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Secret Charts
For, if you want to explain the entire substance of the astrological
significations from the efficacy of the dodecatemories and from the terms in
which they are found, you will not be mistaken; for the Babylonians attribute
the supreme power of [astrological] decrees to the dodecatemories, but
Ptolemy to the antiscions, [and] we to both. (Maternus, Book III, Ch. 9, #14,
Holden trans., 2011, p. 170)
So, you thought you just had one astrological chart, but in Hellenistic astrology you have two. Then
again, maybe three. The secret charts are found by examining some projected positions for chart
factors.
Twelfth-Parts
The second chart I allude to is the chart of the twelfth-part positions. Twelfth-part positions were
noted as a fundamental basic of astrological technique by nearly every Hellenistic astrologer. Their
use was urged most strongly by Julius Firmicus Maternus. These are typically marked along the natal
chart to keep a reference to natal chart houses. I explored what the twelfth-parts are and how they
are calculated in the introductory article.
Antiscia
The third chart that I alluded to is something that appears to be more idiosyncratic to Maternus. It is
the use of antiscia positions as yet another chart body-double. I explored this use of antiscia by
Maternus very briefly near the end of my article on sign symmetry.
Maternus attributes this use of antiscia chart positions as secret positions to Ptolemy, though this is a
false attribution. Maternus is the only Hellenistic source I know of that uses this third set of
positions. On the other hand, the dodecatemoria or twelfth-parts are indeed Babylonian in origin,
and their use was widespread among Hellenistic astrologers.
Paulean Twelfth-Parts
In the last article, I expressed that Paulus presented an idiosyncratic variety of twelfth-parts in which
the position in degrees and minutes are multiplied by 13 rather 12. I was recently confronted by a
footnote by James Holden (footnote #2, p. 18, 2009) in his translation of Rhetorius in which he noted
that there is evidence in surviving cuneiform tablets that the two different methods of projecting
twelfth-parts existed in Babylonian astrology. In other words, according to Holden multiplying by
either the more common 12 or the 13 as used by Paulus, then projecting from the beginning of the
sign, were both used (Holden cites “Mesopotamian Astrology” by Koch-Westenholz).
If it is in fact the case that the 13-fold variety does also have Babylonian origins, then at least among
the Hellenistic astrologers, it was a less popular variant. Manilius, Dorotheus, Ptolemy, Valens,
Maternus, Hephaistio, Porphyry, and Rhetorius (as well as later astrologers) employed or expressed
preference for the 12-fold variety.
Basics of Use
The twelfth-part positions are used just like natal positions. They give additional information and
reveal significations that might be missed from looking at the natal chart alone.
In one my first posts, in October 2011, I discussed the natal chart of Steve Jobs and some of the most
important general planetary strength considerations, showing that his Mercury is much stronger than
one might think from a cursory glance. Before reading on, I urge the reader to give that post a quick
review by visiting it here. While stations and phasis may not be appropriate to twelfth-parts, the
twelfth-parts can tell us additional information about the strength of Mercury.
Steve Jobs’ Natal Chart with Twelfth-Parts on Outer Wheel
In the original analysis I noted that Mercury is probably the strongest planet in the chart in terms of
having a generally pervasive influence over the life in a broad way, as it is strongly stationing direct,
making an appearance (in phasis), advancing, and ruling the 1st.
Mercury posited in the 11th house from the ASC will make talented persons,
indispensable for all activities, and those to whom the conduct of great
business affairs is entrusted; but then it denotes greater duties if it was
conjoined to Jupiter by a favorable aspect. (Maternus, Book III,Ch. 3f, #23,
Holden trans., 2011, p. 147)
More Twelfth-Parts
The twelfth-part of Venus, the sect benefic, occupying Virgo, a house of Mercury, further
emphasizes this fortunate quality of Mercury. Also note that the twelfth-part of Jupiter falls right
onto the Sun in the chart. The twelfth-part of the Sun is in the place of the Sun’s Joy with the twelfth-
part Ascendant. The Moon’s twelfth-part is strongly advancing toward the MC. She is also with the
lord of the Ascendant and Jupiter (as well as Saturn). Additionally, the twelfth-part of Fortune is
conjunct the Moon, the sect light.
Key Information
As one can see, the twelfth-parts not only help us to get more information out of the chart about the
prominence of Mercury, but also showcase fortunate circumstances connected to Mercury. These are
important features of this person’s life that are reflected in the chart with the twelfth-parts but would
be easy to miss from the natal chart without them. We see many additional indications that the chart
is of someone with great social mobility and very fortunate circumstances linked to Mercury.
Conclusion
Twelfth-parts are not a trivial matter. In chart delineation, it is vital to see which indications are
repeated in many different ways. Such indications are stronger and more important, allowing us to
say something meaningful about the life. The twelfth-parts are a vital and important part of chart
delineation. If you’re looking at a chart without the twelfth-parts, you are missing a huge chunk of
the information in the chart. Without this important information, you can rest assured that you will
reach the wrong conclusions. Similar indications of something in the chart may be repeated without
your knowledge while other indications you might think are important may be contradicted by the
twelfth-parts. If you’re serious about accurately reading a natal chart add the twelfth-parts to your
chart readings today.
References
Manilius, M. (1977). Astronomica. (G. P. Goold, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical
Library.
Maternus, J. F. (2011). Mathesis. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). American Federation of Astrologers.
Rhetorius of Egypt, & Teucer of Babylon. (2009). Rhetorius the Egyptian. (J. H. Holden,
Trans.). Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers.