Cyril Fagan on Solunars (1949)

[Jim Eshelman]

[The following article was published in The Astrological Bulletina for 1949. It shows some of the earliest work and views of Cyril Fagan on Sidereal solar and lunar returns, only five years after his first article on the subject. While a few of his views evolved in the years following (especially concerning houses), this is solid, core Fagan on the subject, substantially as he saw it until the end of his life, and a great historic marker.]

The Solar Returns of Egypt and Babylon
By Cyril Fagan, F.A.F.A.

Since the time Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century A.D. promulgated his system of primary directing, astrologers have diligently searched for the true keys to successful prediction. Such a persistent pursuit. down the corridors of time, implies that existing methods gave only tardy results, or were simply unconvincing. The last three or so generations of astrologers have witnessed the birth of many new systems which were forgotten almost as soon as they were born. Astrologers the world over are haunted by the notion that the more mathematical precision they can bring to bear on their problems, the more likely are they to achieve their object. But, like a rainbow, the ideal key recedes as they approach it.

One of the main stumbling blocks in their search is the failure to distinguish between "incidents" and “accidents," and the belief that all events befalling the individual must be shown in the current birthchart progressions. Progressions (or, directions) only reveal the growth of inherent characteristics and tendencies. such as the development of one’s artistic temperament or inherited mental aberration – the "incidents" of life. On the other hand, the “accidents" of life, all events which befall the native as the result of outside agencies, or his reactions to such (e.g., pestilential fevers, earthquakes, political tumults, fires, mishaps of all kinds), are indicated by transits and by such transit charts as the solunar returns.

How many of these researchers have paused awhile to ask themselves by what means the sages of Egypt and Chaldea won such enduring fame as successful prognosticators? Despite the marvelous advances of modern mathematics and science, and the discovery of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, very little of real worth has been added to the wondrous knowledge handed down to us by such Egyptian sages as Petosiris and Nechepso.

The teachings that fame, honor, distinction, splendor, pride, vanity, egotism and character generally were symbolized by the Sun; that tenderness, softness, charity, sympathy, timidity, moods, manner and behavior, by the Moon; that occupation, business, speech and schooling, by Mercury; that sexuality, love, friendship. and æstheticism by Venus; that force, violence, rashness, impetuosity, inculpation, slander, accusations, and roughness by Mars; that ambition, titles, politics, opulence, prosperity, worldly success, optimism, and well-being by Jupiter; and that austerity, asceticism, doubt, hesitation, reserve, poverty, despondency, taciturnity, sullenness and monasticism by Saturn, were already ancient when the youthful Alexander, the Great, set out to conquer the eastern world in the 4th century before Christ. The influences of the principal fixed stars and constellations, as well as the mutual configurations of the planets, were known then with far greater clarity and completeness than they are today.

Some idea of the antiquity of these teachings can be gleaned from the fact that as early as the 1st century of our era we find Pliny. in his "Historia Naturalis," trying to solve the mystery of the hypsomata (exaltations) of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, which were given as being in the following constellations (not signs): Aries 19°, Taurus 3°, Pisces 27°, Capricorn 28°, Cancer 15°, and Libra 21°, respectively. Indeed, these hypsomata are to be found in the earliest Egyptian celestial diagrams (X Dynasty), as well as in the three Babylonian astrolabes, notably, then compiled by Pinches (circa 1400 B.C. at the latest).

The corruption of the pure systems of Egyptian and Babylonian astrology began about 331 B.C. when Callisthenes, at the behest of his uncle Aristotle, sent from the fallen Babylon to Greece a large collection of Babylonian astronomical and astrological tablets. Included among these were the famous lunar-solar computation tablets of Naburiannu (B.C. 500) and Kidinnu (B.C. 382). In the former, the vernal equinoctial point was placed in Aries 10°, and in the latter, at Aries 8°. In their eagerness to make Babylonian astronomy their own, the Greeks concluded that the vernal-point was fixed absolutely in the 8th degree of the constellation Aries. They were unaware that the position of the Vernal point was affected by precession, and that since Naburiannu’s day it had receded from the 10th to the 8th of Aries. Despite the fact that in the planisphere of Eudoxus (also purloined at an earlier epoch from Babylon) the vernal equinoctial point was placed in Aries 15°, they “fixed” the zodiac so that the vernal-point always coincided with “8° Aries," in the mistaken conviction that it was identical with that of Egypt and Babylon. This was the zodiac that gained currency in both Greece and the Roman Empire.

