RUMINATIONS ON RECTIFICATION by Allan Tidmarsh (based on a talk given in September 2000)

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. APPROACH

3  HOW ACCURATE DOES THE BIRTH TIME HAVE TO BE ?

4.1 Methods - Outline
4.2 Description of Methods

4.2.1 Dowsing
4.2.2. Chart for Every Hour/Minute of the day
4.2.3 Estimate a Birth Time
4.2.4 Approximate Birth Time Known

4.3 Event Comparison Methods - Outline

7 REFERENCES

1. INTRODUCTION

Rectification is the process of applying techniques to determine the correct birth time. Why rectify?  If you have an accurate birth time then you will get more accurate predictions - from transits and progressions. If you have no birth time then you will get an inaccurate interpretation.

Firstly we will consider the problems associated with an inaccurate (or lack of) birth time and what techniques could be applied to do rectification. Following this an overview of each technique and how useful it may be.

Note : I have tried to keep the mathematics to a minimum.

2. APPROACH

We are essentially trying to solve a mathematical problem, such as : given a set of points (x,y) determine the equation y=f(x). Rather than a function which relates y to values of x in astrology we have for a particular time ‘t’ a set of positions for all the planets we are considering valid for the chart. The planetary positions vary over time.

One of the biggest problems in physics is determining initial conditions, if these are not right any predictions made using a set of equations are likely to be incorrect. In astrology our initial condition is the birth time, so if the birth time is wrong the characteristics of the person from the chart will be wrong and the transits and progressions will be in error.

In astrology we make the following assumptions:

1. An individuals life is affected by Planetary positions at birth and over their lifetime
2. Ignore every other possible influence [ we ignore - effect of other people, environment,  ..]

Actual Time à Actual Events: E0 (birth), E1, E2, E3, E4, …..

With predicted events based on a nominal birth time (probable events), these are:

Predicted Events à Possible Events : P0(birth), P1, P2, P3, P4, …..

If the match is there then the nominal time is the actual birth time. This sort of method is the one used by most PC software suites – the software finds the best fit birth time based on a database of actual events compared to the transits/progression of various birth times.

3 HOW ACCURATE DOES THE BIRTH TIME HAVE TO BE ?

Problem: Have date of birth, place of birth, but an Inaccurate or no birth time available.

Effect: Planetary positions are incorrect, Ascendant and Midheaven will be wrong and houses may not be valid.

Depending on the birth time accuracy how much in error will any astrological work be ? When this question is answered rectification techniques can be compared with regard to induced errors due to the inaccuracy of the birth time.

3.1 Planetary Movements

The more inaccurate the birth time the more pronounced are the induced errors. The average values of the movements of the planets per day are given in the table below (not necessarily taking into account retrograde motion):
 

3.2 Birth Time Errors and Planetary Movements

What do we do if we have no birth time? Traditionally a noon birth time is assumed. The moon is the fastest moving planet along with the Ascendant and Midheaven, we should be aiming for an accuracy of 1 degree or less in positions. The table below gives the Asc, MC and Moon position accuracy in degrees with respect to birth time accuracy.
 

3.3 Birth Time Error - Effects on the Natal Chart

If we use a noon time chart the Asc and MC cannot be valid. Anything to do with the Moon is suspect, so we have to ignore it when interpreting such a chart. All we can provide is a general interpretation that would apply for all people born on the day at the place in question. At about +/- 15 minutes in error (+/- 30 minutess at a push) the Asc and MC may be taken into account if they fall in the centre of a sign. Aspects to them should be ignored or taken with ‘a pinch of salt’.

Anything below +/- 15 minutes in error we can use the Asc and MC with some confidence.

3.4 Birth Time Error - Effects on the Houses

If use a noon time chart the houses cannot be used at all. Since the houses are tied to the Asc and MC that are unknown (house systems use the Asc and MC to generate the house boundaries). At about +/- 15 minutes in error (+/- 30 mins at a push) the houses are just about usable. Planets that fall in the middle of a house are obviously in the house; anything near the house boundary could be in either of the adjacent houses.

Anything below +/- 15 minutes in error we can use the houses with some confidence.

3.5 Birth Time Error - Effects on Transits

Transit: the passage of a planet over a sensitive or important point in the natal chart indicates an event in one’s life – what happens to you. [A Transit can also be passage through houses as well]. The table below shows the worst case errors in numbers of days for planets Transiting (‘Tr.’) planets with respect to Natal planets.

