Astrology for All Latitudes: A New Topocentric House System

by Alova
2010, to be published in ISAR International Astrologer, Leo 2010 Posted with permission. This article may be printed out for personal, non-commercial use only.

he problem of defining astrological house cusps at polar latitudes is reviewed. A simple solution is proposed. T use system can be used at all latitudes, has house cusps extremely close to Placidus cusps up to 60 latitude, ha sps, and reflects the type of day we experience at polar latitudes.

ernational Astrologer, Sagittarius 2009, An Astrological Dilemma: Polar Latitudes(1) describes what happe to construct horoscopes for latitudes above the Arctic Circles, where most house systems are completely undef where the traditionally-defined Ascendant or Descendant are actually conjunct the Midheaven and there are onl houses in the horoscope. For some period of the day, the traditional Ascendant moves backward through the zo e to do with our house cusps at these times? They work so well at lower latitudes.

olutionand we need one that works astrologically. We should be able to construct astrological charts for an sing a consistent methodnot abruptly switching calculation method when our preferred method breaks down ograms do (without informing you).

took a summer cruise to see the Northern Lights, and you wanted to schedule a celebration at a favorable time consulted you to choose good dates for a dangerous polar expedition? What about researching meteorological station in Alert, Canada? How would you feel being left completely out of Astrology just because of where yo

on to this problem we must either discard the Ascendant or Midheaven as house cusps, or adjust our definition or Midheaven, as explained in previous issues.(1)(3) Since the traditional Ascendant and Midheaven have both duous research on tens of thousands of charts to be coordinated with actual characteristics of real people, it wo discard either one of them completely.

ant is traditionally defined as the intersection of the Eastern side of the Horizon with the Earth-Sun (Ecliptic) p ways in the Ecliptic plane, this definition is based upon the path of the Sun from our viewpoint on Earth. Up t unrise to Sunset corresponds to our diurnal rhythm, getting up in the morning and going to bed at night. This de l because at most latitudes, the Sun does rise and set every day, and so this definition models a 24-hour day, on owever, as pointed out in the above-mentioned articles, at the North Pole it is one full year from one Sunrise t oes not rise or does not set for days, people still get up and retire every day, and this diurnal rhythm should be . The appropriate cycle on which to model a house system is not Sunrise-to-Sunrise (as with most traditional h ut rather one 24-hour day, one spin of the Earth on its axis.

rctic Circles, all degrees of the zodiac rise and set once each day. At higher tropical latitudes, some sections of

ascension and others are of slow ascension, but all degrees do rise and set. (See Fig. 1) The East Point is at s in Fig. 1, pointing out of the page. Notice that if we are at the Equator, the Ascendant (a point along the thick n the time of day) is quite close to the East Point, and if we are at the Arctic Circle, the Ascendant can be very nt. At high latitudes in summer and winter, the Sun rises from Northeast or Southeast, far from due East.

Figure 1 Up to the Arctic Circles, the Horizon Intersects the Entire Ecliptic

tudes, however, some degrees of the zodiac never rise or set. (See Fig. 2.)

Figure 2 Some Sections of the Ecliptic Cannot Rise on Some Days

latitudes, Sunrise to Sunset can actually take up to 6 months. A 24-hour diurnal rhythm does not correspond the Arctics. It is at these times that our astrological horoscopes fail utterly. For this reason, we must change o f the Ascendant in order to solve the problem of constructing horoscopes at all latitudes.

finition must be identical to the old one at lower latitudes, and, at polar latitudes, it must cycle through the zod ke it does at lower latitudes. Our new definition must start with one view (our old formula) and, just like progr es, gradually progress to a new view that makes sense for polar latitudes. The Ascendant should go through the very 24 hours, without skipping, jumping 180, or turning backwards, at all latitudes up to 89 59' 59".

out in a previous International Astrologer article,(4) the intermediate house cusps for Placidus, Koch, and Topo ms are based on both time and space: the Midheaven and Ascendant are defined according to the usual space-g nd the intermediate cusps are determined by dividing the time between certain moments of the Suns motion ab owever, at polar latitudes there are times when the Sun doesnt appear above the Horizon so there are no times acidus, Koch, and several other house systems are actually undefined for polar latitudes.

we start? One house systemand only one house systemhas a method in place to calculate house cusps at d mathematical term corresponding to latitude). This house system, in fact, views the Earth from our position on e same view we use when drawing planets in a (geocentric) horoscope wheel. The cusps of this house system a Placidus cusps at lower latitudes. This house system is the only one that uses the Ascendant and Midheaven, y polar latitudes. It is the Topocentric House System developed by Polich & Page.(3)

he Topocentric House System has not yet been refined to meet our requirements outlined above. It uses the trad endant up to the Arctic Circle, and then there are two versions of what happens next. According to at least one f the Ascendant is equal to the latitude up to 66.56 (the traditional definition), and then turns around and app r atitude(see graph, Fig. 3 below). This means that at the North Pole, the Ascendant would coincide with the Eq close to the East Point, as in the left diagram in Fig. 1).