It was not until 139 B.C. that Hipparchus, in discovering the phenomenon of precession, uncovered the blunder, and realized that what the Greeks thought to be the “fixed” zodiac was in fact a “moving” zodiac. His suggestion that “Aries 8°” be read as “Aries 0°” was not accepted by the Greek or Roman astrologers until the second century A. D. when Ptolemy's “Tetrabiblos" appeared, at which time the vernal-point had actually receded almost to the beginning of the constellation Aries! Throughout the pages of the "Tetrabiblos," Ptolemy, in referring to the signs, always means the actual constellations. Thus, in Book III, Chapter xvi on “The form and temperament of the body," he says: “To speak however more particularly, all constellations of human form, both those within and those without the zodiac, act on favour of giving a handsome shape to the body.... etc." Many passages can be cited to a like effect. It is important to remember that Ptolemy wrote for his own times and own people, when he admonished them to commence the zodiac with the vernal-point, his advice was quite apposite to his time, for the Spring point was then within two degrees of the initial point of the fixed zodiac.

It is not yet known at what period the invention of Domal Astrology came to be mingled and confused with Natural Astrology, but the effect was disastrous. It was in vain that men like Kepler and Stoetler strove to purge natural astrology of this parasite. Unfortunately, the works of Lilly and his successors have undone all that Kepler tried to accomplish, and today finds domal astrology more rampant than ever. Briefly stated, in domal astrology the planets have no intrinsic influence, but acquire such by virtue of their "sign rulerships.” Thus. if Capricorn is on the cusp of the 2nd house, Saturn, its “ruler,” becomes the significator of wealth, money, property, and so forth. Should the Sun be directed to an aspect of Saturn, the native will become wealthy and prosperous. If Scorpio is on the cusp of the 5th or 7th, then its “ruler,” Mars, becomes the sweet and gentle god of love and connubial bliss, and marriage will occur under appropriate directions to Mars, etc. In Natural Astrology, on the other hand, rulerships of houses find no place, each planet having its own intrinsic influence which is unique to it and unalterable. In this system Venus, and Venus alone and always, is the goddess of love and marriage and everything pertaining thereto must be judged from her configurations. Jupiter – and no other planet – is the significator of gain, ambition and acquisitiveness. In all questions of money, worldly prosperity, and success, it is the sole significator. Similarly, with the other planets.

The fame of the Chaldeans as successful prophets rests almost entirely on their skill in interpreting Solar and Lunar revolutions. Hermes, in his “Revolutionbus Nativitatum," says: “The Babylonians, Egyptians, Persians and Indians, both kings and private persons, undertook nothing in any year without examining their Solar revolution; and if they found the year good they set to work, otherwise they refrained. The kings examined the nativities of their generals and observed their Solar revolutions and if they found that for one of them the return indicated power and victory, they sent him against the enemy, otherwise they left him aside. And they observed the nativities not only of generals but of ambassadors to see if their anniversity indicated a successful result. If it signified prosperity they sent for them, but if not they appointed, instead, others whose anniversity did presage success. In the same manner kings and citizens chose food, drink, medicine, bought, sold and did everything according to their Solar returns; and they used these things and left aside those likely to be hurtful that year. They deduced from their own nativities and those of others and acted accordingly. Men wishing to beget a son observed their wife's revolution as well as their own and if both signified procreation they cohabited with them; otherwise they looked to other women whose nativities did signify the birth of a son. So the study of solar revolutions is very useful and expedient.” (Translation by Rupert Gleadow.)

