This video lecture delves into the complex astrological technique of "monthly perfections" or "transfer of the months" as practiced in the medieval Islamic world. The speaker, Ali A. Olomi, explains how this technique, building upon Hellenistic foundations, was further developed and utilized with a layering of methods not commonly found in European traditions. The lecture aims to recreate and demonstrate these advanced methods, emphasizing the importance of Islamic sources for a comprehensive understanding of this astrological practice.
In medieval Islamic astrology, the "ninth part" is a system that divides the zodiac into nine specific divisions within each sign. It's significant because it acts as a "helper" planet, adding further layers of meaning and nuance to astrological interpretations, similar to how helper planets provide more detailed explanations in the Fardars technique.
In monthly perfections, the ninth part is applied by assigning a ruler to each of the successive months. For instance, if a month falls under Aries, Mars is added as a helper. If it falls under Taurus, Saturn is added as a helper, and so on. This system blends the element and quality of the sign to create a unique pattern of rulers for these monthly divisions, providing more specific significations and pinpointing significant moments. The ninth part of the moon is also used to identify key moments of decision-making and shifts in a person's awareness or soul.
Here's a breakdown of the steps for delineation based on the video, structured as a rubric for assessing the application of monthly perfections:
This rubric outlines the steps and criteria for delineating monthly perfections, integrating the various layers discussed in the video.
I. Foundation: Annual Perfection (The Year's Theme)
| Criteria | Excellent (3 points) | Good (2 points) | Fair (1 point) | Poor (0 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the Year's Sign & Ruler | Correctly identifies the sign governing the annual perfection and its planetary ruler(s) based on the ascendant's yearly movement. | Correctly identifies the sign but may miss a secondary ruler or have a slight calculation error. | Identifies the sign but incorrectly identifies the ruler(s) or misunderstands the yearly transfer. | Fails to identify the correct sign and ruler for the annual perfection. |
| 2. Ascertain General Significations | Accurately interprets the general themes of the year based on the sign ruler(s), considering their natal condition (dignity, house, aspects). | Interprets the general themes with good accuracy, but may lack depth in connecting to natal conditions. | Provides a basic interpretation of the sign ruler(s) but neglects natal conditions or misinterprets significations. | Offers a vague or inaccurate interpretation of the year's theme, lacking connection to astrological principles. |
II. Layer 1: Discrete Monthly Perfection (The Month's Theme)
| Criteria | Excellent (3 points) | Good (2 points) | Fair (1 point) | Poor (0 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. Assign Monthly Signs & Rulers | Accurately assigns each month a sign and its corresponding planetary ruler(s) sequentially from the year's starting sign. | Assigns most months correctly, with perhaps one or two minor sequencing errors. | Assigns some months correctly but makes multiple sequencing errors or misunderstands the monthly progression. | Fails to correctly assign signs and rulers for the majority of the months. |
| 4. Interpret Monthly Significations | Integrates the monthly ruler(s) with the annual theme, considering their natal condition and the interplay of multiple influences. | Integrates monthly themes with the annual theme but may not fully synthesize the combined influences or natal placements. | Provides basic monthly interpretations but struggles to connect them to the annual theme or natal chart effectively. | Offers disconnected or inaccurate interpretations for the monthly themes, lacking integration. |
III. Layer 2: Continuous Perfection & Duodeca-demoria (Depth & Nuance)
| Criteria | Excellent (3 points) | Good (2 points) | Fair (1 point) | Poor (0 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. Calculate Ascendant's Degree Movement | Accurately calculates the ascendant's progression of 2.5 degrees per month, determining its position within the duodeca-demoria for each month. | Calculates the degree movement mostly correctly, with minor inaccuracies in the final positions or duodeca-demoria assignments for a few months. | Makes significant errors in calculating the degree movement or identifying the correct duodeca-demoria for multiple months. | Fails to accurately calculate or apply the continuous perfection (2.5 degrees/month) and its relation to the duodeca-demoria. |
| 6. Identify Angular Duodeca-demoria (Peak Months) | Correctly identifies months where the duodeca-demoria falls on an angle (Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant, IC) and notes their significance. | Identifies most angular duodeca-demoria placements but may miss one or two or misinterpret their significance. | Incorrectly identifies angular placements or assigns them little to no significance. | Fails to identify or utilize the significance of angular duodeca-demoria placements. |
| 7. Integrate Duodeca-demoria Influence | Skillfully integrates the meanings of the specific duodeca-demoria with the monthly and annual themes, adding nuanced interpretations. | Integrates the duodeca-demoria influence reasonably well, but the connection to the overall themes could be deeper or more explicit. | Attempts to integrate duodeca-demoria meanings but does so superficially or incorrectly, with weak connections to the primary themes. | Neglects the integration of the duodeca-demoria, failing to add depth or nuance to the monthly delineations. |
