Introduction

Accuracy in Prediction: Using Solar Arcs and Midpoint Pictures

by Noel Tyl

The prediction technique of solar arcs is resourceful and powerful. It is based on concepts of primary directions formulated by Ptolemy early in the second century, but this technique, refined over centuries, is much simpler. The system of solar arcs takes prediction potentials well beyond the main limitation of secondary progressions, i.e., the minimal progressed movement of the planets beyond Mars.

The Principle of Solar Arcs

There are two principles in solar arc interpretation. The first is to personalize the general degree-for-a-year (i.e., day-for-a-year) symbolism that is the backbone of secondary progressions (and which intrigued European astrologers for hundreds of years, especially since the late sixteenth century). The second is to use that symbolism throughout the entire natal horoscope.

The ultimate refinement of the system as we know it today uses the exact arc of the Sun from the birth position to the secondary progressed position in the birthday month of any given year of life and applies it to every planet, the ascendant, Midheaven, and lunar nodal axis in the birth horoscope. A new, thoroughly dynamic progressed horoscope is created!

The Exact, Personalized Solar Arc

Using the secondary progressed Sun position as the benchmark focus for a symbolic projection into the future allows this prediction system to capture and use the individual's actual rate of natal Sun motion, as opposed to using a one-degree projection or an average (Naibod) for all horoscopes regardless of whether the natal Sun's motion is in fact fast (a winter birth) or slow (a summer birth).

The "magic" of the system takes place when this exact, personalized solar arc increment is added to the position of every natal significators; the natal horoscope is uniformly progressed in terms of the symbolically developing Sun, and new, telling aspects are formed between the solar arc positions and the natal positions (the planets and the angles).

What the Computer Program Does

The computer does all the computations, of course, but the Matrix Solar Arc Prediction Package also annotates every direct solar arc (solar arc planet in relation to natal angle or other planet or solar arc angle to natal angle) and every midpoint picture occurring in any horoscope at any time in the past or future!

The measurements are made precisely, and a text-image of what the arc-picture suggests is presented in the printout. It is as easy as reading the newspaper to see, literally, years at a glance, punctuated by the arcs of major change and the behavioral nuance before and after. So quickly, the power of solar arcs is personalized and translated into modern behavioral potentials.

The computer program gives a monthly reference for all relevant predictive arcs.

The Square-Family Aspects

Solar arc theory only uses aspects within the square family: the conjunction, semi square, square, Sesquiquadrate, and opposition. The theory is that squares (and all related aspects) "make things happen" while other aspects keep things as they are. The relationship of solar arc planets to natal planets and angles is not necessarily defined in terms of the quality of aspect (although conjunction, opposition, and square seem stronger than semi square and Sesquiquadrate); it is the contact that is important, and this contact is expressed in terms of a simple equation. For example: SA ¨=¥. This particular equation means that solar arc Uranus forms a square-family aspect with natal Mars, which suggests the sudden application of great energy, the exercising of dominant will; a disruption through feud or combat; an accident. The interpretation has to be adjusted to fit the individual's reality situation at the time of the occurrence.

Solar arc theory also extends to solar arc aspects with midpoints between planets; 858 are possible! For example: SA §=¤/À, which means that solar arc Saturn is conjunct, semi square, square, Sesquiquadrate, or opposed the natal Venus-Pluto midpoint (whatever the distance between those planets may be). This aspect suggests the fear of losing love, and during the month of the occurrence there is a sense of the tragedy that is possible.

Another example: SA £=¦/©. This is solar arc Mercury forming a square-family aspect with the midpoint of Jupiter and Neptune in the natal chart, which suggests an active imagination, learning to communicate fancifully; visualization; changing character; inspiration.

Direct Solar Arcs dominate; the "heavier" planetary equations are the more significant; and all solar arc projections must be framed within the individual's reality situation and potentials.

Arc, Transits, and "Time Orbs"

Arcs become background blueprints of developmental growth. Transits then become the accents that "set off" the potentials of the developing horoscope at any given period of time. For example, transits of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto define large periods of time, focused on particular concerns suggested by their slow passage through any given house. When an aspect "connection" is made with natal planets in the given house or elsewhere, the structure of life is affected in terms of that given house and the house ruled by the transiting planet.

These effects synchronize with solar arc development, often amazingly. There may be four or more solar arc "pictures" coming into focus within a four-month span of life time, and two major transits click into the sequence, timing and specifying the potential occurrence or reaction in life.

