he sunset chart system is at once a philosophy, a reference on historical facts, and a site for various astrological precepts and

an introduction to a new concept within the field of astrology. The primary purposes of this work is to present a model of astrology that may correspond to the thinking of the Chaldean culture during the early pre-Seleucid period and provide you with the basic concepts of which the ancient astrologers were probably aware. The most curious observation about the early Babylonian/Chaldean writers, based on their style of writing, is their implied lack of understanding of the laws of cause and effect. This one single element is the most likely basis concerning Babylonians extensive writings about omens. It also states another valuable insight; the Chaldean scribes did not recognize their astrological sightings as causal but synchronistic reflections with events here on Earth. The study of Babylonian texts, which consist mostly of literary works, ancient myths, omens, epic tales, poems and hymns, has presented characteristic features about their cultural pattern, and from these early corpora, I have proposed a hypothesis about the Chaldean astrological background.

My work is derived from this hypothesis: IF (by #) Can we: (by letter)

1) The Chaldean day began at Sunset. A) Use the Matrix chart beginning at sunset.

2) The Chaldeans were interested in rising, culminating and setting of heavenly bodies. B) May we rotate the chart in a diurnal fashion?

3) The Babylonians listed their gods in numerical order

beginning with AN (60). C) Use of listing planets by numerical longitude.

4) The Moon significantly moves an average 12+degree daily. D) Note the first and last aspect in a 24-hour period

5) The Babylonians used 'The Law of Seventy-two;' Fagan suggested the pentade theory. E) Use five-degree intervals within the solar arc between the sun and planets to denote time of events?

6) The Babylonians didnt use the outer planets. F) Possibly breakdown the outer planets for personal use while still allowing them to be useful in today s society

To be sure, the proof is by no means obvious and direct; there is no explicit statement in the ancient texts that indicates astrological phenomena as we know it. The Chaldeans, Egyptians and even many cultures still living today began or begin each new day with sunset. This fact is why sunset is my basis for the following speculation.

How the ancient Chaldeans may have conducted their heavenly observations. When we view the birth chart combined with the sunset chart in a bi-Wheel fashion, we immediately notice aspects between the two of them of which we were previously unaware. For example, consider a person born four-hours and forty-eight minutes after sunset. We would find the birth chart and the sunset chart relating to each other by an aspect called a quintile. This relationship between the two charts might explain a level of inventiveness that might otherwise not be indicated elsewhere. Consequently, for the rest of the persons life, the entire range of planetary transits would have this primal energy attached to them. Another feature of the sunset chart is its use as a timing device between planetary arcs through the solar arc. The "ground rules" for events in the life are described by the nature of the planets while the timing of such events is regulated by the distance of longitudinal arc from the Sun. Your chart has personal aspects, regardless of degree, and indicates the nature and timing of personalized events, both by transits, and/or rogression, whichever comes first.

Finding inner direction is one of our most basic drives as we search for meaning, purpose and probable outcome in our lives. Louis Pasteur once said, "Chance favors the prepared mind." Astrology has persisted through the ages because it is a tool that helps prepare our minds for greater self-understanding, thereby eliminating or reducing stress. Good astrologers know this, and practice the craft to help allay their clients' worries. The astrology chart is very much like a house. There are many rooms that have different characteristics and functions, none of which can completely take the place of the other. It is important for the astrologer to remember what level (or room) he is using when reading the chart. Understanding the "big picture," one's personal ideal, and direction, serves as the beacon; it clears away the cobwebs in those darkened rooms. The purpose of the sunset chart system is to give the astrologer a systematic view of the astrology chart without getting lost in a myriad of multi-dimensional processes that create nothing more than a mental maze. The sunset chart is unique and is introduced to give personalized information based solely on your chart and the position of the planets without the cookbook system. This system is completely new and its principles have not been offered in any other system to date.

INITIAL BASICS Many astrologers either ignore or don't know to use the planet as the Ascendant principle. This simple technique can give a re-evaluation of your planetary activities, as they are located in the birth chart. A great deal can be learned from placing each planet as the Ascendant for a planetary reference point. Notice how the planets change meanings by each different perspective and placement. For example, place natal Mars as the Ascendant. The relocation of each planet by house placement takes on a Martian meaning as indicated by the Mars line below. Thus, your Sun moves to a different location by house placement and that represents the objective that you desire to achieve in your life from the Mars point of view. Mercury's placement, from Mars' point of view, indicates the method or plans you make to achieve that objective. The Moon represents the people most likely to be used or the most likely to get hurt by your actions and so on. The graph below is read by looking at the planet on the left and cross-referencing it to the top of the list. For example, the Sun with Venus can be expressed as colorful light (such as a sunset or sunrise) or staged lighting. However, pairing Venus with the Sun creates the ideal of a glamorous movie star or model. The following graph is an example of such objectivity. This graph is by no means the last word in planetary definitions but it does indicate how to view a planet metaphorically with the other planets from its own perspective. Adjust your chart so each planet is placed as the Ascendant and try using this perspective for chart interpretation. Some of you may not recognize the idea of planet to planet. A simple way to re-interpret this concept is to use the top of the list as the Sign the planet rules. For example, Sun = Leo, Mercury = Gemini or Virgo, Venus = Taurus or Libra and so forth. This graph also becomes a useful tool when you rogress the sunset chart and find planets squaring, opposing or even conjoining themselves. In such a manner you would experience some form of insight during Mercury to Mercury rogression or become disappointed with yourself

when Venus opposes Venus in the rogression.

