Robert Zoller.

MEDIEVAL ASTROLOGY FOUNDATION COURSE

LESSON FOUR:
PREDICTIVE TECHNIQUES

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MEDIEVAL ASTROLOGY FOUNDATION COURSE

LESSON FOUR:
PREDICTIVE TECHNIQUES
© copyright Robert Zoller and New Library Limited 2000 All rights reserved

(Transcript of audio lecture file: rz-fc-4.mp3)

Welcome to the fourth and last lesson of Robert Zoller’s

Foundation Course on Medieval Astrology. This lesson is
called Predictive Techniques and teaches two specific
techniques used by Medieval astrologers.

In the last lesson we were speaking of delineation. You must

delineate the chart before you can make predictions. A
prediction is nothing more than the timing of a manifestation
of what is held as a promise in the natal figure. Once we
thoroughly understand the various facets of the natal chart by
delineating it carefully we can apply timing (prediction)
techniques to see when the promise will manifest. Firstly we
are going to look at the Firdaria predictive technique and
then the Profections predictive technique.

THE FIRDARIA TECHNIQUE

The word Firdaria comes into Latin from the Arabic Alfirdar,
which in turn came to the Arabic language from the Persian
Fardar which is in itself a corruption of the Greek word
Period. Persians could not pronounce P's so they turned
these into F's, made the er an ar (or ir) and slurred the iod
into ar. They liked the r ending (like the Old Norse) at the end
of nouns. So, the word is really a Greek word which means
planetary period.

The Firdaria Planetary Period technique is a method for

predicting. It gives you the ability to see the whole course of
the native's life and to write his biography without even
knowing him.
1
It cannot be stressed enough that the first thing you have to
do is to delineate the horoscope. The basics of this you
should have mastered in Lesson Three. Delineation is of
prime importance because any prediction made can only
operate within the confines of the natal promise. In simple
terms, if there is not promise for a certain course of events or
happenings then the astrologer can not predict it. Thus the
Firdaria or any other predictive technique merely times what
is promised in the natal figure. To succeed with the Firdaria
you must know what every planet (of the 7 visible planets –
and don’t forget that in astrology we call the Sun and the
Moon planets) and the 2 Nodes (of the Moon) are doing in
the horoscope under examination.

Please refer to Figure 10 The Firdaria Periods (next page).

As you will see the planets are arranged in a circle with
Saturn at the top.

Each planet represents a day of the week. Follow the

diagonal lines inside the circle starting with Saturn. Go down
to the Sun, then up to the Moon, then to Mars and so on until
you return to Saturn. As you can see this sequence is
according to the days of the week. Saturn is Satur(n)day.
Sunday is the Sun's day. Monday is the Moon's day.
Tuesday is Tiw's day, Tiw being the Anglo-Saxon war god or
Mars. Wednesday is Woden's day, Woden being the Anglo-
Saxon deity equated to Mercury. Thursday = Thor's day.
Thor wielded the Thunder bolt, as did Jupiter. Friday =
Frejya's day, the Norse and Anglo-Saxon goddess of Love,
equated with Venus. You will see that the North Node of the
Moon and the South Node of the Moon are placed between
the Sun & Mars.

Also, each planet in the Figure is associated with a number.

These numbers indicate so many years. Saturn 11 years,
Jupiter 12 years, Mars 7 years, North Node 3 years, South
Node 2 years, Sun 10 years, Venus 8 years, Mercury 13
years and finally the Moon 9 years.

2
Figure 10 The Firdaria

11

9 12

7
13

P3

8 10
Q2
To apply the Firdaria:

Decide if the horoscope is diurnal or nocturnal. You will

remember how to do this from earlier lessons. In a diurnal
th th
chart (native born during the daytime) the Sun in the 7 , 8 ,
th th th th
9 , 10 , 11 or 12 houses. A nocturnal chart (native born at
st nd rd th th th
night) has the Sun in the 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 or 6 houses.

1. In diurnal horoscopes begin the attribution from the

Sun. In nocturnal horoscopes begin the attribution
from the Moon. In both cases you always move
clockwise (Sun, Venus, Mercury, etc in diurnal figures
and Moon, Saturn, Jupiter etc in nocturnal figures.)

The number of years given each planet does not

change. The total (75) is always the same. You start
in different places e.g. with the Sun or with the Moon
depending upon whether you are working on a diurnal
or a nocturnal figure.

2. As just mentioned, the number of years of the Firdaria

is 75 in total. Thus, if you live more than 75 years you
simply start at the beginning again. In Medieval times
most people did not live to that age.

3. What makes the Firdaria specific to the individual is not

what planet rules that period of time (e.g. Moon 1st 9
years in a nocturnal figure) but how it is found in the
particular horoscope. To discover this look at the
house the planet is positioned in, the zodiacal Sign the
planet is positioned in, the aspects the planet is
receiving and finally the houses that that planet rules by
rulership (of the Sign) and where applicable by
exaltation.