Margaret Thatcher, for example, had SA §=¬ in June 1990, certainly a signal for career attention during that period. Then, five months later: SA ¥=À/­, upset and change; and then, in January 1991: SA §=¢, certainly suggesting a major professional change and tension with one's "place in the Sun."

These very strong background solar arcs cast a Time Orb over a period of some seven months. Transiting Pluto became the slow trigger, stationary on Thatcher's ascendant for a month in July 1990 at the beginning of the solar arc Time Orb period. Other transits started to come into play; the die was cast; reality was alerted to the potential for change; Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister of England; history continued. Solar arcs and transits had measured the entire process eloquently and, indeed, also gave testimony of Thatcher's future beyond her resignation. Arcs never stop forming!

Getting the "Feel" for Solar Arcs

Let's say you have a strong planet in a cadent house (12th, 3rd, 6th, or 9th), heading for an angle (counterclockwise, of course). Count the degree-distance that planet has to go to cross that next angle. As a generalization, let the number of degrees be "years" of your life and take into account in a general way the number of minutes of distance, with five minutes of arc equaling one month of time. Think of what occurred in your life at that time of angle-conjunction and relate it to the nature of the arcing planet, the angle, and the house ruled by the arcing planet.

If you were very young, still living through your parents' lives, perhaps there were important changes in family life due to changes in their lives, or nothing at all. If you were out on your own, you should be able to zero in on major developments in your process of becoming.

The Outer Planets Arcing

Pluto arcing to conjunction with an angle will be most powerful: a tremendous adjustment of life perspective. Neptune arcs to angles will often correspond with a loss of ego definition, impressionability, and wandering off the track. With Uranus, sudden fractious change; with Saturn, a maturation through change under pressure for strategic growth.

At the midheaven, a job can be at issue or, for a youngster, certainly something that affects the family through one of the parents. At the seventh cusp, relationships take on dramatic emphasis for adults or, again for the young, through the parents' jobs, since the seventh cusp is the midheaven of the parent in the 10th house. At the fourth cusp, there is undeniably a whole new beginning. At the ascendant, there usually is a personal challenge to stand up and be counted in some way that undeniably touches the rest of life.

Planet-to-Planet Arcs

A second projection possibility is to advance any planet into a powerful new relationship with a natal planet, again counting the degrees/minutes of distance and calling them years, as a general time approximation. For example, Sun arcing to conjunction with Venus or Venus arcing to conjunction with the Sun: If this arc occurred in early adult years, it usually corresponds to a time of romance, marriage, or a birth. The square, opposition, or conjunction between solar arc Pluto and natal Saturn, or solar arc Saturn to natal Pluto, usually marks a period of painful loss, of losing prior to renewal (a most difficult time). The house ruled by the arcing planet most often fills out the interpretation.

Summer and Winter Births

When using the degree-for-a-year generalization, summer births will require (over a span of about 30 years of life) about one more year of life to complete the arc symbolism than the number of degrees measured to form the solar arc aspect. Winter births will be right on the money!

But don't be concerned with these technicalities: The Matrix Solar Arc Prediction Package takes care of the measurements. Then, working with Tyl's images, you can take your clients into the future!

About Noel Tyl's Book

Prediction in Astrology has been called "the most complete presentation of solar arc theory and practice ever written in English." It can be purchased from Llewellyn Publications by calling 1-800-THE MOON.

Solar arcs are taught extensively in Europe. This predictive method has not had full exposure by any means in the United States. Noel Tyl, the prominent American astrologer, has been deeply involved with astrological teaching on both continents for some 20 years and, in his latest book, Prediction in Astrology (Llewellyn Publications), he has provided astrologers the most complete presentation of solar arc theory and practice ever written in English.

Tyl's book and his lectures show how simple and yet how dramatic solar arcs are, and Tyl shows how interpretations are derived. Basically, the sense of the planets brought together in square-family aspects by solar arc projection is the same as those same planets making aspects with each other by transit. Within midpoint pictures, of course, the synthesis involves three points of reference. While there are many nuances in such dynamic interaction, the relationships are ever so clear in interpretation. Full details of the entire subject of solar arcs are presented in Tyl's Prediction in Astrology, and his interpretive images for all possible solar arcs (based on the formative work with solar arcs done some 50 years ago by Rheinhold Ebertin) are presented in the Matrix Solar Arc Prediction Package.