                                   Natal
           Su        Mo      Me      Ve      Ma     Ju     Sa    Ur    Ne    Pt
     Su   1.000   13.000   2.000   1.000   1.000  0.200  0.080 0.010 0.005 0.003
     Mo   0.077    1.000   0.154   0.077   0.077  0.015  0.006 0.001 0.000 0.000
     Me   0.500    6.500   1.000   0.500   0.500  0.100  0.040 0.005 0.002 0.002
     Ve   1.000   13.000   2.000   1.000   1.000  0.200  0.080 0.010 0.005 0.003
Tr.  Ma   1.000   13.000   2.000   1.000   1.000  0.200  0.080 0.010 0.005 0.003
     Ju   5.000   65.000  10.000   5.000   5.000  1.000  0.400 0.050 0.025 0.015
     Sa  12.500  162.500  25.000  12.500  12.500  2.500  1.000 0.125 0.063 0.038
    ============================================================================
     Ur 100.000 1300.000 200.000 100.000 100.000 20.000  8.000 1.000 0.500 0.300
     Ne 200.000 2600.000 400.000 200.000 200.000 40.000 16.000 2.000 1.000 0.600
     Pt 333.333 4333.333 666.667 333.333 333.333 66.667 26.667 3.333 1.667 1.000

Table 3.5.1 Worst Case Errors

Where the natal position error is assumed to be an unknown birth time (+/- 12hrs birth time accuracy). Some examples from the table are :

• for a Saturn transit (conjunction) with natal Jupiter we would have a maximum of 2.5 days error
• for a Jupiter transit (conjunction) with natal Moon we would have a maximum of 65 days error

      Su      Mo     Me     Ve     Ma    Ju    Sa    Ur    Ne    Pt
Su  0.083   1.083  0.167  0.083  0.083 0.017 0.007 0.001 0.000 0.000
Mo  0.006   0.083  0.013  0.006  0.006 0.001 0.001 0.000 0.000 0.000
Me  0.042   0.542  0.083  0.042  0.042 0.008 0.003 0.000 0.000 0.000
Ve  0.083   1.083  0.167  0.083  0.083 0.017 0.007 0.001 0.000 0.000
Ma  0.083   1.083  0.167  0.083  0.083 0.017 0.007 0.001 0.000 0.000
Ju  0.417   5.417  0.833  0.417  0.417 0.083 0.033 0.004 0.002 0.001
Sa  1.042  13.542  2.083  1.042  1.042 0.208 0.083 0.010 0.005 0.003
====================================================================
Ur  8.333 108.333 16.667  8.333  8.333 1.667 0.667 0.083 0.042 0.025
Ne 16.667 216.667 33.333 16.667 16.667 3.333 1.333 0.167 0.083 0.050
Pt 27.778 361.111 55.556 27.778 27.778 5.556 2.222 0.278 0.139 0.083

Table 3.5.2 Errors, birthtime known to nearest Hour (ie +/- 1hr, division by 12)

     Su     Mo     Me    Ve    Ma    Ju    Sa    Ur    Ne    Pt
Su 0.021  0.271  0.042 0.021 0.021 0.004 0.002 0.000 0.000 0.000
Mo 0.002  0.021  0.003 0.002 0.002 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Me 0.010  0.135  0.021 0.010 0.010 0.002 0.001 0.000 0.000 0.000
Ve 0.021  0.271  0.042 0.021 0.021 0.004 0.002 0.000 0.000 0.000
Ma 0.021  0.271  0.042 0.021 0.021 0.004 0.002 0.000 0.000 0.000
Ju 0.104  1.354  0.208 0.104 0.104 0.021 0.008 0.001 0.001 0.000
Sa 0.260  3.385  0.521 0.260 0.260 0.052 0.021 0.003 0.001 0.001
================================================================
Ur 2.083 27.083  4.167 2.083 2.083 0.417 0.167 0.021 0.010 0.006
Ne 4.167 54.167  8.333 4.167 4.167 0.833 0.333 0.042 0.021 0.013
Pt 6.944 90.278 13.889 6.944 6.944 1.389 0.556 0.069 0.035 0.021

Table 3.5.3 Errors, birthtime known to nearest 15mins (ie +/- 15mins, division by 48)

3.6 Birth Time Error - Effects on Progressions

Progressions (secondary) : A progression represents how you change. The most commonly used method of progression is a ‘day for a year’. The planetary positions are altered for one year by their respective movements for a day. So for the second year the progressed positions will be the positions of the planets 2 days after the birthday. The errors for the progressions are the same as for transits, take table 3.5.1 above and change the errors units from days to years. The planets can only move the equivalent of a lifetime of days – i.e. 70 years = 70 days, so if your birth time is in error things will just not get to a potential progressed aspect or get to the wrong one entirely.

