Arc Openings

[Sphinx]

I understand what Arc Openings are but want to know when they are activated by age or date.

[Jim Eshelman]

I understand what Arc Openings are but want to know when they are activated by age or date.

For those who don't know what they are, Sphinx is referring to the elongation from one planet to another. For example, my Moon is 154°56' farther in the zodiac than my Sun. These are sometimes listed in pure longitude (a 360° sort) or sorted in an aspect value such as a 90° sort (154°45' = 90° + 64°45'). Solar Fire gives these as a "Difference Listing" on the Reports page.

Thugh I know what you're asking, I think it is a wrong description to say these "activate." They aren't things in and of themselves (any more than longitudes are). They6're just a way to make it easier to tell when something else is going to happen. They were far more useful before computers, especially in Cosmobiology and Uranian astrology. Today, computers do more easily what "difference lists" were created to do. Imagine, for every chart you calculate, sitting to manually compile such a list! - in order to make all your future work with the chart easier!!

Difference lists were created primarily for use with solar arcs or - more widely - with any other valid "fixed rate" direction system that might be found. (So far, for direction systems, only solar arcs have demonstrated themselves to be valid.) For solar arcs, the rate of change is the same as the rate of secondary progressed Sun's change (progressed Sun minus natal Sun). This is approximately 1°/year, but will be faster for births in the months around January when Earth is near perihelion and slower for births in the months around July when Earth is near aphelion.

The difference listing table can be interesting if several entries are within about 1° of each other, especially if angles or luminaries are in the mix.

For example, as of my wedding day on May 27, 2019, my progressed Sun was 27°24' Scorpio. With natal Sun at 22°28' Virgo, my solar arc was 64°56'. Looking at my differences list (90° sort), I find within a degree of that:

64°29' Moon-Venus
64°42' Moon-Pluto
64°56' Solar arc
64°56' Sun-Moon
65°07' Mercury-Sun

This was exactly when directed (and progressed) Sun aspected natal Moon, and within close orbs of directed Moon to natal Venus-Pluto and directed Mercury to natal Sun.

[Jim Eshelman]

President Kennedy's natal Sun was 14°15' Taurus. When he was elected president, his progressed Sun was 25°44' Gemini (solar arc 41°29'). When he died, it was 28°38' Gemini (solar arc 44°23'). Allowing a 1° orb, we find in his difference listing the following items applicable to those years:

40°41' Saturn-Sun
42°09' Sun-Asc
42°41' Mercury-Pluto
44°04' Neptune-Venus
44°04' MC-Sun
44°32' Neptune-Moon
44°50' Mars-Pluto
45°18' Pluto-Mars

That's quite a concentration! Presuming the even-hour birth time is correct (it seems to be very close), our eyes are drawn especially to the 0°00' difference between when MC hits his Sun and Neptune hits his Venus. This solar arc of 44°04' is perfect at the end of July 1963 and is of mixed indications (the MC-Sun direction seeming to exalt him extremely, put him in what would be a usually very positive spotlight; but Neptune to Venus is rarely a positive aspect, though it could mean an enchanting figure). Immediately after this (28' orb = just over 5 months), Neptune aspects his Moon. 18' (less than four months) after that, Mars reaches his Pluto (and Pluto to his Mars soon after that). The four entries that are 44°-something average to 44°23.5', his solar arc in mid-to-late November 1963.

We can't say that, yes, late November 1963 is when this will all come to a head, but that's when all the orbs are, on average, closer, and a significant event might be expected that would, all at once, reflect the symbolism of MC to his Sun, Neptune to his Moon and Venus, and Mars to his Pluto. This would be the result of some on-going process, with parts of it peaking from July onward.

Normally, with computers, it's just easier to calculate the solar arc aspects themselves; but the above is an example of how the listing might help the eye catch unusually important periods or complex symbolism.

[SteveS]

Jim, have you done any mudane work with this method for USA chart?

[Jim Eshelman]

No.

Today, U.S. progressed Sun is 27°41' Aquarius, 246°10' past its 21°31' Gemini natal Sun. Subtracting 180° from this solar arc gives 66°10'. Here are the natal planet position differences within 5° of 66°10'. Feel free to look back and forward and tell us what you find. (Progressed Sun is currently moving 1°00' a year, i.e., 0°59'51".)

61°47' Neptune-Moon
62°58' Mars-Moon [Feb 2021... 1/7?]
63°01' Jupiter-Uranus [ditto Feb 2021]
63°21' Moon-Pluto
65°18' Pluto-Venus
65°37' MC-Mars
66°03' Venus-Uranus
66°10' current Solar Arc
66°26' Saturn-Mars [July 2024]
66°48' MC-Neptune [Nov 2024]
67°37' Saturn-Neptune [Sep 2025]
67°42' Asc-Mars [Oct 2025]
68°07' Sun-Mars
68°20' Pluto-Jupiter
68°34' Mercury-Venus
68°53' Asc-Neptune
69°17' Sun-Neptune

[SteveS]

Jim wrote:

66°10' current Solar Arc
66°26' Saturn-Mars [July 2024]
66°48' MC-Neptune [Nov 2024]
67°37' Saturn-Neptune [Sep 2025]
67°42' Asc-Mars [Oct 2025]
68°07' Sun-Mars

1: Jim, how do we weigh these ominous Solar Arcs hits vs SMA Solar Ingresses? Or, which is more important---Solar Arcs or SMA Solar Ingresses? Or, if we don’t see a malefic SMA Solar Ingress matching a malefic Solar Arc hit---again, how do we weigh between the two?

[Jim Eshelman]

I'm still unconvinced we can rely ln national charts - I'm sold on ingresses. It's always possible both are important

[SteveS]

Jim wrote:

I'm still unconvinced we can rely ln national charts - I'm sold on ingresses. It's always possible both are important

I hear you Jim, I agree with this view. SMA will be my main mundane quide.