In this day and age, in any astrological interpretive or systemic discussion, we must always acknowledge the computer, what it can do accurately, time after time after time: it gives results. The rest of the job is up to the astrologer. The Matrix Solar Arc Prediction Package takes Noel Tyl's interpretive work and presents the results to you for your study and application. The interpretations will be instantly clear to you; the words used in the interpretive images are modern and to the point, backed up by Tyl's vast experience; and the power of solar arcs as a predictive technique is yours at the press of a button!

2008 Jan 04         No Opp Mo/Me              Sharing thoughts with others; making contacts.

2008 Jan 11         Ve Sqr Me/Ju                 Idealized thinking; appreciation of one's world; thoughts and plans for romance; a lovely vacation.

2008 Feb 01         Mc Opp Ur/Ne               Supernatural concerns come into play; guidance is sought from other realms or never before tapped sources.

2008 Feb 03         Ve Ssq Su/As                  Affections; love of others; peace.

2008 Feb 12         Ma Sqr Ur/No                Tremendous energy and tension; having an axe to grind and gaining support.

2008 Feb 26         Sa Sqq Mo/No                Working hard with others; sometimes having then to "go it alone."

2008 Mar 05        Mc Ssq Me                      Having one's point of view clarified or recognized.

2008 Apr 03        Me Sqq Sa/Ur                 Demands on nervous energy; decisions to be made about doing things a new way; necessary stages of rethinking.

2008 Apr 07        Ma Sqr Mc                     Ego awareness; action; fire; change of status.

2008 Apr 07        No Sqq Su/Me                New social contacts; sales presentations; meetings.

2008 May 10       Ur Ssq Pl/No                   Intense need for recognition publicity; crush the opposition.

2008 May 30       Sa Sqr Su/No                  Reserve in relationships; maturation; patience with others.

2008 Jun 13         No Sqq Mo/Mc               Professional contacts.

2008 Jun 20         Ve Sqq Ju/Mc                 Success; reward; artistic appreciation and achievement; happiness; love relationship; engagement; marriage; birth.

2008 Jul 09          Su Sqr Ma/Ju                 Success; organizational talent; leadership.

2008 Jul 18          Su Sqq Mo                      Male and Female; illuminated achievements, needs, and sensitivities; highlighted relationships, seeing the light.

2008 Aug 08        Ma Sqr Ve/Ne                Sexual drive has difficulty being fulfilled; there is magnetic attractiveness but trouble settling down; easy self-delusion.

2008 Aug 29        Ve Cnj Me/Pl                  Artistic communication power; advertising; promotions of any kind; "up front" sexual expression.

2008 Sep 06         Mc Cnj Ve/Sa                 Feeling unimportant; never successful enough.

2008 Sep 15         No Opp Su/Mc               Forming relationships.

2008 Oct 04         Ju Ssq Mo/Ma                Principles; justified actions.

2008 Nov 27        Mc Sqq Ur/No                Teamwork paying off; professional recognition.

2008 Dec 19        Me Sqr Ur/Ne                 Aware of the metaphysical; the mind plays tricks; high curiosity; perhaps needing a reorientation to common sense.

2009 Jan 05         Ju Cnj Su/Ma                 Optimism; expansive energy application; success.

2009 Jan 12         Mo Cnj Ma/Ju                Opinionating; emotional, "gut" feelings guide action; pride.

2009 Feb 06         Ve Sqq Pl/Mc                 Attractiveness; emotional charisma; appearing sexy.

2009 Feb 25         Su Cnj Ma/Pl                  Hard work; passionate attack to achieve an objective; accident potential; intervention of some undeniable force or authority; upset of plans that is unredeemable.

2009 Mar 02        Ne Ssq Sa/No                  Confusion in one's environment; confusing others about one's personal stand; deception; fraud; lies.

2009 Apr 02        Pl Sqr Ur/As                   Force; commanding success.

2009 May 20       Ma Sqr Mo/Ju                Enthusiasm; get-up-and-go; making success happen.

2009 May 24       Mc Sqq Ve/Ne                Losing oneself in illusion; profiting through artistic endeavors, creativity.

2009 Jun 04         Ma Ssq Ve/No                Making sexy contact with someone; making an important romantic date.

2009 Jun 07         Ne Sqq Ma/As                Magnetism, charisma; out of the mainstream; others may not understand; withdrawal as an option.