But the Solunar (Solar and Lunar) returns of antiquity are not to be identified with their modern counterparts. The former are struck for the precise time that the Sun and Moon return to their natal positions among the fixed stars. If, for example, the native was born when the Sun as in partile (exact) conjunction with Regulus, then at every subsequent Solar return the Sun must also be in partile conjunction with the same fixed star. On the other hand, by the modern method of computing Solar and Lunar returns, the Sun and Moon are made to return, not to their original places among the fixed stars, but to their natal places relative to the vernal-point which is constantly receding among the fixed stars at the rate of 50" per year or one degree in 72 years. Hence, the time-difference between these figures can be considerable. Thus, at about 55 years of age there would be over a difference of 18 hours between the respective Solar returns.

In these figures, judgment was originally entirely vested in natural astrology. The power of planets for weal or woe was assessed on their propinquity to the angles. Planets on or near the angles were said to be in the “foreground,” those in succedent houses in the “middleground,” and those on cadent cusps, in the “background.” When the benefics were in the foreground, they exercised their maximum power for good, while malefics there were at the acme of power to hurt. But placed in the background, especially in the cadent houses below the earth, the planets were so enfeebled that they were virtually shorn of all power for positive good or evil, while planets in the middleground exercise a moderate influence.

The Sun in the foreground, for example, guaranteed a vigorous constitution. bubbling over with vitality and easily capable of resisting disease. But placed in the background, it denoted lowered vitality, lack of animal heat, and generally an enfeebled constitution. The effects were not so bad if the Sun was above the horizon. If the Sun was in the foreground and formed any configuration to the Moon, the native would have cause to be proud and the recipient of messages or tokens of congratulations. Jupiter in the foreground presaged a time of plenty and prosperity, with financial success generally, whereas Jupiter in the background denotes a lean time generally with a falling-off of income, or at least with no increases. Mars in the foreground, especially near the midheaven, is an omen of anger, slander, accusations, scandal and even violence. In the background, Mars is rendered “hors de combat.” Venus to the fore denotes love-affairs, marriage, and the pursuit of pleasure generally, but in the background, Cupid’s face is averted. Saturn to the fore denotes disappointment, sorrow, loss of liberty, impoverishment, delays. and bitterness generally. In the 4th house, he not infrequently indicates a bereavement, but cadent, he loses his power to turn laughter into tears.

In Lunar returns, Solar configurations denote events initiated by the native himself. Thus, if the Sun is configurated with Jupiter, especially in the foreground, the native will be animated with a desire to better his position and seek to acquire money. In the morally undeveloped, such configurations often coincided with robbery and so forth. Lunar configurations, being passive, denote events that happen to the native and cause him to respond. Thus, when the Moon is in conjunction with Venus, the native becomes an object of desire to another who will entice the native to react lovingly to his advances. The only effective transits are those made on the dates of the Lunar returns.

The schematicism that characterizes the judgment of planetary aspects in modern times was altogether absent in antiquity. Trines and sextiles were not considered “good,“ nor squares and oppositions “bad.“ On the contrary, a trine aspect between the Sun and a malefic was just as baneful and of similar effect as an opposition of the same bodies. The difference was one of degree of intensity and not of kind. Trines and sextiles denoted moderate influences that came gradually into effect, never reaching great intensity, and as gradually fading away. Oppositions and squares, on the other hand, operated with sharp, acute intensity, and were excessive in effect. From a worldly point of view, the Sun or Moon in square or opposition to Jupiter was much more successful than a mere trine or sextile; the former indicated men of substance, while the latter indicated one of only moderate means. In this question of aspects, Oscar Wilde's witticism that “nothing succeeds like excess" certainly seems to hold true. In antiquity, Mars in trine aspect to Saturn was a harbinger of evil, while Venus in opposition to Jupiter betokened joyousness, festivities, processions, pageantry, presents, marriages. and the holiday spirit generally.

