accounts for the precession of the equinoxes, which means that the Moon returns to the same position in the sky about six seconds sooner than it does in the sidereal month. While the difference in calculations is quite minimal, those who prioritise precision may find it beneficial to use the tropical lunar month as a reference. ↩︎
  4. H. Freiherr Von Klöckler – Corso di Astrologia v. 1 – Rome 1979, p. 135 ff.4 ↩︎
  5. The synodic lunar month is the interval between two syzygies, averaging 29.531 days. However, this duration varies due to perturbations in the lunar orbit. ↩︎
  6. The mistaken assumption that the tropical year is approximately 365.25 days leads to an excess of 0.0078 days (11 minutes and 14 seconds), resulting in one extra day every 128 years. ↩︎
  7. The Besselian year is used to define the moment when the solar tropical year is considered to begin according to civil computation. It is customarily defined as starting when the right ascension of the mean Sun reaches exactly 18 hours and 40 minutes, which corresponds to a longitude of 280°. This moment occurs close to the beginning of the civil year. The Besselian year is named after the German astronomer Friedrich Bessel, who first introduced it into astronomical practice. This year is used for calculations related to celestial bodies, taking into account factors such as precession. For civil computations, the Besselian year is nearly identical to the tropical year. ↩︎
  8. The Julian Days were conceived by Giuseppe Scaligero, an Italian humanist known for his work in ancient chronology. He named this system in honour of his father, Julius Caesar. The Julian Days are based on a 28-year solar cycle, after which calendar dates realign with the days of the week. They also take into account a 19-year lunar cycle and a 15-year indiction cycle, which the ancient Romans used to manage tax payments. The three cycles realign every 7980 years. ↩︎
  9. H. Freiherr Von Klöckler – Corso di Astrologia v. 1 – Rome 1979, p. 138 ff. ↩︎
  10. Henry Gouchon – Dizionario di Astrologia – Milan 1980, under the heading: Direzioni Terziarie. ↩︎
  11. See H. Freiherr Von Klöckler – Corso di Astrologia v. 1 – Rome 1979, pp. 141 ff. ↩︎

Leave a Reply