posted April 26, 2010 11:41 AM            

I'd look at only 30 minutes of arc for the midpoint-midpoint conjunctions,oppositions

they are also known as planetary pictures,Magi Quads,Isosceles Trapezoids.
in the systems of Uranian Astrology/Hamburg School, Magi Astrology, and David Cochrane's Astrology. David Cochrane is the creator of Kepler astrology software and founder of Cosmic Patterns company.

In those systems, midpoint-midpoint configurations are considered even if no planet,point aspect them.

If you're using mainstream Astrology, I suggest just working without the midpoints unless you're working with a strictly geometrical Astrology.

THE MATHEMATICAL BASIS OF ARABIC PARTS
AND A PARADIGM SHIFT IN ASTROLOGY
By David Cochrane

SUMMARY:

To summarize: Not only are Arabic Parts indicated by harmonic astrological theory, but even the doctrine of sect applied to the Part of Fortune and Part of Spirt is indicated by harmonic astrological theory.

This finding completely destroys what we had previously assumed: that Arabic Parts are a mystical formula not amenable to Newtonian analysis, and even goes beyond this to demonstrate complete agreement between an ancient technique and harmonic astrology.

Zoller correctly points out that Arabic Parts were discarded in modern times because of their apparent non-rational basis, but, amazingly, they are now found to be completely rational and harmonic astrological theory (i.e. wave theory) confirms that Arabic Parts should be given the very high priority and importance that they are given in classical astrology.

Understanding the geometry of Arabic Parts illuminates our understanding of Arabic Parts, while also opening up new insights, such as the introduction of PR, along with PF and PS. Note that the geometrical foundation of Arabic Parts is a mathematical truth regardless of whether one believes in astrology or not, and regardless of whether one thinks that this geometry is relevant to a greater astrological understanding of the Arabic Parts.

The isosceles trapezoid is an elegant concept that integrates many seemingly disparate astrological concepts, such as midpoints, antiscia and solstice points, Jonas birth control, Vedic tithi returns, the traditional aspect patterns of grand trines, grand crosses, mystic rectangles, and yods, and even the very popular composite chart that was introduced in the 20th century. The isosceles trapezoid was identified by the founder of the Hamburg school of astrology Alfred Witte. Witte referred to isosceles trapezoids as planetary pictures. Rather than find the fourth point that makes an isosceles trapezoid (an Arabic Part), Witte interpreted isosceles trapezoids that occur in the chart. He did not, to my knowledge, emphasize the geometric shape or the fact that planetary pictures and Arabic Parts are mathematically identical; he was more intrigued by the symmetry that planetary pictures have. Symmetry is always created when there is planetary resonance, so Witte is correct; whether one prefers to focus on the symmetry or the resonance, one is actually identifying the same phenomenon. Planetary resonance is based on wave theory, which allows an even wider number of astrological influences to be integrated into a single conceptual framework.

A large number of astrological techniques are either comprised of isosceles trapezoids, or can be viewed as derivatives of isosceles trapezoids. A full discussion of the relationships of these astrological techniques to isosceles trapezoids and to each other requires hundreds of pages, but hopefully this very terse introduction to some new vistas in astrological thought has been informative, interesting and inspiring to the reader.

The re-introduction of simple mathematical and scientific models into astrology at this time may create some consternation, but it may well be that the current paradigm shift in astrology towards divination and qualitative research will give way to a higher synthesis that incorporates the astrology of Kepler and Addey with ancient methods to create a framework that is not distorted, as Zoller refers to Kepler's astrology, but rather stronger, durable, and more useful and practical than our current edifice. My own sense is that we are on the verge of yet another paradigm shift even before we have settled comfortably into our current movement away from the quantitative and Newtonian approach and towards divination and qualitative research. No doubt this is an unpopular view but we can all agree that interesting times lie ahead of us!

A final note: After reading this article, several people have asked how they can access this information in their software. There are many techniques that employ these concepts, such as composite charts, etc., but most often people want to find PR in their charts and know what isosceles trapezoids occur in their charts.

An isosceles trapezoid mathematically is simply a midpoint conjunct or opposition a midpoint, and a list of midpoints conjunct and opposition midpoints is a good way to view them. My observations indicate that an orb of only about 1/2 degree is used for aspects to Arabic Parts and for midpoints conjunct midpoints, so I look at them up to about a 1 degree orb but pay close attention to only those configurations that are within about 30 minutes orb. Evidently the planetary resonance occurs only when the angular distances are nearly identical. Kepler 7 users can see PR in the list of Arabic Parts using the default list of Arabic Parts. Select Listings and then Arabic Parts; sort by Arabic Part name to quickly find "Redemption" listed, or you can view this Arabic Part in the Arabic Parts wheel. You can select Listings, and then select Harmonic Patterns Listings, and then select the first option of "Harmonic triangles and Midpt conj Midpt" and scroll to the bottom of the listing. For my own use I change the orbs from 3 degrees to 1 degree; to change the orbs, click on the "Orbs of Aspects" buttons on the screen where you select the report, and then click the Next button until you get to the end of the list of aspects, and change the applying and separating orbs of the midpoint conjunct midpoint and midpoint opposition midpoint to 1 degree. Note that oppositions are regarded as equivalent to conjunctions because the midpoints in both cases lie on the same midpoint axis. Users of other major astrological software can probably select these features in a similar manner in their programs.

http://www.astrosoftware.com/ArabicParts.htm

I'd rather look at the natal ones

btw

I did a count

if you use midpoints that include only Sun,Moon,Ascendant,Midheaven,Mercury,Venus,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,Neptune,and the Lunar Node, there there are 65 midpoints

if you include Pluto, there are 76 midpoints

I don't include Pluto as a planet any more since its demotion to dwarf planet. I feel that if I include Pluto, I might as well as use its fellow dwarf planets and even the dwarf planet candidates. It just seems logical.

using only 30 minutes of arc and excluding Pluto, I have the following Isosceles Trapezoids:

Sun/Mercury conjunct Jupiter/Uranus - '03
Saturn/Midheaven oppose Moon/Ascendant - '08 (aspected by Jupiter)
Node/Ascendant conjunct Venus/Neptune - '11
Neptune/Midheaven oppose Jupiter/Saturn - '12
Mercury/Midheaven oppose Moon/Mars - '15 (aspected my Uranus)
Mercury/Ascendant oppose Mars/Saturn - '23 (aspected by Uranus)
Moon/Neptune conjunct Mars/Jupiter - '24
Moon/Midheaven oppose Neptune/Ascendant - '25

Sun/Mercury conjunct Jupiter/Uranus is my strongest Isosceles Trapezoid. This could indicate my highly progressive nature. It can be good for Astrology and Activism. Jupiter/Uranus is the sudden luck midpoint, and Ebertin also saw it as "Thank The Lord" configuration as people strong in it would often say that after a release of tension.

I believe that isosceles trapezoids can indicate strong themes, especially if they are within 15 minutes of arc.

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Raymond

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