Modern investigations confirm that Uranus is a beneflc second only to Jupiter in power. It signifies all that is popular, colorful, fresh, new, youthful, unexplored, original, enterprising, and romantic. Pre-eminently, it excites by the thrill of discovery and the zest for adventure. Configurated with the Sun in a Solunar return, it prompts the native to seek thrill in travelling, going to new places, strange adventures, or doing something “different” that gives a fresh impulse to life. Should Uranus be in the foreground and free of the configurations of the malefics, the native may wake-up one morning to find himself famous with the press-men knocking at his door. If the Moon is configurated with Uranus, fame, publicity or notoriety are thrust, as it were, on the native, and he will find himself constantly on the move and perhaps engaged in travel. If Uranus is configurated with Mercury and in the foreground, life is enlivened sic] by discoveries in learning, mathematics, science, or allied subjects. If conflgurated with Venus, and again to the fore, romance, fresh as the blue crystal of the sea, gives an unexpected delight to life. Not infrequently the native is lured to amble down the less-frequented by-paths of Cupid’s perfumed garden, and taste of forbidden fruits.

Configurated with Mars, reckless deeds of daring, hair-raising feats, the thrill of speeding or striking into the unknown, or the spirit of competition, hustle the native’s days. Danger rom misadventure, accident, explosions, or fire, is always present. Such a configuration is also responsible for success in mechanical invention. Uranus confignrated with Jupiter is one of the finest configurations possible for social success and wealth that come to the native with breathless unexpectancy. It denotes popular acclaim, social elevation. windfalls, and money through speculation, gambling, success in competitions, and by similar means. Because Uranus is ever the symbol of that which is fresh and new, it is for this very reason the planet of instability. The moment a thing is explored and understood, it loses its novelty and is soon forgotten or cast aside by the public who are ever in search for something fresh. Little wonder that popularity (Uranus) is a fickle mistress. To retain one’s popularity, one must be different from day to day. The fashion world with its constant search for something different is a Uranian eventuation. Uranus in the background, unconnected with the lights, denotes a more or less humdrum and colorless existence.

As a malefic, Neptune’s influence is even worse than Saturn’s, for his effects are more negative, psychopathic and masochistic. It is responsible for those attacks of the “jitters" experienced when one is about to face a surgical operation, or is arrested, placed on trial, forced to submit to castigation, or to enter the execution chamber. When in the foreground of a Solunar return, especially if configurated with the Luminaries, one is conscious of being defeated, belittled, mocked, ridiculed and generally made to feel a fool. Or else the native finds himself helplessly in the power of another, or the victim of a fatal disease. Essentially, Neptune is the significator of "persecution complexes," removals from office, reduction in rank, dismissals, defeatism and resignation. When under the beams of Neptune, the native may be deemed to be incompetent or irresponsible or otherwise undesirable and steps are taken to have him removed. Neptune typifies the “victim” and victimization. With both sexes, but especially girls, when Neptune holds the angles, configurated with Saturn or Venus, or even Saturn alone, there is danger of seduction and from enemies lurking in ambush.

When Pluto is to the fore, the native will experience a period of nervous tension and alert expectancy. It invariably marks a time of eventfulness, such as those that become milestones in the lives of everyone. With men it indicates their first job, employment and the tear and strain of work-a-day life. With women, it indicates marriage and the birth of children, especially that of the first child. Always it demands action, often dramatic and swift, never idleness or unemployment. It precipitates those crises in the affairs of everyone which force one’s hand. Sometimes the strain may be too great and then danger of mental breakdown is imminent. It is not uncommon to see Pluto configurated with the Luminaries in Solunar returns of brides, indicating their passage from a period of relative ease to one of responsibility as a wife and a mother. Generally, Pluto tends to saddle one with the direction of affairs. Apart from this, it is rather anti-social and a distainer of the law. and too preoccupied with its own interests to have any sympathy for the idle and the stupid.