Sun Mercury Venus Mars ======================================================= Light Brilliant Colorful Glaring Inspiration Insight Dreamy Inquisitive Ideal Eloquence Disappointing Coarseness Objective Plan of attack Weakness Invincible God Prayer Devotion Right action Investment Marketing Product Expense Savior Self doubt Rescue Antagonist Jupiter Bright Tolerance Luxury Show of force Righteousness Profit Indulgence Saturn Dim Wise Style & Grace Defense Propitiation Useful Melancholy Moon Intensity Reflective Comfort Casualties Followers Consumer Helplessness

SuMeVeMaJuSaMoSuMeVeMaJuSaMo-

With a little practice, and by adding your own vocabulary to the list, you will be able to recognize planetary intentions as noted in the birth chart quite rapidly.

Today, astrology is recognized as the inner expression of psycho- logical make-up combined with periods of time in which certain events are most likely to occur. This site is designed to fulfill this statement by primarily exploring the timing of circumstances and help in searching for deeper self-understanding. Through the use of the 30 wheel (12th harmonic), we find a wonderful model that is easy to use and covers many bases for other purposes such as finding the synastry (relationship) between two people. Most importantly, the 30 symbol is the backbone of the chart, it reveals the hierarchical urges found in one's expression and desire for accomplishment. A unique assessment of the planets can be accomplished by arranging the planets in a "stack." That is, by arranging the planets in numerical order by longitude. In my experience, I find that the mathematical expression of longitude for the Sidereal zodiac is more accurate for this exercise, the Tropical positions are NOT at all satisfactory. The first step is to recognize that no planet is ever less than zero degrees (0) or exceeds 29 59' by longitude regardless of the sign they are located (unless you use the Right Ascension). For this exercise, list the planets in numerical order by longitude by placing the highest degree on top of the list and working down to the lowest degree. Disregard the signs and houses for now. Once listed, separate the list into three groups similar to the decanates.

Group one ranges from 0 to 10; group two ranges from 10 01' to 20; group three is from 20 01' to 29 59'. Each group or decanate designates one of three main departments of life. The first ten-degree decanate represents the existential package that makes us uniquely us: our circumstances, talents, parental influence, and aptitudes. Planets located in this department are what we draw upon to reference our motives and categorize our experiences. Sometimes an individual who has no planets placed in the lower decanate, such as Gandhi. An empty first decanate does not mean that there is no identity, but that the individual is more prone to work the middle section, the section that relates to changes. In this particular situation, the individual develops a philosophy that allows them to understand a sense of "non-permanence" as their identity package. For these individuals, change is the hallmark of their existence. They are able to take in stride the many changes in their lives that may occur in many diverse ways. The second ten-degree or middle decanate reflect the changes in our lives and how we respond to them. Planets found within this arena are the schools we attend the circumstances or obstacles that seem to keep us from advancing or sometimes the school of hard knocks. Once surmounted, they give us the insight and courage to face any further obstacles to achieve our goals. If this section is vacant, it generally describes an individual who has the "Midas touch." He simply moves from his personal ideas to achieving his goals without the hassle of having to make adjustments or fight for them.

The third ten-degree segment reflects the ideals or goals we seek. Planets so placed are what inspire us like the proverbial carrot on a stick. The closer to the 29 mark, the harder we will work for it. We are in a hurry to get there but reluctant to leave, for we want to savor the experience of late degree planets. A lack of planets or a vacant position here indicates that the individual may be content with his lifestyle and not want to move beyond his present position. In this case the middle section becomes the goal and change for change sake becomes the ideal. Without late degree planets, we often see people with "nomadic" lifestyles, whose ephemeral interests are dictated by transiting planets.

In addition, the stack arrangement allows us to further review the planets by intensity and modification. Each planet so placed in the stack is between two other planets. We observe one planet in the stack and note the planets above and below it. This tri-planet configuration is called a triad. Triads are a combination of any three planets within the planetary stack. By selecting individual triads from the stack we can easily grasp how to form an opinion of the middle planet by the company it keeps. To do this, note which planet is closer to the middle planet by degree. The closer the center planet is to another by degree, the more influence it exerts. Conversely, the farther away a planet is the less influence. The upper planet is seen as a positive influence, the lower more negative. For example, let us use Mars as the middle planet with Jupiter above Mars and Venus below. Should Mars be closer to Jupiter by degree, it will exert more of what is called "heart", similar to the will to win in the field of sports. If the aspects between Jupiter are favorable, like a trine or sextile, there is a

determination to finish what one has started. Conversely if the aspects between Mars and Jupiter are negative, then the will to finish a project may be weakened. Should Mars be closer to the soft or compassionate subtleties of Venus, Mars becomes decidedly artistic, joyful and harmonious, even more so with good aspects. Because Jupiter is involved in the triad, the artistic nature may look to the larger picture for expression. However, the lower Venus influence may indicate disappointment in an artistic field, either by commission or omission. The Early Moon

In Babylon, the Moon god Sin was referred to as the Lord of Wisdom and He Who Would Open the Gate to Heaven. At first glance this is a valuable statement. How is heaven defined? Is it "a condition or place happiness?" Or is the term heaven, just a reference to the sky? Why does that wisdom apply to the Babylonian Moon? Could it be that an astrological view, wisdom and thus happiness, resulted from acquiring invaluable knowledge gained, not by following the Sun or planets, but primarily observing the Moon's nocturnal position as it moved across the sky?

In Egypt the Moon was associated with an eye because of its association with the retina and its appearance to blink over a period of time, opening after the new Moon and closing after the full Moon. The Moon was known as Khons, the Eye of Horus, Osiris, Ptah and was sometimes associated with Min. The Egyptian Moon's energy symbolized the goddess power and believed to be transmitted to only those on Earth who understood its magic. of supreme

The ancient Egyptian preceptors believed that there were two minds within the human being the solar and lunar. The solar mind represented the autonomic system regulating the heart and blood, intestines and glands that comprise the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The lunar mind regulated the hypothalamic and cranial glands and functioned in terms of reflected light through the retina (Lawler).

Historically, the Chinese, Hindu, Arabic and Babylonian societies all relied heavily on the Moon for their predictive work and omina. Today, when Hindu or Chinese astrologers may ask about the time of birth, they are much more interested in the Moon's position than any other planet. What is really amazing is that early literature about the Moon is very rare and nearly impossible to find even though the concept of the daily lunar mansion, the Moon's motion was used extensively in ancient astrology.

With all this, there had to be more than just watching the Moon at night. Through the millennia the Babylonian/Chaldean culture and, to a small extent, the Egyptians continued to

adjust their entire way of life to the whimsical lunar calendar. The Babylonians followed the Moon's irregular course for over 40 centuries and yet the Moon remained their Lord of Wisdom. Why the so long? What magic and what wisdom does it have to offer? The lack of available information, either contemporary or ancient, is surprising because lunar progressions are a powerful predictive tool. Any astrologer who is unaware of the power of the Moon is missing a very important facet in his predictive work.

All the above ideas relate to the ancient belief that the Moon was the Earth's offspring. For this reason the ever-changing Moon came to symbolize the child. If we look at the Moon's location in the Egyptian cosmology chart, we notice the Moon is located near the "out of control" angle of the fourth house cusp. This position of the Moon symbolizes the idea of seeking guidance and/or being a guide.

Of course, the nature of the Moon is such that in order to be seen it needs the Sun's light to do so. In this fashion we see the Moon's position in the birth chart as that of an addiction in

seeking nurture and protection to preserve its own nature. This is readily seen in the case of the performing arts. Its position in the chart indicates a basic need and inclination to please people, wanting to be liked and accepted by them. On the other hand, in both the birth and sunset charts, an afflicted Moon by association to harsher planets, such as Mars, Saturn and sometimes even the Sun or Jupiter, manifests as a marked propensity toward an antagonistic or even a shy attitude toward people. In either case we voluntarily give up some form of our sovereignty and go out of our way to please or displease others, because at the moment it seems the right thing to do. Lunar Awareness The degree of one's sensitivity is registered by the Moon's position by decanate. The Moon's influence changes by virtue of its degree of longitude. The Moon located in the first tendegree decanate indicates the development of understanding "emotional buttons." The child learns early to assimilate knowledge concerning emotive reactions. In the second or "teen-degree" decanate, the decanate of change, the native feels that that his emotional needs may never be fulfilled, this Moon placement is its most risky position. The Moon in the second decanate is "constantly inconstant," or desiring change for the sake of change. This restlessness is reflected in all parts of the lifestyle as a constant search for an ephemeral "something." The native often avoids close personal relationships because he feels if someone really got to know him they may find that, emotionally, "no one is home." In the third decanate of goal seeking, the Moon higher than twenty-degrees reflects as "seeking guidance" to find answers to satisfy emotional objectives. Often an individual with a third decanate Moon placement will rarely reveal any weak position in a given situation. At times, when involved in conversation, the native may not be "up to par" on a given subject. And with this Moon placement he will probably wait to see if, further in the conversation, the speaker will reveal more information without the native having to ask for it. In this way, he feels that he is in control and maintains his idea of self-esteem. The Moon in this decanate usually reflects as the "perfect student" who synthesizes his mentor's doctrine and infuses it with his own ideas. Later the student in return challenges his teacher's original ideas intellectually. As with other planets, we should scrutinize the Moon's arena very carefully. The Moon is our main source of information through recognizing emotional responses. Review your own past circumstances or that of a client to indicate behavior patterns that may reveal future tendencies. Examine the first and last aspect the Moon makes. Later on this page, we will find that it is most important to note the initial aspect the Moon makes by rogression and as well as all the Moon's aspects throughout the rogression. Pay close attention to the Moon there will always be some lunar aspect in connection with events that are important to you. The 24-Hour Lunar Arc

