Primary Directions

by Sepharial

The definitive text on Primary Directions, written by a 20th century master. Sepharial (1864-1929) was one of the leading astrologers in the early 20th century English astrological revival. Primaries were his favorite means of forecasting. Primaries, unlike simple transits or secondary directions, are not immediately obvious to the average student. So in this book, the author starts with the basic definitions. He then explains how to calculate directions in mundo, directions in the zodiac, as well as parallel directions. He suggests methods of organization and describes what effects primary directions may produce. In the process he gives an overview of the three main schools of The Fatalists, the Casuists, and the Idealists, and gives the pros and cons of each. Sepharial then discusses the two major individuals behind primaries. These are Claudius Ptolemy, who invented the semi-arc (primary) method in the second century AD, and the 17th century Italian monk, Placidus de Titis, who devised the complex house system that enabled primaries to be calculated easily and rapidly. Sepharial next tackles directions under Poles, which were a favorite of R.C. Smith, the first of several men known as "Raphael". Then, the resolution of problems unique to The proper method to calculate the Part of Fortune (Oblique Ascension/Descension, rather than simple zodiacal longitudes), various unique challenges with primary directions and the moon, and the true way to calculate directions to house cusps, along with some novel shortcuts. This book, originally entitled Directional Astrology , was the revised and expanded successor to the author's earlier Prognostic Astrology . It is also superior to his better known Primary Directions Made Easy . Using this system, Sepharial made many notable forecasts, most famously that of the end of World War I and the abdication of the Kaiser. Interest in this fascinating system has increased since the mid-1990's. This is the finest book ever published on the subject, one that will repay study.

172 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Dr Walter Gorn Old (1864-1929) was an eminent English Theosophist, and a notable 19th century mystic and astrologer, better known as Sepharial. He initially studied medicine and followed this up with studies in psychology, oriental languages, astrology and numeurology. In 1886 he started to write an astrology problem page in the Society Times, where he answered the public's questions, and in 1887 at the age of just 23 was admitted to the "inner sanctum" of the Theosophical Society. He was editor of Old Moore's Almanac, which is still published in the 21st century. He was one of the founder members of the Theosophical movement in England. He became a very influential author in the fields of the occult, astrology and numeurology. He can be credited as the first astrologer to use Earth's "dark moon" Lilith in his calculations. His works include: Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised (with Charubel aka John Thomas) (1898), New Manual of Astrology (1898), The Book of the Simple Way (1904) and The Kabala of Numbers (1913).