In the 1948-49 issue of the ASTROLOGICAL BULLETINA, Mr. Bradley gave such a brilliant analysis of the charts of Griffith E. Abrams relative to his lamented death in Los Angeles at 2:30 a.m., P.S.T., November 11th, 1947, that I was curious to see what the ancient Solunar returns had to say on the matter. The relevant charts are appended herewith. Chart #1 shows Griff’s nativity reduced to the ancient Egyptian zodiac of the constellations with the fiducial in the fixed star Spica. In this chart, it will be seen that the Moon in the constellation Gemini (commerce with books) is setting in the west, configurated by Saturn in Pisces, the latter being enfeebled in the background (3rd house) and hence out of harm's Way. As the changeful, roving Moon was so powerfully in the foreground and in the WEST, the urge to move West caused him to migrate to America, especially to the U.S.A., which is “ruled” by Gemini. (On July 4th, the Sun would be in the constellation Gemini.) In taking up his abode in Los Angeles, the sympathetic Moon in Gemini was brought directly to the 10th house (occupation) denoting the genial salesman of literature always on the roam. But, alas! the change to California brought Saturn out of his retirement right into the foreground of his nativity as equated for this new home-town. (In moving from our birth places to distant lands, the natal chart must always be equated to the new place of residence, and as long as we continue to reside there be deemed to be our true nativity for all purposes of transits, directions and Solunar returns.) At the time of his passing, Neptune was transitting his local ascendant in square to the Moon on the midheaven and in opposition to Saturn on the descendant; all three bodies being right in the foreground.

Chart #3 is “Griff‘s” 67th solar return. It is computed for 2:34 a. m. P.S.T., January 26th, 1947, Los Angeles. (Note: This is 22 hours, 19 minutes later than the corresponding return in the tropical zodiac.) It will be seen immediately that the Sun, significator of life, is enfeebled on the cusp of the 3rd house. This in itself was a bad omen for the vital reserve, but it is severely worsened when it is noted that the Sun is in conjunction with Mars and in opposition to Saturn, all extremely inimical to the life. The Moon is in the 4th house; "end of life,” “the grave," and in the 6th house (“sickness”) of the nativity equated to Los Angeles. The rising Jupiter indicated a successful business year, but did not assist the health. The astrologer seeing such a chart in advance could only presage one event – terminus vitæ!

Chart #4 is the Lunar return preceding demise. It is an extraordinary and significant figure. Note that the angles are radical with the nativity as equated to Los Angeles (Chart #2). Note further that Neptune is exactly on the ascendant in Virgo, in square to the Moon on the midheaven, and in EXACT opposition (with 0°02') of Saturn. (In the tropical zodiac, this opposition is 0°56' wide!) Observe, too, that the Sun in Libra 17°07’ is in EXACT opposition to the natal Neptune on the cusp of the house traditionally associated with death (8th). (In the tropical zodiac, this opposition is 0°57' wide!) The Sun was in trine aspect to the Moon so that even on his deathbed, Griff was a proud man and overflowing with sympathy for others. But the Sun and Mercury were in square to Pluto so it was a month of “crisis” for him, and the Solar square of Mars and Saturn did not enhance the picture.

Readers who would like to experiment with these ancient returns will find complete instructions as to their calculation in the “SIDEREAL ZODIAC EPHEMERIS FOR 1949,” published by The National Astrological Library, 327 A Street, S.E., Washington 3, D.C. It may be obtained from the Library, or from Llewellyn Publications, Ltd. in Los Angeles, for $1.60 postpaid.

[Jim Eshelman]

[Charts are calculated in the zodiac used at the time (before Bradley's statistical results documented in Profession & Birth Date and Fagan's archaeological findings documented in Zodiacs - Old & New). This "starter zodiac" postulated that Spica defined 0° Libra, and is almost 1° from the actual boundaries of the zodiac. I have recalculated them for the provided data.]

Chart #1 - Natal


Chart #2 - Local Natal


Chart #3 - SSR


Chart #4 - SLR

[Jim Eshelman]

[I thought it would be interesting to excerpt and summarize specific rules and procedures as Fagan stated them in 1949.]

INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS. "Progressions (or, directions) only reveal the growth of inherent characteristics and tendencies. such as the development of one’s artistic temperament or inherited mental aberration – the 'incidents' of life. On the other hand, the 'accidents' of life, all events which befall the native as the result of outside agencies, or his reactions to such..., are indicated by transits and by such transit charts as the solunar returns."