The numbers eighteen and twenty-eight have long been associated with the Moon. Additionally, during a Saros cycle of eighteen years and eleven days, there are no less than twenty-eight eclipses during that period somewhere on the planet. The daily motion of the Moon is found by observing the Moon's motion measured by longitude from the beginning to the end of each 24-hour period.

It is very important to remember that the Moon travels about one degree of longitude every two hours, or approximately 12 degrees in 24 hours, this known as its rate of motion usually abbreviated as ROM. However, for a more accurate measurement, it is better to calculate the actual rate of motion of the Moon's ROM than just using 12* as an average motion. This is accomplished by the usual procedure of deducting the Moon's longitude from the previous day of birth using the exact time of day on both occasions. You will find the rate of motion by subtracting the longitude of the previous day from the longitude of the birthday. The distance the Moon travels by degree during that 24-hour period is called the lunar arc, its ROM or, in this work, the lunar mansion.

The Lunar Mansion

Today, there are three systems correlating to the twenty-eight lunar mansions. They are called Nakshastras in the Hindu/Vedic astrology system, Sieu in the Chinese system and Manzils (mansions) in the Arabic system. Each mansion begins with a fiduciary or reference star as its starting point. The reason the number 28 is assigned or fixed as lunar "stations" or mansions in contemporary analysis (not this work however), is derived by dividing the average ROM of 12 51' into 360. To list these fiducial points would be meaningless and would require too much space.

Additionally, and I think most importantly, the idea of positioning the lunar mansion as fixed points of reference reduces the Moon's emotional influence into a static and boxed state without any personal consideration of the client. That is definitely something the Moon is not. The origin of fixed lunar mansions is probably derived from the term "Manzils," the Arabic term for mansions by al Biruni, the tenth-century Arabian astrologer. The rate of daily lunar motion can vary from as little as 11 36" to as much as 15 06". One's personal lunar mansion is described by the longitudinal motion the Moon travels during the complete 24hour period of the day of birth. This format could be the probable Chaldean lunar mansion, which was not fixed, but measured by the Moon's variable distance by its daily motion as it traveled through the zodiac between sunset to sunset.

In this work we, too, measure the lunar mansion by the variable daily motion and distance the Moon travels through the zodiac during the sunset to sunset period.

Astrologically, we can relate celestial mechanics with the Moon's motion and the motion of the Sun. The Sun requires approximately two hours of real time to travel the distance of 30 in longitude or one house. The Moon also requires approximately two hours of real time to travel one degree of longitude. Based on the "aging" process known as "rogression.", the Sun will move one house every six years and the Moon will generally advance but only by one degree or preferably, by its calculated hourly rate. The advancement by the Moon of one degree for each house the Sun travels is important to remember when the chart is rogressed.

The personal rate of motion of the lunar mansion describes the emotional demeanor of the person as noted in the chart by the first and last aspects the Moon makes. It is also a very important indicator of the person's emotional journey because its placement clearly indicates life's state of affairs.

The emotional "urge" is directed and best described as an inner recognition of the basic need that has been imprinted on the child during the formative years. This imprint is indicated by the Moon's first, exact aspect to a planet or angle. The characteristic manifestation is reflected by the Moon's last exact aspect to a planet or angle. The last aspect made by the Moon indicates the individual's attitude in acquiring the Moon's first aspect's basic need. Those with Jupiter as the first or last aspect just expect good things to happen, regardless of their situations. Those with Mercury feel that they can think or talk things through to resolution. Saturn, as the first or last aspect, promotes a reluctance to see things positively or the need to control them. With Mars, the native thinks with his fist or has a "might makes right" macho attitude.

Emotional "urges," as seen by the lunar mansion, coupled with the lunar progressions, clearly dictates the direction of the native and the native's changing circumstances. This is easy to follow because the Moon will continue to aspect the other planets as it advances one degree every six years. Very often, transits will trigger a situation based only on the position of the rogressed Moon.

The lunar mansion then, is defined as the Moon's first and last aspect to the planets or angles made during the 24 hours of the native's birth. And those aspects indicate the emotional needs for fulfillment and quality of the native's emotional life. During the life,

other aspects made by the rogressed Moon represent the conditions and circumstances to which the native feels drawn.