Progressions are useless for a chart with a birth time error of +/- 12hrs. At a birth time accuracy of +/- 15mins you can trust some of the data, so use only inner planet progression to the natal chart – these are likely to be the most accurate.

[ Progressions typically are considered to be progressed inner planets to natal inner planet positions – is this because the errors due to an inaccurate birth time are understood ?]

3.7 Birth Time Error – Effects on Symbolic Directions (LifePath systems)

Most of these methods involve a movement of a 'marker' representing the age around the chart (logarithmic or other movement). This induces errors dependant on the rate of movement of the marker compared to natal planetary positions.

3.8 Birth Time Error - Effects on Harmonic Charts

Harmonic charts involve the use multiplication factors. This means that when we create a harmonic chart it will magnify any errors we have in the natal chart. So be careful, if the birth time is inaccurate the Moon, Ascendant and Midheaven positions when sent to their new harmonic level could be way out of position. Harmonics have meanings as follows :

2^nd Wealth and position
3^rd Brothers and Sisters (Health)
4^th Home and Property
5^th Relationship to Art (creativity)
6^th Health
7^th Children (Musical form)
9^th Marriage partner (or ideal partner)
Nth represents Nth year of life [64^th Harmonic can be used to represent the 64^th year of life].

3.8 What Birth Time Accuracy do we Need ?

The basic problem is the position of the Moon, if you can tie that down then the birth time could be determined. Are we just hunting for the position of the Moon? Well possibly, but any method which can give an accurate Ascendant and Midheaven is also very important . Basically you want to be accurate to a period of 15 minutes or less, 30minutes is just about acceptable for some Natal chart work. An ideal time is to be accurate within 5 minutes.

4. RECTIFICATION

4.1 Methods - Outline

The following methods can be applied to resolve the birth time :

1. Dowsing
2. Chart for every minute/hour of the day and check which one is right, by applying an event comparison method.
3. Estimate the birth time and apply an event comparison method (e.g. look at career and see if you can work out the Midheaven).
4. Apply an event comparison method.

How can we carry these techniques out, having a PC and a chart calculation program is a must, some packages even offer Rectification options (based on life events).

4.2 Description of Methods

Remember always test the result of any method and compare it to the results from other methods - they should all agree !!

4.2.1 Dowsing

Use a yes /no approach (NO = back and forwards, YES = rotation) , this will give a convergence

Question 1 : AM or PM ?

Question 2 : is birth time in 0 -> 5.59 or 6->11.59 ?

Question 3 : etc

Alternatively the count approach (Number of rotations equals the value) ,

Question 1 : Which hour of the day is the birth time ?

Question 2 : Which minute of the hour ?

Accuracy Rating : +/-12hrs, i.e. guess the time or potentially 0 if you get a brilliant psychic to do the job.

4.2.2. Chart for Every Hour/Minute of the day

Do a chart for every minute/hour of the day and check which one is right compared to known life events (use of event comparison method).

Accuracy Rating : +/-15mins or less

Problem – it takes an awfully long time to do.

4.2.3 Estimate a Birth Time

Use one of, or all of, one of the methods below, then apply an event comparison method.

• Look at the person’s career, or what they really would like to do (i.e. may be doing factory work but want to be a psychologist) – does this match any of the Midheaven attributes. If so we can say that the Midheaven is in Sign ’X’.

• Examine the personality of the person – does this match any Ascendant attributes. If so we can say that the Ascendant is in Sign ’Y’. You can get some more idea by look at the Modes (Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable) and Elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) and their attributes as well.

• If AM or PM only know then use the average daily birth time distribution graph peaks (Dean & Mather page 471 figure 13.1).
If AM go for 4.30am, if PM go for 9pm.
 
• Some idea of time of day, use a birth time from the table below.

 

Time Range	Choice
Early Morning 0am-4am	2am
Morning 4am-10am	7am
Lunchtime 10am-2pm	12noon
Afternoon 2pm-6pm	4pm
Teatime ?	5pm
Evening 6pm-10pm	8pm
Late Evening 10pm-midnight	11pm

• Method of pre-natal epoch (extract from Dean and Mather below) :

Mostly used for fine tuning if you have a birth chart accurate to about 30 minutes. There are some technical objections to the method, see Dean and Mather page 476 for reasons.
 

• Approximate time known, do any Sabian symbols match a person’s Ascendant attributes; this is more of a confirmation method.