RELATIVE ANGULARITY. "The power of planets for weal or woe was assessed on their propinquity to the angles. Planets on or near the angles were said to be in the 'foreground,' those in succedent houses in the 'middleground,' and those on cadent cusps, in the 'background.' When the benefics were in the foreground, they exercised their maximum power for good, while malefics there were at the acme of power to hurt. But placed in the background, especially in the cadent houses below the earth, the planets were so enfeebled that they were virtually shorn of all power for positive good or evil, While planets in the middleground exercise a moderate influence."

SUN ASPECTS. "In Lunar returns, Solar configurations denote events initiated by the native himself."

MOON ASPECTS. "Lunar configurations, being passive, denote events that happen to the native and cause him to respond."

[NOTE: In case you never noticed, this is the primary distinction Bradley took into the interpretations he included in Solar & Lunar Returns, written about this time or slightly later. Compare his interpretations of Sun and Moon to the same planet. He wrote them primarily from the perspective that Sun aspects show what you are doing, Moon aspects show what is happening to you, i.e., things to which you are responding. - JAE]

TRANSITS. "The only effective transits are those made on the dates of the Lunar returns."

ASPECT TYPES. "…in antiquity… Trines and sextiles were not considered ‘good,’ nor squares and oppositions ‘bad.’ On the contrary, a trine aspect between the Sun and a malefic was just as baneful and of similar effect as an opposition of the same bodies. The difference was one of degree of intensity and not of kind. Trines and sextiles denoted moderate influences that came gradually into effect, never reaching great intensity, and as gradually fading away. Oppositions and squares, on the other hand, operated with sharp, acute intensity, and were excessive in effect."

[Jim Eshelman]

Fagan wrote:

The corruption of the pure systems of Egyptian and Babylonian astrology began about 331 B.C.

And, IMO, is responsible for the astrological corruption of Tropical astrology we see today. Jim you have done a great service by posting this article by Fagan. Every serious astrologer on this forum should strive to clearly understand everything contained in this article by Fagan. It shows the great astrological historian in Fagan who sought with his heart pure astrological truths.

[Jim Eshelman]

[I thought it would be interesting to excerpt and summarize specific rules and procedures as Fagan stated them in 1949.]
TRANSITS. "The only effective transits are those made on the dates of the Lunar returns."

So if there's a Sun-Mercury-Mars conjunction but nowhere near the date of a lunar return, it's moot?
Or?

Can you talk about this a bit?

[Jim Eshelman]

Well, that's the opinion he's expressing.

I don't agree with it - certainly not as stated. Watching transits day by day for 40 years, there is nothing more reliable overall than transits to the natal and SSR.

But it could be that there is a lot more "moderating" effect - rheostat on the strength - than I've discerned. It would be a highly subjective "call" for me to vote in that direction.

So, just to wrap up an excessively long answer to your question: Yes, you have correctly discerned what Fagan said and meant in 1949. (Whether it's true is a separate question.)

[Jim Eshelman]

Thanks. I have seen transits well away from the dates of lunars show solidly, so I wanted to be sure I understood what Fagan was saying.
I don't usually have any trouble discarding things that go so strongly against my experience, but when it's Fagan or Bradley....

[Jim Eshelman]

The key is... they kept growing. There is no inspired doctrine here... just tons and tons of incessant hard work and clear-headed observation and clear thinking.

[Jim Eshelman]

TRANSITS. "The only effective transits are those made on the dates of the Lunar returns."

So if there's a Sun-Mercury-Mars conjunction but nowhere near the date of a lunar return, it's moot?
Or?

Can you talk about this a bit?

I think he was talking here specifically in the context of Solunars.
For example, if on the day of new SLR transiting Mars opposes natal Venus, it's effective for the whole month (with more or less intensity - depending on proximity to angles and eventual aspects to Luminaries).