The planetary period {or Firdaria} will be about such

things as the planet ruling the period rules by its nature,
its rulership(s) and exaltation - i.e. the affairs of the
houses its signs fall upon.

4
4. After the first period (either Moon or Sun) move
clockwise around the Firdaria Figure.

Progress through the whole Firdaria Scheme of the

Figure 10. In a diurnal figure the sequence will be Sun,
Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, North
Node and South Node. In a nocturnal figure the
sequence will be Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, N. Node,
S. Node, Sun, Venus, Mercury.

5. The sequence will give the general outline of the

native's life. During the Firdaria or period in question
the quality of the time conforms to the nature and
zodiacal state of the planet ruling that period. This
quality will be linked to the house the planet is
positioned in and will be associated with issues
corresponding to the house(s) it rules both by rulership
and by exaltation.

The ability to make correct predictions and to

accurately read the past using this technique is based
upon knowing beforehand what each of the planets are
doing in the horoscope. Your delineation of the chart
beforehand enables you to do this.

If you make statements based merely upon the natures

of the planets themselves, your reading will be bland
and general. This will be because you will only be
reciting a series of planetary influences common to
everyone with a diurnal or nocturnal chart. If, on the
other hand, you take the ruling planet's house position,
its rulerships, nature and dignity or debility, and its
aspects; especially if you have thoroughly synthesised
all this previously and know precisely what the planet
ruling the period is doing {in the natal figure before you}
your reading will be accurate, penetrating and
impressive.

6. The next stage is to apply the Firdaria sub-periods in

which shorter time periods are examined. In this note
that each of the planetary periods is divided into 7 sub-
5
periods with the exception of the two Node periods
which neither rule sub-periods nor are subdivided.

To find the length of each sub-period of a planetary

period, divide the length of the planetary period by 7.
For instance the Sub-periods of the Sun are 10 ÷ 7 =
1.4286 years long. The length of the Moon's sub-
periods is 9 ÷ 7 = 1.286 years long. Mars' are 1 year
long. The rulerships of the sub-periods begin with the
planet being divided. Then you merely follow the
clockwise sequence of planets around the Firdaria
Figure 10. Thus, the Sun's sub-periods are Sun-Sun,
Sun-Venus, Sun-Mercury, Sun-Moon, Sun-Saturn,
Sun-Jupiter, and Sun-Mars. So with the others except
as I have just said the two Nodes.

In judging the sub-periods, refer (in your mind or out

loud) to each sub-period by referring to the Period
Ruler first and then to the sub-period ruler. This will
help you to keep the astrological influences clear in
your mind. Thus, in the Sun's Period, you will refer to
the Sun-Sun Period, the Sun-Venus Period, the Sun-
Mercury Period, the Sun-Moon Period, etc. As you do
this, observe or remember the house positions and
rulerships of the two planets involved. E.g. the Sun-
Mars Period links the Sun with Mars. You will have
already synthesised the astrological delineations of
both these rulers as they are found in the chart you are
working on.

Pay particularly close attention to the houses involved.

For example, when the natal figure promises marriage,
st
especially when the ruler of the 1 and the ruler of the
th
7 are connected in the natal figure and the sub-
periods involve both planets {ruling the Period and sub-
period} then the native will marry at this time. Both the
period ruler and the sub-period ruler must involve the
st th
ruler of the 1 and the ruler of the 7 to be sure of this.
This Firdaria must take place at a time that is fitting for
marriage (e.g. if this happens to a child of 6 years of
age then the astrologer can suppose it may not relate
6
to marriage). This is not the only time marriage will take
place nor is it definite that a marriage will occur during
this Firdaria but again, these are matters discussed in
the full Course.
th
When both planets involve the ruler of the 7 and the
ruler of the 10th, the native enters into business
partnerships, if the horoscope permits. Death is
occasionally seen when the ruler of the 8th is either a
Period or sub-period ruler.

Let us now use Figure 9 (next page) to illustrate this.

The figure is diurnal. We begin from the Sun. The first

10 years are ruled by the Sun. Note that the Sun is
notably afflicted (conjunct Mars and Mercury &
th
opposed to Saturn. Note that the Sun rules the 6 and
th
Saturn rules the 12 . I was very ill during this time,
mostly with severe asthma and pneumonia. My father's
life (Sun = father) was very difficult. These difficulties
th
affected the home (Mercury conjunct Sun, rules 4 ). I
had trouble socialising with other kids.

The next period 10-18 years is ruled by Venus. These

years were dominated by educational matters and
rd
emotional vulnerability (Venus, ruler of 3 is square
Moon). Art played a big role in my life. I drew well and
it afforded me an escape from domestic turmoil.