the Polar Ascendant coincide with the Equatorial Ascendant? They are 90 apart, and one experiences entirel Equator and at the North Pole. In addition, the abrupt change in the graph at 66.56 results in strange changes i from just below to just above the Arctic Circle. It would make more sense for the changes to be gradual and m dual increase and decline of the Sun in Nature.

h and South Poles, the Topocentric Pole of the Ascendant should reflect its extreme, just as its value at the Equ ects its minimum. Since the extreme of what we observe in Nature is at the Poles, the maximum zodiacal range hould also occur at the Poles.

picts a simple modification of the Topocentric House System. Instead of calculating the Ascendant as the inter and Ecliptic at all latitudes (the straight line, which fails), and instead of abruptly changing our definition of th t 66.56 (which also presents problems), we calculate our ascendant according to the Proposed curve. The and is given below. Right at the North and South Poles, 90 geographical latitude, the pole of the Ascendant that, at the North Pole, the Ascendant is defined as the intersection of the Horizon at 66.56N with the Ecliptic

South Pole, and nowhere else, the Pole of the Ascendant is undefined for one instant per day.

modification in the calculation of the Topocentric Ascendant meets our criteria for a house system that works

It is defined for all latitudes, just as a day exists for all latitudes, whether the Sun rises or sets or not, w Horizon intersects the Ecliptic or not, and whether any particular degrees of the zodiac rise that day or

The Ascendant moves from its first view to its new view gradually and monotonically as our latitude in like Nature, and like progressive lenses.

All of the progressive Topocentric house cusps are identical to the previous Topocentric house cusps latitudes up to 43, and extremely close for latitudes up to 60.

In turn, the progressive Topocentric house cusps are extremely close to Placidus house cusps, for wh much hard and even more soft evidence.

The extremes astrologically (some large houses and some small houses) occur at the times and places o extremes in Nature.

Since Topocentric House cusps are calculated based on the Pole of the Ascendant, calculating the inter cusps is quite straightforward, just like before.

essive Topocentric house system, through its simple modification of the pole of the Ascendant, reflects Natur It reflects the fact that there is a 24-hour day in which we arise and retire, with or without sunshine or a well-b -defined Ascendant. It reflects that fact that we see half of the horizon at a time, wherever we are. It reflects th nd setting of the Sun and planets happen more gradually at polar latitudes, and thus we might experience them It reflects the fact that the planets and stars influence us, even if we dont see them above the horizon for a lon e fact that human life indeed exists and thrives in polar regions.

and Kepler 7 programs already have this new progressive Topocentric House System as an option.(6) Here Andrey, Andrea, and Andrei using old and new house systems:(7)

ou may have never heard of the Porphyry House System, your computer program is probably using it for Arct Placidus, Koch, or several others that are undefined at polar latitudes.)

titudes, there is no need to show new research on the validity and utility of this new progressive Topocentri

ause the house cusps are so close to Placidus on which such research has already been done. Here are some com

Dalai Lama (36N)

Princess Diana (53N)

close the house cusps are only a few minutes of arc in most cases. For Princess Diana born at 53N, the ma or the cusp of the 2nd house, is only 1 22'. Ann-Margaret (64N)

argaret, born only 2 from to the Arctic Circle, the new progressive Topocentric Ascendant is quite close t urn, and in close trine to her Midheaven (which is unchanged). Astrologers can quickly recognize that this Asc sense, considering her earthy, voluptuous sensuality. The traditional Ascendant lacks major aspects and place into the 12th house, which is inconsistent with her prominent dancing career focusing on the physical body. H ity and career are very consistent with the new progressive Ascendant conjunct Sun, Venus, and Saturn, sho uding Moon and Jupiter, in the first house.

n born further north in Kiruna, Sweden, Placidus, Koch and others could nstruct a chart that is readable:

ew house system, you can now calculate charts for Arctic latitudes, at all y and year, and see horoscopes that you can actually interpret.

in the results! Try it out, and include a few horoscopes for events in arctic hich you can finally calculate rather than be left empty-handed.

a and technical details are included below so that all astrology programs dd this new house system. The adjustment is so simple that it requires only code for a program that already has Topocentric house system as an option.

t of a house system is natal or event interpretation. We can test and utilize predictive methods only after we ha we can trust because a large number of astrologers find it to consistently yield accurate natal interpretations. A ause it can be used for events anywhere on our beloved Earth.

if you are approached by an oil executive for advice on when and where to drill for oil in Siberia, you can now e!

