Introduction to Parts and Lots
Introduction to Parts and Lots - 1
- Work in progress by Philip Graves - 6 Apr 2004
What are Parts and Lots?
In astrology, Parts, also known as Lots, are numerous particular points in a figure derived in most cases from counting the distance in degrees in a forward direction through the signs of the zodiac between two celestial bodies in a specified order, and adding the result to the degree of the Ascendant. In rare cases, another house cusp is involved instead of the Ascendant.
In many cases, the order of the two celestial bodies to be counted between depends on whether the nativity was diurnal (when the Sun was between the 7th and 12th houses inclusive) or nocturnal (between the 1st and 6th houses inclusive), the order for the nocturnal formula being the reverse of that of the diurnal formula.
Why 'Arabian' or Arabic Parts?
The designation 'Arabic' or 'Arabian' is a misnomer, since several Parts were in use by the ancient Greek astrologers long before the continued development of their traditions by the Arabs introduced many other Parts from the 8th to 12th centuries A.D.. But by the time of the introduction of Arabic astrology into the West, the use of the Lots by Western astrologers had largely died out, excepting the Part of Fortune and the Part of Spirit, which were alone in their mention by Ptolemy, who had declared unwilling to concern himself with any of the other Lots in use by the ancient Greeks at all, leaving the false impression to Western astrologers that nearly all the other Parts introduced by the Arabic astrologers to the West were of Arabic origin.
In this article, I shall trace the major currents of historical astrological use of the Parts and Lots, starting in ancient Greece.
1: Parts in Ancient Greek Astrology
In the classical Greek sources, we most often find the whole sign equal house (or 'sign-house') system in use, and aspects being counted by whole sign distance too. Although Parts are calculated with degree precision, they then affect the entire sign (or zoidion) and corresponding whole-sign house (or place) in which they are calculated to fall. Aspects to them are considered to the whole sign in which they occur.
Lot of Fortune; Lot of Spirit
Of the several lots described in ancient sources, most significance is accorded to the Lot of Fortune, also often known as Pars Fortuna, the Part of Fortune, Pars Luna or the Part of the Moon; and nearly as much to its formula-reversed counterpart the Lot of Spirit, sometimes known as the Lot of the Daemon, the Lot of Divinity, Pars Solis, the Part of the Sun, Pars futurorum, or the Part of things to come.
The Lot of Fortune in diurnal figures, and the Lot of Spirit in nocturnal figures, are derived by counting forward through the zodiac in degrees from the Sun to the Moon, adding the result to the degree of the Ascendant. In short, Moon - Sun + ASC.
By contrast, the Lot of Spirit in diurnal figures, and the Lot of Fortune in nocturnal figures, are derived by counting forward in degrees from the Moon to the Sun, and adding the result to the degree of the Ascendant. In short, Sun - Moon + ASC.
Ptolemy, who was primarily an astronomer with relatively little knowledge of astrology, disregarded the formula reversal for nocturnal births, specifying the diurnal formula for both Lots regardless of the time of day. But all the other ancient classical sources concur on the formula reversal needed.
The Lot of Fortune was regarded by all ancient Greek sources as being on a par with the Ascendant in importance.
The Lot of Fortune was taken as signifiying the quality of life, material prosperity, and wealth; happiness; hand crafts; the course of good and bad fortune; the affection of men towards women; desires; the effects of child-care; to some extent the native country; and organs of the body.
The Lot of Spirit was thought to signify concerns of the mind, intellect, spirit and soul; actions taken through discourse, and through giving and receiving; professions; material goods; the affection of women towards men; and to a strong extent the native country.
The particular and benefic / malefic nature of planets in aspect to each Lot are considered in their influences on these matters.
Both the Lot of Fortune and the Lot of Spirit were held to have much influence over the imposing and turning back of actions. For each of these Lots, its indications for action and fortune are considered through the combination of the sign tenanted by the Lot concerned with that tenanted by the Lord of the same Lot.
This article taken from
HOROSCOPESCHAT
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14.10.2006.