Imprinting: First and Last Lunar Expression

Remember I mentioned that the Moon advances one degree every six years. While working with the lunar mansion, we are primarily interested in watching for two items.

(1) The house and the present lunar position by degree (2) We want to find out in what time frame or how old the individual was when the Moon reached its first aspect to another planet by degree and the nature of the aspect. The age tells us the importance of imprinting as it happened to the native. (3) What planet does the Moon last aspect by exact degree and its nature.

As a recap, the last planet the Moon aspects indicate how the native expects his hopes, wishes and dreams to manifest. The Sun, Venus or Jupiter represents more of a sense of ebullience than that of Mars or Saturn. The last aspect also indicates the overall emotional state and the inner sense regarding the conditions at the end of life and death. The Sun, Venus or Jupiter shows a willing or peaceful transition, Saturn or Neptune may indicate chronic illness, Uranus, Pluto or Mars a quick death.

Remember: The Moon's first aspect identifies the most basic emotional urge for satisfying one's self-expression and is designated by the planet and aspect by the Moon. Planets placed between the first and last aspects represent important changes in the lifestyle or crossroads experiences during the life. But always keep in mind that the Moon's first aspect is the native's imprint, a deep-seated desire for emotional fulfillment. The nature of the planet and its type of aspect delineate this point. The last aspect represents the characteristic manifestationthe expected end result of his desires as signified by the planet and it's aspect.

For example, say a client's Moon makes its first aspect to Mercury. His emotional nature would be Mercurial and changeable with the need for self-expression, either verbally or in writing. Should Saturn be the last planet aspect made by the Moon, this would be toned down by intellectualism or perhaps even labored. With Jupiter as its last aspect there is more vitality and fervor.

To determine the individual's emotional state when viewing the age of an incident by year, advance the sunset chart to the house that represents the age of the event. By counting the number of houses the Sun has rogressed by age, add the number of houses to the degree of longitude of the Moon, then look for any planet that has the same degree, either by rogression or transit. Note the planet's enclitic influence as the Moon assimilates those energies as if it were its own process.

This can be likened to an earlier astrological custom of the translation and collection of light where the Moon picks up the energy pattern from the last planet it was in contact with and transfers that pattern of energy to the next planet it aspects. We call this function enclitic.

For example, should the Moon aspect Venus by conjunction and later sextile Jupiter, the now enclitic Moon will act as if it were Venus-oriented when it aspects Jupiter. This circumstance, taken alone, would describe someone either with an abundance of charm, a loving, charitable person or possibly someone with an artistic nature wishing to express it in a global way. If Venus the first and Jupiter was the last aspect respectively made by the Moon, with a harmonious Sun and/or planet placement(s), we would notice a distinctively warm and friendly individual. With a negative Sun or inharmonious planet placement, we might notice an inclination to laziness, conceit and perhaps negligence. In either case the individual would have "film star mannerisms" with a tendency to gain in popularity in spite of himself.

Origins of the Lunar Mansion

To begin, there are three Zodiacs. The Solar zodiac where the Sun travels in its apparent orbit through the tropical signs (and sidereal constellations). The Lunar zodiac where the Moon has a much wider path of 5.5 degrees above and below the Solar ecliptic (Latitude) giving a total of 10+ degrees in width. And a planetary zodiac where the planets travel, yet again, in a different path around the Sun, this is because the planets pass through many more signs than the Sun does seen from the viewpoint of Earth!

Sidereally, the Sun passes through 13 signs counting Ophiuchus. The Moon currently passes through 20 signs (constellations); however in Babylonian times, there were only 18 accounted for. The planetary zodiac is contained within 17 degrees North and South of the Sun's ecliptic giving a wider band of 34 degrees over which the planets pass (counting Pluto).

The reason for the existence of these three zodiacs is simply that the Moon's and the planets' orbits appear a little tilted in comparison of each other due to the Earth's 23+ degree axis compared to the Sun's ecliptic.

As mathematical calculations were understood by less than .04 percent of the population, the ancients devised ways to substitute the degrees of longitude and latitude with associated names of either circumstances of the year or with attributes of animals. With this idea in mind, we can recognize this process becoming the animated Zodiac many centuries later by different cultures.

To wit, the word for Sun in Accadian was used in two different ways; one for astronomy and the second for astrological purposes. This process was the same for all the monthly and planetary names.

Thus, if we examine the associated, numberless monthly names for the Babylonian year plus the planet's various names, we find a distinct association between Babylonian Epochal writings and poems with the planetary passages through the signs. As a matter of fact, we can find these same associations of astronomical reasons in the Siege of Troy or the wanderings of Ulysses in the Odyssey! In Fact many stories in legendary times correspond to a sign of the Zodiac and consequently to a month within a year which agrees to the character of each particular myth.

From this idea, we can conclude that the different names for the planets were used to associate a planet's location with an asterism; a source of major confusion for archeologist in the past as there were many different names for the same planet found in Babylonian texts.

If we take that step up one rung of the ladder we can easily recognize how the Lunar Mansions may have begun. Calling the Moon's position "resting places" would be the one concept that, considering the time that this concept arose, the Lunar Mansion idea would have been an easy way to simply identify the Moons position without any mathematical calculations. Much the same as the earlier Babylonians had done.

With this, we find considerable evidence that the Lunar Draconic system then developed into 28 "houses" with the associated monthly or animal nomenclature while the Solar Zodiac remained with only twelve.

At the time of the Babylonians, the lunar mansions didn't exist as we know them today. The ancients assigned the lunar diurnal position using 'star signposts' during their nightly watch. In this fashion, the Chaldeans gave us fixed star observations. The Mul.Apin tablets contain the most comprehensive surviving Babylonian star and constellation catalogue from before 600 BC. The 33 stars on the path of Enlil The 23 stars on the path of Ea The 15 stars on the path of Anu

Egypt, on the other hand, developed some 300 years after the Babylonians and had a similar process, called "working stars," possibly derived from the Babylonians. These 'working stars' were based on their Heliacal rising at10 day intervals.

The Chaldean lunar calendar considered the first quarter, full moon, last quarter and new Moon as evil days. The Egyptians carried this idea to an extreme by assigning their deities to a yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, hourly and even in some cases smaller segments of time we would consider as minutes today.

As Egyptian deities were considered favorable and unfavorable, there would be variable times when these deities would come into conflict thereby creating a inauspicious time to accomplish any endeavor considered worthwhile.

Enter the Chinese. Traditionally, their "Tzu Wei Tou Shu" system is supposed to date back four and a half millennia, to the reign of Emperor Hung D. "Oracle bones" have survived from the Shang dynasty from about 1200-1045 BC. Some Astrological texts on predictions exist in the Chinese historical records ca. 206 BC - AD 220. The Chinese Zodiac simply related to the yearly sojourn of the Sun and not the monthly Solar zodiac found in the West. > Interestingly, the earliest reference to the Lunar mansions is with China dating back to 3117 BC ! This information comes to us VIA the Great Chinese wall thought to be a megalith similar to Stonehenge. The wall begins with the constellation of beta-Hydra, the Great Dragon, the 28th Xiu marking the Solstice of 3117 BC.

The Grecian occupation of both Persian and Egyptian soil eventually conflated all the different cultural "star programs" and converted both systems into a singular, noetic set of interrelated principles. The intellectual mental climate of Greece organized the different

'star principles' into a method of orderly interaction in connection with the seasonal changes.

Most likely, the Lunar mansions started much later than the Hellenistic period (323 BC to 146 BC) as there are no records indicating that the Lunar mansions, as we know them here in the West, were used before or during, that period.

The Babylonian Spring Equinox began with the Sun in Taurus. As such, the moon stations were adopted into India later, perhaps everywhere, from the Mesopotamian literature we find in the Mul Apin. The Mul.Apin lists the names of 66 stars and constellations and further gives a number of indications, such as rising, setting and culmination dates, that help to map out the basic structure of the Babylonian star map.

Scholars mostly agree that the Arabic "Al Manazil al Kamr" or 'The resting place of the Moon' is more than likely the origin of the Lunar mansions of today. The Lunar mansion beginning with Al Nath and Al Butain begin in Aries suggesting that The Lunar Mansions were developed at a much later date than Mesopotamian astronomy would indicate.

Arthyr Chadbourne June 29, 2008

How the Sunset Chart began Many novice astrologers wish to evaluate the entire scope of an individual's life or event without ever having to go beyond the initial birth chart. In earlier centuries, this approach was equated to being lazy or, as Kepler or Brahe might have said, "staying in the realm of carnival charlatans." A stigma that has remained in the scientific community that continues to haunt astrologers to this day.

As we shall see, each chart has a variety of classifications and each one must be examined through separate perspectives. In considering the birth chart, the chart itself must be arranged into different levels of classification that represent the archetypal energies that interact throughout an individual's life. By doing so, the astrologer can organize these various categories and clearly relate the chart's energetic patterns to his client.

Where do we begin? Well, many centuries ago (and still today in a few countries), sunset marked the beginning of each new day. Sunset began as the matrix of what was about to transpire for the next 24-hour period. Although there is no absolute proof that the ancient astrologers used the method I am about to describe, we can ask our self, what could possibly be useful to astronomers/astrologers during their nightly vigil?

My sunset chart hypothesis presents a bold idea that is unique to astrology. And yet, there is a hauntingly familiar feel to what I call the Chaldean sunset system. By starting with sunset, the astrologer can easily examine various planetary classifications and configurations in a unique way to help his clients integrate and reflect cosmic influences to their fullest potential.

