METHOD & SOURCES

Statement of method, scope, and provenance.

The "1,000 Pages" Receipt

On the About page, I mention that I researched 1,000+ pages of source texts to understand the algorithm of traditional astrology. This page is the proof of work. These are the specific texts, translations, and papers I fed into the development process to ensure the code was accurate.

Executive Summary

We use ancient astrological techniques from Greek, Persian, and Medieval sources—not modern psychological interpretations. Our system follows explicit rules traced back to classical texts like Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos and Vettius Valens' Anthology, rather than vague intuition. Every interpretation can be traced to a specific historical source.

WHY THIS APPROACH

This engine is a rule‑based system for traditional astrology. It treats astrological judgment as a structured, auditable process: defined inputs, explicit rules, and reproducible outputs. The objective is consistency and traceability, not personal projection.

This project prioritizes pre‑modern sources (Hellenistic, Persian, Medieval, and Renaissance) and encodes their logic as deterministic rules. Modern material is used only when it clarifies transmission history or validates a technical mechanism already present in classical sources.

HOW THE ENGINE WORKS

Example 1: Temperament Analysis

For natural temperament, we examine the Ascendant sign, its planetary ruler, the Moon's sign and aspects, and planets in the first house. Each is weighted by essential dignities according to Ptolemy's system (rulership = 5 points, exaltation = 4 points, etc.). The planet with highest combined score becomes the temperament ruler.

Example 2: Career Indications

For career, we identify the 10th house ruler, planets in the 10th, and the condition of the Sun and Saturn. We then apply William Lilly's significations: Mars = military/surgery, Mercury = writing/teaching, Venus = arts/luxury goods. The strongest planet by dignity and house position indicates primary vocational inclination.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT

Source‑first governance: delineations and techniques are tied to named texts and traditions rather than modern improvisation.
Deterministic logic: rules are computed consistently across charts, enabling audit and comparison.
Hierarchical causation: mundane overrides (eclipses, great conjunctions, ingress logic) can supersede natal promise, reflecting traditional doctrine.
Explicit limitations: the system flags missing birth time, missing data, or absent rules instead of inventing interpretations.
Traceable outputs: the rule ledger exposes how a statement was produced.

LOGIC VISUALIZED

♂ Mars in Aries +5 (Rulership)

→

X 10th House Angular (Active)

→

"Strong drive toward competitive leadership"

TRADITION VS. MODERNITY

Feature	This Engine (Traditional)	Modern Psychological
Core Philosophy	Deterministic, External, Fate-oriented	Archetypal, Internal, Choice-oriented
Primary Technique	Essential Dignity, Sect, House Ruling & Strength	Aspects, Signs, Outer Planets
Planets Used	7 Visible Planets (Septener)	10+ Planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto)
House System	Whole Sign (Principal)	Placidus / Quadrant
Outcome Focus	Concrete Events & Objective Circumstances	Psychological Drives & Personality

SCOPE

The engine is designed for traditional delineation and timing. This is an educational tool for studying traditional astrological techniques, not medical or psychological advice.

CORE CANON & ESSENTIAL TEXTS

While hundreds of fragments inform the engine, the following texts constitute the "spine" of the logic. These sources provide the primary algorithms for dignity, rulership, and predictive timing.

Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos

2nd Century CE

Foundational text for Western astrology, particularly essential dignities, planetary meanings, and mundane predictions.

Vettius Valens' Anthology

2nd Century CE

The practitioner's manual. Essential for timing techniques (Profections, Zodiacal Releasing) and concrete interpretive rules.

William Lilly's Christian Astrology

1647

The definitive guide to Horary and Renaissance delineation. Provides the core scoring logic for planetary strength (The Weighted Scores).

Dorotheus of Sidon's Carmen Astrologicum

1st Century CE

The primary source for Triplicity Lords and electional logic. Defines the structure of the "Tripod of Life".

Guido Bonatti's Liber Astronomiae

13th Century

Synthesized Arabic and Latin traditions. His 146 Considerations form the basis of the engine's "Classical Warnings".

Firmicus Maternus' Mathesis

4th Century CE

Provides extensive delineations for planets in houses and specific configurations, used for the "Destiny" engine.

Abu Ma'shar's Great Introduction

9th Century

Crucial for understanding the Solar Revolution and the intersection of Aristotelian physics with astrology.

Al-Biruni's Instruction in the Elements

11th Century

The master technical reference for definitions, creating the standard taxonomies used for calculations.

Rhetorius the Egyptian

6th/7th Century

Preserves earlier definitions of Lots and house meanings that were otherwise lost; key for the "Lots" module.

Nicholas Culpeper's English Physician

1652

Integrates astrological judgment with herbal medicine. The basis for the medical/humoral output layer.

SOURCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY

The list below reflects the complete source set used for this project, preserved in title form.

Primary Classical Sources (50)

Medieval & Renaissance Texts (33)

Medical Astrology Sources (33)

Timing Techniques References (56)

Modern Scholarship & Transmission History (227)