The next period is Mercury's (18-31 years). These

were adverse years (Mercury opposed to Saturn), but I
learned Latin and astrology during this time and began
to write and translate. Note the Mercury Saturn
connection: hard work (Saturn) and intellectual
endeavour (Mercury). I had disappointments in
th
marriage (Mercury rules 7 House) and
disappointments in connection with friends (Saturn
th
rules 11 House). I also had further bronchial troubles
th
(Saturn rules 12 and Mercury is conjunct the ruler of
th.
the 6

7
Figure 9 Example Chart
Firdaria Planetary
‚ 25 Jan 1947 10 yrs †00à04 24 Hours
‚ ‚ 25 Jan 1947 san01à29 Ý Day Hours
‚ … 30 Jun 1948 13°
‚04à46 34
…17Þ58 20° 1 7:17 am ˆ
‚ „ 3 Dec 1949 à spirit06à07 ß 20° ¢10Þ07R 2 8:05 am ‡
‚ ƒ 10 May 1951 31 Þ ‡24Ý12 3 8:54 am †
„06à16 16° ¨20Þ46
‚ ˆ 12 Oct 1952 faith07à38 46 4 9:42 am ‚
‚ ‡ 17 Mar 1954 5 10:31 am …
‚ † 22 Aug 1955 11 10 9 6 11:19 am „
… 25 Jan 1957 8 yrs ƒ11á17 12 8 7 12:07 pm ƒ
… … 25 Jan 1957 8 12:56 pm ˆ
… „ 18 Mar 1958
… ƒ 10 May 1959
Natal Chart 9 1:44 pm ‡
10 2:33 pm †
38 17°
… ˆ 1 Jul 1960
á
Robert Zoller Ü
11 3:21 pm ‚
… ‡ 21 Aug 1961 12 4:09 pm …
… † 13 Oct 1962 12°
25 Jan 1947 AD GC 20
Night Hours
… ‚ 5 Dec 1963 1 4:58 pm „
„ 25 Jan 1965 13 yrs 8:59:00 AM 2 6:09 pm ƒ
„ „ 25 Jan 1965 3 7:21 pm ˆ
„ ƒ 4 Dec 1966 §12á38 1
EST +05:00:00 7
4 8:32 pm ‡
„ ˆ 13 Oct 1968 38 5 9:44 pm †
„ ‡ 22 Aug 1970 Mount Vernon Û 6 10:55 pm ‚
„ † 30 Jun 1972 7 12:07 am …
„ ‚ 9 May 1974 17° United States 12°
8 1:19 am „
„ … 18 Mar 1976 Ö 73w50'15, 40n54'45 9 2:30 am ƒ
ƒ 25 Jan 1978 9 yrs 20 10 3:42 am ˆ
ƒ ƒ 25 Jan 1978 11 4:53 am ‡
ƒ ˆ 10 May 1979 £19Ö09 12 6:05 am †
2 6
ƒ ‡ 21 Aug 1980 hyleg22Ö26 3
4
5
Day Hours
ƒ † 4 Dec 1981 1 7:16 am ‚
20°
ƒ ‚ 18 Mar 1983
ƒ … 30 Jun 1984 Ø Parts
ƒ „ 13 Oct 1985 46 13° Fortune 19 Ö 09
24 necess25×32 34
ˆ 25 Jan 1987 11 yrs subst29×54 Ú Spirit 06 à 07
ˆ ˆ 25 Jan 1987
× Ù ˆ05Ú30R 31 Substance 29 × 54
ˆ ‡ 21 Aug 1988
20° ¡10Ø07R 16°
Faith 07 à 38
ˆ † 18 Mar 1990 Hyleg 22 Ö 26
ˆ ‚ 12 Oct 1991
ˆ … 9 May 1993 Traditional Chart, Geocentric, Tropical
ˆ „ 4 Dec 1994
ˆ ƒ 30 Jun 1996 House House Calculation Parameters Chart Results
‡ 25 Jan 1998 12 yrs Cusps Almutems House Sys: Alchabitius Semi-Arc Chart is Diurnal
‡ ‡ 25 Jan 1998 1. 12 á 38 1‡ Almut Trip: Day+Night+Partic PL Day Saturday ˆ
‡ † 13 Oct 1999 2. 17 Ö 20 2‚ Trip Ruler: Dorothean PL Hour of birth †
‡ ‚ 30 Jun 2001 3. 20 × 24 3… Term Ruler: Egyptian Almutem of Chart ˆ
‡ … 18 Mar 2003 4. 20 Ø 46 4„ Decan Ruler: Chaldean No Final Dispositor
‡ „ 4 Dec 2004 5. 16 Ù 34 5ƒ Orient Defn: Ori/Occ to Sun Moon 1st Quarter Waxing
‡ ƒ 21 Aug 2006 6. 13 Ú 31 6‚ Tropical, True Node Hayz ‚
‡ ˆ 9 May 2008 7. 12 Û 38 7„ True Sunrise Financial Sig †
† 25 Jan 2010 7 yrs 8. 17 Ü 20 8ˆ Ang houses offset 8 degs Prof Sigs ƒ…
† † 25 Jan 2010 9. 20 Ý 24 9† Suc houses offset 5 degs PS Class … Artisan
† ‚ 25 Jan 2011 10. 20 Þ 46 10 ‡ Cad houses offset 3 degs SAN 01 à 29
† … 26 Jan 2012 11. 16 ß 34 11 † Chart is Conjunctional
† „ 25 Jan 2013 12. 13 à 31 12 ˆ Mutual Receptions
† ƒ 25 Jan 2014 ‚-ˆ by Rulership
† ˆ 25 Jan 2015 Source: Government Record ‚-ˆ by Triplicity
† ‡ 25 Jan 2016 Birth Certificate ‡-ˆ by Term
¡ 25 Jan 2017 3 yrs
¢ 25 Jan 2020 2 yrs