2009 Jul 25          Me Sqr Ve/Sa                 Thinking about ways to feel fulfilled, to improve relationship, to feel wanted; preoccupation; searching for the ideal.

2009 Jul 28          Mo Ssq Su                       Sensitivity to need-fulfillment; seeing the light; female influence.

2009 Aug 22        Ma Ssq Su/Ju                 Successful application of willpower; zeal; enthusiasm that "catches on."

2009 Aug 26        Ne Sqr Mo/Me                An active imagination; reverie; hyper sentience; falsehood.

2009 Aug 31        Mo Sqr Ma/Pl                 Daring; taking a chance; playing the powerful hunch; self-belief; publicity.

2009 Oct 15         Me Ssq Ur/No                 Excited thoughts shared with others; impetuousness.

2009 Nov 07        Mc Cnj Ma                     Recognition; responsibility grows; change of status.

2009 Nov 28        Ne Sqq Su/Me                Fantasy; imagination; spiritual wondering; possible deception by others; something undermining the perceived reality.

2009 Dec 06        Pl Sqq Ma/Sa                  The need to take control; forcing an issue; strong anger.

2009 Dec 10        Me Sqq Mc                     Following one's way of thinking to the hilt; changes as a result.

2010 Jan 02         Ur Ssq Mo/Sa                 Reaching for emotional freedom; exploding out of frustration.

2010  Jan 11        As Sqq Su/Sa                  Being misunderstood; possible threat to health.

2010 Jan 28         Ce Sqr Ju                       

2010 Feb 04         Pa Sqq No/As                

2010 Feb 17         Ju Sqr Sa/No                  The generation gap; rebellion; freeing oneself from stress.

2010 Feb 25         Mo Ssq Me/No                Sharing emotional thoughts with others.

2010 Feb 26         Ch Sqr Sa                      

2010 Mar 05        Ne Sqq Su/As                 High sensitivity about others' opinions; being duped; being disregarded.

2010 Mar 24        Sa Cnj Ma                      Putting a damper on things; ups and downs; indecision; failing.

2010 Mar 24        Ju Ssq Su/Me                  Optimism; broadening one's horizon; successful travel, speechmaking, publishing; uplifting thoughts about religion.

2010 Apr 27        As Opp Ve/Ne                Possibly a libertine image; reveling in love ideals.

2010 May 05       No Cnj Sa/Pl                   Suffering shared with others.

2010 May 28       Mc Sqr Su/Ur                 Major events in support of big plans; hopeful triumph for the ego.

2010 May 31       Ju Sqq Ne/Pl                   In love with love, with life; feeling at one with the way things should be; a "thank God" position; possibly religiousness.

2010 Jun 13         No Sqq Me/Ve                Sociability; relationship to the arts.

2010 Jun 19         Sa Sqr Ju/Ne                  Breakdown of idealization; pessimism; possible self-delusion.

2010 Jul 15          Ne Ssq Sa/Pl                   Being doubted; not being seen for who one is; unstable life situation because of the inexplicable, because of fear.

2010 Jul 22          Pa Sqr Me/Pl                 

2010 Jul 26          Pa Sqr Mo/Ma               

2010 Aug 03        Me Ssq Sa/As                  Others influencing how one thinks; wanting to be alone, to get away from it all.

2010 Aug 22        Jn Ssq Ve                       

2010 Aug 22        Ne Sqr Me/Ve                 Fantasy; seeing through a special dimension; spiritual thoughts; deluding oneself about reality.

2010 Aug 27        Ch Cnj Ma/As               

2010 Aug 30        Mo Cnj Ne                      The awakening of aesthetics, special sensitivities, or the spirit.

2010 Sep 09         As Ssq Me/Ur                 Accident prone through fast action or recklessness.

2010 Sep 19         Mc Sqq Ju/Pl                  Hard working attainment of power position.

2010 Sep 21         Ur Ssq Ne/As                  Hoping for luck; someday one's ship comes in.

2010 Sep 21         Ch Sqq Mo/Ur              

2010  Oct 01        Ma Ssq Ve/Ur                 Strong excitability in love; creative activity.

2010 Oct 14         Pa Sqr Sa/Ne                 

2010 Oct 21         Ur Sqr Mo/Su                 Intensification of independence within relationship; sudden developments; possible breakup.

2010 Oct 25         Ve Sqr Ma/Mc                Social desires; sexual desires; romance on the job; self-promotion.