• Appearance and Ascendant – does the person’s physical form match planetary ‘forms’. Ascendant and planetary midpoints (Dean and Mather page 425), and also Ascendant on angles (Dean and Mather page 404/5).

• Use of Gauqelin sectors and placement of planets (see Written in the Stars by M Gauquelin).

4.2.4 Approximate Birth Time Known

Apply an event comparison method to confirm the proposed birth time.

4.3 Event Comparison Methods - Outline

• Compare Transits (and Returns) against the estimated birth time natal chart to known life events.
• Compare Progressions against the estimated birth time natal chart to known life events.
• Compare LifePath systems (Dale, Tadd-Mann and Huber) against the estimated birth time natal chart to known life events.
• Use of AstroCartography and CycloCartography with known life events.
• Use of directions (solar arc or similar) with known life events.

5 RECTIFICATION - EVENT COMPARISON METHODS

Apply one method and see how accurate it is. All methods should be applied to get a better view of the overall success of your rectification attempt. You could have - 2 events may match Transits (includes Returns) and 4 events may match Progressions.

5.1 Preparation

5.1.1 Construct the Event List

The event list should contain at least 5 and no more than 10 key life events (if you have a PC software suite which does rectification it may be better to stick as many as possible in as the PC will do all the work for you). Each event in the list should have the Date, Time and Place. It is important to find out the decision date, NOT the actual event date, since this is nominally when the event was 'caused'. Life events are of the following types :

1. Marriage (use engagement ?)
2. Birth of Children
3. Death of parents/siblings
4. Sudden change in career (choice of new job, redundancy etc)
5. Inception of business relationships
6. Serious illnesses and operations
7. Accidents
8. Moving house
9. Achievements (Educational, book published, won Olympics, climbed Everest etc)
10. Divorces
11. Travel - overseas

An example of an event list :

For ease of analysis it’s a good idea to have a worksheet. Basically set it up to meet your own best usage, but for guidance have First Column as event, Second Column Matching Transits, Third Column Matching Progressions plus a column for results from each method you are using.

Example worksheet layout :
 

Year	Age	Date	Event	Transit  Matches	Progression Matches	LifePath Matches
	0		Born

5.2 Guidelines of Event Comparison Analysis

1. Only use the major aspects - Conjunction, Opposition, Square, Trine, Sextile [? and Quincunx]
2. Use tight orbs of 1 degree or less !! [a wider orb may be useful to look for near hits].
3. Multiple simultaneous aspects are more likely at the time of major event.
4. Look for the Involvement of chart angles - Asc, MC, Desc, IC  [these are regarded as the most important]

• Natal aspects are permanent, they represent 'what you are'
• Transits are over short time frames they, represent 'what is happening to you'
• Progressions are over long time frames they, represent 'how you change'

5.3.1 Progressions

List all the progressed positions and record aspects to the natal chart on the worksheet which has the same (or close) date/time event in the list. Best to do them for the year of the event, record hits and near misses along with time differences.

Limit the planets used for progressions to Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Don't use the Moon as its natal position is not known precisely and thus its progressions could well be wrong.

5.3.2 Transits

Do the transits for the month of the event, record aspects to the natal chart on the worksheet which has the same (or close) date/time event in the list. Record hits and near misses along with time differences.

Transiting planets used should be Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. If you use the 'inner' planets then there will be too much data to analyse. Ignore any transits to the moon as its natal position is not known precisely.

Also it may be worth considering looking at transits to direct Midpoints for events. If you want to look at an inner planets' transits as they may be associated with a specific event, then just do the transit for that planet in the month of the event to see if there is a hit.

5.3.3 Returns (special case of transits)

These are special cases of transits, they are when a planet has done a complete circuit and arrives back at the same point on the natal chart.
Work out the exact date for a return and check for event hits, record hits and near misses along with time differences.

5.3.4 Solar Arcs

Every planet is moved forward by 1 degree (approx.) for each year. The method is considered questionable by some astrologers. [Solar Arc = difference in angle between the progressed and natal sun].

You look for directions crossing an angle (Asc/MC/Desc/IC).

This method probably best used for fine tuning when you have established an approximate birth time. Try to verify the time with at least two Solar Arc events to the angles, one early in life and one later.

For example:

Say a client gives you a birth time which results in an ascendant of 25 Aquarius rising. His sun is at 16:08 Aquarius. He tells you that his family made the decision to emigrate to this country when he was just 3 months past his twelfth birthday. This yields an arc of 12:04, which, when added to his natal sun position yields a sum of 28:11. So the correct ascendant is 28:11 Aquarius.