PL Long Rul Exn Tri Trm Fac Det Fal Dig Ori Sun Antisc Decl Vel F/S
‚ 04à46 ˆ ˆ „ … ‚- 5 25 Ý 14 19s04 +01 01 F
ƒ 11á17 ‡ … … … ‡ „ „ prg ori 18 Ü 43 12s02 +12 34 S
„ 06à16 ˆ ˆ „+ … ‚ 2 ori cmb 23 Ý 44 20s43 +01 43 F
… 17Þ58 ‡ ‚ „ ƒ „ prg occ 12 ß 02 19s10 +00 59
† 00à04 ˆ ˆ „ … ‚ prg ori cmb 29 Ý 56 21s07 +00 47 F
‡ 24Ý12 † … ˆ … … ƒ prg ori 05 à 48 17s49 +00 08 F
ˆ 05Ú30R ‚ ‚ ‡ ˆ+ ˆ- 6 ori 24 × 30 19n29 -00 04 S
¡ 10Ø07R „ ˆ ‡ † ‡ 19 Ù 53 21n58
¢ 10Þ07R ‡ ‚ ‡ ƒ „ 19 ß 53 21s57
§ 12á38 ‡ … … ‡ ‡ „ „ 17 Ü 22 06s48
¨ 20Þ46 ‡ ‚ „ ˆ „ 09 ß 14 23s06
£ 19Ö09 † ‚ ‚ „ ‚ … ˆ 10 Û 51 07n30
The next period is ruled by the Moon (31-40 years). I
had dramatic mystical experiences (Moon in Pisces
rd
rising). I published my first book (Moon ruler of 3 by
rd
exaltation and square to Venus, ruler of 3 ). I got
deeply involved with mystical matters, yoga and the
occult.

The next period is ruled by Saturn (40-51 years).I was

forced by economic pressure to work in the
construction business and pursue astrology as a
sideline. I continued to work on Medieval Astrology,
translating, practising and lecturing on the subject. The
construction work was fast track, stressful, dangerous,
laborious and harsh. I had health problems during this
time, difficulties with bosses and men in positions of
authority.

The next period is ruled by Jupiter (51-63 years). On

my 51st birthday, while in New Zealand, I received a
call from Australia saying I'd been awarded the
Southern Cross Award given to the overseas astrologer
who'd done the most to advance astrology in Australia
in the past 2 years. The period so far {I write this in
May 2000} has been full of accolades, opportunities
th
and support. Note Jupiter's 9 House position and
th
rulership of 10 and the Ascendant. Since Jupiter is the
ruler of the Ascendant and MC {Mid-Heaven}, its period
has especial relevance to the native and the methods
the native uses in attempting to achieve his destiny and
profession.

Let's break this down into its sub-periods. Each of

Jupiter's sub-periods is 1.714 years long. The sub-
periods are:
Jupiter-Jupiter 51.00 - 52.71yrs of age
Jupiter-Mars 52.71 - 54.43yrs of age
Jupiter-Sun 54.43 - 56.14yrs of age
Jupiter-Venus 56.14 - 57.86yrs of age
Jupiter-Mercury 57.86 - 59.57yrs of age
Jupiter-Moon 59.57 - 61.29yrs of age
Jupiter-Saturn 61.29 - 63yrs of age
9
During the Jupiter-Jupiter Period, as mentioned above,
I was travelling, teaching and receiving accolades. Just
th
what you would expect from a natal Jupiter in the 9 ,
st th th
ruling the 1 and 10 . Jupiter is also the ruler of the 5
and there was sufficient time for fun. Note that in the
first sub-period of any period, you have only one planet
to look at. In a sense, you look at it twice. The
delineation however is simplified. In all other sub-
periods, you have two rulers to look at and you have to
synthesise their testimonies.

