Regiomontanus and Placidean under the pole directions

In the latest post (( http://heavenastrolabe.net/semiarc-and-alchabitius-directions/ )) we saw as semiarc (or alchabitius, which is another way to collect numbers) fits very well with Ptolemy’s example given in Tetrabiblos III, 10 (( Ptolemy. Tetrabiblos. Translation Frank Robbins. Cambridge  Mass.  ;London: Harvard University Press ; W. Heinemann, 1980. I’ve used the Italian translation cura Prof. Giuseppe Bezza, unpublished )) . But what about Regiomontanus and “under the pole” directions? Are they different methods?  Are they congruent to Ptolemy?

Calculating rapt parallels, Placido method

A rapt parallel is the aspect between two points –  both rapt by the motion of the Primum Mobile, when they have the same distance from the meridian,  which is proportional to their semi-arcs. Differently from the mundane parallel, where one point is fixed on the natal position, and the other moves, here both are directed. (( Martin Gansten, Primary directions: astrology’s old master Technique (The Wessex Astrologer, 2009 especially page  92).  ))

A short guide to Ptolemaic primary directions

Reading here and there I see that primary directions are seen as very difficult and occult. It is not like that.

Ideas which are behind are very easy to grasp, and modern software can do all the calculation for us: on the other hand people who have learned them generally use them as a way to show how clever and expert they are.

Placidus and the Part of Fortune

As many of us know, Placido Titi did use his own calculation of Part of Fortune, which he took from Adriano Negusanzio “nobleman from Fano, very expert both in the astrological doctrine according the true doctrine of Ptolemy, and in natural science and in the other secrets of nature… “

In his Canon de Parte Fortunae, Placido explains which is the true method and gives an example, showing the goodness of the method with the help of directions.

Which is the true moment of birth: Placidus and animodar

As we saw in these days with Obama’s oath(s) – the first problem for an astrologer is determining the true  moment of birth, whatever event we are talking about.

Placidus writes some interesting considerations in his Coelestis Philosophia (1650):