[Jim Eshelman]

And maybe he was also saying Mars transiting the position of lunar return Venus days or weeks later isn't an effective transit?

[Jim Eshelman]

Fagan wrote:

The only effective transits are those made on the dates of the Lunar returns.

I offer, based on extensive research with my solunars what I think Fagan is trying to convey. When we have a Solar or Lunar Return where a tight or partile transit to a natal factor is in the immediate foreground of the return chart, then the transit really (big time, or a bigger time) becomes ‘effective.’ In other words, for example, when t. Venus is in partile aspect to your Natal Jupiter and falls in the immediate foreground of a solunar chart—then this transiting Venus factor to a Natal Jupiter factor becomes more ‘effective’ than a Venus transit to Natal Jupiter that does not fall in the immediate foreground of a solunar chart. I base this on my extensive experience moving about the Country for gambling successes with my solunar charts. I have noticed a marked diminishing ‘effect’ of transits to my Natal Chart that do not fall in the immediate foreground of a solunar chart.

[Jim Eshelman]

Fagan writes from one of his solunar columns in American Astrology Mag:

It has been the purpose of the present writer to search all the extant monumental and textual records of remote antiquity in an endeavor to recreate, insofar as he was capable, the original teachings of astrology and present them to the modern world for the light they throw on “modern astrology.”

You see, Cyril Fagan did all the “donkey work” in order to bring astrological truths back into the mainstream of modern astrology. For the most part, he was ridiculed/condemned by the leaders of modern astrology. Only a few astrologers paid any detailed attention to Fagan’s brilliant work. These “few” continue to pay attention as members of this forum.

[Jim Eshelman]

The only effective transits are those made on the dates of the Lunar returns.

To return to this line... This sentence, taken at face value as meaning exactly what it says, does appear to have been Fagan's, and perhaps Bradley's, position for one long stretch in Sidereal astrology's early history. I remember a few articles where Bradley was commenting on someone in the news, with no birth time, and he'd study events by looking at what transits were partile at the prior SLR.

So... I don't think it's true (though it can "lock in" a transit under some conditions), but I do think it was a point of view they took seriously for a time.

I know that in SSRs, partile transits are effective the entire year regardless of whether angular, though I think of these much less in SLRs. I possibly haven't paid enough attention because half the time (and the ones that would matter to me most), the transits are by slow planets that would be active for longer stretches that involve both the SLR and the (earlier or later) time when they are exact. Unless one is working to dig out examples, one might easily miss this pattern if it were there.

And, regardless, 40 years of work with day-by-day transits shows me that they are quite effective independent of whether they existed at the time of a lunar return. (I'm certainly hoping that Mercury's transit to my natal Jupiter-Uranus on Sunday, when I have an important exam, outweighs the weighty Saturn-Neptune SLR.)

[Jim Eshelman]

Wow... Fagen is absolutely amazing.

[Jim Eshelman]

He brought back a tremendous amount of ancient astrology which had been lost through history.

[SteveS]

Make Hay While Jupiter Shines!
Provided the malefics are in obscurity the native is advised to “make hay while Jupiter shines” in the angles of Return Charts. Cyril Fagan, pg 57, Solunars Handbook

[Veronica]

Make Hay?

Is he meaning rolling around in the hay? Like knocking boots?

[Jim Eshelman]

Make Hay?

Is he meaning rolling around in the hay? Like knocking boots?

He meant gamble. Sorta the same but with different risks involved.

[Avshalom Binyamin]

In gambling there are also ups and downs, but only the ups are fun.

[Veronica]

Make Hay?

Is he meaning rolling around in the hay? Like knocking boots?

He meant gamble. Sorta the same but with different risks involved.

Hmmmm.
In my demi luna that started yesterday I do believe my Jupiter and transiting Jupiter are angular. Feeling a little froggy...maybe I will take a risk. You cant win if you dont try and get in the game.

It was an odd phrase...but farming is a huge gamble.

[SteveS]

I take "making hay" to mean any-reasonable objective you set for your life priority within the context of happenings within your immediate environment.