During the Jupiter Mars sub-period (which I am

currently in), the benefic influences of Jupiter,
principally the recognition and success we saw during
the previous sub-period, continues and to it is added
Mars' malefic contributions. Yet Mars is determined
towards
th
friends in my figure by virtue of being in the
11 House. Therefore, although malefic, especially for
my friends, it will bring me some benefit. Mars is
opposed to Saturn in the natal horoscope and is
combust. In the last lesson we saw that it signifies
foreign, zealous friends who have strong opinions. It is
also opposed to Saturn, which is not just the ruler of the
th th
11 , but also the ruler of the 12 (major illness) and the
th
8 (death and money made through partnership). By
th nd th
derived houses, the 8 is 2 from the 7
th
(Partnerships); thus the 8 is the money of the partners
or money made through partnership.

An opposition shows one planet {and the things it

signifies} opposed to another planet {and the things it
signifies}. Aside from friends, which Saturn signifies by
th
ruling the 11 (which causes some of my friends to
oppose or fight with other friends of mine), Saturn also
th
signifies illness by ruling the 12 . Mars' opposition to
Saturn shows some of my friends opposing my illness.
Now the Saturn Mars opposition is the cause of my
illness (Parkinson's Disease), which began in 1991
during the Saturn-Mars Period. Note that the current
10
Mars sub-period coincides with a return to the matter of
health. Mars is determined to health by virtue of being
th
in aspect to the ruler of the 12 .Remember what we
have previously said, that Local Determination occurs
by position, rulership and aspect. The Mars sub-period
of the Jupiter Period is marked by expanding
professional and teaching endeavours, recognition,
assistance of friends, financial considerations (Mars
nd
rules the 2 House) both positive and negative, but
tending more to the positive.

The Jupiter-Sun sub-period begins about the 30th of

June 2001. It will continue the success signified by the
Jupiter Period and it will add to this the brilliance, fame
(or notoriety) of the Sun. I will have the assistance of
powerful friends and be known far and wide. This
exalted state will be lasting since both Jupiter and the
Sun are in fixed signs (Aquarius and Scorpio), but it will
be marred by a number of factors.

First, the Sun is in detriment, so the fame the Sun

brings will be challenged, qualified and opposed (as
Saturn opposes the Sun) by people I associate with
th th
(Saturn ruler of 11 and Sun in 11 ) who are actually
th
my secret enemies (Saturn ruler of 12 ). In addition,
th
the Sun is the ruler of the 6 House (minor illness) and
th
Saturn is the ruler of the 12 (Major Illness) so that my
ability to enjoy the recognition promised by the Sun and
to respond to the opportunities afforded by it will be
th
limited. Saturn is the ruler of the 8 by exaltation, so the
threat of death is not to be overlooked. Heart and eye
troubles
nd
are possible. Since the Sun is the ruler of the
2 (finances) by exaltation, there will be financial
concerns arising from health issues and from the fame
itself. My Solar friends (the powerful ones) will have
financial difficulties due to problems in their
partnerships.

But I also recognise that the Sun and Saturn are in

mutual reception. Therefore, in spite of the efforts of
jealous, inimical agents, I will rise above the adversity.
11
My success will be humanistic, not divine. My faults will
be seen but I will still demonstrate what is possible for
anyone who commits himself or herself to edification.
My Solar friends will rise above their adversities and be
restored to their success. A significant proportion of my
success, tried in the fire of disapprobation, opposition
and challenge will endure and my friends and I,
enjoying God's blessing, will celebrate together.

From 15 March 2003 until 4 December 2004 the

Jupiter-Venus sub-period is in effect. During this period
the success promised by Jupiter blends with the love
and success promised by Venus. As both these planets
th,
are in the 9 great success is promised in foreign
countries due to the assistance of women and spiritual,
foreign or educational interests. Spiritual edification is
offered. There will be success in publishing and strong
financial benefit from partnerships with overseas or
spiritual agencies. Release from infirmities is possible
during this very favourable period.

During the Jupiter-Mercury sub-period (which begins

about 4 December 2004) partnership is indicated as
th
the ruler of the Ascendant and the ruler of the 7 are
involved. This Period also emphasises association with
th
learned friends as Mercury is in the 11 House. In fact,
as Mercury is combust and opposed to Saturn, we can
say that this Period will see adversity for the native's
th
learned friends and family (as Mercury rules the 4
House), while the native, Jupiter, will continue to
prosper and will be in a position to assist his friends
and family.

The Jupiter-Moon sub-period, which begins 21 August

2006, will bring mystical insight, travel, entertainment
and the attention of women. As Jupiter is the ruler of
the Ascendant and the Moon is rising in the example
figure, this sub-period has especial reference to the
native's emotional and spiritual well being. Increased
dream activity and the experience of psychic
phenomena are to be expected. As the Moon is the
12
 th
ruler of the 5 House, avocations and entertainment of
a lunar nature are going to be things occupying the
native.