The sunset chart becomes the matrix foundation by which any and all charts are examined. This holds especially true for the birth chart because the time-of-birth chart lies within the scope of the 24-hour period that the child chose to be born. At present, the timing of an individual's birth declares a rising sign by degree to allow astrologers to distinguish character traits between other individuals born on the same day. Similarly, the birth chart is to the sunset chart what the Ascendant is to the Sun sign in today's astrology. The most unique point about the sunset system is it creates a synastry between the time of birth (the individual) and the world at large. Something no other astrology system has ever accomplished!

The Chaldeans developed their style of observation over a period of many centuries and it may be said that their observations marked the beginning of an empirical mathematical astronomy. Scientific minds today reflect upon various aspects of nature based on accurate, corrected, true information based on verifiable observations. The ancient Babylonians were no different. More significantly, and succinct to this work, was their method of observing the planets and their placement in relation to the Sun just after sunset and before sunrise.

What the scribes observed in the evening and morning skies stamped the beginning of what we call synodical periods i.e., the interval when a planet is exactly in the same aspect from the Sun based on a previous time (van der Waerden called this the solar distance principle). For example, Mars in the sign Aquarius in an exact square aspect to the Sun in Taurus; the passage of time it takes for Mars to be in Aquarius and reach the exact same degree and square aspect to the Sun in Taurus is 32 years plus 11 days. But planets beyond Mars have much longer synodical periods and therefore cannot relate to human existence.

The synodic periods are the basis and formulation for this research. Babylonian scribes would observe the planetary degree (called s) by its relation to its first appearance on the horizon until the rising Sun appeared or, in the evening they would count the degrees between sunset and the planet that set thereafter. It was the time interval between these phenomena and their reoccurrence that the scribes were interested. It is the solar arc "time periods" in which we are interested as well.

Keeping this thought in mind and using the idea of the chaos theory of scaling (reducing an object or design to a smaller scale, similar to scale models of aircraft etc.), I retained the idea of synodic periods and restructured the idea into a daily routine. Whereas the position of the planets in the birth chart, in relation to the position of the planets of the sunset chart, fulfills the requirement of synodic motion originally set by the Chaldean observers.

Therefore, rather than taking many years to accomplish this task of lengthy synodical returns, the sunset chart, in combination with the birth chart, creates its own synodical reference within a single 24-hour period. This is accomplished by retaining the sunset chart as the prima facie (first point of reference) with which all other astrological phenomena can be determined.

How to Erect the Sunset Chart My sunset chart hypothesis presents a unique and bold idea of astrology. The sunset chart is the foundation by which all charts are carefully thought about, especially the birth chart because the time-of-birth chart lies within the scope of the 24-hour period between sunsets. Most importantly, the time a baby chooses to be born presents a clear picture of his lifestyle when compared between the birth chart and the sunset chart positions of the planets. This process can be seen as a type of synastry chart between the baby at birth and the world at sunset. Additionally, the 24hour, sunset to sunset, period represents seventy-two years of life. Early Chaldean observations were made without the aid of our modern astrological trappings such as references to Sidereal time or Greenwich Mean Time. Their initial starting time was Local Solar Time, or more likely, from sunset to sunset. During the 24-hour time frame the star patterns and planetary placement were observed and may have marked a point of departure. My proposal suggests the time of sunset pre-sets the birth as an indicator, a matrix where planetary positions create the standard for the next 24-hour period (sunset to sunset); monthly period (lunar return) or "goal" year (pertaining to relationships between the planets and the Sun). In a bi-wheel fashion, we rotate the inner chart and as the chart rotates, all planets will aspect their own sunset position as well as the other planets during the following 24-hour period. Consequently, during a lifetime, the timing, quality and influence of major events are based on the planets' (its own synodic) distance described by the Suns solar arc and position of the birth chart in relation to the sunset chart.

The charts will be erected using the equal house system in a bi-wheel fashion thereby giving us two charts to work with by comparison. It is important for you to remember that you must erect your chart for sunset either on the SAME DATE if you were born BEFORE midnight or on the PREVIOUS date if you were born AFTER midnight.

Make a duplicate chart using the equal house system and cast two bi-wheel charts. Print them. Cut out the smaller chart out of one copy so you can turn it within the larger wheel. Each "equal house" is equal to thirty degrees and represents six years therefore, five degrees is equal to one year of life.

The Sun is used as the "focal" point or indicator. Starting from the seventh house, the idea is to simply rotate the smaller chart clockwise through the houses. By the time you have reached the cusp of the sixth house you have reached the age of six years old. If there are any planets in the sixth house that the sun has conjoined, note the age of the events that had taken place. Look for other aspects from/to other planets as well.

For example: The Sun at 0 degrees (any sign) on the cusp of the sunset seventh house. Mercury is located 5 degrees in the previous sign in the sixth house.