5.3.5 AstroCartography and CycloCartography

AstroCartography maps shows where for both time and place around the world where the planets are on an angle (Asc, MC, Desc, IC).

Planetary influences will be manifested when you visit a particular place/country or can be activated when you have :

If you don't travel a lot then this method is not very useful, however its probably best used to confirm a rectified birth time. Look at the AstroCartography map and see if any there are any matching 'hits'.

5.3.6 LifePath systems

Obtain a printout of the LifePath data and record any hits on events on the worksheet; remembering to record near misses and the time differences.

The hits are usually represented by conjunctions to natal planetary positions, however look at Oppositions and Squares as well and watch out for these aspecting the angles (ASC/MC).

5.4 Analysing the Results

After you have got all the data together and matched any hits to the event list on your worksheet then see how many hits you have. If you have 70% + or more hits the your new birth time is probably right - you may have to do some fine tuning. If you have 40-70% hits then you are close but need to do some more work. Anything less than 40% you'll have to start again. Remember to check for the involvement of the Angles in the results - this will give you some measure of confidence in the Asc/MC.

• Inspect your hit level - if 70% +, then work out the moon progressions and transits - then check them for hits as well. Any more hits and you have probably got the right time.

• Low hit level or none - see how many near misses you have and any time differences. From the time differences work out a correction for 2 significant events apply it to the birth time and redo all the work again [ new worksheet, new progressions etc !!].

5.4.1 Applying Corrections

This is a tricky area. How big a change will you have to make to the birth time to affect the results so things line up.

1. Transits - Correction is related to daily movement of the planets.

 

 

Example : If  planet X conjunct the Asc is 12 days out then you have to move the ascendant the number of degrees equal to 12 multiplied by X's average daily movement. So if X was Saturn the you would move the Acsendant back or forward 12 * 0.08 = 0.96 degrees.
 

2. Progressions - again its related to daily movement. However since progressed dates are worked out by a linear method of interpolation, i.e. a day in a progressed year is 1/365^th of the average daily movement of a planet.

 

 

Example : If planet  X square the MC is 6 months out then you would have to move the MC the number of degrees equal to the number of days in 6 months multiplied by X's daily movement in a progressed year. So if X was Sun then you would move the MC back or forward 182 * 1/365 = 0.5 degrees.
 

3. LifePath systems

You can’t do rectification unless you have accurate set of ‘life’ events to work with. Some methods are suspect and if you have rectified birth time you can never be sure you have got it entirely correct – verification comes with time.

Some astrologers say that rectification is not possible at all.

Extracts from Dean & Mather :

1. There have been no adequate comparative studies of the various methods of rectification and there have been no adequate blind trials of rectification accuracy. The results of Hone's study showed that the accuracy of rectification by the prenatal epoch is no better than chance.
2. Addey comments "after many years as an astrologer I have yet to find a man whose chart was rectified to the same Ascendant by any two good astrologers, whilst I have known some who have had their charts rectified to a different Ascendant by each of a dozen leading practitioners. The inadequacy of these methods speaks for itself".
3. Jain has surveyed published rectified times for Mrs Gandhi (given time 2311 IST 19 November 1917). They give six times: 2253, 2253, 2307, 2308, 2313 and 2314, a range of 21 minutes. The methods used were not stated.
4. On the other hand, Kemp has rectified a number of charts (e.g. Hitler, de Gaulle) and has obtained Ascendants that agree within those obtained by other astrologers using different methods.
5. The reasons for such inconsistency seem to be as follows:

1. Rectification is highly specialised and requires expertise which most astrologers do not have.
2. Many techniques are used but there is no agreement on which are reliable and which are not.
3. There is no objective evidence for the validity of any of the dynamic techniques on which most rectifications are based; hence they may well all be wrong. Yet such techniques are ideally suited to objective study.
4. Techniques such as the prenatal epoch are entirely questionable.

Harmonics in Astrology, by John Addey
Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, by G Dean & A Mather
How to Rectify a Birth Chart , by Laurie Efrein
The Astrologer's Companion, by  J & P Filbey
Forecasting by Astrology, by  Martin Freeman
Written in the Stars, by  M. Gauquelin
Planets in Transit, by  Robert Hand
Using Astrology and CycloCartography To Rectify a Birth Chart, by David Meadows (from Mountain Astrologer  Magazine)
No Nonsense Guide to Astrology : Transits, by  Paul Newman
The 12 Houses, by  Howard Sasportas

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