The Jupiter-Saturn sub-period, which ends the Jupiter

Period will introduce a Saturnian note to the Jupiterian
influences of the larger Period. In addition to the
success and expansiveness of the Jupiter Period, the
teaching and cultivation of affairs of the Higher Mind,
education and foreign contacts we are likely also to see
the pursuit of occult, philosophical or mathematical
interests and avocations. Saturn will also bring health
concerns and dissension among friends, hard work and
melancholy. There is likely to be a retreat from public
activity.

Mars rules the next Period (63-70 years). This

promises adversity but support from friends overseas
and those associated with spiritual interests. Note Mars'
th th nd
11 House position plus its rulership of the 9 and 2
houses. January 25, 2010-January 25, 2011 is a
dangerous time (Mars-Mars) and January 25, 2015-
January 25, 2016 is worse (Mars-Saturn).

The Nodal Periods do not rule houses so they are

judged according to their natures and by reference to
the houses they are in natally. The North Node period
is good, being of the nature of Venus and Jupiter, and
the South Node period usually entails letting go of
things, renunciation and loss, since it is of the nature of
Mars and Saturn). Thus, in the example Figure the
North Node's 3 years are good for consulting,
communicating, teaching and writing. While the South
Nodes 2 years are bad for temporal concerns and
good for spiritual disciplines requiring renunciation and
letting go of identifications.

So, there we have the Firdaria Technique. Essentially,

what it does is to give to each planet a specific period
of time during which it will manifest whatever it
promises in the natal figure. One way of using it is to
13
find the planet which is promising something you are
interested in and see when its Period and sub-periods
are in effect. At these times you may expect the
manifestation of the thing you are interested in.

Be careful, however to remember two things in this

context. Firstly that you must look for something
promised in the natal chart, not something you merely
want. Secondly, keep in mind that the sub-periods are
permutations on a theme established by the Local
Determination of the Period ruler. Thus, not all the
Venus sub-periods will be alike, for while they are all
Venusian, the Venusian quality (meaning, of course,
the Venusian nature plus the dignity/debility of Venus
as well as her Local Determination) will be coloured by
the theme of the Period she is a sub-period ruler of.

The very great benefit the Firdaria Technique gives us

is to see the general course of the native's life. Even to
be able to write a biography of the native whom we
may never have met and to have a way of describing
the times at various points along the life-line of the
native.

Modern predictive techniques rely heavily upon transits

and secondary progressions. It often happens that you
don't have any relevant transits or progressions for
greater or lesser periods of time. Under these
circumstances you are forced to say that either nothing
happens in the native's life or that you don't know what
it is that is happening. The Firdaria enables you to
account for every moment of time from cradle to grave
because every moment falls in some Planetary Period
and some subdivision thereof and the quality of each of
these rulers are accounted for in the natal figure.

Let us now move to the second predictive technique of

this lesson.

14
THE PROFECTION TECHNIQUE

Profection comes from the Latin word profectio,

meaning "going forth, setting out, a departure." It also
means "the source." Basically it amounts to counting
houses.

The natal figure is a snap shot of the moment you were

born, your beginning or principle. Your fate is set and
depicted in that beginning, in that moment. At the
moment of birth you are 0 years old. 365 days later you
will have your first birthday. A year after that, your
second birthday. A year after that you third and so on.

In Medieval Astrology the Ascendant is the indicator of

life. In the Latin texts it is referred to as vita, life. The
quality of life changes cyclically on an annual and
monthly basis. The Profection technique is based on
the idea that this cyclic change is fixed in each person's
life by the underlying pattern of the natal horoscope.

Thus if you want to know what the native's quality of life

is at birth (0 years of age) you look to the Ascendant,
st
the planets in 1 House and its ruler. For the second
year (from the first birthday to the second) you look to
nd rd
the 2 House. Then to the 3 and so on around the
houses until you find yourself back at the Ascendant at
12 years.

Some people get confused, so I will say it another way.

When you start counting, put your finger on the
nd
Ascendant
rd
and say, "0." The
th
2 House cusp is 1, the
3 House cusp is 2, the 4 House cusp is 3, and so on
around the houses until you return to the Ascendant at
12.

In every year the native's life quality will be indicated by

the house corresponding to that year, the planets in the
house and its ruler. Indeed, the ruler of the house is
referred to as the Lord of the Year and by its house
position, it indicates the dominant issue the native faces
15
in that year. This does not mean much for an infant, but
once the native has completed one circuit of the figure,
that is has returned to the Ascendant at 12 years s/he
becomes more and more aware of the changing world
around him or her.

Whether or not the native is aware that the quality of his

life is changing year by year, the astrologer ought to be
aware of this and to use the Profection Technique to
foretell what the native will face year by year.