Rotating the inner chart of the bi-wheel and counting clockwise, the Sun is 25 degrees away from

Mercury, thus the age when the sun reaches Mercury would represent a Sun/Mercury event at five years of age as each 5 degrees represents one year of life.

The same procedure can be done with all the planets whenever they make any contact or aspect throughout the entire lifetime.

Note the Suns position on the fifth house cusp at the age of twelve. Also, note Mars crossed over the sunset Sun approximately a year previous. We always read the aspects between the two charts. If you have done this correctly, the Sun will "square the sunset position on the eighteenth year of life (the Sun in the small chart will be "on" the fourth house cusp). I call this aging method the "rogression." Sunset marks the beginning of all events, and during the following 24-hour period, an individual's time of birth allows astrologers to distinguish between the character traits of the native and all the other individuals born on the same day. It is much the same as the rising sign fine-tunes the nuances of the whole Sun sign. In short, the birth chart is to the sunset chart what the Ascendant is to the Sun sign. Unless you or your client was born at sunset, each birth chart makes some aspect to the sunset chart. The type of aspect by synastry creates a standard by the planets and quality of life. The quality I speak of is represented by the angle between the sunset and birth chart. If someone is born with the Sun in the third or eleventh house, the aspect between the two charts, the sunset position to birth, is a trine. Planets in transit will have an easy, more positive occurrence than someone born with the birth chart in square or opposition to the sunset chart in which case the transits are more caustic. By adjusting ancient ideas to today's concepts, we can compare a birth chart to its local sunset position and by rogression find that our entire life is encapsulated within the 24-hour period in which we were born!

Age by rogression-Using the Sun as the indicator, the distance traveled by the smaller biwheel chart along the outer sunset chart matrix. For humans this distance is five degrees for one year of time. For non-human entities, such as corporations and states, one degree equals one year of time because of the extended time-span for such entities.

Birth chart-Any chart delineated using the exact time of birth and place.

Decan or Decanate-Ten degrees of arc, the first, second or third section of the stack marked by ten-degree intervals.

Harmonic-The use of the stack placed outside each house from cusp to cusp to determine secondary indications of events not readily seen in the rogression.

Latitude-Two meanings: 1. The angular distance dividing the Earths surface horizontally, North and South of the Equator. 2. The angular distance of a celestial body North or South of the Suns path (ecliptic). In the sunset system the latitude refers to the planets placed North or South of the Sun (ecliptic).

Lunar Mansion-The personalized listing of the very first exact aspect and very last exact aspect made by the Moon in a 24-hour period (sunset to sunset the following day).

Matrix-The outer, larger wheel of the bi-wheel sunset chart.

Outer planets-Also referred as the Trans-Saturn planets of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. These planets are referred as the gateway to success in the sunset chart system. Generally speaking, the outer planets are not easily accessible to the general public and are usually expressed or reflected through their individual triads.

Rogression- The act of turning the smaller wheel inside the larger wheel of a bi-wheel sunset chart in a clock-wise manner.

R.O.M.-1. Rate of Motion. The distance by degree of longitude the Moon travels in a 24-hour period. Generally, on average this is one degree every two hours.

Sidereal Astrology-Astrology associated with the observable, zodiacal constellations using the Cardinal angles of North, South, East and West only (no house system). However, the constellations (by Powel) range from 9 degrees 23 minutes (Cancer) to as long as 43 degrees (Virgo) and using the actual size of constellations would require too much redirecting of the popular birth-signs idea currently known around the world. For ease, the divisions of sidereal zodiac, as it is used today, is usually seen as an equal arc of thirty degrees. The Sidereal year (365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, 9.54 seconds) is slightly longer (20 minutes) than the tropical year.

Solar Arc-The distance traveled along the ecliptic measured by the motion of the sun in one day (approximately one degree).

Solar Return-In the sunset chart system, the solar return refers to the time in life when the rogressed Sun reaches the place occupied by the Sun in the birth chart.

Stack- The act of listing, by sidereal longitude, all the planets in numerical order generally starting from the highest degree to the lowest (also 30 degree wheel).

Sunset chart-The casting of a chart for the time of sunset. If one is born BEFORE midnight the chart is cast for the same date as the birth date. If one is born AFTER midnight, the chart is cast for the date before the birth date.

Synastry-From the Greek, synastria, meaning similarity of stars. It denotes the study of how two peoples chart compare with each other for the purpose of describing their relationship.

Synodic period-A sidereal lunar month is the period of 27.3 days the time it takes the Moon to orbit once around the Earth. A synodic month is 29.5 days the time it takes for the Moon to cycle through its phases (new to new or full to full).

Triad- Any three planets in succession taken from the stack for analysis.

Tropical Astrology-The more popular astrology consisting of seasonal signs as indicators of the 12 departments of life starting from zero Aries on the Spring Equinox (approximately 21st of March) each year. The Vernal Equinox (fall) starts on about 23 September. The tropical year (365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 4.5 seconds) is slightly shorter than the sidereal year.