| 8. Incorporate House Layer (Judiciously) | Applies house meanings related to the duodeca-demoria placement judiciously, enhancing the interpretation without over-reliance. | Applies house meanings to the duodeca-demoria somewhat effectively, but perhaps with slightly less precision or selectivity. | Attempts to apply house meanings but does so inconsistently or too broadly, potentially overshadowing other interpretive layers. | Relies too heavily on house meanings or misapplies them, distorting the interpretation. |
IV. Layer 3: The Ninth Part (The Helper & Indicator)
| Criteria | Excellent (3 points) | Good (2 points) | Fair (1 point) | Poor (0 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9. Determine the Ninth Part Ruler | Correctly identifies the ninth part ruler for each month based on the sign's element and tropical counterpart. | Correctly identifies the ninth part ruler for most months, with occasional minor errors in applying the system. | Makes multiple errors in identifying the ninth part rulers for the months, indicating a misunderstanding of the calculation method. | Fails to correctly apply the ninth part system for the majority of the months. |
| 10. Integrate Ninth Part as Helper | Effectively integrates the ninth part ruler as a "helper," adding specific significations and enhancing the interpretation of the month. | Integrates the ninth part helper reasonably well, but its contribution to the overall meaning could be more distinct or impactful. | Attempts to integrate the ninth part helper but does so superficially, with weak connections to the monthly themes or an oversimplification of its role. | Neglects the role of the ninth part helper, failing to add its unique layer of meaning to the monthly interpretation. |
V. Layer 4: Ninth Part of the Moon (Moments of Awareness & Destiny)
| Criteria | Excellent (3 points) | Good (2 points) | Fair (1 point) | Poor (0 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11. Identify Ninth Part of Moon's Placement | Accurately determines the ninth part of the moon's placement for specific periods and notes any connections to planetary positions or aspects. | Identifies the ninth part of the moon's placement mostly correctly, with minor discrepancies or less precision in noting concurrent planetary influences. | Makes significant errors in determining the ninth part of the moon's placement or fails to note relevant planetary connections. | Fails to accurately determine or utilize the ninth part of the moon's placement for interpretation. |
| 12. Interpret "Moments of Destiny" | Skillfully interprets the ninth part of the moon's placement as indicating significant internal shifts, decisions, or awareness during those periods. | Interprets the "moments of destiny" with good insight, but the connection to the specific astrological indicators could be more explicit. | Provides a basic or vague interpretation of these "moments of destiny," lacking depth or a clear link to the astrological placements. | Offers no meaningful interpretation of the "moments of destiny" or misinterprets their significance. |
VI. Layer 5: Continuous Transfer & Transits (Trigger Moments)
| Criteria | Excellent (3 points) | Good (2 points) | Fair (1 point) | Poor (0 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. Track Continuous Transfer's Progression | Accurately tracks the continuous transfer's progression (2.5 degrees/month) and identifies when it hits sensitive points (planets, angles, degree shifts). | Tracks the continuous transfer's progression mostly accurately, identifying key hits but potentially missing a few minor conjunctions or aspects. | Makes significant errors in tracking the continuous transfer's progression or fails to identify key sensitive points it interacts with. | Fails to accurately track or utilize the continuous transfer's progression for identifying trigger moments. |
| 14. Analyze Aspects and Conjunctions | Thoroughly analyzes the aspects and conjunctions made by the continuous transfer with natal planets and other sensitive points, interpreting their impact. | Analyzes most significant aspects and conjunctions well, but may lack depth in explaining the combined effect of multiple interactions. | Analyzes aspects and conjunctions superficially or incorrectly, with weak or inaccurate interpretations of their impact. | Neglects the analysis of aspects and conjunctions made by the continuous transfer, missing crucial interpretive elements. |
| 15. Synthesize All Layers for Precision | Seamlessly synthesizes all layers of interpretation (annual, monthly, duodeca-demoria, ninth part, ninth part of moon, continuous transfer) for a highly precise delineation. | Synthesizes most layers effectively, providing a detailed delineation, though the integration of all elements could be smoother or more cohesive. | Attempts to synthesize the layers but struggles to integrate them coherently, resulting in a fragmented or partially accurate delineation. | Fails to effectively synthesize the various layers, resulting in a superficial or inaccurate overall delineation. |
| 16. Grounding in Natal & Revolution Charts | Effectively grounds the monthly delineations by cross-referencing with the natal chart and relevant revolution charts (e.g., solar return). | Grounds the delineations reasonably well with natal and revolution charts, but the connections could be more thoroughly explored or explicitly stated. | Attempts to ground the delineations but does so inconsistently or superficially, with weak connections to the natal and revolution charts. | Neglects to ground the monthly delineations in the natal chart or revolution charts, lacking context and validation. |
How to Use the Rubric:
This rubric can be used for self-assessment, peer review, or as a structured guide when practicing and applying the complex technique of monthly perfections.