We have seen that the Ascendant returns to itself every

twelve years. It does so every multiple of 12. So the
Ascendant is 0,12,24,36,48,60,72,84,96...etc. In order
to find the profected Ascendant for any age, start at the
Ascendant at the nearest lower multiple of 12 and start
counting house by house until you come to the house
corresponding to the year sought.
th
Thus, age 53 corresponds to the 6 House. To confirm
nd
this, start at the Ascendant at 48 and count 49 (2
rd th th
House), 50 (3 House), 51 (4 House), 52 (5 House),
th th
and 53 (6 House). The 6 House is the profected
Ascendant for 53 years old and its ruler is the Lord of
the Year. By its house position it indicates the major
issues of the year. In the example {Figure 9} the Sign
th
on the 6 House cusp is Leo. The Sun is Lord of the
th
Year. Its 11 House position indicates that the support
of generous friends is the dominant theme this year.
More detail can be had by knowing what the Sun's
zodiacal state and Local Determination are. I refer you
th
to the remarks I made about the Sun in the 11 House
in the previous lesson on the General Approach to
house delineation.

Now, you can apply the same technique to any house

of the figure and track the changes in its fortunes year
by year. This is especially useful in connection with the
nd
2 House.
nd
For instance, in the example Figure 9 the 2 House for
16
 th th,
age 53 is the 7 , ruled by Mercury in the 11 combust
and opposed to Saturn. This does not bode well for the
native's finances, as Mercury is afflicted. What the
afflictions show are expenses. Both the Sun and Saturn
are determined, not only to friends, but also to
sickness, as is Mercury by its connection with both. But
nd
note this: when you are profecting the 2 House to see
the native’s financial fortunes in a given year, the ruler
nd
of the profected 2 House will be in an angular house,
a succedent house or a cadent house. When it's in an
angular house the income is strong. When it's in a
succedent house the income is OK (half as good) and
when it's in a cadent house the income is low.
Afflictions show expenses either by the afflicting
planet's rulerships or by its house position.

Note! If the native is on a fixed income the Profections

may not show variations in the income but they will
certainly show variations in the expenses.

There are a couple of things to remember when using

Profections:

1. Profect through the houses to the appropriate house,

identify house ruler (of the profected house) in the
horoscope and interpret it in terms of its natal
position. Thus, the Profection of the natal Ascendant
th
(see example) to age 53 comes to the 6 House. The
th
Sun is the ruler of the natal 6 . The Sun is in the natal
th th
11 . Thus the year is about health/work (6 House of
th
natal) and friends (11 House of natal). Base your
delineation upon the natal meanings of the house and
its ruler - which you should have already familiarised
yourself with before doing the Profections. If you know
th
what the native's natal 6 House and Sun are doing in
the figure you are working on, you will find Profections a
walk in the park.

2. When the profected house is a house containing one or

more planets then the promise of these planets is
expressed in the context of the profected house. Thus,
17
 at age 46 (1993) the profected Ascendant came to my
th
natal 11 House. That year I had relationship troubles
which resulted in my moving house. I was giving many
lectures on Medieval Astrology and related subjects to
large groups of people. I was travelling (Canada,
Mexico as well as within the USA). I had help from
friends in connection with my health. My lady friend and
I attended the wedding of a Pakistani friend and
student of mine who is a Shiite Moslem. It was a
significant and edifying cultural experience. There were
disagreements with friends over intellectual and
publishing matters which stemmed from their problems
with control issues and intellectual property issues. It
was a continual struggle to remain financially solvent.

This example illustrates perfectly the point made

above. From our last lesson, you will have seen pretty
th
clearly the nature of the 11 House conjunction of
Mars, Sun and Mercury. At age 46 the natal promise of
this configuration manifested and set the tone for the
entire year because the Profection of the Ascendant
came to the house containing these three planets. The
planets by the natures and Local Determinations shape
the objective reality for the native's life that year.

3. When the profected Ascendant comes to a house

containing one or more planets, the planets in the
house to which the profected Ascendant comes will
contribute to the shaping of the objective facts of the
native's life in not only their natures but also their
rulerships. Thus, with regard to the profected
Ascendant for age 46, the travel reported was
th th
produced because Mars in the 11 is ruler of the 9 .
Mars also caused the financial woes and also caused
the cultural confrontation with the zeal of Islamic
Society and Religious values. The assistance from
friends stemmed from the fact that the Sun is ruler of
th.
the 6 The intellectual disagreements with friends
th
came from the entire 11 House configuration but
th
especially from Mercury, ruler of the 7 (Partnerships).
Mercury also produced the relationship problems and
18
 the relocation. Thus, you should attend closely to the
planets in a house when the Profection happens upon
them since they give events and periods of time
characteristic of their natures and rulerships in the chart
at hand.

4. Having found the house corresponding to the profected

Ascendant (or any other house) you can profect the
months of the year beginning from the profected
Ascendant {or the house you seek to profect.} which
will represent the first month, beginning from your
birthday.