How to Calculate Topocentric House Cusps

of calculating house cusps for Topocentric house system remains unchanged. The only difference in the new e method is that a new value of the pole of the Ascendant is used. The formula for the proposed modificatio by the Proposed curve on the above graph, is simple and straightforward:

ng table indicates values of L and L from 0 to 90, along with the corresponding Poles of the intermediate To pole is the latitude for calculating the Ascendant using a normal Table of Ascendants (such as Placidus). As u 11th and 3rd houses = arctan (1/3 tan L), and the Pole of 12th and 2nd houses = arctan (2/3 tan L).

e cusps in the Topocentric House System are calculated from a normal Table of Houses by simply finding the at the time listed for the house. For example, for a birth at Sidereal Time 3.0h at latitude 50N, calculate the M ant for 3h, 49.49455N. Then the 11th house cusp is the Ascendant at 23h, 21.316N, the 12th cusp is the Asce N, the 2nd cusp is the Ascendant at 5h, 37.969N, and the 3rd cusp is the Ascendant at 7h, 21.316N. These ca

t at polar latitudes, simply follow the same procedure using the above table (or formulas). For a birth at 3h S.T ollowing values are obtained:

ested: Now that there is a house system that can actually construct charts for polar latitudes, data is needed for nyone who might be able to help gather birth data is graciously invited to contact the author by e-mail listed b Russian would be especially valuable since Murmansk, Russia, should be a good source. Data for people who to answer questions is preferred. Data for birth twins, born anywhere, is also requested.

Note

g a house system for all latitudes that uses the traditional Ascendant and Midheaven, which have been found e cant, is not a simple matter.(6) The Topocentric House System is empirical, its geometrical theory somewhat u empirical proposal does not represent a serious theoretical divergence and may in fact strengthen the fundamen approach if it proves useful. Experiment is the ultimate test. The Topocentric House System works well, is one olar horoscopes are possible, and its empirical success at lower latitudes inspirednay, necessitatedthe pres

the formula proposed for the Topocentric Pole of the Ascendant would also work if the Earth were inclined at e Earths inclination were 10, the Pole of the Ascendant between 70 and 90 would go smoothly from 70 to nclination were 40, the Pole of the Ascendant between 10 and 90 would go smoothly from 10 to 50.

ear predictive techniques in any house system, including the common Solar progression, seem to be useful in s but fail completely in other cases. Transits, on the other hand, are found by both Western and traditional India

o be always involved in the timing of events, even though they are not in themselves sufficient for prediction. astrological or mathematical system were sufficient for prediction, then all events would be pre-determined, an t the case. When a House System is found that work for all latitudes, then and only then can we test predictiv nvolving its house cusps

1. Alova, An Astrological Dilemma: Polar Latitudes, ISAR International Astrologer, Sagittarius 2009, posted on www.astrosoftware.com/PolarDilemma.htm and www.astrowisdom.net/articles/astrologicalpolar-latitudes.htm.

2. Wilhelm, Ivan, Charts in Arctic Regions of the Earth, http://hem.bredband.net/ivawil/program/polar/in This article shows with beautiful 3-dimensional pictures how the Ascendant has to jump 180 twice a d latitudes (during winter and summer) because some sections of the Ecliptic do not intersect the Horizo uses an alternate definition of the Midheaven so that it also jumps 180 at the same time as the Ascend this results in horoscopes with the entire zodiac going clockwise for a portion of the day.

3. Alova, Astro-Geometry, ISAR International Astrologer, Aries 2010, posted on www.astrosoftware.c Geometry.htm and www.astrowisdom.net/articles/astro-geometry.htm.

4. Polich, Wendel & A.P. Nelson Page, The Topocentric System of Houses, Spica, 1964, Vol. 3, No. 3, posted on http://pollux1151.hypermart.net/topocentric.pdf.

5. Balasundaram, B. and A.R. Raichur, Universal Table of Houses, 2nd ed. (1997, Chennai: Krishnamurt Publications).

6. In Sirius 1.1, go to Settings/Other Settings/Astro Settings/Ayanam.Houses and check the box that says Topocentric Houses calculated with Alova correction. In Sirius 1.0 or Kepler 7, first make an emp called Topoalov in your Sirius1 directory, open Sirius, and select the same options as above. The hou name will appear as Alova-Topocentric as in the above wheels. 7. Charts made using Sirius 1.0, www.astrosoftware.com/sirius.htm.

8. Makransky, M J, Primary Directions: A Primer of Calculation (1988, Occidental, California: Dear Bru out of print, available as pdf download from www.dearbrutus.com/books/ Books Primary Directions

res and Tables

the Arctic Circles, the Horizon Intersects the Entire Ecliptic Sections of the Ecliptic Cannot Rise on Some Days h of Previous and Proposed Topocentric Pole of Ascendant vs. Latitude es of Topocentric House Cusps with Proposed Pole of Ascendant ocentric and Placidus House Cusps with Proposed Pole of Ascendant for 3 h, 50N ocentric House Cusps with Proposed Pole of Ascendant for 3h, 70N