In the example the Profection of the Ascendant to age

th th
46 brings you to the 11 House cusp. The 11 House
cusp represents January 25, 1993. The Lord of the
th
Year is Saturn in the 5 . The year promised turmoil with
friends, relationships, and assistance from friends, etc
th
as we said above. The 11 House itself represents the
first month of the native's year (January 25 to February
nd
25). The 12th house represents the 2 month of the
st
native's year (February 25 to March 25). The 1
rd
House, the 3 month (March 25 to April 25) and so on
until you reach December 25, 1993 to January 25,
th
1994, which is the 10 House. This technique is
nd
especially useful in connection with the 2 House, to
track income and expenses month by month.

In using the monthly Profections, observe in which

house the Lord of the Year falls. It will show the month
when that which is promised by the Profected Year will
manifest. For example, at age 46 the profected
th
Ascendant came to the 11 House (see same
example). Saturn is Lord of the Year. It is in the
th
5 House of the natal figure. The year promises turmoil
with friends, relationships, and assistance from friends,

19
 th
5. etc as we said above. Counting months from the 11
th
House cusp, we find that the 5 House corresponds to
the month July 25th to August 25, 1993. This is the
period of time when I ran into difficulties with my friends
over intellectual property and when my relationship
problems came to a head.

Well, there you have the basics. If you've been following this
technique closely and perhaps using it on your own chart or
someone else's, you've probably already seen how
remarkably well it works. Once again let me reiterate that the
success of this predictive technique rests upon having a
profound understanding of the natal chart by having made a
thorough delineation of it. If you rigorously delineate the
houses using the General Approach discussed in the last
Lesson you will have gained such an understanding. More
details about Profections and Firdaria, as well as some
remarks about the metaphysical significance of these
techniques will be found in the full Medieval Astrology
Course.

This concludes the Foundation Course on Medieval

Astrology. I hope you have found it informative and I am sure
that after a bit of work it will afford you great practical benefit
and insight. We have only been able to study some of the
basics in this Course but for those of you who wish to extend
your study there is the Advanced Course which leads to the
Diploma qualification.

Thank you for taking this Course and I wish you all the Very
Best in your endeavours.

Please now move to the test questions.

20
MEDIEVAL ASTROLOGY FOUNDATION COURSE

LESSON FOUR TEST:

PREDICTIVE TECHNIQUES
© copyright Robert Zoller and New Library Limited 2000 All rights reserved

Please answer the following questions. When doing so you

should not refer to the text or audio.

Questions

1. What are the Firdaria?

2. What is the order of rulership of the Firdaria in a diurnal

chart?

3. What is the order of rulership of the Firdaria in a

nocturnal chart?

4. How many years are allotted to each planet in the

Firdaria?

5. How do you find the length of a planetary sub-period?

6. How do you arrange the rulerships of the sub-rulers?

7. Give the sub-periods of the Mars Period.

8. At what age does the Mars period begin in a diurnal

chart?

9. At what age does the Mars period begin in a nocturnal

chart?

10. What are Profections?

11. What is the Lord of the Year?

21
12. When profecting the Ascendant from birth what number
do you start with?

13. What natal house corresponds to the profected

Ascendant for ages 12, 24, 36, 48, 60?

nd
14. What house does the profected 2 House correspond to
at age 37?
nd
15. When profecting the 2 House cusp in years, how do
you recognise the years in which income is strong.
nd
16. In the example chart, what house corresponds to the 2
House for March 26, 2000?

22
Answers

1. The Firdaria are planetary periods used in the Firdaria

Predictive Technique.

2. Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars,

North Node and South Node.

3. Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, North Node, South Node,

Sun, Venus and Mercury.

4. Sun 10, Venus 8, Mercury 13, Moon 9, Saturn 11,

Jupiter 12, Mars 7, North Node 3 and South Node 2.

5. Divide the Planetary Periods years by 7.

6. The Planet being divided rules the first sub-period and

the other planets follow in clockwise order around the
Firdaria Chart.

7. Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter.

8. 63.

9. 32.

10. A predictive technique which allots one year per house

or one
month per house.

11. The ruler of the profected Ascendant.

12. 0.

13. The natal Ascendant.

14. The 3rd house.

23
15. The ruler of the house corresponding to the profected
nd
2 House will angular or succedent in years of strong
income.

16. The 9th house.

If you got 14 or more answers correct you have done well. If

you got less than 14 answers correct you should thoroughly
revise this Lesson.

This ends Robert Zoller’s Foundation Course in Medieval

Astrology. When you are satisfied that you have completed
the Course to the best of your ability please confirm this by
contacting Robert Zoller:www.new-library.com/zoller/contact

Robert Zoller.

24
Robert Zoller.
http://www.new-library.com/zoller/